Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee

MINUTES Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Brownsville Recreation Center Conference Room May 4th, 2017 Present Dillon Vanderford - Chairperson Myrta I. Garza – Member Anisa Gonzalez – Member Jerry Hatley – Member Damaris McGlone – PARD Director Cory Vander Veen – Asst. PARD Director Carlos Velica – Parks Staff Araceli Sandoval – Parks Staff Eva Garcia – Planning Dept. Ana Hernandez – Grants Dept. Francesca Linder – Planning Dept. Absent Richard Perez – Member Nathan Burkhart – 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 (March 2nd, 2017) approved on a motion by Myrta I. Garza, seconded by Jerry Hatley, motion carried. ********************* 4. Chairperson’s Report • Nothing to report at this time. ********************* 5. Trail map discussion (Eva Garcia – Planning Dept.) • Gave a brief update on the status of bike map they are designing. It will be a folding Parks/Trail map, still in the preliminary design stages and will come back in August to present the board with the finalization of the map. ********************* 6. Consideration and Action for automatic vacation of Board member position (Dillon Vanderford – Parks Chairperson) • A brief discussion on reviewing the attendance of the board members and the Parks Advisory Board By-laws which states “A board member who is absent for three consecutive regular meetings or one-third of all regular meetings in a “rolling” twelve-month timeframe automatically vacates the member’s position”, Board member Mr. Richard Perez attendance was reviewed and has been absence from several regular board meetings, which would constitute to vacate his position and be place on the city agenda for new appointment. On a motion by Mr. Jerry Hatley, seconded by Mrs. Myrta Garza, motion carried to close discussion period. On a motion by Board member Mr. Hatley, seconded by Board member Mrs. Garza, motion carried to have board member Mr. Richard Perez vacate his position from the Parks Advisory Board Committee. ********************* 7. Discussion, Consideration, and Action to finalize summer schedule for the regular Parks Advisory Board meeting(s) (Damaris McGlone) • Parks Director recommended to board members of having a strategic planning workshop in the month of June, with each session being 2 hours long. • After a brief discussion, on a motion by Mrs. Anisa Gonzalez, seconded by Mrs. Myrta Garza, motion carried to not having regular board meeting on June 1st and for the months of July and August due to having a strategic planning workshop on June 8th, 15th, and 22nd at the Brownsville Events Center for the board members. ********************* 8. Review, Discussion and Acknowledgement of Brownsville, Texas Code of Ordinances Chapter 26 Cemeteries. (Damaris McGlone) • Francesca Linder gave a brief report on ordinance of the Brownsville City Commission repealing the current Chapter 26 – Cemeteries and replacing it with the new Chapter 26 – Cemeteries. No significant changes, a few concerns on safety and preservations but is here before the board for their approval to preserve the city cemetery. After a brief discussion, on a motion by Mrs. Myrta Garza, seconded by Mrs. Anisa Gonzalez, motion carried for approval of the acknowledgement of Brownsville, Texas Code of Ordinance Chapter 26 Cemeteries. ********************* 9. Discussion Period (15 minutes) • Parks Director reminded board members on submitting their ideas on how they wish to spend the allocated funds to the Parks Advisory Board Fiscal Year 2018 project(s). Board member Mr. Hatley commented on Monte Bella parking lot needing repairs or upgrades. ********************* 10. Director’s Report (Damaris McGlone)  • Director will update Parks Chairperson after the meeting, due to time restriction. ********************* 11. Safety Concerns (Parks Dept.) • Nothing to report. ********************* 12. 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. • No public comment period. ********************* 13. Adjournment – meeting was adjourned at 1:06 p.m.