HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_PAREB_02.16.2006Minutes of the Meeting of
the Parks and Recreation Board
City of Georgetown, Texas
Thursday, February 16, 2006
The Parks and Recreation Board of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on Thursday , February 16, 2006
Members Present:
Barbara Owens, Kay Cobb, Kent Buikema, Mark Ramsey, Mark Shepherd, Michael Simpson, Ron
Doernbach
Members Absent:
Bob Mathis, Van Chandler
Staff Present:
Randy Morrow, Kimberly Garrett, Jill Kellum
Other Attending: Micki Rundell and Laurie Brewer
Minutes
Regular Meeting
1. Call to order
The meeting was called to order by Ramsey at 7:O0pm.
2. Roll Call
Buikema, Cobb, Doernbach, Ramsey, Simpson, Owens, Shepherd
Absent: Chandler, Mathis
3. To provide input on the 2006/07 budget process — Micki Rundell
Micki Rundell and Laurie Brewer with the City's Finance Department explained the City of
Georgetown 2006/07 budget process, board and commission survey to the board. The
council will soon be setting objectives for the 2006-2007 operating plan and as part of the
budget the council requests feedback from all the boards and commission. Also, added to
the survey are questions that relate to the quality of life survey. Rundell explained that the
City of Georgetown performs a quality of life survey every other year. Most of the
questions from the feedback survey come from the quality of life survey. The last part of
the feedback survey asks for issues that directly affect the Parks Advisory Board. The
surveys are due back to the Finance Department in 2 — 3 weeks.
4. Consideration and possible action to approve parkland dedication for Estrella Estates
— Garrett
There was no discussion on this item; it was pulled from the agenda.
5. Update on Community Center renovation — Morrow
Garrett stated that on February 14th, the City Council approved and will award a bid to
B&O construction, from Austin, for 1.8 million dollars for the construction of the
community center. In the contract, it states they have 10 months to complete the project.
Construction should begin in March.
6. Update on future bridge through San Gabriel Park — Garrett
Morrow stated they met with 15 people on 2/16/06 from Texas Department of
Transportation, engineers, landscape architect, architects, and city planners. This group of
people presented some conceptual drawings of the bridge. In June or July they will present
information to the Parks Board. Morrow explained that when meeting with this group he
stated that the bridge must blend in with the park. Garrett stated they will have to get
flood plain models. Morrow stated the City and the State are funding the bridge
construction. Morrow summarized the meeting with the engineers and talked about
different ideas about the design of the bridge and reiterated how the bridge must blend
into the decor of the park. Morrow stated the low water crossing will stay in the park and
would connect to the hike and bike trail. Doernbach asked if there would be pedestrian
sidewalks on both sides. Morrow stated it will have a pedestrian sidewalk and a bicycle
lane. Simpson asked what the purpose of a bridge would be. Garrett explained that the
current low water bridge was not designed to handle the amount and type of traffic that it
currently accommodates and that it floods and is narrow. Many more people are using the
bridge as a cut through and there are buses, 18 wheelers, and large vehicles using the
bridge. The purpose of a new bridge is for traffic flow. Simpson asked who is responsible
for the bridge; TXDOT, county, or city. Morrow stated that the city is responsible for the
bridge, but the TXDOT would be funding part of the construction and the city will also
fund part of it as well. Garrett explained there is a grant program that could be used for
this type of project for beautification such as landscaping and help blend in with the park.
This would be a 20/80 matching grant. Doernbach urged the board to make sure the bridge
is designed to blend in with the park. Morrow explained that the detail information should
be put in the motion when the time comes and it will then go to Council.
7. Update on Dog Park — Simpson
Mike Simpson introduced Bob Nichols who is with the Georgetown Dog Park Association.
Simpson showed a conceptual drawing of a proposed area for the dog park. The proposed
area is off of Holly Street in the Pecan orchard by the McMaster Complex. The settling
ponds on the map are no longer used by water utilities. Simpson stated the area shown is
about 6.5 acres. Simpson stated they are looking into long term concerns such a long term
accumulations of dog urine. The urban forester is helping in understanding what concerns
might be long term. The Georgetown Dog Park Association has held a few events there
already and has noticed the amount of people that utilize this area and do not want to take
this away. Morrow asked why the existing settling ponds could not be used and Simpson
stated Jim Briggs stated they have future plans for it. Bob Nichols stated he spoke to Glenn
Dishong and the concern was about giving up land that they may use in the future.
Simpson stated that he spoke to the person in charge of the dog park in Austin, and that if
we have success with the dog park that it will be crowded and that we will have to look for
expansion. Owens asked about parking. Simpson showed that area that is available
behind McMaster Complex and stated that Garrett explained it is also used for overflow
parking for McMaster. Morrow asked the Board if this was the best use for the pecan
orchard. Ramsey stated his concern was about citizen complaints of still having access to
the pecans. Buikema asked if there was going to be controversy about the people picking
pecans and having to mingle with dogs. Simpson stated it might be an opportunity for
them to bring their dogs and have them off their leash. Owens stated that only 1/2 of the
pecan area would be used for the dog park. Simpson stated there are over 23 members in
the newly formed Georgetown Dog Park Association. The philosophy the association
wants to encourage is that the dog owner is the responsible party and make sure that they
get the city ordinances aligned so that it is okay to have a dog off leash as long as it is in the
park and that it is clearly posted that it is the dog owner's responsibility for meeting the
rules which include such things as picking up after your dog, filling in holes they might dig
and be responsible for vicious dogs. Ramsey asked about the responsibility of the city
should something happen with another dog or a person. Simpson stated they are trying to
model after the City of Houston which took them almost 3 years to get the first dog park in,
which was 21/2 years ago, it won a national award for being one of the best in the United
States last summer. Morrow asked if the area was controlled with an employee and
Simpson stated they are not. Simpson stated that the minimum requirements for a quality
dog park is that it has be fenced, separation of large dogs and small dogs, service gates,
drinking water for animals and people, double gates for bolting dogs, and rules and
regulations written bilingual. Simpson stated the ponds could be added later, and the
ponds would have to be concrete and shallow. There would also be walking paths, with
crushed granite. Buikema asked about Parks Advisory Board position on this issue and
where they were in the process. Morrow stated that Parks and Recreation is supportive of
a dog park and feels the proposed location is a good location. Simpson stated he would like
to work with staff on the budget process, and the role of the Georgetown Dog Park
Association not only in creating the dog parks but how they can continue to be involved
with the operation of them. Simpson stated the Georgetown Dog Park Association would
work as a Friend of Parks and Recreation.
Doernbach asked where the next closest residential area was located. Morrow stated that
Windridge Village is the next closest. Morrow stated that Council will look at the liability
issues.
8. Approve minutes from January 12, 2006 meeting
Doernbach made a motion to approve the minutes and Shepherd seconded the motion and
it passed by unanimous vote.
9. Future agenda items
10. Adjourn
Simpson made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 8:04 pm.
Appro
amsey, Chair Parks a
reation Board Van Chandler, Secretary Parks & Recreation Board