Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

The Parks Advisory Board met in regular session on Wednesday, June 8, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Annex. MINUTES Board Members Present Kathy Boswell Mandy Edwards Neil Mesler Kim Houston Amber Kunes Board Member Absent None City Staff Present Andy Tarkington, Parks and Recreation Superintendent Terrie Ortiz, Parks and Recreation Clerk Guest Present None AGENDA ITEM 1.0 Call to Order Kathy Boswell called the meeting to order. The meeting began at 6:09 p.m. AGENDA ITEM 2.0 Approval of Minutes Kathy Boswell called for motion to approve the May minutes. Mandy Edwards made the motion. Kim Houston seconded the motion. The minutes were approve by unanimous vote. AGENDA ITEM 3.0 Hear Report on Proposed Fee Changes Presented to the City Council Andy talked to the board about the fee changes he brought to the board a year ago. He told the board the fees have been tabled. The board was told it could be on the next agenda for the City Council. Andy let the board know that he did tell the new President of the Little League Association, Terry Garcia, and put it in their contract that there will be fees at a future date. They just have not been approved by the City Council. Kim Houston pointed out that when the board voted on the fees they were to help with the cost of the use of electricity and maintenance of the Little League fields. Kim also told the board that the cost of these items are skyrocketing and the expenses are going to be more extreme. The board and Andy discussed the fee changes in a more detailed conversation. AGENDA ITEM 4.0 Hear Report on Contract for Parks and Open Space Plan Andy informed the board that City Council did approve the contract from Burditt for the Parks and Open Space Plan. Andy and the board discussed what Burditt does to find out what the community likes about the parks. He explained to the board that Burditt will go out and do surveys at the parks to see what people like or dislike to include in their presentation. Andy told the board that the difference in the price was about $14,000 from what the Council approved. Andy told the board that he did contact two other cities that used Burditt and they were very pleased with the product. Andy let the board know Burditt will do a kick off meeting in the next couple of weeks. The board and Andy discussed in more detail about the plan. AGENDA ITEM 5.0 Hear Report on the Status of the Mineral Wells Aquatics Center Andy told the board that Mount Joy Aquatics agreed with some of the other individuals that have come and looked at the filters, that they are intact. The filters will need the sacrificial anodes to be replaced, they go on the tanks to help prevent rusting. Andy told the board that he had ordered the anodes and would be here in about two weeks. Andy then let the board know that the sand needs to be replaced, but Mount Joy does not replace sand. Mount Joy said they would replace the corroded pipes. The board went on to discuss the filters being replaced at a later time. The board discussed this in further detail. AGENDA ITEM 6.0 Hear Report on the Ribbon Cutting for the Southeast Park Playground Andy told the board that he has been seeing a lot more positive feedback on the Southeast Park. He went on to have an in depth discussion about the parks, the pool and the Little League fields. Andy also thanked the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board for attending the ribbon cutting at Southeast Park. AGENDA ITEM 7.0 Hear Presentation on the Parks, Recreation and Fossil Park Report Andy read the Parks, Recreation and Fossil Park report to the board. Andy went over the youth volleyball teams going to the T.A.A.F. State tournament in June in Stephenville. Andy and the board had an in depth discussion on the pool and the hours of operation. Andy went on the read what the parks crew has been doing at the parks and in the downtown area. He let the board know that they have been planting flowers and adding mulch to the medians and the downtown areas. AGENDA ITEM 8.0 Hear Report on the Solar Powered Entry Gate for the Mineral Wells Fossil Park The board discussed the use of the new solar power gate that has been installed at the Fossil Park. Andy told the board that the Fossil Park will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. Andy also let the board know that the Chamber of Commerce will pay for half of the installation fee. He let the board know the Public Works Department made the gate and installed it, so the cost were less than what was quoted. AGENDA ITEM 9.0 Hear Parks and Recreation Board Ideas for Future Agenda Items The board would like an update on the fee changes. The board would like to discuss the hours of operation with the City Council. The board would like a meeting for the comprehensive plan and parks plan. AGENDA ITEM 10.0 Adjournment Kathy asked for a motion to adjourn. Mandy Edwards made the motion. Amber Kunes second the motion. The parks board unanimously agreed to adjourn the meeting at 7:21 p.m.