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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_PAREB_11.16.2006Minutes of the Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board City of Georgetown, Texas Thursday, November 16, 2006 The Parks and Recreation Board of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on Thursday , November 16, 2006. Members Present: Barbara Owens, Bob Mathis, Kay Cobb, Kent Buikema, Mark Ramsey, Ron Doernbach, William Mateja Members Absent: Mark Shepherd, Mike Simpson Staff Present: Kimberly Garrett, Heather Brewer, Jill Kellum Minutes Regular Meeting 1. Call to order - The meeting was called to order by Mark Ramsey at 7:02 pm. 2. Roll call 3. Update on proposed Heritage Tree Ordinance — Brewer Garrett introduced Brewer, the Urban Forester, to discuss the Heritage Tree Ordinance. Brewer stated there are 2 fast track amendments that she is working on. The first amendment is the 5 acre amendment. Currently, in the Unified Development Code, (UDC), any commercial project that comes in that is less than 5 acres is exempt from having to do a tree survey, do any tree protection, or do any tree mitigation. She explained that would include pharmacies and banks. These sites are what the general public sees most and the City gets a lot of complaints about these properties, saying that all the trees get plowed under. The amendment strikes out the 5 acre exemption and does not change the current UDC code. Cobb asked if this was only nonresidential. Brewer explained there are two types of developments; commercial and residential and there are two types of residential; new development and existing. Currently, residential development does not have tree mitigation; they have the same 5 acre exemption, but this amendment is on all new residential development. Ramsey clarified that if the site is less than 5 acres it is exempt. Brewer clarified that it only applies to commercial. Brewer stated that the 5 acre amendment is not the controversial one. Council was also getting pressure about large trees being cut down mainly in residential areas for new development. They asked Brewer to create the Heritage Tree ordinance which will be a chapter within the UDC. This amendment will make both commercial and residential development perform tree surveys looking for 30 inch and larger trees of certain desirable species. She stated that she is getting a lot of resistance from the development community because currently residential developers do not have to do anything as far as trees go. The homeowners of Georgetown were left off of the Heritage Tree ordinance. Personal home lots would fall under a Municipal Code not the UDC as far as the ordinance being enforced and fines. Doernbach asked what the fine was. Brewer stated she proposes a $5,000 fine and mitigation of 5 to 1 for the tree. She states it is a large fine but unlike a silt fence not being up and being charged by the day until in compliance; a large tree is gone forever. Ramsey asked if there was a 5 acre lot covered with 30 inch trees is there any flexibility. Brewer stated that on a lot that size there may be a maximum of 3 on a lot. There are some clauses in the ordinance that state if the tree is dead, or diseased it can be cut down. There are also incentives to encourage compliance by lowering the minimum parking amount that is required to work around a tree, move sidewalks that are required as long they stay ADA, if it is in a park, decrease the number of acres of parkland that is required to donate, and decrease the landscape credits that have to be given back. Brewer stated that Council wanted the authority to look at individual projects, and the appeal process is after you go through the Urban Forester then you would go to Council. If Council sees that the lot is not able to be developed and not just an inconvenience then they may allow a tree to be cut down. It is a matter of working a little on the design. This ordinance is geared toward the residential development community since these are the trees that are not in public view and they are getting plowed down. The developer designs the lots before they know what trees are on the property since they are not required to perform tree surveys. Cobb asked about the tree surveys. Brewer explained that it was not possible for her to survey every new residential development. She stated that there had to be some professionalism in the survey community. She stated they are not the developer and they do not work for the developer and the surveyors would be responsible for certifying their job. Garrett stated that some of the resistance with this amendment is from the tree survey as they can be expensive. Brewer stated that very few Cities allow the residential developers not to perform tree surveys or tree mitigation. She stated that most Cities have some type of ordinance; currently the City of Georgetown has nothing for residential developments. Doernbach asked how big an example the City of Georgetown itself is going to set. Brewer stated she has contacted Tom Benz, who is the Systems Engineer Manager, for Georgetown Utility System, and they are well aware this is coming and they have worked together on the ordinance. She stated there will be some exceptions on trimming; they will be able to trim these without going to Council, whereas the developers will have to go through the Urban Forester to get a permit to trim the trees. There is a question on the franchised utilities whereas those contracts have already been put out and looking into these with the City attorney, whether they can be held to the new ordinance or if the contracts must be rewritten as they renew. Brewer stated this amendment is trying to focus in on storm water permit, preliminary plat, and site plan processes. Mathis asked about the current UDC code and if the Heritage Tree would supersede this ordinance. Brewer stated there are options if there is not enough room to plant on site there will be a tree fund to plant trees at the Urban Foresters discretion or the developer can put the money in a fund and plant trees at their discretion under the Urban Forester's direction. Mateja asked if there is currently fine money coming in. Brewer stated no. Mateja asked if there was a proposal to do anything with fine money if adopted. Brewer stated that was not considered in the ordinance and stated that it is very rare that cities get fine money and that lawyers are more apt to go after the mitigation part versus the money. 4. Update on Recreation Center expansion — Garrett Garrett stated staff is reviewing the 50% design development plans. This is the first phase of the basic layout of the recreation center. They are working toward 100% design development so it can be bid out to a construction manager at risk; they will bid a maximum guaranteed price. She explained that these can be bid at 50% design development but the contingency is larger. They are waiting until 100% design development for a construction manager. Owens asked what the time line was. Garrett stated that in February or March there will be a construction manger on board and construction would begin in June or October. Cobb asked if the design is much different from the conceptual drawings. Garrett explained that the existing recreation center will be turned into the teen center/senior center because it has its own entrance. The gym, restroom, and racquetball courts will remain which are in the existing building. The new facility will have an enlarged weight room, two meeting rooms, a larger child care center, a pool, and a gym. There will be one aerobic room. There will be an elevated 2 lane jogging track upstairs that will go over the new gym and the weight room. The spinning bikes will be out in the open above the weight room. There will be an event room. Owens asked when the completion date was. Garrett stated January or February 2009 will be the completion date. Cobb asked if the recreation center will be shut down during the construction. Garrett stated that the existing recreation center will still operate while construction is being completed on the new building. Doernbach asked since construction costs have increased, what features are being cut. Garrett stated that no features were taken out and that Council gave staff direction to continue with everything that was approved. There has been talk with the architect to phase in certain pieces such as renovation of the teen center. If the cost comes in to high the City can do the work in house. Another example would be the spray park outside. If the expansion is complete and opens in February, that pool area will not be needed until summer. Doernbach asked about hours of operation. Garrett said the pool will open at 5 am and the recreation center will be open until 9 or 10 pm. Garrett stated she met with the Georgetown Youth Advisory Board for their suggestions on the teen center. They suggested the teen center being open later. Garrett stated that the recreation center can be locked down from the teen center and if they want to do lock ins or dances they can close that portion down. The expansion of the recreation center has all the elements that are in the bond. 5. Update on Community Center renovation — Garrett Garrett stated that the roof material is being put on today. Garrett stated the divider has not been ordered and it takes 8 —10 weeks to come in. Mateja asked if there were 2 superintendents on site. Garrett stated there are two superintendents. Mateja asked when the fine period for the contractor starts. Garrett stated that it is Dec 31st but there are work order changes that extend the days if the City accepts the change order. Garrett stated the fixtures, stove, and coolers are not in, and the window frames are not in. 6. Update on budget items for 2006 — 2007 fiscal year — Garrett Garrett went over the budget items that were approved. These are major projects that were asked for. -Dog Park: Staff will be meeting with Simpson to start this process. -Holly Street Parking Lot: Parking lot by McMaster Complex will be done. -Expand IOOF Cemetery: Staff is working with BWM Group, on a layout for the cemetery. This will have to go back to Council for approval and the fees will probably change. - Pickett Trail Renovation: Staff applied for a Texas Parks and Wildlife grant and the grant was not approved because the trail could not be made handicap accessible. Garrett explained to the grant committee that the trail could not be made handicap accessible without ruining the natural beauty of the cliffs. She stated there is some money to do some clearing and rebuild the steps and get work done so it is useable again. - Restroom at Rivery Park: Staff is looking at a pre fabricated restroom. It will have electricity and water. -Westside Park: There is $319,000 in that fund. - Parks and Recreation Open Space Master Plan: There is $100,000 to update the Master Plan and will not start until the spring and it will take about 9 months. Staff will post requests for qualifications in the paper. Staff will narrow down the submissions to four landscape architects. The architects will each do a presentation to the Parks and Recreation Board and the Board will decide on which architect is chosen. The Park and Recreation Open Space Master Plan is usually updated every 5 years. - Trail Expansion: This is for the trail on Mr. Chandler's property with the lights. The bids came in to high last year. This was approved last year and was rolled over to this year. Asphalt is being considered instead of concrete. There are 44 light poles and call boxes. This is a 1/2 mile trail. Doernbach asked about the call boxes and they are looking at cellular service. - Safety Fence at McMaster: This project is complete. - Berry Creek Park: It is in the Reserve of Berry Creek and it is 2.7 acres. There is $120,000 that has been rolled over from last year. Staff is considering a playground, small trail, and a basketball court for this park. There is another 2.7 acres closer to Hwy 95. -River Ridge Playground: The City Council approved $40,000 to put a playground and a tire swing next to the swimming pool. Garrett stated this area is limited and directly next to River Ridge Street so staff is considering a concrete border with a wrought iron fence to enclose the area. -Katy Crossing Pavilion: The HOA at Katy Crossing contacted their council member of the need of a pavilion and this was approved. - Purchase Natural Springs: One is on the hike and bike trail by Melanie Lane that naturally flows out of the spring house, one is behind the movie theater and the other one is Lion's Head which is below Whataburger across from the Rivery. -Automatic gate at Booty's Park: That will be a solar powered gate and will open and dose automatically. There is an agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers to keep this gate locked in the evenings. -Park Patrol Restrooms: The Park Patrol unit now occupies this building in the park which is across from the football stadium. This building has a restroom and this will be opened to the public so there is a restroom on that end of the park. The restrooms will be closed at night to prevent vandalism. Owens asked about the skate park and the fact that it had been closed. Garrett explained that the City Council gave staff $8,000 two years ago to buy skate park equipment. Garrett stated that last August, seven pieces were bought. The equipment was placed on the roller hockey rink. In December of the first year three pieces were stolen. Then in October, there was vandalism for two weeks, every day. They had to cover up graffiti, restrooms were vandalized, the payphone's handle was ripped off, and they were vandalizing the equipment. Garrett stated that since the equipment has been moved there has not been any vandalism in that area. Garrett explained that the area is not a good location, there is no lighting, and is not very visible. Cobb asked about the San Gabriel Pool being turned into a skate park once the Recreation Center was completed. Garrett stated that is still an option. Owens asked about the playground being built at Kelly Park. Garrett stated that the Salvation Army approached the city about building a playground in our community. They have 400 people from Dell coming to help build the playground with Kaboom. This playground will be built in one day, on November 30, 2006. The City of Georgetown contributed the land for the playground. It will be across from the Habitat for Humanity homes, and close to the Boys and Girls club. The $80,000 playground will be installed November 30, 2006, and the ribbon cutting will be at 3:30pm that day. 7. Approve the minutes from October 19, 2006 meeting Mateja made a motion to approve the minutes. Buikema seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous vote. 8. Future agenda items The December meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 13th. 9. Adjourn Buikema made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 8:19 pm. Avrkro - • : Atte t: Ma Ramsey, Chair Parr aid Recreation Board Kay Cobb," cre,Parks & Recreation Board