City of Laredo, Texas Parks & Leisure Services Advisory Committee, 18 Nov 2021

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From YouTube: PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE 111721

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PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE 111721

A

Good afternoon, I would like to call this meeting order. This is the city on the radio parks and recreation advisory committee. Today's date is wednesday november 17 2021 and we'll start with the pledge of allegiance.

A

I pledge allegiance to the lag.

B

Of the united states of america.

A

And to the republic for which it stands, one nation under.

B

God indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

B

B

A

The uh I'll now call the roll call.

A

Mr also control president, mr senkyo.

C

Chavez jr president.

A

Mr victor vasquez iii himself, president miss.

C

Olga gentry.

A

Not president, at the time the meeting has the rook has been called. Mr.

B

I don't want to give my back.

A

For the meeting of august 11 2021, uh the meeting the minutes have been provided to you you'd like to to review, and I call for a motion.

D

Your motion tools.

A

Okay, I missed the motion. You said.

D

A

Yes, yeah. The last meeting that we had was august 11th.

D

Before we got to the last meeting, we didn't have a portal.

A

Yeah, the last meeting that we did have a quarter. um Sorry.

D

Emotional second, there's.

A

A motion a second all in favor all right. Any against motion carries.

A

Okay, we have anyone signed up for public comments, citizens interested in providing comments on a particular issue, uh but we have no, no one that signed up for any public comments with a guardian knife right: okay, so um communications and number one. We have a status on the recreation center's opening and that be handled by mrs stanley.

A

Hey miss daniel.

E

Thank you good evening, we'd like to discuss the recreation centers opening up. We were given directive to open up the centers uh phase at a time, so we started with our senior facilities. We opened up uh la vineta, recreation, center, um baskin, recreation, center hillside and then for our seniors. uh It's been a slow turn, but you know the award is picking up, and so we started getting a little bit more visibility.

E

So we were then given word as the health authority felt, it was safe enough to move forward and open our recreation centers to everybody, age, six and up and so on the 15th of november. This is exactly what we're going to be doing. We will be opening up um cigar door, recreation, center, magento, benavides.

E

Is on the corner of children and lion marcos, aranda rec center is on santa maria hillside is on mcpherson baskin is on salvo mines.

E

And our newest fitness center is north central park fitness center. It was a racquetball court. That's been converted into a mini fitness center, two story um very proud of that little gem. It's uh councilman felt that it was an ability opportunity to provide the public a place to go and work out. It's got a swimming pool, lap swimming pool, state-of-the-art pool, complex there, and so um the community had been asking for some type of recreation facility out there, and so this was the councilman's call to that stuff.

E

It is a heated wall right, yes and so yeah. So now you've got a center, the fitness center that overlooks the pool. So that's a beautiful view. You know, there's some cardio upstairs and there's uh something similar to the mirror. It's called manchelon and so people can work out and yeah. It's a nice little room. So.

C

E

The 15th we will have our recreation centers opening, so I wanted to report on that.

E

Is there any questions.

A

Report in regards to the opening of the recreation centers.

A

Okay, thank you. Miss stanley, through that competition, moving on to 1.6 action items, number one schedule a part store with a parks tour with committee members.

A

I know that this is uh we've addressed this before without coming to a actual set date for us to move forward on it, of course, now that we have a full board now and uh many new faces in regards to since we've familiarized or met at parts before um so, we were going to discuss it in a chain email to see the availability of of everyone. Maybe we want to do it on on a specific day. I know that you know december is coming up, and next you know it's already.

E

Thanksgiving in.

A

December I know that everybody chooses to probably be out either december or anything. I don't know what would work best for everyone if it's best, maybe next year, but if it's something that you all have- and it would probably be best uh coach- had recommended something early on a saturday morning. Maybe for a couple of hours from 8 am to 12 or something, and he said like he was going to grill steaks.

A

So if it's, if it's best, I mean send recommendations on what you see, I I honestly from I'll speak for myself. I I don't. I don't have any particular out of town plans for december, so you know if I'm here I commit to going and I'd be flexible with any of the dates that you all would suggest as well, um and then also we need to coordinate with the parks team. Of course,.

D

What dates are available with them? Yeah first and then see what yeah, because.

A

All the lightings and all that stuff is that done on saturdays or let's do it on that day,.

B

It's just right up here.

A

Communication and then to see- or you know us that work here today I mean we have that benefit of. We sent three dates we're here today, so I think that we make the time and effort on being present so submit or suggest two or three dates, and then we put them out and if the other members that are not present can join us and if we can well, you know.

D

I'm going to say, let's say we schedule it it'll be like the park in a certain area of town. If I know what I'm going to cover all the parks in one day,.

A

Correct so the plan was the important stuff with the trails to familiarize at least with trails, there's a lot of pocket parks. I don't think we'll hit those, um but at least the important trails, the independence hills, maybe the slaughter parks to see the amenities, um the rec centers or how they're you know functioning or anything like that.

A

I mean leave it up to the to the staff to kind of what you know. What is it that we should see how far.

D

Long is recognize the volleyball are the uh tennis courts.

E

Tennis courts february 22.

C

uh There is a particle no, but there is.

E

An extension being requested, so that was the original uh we'd like to go visit at least a regional park. uh Every district has a park of not a variety. You know it's uh your most popular park, you know district six, north central independence park in the south, parado bartlett or you know so. Every park has something- and I think it's important.

C

I guess we can concentrate on those exactly because.

E

A lot of people, uh you know if you don't travel to south toronto you're, not gonna, have you will not have seen. You know, you may not have seen slaughter park, and so that is a gem. If uh you don't know it's there, you walk through that trail. It's you know.

C

It's really nice, you know, and so it's got.

E

Crushed granite on the on the floor basin, so.

D

It's a beautiful park.

E

C

So, like I said it is very.

D

Good right and.

B

Then independence, the trail.

D

Is beautiful there exactly? I didn't know how many parts we had, though I became a park member, but I mean south south florida by the college and all that I mean.

C

D

Got parked all over the place.

E

So I think it'd be important to see something first of all in every district, your major and your trail systems uh and just become aware a little bit of not what only is in your district but in other districts as well.

D

Yeah, I would prefer to see something: that's not advantageous. Okay, I know. What's in my distributor, I would prefer to see something on the opposite.

E

Side absolutely and that's what we'd like to provide a little bit.

A

So so we've taken uh action on this open up the floor for dates. Maybe two or three dates: two dates, preferably that you all want to suggest that we we could. We could.

F

Do this, what are you looking for, like in december or january, whenever it works.

A

December one in january and then split the you know, split the teams or um let me split the board or or um if everyone can attend on just one day, then we you know we do it like that.

C

Just take care of it.

B

And one day do the.

C

B

And then the other day and do the saucer I mean.

D

B

We'll get two city.

A

With christmas songs, what.

F

C

So for december,.

A

And I mean I know that the staff is very busy this ever, but I.

B

Mean I would say, we'd do it past december, because this stuff's gonna.

A

D

The same with december, you know we might plan, but something might come up exactly.

B

I mean the workers.

G

A

Not only that, but the the suggestion of it having to be on a saturday which.

G

C

For us, but then.

A

Also, having us.

B

How many district events are planned for.

A

E

Five, if I'm not mistaken, yeah.

D

I'd say christmas events.

E

D

No they're going to be three years ago.

E

So let's suggest two february.

A

Two dates in january: the first and that's good yeah.

D

E

The 8th and the 15th how many takers.

D

A

8Th and then 15th, 8th and 15th right back, we'll do like you know, north.

B

On the 8th and then the 15th will do something.

A

And and we're open to a plan, whether you have like all that we can cover this area in in one that we can cover the whole city in one day, which is the the 8 to 12.

D

F

To be on the 12th and then end the 15th again yeah, that's because.

H

It's the second wednesday of the month or you're. You don't want to have a meeting and in january.

A

No, no I'm good. I mean if I'm available, I'm here I'll. You know, I don't know yeah, because that.

E

Would be an addition.

A

Too, because honestly, we might not.

F

Meet next month I mean, I don't know, that's a drive.

A

We might not meet next month, so you know the the january one would would maybe substitute for it. Not that not that I don't want to believe right now.

C

A

So so two dates in in january, which is which is easier and- and that's you all. Okay with that, the eighth and the fifteenth.

B

C

Corners, I.

B

Mean check with biggest guys coming from you know, they have something big, you know, or you know, coming up or whatever they're gonna be tied up there for a while.

A

I mean we'll leave it up to staff, mr lee, okay, um so you all can send to us just suggestions in in january. If you feel that you know that.

F

C

A

Or the 15th and 22nd or the 22nd 29th, so we'll open to suggestions and then that when we leave the rest of the board to also just chime in.

C

A

We're this day will.

C

E

Excellent and we'll provide when we get closer to that list of proposed sites, and then you all can chime in with I'd really like to also visit this one. So that's also flexible sounds.

D

Good. Thank you.

E

D

So we're going to go to the side parts.

A

Yes, so there's a this requires an action. So is there a motion for a date in january.

A

I mean I, I can make them yeah.

C

A

A motion to suggest that or to a staff or availability in january or the parts tour for board members.

C

C

A

A motion in a second all, those in favor all right. Any against motion cares.

F

Can you repeat it the.

A

A

And bullet point number: seven: we have staff reports, we'll start number one: the holiday events as they relate to the parks, department and they'll, be presentation exactly.

E

We're going to show you just a brief video that shows a listing of all the christmas. This is specifically christmas tree lighting.

C

E

Gloria will be sending notifications on all our events, so that you all are aware of all the christmas okay.

D

E

You can see we try to make sure that we cover a an event. Every council district uh district one has an event, not all the products that we're decorating are requiring or requesting events so district, one at independence. We are going to do an event on december, 2nd tree lighting drive through a tunnel light decoration. It's got a trail down below with another tunnel walk through along the trail. It's a beautiful area.

E

District 3 has consecutive house indoor and outside uh he would like the an event there on december 4th it's still pending as well as slaughter park is pending. He is going to have it decorated, not sure he's going to have an event right now.

C

E

We've got arturo benavidez, which is the former eastwoods across uh off of clark. um No date, he doesn't want an event. He doesn't have a date provided yet, which is a apartment park, will have an event. It will be on the 14th, and this is still pending simply because also in district 5, he is asking for unit trade stadium an event there. It is a weekend event, so it will be saturday and sunday on the 11th and 12th, and the 18th and 19th with train rides vendors. Santa claus sleigh ride.

E

District six north central park, uh you will have an event there. Christmas tree lighting, snail rides. Pictures train rides uh other activities out there. We are going to do a full decoration of that area. Rec center. uh We are going to be decorating the rec center and she would like an event there. Osada on the 10th of december.

E

St peters uh ciara is asking that we decorate the downtown area, the plazas and those are going to be saint peter's, jarvis and son of austin. She is going to ask for a um an event downtown and it will be at jarvis, plaza and so.

C

I'm sorry, st peters, plaza.

E

We have two dates. This is the one that they're going to ask for an event, for they were kind of bouncing. This idea around to try to also do it at jarvis, but saint peter's is where she wants. The sleigh ride. Farmers, market activities, vendors.

A

Was that I know that uh you know the plazas belong to parks, at least on the main inside right, but um had it been have they been decorated before.

E

Not to this level, we put christmas, we put lights up there before and we've had a couple of candy canes in the past, but she's really asking that um she's very passionate about her downtown area and she really wants to see a lot of this nation likes christmas.

C

E

Off street parking, there are some parking lots downtown that are also available, uh but we've done events there before and a lot of people. It's off street.

B

Some people walk from the neighborhood yeah.

E

Yeah exactly so that should be nice.

E

So these are our christmas events, so that you all can get a feeling of what our parks department and your council is doing for the community for christmas. I.

D

Had a quick question, I know you're talking jarvis saint peter's uh charlestine, uh how about a rooney plaza? I mean just to decorate for christmas.

E

That's a great idea: it's definitely a great idea uh and I think what we're trying to do is create a little bit of christmas in every district.

C

D

E

Can we can look into that because there is a fountain already.

C

There and we couldn't see if we can't change the color. What was that underneath.

A

The lasting word I there do.

B

Nothing as scheduled for district 2, correct.

D

It's in the works or it's.

A

Just not everything.

E

It's not something that we have on. They uh advise us that this is what they're thinking and so they touch base with their assistance to face with us, and there is no. Our council is asking that we do okay, and at this point in time we don't have something yet.

F

About a southwestern.

E

So these are our christmas events and mr eddie mian, who is our public information officer, would like to touch base with you on other events that we're planning on doing uh that. We've got saving.

A

For the at what point does parks and rec tell city council that a volvo department used to be created.

B

For all these events,.

E

It is, and so it's important to understand that when we decorate we've got 200. Currently, we've got 206 employees in.

C

The department.

E

Those 206 employees are running the rec centers, the sewing pools and maintaining the parks when we've got. Events like this they're also decorating the parks and we're.

D

H

Putting on events.

E

So I mean it's the same pool but.

D

Who decorates like downtown our park? Stopped? Yes, yeah I mean I mean the streets and all that all right.

C

The traffic will on the post is the traffic compartment.

A

And the plaza is the park park correct.

E

But I appreciate the concern. Thank you.

H

So much I know I walked today, but how long did you find out? I was going to.

F

H

So you have enough staff and enough supplies to do this like these. Are these are parts that have never been decorated before you have to go out and buy more lights,.

C

Yes, ma'am and that's your budget or it's called a person's budget.

C

E

Way it works is council has participated in with their city, promotion, account and they've. Given us funds to be able to purchase the additional lights, but not additional stuff didn't vary correct because it's the decoration, is during this time. So if you add an additional fte, if they're created specifically for decorating you'll.

H

Lose them on something yeah exactly yeah, and um they do it within the regular day, overtime, weekends. We.

E

Are we kind of are modest with our overtime, so we do half and half, and our director has designated that a lot of our events, especially when we work evenings and weekends that it be created and given to staff is half part-time. I mean half time in half over time, so staff does get compensation for doing this.

C

And it's not mandatory.

E

You know we put the word out there for stop. We've.

C

Got to decorate.

E

And so are you available? Let us know and then we schedule them to be out there. So after hours and weekends, it's absolutely not mandatory.

G

Good evening, um during the covet pandemic time, uh we brought out this rental bike rental throughout our parks. Well in certain parks, and basically this was at that time. The only activity that we had everything was closed.

G

Staff was still around and some staff was used to man these locations for a free bike rental to keep the people active during the time under bikes, we provided the bikes, we provide their helmets and it's free. All we ask is for a photo id and uh kids or who are under the age of 18, will have to have a parent accompanying them and have a sign of waiver, and so we've been doing this. It's been successful. A lot of people still come around to this time.

G

uh We've uh as we started exposing up rec centers- and you know little by little staff are starting to move around, so we struggled a little bit, but luckily we were able to bring in some new folks and so we're still part uh doing our our things with our bike. Rentals.

G

The only thing is that the hours tend to you know we have to juggle them a lot because of staff and moving them around, and so uh this right now what you see right here, the hours and the parks, the locations- that's probably gonna- probably change, but next week um I it's only because you know we there's always like you say uh emergencies, sometimes where we need more staff to be pushed somewhere else, because we need treat uh lighting needs to be set up whatever the reason, but we always try to try to maintain at least mornings for some of our locations and it's been pretty good.

G

A lot of people still come a lot of people's schools. The colleges come and take advantage of the bike, and so this is what we have right now we use the trails and the locations, and we uh it's free bike rental.

G

If anybody wants to, I guess you know they can come to any of our locations, we're right now, monday to friday, some locations are just in the morning north central park, which is really popular.

G

uh We have it at seven in the morning and then we have it at again three o'clock in the afternoon to six: although locations vary because they're open uh the bikes are available during rec center hours or we have staff there, and we have this program, we do it on saturdays, also at north central uh wildlife park, which is a hobitayla independent cells and fasting right center or north central park.

D

That doesn't include the trails right.

G

North central park, yeah they're they're right there.

D

North central park is right by the pool. No, no, no, my question is it.

C

D

You know that bike right now is not for the trails, the shiloh trails, oh.

G

Not the shadow trail, no they're for the park area trail and there.

C

G

The shadow trails are a little bit more uh advanced bikers they have a chance to go out there by the way. That's a if you haven't had a chance to go to shadow trails. You will it's a beautiful place is something happening.

D

In the shadow traps, are they doing something different.

F

Is there like an entrance right at the in the entrances.

E

F

Doing a uh a metal entrance like this amenities.

E

Their amenities are adding to the park itself.

G

E

Always you have to think this is each of.

G

Some of the projects in that area, she always fills me in.

D

And any damage to the bike stuff without any.

G

No, we not not anything too severe. There has been uh bikes showing up late. uh Some riders have gone out of there, some some kid. When I I think he went and took a ride to his girlfriend's house and he went somewhere.

E

But you brought it, he brought it back so vandalism to.

B

E

A

And um this is a program that's going to be continuing through the next year. Is that something that the the.

E

We are going to continue it, we're modifying it and that's because uh when we were not uh opening the rec centers the staff, you know we got creative and creating new programming and different ways to to use staff to.

C

E

The department- and uh this was one of the programs that we came up with.

A

I know that the staff from aquatics was helping out at one point, with the yeah, with.

E

The beautification with yeah this was one of the programs that that we.

D

Talked about but they're they're running they're tearing down the the trails for the springfield extension parts of it right. Oh.

A

And he's talking about the shiny.

E

Talking about which was the ribbon cutting this morning.

A

E

That's something that we had talked.

A

About when we visited it, both mr lavrov and.

C

A

Went out there and we visited the shiloh bike trails earlier this year, and that was something that we had talked about. That said once they continue with the springfield extension, it's going to run through with the shiny bike train.

E

If I'm not mistaken, doesn't it run only through the west side of it? No by.

D

A

And that's phase one already starting starting on phase one or is that the event? Because I think it's been divided into three phases.

D

Tomorrow but that's really low.

C

Can you I don't know where to go.

D

I mean, what's the water or something.

G

We have uh for people with disabilities where they sit down or just pedal with the bike. They don't have to go underneath those bikes so we'll be putting them together. Right now,.

D

And therefore, you asked for it any other questions, not.

G

Not on the bike, rentals, uh okay and the I want some that's coming up, so we just wanna, give you an fyi, save the date march, 13 2022, it's a streets of laredo, half marathon 5k and two team relay and basically downtown area.

C

E

Yes, this is the second year we've done it. I was very successful, the first time we did it. We want to get to a point where we, um our a writer, can be qualified here. So in order for us to be able to certify a full marathon, we have to do two half marathons.

E

So this is our second half that I thought the first one was very successful, running down the streets through the streets of the radio, so.

D

C

Will be a pool.

E

This is the second half we had to put off last year's.

C

E

Was the second? This is the second half and then the following, where the following race will be a full marathon. So we're excited about that.

G

C

uh Save the date.

G

Fyi for uh what's coming up in in march,.

G

Should I continue with the.

A

And this one completes the holiday events as april to the parks.

C

A

C

G

Also, a three by three three on three I should say: basketball toy drive, that's going to be done and that's going to be at the john walls, which is right there by north central park on the other side by the north.

E

G

North side over there by the walmart area.

G

And there's the fee is going to be two unwrapped: toys for participants or twenty dollar donation.

B

Participant businessman practice.

C

Or dedicated somebody wrong yeah, I see.

A

Any questions on any of the scheduled events.

A

And do we proceed to number number two if the batteries are reported yeah I can so um moving on number two. Is the vandalism expense report to include current in past two years?

A

Mr milan will be making that presentation. I know that under staff reports under item number two, it's been this one. It's been added.

C

So uh it's it's on here.

G

Okay, basically, our random mirror goes from october to october, from one year to the next.

G

So in october fiscal year, 28 2018 2019, the total amount was, I believe, 33 000 and uh expenses on vandalism that we know of uh basically, because there's a lot of little things that guys, you know we uh just they fixed on their own and guys on the field and they take care of themselves, but also it was not sure this was.

G

What we do is we sit down with uh parks, police and we discuss the fiscal year and we compare notes on what they have vandalized in the parks in our area and that what they check out themselves compared to what we have in case. We miss some okay statement, something we'll share each other. The information.

G

And we go through the numbers, and this is the numbers that we come out with- that fiscal year, 2018 2019 it was 33 000 and then we started going into the culvert here and everything slows down.

G

People are not going to the parks. Playgrounds are closed.

G

Vandalism goes down, goes down to 31 000.

G

and then, which is good in a way, because, usually during regular years, regular our time before kobe, we were averaging somewhere between 40 to 60 thousand dollars on vandalism in one year.

B

Is this spread out or any parks you know, have a high concentration of items.

G

We have about a year a couple years ago, like did a map and everything and tried to pinpoint every location along with pd and their help, there's pins all over the map. So it's not necessarily one area. It's throughout and people always say well, south side, north side same way, central, it's all the same.

G

I know there's too many parts to obviously.

B

uh Have patrol out there but does lpd have anyone assigned to pds.

G

uh They have park police there's like three four officers that are right: four to five depending on for the whole city for the whole city in the nation. How do y'all keep taxes like the.

C

Mexican divide support me: how do you all go about it? Y'all have to get like an internet report from dvd or.

G

Yeah, what we do is, uh if the pd say, for instance, they're out there right now our guys aren't, but if something happens overnight, they might call us, depending on on the extent of damage, they'll call you, the director who's uh who's, the complainant.

F

On these calls like.

C

Who's, the one that reports them between.

D

Themselves, when they see police.

G

Somebody calls pd at that time and say: there's a incident that they just vandalize one of those they spray painted the walls or whatever.

A

E

Or our staff will one.

A

Morning, whenever they're, if.

C

G

The crew that goes and cleans.

A

If they're caught, they get a ticket or a citation or even.

C

A

They're prosecuted through the municipal court, or would that.

B

Fall depends on the damage. It could be a class b class. A could be a citation.

F

Fifty dollars less yeah they're gonna give them a fine they're gonna go with two fifty.

A

B

Yeah, ten thousand dollar thing: it's gonna, be a stage of that'll, be.

A

Three yeah and- and I think that we just need to you- know, talk about that as well, because you know it ends up in the courts and that these kids need.

D

A

That you know that they're randomizing does.

D

The city have insurance.

F

Like how many people have been.

B

Prosecuted, I think it's tough to find who.

G

Congress, I know, there's cumbersome, there's some cameras, a certain amount, the exact number of people being prosecuted. It's usually kids are younger, so they're, just I've admitted the real times.

A

The real-time center at the pd's headquarters, they.

C

A

Parts uh that they are long-term yeah monitoring in real time and, of course there are the larger parks- uh probably I know for sure the mines, road area, one the uh and, of course, probably because of the proximity to the border slaughter park. um I'm not sure if north central is on there as well.

E

We do have uh some cameras out there, but.

A

But I think that eventually to con, if no, if no police is gonna, if.

C

It's not gonna be extended to.

A

Add more police presence, which we also have also constables, helping out with the perfect show or stuff like that, but in the investment in long-term cameras. So it can be monitored, at least through the real-time um and.

G

The products that are in a lot bigger and there's all different angles that even the camel can't catch it.

B

Yeah, I mean, for example, I'm sure there's a lot of vandalism in restrooms and yeah.

G

That's probably one of the main focuses for vandalism is the wrestling.

C

I'm guessing it's at nighttime, more.

H

At night, but.

G

We've had uh incidents where they burnt down um trash cans and everything right after school right after the school hours. I guess they just walk through the park or they come by the park and.

B

Flip the cigarette in there right sorry.

G

um But it has, I mean during the day we've had people try to take apart, our aluminum benches. Remember they took away um like give an example, this individual he was on a bicycle, a two-wheel bicycle and somehow somewhere he had a two. I guess, and he took off the top of the aluminum bench, put it under his arm and riding down zapata highway.

D

Very serious he got busted.

G

He got busted because the guy had woken up.

G

Thank you there's something here. Something's going on and the guy police asked him where he got it. He goes. Oh, I found it. Yeah I'm in the park did y'all, have surveillance.

H

Cameras in some of the parks, though,.

G

Are man but again there's not not every park has cameras and even the parts that do not every camera can catch different angles.

H

Right, you just hope that maybe it would be insurance if somebody saw the camera.

G

Yeah well in certain parts we've had them and then, after a while, we have put cages like something.

C

D

Bust the cameras.

G

So we put them higher and so they from there they would shoot at them with bb guns or we open them.

A

And I think you know something to consider down. The road is to really push for pd to have a bigger presence at parks, um not that they don't now, but a bigger presence would deter all of this and and and and you know, the investment and tips having a budget for vandalism.

A

The other one would be creating some kind of program where you have student park rangers or some kind of thing that you know to encourage kids to be part of taking care of the parks. You know so.

C

A

Report it or something and and and have you know these individuals or these.

C

A

Kids, you know be out there and and being involved in the parks in some some way.

G

Like that parks had prior to covered parks, how to use committee- oh yeah and they're pretty strong and they would do psas for us, they would come on public access at that time. Promoting parks, taking care of the park. English and spanish they'll do presentations with us at schools.

G

If they were, we were in their school, they would help us out and they'll come to our events. They'll help help out and the events give out things at the same time, promoting parks and helping pass out flyers whatever and- and they were very you know very helpful and everything- and um it's just you know it's the thing that people keep saying and is that kids get bored because there's nothing to do and I go. We have over 100 parks in the city of laredo.

G

There's a lot of things to do. Yeah you just gotta, go and do it.

D

Like um boy scouts or girl, scouts.

G

We've had uh boy scouts and girl scouts have been participating with us, crying staff resistance participated with us, constables have participated with us uh city, community uh depart um say the police department's community relations group have been participating with us, sheriff's department have purchased, you know, so. We've had partners in various different areas.

G

We've had uh various groups uh that have come out and helped us, and uh you know it's still it's still it's it bottom lines. When the kids get home and the parents say not my kid yeah, he wouldn't do that, and.

B

I think out of control.

D

Man, I mean, you know, the kids go home and I mean.

B

They can't deal with the kids, their own kitchen, and I hate saying this: it's hard part of doing business. It's gonna happen. I don't think we're gonna yeah.

A

Yeah, but but to the to the benefit of the parks department. I think that when I first started here at least through my through my first year when I was became part of the board, I asked for a report like this and it was upwards of eighty thousand. Ninety thousand, almost a hundred thousand, so.

C

It's gone down a year.

A

uh That's how much they were spending at that time. Yeah we've had as much.

G

As ninety thousand since I've been around here.

A

So it's so it's gone down. So on the on the positive side, it it differs. It's a big difference.

D

But uh that's great, but the kids get them all right.

G

I mean we now that uh things are getting back to normal, and hopefully you know the summer is.

E

G

The toughest part for for our department yeah, that's when vandalism spikes and that's when our youth committee would help us out a lot and during those summer camps when we have them, uh we would also be pushing it and you know, taking care of our our parks and then we'll have parks on rec month and we'll be pushing it through there too.

A

And I think that uh by uh summertime, we'll we'll come up with some suggestions as a board that we can. You know how we can help as well and then uh present them to to staff how we can proceed. Any questions in regards to the vandalism expense report provided by the park. Stop.

A

Okay, well. Thank you, mr mr hunt for that presentation. Thank you answer. Thank you, sir. We'll move over to number three, the league requirements and it's under um item number three, the tab. The league requirements checklist has been provided by uh park staff and we'll be presenting this done.

E

Hello I'll just this is probably, um as you know, we operate leagues out of our apartment and years ago, council directed us to ensure that several things were in place for the safety and protection of the children. One of those, first and foremost, was insurance, make sure that there was insurance provided for the kids participating in case.

E

You know they did need it and.

C

E

uh The dates have been very good uh for the most part in providing all this information background checks, uh affiliation, 501c3, but one of the things that we wanted to expand on is 501c3 status locally.

E

So it was important for us to ensure that those league presidents who were running a league had a 501c3 status, had it locally because we require affiliation. So what was happening is we were getting 501c3 status from like your corporate right.

A

E

Whether it be pony corporate you know, but pony also has their local. Yes,.

C

E

So a lot of the teams, a lot of the leads, do have your local, but there were some that didn't and we didn't mandate it. We just required a 501c3.

E

So what we asked for is if you are um charging. Obviously every league is for the players for the children. Then you have to have a 501c3 local, and so that's one of the changes that we made. The other one is requesting a form 990, which is requested by the irs and it's an informational return.

E

So this is uh checks and balances. If you wait, if you will that was integrated into that requirements, checklist.

D

What are the benefits of the local power once you've done.

E

uh If you have a corporate uh or a general from the affiliate, um they don't request your funds, they don't request a reporting of your funds, and so this way uh we have a local 501c3.

E

Then we are asking for your financial records.

E

B

Exactly it seems that it's more in line with the third party funding requirements right, the for the non-profits here, hopefully.

E

Yes, sir, it's for a checks and balances purpose. You.

B

C

E

Feel and believe that somebody comes to us and says I'm a non-profit, I'm in it for the kids, I mean it, you know what have you and we believe we want to believe you and.

C

E

This just it's a checks and balances system to make sure that um that it remains like that. So these are the two changes. The main changes that were made to the requirements does.

B

The city have someone that goes out and check. You know these leagues. Once in a while, or I know it's uh check.

E

B

For some of these things, I mean, I know well to register with.

D

You guys they have to show up.

E

Right before the contract goes to legal, they have to submit all these documents right.

B

E

They get additional coaches and additional players, and what have you? um Because you register with a certain number.

F

E

And so as your teams grow because they will grow over the first month or two, what have you is you get more players and then more volunteers, coaches? Then additional information is required and we'll know that because we're going to need additional fields to play.

B

E

Because the fields are delegated based on how many number of kids you have playing, I.

B

Mean I'll just give an example like I've been on here on the street.

B

Or whatever it's called, I mean he seems to run the concession stand. He's the president he's the director he's everything I mean. So I don't even know if he's in compliance with those are wonderful.

E

This is the first year that we have the local 501c3 requirement.

D

B

D

We will ensure.

C

D

They're not controlling the finances.

E

No, we would just control and ensure that you are uh 5016.

B

E

And we asked to see the financials and we.

A

E

A reporting together how.

A

They run the um the park after they load. Was there a fee associated with that? I'm.

B

E

Providing this service to the children, we will not charge you a fee to rent the fields. You will do so, but you will be in compliance.

C

With all the cases.

D

So who's the one that goes on the chat. Jj personally, you know.

E

He does, he has we've got staff, we've got night staff um and you know our parks, crews, who are on evenings. We've got four gentlemen. I think two in the north too in the south and they go check. You know they're, not specifically, checking for paperwork and stuff. This is done in the office, but they are making sure that that.

C

D

Running smoothly.

E

As well as you can yeah sorry, you know.

D

He can have all this, but it doesn't mean he's, recording or doing the.

C

Back end, yeah, that's what we're faking.

D

C

He might check.

D

On that another studio department.

E

But if the coach or the president is doing something, then I would think that the parents.

C

Would look for.

E

Somebody else to play another team to play on. Wouldn't you no.

B

C

A

Because it's hard.

D

Because you belong to that.

A

What I'm saying so, it's like.

E

Well, there are some leagues that don't have boundaries.

D

You're saying like you're, seeing.

B

A bunch of money.

D

B

Why don't I just.

D

I think they're following this well I'll, give you an example like when you used to have water fish. uh We found water festivals at sales center. The city never gave up control of where they sold the beer.

D

Well, that's the biggest money maker. There.

H

Did you use the facility correct, like my school, that I'm familiar with.

A

And don't tell them about charging for parking right because they're not.

E

Yeah there's certain requirements that.

E

That need to be met in order for an entity to use a public facility free.

C

E

So and that needs to go through our legal department cool, but the contracts have all gotten illegal. So.

H

I guess the question would be once it gets to legal. Are they verifying that 51c3 status was yes, nothing, yes, ma'am and that's outside of parks and rec? Obviously,.

E

Correct on our contracts that we do you pass them on, it is verified. Actually, staff just learned how to do that. Okay, because we had a concern on, we were given information, and so we went through finding out. It was in the process and it didn't have a status right.

A

Exactly and it has differentiated the problem of people uh leaks showing up hey. I have like my game on saturday at 10 am and then the leads would show up, and then there was a group of individuals there that had you know that yeah does this alleviate the scheduling, conflicts.

E

Absolutely uh because the teams know we do have situations every now and then, if the lights go out at one field and they're supposed to play a game and they're playing uh practice, they're practicing on another, you know we will get involved all right. They need to get this game out of the way. Let them play it on the field, because the light just went out it's you know what have you, and so we do have.

C

That. But for the most part, with.

E

This and all the requirements that we have implemented over the last few years we didn't have any of this. There was a contract and that was it the contract. That just said you know, you're coming to our city, you're, going to provide a service to the community you're going to help these kids grow and here's our fields, you know help the kids grow, and so now there's backgrounds, there's insurance, there's a 501c3 there's you know show us your rosters.

E

We want to see your rosters, which has all the names of the kids and addresses, and what have you and so as much as we can. We verify it in that way. You know whether we're knocking on doors. No we're not. You know.

D

E

Right so we're we're trying to put everything into place so that what you tell us reflects on the paperwork that you're giving us, and so we are checking it as much as we can. As I said, we are checking the 501c3 this.

C

E

Financial is going to have to be reported through the irs and so we're trying to attack it up as much as we can.

B

Are the leagues responsible for maintenance when they have, I guess, use of the fields.

E

Yes and no park still has maintenance of the fields, um and so we will do it because we still have to to maintain the grass in the area around.

C

E

So what we'll do is if the crew is scheduled to be there that day to maintain the outer area of the park, they will do the fields we won't go specifically to do the fields we'll also stripe it, because staff is also there we'll start striking at the beginning, and so we take care of it for uh the teams and.

B

This still falls under parts, correct employees.

E

Yes, but not to the extent that it did before.

D

How was it before or.

C

E

um At one time, the park staff used to do it all the time five days a week for all all teams, all the time the contract enabled us to stipulate you need to maintain. You need to police police, your parents, police, your fans, police, your your your space.

C

E

Pick up the trash that that you and your fans leave uh make sure this. The the area is.

B

The restrooms are clean, the restrooms.

D

E

Clean and so this contract now has uh that language in it, and so when we have issues with the team, we can come back and hey. You know this section you're supposed to be maintaining or we would hey. The bathrooms are dirty look at who played last night. You all are supposed to have kept the bathrooms up, so it gives you a little bit more stability with the contract uh and so before, good.

D

You really didn't have that loses their rights. You then follow the contract.

E

uh Yes, it can because in the contract there is a termination clause, and so, if there's enough justification for the parks department, I'm sure that we could speak with legal department, the city manager's office and start that discussion.

D

I I marked my marked and.

F

Cleaned the trash for years is there a gateway girl, something not.

D

The restrooms part, but I would stripe out my calva parka. I would mark the two three fields and I would clean the trash afterwards now there for a couple of.

B

Years so all week like I'll, get out.

D

Of work and I'll go over there and just help my wife, because my sweater was running the weakness manchester yeah.

C

How much did you.

D

Make up the consensus.

B

Now I know I think the guys go there and they strive and clean all that stuff. We.

E

Do like I said when they're scheduled to go. uh We don't go there specifically too, but it's. uh You know. We are a um a department that is here for to enhance the quality of life. That's what we do.

F

E

Work hard so others can play, but we enjoy what we're doing.

B

And get there and let everything be ready, you know you get there and everything's marked.

C

E

Field, the grass is.

B

Cut nice and clean you know and.

E

It's interesting you do that. It's.

C

B

E

Times in the 300 and first time you don't do it because somebody called it your fault, yeah, 300. First time.

D

Are you all still helping with.

B

D

I mean uh with the vaccines and.

E

uh Actually, we have a.

D

Vaccination sex.

E

We have not vaccine sites vaccination sites, we have, we do have, we did have them at the parks, but we had a.

E

And took most of the year.

C

We just received the word this morning that it.

E

Was going to be closing effective.

G

E

um Infusion center is to close on the 19th they are going to mobilize and be out by the 29th. We will be opening on december 6th payne's race center. So it's been closed for some time.

D

For that booster, oh.

C

E

What we were doing at one point was: they were doing them in our parks right.

A

E

We can close.

A

Close this item up any other questions in regards to league requirements.

H

So um I'm sorry quick question, so you gave the example of gateway league, so these are our leagues that rent from you, not private individuals that have like elite teams or is it called.

C

I don't know how I mean.

A

C

H

Yeah, it can be if you're.

E

Correct correct, because to delve into that and create that type of a team, you can certainly do that within your entity itself. As long as you met all these other requirements because for the most part, what you're doing is providing a service to the community and to our children.

E

So if you wanted, if you had a certain group of children who were superstars and you wanted to take them to either a traveling team or to a higher level, uh then you can certainly do something. So this laser practice exactly because within that you also, you know, you need all these other other points and there's other teams that are.

D

Not on the traffic team right.

E

A

The volleyball teams also that are um in regards to the rec center. I know that we've addressed the ones with the fields softball or the baseball. um What about the uh explorer.

D

I have to go. My daughter has been working 20 minutes.

E

Speaking of basketball,.

C

B

It's at the school, it's.

D

A school but uh quorum still yeah.

A

Briefly, on on any items for next meeting or if you want to send them over, can you think of anything.

H

About the volleyball.

A

For to use rec centers.

E

We have not started our leagues, yet we just recently opened up the rec centers, and so boxing is one of the sports that we're still not putting out yet, and that said uh and sadanga we have not incorporated initiated boxing yet so we're trying to stay away from the close.

H

Contact exactly so.

E

We're trying to we still have. We have open basketball uh that we we've started already um and that seems to be going well. We have some high schoolers or you know, 20 somethings, who are asking to if they can play. But, yes, you know so we're trying to minimize the face-to-face time. Contact.

C

A

Yet close contact. Thank you.

E

A

I've traveled recently through uh market and seeing the tennis courts there busy it's packed, every single part is being utilized. Yes, and it's great I mean it, you know it's it's a it. It's a part of town where you see you know at least that some of the parents are walking around and the kids are playing tennis. I know that I saw there was an instructor there that was showing you know some of the kids to play tennis or anything I mean for them to be utilized.

A

That's that's uh really good.

E

They are packed most.

A

Nights being put to.

B

E

Yes, and so it's really good to see that.

A

You know for a long time. I don't know if it has been uh consistent, but I mean I think that for a long time, uh if they had been utilized that my lecture I mean you.

E

E

Except of course, during the dead time of the day, you know one to three or four o'clock here. I knew yeah teddy shoes melting tents, yeah, um but I I have definitely seen uh um a growth in in the desire for people to play. Games play tennis there, but we are incorporating we're going to start incorporating pickleball.

E

So we've had a lot of people, ask us for pickleball. You know what that is.

A

No, I know it's a form of.

E

Tennis, it's a smaller court um and a lot of our um are we gonna.

A

Build a mature generation.

E

I like this because it's it's on a smaller court. So imagine if you will tennis, you know this would be your first court, your first line, then you would have another line pickleball. This is your life. You know, of course, to scale, and so you have four people. So it's kind of like a mixture of back.

D

E

Badminton. Thank you. I'm thinking.

E

So badminton and tennis uh a little bit of foursquare, so you just play.

F

Just to make sure of like the the sports that you support.

E

Exactly and so you're closer, you still have the racket uh you can allow it to bounce or not, and you can do it back and forth so, but there's less running. So it's less of a stress on the joints, and so we have a lot of our more mature population.

E

Who is asking us to incorporate this sport, so we're going to do it first at market with the two practice course that we have in the back where the wall is so we're going to re-line those to still allow people to hit against.

H

E

Yeah and and put a fence there and also get the pickleball and then see if that goes well, and so we'll move it to um nixon that we've got uh some corset mixing so we'll try to incorporate it there. So try.

C

Something nice yeah bringing in your sport.

B

Not too much movement.

A

Anything else on the league requirements, so uh it's not an action item, so was it isn't requiring any action but moving over to bullet point number eight items for next meeting uh board members, which I have any suggestions or any anything that you'd like to present to the board. uh Next time we meet.

H

What date is that? Do we have a date.

A

C

December, it's up in the air right.

A

To say we're meeting or not or are, is it that we are meeting.

E

We do have the board doesn't have the ability to move the data that we need to so.

C

I will not become the 15th, and so I mean.

H

I know this unique forum, so I already dealt with this one last one. It would actually be on the 8th of december. That's the second wednesday night.

B

A

Next meeting would be december 8th, but if we have a meeting, would you all have anything you all want to discuss.

H

Could we be provided? I know we I walked in as they were going over it for christmas? That's so perhaps we could go.

A

An update of of.

H

If there's like a kickoff to this that maybe it would be nice for us today,.

A

It's an update on the advancements on the events for december yep.

H

We can definitely kind of like these buyers that you gave.

A

B

What's also the status of those uh shirts.

C

Thank you for us. No.

H

No, no thank you for asking, because the thing is.

H

Okay, so in order not to change the color or the style would be different, so I said.

F

uh Let's wait and the day would be january.

D

You know the californian debate.

H

They're gonna make us work.

A

The other one is I've. I've reached out to staff uh regarding this, the uh we were scheduled for last month, the groundbreaking for the um sports conference. I don't know if it's been moved to another day.

E

It has been to be announced.

A

Okay, so if we, if the staff can be the the board, can be let no of those of that date, I know that most of the members here have not visited the sports complex in the south. The south florida sports, complex um and it'd be nice that, as as more that, they have the opportunity to be able to.

E

To be there and and see.

A

E

Ms landing is going to is.

C

E

For sending our board members with notifications of any event, and we will make sure that you all have.

F

On december, 6th council will be meeting uh for the last meeting I think of the year or the.

C

F

Like that, but anyways they're gonna discuss the sports complex and.

C

F

A

So that's uh and then we're meeting two days after that. So we'll have you know we'll.

H

Have the dates we'll have a date, if not the date.

E

Some information.

F

On the fourth time, okay,.

H

So I don't know: what's going to be discussed but they're going to discuss this.

F

B

What what's the status on the mou with laredo college and their facilities.

E

It is still in their court, and I know that they initiated discussions with regard to perhaps implementing their sport program.

H

And they always put a hold again.

E

H

G

E

I think they put it on hold primarily to see where that was going. um So I know that we.

H

Have reached out, obviously we wouldn't sign an mou if they don't know what they're going to do. You know I'm.

E

Thinking we've even done um um period time specific.

C

E

And you can do one for like six months, we just won't invest in the um upgrades. If you will, because the initial negotiation was, we would go in there and uh yeah improve, because there was some areas like the foreign pace. There was like 200 feet that just didn't connect you know, and so that was one of the things that they had asked us things like that and okay, that batting cage needs to be redone, and this field needs to be graded and metal, and we built that.

C

You know these.

E

Are some of the things that we were you know negotiating?

E

um But since this is still up in the air for them, and it's not a done deal, you know, that's definitely something that we can see if they want to discuss. You know at least because there was monetary exchange, of course, yeah. So.

A

With your school, ms uh gentry, that's also something that has been worked in the past.

H

C

Used to have our summer.

H

Games at lc, south, okay and then last year they they didn't well, they weren't using them, but they said no we're not maintaining that because pandemics we couldn't use them so the way to slaughter what we've been before and what we practice, and I was there last night, it was very nice, a very nice evening, lots of people out.

H

E

Hear all I don't know there, so I hear all the the shouts and the.

C

E

And stuff I live north I live by. I live across from the tennis courts. Okay, sorry.

C

Did you hear that you're.

E

Both yeah, it's nice, it's it's cool! Yes, very enjoyable! Next to the crickets.

A

So this let me take notes on on for the for the next uh meeting. The uh bullet point number nine adjournment of the meeting so move. Is there a motion to second to adjourn all in favor, aye, aye and against them guarantee our adjourned? The time is 651.

F