Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee

MINUTES Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Brownsville Recreation Center Conference Room October 5th, 2017 Present Dillon Vanderford - Chairperson Myrta I. Garza – Member Esli Ceballos – Member Jose A. Escobedo – Member Jerry Hatley - Member Damaris McGlone – PARD Director Carlos Velica – Parks Staff Joe Lee Rubio - citizen Absent Anisa Gonzalez – Member Nathan Burkhart – Member 1. Meeting called to order by Parks Chairperson, Mr. Dillon Vanderford at 12:18 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 (September 7th, 2017) approved on a motion by Myrta Garza, seconded by Jose A. Escobedo, motion carried. ********************* 4. Chairperson’s Report • Would like to have the Chairperson’s report remove from future Parks agendas. Also reiterated that there is an open meetings acts training on the website, which he would like for the Parks Advisory Board members to participate. Will be emailing the link to the board members. ********************* 5. Discussion Period (15 minutes) • None to report ********************* 6. Discussion, Consideration and Action on approval for assistance with Adopt-a-Trail Program (Parks Chairperson) • Mr. Rubio gave a brief presentation on adopting a trail program to the Parks Advisory Committee, has an idea for native landscaping along the trails from 7th St. Battlefield trail to the bus terminal on 802. Would like the Parks Advisory Committee to approve the pilot program plan and also have a few board members to participate in the committee. Parks Director commented that they will fully implement the help but will need all the information. • Parks Chairperson Mr. Vanderford motions to approve Adopt-a- Trail pilot project, approved on a motion by Jerry Hatley, seconded by Esli Ceballos, motion carried. • Parks Chairperson would also like board members to volunteer for the pilot project, will forward to board members when he gets an invitation of their meetings. Parks Director commented that she would like to nominate Parks employee Hilario De Leon from Keep Brownsville Beautiful, to participate in this program. ********************* 7. Discussion, Consideration and Action on Parks Advisory Board Project(s) FY2018. (Damaris McGlone – Parks Director) • Parks Chairperson commented that board member Anisa Gonzalez, who was not present at the meeting, suggested installing restroom rooms at the dog park as a project. Parks Chairperson recommends having the funds distributed out to different projects. Board members Mr. Hatley suggested Monte Bella as another project to consider. 8. Discussion and Action for the next steps from the Parks Advisory Board Committee on Strategic Planning (Damaris McGlone – Parks Director) • Commented on having the Strategic Goals and Action Planning worksheets emailed to the Parks Advisory Board members. Reviewed also the 2017-2020 PAMB Strategic Goals and Objectives with the board members and board members will have the preliminary decisions for the next board meeting. 9. Discussion on having a report update by the Parks Chairperson presented to the City Commission. (Damaris McGlone – Parks Director) • Chairpersons commented of having a report for the City Commission ready for the last week of December or the 1st of January, do a workshop with a power point presentation for them; will need input from the Parks Advisory Board on what they would like to report. Parks Director reiterated that the report would have to be the accomplishments of what the Parks department has done. 10. Director’s Report (Damaris McGlone) • Gave a brief update on several events in October and projects going on by the Parks department. • Commented on the Assistant Marketing and Business Development Director position being posted on Monday. • Gave a brief update on the Jefferson Davis monument issue at Washington Park. • Reported on solar lights being placed at different locations along the Southmost nature trail and hike trail. • Will invite Eva Garcia from Planning Department to do a presentation. • Beer Fest will be this weekend, October 7th at Dean Porter Park. ********************* 11. Safety Concerns (Parks Dept.) • None 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. • Mr. Rubio commented that they have designated drivers pass for beer fest and there is no charge. ******************** 13. Adjournment – meeting was adjourned at 1:16 p.m.