Parks, Recreation & Beautification Committee Meeting – July 31, 2026
Parks, Recreation & Beautification Committee Meeting – July 31, 2026
The Parks, Recreation & Beautification Committee met on July 31, 2026, to discuss and act on several items, including naming the sand volleyball courts, a proposal to phase in port-o-lets to replace damaged restrooms, and to receive updates from the parks, recreation, and zoo departments.
Approval of Minutes
- The minutes from the June 22, 2026, meeting were approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Christy Hill, a longtime friend of Tisha Brothers, spoke in favor of naming the sand volleyball courts after her, citing her decades of organizing volleyball leagues (women's, men's, co-ed, youth) and club teams. She noted the growth of the youth sand program from 47 to 100 participants.
- Ruby Hester, a referee for 25 years, supported the naming, highlighting that the sand league now has 5 women's divisions with 41 teams and roughly 200 players.
- Casey Jackson, a Melrose coach, praised Tisha Brothers for bringing together communities from Clovis, Melrose, Grady, and Texico through volleyball, and for creating a men's league that engages base personnel.
Discussion Items
- Naming Sand Volleyball Courts: The committee discussed a proposal to name the courts the "Tisha Brothers Volleyball Complex." Bobby Auckett presented plans for a donated metal sign (4 ft x 8 ft, 10-gauge steel, powder-coated, with volunteer construction and installation). Discussion included safety (rounding edges, preventing children from running under), maintenance (city would maintain but contact donor if irreparable), and foundation (concrete slab recommended). The committee voted unanimously to approve the naming.
- Phasing in Port-o-Lets: Russell Hooper, Director of Parks and Recreation, presented a proposal to replace damaged restrooms with port-o-lets due to persistent vandalism. He cited $70,000 in recent stainless steel repairs at Hillcrest Park that were vandalized within a week. Cost estimates: $5,700 per unit per year for twice-weekly servicing (20 units = $114,000/year) or $170,000 for three-times-weekly servicing. The committee debated alternatives: Commissioner Porter opposed the idea, calling it a downgrade, and suggested cameras and hardening; Commissioner Perkins proposed flock cameras, better lighting, and anti-graffiti coatings. Commissioner Cass supported the idea for flexibility. No action was taken; the discussion was informational.
- Parks Update: Russell Hooper reported that the fountain at Hillcrest Park has a shorted motor (covered under warranty) and is being returned for repair. Irrigation issues at Hillcrest are due to a shorted wire; repair expected soon. Staff is short-handed but maintaining fields.
- Recreation Update: Amy Wyatt reported on the new "Slot Canyon" art installation (June 18), successful yoga program (growing from 16 to 23 participants), Zumba (15-20 per night), and pickleball usage. She announced open volleyball on Wednesday nights until September, and a new pickleball league starting after Labor Day. The aquatic center reopens July 31; Potter Park splash pad closes weekdays on August 3 and weekends on September 7.
- Zoo Update: Stephanie Chavez reported on National Zookeeper Week, successful Giraffe and World Snake Day (500+ visitors, $5,000 revenue in two hours), and Christmas in July event (July 31–August 3, 7-10 PM). Two Fennec foxes from Ohio will arrive soon as ambassador animals.
For the Good of the Order
- Commissioner Cass raised concerns about racing and dangerous driving in the zoo parking lot at night. Staff are exploring camera technology and potential redesign of the parking lot through the zoo master plan. The public is encouraged to call the police when witnessing such activity.
Key Outcomes
- Approved the minutes from June 22, 2026 (unanimous).
- Approved naming the sand volleyball courts the "Tisha Brothers Volleyball Complex" (unanimous).
- No action taken on the port-o-let proposal; discussion only. Staff will continue to explore options, including a restroom near the pickleball courts at Hillcrest Park.
- Next meeting scheduled for Monday, August 17, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the North Annex.
Meeting Transcript
Welcome to the parks recreation and beautification committee meeting. We have lots of guests tonight, and I'll um welcome you all here in a minute. But before then, Vicky, can we call or would you call roll, please? Commissioner Paula. Here. Commissioner Cassals. Here. Brian Davis. Kim Tipton. Here. Michael Perkins. Here. Hunter McLamore. Here. Commissioner Porter. Here. Philip Frazy. Commissioner Jones. Here. Julie Serena. Thank you, Vicky. Before you we have the minutes from our last meeting on June 22nd. We've all had a little bit of time to review them, and I will take a motion for approval when everyone's ready. So move. Second. I have a motion and a second to approve the minutes from June 22nd. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Anyone opposed, same sign. Thank you. First on the agenda, we under New Business, we have a request for approval and discussion and action regarding naming the sand volleyball courts, the Tisha Brothers volleyball complex. And I'm going to assume that our large gathering tonight is in favor of this option. So I know I've uh asked several of you, and I know some of you would like to speak. So we'll invite our first guest up, and if you would just give your name for the committee and hi, hi Christy. I'm Christy Hill. I am um a longtime friend of Tisha. We played volleyball and in college and high school together. But I can think of nobody that has done more for this community as far as volleyball goes. She's been doing this women's league, men's league, sand league. Um she has dedicated so much time and effort in putting into this community um for people to be able to play volleyball. They played last year, but everything that she does just continues to grow. She also organizes and sponsors our club volleyball, which is a traveling teams and organize it, gets coaches to do it. She has them sign up for tournaments. Oh, it's in your package. So it is going to be a hundred percent sponsored by individuals within the community. It will not cost you anything. I see it kind of like pickleball it's a sport that you can play for quite a while. I don't still play sand because there's only four people and I'm too slow. But I can still play women's league with six on a court. So you're talking about a lifetime sport here not just something when you're little or whenever you get in high school and then it's done.
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