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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_PAREB_11.09.1995CITY OF GEORGETOWN Parks & Recreation Board Minutes for November 9, 1995 MEMBERS PRESENT: Ms. Kathryn Stallard, Chair Ms. Debbie M'Garry Ms. Joyce Gadison Mr. Harold McDonald Dr. Nick Sikes Mr. Tom Swift Mr. Mark Moore MEMBERS ABSENT: Mr. Roger Pena Ms. Ronda Seagraves, Vice Chair OTHERS PRESENT: Mr. Randy Morrow, Director of Parks & Recreation Ms. Kimberly Garrett, Administrative Assistant Ms. Doris Curl, Council Member Mr. Lee Bain, Council Member Ms. Susan Hoyt, Council Member Mr. Dick Vincent, Council Member Mr. George Arroyos, Council Member Mr. J.B. Smith, Williamson County Sun Mr. John Carlson, Georgetown Youth Baseball Association Ms. Debbie Carlson, Georgetown Youth Baseball Association Mr. Jim Briggs, Georgetown Youth Baseball Association Kathryn Stallard, Parks Board Chair, gave a brief welcome to Council members and an overview of the past years events in the Parks and Recreation Department. I. APPROVE MINUTES Motion was made by Harold McDonald to accept the October 12, 1995, minutes. Torn Swift seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous vote. H. CITIZENS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD Jim Briggs and Debbie and John Carlson (see next agenda item) III. PONY -COLT BASEBALL FIELD SUB - COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT Debbie and John Carlson and Jim Briggs from Georgetown Youth Baseball Association came before the board to express the need for additional fields due to the rapid growth of the program. At the present time there is so much interest in the sport that the current fields cannot support all the children who want to play. Up until now, all interested children have been allowed to participate. If new fields are not built soon, the association will have to limit the number of children who can play based on skill level. The Georgetown Youth Baseball Association is asking the Parks and Recreation Board to consider making the soccer field behind the show barn into a Pony -Colt Field. A sub - committee was formed to look into making a Pony -Colt field out of one of the soccer fields in San Gabriel Park. Kathryn Sallard appointed Mark Moore as chair of the sub - committee, with members representing the soccer association and the baseball association. The committee will give a preliminary report at the next meeting. IV. JOINT MEETING WITH MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL The Parks and Recreation Board and City Council members discussed three topics: Alcohol use in the parks, parks and recreational needs and the need for new revenue sources, and the three new openings on the Board. Kathryn Stallard started the discussion on alcohol in the parks. She presented to the council a survey which was conducted on certain cities in the area. That particular study showed that alcohol was not allowed in 75 % of the surveyed parks. There was discussion as to how the cities were chosen and if accidents has decreased due to alcohol banning. Also, it was mentioned that Lake Georgetown might impose an alcohol restriction in their parks. Tom Swift noted that an alcohol ban would increase park security and safety. The alcohol ban is directed to the people who do not use alcohol responsibly, not the 99.9 % who do. City Council members would like to see more information on the alcohol issue before they put it on their agenda. Kathryn asked Tom Swift to help gather more information for the city council so they can make an accurate decision based on additional information. City Council and the Board next discussed the need for new financial resources in order to meet the needs of a rapidly growing community. Much of the discussion focused on a survey that the Board and Professor Dirk Early of Southwestern University designed. This questionnaire will assess the parks and recreational needs and desires of Georgetown citizens and their willingness to pay for them. The survey will be sent to all residents within the city limits. The Board expects to actively promote a '/a cent sales tax referendum that would be on the May ballot, and asked for City Council members' support. The majority of Council members present appeared to support the proposed sales tax. The Parks and Recreation Board is going to have four openings for new board members. Ronda Seagraves is going to reapply for her position and Roger Pefta, Harold McDonald, and Nick Sikes will be going off of the Board. The Board and the City Council stressed that the new members should be hard workers and have leadership skills. Diversity on the board is important so that all areas of the community are represented. V. INFORMATION FROM BOARD MEMBERS Lee Bain commented that he appreciates the hard work the Parks and Recreation Board has done. Doris Curl thanked the board for their hospitality and a job well done. George Arroyos asked about the Hike and Bike Trail. Randy Morrow said that the first bids came in too high and the project would be split into 4 smaller pieces and rebid. Dick Vincent said that he appreciated the hard work done at Frost Elementary Joint Park. VII. ADJOURN Motion to adjourn was made by Tom Swift and seconded by Debbie M'Garry.