Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

The Parks Advisory Board met in regular session on Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Annex. MINUTES Board Members Present James Hailey Kim Houston Mandy Edwards Kathy Boswell Board Member Absent Amber Kunes City Staff Present Andy Tarkington Parks and Recreation Superintendent Terrie Ortiz, Parks and Recreation Clerk Stormy Smith, Recreation Coordinator Guest Present None AGENDA ITEM 1.0 Call to Order Mandy Edwards called the meeting to order. The meeting began at 6:00 pm. AGENDA ITEM 2.0 Approval of Minutes Mandy Edwards called for motion to approve the July minutes. Kim Houston made a motion. James Hailey seconded his motion. The minutes were approved by unanimous vote. AGENDA ITEM 3.0 Parks and Recreation Report Andy Tarkington read the report and informed the board of the activities that have been going on because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Andy informed the board of the closure of the Aquatics Center and the City Gym due to the spike with COVID – 19 pandemic at the first of July. The gym and the pool re-opened on July, the 20th. Upon the re-opening of the gym and pool, the only restriction was that mask had to be worn per the Governor’s Executive Order GA 29. Andy told the board that at the pool the mask must be worn into the facility and if they were on deck. They 1 don’t have to wear them in the water. Andy informed the board that we’ve hadn’t had that much resistance at the pool, but there is a lot of resistance at the gym about wearing the mask. They have to wear them when they workout or play basketball. Andy told the board about the things that the Parks crew have been working on. Andy let the board know that Gary has been helping out at West City Park. Gary has been painting the tables and benches at the park. Andy told the board that Melvin Flores and George Cliett put in new exhaust fans at the restrooms at West City Park and at the Aquatics Center. They also fixed some of the sprinkler system at the pool and animal shelter. Andy told the board that due to the two weeks of closing of facilities that Melvin and George having to take down and put back up the basketball goals and volleyball net at the park. Andy informed the board that Melvin and George continue to mow and weed eat, but that has slowed down due to the lack of rain they have been doing it about every two weeks. Andy told the board that Melvin and George have trimmed and cut down trees at West City Park, hand watered the flowers in the downtown area, commons, and the medians, and they also sprayed weeds in the downtown area. Andy told the board that Tracy McCloud has been keeping the Ft. Wolters area mowed and weedeated. He is still receiving help from Jill Davis, Autumn McKennon, and Terrie Ortiz. Andy informed the board that Tracy has raked grass up after mowing at ball field one and two, trimmed trees at the entrance of Ft. Wolters, Gym, and Activity Center. Tracy also help the Recreation Department remodel Andy’s office. Andy informed the board that the carpet in his office was pulled up and a new laminate floor was put in at no cost to the city. Stormy Smith donated the floor, and the paint. Andy informed the board that the star at the entrance north of town was cleaned up by Melvin and George. Andy told the board that the Fossil Park continues to be a big attraction. People have come from other states and counties to visit the park. Andy let the board know that people were coming due to other places having restrictions because of COVID – 19. Andy let the board know that the hours of operation for the Fossil Park are still the same, 8:00 am – 3:30 pm during the week. The hours for the weekend are 8:00 am – 7:30 pm. Andy also let the board know that if there are people still hunting fossils, we don’t tell them to leave or shut the gate. They can continue to hunt for fossils. AGENDA ITEM 4.0 Review and Consider Staff Recommendation for Changes to the Parks and Recreation Department Fee Structure Andy informed the board that the daily admission fee of $3.00 has been that way since the first time he worked at Mineral Wells Parks and Recreation in 1994. Andy told the board that in the 90’s it was 20% daily fees and 80% membership fees. Now it has flipped, 20% membership fees and 80% daily fees. Andy made a proposal to the board to increase our revenue, raise the daily admission to $4.00. Andy let the board know that hopefully it could even out the membership and daily fees. Andy is hoping to cut down on the paperwork for the staff. Andy told the board that he wanted to lump the pool rentals and activity center rentals together for discussion because the reason for the fee change is the same. Andy informed the board that the Finance Department, and the City Manager have decided that paying the employees cash could lead us into a vulnerable legal position. The employees that work these parties, pool parties or activity center parties, will be paid overtime. The lifeguards will be $13.00 an hour and the activity center 2 attendant will be $30.00 an hour. Kim Houston asked what Andy meant about admission fee. Andy explained that the fee is different if the rental party charges an admission fee to the people that are attending the event. These charges are done at the activity center mainly. It is usually done if there is a concert or band that is charging to be seen. Kathy Boswell asked about the lifeguards are getting paid $13.00 an hour. Andy let Kathy know that they are getting paid their regular rate. This fee is $13.00 in case they work a party and it is overtime. Andy told the board that the next fee he wanted to change was water aerobics. We want to make it one fee. At this time the fee is different for morning and evening water aerobics. Andy proposed that it be one fee due to the fact that some people wanted to take the class both morning and evening. They were unable to do that due to it having different prices. Andy told the board that one price would cover both classes if they choose to do both classes. The customer could purchase a ten class punch card if they choose to. Andy proposed to the board that the rental of the softball fields be changed. He wants to give the renter the option of taking $30.00 off the rental if they choose to not have the fields chalked. Andy also informed the board that the rental of the lights would need to change. The old lights the field has now cost quite a bit to turn on, so instead of the $10.00 an hour charge he wants to change it to $15.00 an hour. Kim Houston ask that she would think it was more than $15.00. Andy let the board know that he tried to average the cost out. Andy informed the board that we may make about $5.00 a team. Andy also let the board know that he reduced the official’s fees as well. Andy informed the board that this is an action item. The city wanted all the boards to approve their fee increases. Kathy asked for a motion to approve the fee increases. Mandy Edwards made the motion. Kim Houston second the motion. The fee increase was unanimous. (A copy of the proposed fee schedule is included in this packet after this copy of the August 2020 minutes) AGENDA ITEM 5.0 Discussion of Future Agenda Items James Hailey wanted to show the board some plans that were from years ago. James asked Kathy, and Mandy if they remember them. James showed the board the plans from 2014. James talked about Firecracker Park and the plans, to build a sports complex. Mandy Edwards reminded James that Mr. Howerton said the plans would never go through due to deeds for the property on SE 5th Street and SE 15th Avenue, which is the Optimist Field couldn’t be produced. James gave Andy the board’s capital dream wish list. James Hailey said that there has been no action on this list for the last two years. The list was compiled right before Mr. Howerton retired. Andy asked if Donnie Hoover, former Parks and Recreation Superintendent, presented the plans. Kathy Boswell informed the board that it was Lance Howerton, former City Manager, which presented it. Kathy informed the board that they had a much larger list. Mr. Howerton selected a Task Force Committee, to cut the list down of projects that Mr. Howerton presented to the board. Mandy informed the board that the committee was looking at city wide projects. The committee gave their recommendations for the city. Kathy informed the board that when Mr. Howerton resigned, the Task Force Committee disbanded and the plans just fell apart. James said that at that time is when the board decided to focus on Southeast Park. It has been six years now and the 3 board is still focused on Southeast Park. Andy informed board that he would look over the plans that James presented to him. He also told the board he would try to find out more information on what happened as far as where they are with the plans. Andy told the board that he may have some answers to present at the next meeting. Andy asked the board if these plans were part of the bond that happened seven years ago. Kathy, Mandy and James informed Andy they never got to put it in the bond to get voted on. The school bond for a new football stadium was what was voted on and passed. James informed Andy that a New City Hall and the school football stadium was the bond vote. Mandy and Kathy informed Andy that the field lights were part of the plan that they were trying to get voted on. Kathy also told Andy about plans for a splash pad as well. Kathy asked if the board should to give all the information to the new City Manager or Finance Director. Andy informed the board that right now we don’t have a Finance Director. James stated that we need a plan to proceed on Southeast Park and that they have been talking about it for six years. Andy informed the board that the Parks and Open Space plan has a ten year capital improvement plan. Andy told the board that the City Council will be having a meeting about the new fiscal year budget. On Friday August 14 at 3:00 pm, if they are interested. Andy informed the board that the City Council makes final approval for the budget at the end of September, by October 1st. AGENDA ITEM 6.0 Other Business Andy informed the board about the Back to School Splash Bash at the Aquatics Center on Friday, August 14th. The Aquatics staff will follow all the CDC guidelines. This will be a family event with music, food, games, and prizes at the pool. Andy informed the board that Stormy Smith has been recognizing pool staff weekly and has been putting it in the local newspaper. Stormy informed the board that this week would be the last week of weekday operations for the Aquatics Center. School will be starting back and she will not have guards for the pool. Andy gave the board another update on the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic is causing a decline in activity center rentals. The rentals are limited to half the capacity in the building. Andy informed the board that adult softball registration was on going, and youth volleyball was beginning. Andy also told the board that we were waiting on the UIL rules to determine if the kids will have to be wearing face masks while playing matches. AGENDA ITEM 7.0 Adjournment Kathy Boswell asked for a motion for adjournment. Mandy Edwards made the motion. Kim Houston seconded the motion. The parks board meeting was adjourned at 6:40 pm. 4