1. Oaths of office
Mayor William D. Tate, Place 1 Council Member Paul Slechta and Place 2 Council Member Sharron Spencer took their oaths of office to remain on the Grapevine City Council after winning their recent elections.
2. Mayor pro tem
The council took action to vote on a mayor pro tem and voted to have Council Member Darlene Freed remain as mayor pro tem.
3. RaceTrac prepares to move forward
A previously approved site plan for a RaceTrac at 3955 Grapevine Mills Parkway went before the council for amendments, which were approved. The amendments include changing the height of the building from 25 feet to 23 feet and changing the outdoor seating from 23 seats to 16. In addition, a storage area attached to the rear of the building has been removed, and a few other minor revisions are being made to the building facade. The applicant said construction should begin on the project by the end of the year.
4. Parks and Recreation master plan presentation
The Grapevine Parks and Recreation Department delivered a presentation on its 2018 parks master plan. A draft of the plan was provided to the council, and it will take the coming weeks to review the brief before council members come back with their comments next month. The presentation Tuesday night illustrated the role the Parks and Recreation Department plays in Grapevine.
"Our goal is to simply have [a] happier, healthier community," Parks and Recreation Director Kevin Mitchell said.
Mitchell said the citizen survey showed some areas for growth in the department's education programs. Some of the recommendations he pointed out include increasing special needs education programming, adding educational nature walks and hikes in parks and trails, and computer and technology programs for all ages.
There were also recommendations for expanded recreation programs, including a play night on The REC field, a gaga ball league, a universal fitness pass for adults and diverse aquatic fitness programming.
Finally, recommendations for expanded athletic programs include increasing special needs programming. Mitchell said the department is currently working with the city of Southlake on a Miracle League for baseball, and it is looking at creating a Miracle League with soccer. The recommendations also include organized "open play" and increasing adult athletic programming.
Mitchell said the department is also implementing an annual program evaluation cycle to ensure programs in place are continuing to meet the needs of the community.
