HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Parks And Recreation Advisory Committee - 12/09/1998 PARK & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY,DECEMBER 9, 1998-5:00 P.M.
COMMITTEE ROOM,FIRST FLOOR
CITY HALL- 1201 LEOPARD STREET
MEMBERS PRESENT ABSENT STAFF
John Dunn Robert Ibarra Billy Olivarea Marvin Spears Dan Whitworth
Joe Ochoa JoAnne McNeill Oscar Hinojosa Robert Gross Addle Ives
Vic Menard Mae Milligan
CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting for the Park&Recreation Advisory Board was called
to order by Chair Vic Menard at 5:05 p.m. in the first floor Committee Room at City Hall.
ROLL CALL: The recording secretary called roll and reported a quorum was present.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: John Dunn requested the minutes be correct to reflect that
he had requested a minute of silence in honor of Paul Werner. The minutes incorrectly note
Robert Gross as making the statement. Robert Ibarra requested the minutes be changed to reflect
that his complaint was directed to the Oso Golf Course not the Gabe Lozano Sr. Golf Course.
Mr. Ibarra also requested the minutes be changed in the"Hear from the Public" section by
placing a comma after"ceremony" and removing the period after"Werner". Chair Menard called
for a motion and John Dunn moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Park and
Recreation Advisory Board on December 9, 1998 as corrected. Robert Ibarra seconded and the
motion carried.
ACTION ON ABSENT MEMBERS: Chair Menard called for Mr. Spears excuse for his
absence from the November 11, 1998 regular meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory
Board. Mr. Spears responded he had been unable to attend the meeting on November 11 due to
illness. Robert Ibarra moved to excuse Mr. Spears' absence from the regular meeting held in
November. JoAnne McNeill seconded and the motion carried.
(Marvin Spears arrived at 5:07 p.m. Dan Whitworth, staff liaison, circulated a card of
condolence for Mr. Werner family for Board members signature.)
UPDATE ON GOAL SETTING FOR DEPARTMENT PROGRAMS: Dan Whitworth,staff
liaison,presented board members with the department's Performance Plan. Mr. Whitworth also
reported on his meeting with Susan Cable where a timeline was created in order to complete the
goal setting task. Mr. Whitworth asked members to look over the information they received for o
discussion at the January 1999 meeting. Mr. Whitworth also reported to the board that Park and
Recreation Division Heads would be making presentations at the January 1999 meeting. Mr.
Whitworth informed board members that by providing community representation the department
would be able to provide better services to the community. The consensus of the Board was very
positive with reference to the goals presented by Mr. Whitworth.
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Robert Ibarra questioned whether the Board would be taking their annual drive through all of the
facilities. Mr. Whitworth responded the facilities tour could be taken at a later time,possibly
March 1999.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Dan Whitworth, reported City Council had approved the renaming of
the Jaycee Field on December 8, 1998. Mr. Whitworth also reported the unveiling of the sign
with the new name would be up coming and stated he would be inviting the board members once
the date and time have been determined.
Mr. Whitworth also reported the golf management system is close to going on-line by January I,
1999. The new tee-time management system will allow residents to make reservations three
days in advance. Mr. Whitworth stated the cards would be at no charge at this time,but this
would be re-evaluated the next year. Mr. Whitworth stated that if the courses begin charging for
the card, a seven-day advance tee-time could be implemented.
Mr. Whitworth also reported on the new golf carts,which are at both courses, Oso Golf Course
and Gabe Lozano Sr. Golf Course. A press conference was held on December 8, 1998. Mr.
Whitworth commented staff is experimenting with undercoating some of the new golf carts in
order to determine the feasiblity of undercoating all the golf carts in order to extent the life of the
equipment. The golf cart manufacturer, Easy-Go, expressed interest in this project and is
funding the costs incurred.
Joe Ochoa questioned what the charge for the golf cards would be if a decision was made to
charge for the cards. Mr. Whitworth responded the charge would be around$10. With Mr.
Ochoa's free card incentive suggestion, Mr. Whitworth stated the City is seriously considering a
third golf course and fees generated from the cards would be earmarked for this purpose.
Discussion was heard on the new system by the board.
Mr. Whitworth reported on the budget cuts for the next fiscal year. The City Manager called for
$1.3 million reductions. Each department was given a specific amount of money to cut within
their budgets. Mr. Whitworth reported a$75,000 reduction was requested from Park and
Recreation. Mr. Whitworth also stated$16,000 was received by Park and Recreation in
reimbursements which eleveated the impact on services provided. Mr. Whitworth stated that in
the second phase of the budget cut another$39,000 worth of reimbursements were identified.
Mr. Menard question the type of reimbursements Mr. Whitworth reported. Mr. Whitworth gave
an example of the summer nutrition program held by the Recreation Division of Park and
Recreation. This particular program was federally funded and some of the operational costs and
administrative costs were allowed for reimbursement by the government.Mr. Whitworthk also
commented on the subsidizing of Latchkey scholarships fees by the Texas Migrant Council
through the Workforce Development Corporation. This program generated$65,000 worth of
revenue thus alleviate any budget cuts.
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SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS: There were no subcommittee reports. Chair Menard
suggested the subcommittees begin meeting on a regular basis.
CURENT CONCERNS: John Dunne requested Lexington Park be mowed. Mr. Whitworth
reverted to the Performance Plan which indicated the amount needed in additional finding for
Park and Recreation to ensure parks would be mowed on a 20-day average mowing cycle.
Mae Milligan commented on a problem she encountered at the Harbor Lights parade. Mr.
Whitworth commented he would look into the matter,but he also stated the event was not a City
event. The Park and Recreation Department does provide assistance with the setting up of the
lighted Christmas Tree and the Marina also provides assistance. Mr. Whitworth did state that
many City employees volunteer for the event.
Chair Menard requested a list of interested individuals be provided to the Board to fill Mr.
Wemei s vacancy. Mr. Whitworth stated he would provide a list for the board by the next
meeting.
Chair Menard requested an update presentation be made on CDBG projects. Mr. Whitworth
commented this topic would be presented at the January meeting.
Chair Menard asked the board be involved in the CDBG process. Mr. Whitworth requested
information on when the next Planning Subcommittee's meeting would be held in order to
discuss the CDBG process.
Chair Menard questioned Mr. Whitworth on whether any capital improvements projects were
anticipated for the year 2000. Mr. Whitworth responded this topic was discussed at the last
departmental staff meeting. Chair Menard requested the board be active in this process.
HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC: None.
ADJOURNMENT: As there was no further business, Chair Menard called for adjournment.
Robert Marra moved for adjournment. Joe Ochoa seconded and the motion carried. The regular
meeting for the Park and Recreation Advisory Board was adjourned at 5:58 p.m.
Daniel L. Whitworth,Director AIC
Park&Recreation Department