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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_PAREB_12.13.2007Minutes of the Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board City of Georgetown, Texas Thursday, December 13, 2007 The Parks and Recreation Board of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on Thursday , December 13, 2007. Members Present: Barbara Owens, Bob Mathis, Kay Cobb, Kent Buikema, Mark Ramsey, Mike Simpson, William Mateja Members Absent: Staff Present: Randy Morrow, Kimberly Garrett, Jill Kellum Minutes Regular Meeting 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm. 2. Roll call Buikema, Cobb, Ramsey, Mateja, Owens, Simpson, Mathis 3. Discussion and possible action on proposed Parks Master Plan phone survey Garrett introduced Ray Turco who is contracted with Halff Associates to do the telephone survey. Ray Turco was present to explain the telephone survey. Mateja asked what Turco's thoughts were on the clarity of the survey. Turco explained that part of the clarity on the initial draft was the suggested deletions on the last page and as explained that he needed to meet with the board to explain where he was coming from. Garrett explained that all the mark ups from the previous meeting were implemented in the survey. Mateja asked if Turco worked with a focus group to do the survey. Turco stated that they do not do a focus group as they are costly and they do not benefit the survey process. Turco explained that the survey asks the questions that are most important and allow citizen input in order to develop the plan. Turco stated that he is comfortable with the surveys length. He stated that he will get 400 completed surveys. They have had to make as many at 35,000 telephone attempts in order to complete 400 surveys. He estimated that for this survey they will have to make approximately 10,000 calls. He stated they assist the citizens in completing the survey and will have to repeat the answers several times. They do offer one open ended question in the survey, but he stated that for statistical purposes the open ended questions are not helpful because they can not incorporate numerous responses in one area; this takes away from the statistical validity of the survey. Turco explained that they like to generate a response up front before they are given any information without influencing the participant. Turco explained that if you ask the open ended question at the end you might get more specific responses or duplicate facilities. Turco explained that if citizens have a variety of specific amenities that does not help the staff or the consultant make recommendation on data. Buikema stated that there are two separate objectives. He stated that Turco's objective is to uncover some things people do not know about but really exist and the other objective is to find out if they are creative and want to present us something that we really do not have and could use. Morrow stated that if you get a single suggestion for an amenity that they have a small percentage of the citizens surveyed that want that specific amenity. He added it is not a value to the survey. Turco explained that if you have a few random, specific answers that it does not give you any data. Turco explained that after the survey they will produce a tabulation report. It will show the different level of responses from different parts of the city. Morrow stated that the phone survey is one piece of the information they will use for gathering information on the master plan. Garrett stated that staff met with Jim Carrillo this week and that there will be the telephone survey, an online survey and there will be student surveys where they will survey 4t, 7th, and le grade students. In addition to that there will be focus groups with different leaders in the community, the non-profit groups, service organization, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and City Council. Morrow explained that with the information they obtain they can present a bond issue. Simpson asked if Turco has done this type of survey for other communities. Turco stated that they have done this type of survey mostly for school districts. Mateja made a motion to accept the survey as presented by Ray Turco with corrections as discussed. Buikema seconded the motion. There was then discussion. Owens asked what time of day they call. Turco stated they call Monday — Friday from 5pm — 9pm and Saturday loam — 5pm and not Sundays. Turco explained when people agree to participate they will complete the survey. Owens asked if the surveys are to land lines only. He stated that they are and they have no way of getting local cell phone lines. Simpson asked about the flow of the survey. He asked if the organization of the survey was important. Turco answered that they have not had a problem with the order of the questions. He stated he does more planning initially and then more evaluation later in the survey. Morrow asked if this survey was longer than most surveys and Turco said it was about average. Ramsey stated the motion was to approve the survey with corrections to 13 and 14. It was approved by unanimous vote. Garrett added that the survey will also be online. There will be a link from the City of Georgetown website to Turco and Associates' website. He asked that if the board members are contacted to participate that they not participate. Mateja asked about other organizations from the city participating in a survey. Garrett explained that Halff Associates will set up charettes and also will interview the members separately if they would like and meet with other key leaders in the community. Buikema thanked Mr. Turco for attending the meeting. Morrow asked when they would have the results of the survey. Turco stated that they will have the results in January. 4. Update on Bark Park Simpson stated that the Bark Park has been open 7 weeks. Simpson stated that he estimates 800 —1000 dogs a week using the park. He stated a lot of people are from surrounding areas that are using the facility. Simpson stated that the placement of the benches is perfect and are a lot larger than expected. Morrow stated that concrete, ornamental fire hydrants will be placed in the park. Buikema asked if any parks have counters at the gate to estimate the number of people that attend. Simpson stated he has not seen that. Simpson stated the Dog Park Association had a meeting with the Chief of Police, David Morgan and Animal Services Manager, Ken Finn. It was discussed that the Dog Park Association would have a role in education; more specifically about dog park safety. There will be a program on January 19, 2008. The dog safety program will have 3 elements; one is a Power Point presentation, hand outs, and links to websites. Morrow asked if Finn was willing to be support the program. Simpson stated Finn was going to put the Animal Services staff through the training in February. Simpson stated on February 19, 2008 at 9:00 am there will be the safety seminar, 10:00 am will be the regular meeting of the Dog Park Association, and at 12:30 pm will be the 2nd Yappy Hour. The 1s` Yappy Hour was held on December 1, and the weather was extremely dreary and there was low participation. Garrett added that the City of Killeen came in last Friday to tour the park. Their mayor, city council, board members, and a Killeen newspaper came here to view and obtain information about the dog park. Garrett stated they were here for about 45 minutes and staff gave them information on Bark Park. City of Georgetown Bark Park was on the front page of the Killeen paper. Noted Discussion: Buikema would like to acknowledge Mark Ramsey for his service on the board. 5. Approve the minutes from November 29, 2007 meeting Buikema made a motion to approve the minutes and Cobb seconded. It passed by unanimous vote. 6. Future agenda items Recreation Center update Blue Hole update Master Plan update 7. Adjourn Owens made a motion to adjourn. Approved: ` ) MarRaii►se Cai y, t Parks and Recrea : oard Attest: Barbara Owens Secretary Parks & Recreation