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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_PAREB_01.15.1998CITY OF GEORGETOWN Parks & Recreation Board Minutes January 15, 1998 MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Tom Swift, Chair Mr. Ben White Ms. Rochelle Hall Ms. Joan Sukup Ms. Joyce Gadison MEMBERS ABSENT: Mr. Wesley Kidd Ms. Debbie McGarry Mr. Don Brent Mr. Thurman Holt OTHERS PRESENT: Randy Morrow, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Library Services Division Kimberly Garrett, Administrative Assistant Kelli McMahan, Recreation Center Supervisor Mary Lee Dobi, Recreation Superintendent Carl Gattis, Creative Playscape Kay Patterson, Creative Playscape Ray Rayburn, Creative Playscape Tracy Carol, Williamson County Sun Shirley Johnson, Creative Playscape Marla Laura Beverly Kushar John Kushar Reese I. APPROVE MINUTES FROM November 13,1997 A motion was made by Ben White to accept the minutes from the November 13, 1997, meeting. Joyce Gadison seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous vote. H. CITIZENS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD There were numerous representatives at the meeting to discuss the condition of the creative playscape. The main spokesperson was Kay Patterson, fund raising chairperson for the playscape. She expressed concerns that the playscape has not been maintained properly since it was built in November 1993. She said it should be sanded and sealed two times a year. Lights were requested to provide security around the playscape and restrooms were to be installed. There is also a big drainage problem around the playscape. These items need to be addressed. The playscape is a big attraction for the City and it should be maintained properly. The fibar is also too low and needs to be filled in. The playscape committee thought that Parks and Recreation would take over the maintenance of the playscape. Randy said that he thought the playscape committee would always be around to help once a year with maintenance. Ray Rayburn said he would call Leathers and Associates and tell them the situation with the wood and see what they recommend on how to get it back in the best possible shape. There is a Certificate of Deposit in the amount of $10,000 that is held by Sertoma. The interest drawn off of this money was to help with upkeep and maintenance of the playscape. Those funds were left over from the building of the playscape in 1993. The funds need to be transferred to Parks and Recreation so that the money can be used for maintenance. The project is too overwhelming for one Eagle Scout and his troop to take on. A large group of people are needed to do the work. Sun City has volunteered to do a work day in March or April when the weather is warmer to sand, seal, and finish the playscape. Randy said he would be the contact for the maintenance of the playscape and also try to manage the volunteers. III. DISCUSSION OVER BATTING CAGES IN SAN GABRIEL PARK Gene Lawhon presented a preliminary sketch of the proposed site and look of batting cages to be placed in San Gabriel Park. He wants to make arrangement with the City of Georgetown and Parks and Recreation to build a 6 station batting cage. The proposed site for the batting cages is at the comer of FM 971 and Austin Avenue. This would allow access from the softball and baseball fields. He feels this would be a good spot because it is a sloping area and close to the hike and bike trail. Gene has in mind several things that would be of interest to Parks and Recreation. First being, it would be an income source for the Parks and Recreation Department either through leasing the land or getting a percentage of the sales. It would add to the recreation facilities in Georgetown. Gene feels there is a great need for batting cages because the town is so involved in softball and baseball. The closest batting cages are in Round Rock, so kids are driving south to practice. It would keep them here in town. This proposal would have to go before Planning and Zoning and get approved. Landscaping and parking would be a major issue. The land involved is less than one acre. Approximately 100'x 130'. The batting cages would be a combination of hard ball and soft ball and slow and fast pitch. Gene is asking the board to consider this issue. In slow times, the batting cages could be used by the Parks and Recreation Department for programs. This issue will be on next months agenda for discussion and possible action. IV. DISCUSSION OVER VARIANCES IN INNWOOD CIRCLE City Council gave Rusty W. the variances that he was asking for on his lot on Innwood Circle. This would rule out any public access to the river or parkland in that immediate area. V. RECREATION STAFF PREVIEW OF PROGRAMS FOR 1998 Recreation Staff will give a presentation at the February meeting. VI. INFORMATION FROM BOARD MEMBERS AND DIRECTOR Tom introduced Rochelle Hall as a new board member. She is owner of Hall of Hair on Williams Drive. She is the GISD representative. Joyce Gadison is the chair of the Martin Luther King March which will be on Monday, January 19, 1998. The march will start on the square around 11:30 am and end at the Macedonia Baptist Church. She invited everyone to attend. Southwestern is also coordinating events for MLK Day. Ben White will try to help with Connie Watson and Sun City in getting maintenance started on the playscape. Ben will also look into other civic groups in the city that may be interested in helping with the playscape. Joan Sukup said the 1998 Parks and Recreation Calender looked great. Kimberly Garrett said that the plaques for Winfred Bonner had been ordered and we are working on ordering the red wood signs. The plaques and signs should be ready by the end of February. Mary Lee Dobi said that the 3rd Annual Cupid's Chase is on February 14th and we are looking for sponsors for the race. Randy Morrow told the board that Parks and Recreation had received various awards and grants. We were awarded a $500,000 TPWD grant to begin work on Phase III of the San Gabriel River Park and athletic complex. We received a $10,000 USTA tennis grant, and the department won the TRAPS State Gold Medal which will be awarded at Corpus Christi in March. Randy said that we have received 1,060,000 in grants over the past 4 years. VII. ADJOURN Ben White made a motion to adjourn the meeting.