Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee

MINUTES Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Brownsville Recreation Center Conference Room March 2nd, 2017 Present Dillon Vanderford - Chairperson Myrta I. Garza – Member Anisa Gonzalez – Member Nathan Burkhart - Member Richard Perez – Member Marianne H. Sanchez - Member Carlos Velica – Parks Staff Daniel Salinas – Parks Manager Joe Lee Rubio – B.B.C. Absent Jerry Hatley – Member 1. Meeting called to order by Parks Chairperson, Mr. Dillon Vanderford at 12:07 p.m. ********************* 2. Pledge of Allegiance: United States Pledge * Texas Pledge • The pledge of Allegiance and the Texas Pledge was led by Parks Chairperson Mr. Dillon Vanderford. ********************* 3. Approval of minutes • Minutes of last meeting (February 2nd, 2017) approved on a motion by Anisa Gonzalez, seconded by Myrta I. Garza, motion carried. ********************* 4. Chairperson’s Report • Commented on recognizing today as Texas Independence Day. • Reported on receiving positive reports on the exercise stations at Dean Porter Park. • Reiterated that he has not received any reports from the Board members on what they would like to present to the city commission. Board members suggested showing city commission on the repairs and upgrades that the Parks department is doing. Board members wanted to know when the deadline to submit the suggestions is; Parks Chairperson commented to email himself or Charlie Velica their recommendations and will forward them to me. • Chairperson reported a safety issue at 115 Draper Dr., of an abandon house belonging to B.I.S.D. has been torn down and is now a vacant lot.  • Sombrero Fest did some electrical panel improvements and also Sombrero Fest was a big success. ********************* 5. Discussion Period (15 minutes) 6. Director’s Report (Daniel Salinas) • Gave a brief update on the Hike and Bike trail improvements (see attached report) • Reported on the Sam’s pool doing repairs under the deck and the several options on repairing it, with all repairs being done in-house. • Improvements and repairs were done at West Brownsville Little League park; painted the dugouts, power washing, etc., at Lincoln Park for East Brownsville Little League, the building needed a lot repairs and that was addressed, did improvements to the backstops and playground area at Morningside Park, at Monte Bell Park; signage were placed along the trails, restrooms should be ready for use soon. Board Member Mrs. Garza commented on a safety issue along the Monte Bella trail with an electrical pole with a wire sticking out to the side; where someone could seriously get injured. • Commented that the playground at Cabler Park was removed due to safety issues and will be replaced; waiting to install the playground at Rose Allala Park as well and will be also installing 3 light poles at Washington Park. • Mr. Rubio commented if the trash cans placed at Monte Bella Park were the Big Belly type? Mr. Salinas said that they were the 55 gallon type drums. Mr. Rubio also commented that maybe in the future using a different type of lights along the trails that won’t expose too much light into the sky during the night. • Brief update on the retaining wall at the Brownsville Events Center, will need to go through the procurement process at Purchasing department, also the department is considering widening the trail along the trail near the Events Center as well. 7. Safety Concerns (Parks Dept.) • Several safety issues were discussed in the Director’s Report. • Board member Mr. Perez brought up a concern at Dean Porter Park near the pirate ship with a slab of concrete expose to the public. Parks Manager Mr. Salinas commented that it was from a previous playground but will make sure to have it remove. • Parks Chairperson commented of trip hazards at Sombrero fest that needs to be addressed and also the lack of handicap access to the public during the event and to the restrooms. Parks Manager reiterated that the Parks Director had commented addressing the handicap access to the park before. • Parks Manager reported of recent issues of persons with metal detectors going to different parks looking for items. They were told that they could not dig into the grounds due to safety issues and irrigation lines underneath. 8. Beautification Committee (Joe Lee Rubio) • Reported of a special meeting being held today by the Brownsville Beautification Committee today to considering the by-laws, regular meetings are usually held the 2nd Tuesday of each month at Cobbleheads 12 noon. Reported that the butterfly garden at Cabler Park was completed and are considering adding more at different locations. Board member Mrs. Garza commented if the Beautification Committee is willing to work with B.I.S.D. to set up butterfly gardens at their campuses. ********************* 9. Public Comment Period: PLEASE NOTE The Public Comment Period is Designated for Hearing Concerns Regarding City of Brownsville Public Policy or City of Brownsville Business that is not on the agenda. • Board Member Mr. Perez commented that at Prax Orive has a “take a book” box there and would like to see more of them added to different parks. ********************* 10. Adjournment – meeting was adjourned at 12:52 p.m.