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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_PAREB_03.12.2009Minutes of the Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board City of Georgetown, Texas Thursday, March 12, 2009 The Parks and Recreation Board of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on Thursday , March 12, 2009. Members Present: Bill Mateja, Bob Mathis, Jean Houck, Kent Buikema , Robert Laemel, Shane Morris, Simone Pollard Members Absent: Staff Present: Randy Morrow, Kimberly Garrett, Jill Kellum Minutes Regular Meeting 1. Call to order The meeting was called to order at 7:04 pm. 2. Roll call Buikema, Mateja, Mathis, Houck, Morris, Pollard, Laemel 3. Introduction of new Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members Buikema introduced new members Jean Houck and Simone Pollard. Each board member then introduced themselves. 4. Election of vice chair and secretary for Park and Recreation Advisory Board Robert Laemel nominated Bill Mateja for Vice -Chair of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Motion was seconded by Bob Mathis and the motion passed by unanimous vote. Bill Mateja nominated Shane Morris for Secretary of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Motion was seconded by Robert Laemel and the motion passed by unanimous vote. 5. Discussion and possible action to provide City Council with input on the 2009/2010 budget - Micki Rundell and Leticia Zavala The Finance department representatives were not present. Garrett stated that the Finance department relayed information to her about the budget. Garrett stated that sales tax revenues are down and home appraisals are neutral. There is not a lot of growth so building permits are down. They do not want to raise taxes to impact tax rate. Staff has been told there is not money for any new programs but will not have to cut programs we already have. They anticipate this situation to last 12 -18 months. The Finance department would be happy to take any comments or thoughts about any low cost or no cost items, i.e. staff resources versus budget funding, to City Council to see if there are any inexpensive items that could be implemented. Laemel did mention the McMaster Field lighting and the seating at the Tennis Center to be brought up to the Finance department. He reiterated that the lighting at the McMaster Field is a safety issue that needs to be brought to the attention of the administration. Buikema asked if the Parks and Recreation Advisory could respond to the Finance department and say that we understand the financial situations but a member of our board has brought up a safety issue which we think should be brought to the attention to the administration. Morrow stated that he looked at the issue and will put a cost to it and relay that information. Mateja asked about the current Parks and Recreation budget and staffing issues. Morrow and Garrett explained that filling job vacancies is reviewed on a case by case basis and that Parks and Recreation is unique in that we are still able to hire some positions due to the upcoming camps and seasonal programming. 6. Discussion on 2008 bond process Buikema asked how the funds for various projects are designated, used and distributed. He asks what the plan is and the process is. Morrow stated the City will hold the bonds right now. Garrett stated that they probably would not issue the bonds right now because that would increase the tax rate. The Finance department relayed to staff that everything is on hold for approximately 12 months except for maybe some road bonds. 7. Update on visit to Lake Grapevine Buikema stated that 6 people from the City of Georgetown and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board went to Grapevine yesterday to view their program. The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) approached the City of Georgetown Parks and Recreation to operate the 4 parks at Lake Georgetown and have the City of Georgetown lease the parks. Members of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and city staff went and viewed what the City of Grapevine has done with the lake there. Morrow stated that it seems to be successful for the City of Grapevine and they do make money because they market more than the USACE did. Laemel asked if it is self sustaining. Morrow stated that they do sustain themselves without the burden being on the taxpayers. Mateja stated that Lake Grapevine has a 1 million budget and their profit is approximately $70,000 per year. Garrett stated that the City of Grapevine has approximately 300 acres of parkland and approximately 1200 acres of USACE property that they lease. Polland asked what they market that draws people into the USACE land versus using the regular parks. Garrett stated they advertise in camping and RV magazines and on websites. Garrett stated their average capacity is 70% full on the RV park during the winter and 100% capacity in the summer months. Morrow stated that the city will also collect the occupancy tax from the cabin rentals. Morrow stated that USACE will offer it to the city first, then the county and lastly to a private entity. Garrett explained that with the City of Grapevine they did not want a private entity to take it over so they took it over and operated it as is. Morrow stated they did a lease for 6 months instead of a 25 year lease to get a feel for the process to see if it would make money, then they did a feasibility study to see what the costs and profits were and what it would take to run the facility. Laemel asked if there is a management company that runs it. Morrow stated that it is run by the City of Grapevine, but Mateja stated they have a HOST program that allows people to stay there in lieu of hosting the site and helping with the campground and laundry. Buikema stated the benefits would be that the City of Georgetown would attain ready made parks. There are primitive parks, land for other use; possibility for westside park; and the hike/bike trail could be extended easily. The downside would be that it is new concept and the cabins are fully furnished and the cost for the feasibility study. Mateja stated that he would like to see Lake Georgetown as a "crown jewel" for the City of Georgetown and related this to the Gaylord resort in Grapevine and how it is next to the Lake Grapevine area and how the resort activities spill over to the lake. Buikema stated that he feels if the City of Georgetown passes it by it might divert to another party and if this is something that is going to enhance the City of Georgetown's park program we should be looking at this seriously and be ready when the time comes. Laemel asked if they would consider a joint entity and Mateja stated that the USACE only wants to deal with one entity. 8. Update on College Street Bridge in San Gabriel Park Buikema stated TXDOT is looking at replacing the low water bridge through San Gabriel Park. Garrett stated this project is proceeding. Garrett explained this is a TXDOT project and they are working with the City of Georgetown's transportation department. The low water bridge is an off system bridge and has flooded over and over again and is very narrow. TXDOT decided to build a 100 year flood plain bridge. TXDOT is paying for it along with federal money and the City of Georgetown. Garrett stated utility poles have been moved and some underground utilities have been added and the trail has been temporarily relocated. Garrett stated it should begin end of March and it is a 12 month project. Morrow Street will be open with a few exceptions. The disc golf course will be restructured. Garrett showed a drawing of the bridge and explained the process of the construction. 9. Update on Recreation Center memberships and construction Garrett handed out a report on the memberships that were sold for the month of February and explained the statistics. There were 2,832 memberships sold in February which broke down to 2,155 resident memberships and 641 non-resident memberships. Last year there were 5,000 memberships sold all year. Laemel asked what the capacity is. Garrett stated that we are full. Laemel asked at what point is another center added. Garrett stated that the renovation for the Teen/Senior center is going good. All the walls are in and painted. Projected opening is the first part of May. Project Graduation is scheduled for the end of May. Mateja would like to have the April th meeting at the Teen/Senior center. April 9 will be the meeting. Mateja asked what the biggest complaint staff has had so far with the Recreation Center. Garrett stated that the temperature in the fitness class room has been the biggest complaint and also that it is too crowded. Mateja asked if parking was a complaint. Garrett stated she has not received complaints. Mateja asked when the first swim meet would be. Garrett stated that the pool must first be certified in order to have a meet. 10. Approve minutes from February 12, 2009 meeting Laemel made a motion to approve the minutes and the motion was seconded by Pollard and it passed by unanimous vote. 11. Future agenda items 12. Adjourn Meeting adjourned at 8:21 pm Approved: Kent Buikema, Chair Parks and Recreation Board Board Attest: C Shane Morris, Secretary Parks and Recreation