CITY OF TEXAS CITY
PARKS, RECREATION & TOURISM BOARD MEETING
MINUTES
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Nessler Center - Captain's Room
2010 5th Avenue North
PARKS, RECREATION & TOURISM BOARD MEETING
MINUTES
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Nessler Center - Captain's Room
2010 5th Avenue North
The Parks, Recreation & Tourism Board met at 5:00 PM; Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in the Nessler Center - Captain's Room, in Texas City, Texas, with the following in attendance:
- Present:
-
- Teri O'Brien, Member
- Paul Bland, Member
- Maria Ybanez, Member
- Nathan Exom, Member
- Christopher Walters, Member
- Hortensia "Tish" Hart, Member
- Frank Mistretta, Member
- Brends Williams, Member
- Winifed Gilmore, Member
- Staff Present:
-
- Dennis J. Harris, Sr., Recreation & Tourism Co-Director
- Jay Williams, Recreation & Tourism Co-Director
- Monica James, Recreation & Tourism Supervisor
Chairperson Nathan Exom declared that a quorum was present and called the meeting of the Parks, Recreation & Tourism Board to order at 5:00 PM.
(1)
ROLL CALL
Board Present:
Nathan Exom
Christopher Walters
Paul Bland
Brenda Williams
Frank Mistretta
Winifred Gilmore
Amanda Barker
Board Absent:
Fatima Naeem
Vacant Position
Staff Present:
Nicole Miller, Director
Nancy Heredia, Administrative Assistant/Board Secretary
Michael Richardson, Recreation Superintendent
Amanda Gracia, Reservation Coordinator
Marcell Favalora, Aquatics Coordinator
Debra Taylor, Recreation Coordinator
JuMarcus Thomas, Athletic Coordinator
Leonora Mata, Senior Center Coordinator
Shelby Rodwell, Museum Curator
Staff Absent:
Byron Sefcik, Parks Superintendent
Andre Roberts, Range Coordinator
Board Present:
Nathan Exom
Christopher Walters
Paul Bland
Brenda Williams
Frank Mistretta
Winifred Gilmore
Amanda Barker
Board Absent:
Fatima Naeem
Vacant Position
Staff Present:
Nicole Miller, Director
Nancy Heredia, Administrative Assistant/Board Secretary
Michael Richardson, Recreation Superintendent
Amanda Gracia, Reservation Coordinator
Marcell Favalora, Aquatics Coordinator
Debra Taylor, Recreation Coordinator
JuMarcus Thomas, Athletic Coordinator
Leonora Mata, Senior Center Coordinator
Shelby Rodwell, Museum Curator
Staff Absent:
Byron Sefcik, Parks Superintendent
Andre Roberts, Range Coordinator
(2)
PUBLIC COMMENTS
(3)
NEW BUSINESS
(a)
Consider and take action on the minutes from the March 11, 2025, Park, Recreation, & Tourism Board Meeting.
A motion was made by Paul Bland to adopt the minutes and seconded by Christopher Walters.
Vote: 6-0 MOTION CARRIED.
A motion was made by Paul Bland to adopt the minutes and seconded by Christopher Walters.
Vote: 6-0 MOTION CARRIED.
(b)
Consider and take action on the minutes from the January 14th, 2025, Parks, Recreation, & Tourism Board Meeting.
A motion was made by Paul Bland to adopt the minutes and seconded by Christopher Walters.
Vote: 6-0 MOTION CARRIED.
A motion was made by Paul Bland to adopt the minutes and seconded by Christopher Walters.
Vote: 6-0 MOTION CARRIED.
(4)
UPDATES
(a)
2025 Recreation Programs.(Dasia Moore)
Dasia Moore, Special Events Coordinator, gave a presentation on all the special events for the City of Texas City.
Spring events include the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Spring Break Camp with field trips, and the 25th Annual Art Festival, which featured student performances and a Senior Citizen Day. The Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled for April 16 with 20,000 eggs and golden egg prizes, and the Cinco de Mayo Parade and Festival will be held on May 3 in collaboration with Texas City LULAC.
Summer programming highlights include a youth fishing event at Carver Pond, a full lineup of Juneteenth celebrations such as a Gospel Festival, art exhibit, Poetry Slam, parade, and golf tournament, along with Movies in the Park and the Independence Day celebration featuring a parade, live music, and fireworks. Summer Camp for ages 6–12 will be offered at multiple centers with TCISD providing meals. Parent open houses are scheduled for late May, and teen programming, a new Parent’s Night Out, and other activities such as tennis, cheer, junior golf, and swim lessons will also be available. The Nessler Family Aquatics Center opens weekends in early May and weekdays beginning May 28.
Fall and winter events include the annual Breast Cancer Walk in October, the Halloween Festival, Mayor’s Tree Lighting, and the city’s largest event, the Christmas Parade. The year wraps up with the Snow Spectacular in December, featuring snow slides, a snow play area, photos with Santa, and a holiday vendor market.
Dasia Moore, Special Events Coordinator, gave a presentation on all the special events for the City of Texas City.
Spring events include the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Spring Break Camp with field trips, and the 25th Annual Art Festival, which featured student performances and a Senior Citizen Day. The Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled for April 16 with 20,000 eggs and golden egg prizes, and the Cinco de Mayo Parade and Festival will be held on May 3 in collaboration with Texas City LULAC.
Summer programming highlights include a youth fishing event at Carver Pond, a full lineup of Juneteenth celebrations such as a Gospel Festival, art exhibit, Poetry Slam, parade, and golf tournament, along with Movies in the Park and the Independence Day celebration featuring a parade, live music, and fireworks. Summer Camp for ages 6–12 will be offered at multiple centers with TCISD providing meals. Parent open houses are scheduled for late May, and teen programming, a new Parent’s Night Out, and other activities such as tennis, cheer, junior golf, and swim lessons will also be available. The Nessler Family Aquatics Center opens weekends in early May and weekdays beginning May 28.
Fall and winter events include the annual Breast Cancer Walk in October, the Halloween Festival, Mayor’s Tree Lighting, and the city’s largest event, the Christmas Parade. The year wraps up with the Snow Spectacular in December, featuring snow slides, a snow play area, photos with Santa, and a holiday vendor market.
(5)
STAFF REPORT
(a)
a. Aquatics - Marcell F.
b. Athletics - JuMarcus T.
c. Lowry Fitness Center - Michael R.
d. Museum - Shelby R.
e. Parks - Nicole M.
f. Recreation Centers - Carver, Sanders, Nessler - Debra T.
g. Reservations - Amanda G.
h. Senior - Nessler - Leonora M.
i. Shooting Range - Nicole M.
j. Special Events/Programs - Dasia M.
b. Athletics - JuMarcus T.
c. Lowry Fitness Center - Michael R.
d. Museum - Shelby R.
e. Parks - Nicole M.
f. Recreation Centers - Carver, Sanders, Nessler - Debra T.
g. Reservations - Amanda G.
h. Senior - Nessler - Leonora M.
i. Shooting Range - Nicole M.
j. Special Events/Programs - Dasia M.
(6)
BOARD COMMENTS
Paul Bland requested an update on the proposed reservation security fees. Nicole explained that the fees for events involving alcohol have been approved. However, additional review is needed regarding security fees for events without alcohol before a final recommendation can be presented to the Board for consideration.
Paul Bland requested an update on the proposed reservation security fees. Nicole explained that the fees for events involving alcohol have been approved. However, additional review is needed regarding security fees for events without alcohol before a final recommendation can be presented to the Board for consideration.
(7)
ADJOURN
Having no further business, Winifred Gilmore made a motion to adjourn at 5:33 PM; the motion was seconded by Christopher Walters.
Vote: 6-0 MOTION CARRIED
Having no further business, Winifred Gilmore made a motion to adjourn at 5:33 PM; the motion was seconded by Christopher Walters.
Vote: 6-0 MOTION CARRIED