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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_PAREB_08.11.2011Minutes of the Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board City of Georgetown, Texas Thursday, August 11, 2011 The Parks and Recreation Board of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on Thursday , August 11, 2011. Members Present: Daniel Dance, Jean Houck, John Hesser, Robert Laemel, Shane Morris Members Absent: Syed Warisi, Jim Hailey Staff Present: Kimberly Garrett, Jill Kellum Minutes Regular Meeting 1. Call to order The meeting was called the order at 7:05 pm by Daniel Dance. 2. Roll call 3. Discussion and possible action on the Parks and Recreation Department adopting the Make a Splash National Swim Program — Laemel Jean Houck stated she is looking into how Georgetown Parks and Recreation can become a partner in the Make a Splash National Swim Program. She would like the blessing from the board for the city to apply to become a local partner. Make a Splash is a program offered by USA Swimming which is the governing body for swimming in the US. USA Swimming started a foundation in 2009 and has concentrated on the Make a Splash foundation. The foundation gives grant money and a national name to local programs. So far this year they have given out $249,000.00 in grants to programs like the Georgetown Swims program through the Friends of Georgetown Parks and Recreation. Jean Houck stated the Friends of Georgetown Parks and Recreation meet the criteria to apply for grants. Jean Houck states she needs proof of liability insurance for the facility to process the partnership application. Kimberly Garrett stated she would like to see staff move forward with the process. Robert Laemel made a motion to direct staff to proceed with the application process from the Make a Splash National Swim Program and the motion was seconded by Shane Morris and the motion was passed by unanimous vote. 4. Discussion and possible action on citizen requests for maintenance to the Bark Park -Laemel Robert Laemel stated a group supporting the Bark Park would like to see an addition to the existing concrete pad at the Bark Park and some lighting as you enter the Dog Park area. They are looking to raise money and join the Friends of Georgetown Parks and Recreation to help with improvements and work with the Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department for engineering and developing the improvements. The group has met with Eric Nuner, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation, to discuss possible improvements. Robert Laemel wanted to present this information to the board for information only. No action was taken. 5. Consideration and possible recommendation to approve a Lease Agreement with Georgetown Youth Baseball Association at the San Gabriel Youth Fields for the operation of a youth baseball program to benefit the City of Georgetown area - Garrett Kimberly Garrett stated there has not been a lease in 20 years. John Hesser asked why the need for the lease. Kimberly Garrett stated the Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department receives complaints about GYBA and their operations to how they pick teams. The people complaining state that since GYBA use City of Georgetown property the City of Georgetown should have some controls over GYBA. The lease agreement takes this responsibility off the City of Georgetown and onto GYBA. Additionally, other groups have considered the possibility of leasing the fields as well. Kimberly Garrett stated it was solicited in the paper if any other interested parties wanted to operate a lease. There were no other parties that responded to the notice. Robert Laemel made a motion to recommend to City Council that the Georgetown Parks and Recreation Board approve the Lease Agreement with Georgetown Youth Baseball Association at the San Gabriel Youth Fields for the operation of a youth baseball program to benefit the City of Georgetown area and Jean Houck seconded the motion and the motion passed by unanimous vote. 6. Discussion and possible action on naming park facilities - Garrett Kimberly Garrett explained the City of Georgetown Policy for Naming City Facilities, Public Park Lands and Public Street. Garrett wanted the board to be aware of the policy if the board was approached by public with requests. 7. Update on architect selection for the trail project - Garrett Kimberly Garrett stated there were 16 requests for qualifications, RFQ's, submitted for the Trail project and City Council has appointed a committee to review them. City Council appointed Tommy Gonzales, Pat Berryman, John Hesser, Mark Shepherd and Kimberly Garrett to be on this committee. There have not been dates set for review. 8. Discussion and possible action on 2010 Census Data and how it relates to senior programming — Laemel Kimberly Garrett explained some of the data from the 2010 Census. The Census was correct that 38% percent of the population is over 55 but Sun City residents represent a majority of the 38% of the population. Kimberly Garrett stated the Parks and Recreation Department is offering more senior programming and the senior program is growing. Robert Laemel asked if we use some of the social media to notify people of the programming that is offered. Daniel Dance asked if a form could be used to collect suggestions from people about what programming they would like to see and how they could be contacted. Kimberly Garrett states she will meet with the Senior Program Coordinator to discuss ways to contact seniors about programming. Shane Morris asked how to make people aware to sign up for the RSS feeds through the City of Georgetown. There was no action. 9. Discussion on the partnership between GPARD and Exceptional Georgetown Alliance as it relates to inclusion — Dance Kimberly Garrett stated this is the third year that the Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department (GPARD) has worked with the Exceptional Georgetown Alliance (EGA). In previous years, EGA would ask the city council for $15,000 through the City of Georgetown's social service funding. EGA stated they would withdraw their application for social service funding if the City Council would fund the GPARD budget of $15,000 for a summer camp. EGA would not have to ask for the social service request funding every year and if the city council supported it, this would be the first step to a partnership for a special needs camp. There is $15,000 in the city manager's proposed budget to city council to start that programming which is the amount EGA said was needed. The program will still be located at the schools and GPARD will assist with the hiring of the camp staff. Kimberly Garrett explained the City of Georgetown could gradually ask for money from city council to fund these programs and start with contracted personnel. Kimberly Garrett stated that we would still ask for a position to work on the inclusion process and the position could be utilized as a dual position with dual responsibilities. Daniel Dance asked about coming together with other cities to offer programs. Kimberly Garrett stated that people want to stay in their communities and have programming where they live. 10. Update from Friends of Georgetown Parks and Recreation — Houck The Friends of Georgetown Parks and Recreation did not meet in August and are preparing for their annual general September meeting where they will be electing new board members. Robert Laemel stated they have 2 new corporate sponsors CiCi s pizza and Georgetown Therapy. Robert Laemel states they have received applications for assistance and sees the need for assistance in the community. The Friends of Georgetown Parks and Recreation continue to have the participants pay a portion of the expenses and they will be committed to participate in the program. Jean Houck states applications are located in more locations and they are getting more response to the program. 11. Discussion of Parks and Recreation Monthly Review for July There was minimal discussion on the Monthly Review. 12. Approve minutes from the July 7th meeting Jean Houck made a motion to approve the minutes and the motion was seconded by Robert Laemel and the motion passed by unanimous vote. 13. Executive Session Sec. 551.072 Deliberation about Real Property A. Discussion and deliberation concerning proposed real estate purchase of a 17 acre tract along the South San Gabriel River on Hwy 29 for parkland. The board went into executive session. Motion by Laemel, second by Morris to direct staff to explore the real estate purchase of the 17 acre tract along the South San Gabriel River on Hwy. 29 for parkland. Approved (7-0) 14. Future agenda items 15. Adjourn Daniel Dance made a motion to adjourn the meeting. an i bance, Chair Parks/Recreation Board Jea Houck, Secretary Parks/Recreation Board