Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

The Parks Advisory Board met in regular session on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Annex. MINUTES Board Members Present Kathy Boswell Mandy Edwards Neil Mesler Board Member Absent Kim Houston Amber Kunes City Staff Present Andy Tarkington, Parks and Recreation Superintendent Terrie Ortiz, Parks and Recreation Clerk Delena Smethers, Parks and Recreation Coordinator Guest Present None AGENDA ITEM 1.0 Call to Order Kathy Boswell called the meeting to order. The meeting began at 6:00 p.m. AGENDA ITEM 2.0 Approval of Minutes Kathy Boswell called for motion to approve the April minutes. Neil Mesler made the motion. Mandy Edwards seconded the motion. The minutes were approve by unanimous vote. AGENDA ITEM 3.0 Introduce Delena Smethers, Recreation Coordinator as of April 4, 2022 Andy told the board that he had hired a new Recreation Coordinator. He introduced Delena Smethers as the new Parks and Recreation Coordinator. He told the board that she had just attended her first swim T.A.A.F. meeting. The board went on to talk and welcome Delena to Parks and Recreation. Delena talked to board and introduced herself and informed the board that she hopes to stay at Parks and Recreation. AGENDA ITEM 4.0 Hear Updates on Mineral Wells Aquatics Center Andy told the board about Mount Joy Aquatics coming to inspect the sand filters at the pool. He informed the board that this company is in the business of fixing filters, but they are not available before the pool opens. Andy and the board went on to discuss the pool filters in detail. Andy told the board that he would tell them what the company’s findings were when he . AGENDA ITEM 5.0 Hear Southeast Park Playground Update and Ribbon Cutting Andy informed the board that Southeast Park is ready to be opened to the public. He let the board know about the ribbon cutting that was going to happen April 14th. Andy told the board that he knew that some of them would not be able to attend. Mandy Edwards, Neil Messer told Andy they were going to try attend. Kathy Boswell informed Andy that she was not going to be able to attend. Andy asked about Amber Kunes and Kim Houston. I, Terrie Ortiz, told him that Kim said she was going to try and attend. Neil let Andy know that Amber and him would try and be there. Andy told the board that he hope they could attend the ribbon cutting. AGENDA ITEM 6.0 Hear Update on the Parks and Open Space Plan Firm Selection Andy informed the board that a contract was decided upon and it will be presented to the City Council. He told the board that the contract was for approximately $48,000. Kathy Boswell asked if it was less that what was approved. Andy informed her and the board that it was more. What was approved was $34,500. Andy went on to tell the board that the company that was agreed upon by the selection committee is Burditt, located in Conroe, TX. Andy informed the board that there were eight companies that bid on the Parks and Open Space Plan. The committee decided on Burditt, Andy told the board that the committee interviewed four companies before deciding on Burditt. Kathy Boswell told the board that Andy did a lot of work checking references of the company they approved. Andy let the board know that it will go to council in May for approval of the company. Andy and the board discussed more about the choice the committee made in further detail. Kathy asked Andy when Burditt would be getting started. Andy informed her and the board once they are approved by council it would be the end of May or first of June. AGENDA ITEM 7.0 Hear Presentation on the Parks, Recreation and Fossil Park Report Andy read the Park, Recreation and Fossil Park report to the board. He also inform the board about the new solar gate at the Fossil Park. He told the board that the gate was finished and operational. The board discussed the more of the parks, recreation and lifeguarding classes. They also discussed Swim Team in further detail. Andy let the board know that Little League has a new Commissioner, Terry Garcia. The board went on to discussion the report in detail. AGENDA ITEM 8.0 Winter Project Photos and Updates Andy showed the board pictures of the winter projects the parks crew had completed. The new steps at the Little League field, new cables to help with parking at West City Park, cutting of dead trees in parks and downtown areas. Neil Mesler asked about the restrooms for Southeast Park. Andy told the board that he was still working on getting permanent restrooms at Southeast Park, and City Manager, Dean Sullivan told him to look at purchasing through Buy Board. Andy also let the board know that before budget goes to City Council he may can get Musco to come and look at the lights at the Little League fields. AGENDA ITEM 9.0 Hear Parks and Recreation Board Ideas for Future Agenda Items Neil Mesler would like to have an update on the Swim Team and Little League fees. Mandy Edwards would like an update on the Parks plan. AGENDA ITEM 10.0 Adjournment Kathy asked for a motion to adjourn. Mandy made the motion. Neil second the motion. The parks board unanimously agreed to adjourn the meeting at 7:00 p.m.