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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_PAREB_10.09.2008Minutes of the Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board City of Georgetown, Texas Thursday, October 9, 2008 The Parks and Recreation Board of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on Thursday , October 9, 2008. Members Present: Barbara Owens, Bill Mateja, Bob Mathis, Kent Buikema , Mallory Bird, Shane Morris Members Absent: Robert Laemel Staff Present: Randy Morrow, Kimberly Garrett, Jill Kellum Minutes Regular Meeting 1. Call to order: The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by Kent Buikema. 2. Roll call: 3. Introduction of Heather Brewer, Urban Forester: Heather Brewer was introduced by Kimberly Garrett. Brewer explained her job responsibilities for Parks and Recreation as well as the Planning and Development. Brewer gave information on current projects. 4. Update on Heritage Gardens and discussion and possible action on a board appointee - Natalie Vreeland Natalie Vreeland was introduced by Kimberly Garrett. Garrett explained the history of the Heritage Gardens and the board involvement. Vreeland explained that she started working for the Williamson County Health District (WCHD) in 2004 to oversee their community garden program. Her main focus is to advocate gardening, teach organic gardening and promote increased consumption of fruits and vegetables in our community and physical activity. The WCHD came into an agreement with the City of Georgetown's Parks Department to utilize their land at 2100 Hutto Road, where there is 18 acres, which is historic land that was part of the old poor farm that has been in cultivation for 150 years. WCHD decided they would create a community garden to allow people, who were interested or who were unable to garden in their backyard, a place to garden. A community garden would allow them a garden in full sun and some education to do the gardening people wanted to do. The Heritage Garden have sponsored over 740 preschool and 1st grade students for field trips where they were able to play in the wildflowers, learn about gardening and taste fresh vegetable. They have started gardens in Head Start schools in Liberty Hill, Bartlett and Georgetown. They have in -ground gardening and raised beds. They hold monthly gardening meetings and sustainable cooking courses. They developed their own cooking and nutrition course, From the Garden to the Table, which incorporates more gardening and physical activity. They have their own curriculum and had it published this year. In 2007, they were permanently funded under the USDA WIC program and the Heritage Garden won the National Association of County and City Health Organizations Promise and Practices award. The Center of Disease Control (CDC) visited the Community Gardens this year and gave rave reviews and was invited to Chicago to present at the CDC summit. They have also been invited to participate in a new organization that is being put together by Austin Energy, called Local Food and Climate Change Think Tank. This group is designed to promote buying local and keeping our carbon footprint small for our food source. Owens moves for an affirmation to the good work of the Heritage Garden, Morris seconded the motion and it was approved by unanimous vote. Vreeland stated they did have an advisory board that was adjourned in 2006 after the death of a board member. They are organizing a new board and have established a new chair, vice chair and secretary and are having their first organized meeting the 5th of October. They are looking for a Parks and Recreation Advisory Board member to be on the board. It is a monthly commitment on the first Saturday of each month at 8:30 am. Owens volunteered to be the board liaison. 5. Discussion on possible rowing facility at Lake Georgetown Garrett explained the Georgetown Rowing Club has been active in the public input of the Parks Master plan about trying to get a permanent establishment at Lake Georgetown. They spoke with Carey Weber at the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and talked about how a rowing facility would work at the lake. The Georgetown Rowing Club can not go straight to the USACE and ask them to operate a facility. The USACE only work with government entities. The Georgetown Rowing Club came to the City of Georgetown to be a sponsor and the City of Georgetown would be the responsible party and ask for the lease agreement with the USACE. Garrett stated that this is an undertaking which will take a lot of steps and then the approval has to go to City Council for support. Garrett explained that the first step is to see if the City of Georgetown is interested in pursuing this partnership. Darla McDonnell was introduced with the Georgetown Rowing Club. The club has been in existence for 3 years. McDonnell explained they must transport the 24 - 40 foot boats every time they row and their trailers only hold 5 boats. The Georgetown Rowing Club is proposing to have a partnership with the City of Georgetown to have a facility at Lake Georgetown. They are envisioning a minimal facility with chain link fence and crushed stone base. They are estimating the cost at $5,000 - $25,000 but will not know the cost until it is discussed with the USACE to see what their specifications are. The Georgetown Rowing Club understands there will be recurring expenses. Their intent is to support this proposal with fund raising and in kind contributions. Mathis feels this is good for the community, Southwestern University and Parks and Recreation. Mateja asked if they have funds available. McDonnell stated that they do not but do have thoughts of sponsorship. They have spoken to the Boy Scouts and they have indicated that they have in kind and skills that can be used in this proposal that would reduce some of the cost. Garrett stated that Carey Weber with the USACE was receptive to the idea and said there were a lot steps but there was no guarantees. Owens stated the start up cost would be the construction of the building and the problematic part would be the insurance, maintenance and programming costs. Buikema asked what the Georgetown Rowing Club was asking for from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. McDonnell stated they are asking for the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board to consider being a partner with them. Buikema asked why they should partner with them. McDonnell stated it would bring more choices for recreation to residents that they may not have currently. Additionally, it was stated that Lake Georgetown is used mainly by fisherman and this facility would open the lake to another category of people such as non power boaters and would be a green activity. Garrett stated there may be more opportunity in the future, relating to last month's meeting, with the possibility of a partnership between the USACE and the City of Georgetown, operating Lake Georgetown parks. Owens stated letters of support from organizations such as Southwestern, GISD, REI, and Boy Scouts would speak more strongly. Buikema stated that the board would like to say they are favorable of the idea and would be a good addition to Parks and Recreation. Garrett will talk to the City's legal department and also to the USACE about what the next step will be. 6. Update on Recreation Center Garrett stated they bricked in the front of the building and are putting some windows in as they try to dry it in. Garrett stated the construction company stated they are on track and will be completed by the end of November and the goal of staff is to open in January. She stated staff is in the process of obtaining equipment and weight room bids and ordering supplies. Mateja asked about a walk through of the recreation center for the November meeting. 7. Approve minutes from September 11, 2008 meeting Mateja made a motion to approve the minutes, Mathis seconded and it passed by unanimous vote. 8. Future agenda items 9. Adjourn Owens made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned the meeting at 8:25 pm. Appr ve PLC. e t,, -cam Ke t Buikema, Chair Parks and Recreation Board Attest: �ilZsu(�Lt'f'Xs�/ Barbara Owens, Secretary Parks & Recreation