Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee

MINUTES Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Ringgold Civic Pavilion June 13th, 2019 1. Determination of Quorum: Present Myrta Garza – Parks Chairperson Joe Lee Rubio – Co-Chairperson Mike Leinart – Member Adrian Delgado – Member Benjamin Del Angel – Member Esli Ceballos - Member Nathan Burkhart – Asst. Parks Director Carlos Velica, Jr. – Staff Absent Jorge Santoy – Member 2. Meeting called to order by Co - Chairperson, Mr. Joe Lee Rubio at 12:08 p.m. ********************* 3. Pledge of Allegiance: United States Pledge * Texas Pledge • The pledge of Allegiance and the Texas Pledge led by Co - Chairperson Mr. Joe Lee Rubio. ********************* 4. Approval of minutes • Minutes of last meeting (May 9th, 2019) approved on a motion by Mrs. Esli Ceballos, seconded by Mr. Mike Leinart, motion carried. ********************* 5. Consideration and Action to discuss having a Board meeting in the month of July due to the 4th of July holiday (Damaris McGlone) • After a brief discussion, approved on a motion by Mr. Ben Del Angel, seconded by Mrs. Esli Ceballos, motion carried to not have a board meeting in the month of July. ********************* 6. Safety Concerns (Parks Dept.) • Board member Mr. Del Angel commented on a safety concern on the trail by Morrison Road with the sidewalk being uneven, being that is a continuous problem causing it to become uneven  due to rain and weather elements, it may need to be addressed before someone gets hurt. Also wanted to remind the Parks department about the boards along the bridge on Morrison Road by Alton Gloor trail may need to be repair or replaced. Commented on the parking area next to Burns Elementary School, if they have a solution to expanding the area to elevate parking issues. Board member Mr. Rubio suggested maybe talking to B.I.S.D. officials for a solution. Assistant Director Mr. Burkhart commented that the Parks Director Damaris McGlone suggested of doing a presentation by the Parks Advisory Board to the City Commission on parking issues on the trail. • Board Member Mr. Del Angel suggested of having the trails reprinted with center lines, possibly doing signage every half mile; to let cyclist and runners the right of way, to avoid any accidents. • Parks Chairperson Mrs. Garza commented what was the status on placing exercise equipment by the trail next to Burn Elementary School. ********************* 7. Discussion Period & Possible Action (15 Minutes) • Chairperson Mrs. Garza commented that Hope Park in need of major cleaning & repairs as well as the marker located there needing a cleanup. ********************* 8. Director’s Report (Nathan Burkhart) • Gave brief updates on several projects, including the inclusion area at Linear Park adding a library section by the Caboose train. Parks will be having a Parks RX at the Lunada event at linear park from 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm; will have pets for adoption at the event. • Commented on the Chapter 38 Ethics policy and asked if any board members had attended the meeting held at the City library? Mr. Rubio confirmed that he had attended the meeting. • Chairperson Mrs. Garza suggested of having signage along the trails, stating you location. • Asst. Director reported that the Downtown Recreation Center has a chess club free of charge anyone who wants to learn chess and is doing well. Summer programs for the Recreation & Aquatics divisions have started. • Memorial Day event went well; the next event will be the 4th of July event to be held at the Brownsville Sports Park. • Reported that the Parks department is in the middle of finalizing their budget for the next fiscal year and will allocate $50,000 to the board for projects. Asked board members to let the Parks department know of any projects they may want to work on. Mr. Rubio asked if the $50, 000 rolls over to the next budget year, Mr. Burkhart replied that it does not. Mr. Rubio suggested to going to the City Manager & Finance about rolling the funds from this year to the next. • 14th Street plaza will be getting grant money to upgrade the plaza. • The Downtown Recreation Center will be getting a mural on the wall facing 7th St soon. • Asked Board members if they would prefer having the board meetings on a quarterly or monthly basis! Board members suggested placing it on the Parks agenda for the next meeting in August to discuss it. ********************* 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.  • No Public comment period. ******************** 10. Adjournment – meeting was adjourned at 1:03 p.m.