HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRB 2017-06-05 Minutes MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PARK AND RECREATION BOARD
OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS
HELD IN THE CITY COUNCIL WORK ROOM (3�d FloOr),
4301 CITY POINT DRIVE
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS
June 5, 2017 — 6:00 P.M.
A. CALL TO ORDER
Vice-Chair Filis called the meeting to order June 5, 2017 at 6:00 p.m.
Present: Mike Filis Vice-Chair
Tracye Tipps Board Member
Russell Mitchell Board Member
Dianne Spradling Board Member
Kenneth Reeves Board Alternate
Absent: Marty Kusmierski Chair
Suzy Compton Board Member
Paul Pena Board Member
Staff Members: Vickie Loftice Managing Director of Community Services
Bill Thornton Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation
Adrien Pekurney Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation
Frank Perez NRH2O General Manager
Christina Lopez Office Coordinator
Gary Bechthold Parks Superintendent
B. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Ms. Victoria Nelson, 8021 Shadow Wood Dr, North Richland Hills, TX 76182,
provided the following comments: Ms. Nelson thanked the Park and Recreation
Board for providing the safety lights at the John BarField Trail/Smithfield Road
crossing. Ms. Nelson also commented about the hours of operation of Tipps
Canine Hollow Dog Park. Hours were recently posted at the Dog Park which
indicated that the hours of use were from 8:00 a.m. to dusk. She understood that
a petition has been submitted regarding the opening time and requested that
staff consider opening the park at 7:00 a.m. She said going to the dog park is
very important to her family and that she would be available for any discussions
on the topic.
C. ACTION ITEMS
C.1 APPROVE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 3, 2017 PARK AND RECREATION
BOARD MEETING
Page 1 of 5
APPROVED
PARK BOARD MEMBER MITCHELL MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 3,
2017 PARK AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING. BOARD MEMBER SPRADLING
SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 4-O.
D. PRESENTATION / DISCUSSION ITEMS
D.1 YOUTH SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS ANNUAL REPORT
Each year all youth sports associations contracted to use city facilities are
required to present an annual report to the Park and Recreation Board. Mr.
Darren West, President of the Birdville Area Youth Futbol Alliance presented
BAYFA's annual report. Mr. West also introduced Mr. Ken Harmon who has been
serving as the associations Coaching Director for a number of years. Mr. Harmon
will be taking over the position of President, in the fall, due to the retirement, from
the association, of Mr. West. Ms. Adrien Pekurney, Assistant Director of Parks
and Recreation, presented Mr. West with his volunteer appreciation certificate,
gift and framed certificate of appreciation for BAYFA's partnership with the City of
NRH.
D.2 DISCUSSION AND INPUT ON THE NORTH RICHLAND HILLS STRATEGIC
PLAN UPDATE RELATEDS TO THE CURRENT AND FUTURE
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTION OF THE CITY.
Vice-Chair Filis commented that this agenda item will not be presented or
discussed this evening due to the absence of several Park Board members. Mr.
Clayton Comstock, Planning Director, would like to get the Board's input and
would like as many Board members as possible to participate. Vice-Chair Filis
entertained a motion to postpone this item until the August 7, 2017 meeting.
PARK BOARD MEMBER SPRADLING MOVED TO POSTPONE AGENDA ITEM D.2
PERTAINING TO THE DISCUSSION AND INPUT ON THE NORTH RICHLAND HILLS
STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE TO THE AUGUST 7, 2017 PARK AND RECREATION BOARD
MEETING. BOARD MEMBER MITCHELL SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 4-O.
E. DEPARTMENT UPDATES 8� GENERAL INFORMATION
E.1 MANAGING DIRECTOR ITEMS
Ms. Vickie Loftice, Managing Director of Parks and Recreation updated the board
on the following items:
Park and Recreation Board Minutes June 5,2017 Page 2 of 5
• Northfield Park — Preliminary costs provided for the renovation of Northfield
Park have come in higher than expected due to a very tight market for
contractors, the amount of work available to them and labor costs.
Construction costs have increased by 40%. Staff is working with the architect
and professional consultants to reduce some costs and have identified
reductions of about $400,000-$500,000. As the Board is aware, the Parks
and Recreation Department receives $50,000 from the Barfield Family
Foundation each year. The Foundation has committed to provide three years,
$150,000 at this time to help offset the additional costs associated with the
development of Northfield Park. Ms. Loftice said there may be some
decisions that need to be made regarding priorities for Northfield Park Staff
will continue to work with the consultants to identify reductions where
possible. Any substantially changes will be brought back to the Park and
Recreation Board for review.
• TA Set-Aside Grant — Staff was notified that we have been awarded the TA-
Set-Aside Grant from the North Central Council of Governments in the
amount of $766,000. Work will begin soon on the rapid flashing beacons as
well as the other recommendations.
• Medians & Right-of-Ways — Currently, Parks and Recreation does not mow
any of the city's medians or right-of-ways. Parks Maintenance does maintain
the landscaping on some of the medians through a contract for that service.
Parks and Recreation has been asked to look at managing the contract for
mowing and maintenance of all the medians and right-of-ways in the city.
Staff is currently analyzing all the properties which include 117 different
parcels of land. The current contract is managed through Public Works and a
contract with Terracare. Funding for the contract will remain in the Public
Works Utility Fund.
E.2 NRH2O FAMILY WATER PARK UPDATE
Mr. Frank Perez, NRHsO General Manager, presented an update on activities at
NRH2O. Highlights include:
• NRHzO has had a great start to their 23�d season with the exception of this
past weekend with all the rain. For the first time in the parks history, NRH2O
topped $1 Mil in the month of May.
• Dive In Movies will begin on June 16.
• Fireworks are scheduled again this year with an additional Friday added to
the month of July.
• The World's Largest Swim Lesson will be held on Thursday, June 22. NRH2O
has participated in this event from its inception and was recognized at World
Water Park for their continued support of the program.
Park and Recreation Board Minutes June 5, 2017 Page 3 of 5
E.3 ASSISTANT DIRECTOR'S REPORT ON CURRENT PROGRAMS AND
SERVICES
Ms. Adrien Pekurney, Assistant Director, presented an update on activities at the
NRH Centre, Athletics, Senior Center, Tennis Center and the Grand Hall.
Highlights include:
• The NRH Centre celebrated its 5th Anniversary with an Open House on
Friday, June 2 from 6:00 — 8:00 p.m. at the Grand Hall. Staff saw 70-80 new
faces and hopes to continue the tradition of an open house twice a year to
give people the opportunity to check out the NRH Centre and Grand Hall.
• Summer programs began the week of June 5.
• Camp NRH is starting a new program this year, Friday Only "Drop In" Option.
Due to the limited number of campers that participate on Fridays, staff is
providing an opportunity for other kids to participate on a "Drop In" basis. The
cost is $30 and does require pre-registration.
• `Round the Town with Oscar will be held on Tuesday, June 6 and July 11 at
Cross Timbers Park. Start time is 6:30 p.m.
• Early bird registration is open for the 2017 NRH Road Runner 5K. The run will
be held on Saturday, October 7. New this year is a NRH Road Runner 5K
Training Group led by Mrs. Jill Smith. Mrs. Smith is an avid runner and will be
facilitating the training group beginning in August. Registration is required.
• The NRH Senior Center will be celebrating "World Day of Music" at their
monthly luncheon to be held on Wednesday, June 21.
• The Northeast Tarrant Family 4th Celebration and Fireworks Show will be held
on Tuesday, July 4. The event is sponsored by the Cities of Haltom City,
North Richland Hills, Richland Hills, and Watauga as well as the event title
sponsors: Five Star Ford and North Hills Hospital.
• A new colorful addition to the Signal Art Program made its debut in May at the
corner of Blvd 26 and Loop 820, "Queen of Tejano" singer Selena Quintanilla
Perez.
• The Grand Hall is doing very well in achieving their revenue projections.
Revenues were revised up to $250,000 and the Centre is expected to reach
this goal by the end of the Fiscal Year.
Board Member Mitchell asked if staff is aware of a golf tournament held at the
Diamond Oaks Country Club and if the City ever thought about trying to host this
type of event. Ms. Loftice said she would talk with Mr. Nathan Gillespy, Iron
Horse Manager, to see what the protocol is for hosting such tournaments.
E.4 ASSISTANT DIRECTOR'S REPORT ON PARKS CAPITAL PROJECTS
Mr. Bill Thornton, Assistant Director, presented an update on Parks Capital
Projects. Highlights include:
• Northfield Park — Staff anticipates taking the construction contracts to City
Council for approval in September. Due to the anticipated construction
schedule, dates have been e�ended on the rental of the pavilion until the end
of September.
Park and Recreation Board Minutes June 5, 2017 Page 4 of 5
• A contract was awarded to KOMPAN for the replacement of the Green Valley
Playground. Construction of the playground is tentatively scheduled for
August of this year.
E.5 PARK MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS UPDATE
Mr. Gary Bechthold, Parks Superintendent, presented an update on park
maintenance projects for April and May highlighting the following projects:
• Irrigation Services — Mr. Bechthold highlighted irrigation services to show the
Park and Recreation Board what goes into maintaining the City's irrigation
systems. In one week, staff had to replace the booster pump motor at Cross
Timbers Park, repair mainline breaks at Norich Park, NRH2O, HomeTown
Lakes and repair the fountain at Green Valley Park.
• Richfield Park Damage — Someone drove through the Pedestrian Bridge off
Buckingham Trail into Richfield Park and through the fence for Field 3 taking
out about 100' of fence. RYA had a big tournament scheduled for the next
weekend, but staff was able to make all the repairs in time. The person who
caused the damage was caught by police.
F. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Vice-Chair Filis noted the Calendar, Park Board Updates and monthly reports in
the back of the Park Board packet.
G. ADJOURNMENT
Vice-Chair Filis adjourned the meeting at 6:48 p.m.
Mike Fil s, Vice-Chair
ATTEST:
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Christina Lopez, Office o in tor
Park and Recreation Board Minutes June 5, 2017 Page 5 of 5