HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_PAREB_11.29.2007Minutes of the Meeting of
the Parks and Recreation Board
City of Georgetown, Texas
Thursday, November 29, 2007
The Parks and Recreation Board of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on Thursday , November 29,
2007.
Members Present:
Barbara Owens, Bob Mathis, Kay Cobb, Kent Buikema, Mike Simpson, William Mateja
Members Absent:
Mark Ramsey
Staff Present:
Randy Morrow, Kimberly Garrett, Jill Kellum
Minutes I
Regular Meeting
1. Ca11 to Order
The meeting was called to order by Kent Buikema at 7:00 pm.
Buikema welcomed guests that attended the meeting and introduced staff and board
members.
2. Roll call
3. Discussion and possible action on proposed Parks Master Plan phone survey
Garrett stated staff has met with the company that is performing the public input survey.
She explained that they need to get feedback on the survey quickly. She distributed the
draft of the survey and stated that the city manager has reviewed it. The company does
not identify that they are associated with the City of Georgetown. She explained that the
company performing the survey, divides the city into 4 quadrants and they will survey
citizens in each area based on the percentage of population by each quadrant. Garrett
explained this was a draft and it was approximately 10 - 15 minutes long and it needs to
be shortened.
Morrow stated that there will be charettes for public input in addition to the phone survey.
There will also be interviews with organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce,
Southwestern University, Georgetown ISD, and other interest groups that play a major
part in the community as part of the public input. Council members will be interviewed
as well.
Buikema asked about when the board will have to make an approval on the survey.
Garrett stated that they need to make a decision tonight and that the survey could not be
taken with them. Buikema asked how the company came up with the answers to the
questions. Garrett stated that Halff Associates set down with staff and asked what their
visions were for the future. Garrett stated that one element is concerning the San Gabriel
Parks Master Plan and specific questions on the survey are related to that. Buikema
asked if this company has had experience with other companies. Garrett stated that they
have experience with the phone surveys for other communities. Cobb asked about
sending this as a mailed survey. Garrett stated they wanted a phone survey because the
rate of return is better and explained that in previous years a mail survey was sent and
participants did not return the survey in a timely manner according to the deadline that
was given. Simpson asked about the answers to the survey and if other could be added.
Garrett stated that #4 is an open ended question where participants can add their ideas
about what other recreational facilities we are lacking. Board members had a chance to
review the draft survey. Garrett stated that some of the questions can be eliminated.
Simpson stated that the survey does not flow. It was suggested that the flow start with
demographics, what you like about the parks now, what would you like to see change
with what we have now, what would you like to see with future facilities that have been
planned, and what would you like to see in the future. Simpson stated it would start more
specific to more vague and the idea of the flow would be for participants to come up with
ideas toward the end of the survey. Morrow stated that the phone survey is only one tool
for citizen input. Simpson suggested that the structure of the survey be reorganized.
Owens agreed and Garrett stated they can reevaluate and group the questions better.
Buikema asked if Ray Turco could attend the meeting to discuss some of the concerns
with the survey. Garrett stated they could meet but was concerned about the timeline.
Halff Associates would like to have all citizen input by mid January. Garrett stated that
Halff Associates is going by the timeline that was imposed. Morrow stated that the
timeline is in place due to the upcoming bond in 2008. Morrow reiterated again that the
phone survey is only one piece of the citizen input.
Mateja made a motion that we accept the survey as presented with changes as suggested
to Garrett. Owens seconded the motion. Garrett then made suggestion to have Ray Turco
attend the next meeting, in December, so the parks board could ask questions about the
survey. Simpson then made a motion to table the motion.
Garrett stated that staff can arrange for Halff Associates to attend the December meeting.
4. Update on Recreation Center Expansion
Garrett stated that they have done some surveying and logistics. Morrow stated that
PBS&J did not have a Water Pollution Abatement Plan filed and then plans went to
Planning and their site plan with the landscaping was not done correctly. That was sent
back for correction. Mateja asked how many days the project is behind. Morrow stated
that they are 60 days behind. The original start date was October 1, 2007.
5. Approve the minutes from October 11, 2007 meeting
Simpson made a motion to approve the minutes and Cobb seconded and it passed by
unanimous vote.
6. Future agenda items
Blue Hole restoration
Update on the Dog Park
Update on Parks Master Plan
Update on Recreation Center Expansion
7. Adjourn
Buikema made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 7:56 pm.
Approved:
Mark Ramp ey, Chair Farks and Recreation
Attest:
Barbara Owens ecre Parks & Recr
eation tary