Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee

MINUTES Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Brownsville Recreation Center Conference Room March 8th, 2018 Present Jose A. Escobedo – Member Jerry Hatley – Member Anisa H. Ramirez – Member Myrta Garza – Member Damaris McGlone – PARD Director Nathan Burkhart – Parks Staff Carlos Velica – Parks Staff Absent Dillon Vanderford – Parks Chairperson Esli Ceballos – Board Secretary 1. Meeting called to order by Jose A. Escobedo at 12:05 p.m. ********************* 2. Pledge of Allegiance: United States Pledge * Texas Pledge • The pledge of Allegiance and the Texas Pledge was led by Jose A. Escobedo. ********************* 3. Approval of minutes • Minutes of last meeting (February 1st, 2018) approved on a motion by Myrta Garza, seconded by Jerry Hatley, motion carried. ********************* 4. (Old Business) Little Lending Libraries on certain Brownsville neighborhood parks update. • After a brief discussion on having Little Lending Libraries at different neighborhood parks, board member Mrs. Garza suggested that if the Parks department could supply the materials, she would find out who would be able to build them. Also recommended of having a book drive or having Friends of Library donating books for them as well. Mrs. Garza commented that she would check into the cost of building the Lending libraries. After a brief discussion, on a motion by Mrs. Garza, seconded by Anisa Ramirez, motion carried to allocate from the Parks Project FY2018 funding but not to exceed $5,000 for building Little Lending Libraries at different park locations.  ******************** 5. Discussion and Action to nominate a Co-Chairperson for the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Committee (Parks Chairperson) • Jose A. Escobedo nominated himself for Co-Chairperson, with no other nominations from the board. After a brief discussion, on a motion by Mr. Hatley, seconded by Anisa Ramirez, motion carried to nominate Jose A. Escobedo as Co-Chairperson. ********************* 6. Discussion Period (15 minutes) • Discussion on benches at Washington Park (Anisa Ramirez) – Ms. Ramirez reported of some issues with concrete benches at Washington Park that were not in good shape and if they would be replacing them. Parks Director commented that the department is working more towards the next fiscal year to replace benches at different park. ********************* 7. Director’s Report (Damaris McGlone – Parks Director) • Gave a brief update on the strategic planning. Provided samples of board mission statements from different cities, asked the board if they would like to place it on the next Parks agenda as an action item. Parks Director suggested to the board to submit their ideas on mission statements and visions via email to her and then they could vote on it at the next Parks meeting. Mr. Hatley recommended placing Goals #1 - Mission & Vision Statement & Goal #2 – Make Internal Communication a Priority for the next Parks Board meeting as an action item. • Parks Director gave a brief update on her recent trip she attended the TRAPS Conference in Waco, Texas. • Commented on Keep Brownsville Beautiful organization will be having a clean-up day on March 10th at La Posada Drive. • Brief updates on several events (see attached flyer), reported on Kids Fish Hook for Life event to be held at the Brownsville Events Center on April 28th, having an active trail day working with the National Parks and Conservation Association with the planning of building a tool kit for building a butterfly garden along the trails, close to working a partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife agreement and hoping to open up more U.S Fish and Wildlife sites throughout the city in the next four years, and also commented on installing fitness equipment at Monte Bella Park before the summer. • Please note that board member Mr. Hatley left at 12:45 p.m., thus the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee has no quorum at this time. ********************* 8. Safety Concerns (Parks Dept.) • Board member Mrs. Garza wanted to know if the Recreation Center facility had a policy and procedure for the safety of the children in place in case of an emergency. Parks Director assured board members that the department does have a policy and procedure in place in case of an emergency of different events. ********************* 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 12:48 p.m.