Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee

MINUTES Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Recreation Center December 03, 2015 Present Derek Benavides - Parks Chairperson Anisa Gonzalez - Member Tito Mata – Member Myrta I. Garza - Member Damaris McGlone – Parks Director Cory Vander Veen – Asst. Parks Director Araceli Sandoval – Parks Staff Daniel Salinas – Parks Operations Manager Faith Barnard – Citizen Mark Barnard – Citizen Jimmy Barnard - Citizen Absent Jerry Hatley – Member Dillon Vanderford - Member 1) Meeting called to order by Parks Chairperson Mr. Derek Benavides at 12:06 p.m. 2) Approval of minutes • Minutes of last meeting (November 12, 2015) approved on a motion by Mr. Tito Mata, seconded by Mrs. Anisa Gonzalez, motion carried. 3) Chairperson’s Report • Commented that he didn’t have a whole lot to report. • Would like to create a softball committee to support the administration at the Brownsville Sports Park. Commented that people complain but when they are asked to help they are too busy. There isn’t enough support to make a committee. • Parks Director suggested for the January Board meeting to have Parks Advisory Committee review and get their input on all league contracts not just the Softball contracts. 4) Discussion Period (15 minutes) A. Consideration and Action to review the applicants and give their Recommendation for (1) one vacancy for the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Committee. (Damaris McGlone) • Parks Director commented that no one else had applied for the opening of one vacancy for the Parks Advisory Committee. After reviewing the  current applications, with three applications from District 3, on a motion by Parks Chairperson Derek Benavides, seconded by Anisa Gonzalez, motion carried, the Parks Advisory Board Committee recommended to have Arlene Laboy be considered for the one vacancy for the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Committee. 5) Director’s Report (Damaris McGlone) • Gave a brief update on the Parks Master Plan and commented that still missing deliverables and electronic copies. • Introduce the new Parks Operations Manager, Daniel Salinas to the Parks Advisory Board members. Mr. Salinas gave a brief update on several projects he is currently working, citizen requests, Oliveira Park structures and bathrooms and other events. • Parks Chairperson wanted to commend the Parks Department for doing a great job with the Washington Park tree lighting ceremony. • Parks Director commented that she will look at Parks Advisory By-laws for consecutive absences by Park Board members. • Board member Mrs. Gonzalez had a question about having shade at the KaBOOM playground at Prax Orive Park. Parks Director commented that there was recently vandalism done at the park and is being reviewed. She will review security with Brownsville P.D... The park closes at 10:00 p.m. but it is an open park. • It was suggested to put on the February Parks agenda discussion to review security and vandalism incidents at parks for FY2015. • Parks Director will be reviewing budget implementations with all the PARD Supervisors. 6) Public Comment Period – • Discussion on West Rail hike/bike vs. Highway (Derek Benavides) Mr. Mark & Jimmy Barnard and Ms. Faith Barnard gave a presentation on the West Rail Hike/Bike trail. Reported that the Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority wants to move forward with studies but is stuck without The City Commission being on board. • Parks Chairperson asked what are some of the problems and issues that block this process and what can the board do about helping with the process. • Board member Mrs. Garza commented on the evacuation route, traffic & Environmental, supports the process of sharing the right of way. • Board member Mrs. Gonzalez asked if the Hike/Bike trail wants that only and they’re not open to share the right of way as well? Mr. Jimmy Barnard commented that traffic is ready to go but “voices” are saying Hike/Bike only. • Parks Director commented that she will mention the plan at the Bike Pedestrian meeting. • Parks Chairperson would like to move forward with it and place it on the Parks agenda for the board to vote to support the shared of right of way for the Hike/Bike Trail. 7) Adjournment – meeting was adjourned at 12:58 p.m.