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.
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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
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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.
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