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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRB 2024-02-05 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 FEBRUARY 5, 2024 REGULAR MEETING A. CALL TO ORDER Chair Vanessa Copeland called the meeting to order February 5, 2024 at 6:01 p.m. Present: Vanessa Copeland, Chair, Place 4 Tracye Lewis, Vice-Chair, Place 1 Russ Mitchell, Board Member, Place 3 Jack McCarty, Board Member, Place 5 Brad Evans, Board Member, Place 6 Ricky Rodriguez, Board Member, Place 7 Sammy Robison, Alternate Absent: Kate Beck, Board Member, Place 2 Staff Members: Adrien Pekurney, Director Tanner Arwine, Assistant Director Antonio Evangelista, Assistant Director Michael Wilson, Park Planning Manger Frank Perez, NRH2O General Manager Cindy Dobbs, Office Coordinator A.1 PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no requests to speak from the public. B. ACTION ITEMS B.1 APPROVE MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 4, 2023 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING. APPROVED February 05, 2024 Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 7 A MOTION WAS MADE BY BOARD MEMBER MITCHELL, SECONDED BY BOARD MEMBER RODRIGUEZ TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 4, 2023 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0. C. PRESENTATION / DISCUSSION ITEMS C.1 YOUTH SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS ANNUAL PRESENTATIONS FOR 2023 Ms. Adrien Pekurney introduced Mr. Steven Linford, Vice-President for Birdville Area Youth Futbol Alliance (BAYFA). Mr. Linford presented BAYFA's annual report to the Parks and Recreation Board. -Chair Copeland asked what the player age range is. Mr. Linford replied that it is U4 to U19 - this is considered youth leagues. Ms. Copeland asked what line item was impacted the most due to the deficit in the budget. Mr. Linford stated that they had to scale back on their skill sessions. They also had to cut out their marketing budget. Ms. Copeland asked if player enrollment went down due to costs going up. Mr. Linford said no, it was not. They are still not back up to their pre-COVID numbers. Ms. Copeland asked the status of the coach turnover. Mr. Linford stated that there was less turnover from Fall to Spring than from last Spring to Fall, which is normal. -Board Member McCarty asked what the "break-even" number of participants are and Mr. Linford stated that it is not a certain number of kids. It is based on cost, however if they have more than 500 registrants they will not lose money. -Board Member Evans asked if they are able to fundraise or get sponsors. Mr. Linford said that they are currently exploring options for that. They have added a donation options upon registration and that has helped with scholarships. Mr. Evans also asked about the referee cost; who sets the market for that and what is driving that cost up. Mr. Linford said that there are two associations in the area that have higher rates than the others. That forces the nearby groups to have to increase as well. -Board Member Rodriguez asked how many players ask for sponsorships. They estimate that there were 12 that applied this year and they were able to accommodate them. Mr. Rodriguez asked if they have ever had to turn anyone down. Mr. Linford said yes, there were two last year that they were unable to assist. They were able to assist a couple of requests with half off options. -Ms. Pekurney mentioned that the annual game count at Green Valley park is approximately 3500 events per year. Ms. Pekurney then introduced Ms. Missy Schulz, February 05, 2024 Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 7 Cheer Director for Richland Youth Association (RYA). Ms. Schulz presented RYA's annual report to the Parks and Recreation Board. -Board Member Robison asked if they cheer for football only or do they also cheer for basketball. Ms. Schulz said that they are looking to add basketball cheer to the program in the near future. Mr. Robison asked about competitive cheer. Ms. Schulz said they are actively looking into doing that as well. This would be in addition to the sideline cheer that they do now. 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. -Hiring events start February 8, 2024 for the upcoming season. Training starts the first weekend of March. They will also set up in local high schools to promote seasonal jobs at the water park. -Seasonal salary will increase $2.50 an hour. They hope to remain competitive and retain their quality staff. There will also be a slight increase for both resident and non-resident ticket prices. -Polar Plunge took place on Saturday, February 3. It was a successful turn out with over one hundred people in attendance. Over $13K was raised to benefit the Special Olympics of Texas - Greater Fort Worth area. -The Accelerator repair and resurface project has been completed. -Board Member Robison asked if paint was used on the Accelerator and Mr. Perez stated that it was gel coat. -Chair Copeland inquired on which high schools they go into. Mr. Perez stated that they go to all of the BISD schools as well as schools in Keller. They are also able to get into some of the Grapevine schools. They are also trying to coordinate some joint hiring with the Peppa Pig Park next door. Board Member Robison asked if they will work at both parks in those instances. Mr. Perez said that is the goal. It has been discussed that the two park's busy seasons will probably not be at the same time, so they should be able to assist each other with staffing. -Board Member Evans inquired about season pass sales time frame. Mr. Perez said that they have their holiday sale and then their regular pricing in April or May. February 05, 2024 Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 7 D.2 PARKS CAPITAL PROJECTS UPDATE Mr. Michael Wilson, Park Planning Manager, presented an update on capital projects. -Green Valley Raceway Historical Area - Installed artwork in mid-January. The logo will be etched in the concrete once it cures. Irrigation has been installed and landscape will be put in as weather permits. Furniture, benches and trash cans will also be added. -Board Member Mitchell said that he has heard from other residents that are very excited about this project. He said he had heard that some of the original asphalt still remains on-site. Mr. Wilson said that all he has seen is some asphalt near what would have been the staging area and a little bit of track right before the housing development. -Staff has applied for an 80/20 TPWD Grant for the City Point Trail Project that will provide for the design and construction of a 10' wide multi-use trail in the Oncor easement. Staff is in discussions with Oncor and putting the finishing touches on the details. -Cross Timbers Disc Golf- Staff had a meeting with a professional course designer last month to discuss a scope of work for schematic design. This will be a smaller course with nine holes. -Tommy and Sue Brown Park Playground Replacement with Shade - Staff has requested proposals and they are due on February 15. A selection committee will review those results. Construction is expected to start late summer to early fall. D.3 PARKS MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS UPDATE Mr. Tanner Arwine, Assistant Director, provided an update on parks maintenance and operations activities. -Tree maintenance has taken place along North Tarrant Parkway between Davis and Smithfield. Staff is focusing on pruning and health care. City Hall and Walkers Creek Park were also tended to. -Staff are in the process of installed wheel stops in the parking lot at Green Valley Park. the goal is to be completed by February 23. -Walkers Creek Park concrete replacement took place the end of January. This included sidewalks, ramps and curbs where the concrete was failing. -Staff completed the installation of the Gaga Ball Pit at Tommy and Sue Brown Park. This February 05, 2024 Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 7 was an approved Park Amenities Request that was sent in by two young brothers. -Benches around the memorial wall at Liberty Park were replaced with stone block benches. They match the pavers and the other materials in the park but were less expensive than traditional benches. -Various fence repairs will be taking place around the athletic fields before the spring season begins. Concession maintenance as well as pre-emergent application will be made in the coming months. Roadway and building lights are also being repaired and replaced as needed. -Board Member Lewis inquired as to what is Gaga Ball. Mr. Arwine explained the game. Ms. Lewis asked how big the area of play is and Mr. Arwine said that each side (panel) is 12' and the whole area is about 28' across. This size is good for 10-12 children. -Board Member Robison asked if there are specific brackets for the connectors on the frame. Mr. Arwine said that yes, they are powder-coated. -Board Member Mitchell inquired about cleaning up Onyx Drive South, near Fossil Creek Park. Mr. Arwine stated that they are picking up trash a couple of times a week. He will have staff go down there with a mower to clear up some of the overgrown parts. -Chair Copeland has heard many compliments about the wheel stops at Green Valley Park. D.4 NRH CENTRE, GRAND HALL, ATHLETICS, SENIOR CENTER, RICHLAND TENNIS CENTER, PROGRAMS AND SERVICES UPDATE Mr. Antonio Evangelista, Assistant Director, presented an update on activities at the NRH Centre, Grand Hall, Athletics, Senior Center, Cultural Arts and the Richland Tennis Center. -NRH Centre is currently offering its New Year Membership Specials available through February. -32nd Annual Daddy Daughter Valentine Dance will take place on February 17. Both times and age groups are full. -The pool recirculation pump was replaced at the NRH Centre on January 17 and it operates 24/7. This replaced the original pump from the building opening in April 2012. -Registration for leagues are very strong right now, including volleyball and pickleball. February 05, 2024 Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 7 -Senior Center has been able to increase the number of guests at their monthly luncheon from 125 to 150 due to the partnerships they have with their sponsors. -Richland Tennis Center's annual tournaments and events have been very successful. The one held in December (Toys for Tennis) featured the collection of toys for the Community Enrichment Center toy drive. The January UTR Tournament was held on January 27-28. -The Grand Hall is currently featuring artists Betsy Horn and Betsy Allaire. A Call for Photography is in progress for the Spring Photography Show March 15 - May 24. -The 2024 Sounds of Spring will resume in April and May. -Board Member Rodriguez asked how the NRH Centre membership enrollment is doing. Has there been a downturn? Mr. Evangelista stated that membership is very strong. They are not at capacity but it is strong as ever with record numbers last year. Mr. Rodriguez asked if there has been any feedback on specific equipment requests. Mr. Evangelista said that they do receive feedback on equipment pieces that members would like to see. Staff keeps track of these requests so that when it is time to replace the equipment, they take that into consideration. E. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS There are no other informational items. El COMMUNITY SERVICE MONTHLY REPORTS (NOVEMBER - DECEMBER) PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD UPDATES (DECEMBER - JANUARY) F. ADJOURNMENT Chair Copeland adjourned the meeting at 7:21 p.m. ane sa Copeland, Chair ATTEST: Cindy D•.•s, Office Coor inator� February 05, 2024 Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 7 February 05, 2024 Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 7