Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee

MINUTES Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Brownsville Event Center August 8th, 2019 1. Determination of Quorum: Present Joe Lee Rubio – Co-Chairperson Mike Leinart – Member Adrian Delgado – Member Benjamin Del Angel – Member Esli Ceballos – Member Jorge Santoy - Member Nurith Galonsky – Commissioner John Cowen – Commissioner Carlos Velica, Jr. – Staff Absent Myrta Garza – Parks Chairperson 2. Meeting called to order by Co - Chairperson, Mr. Joe Lee Rubio at 12:13 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 (June 13th, 2019) approved on a motion by Mr. Mike Leinart, seconded by Mrs. Esli Ceballos, motion carried. • Parks Co-Chairperson Mr. Rubio acknowledged City Commissioners John Cowen and Ms. Nurith Galonsky present at the Parks Board meeting. Both City Commissioners gave a brief update on their purpose to serving their district for the City of Brownsville. Each board member introduced themselves to the Commissioners and gave a brief update on their background and the purpose of them serving on the Parks Advisory Board. ********************* 5. Statement of Appointed Officer & Oath of Office for recently appointed or re-appointed of one (1) Parks and Recreation Advisory Board member(s) to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Committee (Parks Chairperson)  • Co-Chairperson, Mr. Rubio asked Mrs. Esli Ceballos to stand and take the Statement of Appointed Officer & Oath of Office to be officially sworn in to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Committee. On August 8th, 2019, Mrs. Esli Ceballos was sworn in and witness by current Parks Board members and persons in attendance. ********************* 6. Safety Concerns (Parks Dept.) • Board member Mr. Del Angel commented that recently a bicyclist was robbed and his bicycle was stolen. It happened by the bike trail near Paredes Line Road and Los Ebanos Blvd., wanted to know if they are planning on adding any call boxes along the trails, which would have come in handy. Mr. Del Angel commented that Brownsville P.D. might start patrolling the trails. • Board Member Mr. Del Angel reminded the board that on the trail by the Aquatics side, there is still a four by four foot sidewalk that is still uneven and hasn’t been fix and may be hazardous to bicyclist, also the lighting on the trail by the overpass on Paredes Line road is still very dark at night, the trails needing repainting with center lines and rules posted along the trails, & parts of the trails needing resurfacing and work on as well; wanted to know what was the status on those issues. • Co-Chairperson suggested placing on the agenda for the next Parks meeting adding call boxes at parks locations. ********************* 7. Discussion Period & Possible Action (15 Minutes) • Discussion, Consideration and Action on having Parks Advisory Board meetings on a quarterly or monthly basis (Parks Chairperson) • After a brief discussion by the board members, on a motion by Mr. Del Angel, seconded by Adrian Delgado, motion carried to have Parks Advisory Board meetings on a monthly basis. ********************* 8. Director’s Report (Co-Chairperson Mr. Rubio) Co-Chairperson Mr. Rubio read the following Director’s report for Parks Director Damaris McGlone, who was not present due to being out of town at a Conference. • Parks & Trail Division reported that crews will be spraying for mosquitos along the trails, and volunteers who work at the Bike Barn 15 hours or more will receive a free bike. Park maintenance crews are redoing mulch at different park locations. • Aquatics Dept. reported that they are finishing up the last week of Learn to Swim Program for the summer. Enrollment for the swimming program this year increase from last year. • Brownsville Event Center reported on being very busy, having lots of events. • Commented that the National Night Out was held Tuesday, August 6th, at the Sports Park. The Parks Dept. is also planning for the Cyclobia Event to be held on Friday, August 16th and the Lunada event will be held on Saturday, August 17, at Linear Park. • Parks department is preparing for the Haunted Trail event hosted by the PARD to be held in October at Resaca De La Palmas State Park • Ringgold Civic Pavilion will be hosting “Rock the Park” event this Saturday, August 10th at Dean Porter Park, Hosting Skate night as well on August 23rd, will be having a light show, music and more fun stuff. Contact Yolanda Perez at 956-547-6850 for more information.  • Recreation Department reported that their Summer Recreation program is ending this Friday, August 9th will start preparing for the After School program held from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm free of charge at the Recreation Center. • Also reported on getting the Inclusion Caboose at Linear Park ready for the grand opening to be held on August 24th. • The Golf Center will be having on August 17th a golf tournament for the Alhambra Organization. Also having from August through September, 18 holes of golf for a fee of $15.00. On a motion by Jorge Santoy, seconded by Esli Ceballos , motion carried to close the Director’s Report. ********************* 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. • Commissioner Nurith Galonsky asked board members if the facilities along the trails and locations are clean after any events. Does the Parks department have on the contract, stating leagues or renters are responsible for cleaning up after any event! • Commissioner John Cowen asked Parks board members if they have a plan for more green space. Mr. Rubio commented that he is working on a project consisting of Cypress trees at the La Posada location and also suggested on the corner of Central and Boca Chica Blvd. of placing a senior park for citizens as green space. ******************** 10. Adjournment – meeting was adjourned at 1:24 p.m.