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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_PAREB_02.10.2005Minutes of the Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board City of Georgetown, Texas Thursday, February 10, 2005 The Parks and Recreation Board of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on Thursday , February 10, 2005 Members Present: Michael Simpson, Ron Doernbach, Van Chandler, Russ Peterman, Mark Shepherd, Mark Ramsey Members Absent: Kay Cobb, Lilya Crystal, Mike Watson Staff Present: Randy Morrow, Kimberly Garrett, Jill Kellum Others present: Tim Bargainer and John Moman — Hall/Bargainer Barbara Austin and Bob Richardson - rvi Minutes Regular Meeting 1. Call to order The meeting was called to order at 7:07 pm by co-chair Mike Simpson. 2. Roll 3. Requests for qualifications on the Garey Park for the architects in the Master Plan — rvi and Hall/Bargainer The first presenter to make a presentation was picked by a toss of a coin. Rvi Architects won the toss of the coin and choose to go last. Hall/Bargainer was the first presenter. Tim Bargainer previewed his company and plans that they have done. Projects that they have completed are as follows: Berry Springs Park (Georgetown, TX), Brushy Creek Regional Park (Round Rock, TX), Texas "X" Park (Leander, TX), Leander/Cedar Park Youth Baseball Park, Brushy Creek Rec Park (Round Rock, TX), Navarro Park Master Plan (Corsicana, TX), Hendrick River Ranch (Abilene, TX past Anson), and Garey Ranch Vision Plan (Williamson County). Tim Bargainer also explained the Master Planning Process. They were allowed 20 minutes to present their company as the potential architect for the Master Plan for Garey Park. Ramsey asked what Hall/Bargainer would have in mind for the Garey House? Tim Bargainer replied that he does not want to change the house, that it possibly could be used for art exhibits. Architect with Hall Bargainer, John Moman stated that some changes may have to be made for ADA accessibility but would like to keep the house as authentic as possible. Morrow asked if the County Commissioners went through the whole process of the charrettes with the Berry Springs Parks Master Plan that Hall/Bargainer presented? Tim Bargainer replied that they went through and reviewed parks master plans. They got a copy of the City of Georgetown Parks Master Plan since the Berry Springs Park was in our area. Then they met with the Commissioners. Chandler asked Morrow if this process was about the Plan itself, the document that defines what is going to be done, or is it choosing a company that is actually going to administer the execution of that plan? Morrow replied that the board is choosing a company that will go through the whole process and their final result will be a Master Plan that will show what could be in this park in the future. Chandler asked if they would be responsible for executing that plan, with construction, when the time comes. Morrow stated that this process is only for doing the Master Plan. Tim Bargainer stated that these are ideas and it is set up to be flexible. Simpson asked what experience they had in designing facilities? John Moman has experience in architectural design. He stated they just completed a meeting room facility for a park in Travis County. Another example is the Cochran Community Center in the Fern Bluff MUD, it is a meeting room facility. It was designed to fit with the residential character in mind for that neighborhood. Doernbach asked what was the most unique feature or opportunity that this property presents? Tim Bargainer stated the opportunity it presents is a recreational hub for a region that is growing. There are several features and phenomenal opportunities. Chandler asked that since we have time before we develop are there things that could be done to the property now to prepare it for park development. Tim Bargainer stated that there will be time to prepare and that is why the Master Plan is to be flexible and continually changing. The second presenter was Rvi. Architect, Bob Richardson, President of Rvi, explained that Rvi is a landscape architectural and planning firm that has been around for 20 years. Their practice is the design of land. Parks and recreation is a major part of their practice. Barbara Austin is a landscape architect who is RVi's "park champion". Her specialty is parks open space and master planning, grant applications, site specific parks and research. Rvi has done primitive campsites in Arkansas, and is now working on a 400-acre park for Austin Parks and Recreation. RVi has worked with Buda, Dripping Springs, and Georgetown with their Open Space, Parks Master Plans. Barbara Austin — read the Century Plan from the City of Georgetown and how the City has always had a long history of good careful planning. Barbara Austin began working with Georgetown in 2001 when we started the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan. Ms. Austin stated Garey Park has the opportunity to be one of the really great parks, like Central Park and Golden Gate Park. Trails and paths are the bones of the park. A gateway where you want people to go and see. The driveway to ranch was perfectly laid out with the land. The river runs along the property so you can access the park by the river. They would be creating a vision for Garey Park. They will look at how the park will be used 100 + years from now. Doernbach asked what RVi looks to preserve? Ms. Austin stated the front being the gate way to the park, the river portion and the terrain of the land is very unique. Simpson asked about use of the home. Ms. Austin stated it could be used for facilities, or interpretive learning center. Ramsey asked what they had in mind for the use of the house? Mr. Richardson states there is probably a reason for the house to be located where it is. That is the view. Simpson asked if RVI had worked with a situation where people giving land for this? No, but worked with people who have developed their own land. But see this as a great opportunity. Mark Ramsey made a motion that the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board recommend Hall/Bargainer to the City Council to be selected as the design firm for the Garey Park Master Plan. Mark Shepherd seconded the motion and the motion passed by unanimous vote. 4. Set up a sub -committee for the City Council meeting to discuss budget and strategies -Garrett Finance will attend the March Park and Recreation Board meeting to discuss, budget priorities. Finance prepared a 2005/06 Budget Planning Process Advisory Board form for the board members to fill out and give input on the budget priorities. These forms were given to each of the board members to gather their ideas and return with them to the March meeting. Simpson asked how is the department doing in respects to budget? Morrow stated there is always money needed for parks and recreation. There is never enough money to do the things you want to do and certain items have been left off on projects to meet budget such as the lights on the trail. Morrow will get a list of priorities to the board members before next meeting. Morrow stated pool maintenance staffing is something to look at and an urban forester, which was a position that the City had before budget cuts in the past. Garrett added that they might want to revise the parkland dedication ordinance to increase the fee per lot to help secure more parkland and develop the park with amenities and maintain the park. Simpson asked if we have an agreement with Georgetown ISD. Morrow stated we have some agreements with GISD on joint use parks. GISD has bought playground equipment and parks staff has given labor. Morrow stated he would make a list of specific wants and also commitments for money use. 5. Ground breaking for the Hike and Bike Trail -Morrow Groundbreaking was on Tuesday, February 8th, 2005. Ron Doernbach, Mike Simpson and Kay Cobb were the board members present. The Sun City bicycle club attended. There were about 50 people present. Simpson thanked the Parks and Recreation staff for all that was done for the groundbreaking. Morrow stated that a Grand Opening will be coming up in the summer. 6. March meeting will be on March 3, 2005, with discussion on budget items with Finance Department and regular meeting. 7. Updates on Recreational Special Events -Garrett The Cupid's Chase 5K run was on Saturday, February 5th, 2005, and there were 455 people registered. The Easter egg hunt is set for March 19th at the McMaster Complex. The Fishing Derby is set for April 30th. 8. Approve minutes from January 13, 2005 meeting Chandler made a motion to approve minutes from January 13, 2005. Doernbach seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous vote. 9. Future agenda items • Discuss cemetery property for the City of Georgetown. • Elect Vice -Chair and Secretary for the 2005/2006 Parks Board. Barbara Owens has been selected as the new member. • Dog park • Skate park 10. Adjourn Motion was made to adjourn by Ramsey. Approved: Attest: Mark amsey, Chair Park:. d Recreation Board Van Chandler,SecrefaryarksRecrbsation Board