Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_PAREB_11.10.2011Minutes of the Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board City of Georgetown, Texas Thursday, November 10, 2011 The Parks and Recreation Board of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on Thursday , November 10, 2011. Members Present: Daniel Dance, Jean Houck, John Hesser, Robert Laemel, Shane Morris, Syed Warisi Members Absent: Staff Present: Kimberly Garrett, Jill Kellum, Paul Brandenburg, Laurie Brewer, Traci Stengle Micki Ross attended as a guest. Minutes Regular Meeting 1. Ca11 to order The meeting was called to order by Daniel Dance at 6:30 PM. 2. Roll call Daniel Dance, John Hesser, Shane Morris, Syed Warisi, Jean Houck, Bob Laemel City Staff: Paul Brandenburg, Laurie Brewer, Kimberly Garrett, Jill Kellum, Traci Stengle Guest: Micki Ross 3. 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 Executive Session was closed. Bob Laemel made a motion to recommend that the Parks and Recreation Board recommend purchase of a 17 acre tract along the South San Gabriel River on Hwy 29 for parkland as proposed and Jean Houck seconded the motion. There was some discussion. The motion passed 5 -1, with John Hesser opposing. 4. Discussion and possible action on art design for the low water bridge at Blue Hole Park and the hike and bike trail Kimberly Garrett presented proposed artwork to be implemented by a local restaurant close to Blue Hole Park. She stated the landowner will pay for the art on the bridge and anything park related. She explained that it is glow in the dark paint and is intended to be viewed at night. She stated it would connect to the downtown area. The Historic and Architectural Review Commission, HARC, would also have to approve this. The artist has some work on the River Walk in San Antonio. Parks Board appreciates this being presented to the board. The board would not like to take action on this item. The board would like to see concepts that are more culturally aesthetic to Georgetown. 5. Discussion and presentation on indoor pool utilization Kimberly Garrett presented information collected on the usage of the indoor pool at the Recreation Center. Bob Laemel asked if the pool can be reserved on Saturday. Kimberly Garrett stated they like to keep the pool open for families during this time. Staff feels there is too much of a conflict with our current program. They feel it causes a problem with the training that we already provide. Daniel Dance suggested that the needs can be met with the current offerings that we provide and currently having an organized training that goes against our policy. 6. Discussion and presentation on Tennis Center capital replacement costs and priorities Kimberly Garrett presented information on cost estimates for capital replacement costs, priorities from the staff and history of the property including maintenance and repairs that have been done to the property since the City of Georgetown purchased it. Kimberly Garrett stated Musco Lighting did a cost estimate and stated the facility was unique as the courts are close together and the poles are positioned incorrectly. Traci Stengle stated the idea of lights is to have more programming at night and 5 of the 11 courts have been updated in the past 2 years. Traci Stengle explained that if Musco Lighting installed high mast lighting it would cost $250,000.00. Traci Stengle stated we have worked with what we have by installing new fixtures and lights which is better but is still below average. Traci Stengle explained that each lighting company has a formula for best lighting for their own product, their poles, etc. and since the lights there are so old and not correctly placed there is not a formula for aiming light in the correct location for them. She explained they hope to tweak the lights for better lighting with the assistance of an experienced contractor. Bob Laemel asked how much money was used to update two courts. Traci Stengle stated it was approximately $12,000.00. Bob Laemel stated he would like to see a professional adjust the lights instead of it done by the facilities department as he feels they are not adjusted correctly and they need to be done correctly or money is being thrown down the drain. Bob Laemel stated he would like to see the courts resurfaced and not see the $35,000.00 thrown down the drain if not done properly for the lights. Kimberly Garrett showed that the lights were never addressed in the past and that the courts were always addressed. Bob Laemel stated if there is money in capital improvements for tennis and the courts being number one priority he would suggest doing that and he would be totally opposed to facilities working on the lights and would hate to see the City of Georgetown throw another $35,000.00 to fix these lights and come out with no more candle power than you have and shadows than you have. John Hesser states that the Tennis Center is doing a good job with what they have. The programming with reaching the children and participation is going good. Traci Stengle stated that in 2013 the top 4 courts will have some maintenance done to bring them up to higher standards. 7. Discussion and possible action on considering the pyramid pricing model for parks and recreation programs Kimberly Garrett presented and explained a pyramid methodology of subsidy allocation/cost recovery goals. The staff is currently gathering and listing all programs that we offer and how they are allocated into this pyramid associated to costs and the fee we collect with each program. The Parks and Recreation department is working with the Finance Department to determine the indirect costs; administrative cost, building, overhead, and employee costs. Daniel Dance asked how this will help. Kimberly Garrett stated it will justify the fees and costs of the programs and the priorities which will eventually be presented to City Council to show how we are trying to make the department self sufficient. Kimberly Garrett explained the community benefits and what citizens expect to be provided for their tax dollars such as parks, playgrounds, trails, pools and special events. The pyramid would identify which programs would be self sufficient to the community offerings that are totally subsidized. John Hesser stated he would recommend having a statement that outlines the philosophy that says these programs, events or amenities are provided and anything outside this range there are expenses to the potential user. He stated that people need to understand that even though you are paying you are getting a gift at the same time. Kimberly Garrett stated this would lead into a vision statement and a mission statement for Parks and Recreation. John Hesser stated that what he loves about a mission statement, if you get it approved by City Council, everything fits into it and the job is half done. Bob Laemel stated the pyramid puts everything in perspective based on programming. You look at what is sufficient and non sufficient and what is free. Kimberly Garrett stated that the entire realm of providing recreation and paying for services has changed over the last several years. Kimberly Garrett explained that not everything is revenue generating and that quality of life and education is an aspect that has to be considered. Bob Laemel made a motion to endorse the cost recovery methodology presented for the Parks and Recreation Department for the City of Georgetown and the motion was seconded by John Hesser and the motion passed by unanimous vote. 8. Update on Trail RFQ process and timeline John Hesser stated the committee is meeting for the first time next week and there will be an update next meeting. There was some discussion on the timeline for the project and the amount of time it took to get this project started. 9. Update on Make a Splash national swim program — Jean Houck Jean Houck stated the Make a Splash application is done and are waiting for approval. Then the City of Georgetown would need to endorse them to be on the insurance policy. 10. Update from Friends of Georgetown Parks and Recreation (FGPR) — Houck Bob Laemel stated the Friends of Georgetown Parks and Recreation (FGPR) have developed a budget. FGPR have met with Zelinda Richards with the homeless teen group. Bob Laemel stated that FGPR have provided close to $600.00 providing assistance to families and youth for all different programs. They are looking for board members and wanting to increase their membership. They are inviting past Parks and Recreation Board members to the meeting to get them interested. 11. Discussion of Parks and Recreation Monthly Review for October John Hesser brought up ideas of the cemetery becoming break even and it will be put on a future agenda. There was a correction to be made to the Georgetown Learn to Swims information. It should state "at no cost to the participant". Bob Laemel would like to compliment the Senior Program Coordinator for all the work he is doing with programming. 12. Approve minutes from the October 13, 2011 meeting Bob Laemel made a motion to approve the minutes and it was seconded by John Hesser and the motion passed by unanimous vote. 13. Future agenda items 14. Adjourn Bob Laemel m a motion to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 9 j►7 pm. Daniel Dance, Chair Parks/Recreation Board ouck, Secretary Parks/Recreation Board