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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_PAREB_09.16.2009Minutes of the Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board City of Georgetown, Texas Wednesday, September 16, 2009 The Parks and Recreation Board of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on Wednesday , September 16, 2009. Members Present: Bill Mateja, Jean Houck, Kent Buikema , Robert Laemel, Shane Morris, Simone Pollard Members Absent: Bob Mathis Staff Present: Kimberly Garrett, Jill Kellum Minutes Regular Meeting 1. Call to order The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Kent Buikema. 2. Roll call 3. Information from the NRPA Inclusion Conference Morrow and Garrett attended the NRPA Inclusion conference which was held in San Antonio. Garrett explained that inclusion meant to include clients of all abilities in your programs and facilities. Garrett stated that the Exceptional Georgetown Alliance (EGA), who has a vested interest in children with disabilities, approached the City of Georgetown about programming the city could offer their group. They are looking for their children to have the same recreation experience that other children have. Garrett stated we do not have the staff that is trained in therapeutic recreation but we do have the facilities to accommodate such programming. Garrett stated the cost of programming for people with disabilities is higher because of the ratio of staff to client could be 1:1. The conference explained how to get trails and recreation facilities ADA compliant and how to include programming. Garrett stated the programming is based on a demand from the community. Garrett stated that if someone does need the help one on one, we have to provide the aid which would require hiring someone who is trained to handle someone with disabilities. Garrett explained that we use contract instructors and that they would have to know how to work with children/adults with disabilities. Additionally, we could not charge more for the programming. There are certain legal aspects that exempt you from providing service to an individual such as if they cause danger or if they cause danger to the rest of the children in the class. Garrett stated the thought is to go through a budget process. She stated there are grants available to assist with the cost of programming. Garrett stated that we do offer special needs soccer and we do offer the special needs dances. Heather Schwan has been coordinating our special needs dances for the past 2 years. Recently she was named Community Leader of the month by Amerigroup for all her efforts in organizing the special needs dances. Garrett stated we are learning about the process to offer this type of programming. 4. Discussion of Parks and Recreation August monthly review Parks Board members discussed August monthly review. Mateja stated he would like for this monthly review to get to the City Council members. He would like to take action that the Parks and Recreation Board recommend that the monthly review be forwarded to the City Council. Laemel stated that the tennis programming and the Tennis Center are fantastic; it is a whole new venue now. He stated that Traci Stengle and Pete Polkinghorn are doing a fantastic job. The Tennis Center is welcoming and inviting. Garrett stated that programming is full. The 10th year anniversary has been rescheduled to October 10 from 4 — 8 pm. 5. Project status update for McMaster Parking Lot Lights and Rock Street Pedestrian Bridge Garrett stated the parking lot lights at McMaster Complex are installed. The lights help with safety around the parking lot. Garrett stated the Rock Street Bridge is being constructed and is being done in conjunction with a wastewater line being installed at the same location. The Rock Street Bridge will connect the hike and bike trail from Rock Street to San Gabriel Village Boulevard. 6. Approve minutes from August 13, 2009 meeting Houck made a motion to approve the minutes and the motion was seconded by Laemel and the motion passed by unanimous vote. 7. Future agenda items 8. Adjourn Pollard made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned. Approved:, Attest: Kent Buikema, Chair Parks and Recreation Board Shane Iyorri , Secretary Parks and Recreation Board