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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_PAREB_09.09.2010Minutes of the Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board City of Georgetown, Texas Thursday, September 9, 2010 The Parks and Recreation Board of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on Thursday , September 9, 2010. Members Present: Bill Mateja, Daniel Dance, Jean Houck, Kent Buikema, Robert Laemel, Shane Morris Members Absent: Simone Pollard Staff Present: Kimberly Garrett, Jill Kellum Minutes Regular Meeting 1. Call to order The meeting was called to order by Kent Buikema at 7:00 pm. Kent Buikema gave recognition to Kimberly Garrett for the opening of the Recreation Center as a Red Cross emergency shelter for the flood victims. 2. Roll Call Kent Buikema, Bill Mateja, Shane Morris, Robert Laemel, Jean Houck 3. Introduction of staff member Stephanie Darimont, Aquatic Coordinator Stephanie Darimont has been with the City of Georgetown since October 2009. She gave a brief biography of herself and gave information on the Aquatics program about the summer swim team, water aerobics and the learn to swim program. She spoke also of the swim meets for the swim teams that rent our swim facilities. 4. Discussion on Board Goal to have members adopt a park— Mateja Mateja gave a brief description of the idea of "Adopt a Park". Garrett stated there is an Adopt a Park program in the master plan which involves organizations that want to do improvements on the parks. Garrett would like to see this as a positive idea and explained that the department may not be able to add amenities to the park due to budget constraints. The Adopt a Park program was set up as a beautification program where organizations would pickup trash and take care of any repairs themselves or add flowers. Buikema stated he could see where this would be informative for the board as to what is available in the park and also report anything they see that needs repair but he stated that parks staff performs these duties currently. Garrett stated she would not want to turn down help but she doesn't want this to have a negative tone on the staff. Morris stated the board could use this as an opportunity to connect with the public and get feedback from the public on the parks and amenities. Dance asked how we see the board's role shifting from a more reactive and reporting role to a more proactive and engaging role. Dance asked if a report once a month on a park would add value to the park. Garrett stated any information is helpful. Dance stated he would not like to see this as a report card for the parks staff. Laemel stated he would report what was right and that what needed attention would be reported immediately to the appropriate person. Mateja stated the purpose this program would be to get the board involved. Laemel stated he would like to see the board members get involved with the Friends of Georgetown. Laemel also suggested each board member take on a role with each of the different areas of Parks and Recreation. Laemel asked if Garrett would go to staff with how the board can support them. The discussion on this item will be tabled until next meeting. 5. Update on projects in San Gabriel Park • Recreation Center Natatorium The engineer did not put in a moisture barrier in the natatorium when the recreation center was built as it was left out of the plans. There was a lot of sweating of the walls. Inside the Recreation Center the sheetrock and the paint was peeling and there has been rust inside the pool. The moisture barrier is being installed and the work started this week. The Recreation Center is open during the construction and estimated date of completion is two weeks. • Old San Gabriel Swimming Pool The pool will be demolished. The facilities department will be working on the demolition. • Old Football Stadium The bleachers and scoreboard have now been removed. The facilities department is bidding out the demolition on the remainder of the area. The ticket booths will remain as a memorial to the stadium. • Banner Installation Carlos Barron, a student from Southwestern University, used a 3M grant for a project that used macro -photography to make banners for the trail. To fulfill the grant requirements the project had to tie to the San Gabriel River Trail. The photos are of insects that were found along the trail. The banners will be installed on the trail September 17th at Rivery Park. There will be a link on our website to Southwestern University's website to view the banners. This is the start to the banner trail program. The advisory board would like Garrett to send a letter of appreciation, on behalf of the advisory board, to Carlos Barron for the work on this project. 6. Information on joint promotion project with CVB Garrett showed the board the parks van that has the visitgeorgetown.com wrap and how this will promote Georgetown while the van is around town and out of town trips. 7. Update from Friends of Georgetown Parks and Recreation - Pollard Laemel stated there was a nominating subcommittee meeting and the committee has outlined offices for next year that will be presented at the annual meeting which is September 13th. The Friends of Georgetown Parks and Recreation met with Mel Penland with the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and he suggested the group needed a fundraising goal. The group decided that one goal is to teach children how to swim. The fundraising expectations are $10,000. Bob Mathis is committed to help with the fundraising. The committee met with Daniel Anestee with the Boys and Girls Club who can help with transportation. The committee's goal is to have every student in GISD know how to swim by the 4`h grade. Laemel stated this requires transportation and programming needs be met; this is a long term goal. Garrett stated there are some costs involved such as instructor's payroll, additional lifeguards, proper swimwear, goggles and towels. Garrett explained that the children from the Boys and Girls Club will be on limited incomes. 8. Discussion of Parks and Recreation Monthly Review for August Mateja asked if there was damage to the parks in the recent flood. Garrett stated there is extensive damage to the north trail and staff is assessing the damage. On the north trail 60% of the light poles are damaged which is roughly 30 poles. Garrett stated a lot of the damage is insured. Governor Perry did declare it a disaster area which will help with funding on the repairs. Dance asked about the repairs and if we wait for the funding. Garrett stated the repairs are started and then the City files the paperwork for reimbursement. Buikema asked about the urban forester's report about the residential inspections. Garrett explained that the urban forester does perform residential inspections and gives talks for different groups that request information. Laemel asked how the babysitting at the recreation center works. Garrett explained this is an extra fee, from the membership, for children 1 — 7 years old. There is a sitter on duty. 9. Approve minutes from August 12th meeting Shane Morris made a motion to approve the minutes and the motion was seconded by Bill Mateja and it was approved by unanimous vote. 10. Future agenda items 11. Adjourn Bob.aemel de a otion to adjourn the meeting. AA' , Kee t F3ffikema, Chair ks and Recreation Board i ear Shane Morris, Se'retary Parks and Recreation Board