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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRB 2022-04-04 Minutes MINUTES OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS HELD IN THE CITY HALL 4301 CITY POINT DRIVE APRIL 4, 2022 REGULAR MEETING A. CALL TO ORDER Chair Copeland called the meeting to order April 4, 2022 at 6:02 p.m. Present: Vanessa Copeland, Chair, Place 4 Tracye Lewis, Vice-Chair, Place 1 Russ Mitchell, Place 3 Casey Daniel, Place 5 Russ Murdock, Alternate Absent: Kate Beck, Place 2 Brad Evans, Place 6 Jennifer Childs, Place 7 Staff Members: Adrien Pekurney, Director Antonio Evangelista, Recreation Operations Manager Frank Perez, NRH2O General Manager Gary Bechthold, Parks Superintendent Tanner Arwine, Parks Assistant Superintendent Christina Lopez, Office Coordinator Cindy Dobbs, Secretary A.1 CITIZEN PRESENTATION There were no requests to speak from the public. A.2 PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no requests to speak from the public. B. ACTION ITEMS April 04, 2022 Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 6 B.1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 7, 2022 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING APPROVED A MOTION WAS MADE BY BOARD MEMBER MITCHELL, SECONDED BY VICE-CHAIR LEWIS TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 7, 2022 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 5-0. C. PRESENTATION / DISCUSSION ITEMS C.1 YOUTH SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS ANNUAL PRESENTATIONS FOR 2021 Ms. Adrien Pekurney, Director of Parks and Recreation, introduced Mr. Steven Linford, Fields Director for Birdville Area Youth Futbol Alliance (BAYFA). Mr Linford presented BAYFA's annual report to the Parks and Recreation Board. Ms. Pekurney introduced finro representatives from Richland Youth Association who were �I� in attendance: Ben Earley, Vice-President and Lisa Willis, Director of Cheerleading. Ms. Willis presented RYA's annual report to the Parks and Recreation Board. D. DEPARTMENT UPDATES D.1 NRH2O FAMILY WATER PARK UPDATE Mr. Frank Perez, NRH2O General Manager, provided an update on activities at NRH2O Family Water Park. -Staff is in the midst of hiring for the summer season. Training has begun and will continue for the next four weeks. The water park officially opens on May 7. -The annual Music Fest starts on May 2. Projected attendance are on par with some of the largest Music Fests held in prior years. -Management training with full time staff and supervisors was held on March 5 and 6 with a theme of"Back to the Basics" focusing on culture, legacy and guest service. -Staff is narrowing down options for a new Point of Sale system for the water park. The goal for the new POS is to be completely installed and ready for the start of the 2023 season. April 04, 2022 Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 6 D.2 PARKS CAPITAL PROJECTS UPDATE Ms. Adrien Pekurney, Director of Parks and Recreation, presented an update on capital projects. -Mr. Joe Pack, former Senior Park Planner, took a position with the Town of Addison. He ' served the City of North Richland Hills for almost 16 years. ' -NRH Active Transportation Projects for Trails/On-Road: Select Maintenance, LLC is II continuing to work at the intersection of Mid Cities Blvd and Iron Horse Blvd. This I sub-project is known as a high visibility intersection for bicyclist and pedestrians. RRFB also known as Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons, is a pedestrian activated flashing , light warning system to alert drivers of pedestrians or bicyclists needing to cross the � road. These are currently being installed at multiple locations. "Share the Road" bicycle images are being installed on various roadways in the city for added safety for bicyclist ' and motorists alike. -Richfield Park Tennis/Pickleball Court Replacement: The proposal pricing was significantly over our budget, so staff and the contractor are negotiating the final construction costs for the project. -Park Operations staff held pre-planning discussions regarding the proposed irrigation system at Adventure World Playground. There is currently not an irrigation system in place at Adventure World. -Request for Proposal is complete for the Cross Timbers Park Playground Replacement. The Purchasing Department is working to add General Conditions and prepare the package for advertisement on Public Purchase. -Ms. Pekurney acknowledged Gary Bechthold, Tanner Arwine and the Public Works Department for their contribution in all of these areas during Mr. Pack's absence. -Board Member Mitchell asked for an update on the Green Valley Raceway project. Ms. Pekurney stated that the design was done internally before Mr. Pack left. It is still under City Management review. She is hopeful that it will be ready to go out for bid before the end of this fiscal year and the goal for construction would be 2022-2023. D.3 PARKS MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS UPDATE Mr. Gary Bechthold. Parks Superintendent, provided an update on parks maintenance and operations activities. April 04, 2022 Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 6 -Staff contracted out the replacement of the east border fence of Tipps Canine Hollow Dog Park. The fence replaced was the original fence for Northfield Park prior to the development of the dog park. -There has been an influx of graffiti in several City parks. It does not appear to be gang-related. Staff is removing it as they see it. -Staff completed the installation of several artificial mounds on baseball fields at Cross Timbers Park and four sets of new soccer goals at Green Valley Park. -With the spring weather, the City's general mowing contractor as well as the in-house crew, have been increasing the mowing cycles. -Weed control applications are complete. Staff has begun chemical applications to treat for fire ants. -Irrigation system are being turned back on. Repairs are being made as needed. Chair Copeland asked what can be done about the vandalism. Mr. Bechthold stated that when they see it, they remove it, in hopes that will discourage the activity. They are not seeing repeating acts at the same location. Photos are taken and if a pattern is seen, staff will contact NRHPD. Vice-Chair Lewis asked if staff wants to be informed if a dangerous reptile is seen in one of the parks. Mr. Bechthold stated that we are aware of some of the wildlife that lives in the parks. Ms. Pekurney said that there is not a removal program in place, but we try to find a balance with wildlife, as this is their home. We also take every opportunity to educate the public about the wildlife that lives in our city and to be mindful when they are on the trails and in parks. D.4 NRH CENTRE, GRAND HALL, ATHLETICS, SENIOR CENTER, RICHLAND TENNIS CENTER, PROGRAMS AND SERVICES UPDATE Mr. Antonio Evangelista, Recreation Operations Manager, provided an update on activities at the NRH Centre, Grand Hall, Senior Center, Richland Tennis Center as well as programs and services. -NRH Centre celebrates its 10th Anniversary on April 12. Memberships are getting back to pre-pandemic numbers. Youth camps for Summer 2022 are filling up quickly. -Aquatics had a successful Splash Flix movie with 143 participants. The next Splash Flix movie night is scheduled for April 22. April Pools Day was held on April 1 with a sold out crowd. The event featured water safety activities. The Underwater Egg Hunt is scheduled April 04, 2022 Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 6 for April 15. Swim lessons have sold out with 180 participants and 190 on the wait list. -Grand Hall has 50 events scheduled over the next 60 days. Many are conferences, corporate training and business seminars. -Adult Slow-Pitch Softball continues to do well, selling out their registrations for the spring season. Mayor's Monthly Bike Rides start up again on April 5. -NRH Senior Center enrollments continue to grow. They will be hosting a Health Fair on May 25. The NRH Senior Center "Gives Back" Initiative continues with the seniors currently collecting water for the NRH Fire Department. They also collect non-perishable food items at their monthly luncheons for a local food pantry. Mr. Antonio Evangelista, Recreation Operations Manager, acknowledged the Community Partners and sponsors that continue to support the Senior Center by offering various programs and events. -Richland Tennis Center had a great UTR Tournament in March with 112 entries for singles and 44 for doubles. RTC will be hosting a Friday Mixer on April 29. -NRH Art Walk Project has been installed. This outdoor exhibition is part of the new "Art Lives in Our City" initiative and features local artists. -The Pop Up Egg Hunts are coming up with six different locations being announced the day of the event on social media and the city's website. -The 2022 Sounds of Spring Concert series begins on April 22 with five bands performing on consecutive Fridays in April and May. -The work of two outstanding North Texas artists is now on permanent display at North Richland Hills' Smithfield and Iron Horse TEXRaiI commuter stations. Artists Rebecca Zook and Pamela Summers were commissioned by TEXRaiI to create eight works each to adorn wind panels in the passenger waiting enclosures located along the rail lines. -Iron Horse Golf Course welcomed KemperSports Management on April 1 as the new management company for the course. Doug Borow has accepted the position of General Manager and has been with KemperSports for 13 years. KemperSports will be hosting a VIP golf event and reception on April 27. Vice-Chair Lewis and Board Member Mitchell has some questions regarding pricing and fees at Iron Horse and the Grand Hall respectively. Mr. Evangelista stated he would look at competitive analysis which they try to do annually. Chair Copeland inquired about the Daddy/Daughter Dance in February which was a success with three sessions instead of the normal finro. April 04, 2022 Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 6 E. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS E.1 COMMUNITY SERVICE MONTHLY REPORTS (JANUARY - FEBRUARY) PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD UPDATES (FEBRUARY - MARCH) There are no other informational items. F. ADJOURNMENT Chair Copeland adjourned the meeting at 7:22 p.m. Vanessa Co land, Chair ATTEST: . / Cindy Do , Secretary April 04, 2022 Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 6