HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_PAREB_11.12.2009Minutes of the Meeting of
the Parks and Recreation Board
City of Georgetown, Texas
Thursday, November 12, 2009
The Parks and Recreation Board of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on Thursday , November 12,
2009.
Members Present:
Bill Mateja, Bob Mathis, Jean Houck, Robert Laemel, Shane Morris, Simone Pollard
Members Absent:
Kent Buikema
Staff Present:
Randy Morrow, Kimberly Garrett, Jill Kellum
Minutes
Regular Meeting
1. Call to order
The meeting was called to order by Bill Mateja at 7:00 pm.
2. Roll call
3. Discussion and update on Lake Georgetown
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Garrett stated on October 27 at the City Council workshop, Carey Weber, Doug
Cox and another representative from the United States Army Corps of Engineers
(USACE), Brian Schaffer, the consultant, Bill Mateja and Jean Houck, Parks and
Recreation Board members and staff met. City Council did not make a final decision
or take action on this issue. Morrow stated he feels like this issue is stalled right
now. Morrow feels after the end of the year and the completion of the Finance
Citizen Survey we will know if the citizens would like to proceed. Mateja stated he
would like to present this again after the first of the year. Laemel asked staff if they
would like to take over the Lake Georgetown parks. Morrow stated he would like
to see all the contracts first as he was initially under the understanding the City
would get revenue from the parks but the way the USACE talk now the money
would go back into the parks only. Morrow stated initially there were two or three
contracts and now there is only one contract with the USACE. Laemel feels this
would be a major undertaking and feels that an entire management staff would be
needed to maintain the Lake Georgetown parks. He expressed concerns about how
established Parks and Recreation programs would suffer. Mathis stated if there is
income that will not be going into the program what is the sense in doing it.
Morrow asked what the incentive for taking over the lake was because as we make
improvements it is still the USACE's property. Laemel feels that if it adds a quality
of life for the residents in Georgetown he could support it. Mathis added that if it
adds programs for the residents of Georgetown it would be better than just adding
an RV park. Morrow stated that another concern to look at is the Garey Park and
building it in three years after we obtain it. Garrett feels the next step is to have a
formal meeting with the USACE where they can present a contract and
documentation.
4. Discussion and possible action on increasing Recreation Center membership
fees
Garrett stated the Recreation Center membership fees doubled one year ago. There
are now 9,000 members and they find the fees to be acceptable but the members are
also requesting more programs. Garrett stated to offer more programs it will
require more money. Garrett stated they are trying to stay up with the costs of
increasing more programs and the cost of operation and maintenance. The cost to
operate the Recreation Center is approximately 1.1 million which includes staffing,
utilities, building maintenance, and computers and the Recreation Center generates
approximately $550,000. Garrett explained the operating expenses will continue
going up due to staff salaries and the inflation of supplies. Garrett recommends a
10% increase in membership fees. Mathis asked if programs would be added.
Garrett stated that programs have already been added but programs would be
added that would be included in the membership. Morrow stated that if you can
show that you are bringing in about one half of the cost of operation that council will
keep the Recreation Center going. Pollard stated that citizens in her neighborhood
could not afford to go to the Recreation Center and asked what was available to
offer people who could not afford the facility charges. Garrett stated the Recreation
Center has a Parks Bucks program that allows people to volunteer and they get
minimum wage applied to every hour they work to use at the Recreation Center.
Garrett stated the Police Activity League have offered scholarships to participants in
the youth sports league. Mathis stated he would like to see this board develop a
program that reaches out to the greater community to attract, plan, support and
bring them to the parks and recreation programs whether it be through
organizations or community outreach and would like this to be outside of the City of
Georgetown so it not administered through the City of Georgetown. Mateja stated
they will form a subcommittee and Robert Laemel will chair the subcommittee to
look into developing such a program. Houck made a motion to approve the 10%
rate increase for the Recreation Center membership fees and the motion was
seconded by Laemel and it passed by unanimous vote.
5. Discussion and possible action on canceling December meeting
Laemel offered his home for a potluck for the December meeting on December 10,
2009.
6. Approve minutes from October 8, 2009 meeting
Houck made a motion to approve the minutes and the motion was seconded by
Pollard and it passed by unanimous vote.
7. Future agenda items
8. Adjourn
Laemel made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 8:19 pm.
Approye
ent Buikema, Chair Parks and Recreation Board
,r
Attest:
Sh. Morris, Secretary Parks and Recreation Board