Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee

MINUTES Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Brownsville Recreation Center Conference Room March 14th, 2019 Present Myrta I. Garza – Parks Chairperson Joe Lee Rubio – Member Esli Ceballos – Member Benjamin Del Angel – Member Damaris McGlone – Parks Director Nathan Burkhart – Asst. Parks Director Carlos Velica, Jr. – Staff Absent Adrian Delgado – Member Mike Leinart – Member Jorge Santoy - Member 1. Meeting called to order by Chairperson, Mrs. Myrta I. Garza at 12:12 p.m. ********************* 2. Pledge of Allegiance: United States Pledge * Texas Pledge • The pledge of Allegiance and the Texas Pledge led by Board Member Mrs. Garza. ********************* 3. Approval of minutes • Minutes of last meeting (February 14th, 2019) approved on a motion by Mr. Joe Lee Rubio, seconded by Mrs. Esli Ceballos, motion carried. ********************* 4. The Installation of Blue Star Memorial at Veterans Park updates (Joe Lee Rubio) • Mr. Rubio gave brief update on the Blue Star Memorial at Veterans Park and possibly of having the Parks department helping out with the cost of the sidewalk structure. Parks Director McGlone confirmed that the Parks department would be able to cover the cost. ********************* 5. Safety Concerns (Parks Dept.) • Parks Director reported that Portway Acres Park is in the process of having the playground replaced. Also St. Charles, Edelstein, Central Ave, Galaxia and one more park are being upgraded pending funding availability. • The retention wall by the Brownville Event Center should be completed. • Board member Mr. Del Angel wanted to know why they are replacing boards along the bridge with wood instead of using plastic ones. Parks Director reiterated that it probably had to do with matching it to the original and not having the budget to upgrade it to plastic but will look into it. • Parks Director commented that she followed up Doro Garcia from Engineering Department on the signage for safety access along the trails and was finalizing the format before ordering it have it done. • Chairperson Mrs. Garza wanted to know the status on the lending library at Ruiz Park; Parks Director commented that the one at Ruiz Park was vandalized and removed for safety reasons. Also the lending library at Portway Acres was burn down and has not been replaced. • Board member Mr. Del Angel commented that this comes from the community that they would like to see something next to Burns Elementary, where they are working on the parking lot a fitness court something similar to the one done at Monte Bella Park. Parks Director will follow up with the easement boundaries near that location and see if that area belongs to the city but I will look into it. • Board member Mr. Del Angel also commented on having a Trail clean-up adoption section, what can we do or is it available? Parks Director commented that there should be or will be on the city website an Adopt a Park/Clean-up and Adopt a Trail section for the citizens. ********************* 6. Discussion Period (15 Minutes) • Parks Director suggested to add to the discussion period “Possible Action” in case there is anything that anyone may what to discussed and take action. ********************* 7. Director’s Report (Damaris McGlone) • Parks Director discussed briefly about the Strategic Goals and Objectives from the last meeting, if any board members wanted to discuss about Strategic Goal 4.0? Chairperson commented that a lot of the events are during the day or week, which makes it difficult to attend due to the work schedule. • Nathan Burkhart gave a brief update on the Taco Fest event to be held at the Brownsville Sports Park on April 27th. • Parks Director gave a brief update on Parks and Recreation Collaborative events and major projects still pending. ********************* 8. 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. ******************** 9. Adjournment – meeting was adjourned at 1:07 p.m.