Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee

MINUTES Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Brownsville Recreation Center Conference Room April 11th, 2019 1. Determination of Quorum: Present Joe Lee Rubio – Co-Chairperson Esli Ceballos – Member Benjamin Del Angel – Member Mike Leinart – Member Adrian Delgado – Member Nathan Burkhart – Asst. Parks Director Carlos Velica, Jr. – Staff Absent Myrta I. Garza – Parks Chairperson Jorge Santoy - Member 2. Meeting called to order by Co-Chairperson, Mr. Joe Lee Rubio at 12:04 p.m. ********************* 3. Pledge of Allegiance: United States Pledge * Texas Pledge • The pledge of Allegiance and the Texas Pledge led by Co-Chairperson Mr. Rubio. ********************* 4. Approval of minutes • Minutes of last meeting (March 14th, 2019) approved on a motion by Mr. Ben Del Angel, seconded by Mrs. Esli Ceballos, motion carried. ********************* 5. Consideration, Action and Acknowledgement of receipt and compliance with recent changes to Chapter 38 Code of Ethics in regards to disclosure of conflicts (Nathan Burkhart) • Mr. Burkhart discussed the recent changes to Chapter 38 Code of Ethics with the Parks Advisory Board members in attendance reminding them to follow the Code of Ethics for Board members. Mr. Rubio motions to acknowledge the Code of Ethics, on a motion by Mr. Mike Leinart, seconded by Mr. Adrian Delgado, motion carried. ********************* 6. Consideration, Action and Discussion to update certain member’s term expiration dates of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Committee in order to match the terms outlined in the bylaws as follows (Nathan Burkhart) • After a brief discussion on the Parks Advisory Board member’s current terms, Mr. Rubio motions to acknowledge the report of terms, on a motion by Mr. Ben Del Angel, seconded by Mrs. Esli Ceballos, motion carried. ********************* 7. Consideration, Action and Discussion on request for increased transparency by having live Parks Advisory Board Committee meetings. (Nathan Burkhart) • Mr. Burkhart discussed of having future board meetings being held at the Chamber of Commerce location and being recorded live as being requested by the City Commission. Mr. Rubio motions to acknowledge on having Parks Advisory Board meetings recorded on video, on a motion by Mr. Leinart, seconded by Mr. Adrian Delgado, motion carried. ********************* 8. Safety Concerns (Parks Dept.) • Mr. Del Angel was following up on perhaps having the Parks department replacing the boards along the bridge by Alton Gloor with plastic ones instead of wooden ones. Also the parking lot next to Burns Elementary school if the expansion might be larger than it is now, which might cause parking issues. Another safety issue is by the Aquatic center site trail, the grass is overpowering the trail, also part of the sidewalk along the trail near the Ambassador Event Center, has sunk down which may cause a safety issue for bicyclist riding along that trail and don’t see the drop off. ********************* 9. Discussion Period (15 Minutes) • Mr. Burkhart review the letter that will be submitted to the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) on behalf of the Parks Advisory Board Committee in supporting the Inclusion Caboose project proposed by the City of Brownsville’s Parks and Recreation Department through the 2019 NRPA/Disney Meet Me at the Park Play Spaces grant. Mr. Rubio signed the letter on behalf of the Parks Advisory Board for acknowledgement and motions to send the letter to NRPA, on a motion by Mr. Adrian Delgado, seconded by Mr. Mike Leinart, motion carried. ********************* 10. Director’s Report (Nathan Burkhart) • Gave a brief update on the Mitte Cultural District being awarded funding from the Brownsville Beautification Committee with Convention Visitors Bureau matching those funding as well for signage along the district, which will include directory’s, maps of trails and park locations. • Reported that Keep Brownsville Beautiful won the Governor’s Achievement award for $310,000 with TXDOT meeting with Brownsville Beautification Committee to discuss how they will be utilizing those funding’s.  • Reviewed the Department tabloids that will be send out to print and will be distributed out soon. Brief update on several events happening throughout the city; Taco Fest, Tire Recycling, the Great American Clean up, Opening trails, Symphony in the Park, Cyclobia in early May. • Lastly wanted to report that the Parks department is hiring for summer seasonal positions, if there is anyone that they may know who may be interested in applying. ********************* 11. 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. ******************** 12. Adjournment – meeting was adjourned at 12:44 p.m.