Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee

MINUTES Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Brownsville Recreation Center Conference Room February 1st, 2018 Present Dillon Vanderford - Chairperson Nathan Burkhart – Co-Chairperson Esli Ceballos – Board Secretary Jose A. Escobedo – Member Jerry Hatley – Member Anisa H. Ramirez – Member Myrta Garza – Member Damaris McGlone – PARD Director Carlos Velica – Parks Staff 1. Meeting called to order by Chairperson, Mr. Dillon Vanderford at 12:02 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 (January 4th, 2018) approved on a motion by Nathan A. Burkhart, seconded by Jerry Hatley, motion carried. ********************* 4. Consideration, Action and Discussion for Parks & Recreation Advisory Board to apply for BCIC Capital Grant Funding for the 2018 Fall Cycle for a grant match for the purchase, delivery, and installation for a single stall restroom at the Catherine Stillman Dog Park (Anisa H. Ramirez) • Board member Anisa Ramirez commented that she met with representatives from B.C.I.C. and Parks Director to discuss on how to use the funds of $50,000 from Parks for the next cycle and to apply for a grant for the restroom project at Catherine Stillman Dog Park for the FY2019. After a brief discussion on the process for applying for a grant being a board project and utilizing the $50,000 for the FY2019, on a motion by Mr. Nathan Burkhart, seconded by Mrs. Myrta Garza, motion carried to approve FY2019 project expenditure for restrooms at Catherine Stillman Dog Park. 5. Consideration and Action to recommend approval to City Commission for grant match ($75,000) for the National Fitness Campaign to install a Fitness Courttm at Monte Bella Park. (Damaris McGlone, PARD Director) • Brief presentation was done by Parks Director, Damaris McGlone on installing Fitness Court at Monte Bella Park, which she will be presenting to the City Commission on Tuesday (February 6th). After a brief discussion, on a motion by Ms. Anisa Ramirez, seconded by Mrs. Myrta Garza, motion carried to install a Fitness Court at Monte Bella Park. 6. Discussion Period (15 minutes) • Discussion to potentially partner and use FY18 funds for Little Lending Libraries in certain Brownsville neighborhood parks (Anisa H. Ramirez) Board member Ms. Ramirez discussed about partnering with Youth Build for funding Little Lending Libraries in Brownsville neighborhood parks. After a brief discussion on the Pros and Cons of having Lending Libraries, which currently there are three (3) at certain park locations plus what B.I.S.D. may have, all board members were in agreement to support Little Lending Libraries at different park locations. ********************* 7. Director’s Report (Damaris McGlone – Parks Director) • Announced that on February 12th, Mr. Nathan A. Burkhart will be the new Assistant Marketing and Business Director for the Parks & Recreation Department. • Updated the status for Sam’s Pool, which they are currently having some issues and is need of repairs and are hoping that it will ready for the summer. • Commented on the Brownsville Sports Park, with B.C.I.C. approving to extend their current maintenance contract through September 2018. • Reported that Ms. Anisa H. Ramirez was nominated to the B.C.I.C. Chair. • Updated working on several playground installations and CDBG park projects, preparing for Charro Days, Sombrero Fest & Mr. Amigo events coming up, applying for some grants as well, working on budget, reported on being out at the next meeting due attending a conference in Waco, Texas the week of February 27 – March 02, 2018. Also working on revenues throughout the Parks Department and other projects. • Preparing for the summer programs and other upcoming events in the next few months. • Chairperson Mr. Vanderford commented that at the last city commission meeting in January, he went before the city commission and gave an update on the findings that was submitted by citizens via on-line surveys opinions of the Jefferson Davis Monument at Washington Park as requested by the City Commission. The City Commission said that they would take it under consideration and the decision will be determine by them. • Parks Director wanted to know if the Parks Advisory Board Committee would like to have their board meeting as scheduled for March 1st, since she will be out of the office attending a conference or rescheduled it for the following week (March 8th). Chairperson commented that they would decide at a later time before the next meeting via email. ********************* 8. Safety Concerns (Parks Dept.) • Board members wanted to know the status on the outside water fountains by the Brownsville Events Center and by Hudson trail near Paredes Line Road, if they had been repaired as well as the status on the bicycle station repair center near the Brownsville Events Center. Parks Director commented that she would follow up.  • Parks Director reiterated that the parks department may be able to get some emergency call boxes through a grant for the trails. ********************* 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. • None to report. ******************** 10. Adjournment – meeting was adjourned at 12:59 p.m.