HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_PAREB_10.19.2000CITY OF GEORGETOWN
Parks & Recreation Board
October 19, 2000
I. CALL TO ORDER
Ben White, chair, called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
H. ROLL CALL
Members Present:
Mr. Ben White, Chair
Mr. Jim Atencio, Vice Chair
Mr. John Philpott
Ms. Tracy Dubcak
Ms. Jean Houck
Mr. Wesley Kidd
Mr. David Rinn
Members Absent:
Ms. Brenna Nedbalek
Mr. Douglas Blackard
Others Present:
Randy Morrow, Director of Parks and Recreation
Kimberly Garrett, Administrative Manager
Kevin Marsh, Georgetown Soccer Association
Mike Myers, Georgetown Soccer Association
Walter Koopman, Aquadillos Swim Team
Greg Pfluger, Aquadillos Swim Team
Liz Matthes, Aquadillos Swim Team
III. APPROVE MINUTES FROM September 14, 2000 MEETING
A motion was made by David Rinn to accept the minutes from the September 14, 2000,
meeting. Jean Houck seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous vote.
IV. DISCUSSION ON LEASE AGREEMENTS FROM GEORGETOWN YOUTH
BASEBALL ASSOCIATION ON YOUTH FIELDS
David Rinn, a Georgetown Youth Baseball Association (GYBA) member, spoke to the board
about using the Parks and Recreation adult softball fields in San Gabriel Park in order to
expand their program. David is looking to see if there is a lease agreement or permit that
would allow the GYBA to use those fields. The GYBA is in a position right now where they
have to schedule games on Wednesdays and Sundays due to the number of players in the
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league. David said GYBA would continue to do capital improvement projects at the cost of
GYBA. David would like to know if an agreement could be worked out sometime in
December so the GYBA could plan for next year.
Ben asked if the City allowed GYBA use of the two softball fields would games still be
played on Wednesdays and Sundays. David said if use of the two fields were approved,
games would not be scheduled on Wednesdays or Sundays. Two years ago there were about
300 kids in the program, today there are 900 kids in the program.
David said there is also some land the City owns in Dove Springs (close to Churchill Farms)
that is could be used for field use. David said GYBA is looking for other non -profit sports
organizations, like soccer or football, to help build some practice fields in that area. David
said the Parks and Recreation Board's support is needed for this project. This land was
originally purchased for the Dove Springs Water Treatment Plant. David said this land that
they are looking to build fields on is part of the buffer zone for the treatment plant. Tracy
asked if David has checked with TNRCC to see if that is an appropriate use of that land.
David said Jim Briggs was looking into that. David said there is about 13 acres of land in
the area. A surveyor is currently looking to see how many fields would fit in the area. Also
there would be no lighting in the area and also an eight -foot perimeter fence would have to
be installed.
Ben told the board to think about the proposal and also send the information to Legal. John
is concerned if this meets with Parks and Recreation staff approval and if the staff can keep
up with the mowing. David said he has already approached legal and it would take 60 days
to iron it out. Ben asked Randy to get back with the board on what Legal has to say and his
recommendation. Tracy also asked for information from Jim Briggs about use of this land.
Tracy also asked for a map of the Dove Springs area.
V. DISCUSSION ON FUTURE SOCCER FIELD NEEDS FOR GEORGETOWN
SOCCER ASSOCIATION
Mike Myers, President of Georgetown Soccer Association (GSA), presented the future needs
of the program. Georgetown Soccer Association was started about 20 years ago. The
facilities that GSA currently uses are behind Annie Purl Elementary. Growth of the program
has averaged about 9% annually over the past 5 years. GSA is asking the City to co- develop
a new soccer complex. The program has outgrown the fields it currently uses and is renting
the McMaster Fields from the City. Additional fields would allow more tournaments to be
held and also have all the children playing in the same area. Mike said he just trying to get
the ball rolling because he realizes the process is long in terms of applying for grants and
allocating money to projects.
Kevin Marsh, GSA grants and scholarship contact, said the fields that GSA is currently using
are too small. This creates a management problem by trying to schedule teams, board
members, referees, and players at multiple sites around town. In the long run for GSA to be
effective all Saturday morning games should be in one place. We cannot manage 15
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locations, with one location more could be done. The fields that we have now are on land
owned by the school board and GSA has a use agreement with GISD. There is unlimited
room for expansion. Kevin said we are one of the fastest growing counties in the country
playing the fastest growing sport in the country and when you add those two together you get
growth. There are grant programs available, particularly by the U.S. Soccer Foundation.
These grant programs are available to affiliated organizations and they give out millions of
dollars in grant for people to develop more soccer fields. There are several communities in
Texas that have been able to land these grants. Almost always these grant programs are done
in collaboration with the local community. It usually involves city or county involvement.
Kevin said with the current growth he could predict how many fields would be needed in the
future. With some projections, Kevin said that within 5 years, GSA would need 20 -22 acres
of soccer complex. What GSA needs is 40 -45 acres of land to be able to grow.
Game fields versus practice fields are also a problem. Kevin said that the current fields could
be used as practice and the new complex would be dedicated for games and younger teams
to practice. Kevin said GSA is just starting to explore the possibilities. GSA has some
interest and some needs and the City has some interests, requirements, and resources and
maybe something can be worked out.
David encouraged GSA to join hands with GYBA. There is no parkland available now or
in the future unless the parkland dedication ordinance is changed. GYBA is supporting the
Parks and Recreation Board's recommendation to update the ordinance. David suggested that
GSA do the same.
Wesley asked about grants from STYCE and USSL. Kevin said they are available and
usually require a long -term lease on the land. Wesley asked if GSA has looked at land in the
area. Kevin said no extensively.
Randy said the good point of GSA coming forward is get the dialog going. In the future
Randy hopes the council will come up with some type of funding for projects like this. Mike
asked if there was anyone who would donate that kind of land to the City. Tracy said the
problem is that land valuation is also a problem. GSA is still tying to clarify it's needs.
GSA said starting the dialog with the City is important and they should effectively
communicate to the council the urgency of the situation and the level of community support
we have.
Randy said keep in touch with Parks and Recreation and he will be happy to review any
letters of support you write.
VI. INFORMATION ON AQUADILLOS SWIM TEAM - GREG PFLUGER
Greg Pfluger said Aquadillos was a summer swim team in Georgetown. The program starts
the first of May and extends through the middle of July. Aquadillos is growing like crazy.
The reason Aquadillos is here is to get it out on the table the fact that the program is growing
and has needs. Aquadillos currently rents pool times from the City for their practices and
meets. Aquadillos rents the pool in the morning and evening when school is on and once
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school lets out, they have early morning swim. They try not to interfere with public swim.
Growth in the past four years are as follow: 1997- 120 swimmers; 1998 - 150 swimmers;
1999- 190 swimmers; 2000 - 250 swimmers. Just trying to show growth of both program
and the community. Aquadillos pays coaches, pool rental, and do improvements. Greg
showed pictures of three City pools. There were 10 uses listed for the pools. Greg did an
assessment of these three pools. The only pool that is the right length for swim team meets
is the Village Pool. There are a lot of kids interested in swimming. Long range goal is an
indoor 8 lane pool. Greg thinks that in 2001 there will be 300 kids in the program.
Ben asked about Southwestern University and their pool. Greg said they were not very
cooperative and they preferred the Village Pool because of the distance for meets.
Aquadillos has about 70 parents that volunteer for each meet. Aquadillos use the pool for
10 weeks during the summer.
David asked if they were looking for access or more pools. Greg said we do not know yet.
We are leaving that door open.
Randy said all of these groups should have been around when the 1/2 -cent sales tax went for
a vote in 1996.
Tracy commented that all this growth and all the different needs in the community, the
master plan needs to be revised.
VII. REPORT FROM PARKLAND DEDICATION SUBCOMMITTEE ON
PRESENTATION TO CITY COUNCIL
The parkland dedication subcommittee, Tracy Dubcak, Doug Blackard, and David Rim,
along with Randy Morrow and Kimberly Garrett presented a slide show presentation to the
City Council at a workshop on October 10th. Other board members present were John
Philpott and Jean Houck. The presentation was based on information from the whole board.
The Mayor sent a thank you letter to the board members thanking them for a wonderful
presentation. The recommendations will go to legal for review, then onto City Council. The
committee said they would be available to give the presentation again at a City Council
meeting if needed. John said the presentation was very well done.
VIII. ADJOURN
Tracy Dubcak made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
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