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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_PAREB_04.11.2002CITY OF GEORGETOWN Parks & Recreation Board Minutes I. CALL TO ORDER John Philpott, chair, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Members Present: Mr. John Philpott, Chair Ms. Jean Houck Mr. Phil Davis Mr. Ron Doembach Ms. Mary Lee Dobi Ms. Dawn Hitt-Wilken Ms. Brenna Nedbalek Mr. Douglas Blackard Members Absent: Ms. Amy Vick April 11, 2002 Staff Present: Randy Morrow, Director of Parks and Recreation Kimberly Garrett, Manager of Administration Andy Hesser, Parks Manager III. APPROVE MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2002 A motion was made by Doug Blackard to approve the amended minutes from the February 14, 2002, meeting. Brenna Nedbalek seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous vote. IV. APPROVE MINUTES FROM MARCH 21, 2002 A motion was made by Mary Lee Dobi to approve the minutes from the March 21, 2002, meeting. Doug Blackard seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous vote. V. STAFF REPORT ON PARKS — ANDY HESSER Andy Hesser, Parks Manager takes care of maintenance of all the parks which includes the following: San Gabriel Park, 12 outer parks, 15 ballfields, a community center, 5 pools, 4 miles of trails, 2 disc golf courses, 9 joint use parks with playscapes, the downtown square and 3 cemeteries. He has a crew of 14 full-time and 5-6 part-time guys. They also do any major land clearing that needs to be done on parks. Emerald Springs Park, our newest park, was done completely in house from design to construction. The Parks Department is Parks and Recreation Board Minutes April 11, 2002 Page 1 of 4 currently working on San Jose Park. There have been a lot of neighborhood meetings and that community is really involved. Renovations of San Jose include a new pavilion, new play equipment, and refurbishing the restrooms. Two City lots adjacent to the park were sold and the proceeds were set aside to refurbish San Jose Park. The last project that was just finished is the bridge that connects the North San Gabriel trail to Rivery Park. That project was completely done in house also. Money for the project came from the park maintenance account. The project was done cheaper in house then a contractor would charge. This project is a good example of how staff works together on projects. Doug asked about the bridge flooding and Andy said it has minimal resistance. The parks are maintained with volunteer workers, CSR and restitution workers. We get them everyday and request workers with certain skills. Doug asked if the Master Plan left anything out? Andy said they did a good job, we can never have enough parks. John asked in what area would you need the most help with. Andy said that contracting out IOOF cemetery was a good thing. Biggest challenge is balancing the construction with the maintenance, staffing is always an issue. Doug asked Vision for Lyndoch Park? The 1st issue is getting access. Access is by the drainage easement with an unimproved trail. Brenna asked if staff would have to be increased, eventually it would. John asked about getting used equipment? The Parks Department does get used equipment. John asked if we got a grant would we be able to hire a construction crew? Randy wants to be able to build the whole project with the cash that is available. Ron asked about revenue generated from parks? Recreation revenue is $600,000. John asked about park acreage? Total acreage is 500. The park tour on April 20th will be more elaborate. VI. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON LETTER SUPPORTING NEW LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE This item was discussed at the last meeting and the board talked about drafting a letter of support for the new code. Some items mentioned at the last meeting were that the bike lane language in the Land Development Code was reduced and the board wanted to see that language put back in the code. Also, that the Parks and Recreation Board be included in the approval process so that developers know they have to come before the Parks Board. Another item mentioned was the "fee in lieu of" being included in the fee schedule of the development code. The parkland dedication fee could than be changed easier. It would not have to involve making a change in the whole development code. The board agreed that the letter should contain the following points: (1) the development Parks and Recreation Board Minutes April 11. 2002 Page 2 of 4 code is needed; (2) there needs to be some validity as to the advisory board check off of the total development process; (3) the board recommends that the fee in lieu of rate structure be included in the City fee schedule; and (4) that we encourage the safety of citizens/pedestrians through bike lanes. VII. DISCUSSION ON POTENTIAL OPTIONS FOR FUTURE OPERATING BUDGET Keep on for next meeting VIII. INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION ON THE PARKS, RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE MASTER PLAN John gave a brief history of how the Master Plan got started. A questionnaire was sent out to all the citizens for input. Georgetown was compared to national standards. The main goal of the Master Plan was to get Texas Parks and Wildlife Grants. The Master Plan will go to Council for a second reading on April 23`d. Staff estimates that $15,000 would cover a consultant to write the grant and get a property appraisal. Parkland dedication fees could be a funding source for this $15,000. This is just a plan, the specifics will be decided later and there will be public hearings. IX. BRIEFING ON THE OUTCOME OF TH E COUNCIL WORKSHOP — APRIL 8, 2002 Jean and Doug attended and the council voted unanimously to approve the ordinance on the first reading. The second part of the workshop was discussion on updating the parkland dedication fees. X. APPOINT PARKLAND DEDICATION SUBCOMMITTEE Charge for the committee would be to look at the section in the parkland dedication ordinance regarding fees in lieu of and compare it to other cities to see if our fees are comparable with others. Other cities being Pflugerville and Cedar Park. The subcommittee would bring back any comments to the board and the whole parks board would then make a decision. There will be some individual effort and probably a few meetings, should not last more than two months. Ron, Doug, Brenna, Mary Lee and Jean volunteered to be on the committee. A staff person would help organize that subcommittee. XI. UPCOMING COUNCIL BOARD REPORTS — MAY 14, & SEPTEMBER 10, 2002 This is where the chair makes a 5-10 minute report to council on what the board has done since the last report. XII. REMINDER ABOUT PARKS TOUR ON APRIL 20, 2002 The tour will leave the Recreation Center at 9 am. The tour is for training and information and some of the planned site visits include the Chamberlain Tract and the Southwest Regional Park. Parks and Recreation Board Minutes April 11, 2002 Page 3 of 4 XIII. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS • Rivery water quality /interpretive pond update • Phil asked about a tree preservation program and any ordinance that would cover this issue. • Staff presentation on aquatics from Kimberly Wilkinson • Budget process XIV. ADJOURN Jean Houck made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Parks and Recreation Board Minutes April 11, 2002 Page 4 of 4