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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Parks And Recreation Advisory Committee - 11/11/1992 MANN'S PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE November 11. 1992 MEMBERS PRESENT Toby Shor Oshman,Chairman,Jimmy Rodriguez,Vice-Chairman, Claude Axel, Gwen Bryant, Roger Garrison, Robert Gunnels, Curtis Rich, Jack Ratkovic, Gus Ruiz, Cefe Valenzuela MEMBERS ABSENT Joe Garcia STAFF PRESENT Malcolm Matthews, Director of Park & Recreation, Mike Gordon, Assistant Director for Operations, Dan Whitworth, Assistant Director for Programs CAl TO ORDER: Chairman Shor Oshman called the regular monthly meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee to order at 4:00 p.m. in the Ground Floor Training Room at City Hall. She noted that a quorum was present. APPROVAL OF MINUTE : Mr. Rich moved that the minutes of October 14th be approved as received in the mail. Mr. Garrison seconded and the motion passed unanimously. ACTION ON ABSENT MEMBERS- Chairman Shor Oshman called for action on absences from the October meeting. Mr. Gunnels moved that Mr. Axel's absence be excused. Mr. Valenzuela seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Mr. Valenzuela moved that Mr. Gunnels's absence be excused. Mr. Rich seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Chairman Shor Oshman reported that Mr. Garcia has asked that his September and October absences be unexcused. Mr. Rich moved that the Committee accept his request. Mr. Axel seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Mr. Mel moved that Mr. Rich's absence be excused. Mr. Valenzuela seconded and the motion passed unanimously. DISCUSSION ITEMS- APPROVAL OF FIVE YEAR LEASE WITH AMERICAN LITTLE LEAGUE: Mr. Garrison moved that the item be removed from the tabled status. Mr. Rich seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Mr. Matthews reported that this item has been on the Committee's agenda for the past two months due to the league being in jeopardy of losing its accreditation with Little League because of inconsistencies in election of officers. There is also a possibility of the league losing its lease with the City due to a lack of maintenance of its facilities. The maintenance issue has been resolved to the satisfaction of the City and a meeting with Little League's District Administrator has been scheduled for December 3rd. Staff is recommending the lease be approved at this time, subject to the December 3rd meeting. If that meeting is held to the satisfaction of Little League, staff will move the item forward to the City Council. Mr. Rich moved that the Committee approve a five year lease with American Little League and it be forwarded to the City Council. Vice-Chairman Rodriguez seconded and the motion passed unanimously. RECOMMENDATION ON ALLOCATION OF 1992 YOI TIM SPORTS ASSISTANCE GRANT FUNDING: Mr.Matthews reviewed the program,stating over the five year history of the program, some leagues have been unable to spend their allocation for various reasons. There is $40,000 available and the Committee's recommendation will go to the City Council for action. Information was submitted to the Committee showing the funding recommendation for 1992. Mr. Rodriguez, Chairman of the Youth Sports Subcommittee, reviewed the subcommittee's action and presented photographs of various leagues showing their improvements. Chairman Shor-Oshman pointed out that representatives of several of the leagues were present and felt the Committee should hear from them prior to making funding recommendations. She then opened the floor for public comment. Mr.Joe Luna, 4942 Dodd St., President of American Little League, thanked the Committee for their vote of confidence in approving their five year lease. Mr. George Smith, 1141 Bradshaw, representing Southside Little Miss Kickball, stated he had no particular comments, but was present to address any questions the Committee might have. Mr. Bill Herndon, 3401 Tahiti, representing Flour Bluff/NAS Youth Soccer, stated he was present to answer to any questions the Committee might have. Mr. John Behi, 4510 Grand Lake, representing Padre Soccer League, thanked the Committee for their recommendation on funding. Ms. Glenda Sanders, 7010 Pharaoh, representing Oso Pony Baseball/Softball, stated they serve over 1,000 youth/81 teams and she and the other representatives are present to both insure funding consideration and to remind the Committee they have a request filed for use of B. A. Lay Field, which is located 20 feet from their facility. Mr. Nieves Cerda, 5937 Lucille, representing Oso Pony League, asked for the Committee's consideration as the officers are concerned that youth may have to be turned away without help. Mr. Willie Collins, 622 Chase, representing Oso Pony Baseball/Softball, stated he was present in support of their league and to respond to any questions. Mr. Roland Silva,4937 Trinity, President of Central Park Little League, commented he was present to answer any questions the Committee might have. Vice-Chairman Rodriguez continued his subcommittee report, stating two requests for funding were received after the deadline (Universal Little League and Laguna Little Miss Kickball) and it is the subcommittee's recommendation that these leagues not be funded. Also, C. C. Teenage Baseball is not being recommended for funding as they play at the high school level and on a city facility. Because of the improvements, four leagues (Southside Youth Complex, Oso Youth Soccer, Padre Youth Soccer, Flour Bluff/NAS Youth Soccer) which the subcommittee felt had shown more improvement than the others were being recommended for a $250 'bonus" each. Chairman Shor Oshman called for a staff report on Northwest Little Miss Kickball. Mr. Matthews responded,stating this is a unique situation, as the Northwest Little Miss Kickball, Oil Belt Little League and Northwest Football are all located on County property. In 1987, all leagues were encouraged to apply for Youth Sports Funds, with the stipulation that the City be given administrative control of the County property. The County at the time would not sign such an agreement, therefore the funds awarded to one recipient league were not spent. The new County Commissioner for the area has indicated the County will transfer administrative control of the area for youth sports use if grant funds are awarded to leagues on County property. Mr. Gunnels stated he met with staff, Mr.Schwing and the City Council representative from the northwest area. He pointed out the Northwest Little Miss Kickball League is saturated and cannot grow because they cannot play night games without the funding. He stated Mr. Schwing has assured the County's financial support. The teams are currently required to drive into the Southside Little Miss Kickball fields for night games. A lengthy discussion followed on Northwest Little Miss Kickball. Mr. Ratkovic stated he felt the Committee should look at funding to serve the largest numbers of participants. Mrs. Bryant stated inasmuch as this is the last year of the program, Northwest Little Miss Kickball should be given consideration as they were not eligible for previous funding through no fault of their own. Mr. Rich assured the Committee that the subcommittee did not look at funding from a geographic standpoint, but rather where the funds would make the most impact. Discussion continued and Mr. Rich moved that $6,000 be awarded to American Little League, $6,000 to Northwest Little Miss Kickball, a letter be sent to the County Commissioner asking for additional support to Northwest Little Miss Kickball and the remainder of the leagues be awarded funding on a per participant basis. A brief discussion followed and Vice-Chairman Rodriguez seconded. The motion passed with Mr. Ratkovic, Mr. Gunnels voting "no" and Mr. Ruiz "abstaining." Mr. Rich asked that if any funds are not spent, the first $1,000 be earmarked for the four leagues which have excelled. Vice- Chairman Rodriguez moved that any additional funds be set aside for the four leagues which excelled. Mr. Rich seconded and the motion carried unanimously. IP Up I sin P. _ii_ i_yti u ' , d i I,' lr I. . Lit - u - i ' Mr. Matthews stated that in 1963 All Saints' Episcopal Church located next to Lindale Park entered into a five agreement with the City which allowed them to construct and maintain a parking facility adjacent to the church on the park. The parking facility is used by the church on Sundays and by Jaycee ballfield and Lindale senior citizens during the week. The church has approached the City because the agreement expired years ago and the Church can only establish a long term commitment to this site with the assurance that parking requirements are met. Staff recommended the lease be approved. Mr. Garrison moved to accept staff recommendation. Mr. Gunnels seconded and the motion passed unanimously. DIRECT'OR'S REPORT Ethel Everly - Staff is moving forward on acquiring additional property next to the facility for expansion of the parking lot. Natatorium - Dialogue is continuing with CCISD on this project. Additional Golf Course - Phoenix Group Holdings, Inc. is continuing to meet with Golf Division employees. December 6th is the official take-over date. Harbor Lights - Events are scheduled for December 5th on the Bayfront and in Heritage Park. Heritage Park will also hold an old fashioned Christmas celebration on December 6th. Basketball - The youth basketball program is a priority for the department and it has seen a tremendous growth. Because of limited gym space, the YMCA will take over the adult basketball program. Staff expects over 800 youth to sign up for the program. Softball- The City is currently considering the privatization of softball. Other cities will be surveyed and staff will prepare a request for proposals. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Chairman Shor Oshman stated she had attended the dedication of the Botanical Gardens and praised all involved for their efforts in the project. She encouraged other members to visit the facility. The Chairman also recognized the staff associated with the Folklife Festival. Mr. Matthews reported that approximately $8,000 was raised which will be put toward the 1993 event. CURRENT CONCFJtNS Chairman Shor Oshman stated she has received a resignation letter from Mr. Gunnels, which stated in part that he is unable to attend meetings regularly as his job responsibilities require him to be out of the city a great deal of the time. HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC Mr. Gilbert Lucio, associated with the Southside Youth Complex, expressed his disappointment with the Committee's recommendation on the Youth Sports funding allocation. ADJOURNMENT As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m. S Malcolm Matthews, Director Park & Recreation Department novmin.p&rjd29