HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_PAREB_02.12.1998CITY OF GEORGETOWN
Parks & Recreation Board
Minutes
February 12, 1998
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mr. Tom Swift, Chair
Mr. Ben White, Vice Chair
Ms. Rochelle Hall
Ms. Joan Sukup
Ms. Joyce Gadison
Mr. Wesley Kidd
Mr. Don Brent
Mr. Thurman Holt
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Ms. Debbie McGarry
OTHERS PRESENT:
Kimberly Garrett, Administrative Assistant
Kelli McMahan, Recreation Center Supervisor
Mary Lee Dobi, Recreation Superintendent
Russel Dutkiewicz, Sertoma
John Logan, Central Texas Treatment Center and Experiential Challenge Program
Officer Brent Schacherl, Georgetown Police Department
Officer Craig Murray, Georgetown Police Department
Dan Brown, Georgetown Police Department
I. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR
A motion was made by Ben White to elect Tom Swift as Chair of the Parks and Recreation
Board. Thurman Holt seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous vote. Wesley Kidd
made a motion to elect Ben White as Vice Chair. Joyce Gadison seconded the motion and
it passed by unanimous vote.
II. APPROVE MINUTES FROM January 15,1998
A motion was made by Thurman Holt to accept the minutes from the January 12, 1998,
meeting. Joan Sukup seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous vote.
III. CITIZENS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
None.
IV. RECREATION STAFF PREVIEW OF PROGRAMS FOR 1998
Mary Lee Dobi, Recreation Superintendent gave an overview of Recreation Programs for
1998. She talked about athletic programs for youth and adult, aquatic programs, camps,
special events, joint programs with the Library, and proposed new facilities.
Athletics - adult softball, youth basketball, youth in -line hockey, t -ball and girls fast pitch
softball.
Aquatics - swimming lessons, water aerobics, family nights at the pool, pool repairs, and life
guarding classes.
Camps - Spring break camp and summer camp, new teen adventure camp for summer
Special Events - 5K race in February, Symphony in the Park in late spring, Triathalon in
September, Haunted Hayride and carnival in October.
Library (Joint Programs) - summer mystery reading program, joint arts -n -crafts day during
summer camp, and special presentations at the community center.
Proposed new facilities - acquiring Berry Creek Tennis Center next year
Kelli McMahan, Recreation Center Supervisor talked about a USTA Tennis Grant that was
recently awarded to the Recreation Department. The grant would serve however many
people would be interested. The program includes tennis lessons and a league. This
program will last the entire summer and the purpose is to get the community involved in
tennis.
V. FOLLOW UP ON PLAYSCAPE - RUSSEL DUTKIEWICZ
Russel Dutkiewicz spoke on behalf of Sertoma Club on the playscape. He asked, "Who
owns the playscape ?" Tom Swift said that the City of Georgetown owns the playscape under
the direction and offices of Parks and Recreation. Russel said a lot of maintenance needs to
done on the playscape and Sertoma wants to help coordinate civic groups and provide man
power to get the maintenance done. The City will provide pre -wash, fibar, sealant, and
equipment to do the maintenance, but needs man power help. April 4th has been a tentative
date set by a group from Sun City to work on the playscape. Need to get a representative
from each group who wants to help and meet with the parks staff to focus on April 4th.
Russel said he would contact Connie Watson and meet with Randy and other groups to see
what to do next.
John Logan said the Treatment Center would be willing to help out with the playscape in any
way they can.
Wesley Kidd asked Tom Swift what the original thoughts were on the upkeep of the
playscape. Tom said maintenance was to be done a minimum of once a year and a volunteer
group was going to form Friends of the Playscape to do the maintenance.
VI. DISCUSSION OF PARK ISSUES
Officer Brent Schacherl and Officer Craig Murray spoke about different issues that have
come up in the City Parks. Problems that need to be addressed are vandalism, litter, lighting,
alcohol and narcotics use and parking. The officers discussed possible solutions to these
problems and are looking for support of the board. Some of the solutions discussed include
a curfew in the parks, alcohol restrictions, barricades and road closures, numerous other
alternatives. These include using 911 call boxes, park ranger program, police bike patrol,
increase lighting, and place speed bumps in the park. The officers are asking the board for
their input and to review the information and get back to them with any suggestions or
comments.
VII. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON BATTING CAGES IN SAN GABRIEL
PARK
This item was tabled until the next meeting.
VIII. INFORMATION FROM BOARD MEMBERS AND DIRECTOR
Thurman Holt invited the board to help celebrate Williamson County's 150th Celebration
on October 16 -18th. The event will be held at Settler's Park in Round Rock. There will be
no admission charge.
Don Brent asked about the lighting problems. The lack of lighting is due to the expense of
installing them.
Wesley Kidd told the board that he used the new Mike McMaster Fields for a high school
soccer tournament and they were really nice. He also said that he enjoyed hearing about
what is going on in parks and recreation.
Joyce Gadison invited everyone to the Black History Banquet on Friday, February 13, 1998,
at 7 pm at the Community Center. She also asked if the plaque for Mr. Bonner was ready
and that she would like to be on the committee that puts together the presentation.
Tom Swift told the board that he is on a committee with chairs of other boards. They meet
quarterly to discuss what is going on in the City.
IX. ADJOURN
Ben White made a motion to adjourn the meeting.