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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_PAREB_09.14.2000CITY OF GEORGETOWN Parks & Recreation Board September 14, 2000 MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Ben White, Chair Mr. John Philpott Ms. Tracy Dubcak Ms. Jean Houck Ms. Brenna Nedbalek Mr. Wesley Kidd Mr. Douglas Blackard MEMBERS ABSENT: Mr. Jim Atencio, Vice Chair Mr. David Rinn OTHERS PRESENT: Randy Morrow, Director of Parks and Recreation Kimberly Garrett, Administrative Manager Brenda Culver, Children Youth Coordinator and GYAB Staff Liaison Ken Knowles, Private Train Venture Holly Knowles, Private Train Venture I. APPROVE MINUTES FROM August 10, 2000 MEETING A motion was made by Doug Blackard to accept the minutes from the August 10, 2000, meeting. Jean Houck seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous vote. H. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING AN ENDORSEMENT FROM THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD IN SUPPORT OF FRIENDS OF GEORGETOWN PARKS, INC. The Friends of Georgetown Parks, Inc. seems to have done a 180 - degree turn since the last time they spoke to the board. The Friends of Georgetown Parks, Inc. is finding that it is not as easy to get money and volunteers as once was thought. It also seems they are representing themselves as part of the parks board. The parks board needs to get involved and go to their meetings. Jim is our liaison to that entity. John suggested getting the Friends of the Library agreement and reviewing it and speaking to their organization. It was also suggested that the parks board invite Fred Attaya and his board to come to the November parks board meeting. More information is needed before support can be given. III. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE SUPPORT OF BIKE LANES BEING INSTALLED ON NEW STREETS Doug is interested in getting more bike lanes installed on the new streets in Georgetown. Page 1 of 3 This board discussed this and they all agreed. Doug Blackard made a motion recommending that a letter be written to the City Council from the Parks and Recreation Board that when streets are constructed or reconstructed consideration be given to incorporate bike lanes along side the streets for transportation and recreation purposes. Wesley Kidd seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous vote. IV. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING UPDATING THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD BY -LAWS Jean Houck passed out an updated draft of the by -laws that were discussed at the August meeting. One correction made to the by -laws were the duties of the Parks and Recreation Director and his responsibility for taking the minutes. It was revised to read that "the Director is responsible for assigning a designee to record the minutes ". John Philpott made a motion to accept the by -laws as corrected and recommends them to City Council pending legal's review. Brenna Nedbalek seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous vote. V. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING TRAIN IN SAN GABRIEL PARK Ken Knowles presented a business plan on his proposed train venture in San Gabriel Park. Ben White asked about employees, like a train engineer, ticket takers, and ticket sellers. Ken said the number of employees would depend on the number of patrons using the train. It is essentially a one - person operation. The driver can sell tickets, take tickets and drive the train. There are no concurrent activities so the concession can be handled with one person except for heavy loads. Signage would tell patrons the price and length of the train ride. The days of operation are still to be determined; it will depend largely on what San Gabriel Park will support. Randy asked about storage of the train at night. The best way Ken said would be to use a mobile mini storage unit. Wesley asked about the TP &WD and any restrictions on the grant. Randy said as long as the grant does not say open greenspace, there is not a problem. There are no restrictions as to how close the train can be to the trail, but Randy said the City would set guidelines. Doug asked about using the train as transportation up and down the river. The San Gabriel River Corridor is great, but there are some challenges under IH35 where there is some grade changes. Ken would like to start his train in the park and then see how it goes before venturing across the river. Doug said the first map showed the train storage area next to the football field. That area is used as a parking lot during football and soccer games. Ken said that storage site is not fixed and can easily be moved. Ben asked what if the train is not going well, who will take up the tracks. Ken said that is addressed in the business plan. Wesley is concerned that the park will get too crowded. He likes the train idea, but Page 2 of 3 during special events the park is really heavily used. Ken says that sounds great from a business prospective. To address your concerns, the train could be used as a possible shuttle; the train could serve to spread out the people in the park. The train by itself does not act as a single draw to a setting, for the train to be successful; it needs a setting like San Gabriel Park to help bring people to the train. Doug said he thinks the park will get more crowded regardless of the train. John said the design is very preliminary. John said the trend in cities is "smart parks" which includes festivals, arenas, trains, and attractions. People expect the park to be crowded during festivals. John said he thinks it is a good principle and a really good start on the business plan. The train route is mobile and can be moved around and relocated if needed. Doug has some environmental concerns. At the last meeting butane was discussed and that should be considered. Also will the percentage of concessions go to a general fund or can they be set aside in an account to help clean up the park. Randy said the council can decide, but we do have revenue and expense accounts that can be tracked. The train in Zilker Park pays 10 -11% to the City of Austin. The train in San Antonio pays on a grade scale. Projections are hard because we do not have a way to track the number of people using the park. The board opted to set up a future workshop with City Council, Ken Knowles, and the Parks Board to discuss the issue. Ken showed a quick video on the train. The video was of the actual train that would go into San Gabriel Park. It will hold 48 adults or 72 children. VI. UPDATE ON CENTURY PLAN ACCOMPLISHMENTS — Randy Morrow Randy distributed an update on the accomplishments the parks and recreation department has done since the century plan was written. VII. REPORT AND PRESENTATION FROM PROM PARKLAND DEDICATION SUBCOMMITTEE Doug Blackard showed a presentation on the parkland dedication recommendations to City Council. He created the presentation based on information gathered at the August meeting. The board reviewed the presentation and made some adjustments and corrections. A motion was made by Tracy Dubcak to approve the presentation titled "A Review of and Recommendations for Georgetown's Parkland Ordinance ". Brenna Nedbalek seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous vote. This presentation will be presented to City Council at a workshop on October 10, 2000. VIII. ADJOURN Doug Blackard made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Page 3 of 3