Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee

MINUTES Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Recreation Center Conference Room February 13th, 2020 1. Determination of Quorum: Present Joe Lee Rubio – Co-Chairperson Esli Ceballos – Board Secretary Mike Leinart – Member Benjamin Del Angel – Member Hector Buentello Jr. - Member Damaris McGlone – Parks Director Carlos Velica, Jr. – Staff Absent Myrta Garza – Parks Chairperson Adrian Delgado – Member ********************* 2. Meeting called to order by Parks Co - Chairperson, Mr. Joe Lee Rubio at 12:01 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. 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. ********************* 5. Approval of Minutes • Minutes of last meeting (January 9th, 2020) approved on a motion by Mr. Mike Leinart, seconded by Mr. Hector Buentello, Jr., motion carried. On a motion by Mr. Mike Leinart, seconded by Hector Buentello, Jr. to have the Director’s report move up due to the Parks Director having to leave early to another meeting, motion carried. 6. Director’s Report (Damaris McGlone – PARD Director) • Reported on the 2020 guide being ready soon, update on the summer seasonal hiring on the website. • Brief updates on a new event for Charro days called “Crossroads”, the Lone Star Legacy award, also reported that the department had been selected through KaBOOM to do a project at Monte Bella Park similar to the one done at Prax Orive Park. (see attached report) • Commented on some major projects; the Sam’s pool – deck repair in process, Paseo De La Resaca clean up, playgrounds being installed at different locations, etc. • Gave a brief status on the Oliveira pool, which will need to be tracked on the amount it is used, funding and replacement and do a report for the City Manager to decide if to proceed on replacing it. ********************* 7. Consideration, Action and Discussion on the proposed renaming of West Brownsville Little League Park (Parks Director) • No action was taken due to the item needs to be presented to the City Commission first. ********************* 8. Safety Concerns (Parks Advisory Board) • Board member Mr. Buentello had some concerns with the outside basketball courts at Gonzalez Park, the slaps on the court are uneven, and some edges are raised in sections, which is a safety issue. Board member Mrs. Ceballos commented that there are some people doing illegal drug activities in the restrooms near the soccer fields at Gonzalez Park, wanted to know if something can be done to prevent this. Parks Director reiterated that the basketball courts upgrades are on the to do list as soon as they closed out other projects the department are currently working on but will send Parks Manager Mr. Salinas to survey the situation. Also any concerns the board members might have at any park in regards to illegal activity they see, they can call the Director on her cell phone and/or also contact Brownsville P.D... 9. Discussion Period & Possible Action (15 Minutes) • Board Member Mrs. Ceballos acknowledge the existence of cameras that were recently installed at Ruiz Park. • Assistant Parks Director Graciela Salazar updated board members on the Mr. Amigo Walk of Fame event to be held on February 29th, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. at Linear Park with Mr. Amigo Julio Cesar Chavez. • Board members were reminded of completing their Certificate of Course Completion as required for Board members. ********************* 10. Adjournment – meeting was adjourned at 12:46 p.m.