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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_PAREB_08.12.1993City OF GEORGETOWN Parks & Recreation Board Minutes August 12, 1993 MEMBERS PRESENT: Ms. Robin Hallett, Chair Ms. Joyce Gadison Mr. Harold McDonald Mr. Roger Pena Ms. Kathryn Stallard MEMBERS ABSENT: Ms. Debbie Fustin Ms. Ronda Seagraves Dr. Nick Sikes Mr. Tom Swift OTHERS PRESENT: Brent Frymire, Boy Scout Llorente Navarrette Anne Cameron Betty Jo Patterson Robert Lucey, Williamson County Sun I. APPROVE MINUTES Motion by Kathryn Stallard and seconded by Joyce Gadison to approve minutes of the meeting held on July 15, 1993 with corrections as noted. Motion carried by unanimous vote. H. Approval of Revised Parks and Recreation Facilities Policy Harold McDonald gave an overview of the changes to the existing City Ordinance Chapter 12.20. Changes to this ordinance include the addition of definitions for types of organizations, removal of free use for non - profit organizations (with the exception of GISD and The City of Georgetown), the addition of Sunday to the premium day rate, the introduction of cancellation charges and down payment rates w=z_c�ge; with all other L'q 4UAA pT q*" cApkboard \aug93.min Page I ceP 6akoo titix D J / existing rates remaining a same. Wn all new convention and regular use means for lon.? term rental. The r i ervation requirements will be 30 days for reservations made more than 1 calendar year in advance and 10 days for reservations made less than 1 year in advance. After questions and answers a motion was made by Harold to forward the Ordinance to council with recommendations to implement changes as written. A second was made by Roger Pena and motion carried by unanimous vote. �am III. Eagle Scout Project by Brent Frymire Brent Frymire presented an eagle scout project to install 4 handicap accessible drinking fountains in San Gabriel Park. A motion to approve the project was made by Kathryn Stallard and seconded by Harold McDonald. The motion carried by unanimous vote. IV. Adopt -A -Park Brochure The brochure was presented in the format drafted by Kathryn Stallard. The new brochure was well received by the board. A motion to accept the brochure was made by Joyce Gadison and seconded by Harold McDonald. The motion carried by unanimous vote. V. Blue Hole Park Recommendations Citizens addressing the board were heard. 1. Llorente Navarrette - A Georgetown native voicing citizen concerns. He encouraged the board to look closely at the issue, to take into account the historical and environmental concerns, the safety and security of Georgetown citizens, and to not infringe upon individual rights. 2. Ann Cameron - A new resident of Georgetown voicing concerns. Mrs. Cameron relayed an incident of near drowning of her 3 year old son while wearing a life jacket. Her primary concern related to the lack of information regarding the "hidden" dangers of Blue Hole. She recommended signs, grates over spill way holes, lifeguards during peak times and banning high cliff jumpers. She also recommended making it a family oriented safe environment. 3. Betty Jo Patterson - A Georgetown native voicing citizen concerns. She voiced concern regarding making it a safe area for all residents. She stated she felt there was a need for increased personal responsibility on the part of individuals using the park. She stressed a need for community involvement and cleaning up crime in this area. She also stated she felt it was important to take into account the historical significance of the Blue Hole area. The following comments came in the form of a letter, both letters were read out -lout to the board. 4. Dawn Hyde - This presentation came in the form of a letter addressed to the board. She relayed an incident of near drowning of a 3 year old. This child was sucked down towards the holes where water flows through the dam. She recommended signs and possibly closing the holes. 5. W.F. Forest - A Georgetown resident sent a letter addressed to the board. Mr. Forest recommended City funding for development of improved facilities at Blue Hole. His recommendations included better access, increased safety c: \pkboard \aug93.min Page 2 Clean -up: Harold McDonald stated that the park has been kept extremely clean. Randy Morrow said the park is cleaned every morning and a Saturday pick up had been added. Each trash can is emptied and new liners are placed in the cans. The park is in rotation with the other parks for weed eating and mowing. Restrooms: Permanent restroom facilities with 2 toilets each for men and women would cost approximately $35,00 to $45,000. The facility at Founders Park cost approximately $45,000. Sewer lines would have to run from below the cemetery and go around it to tie into the line on the street above (Scenic Drive). There might have to be some type of lift pump as well. A water pollution abatement plan would also need to be done for this project. Budget: Can our current budget handle the port-a -potty and some type of anchoring device on a short term notice? The budget is tight right now but the start of a new budget is October. We could not budget for the items now, we could possibly have something by the start of next summer under the new budget. Lifeguards: What is the cost of lifeguards for a summer at one of our regular pools? Lifeguards make $5.50 per with 2 guards needed per pool and additional lifeguards are added as attendance at the pool rises. Is a higher classification of lifeguard needed along a river? We have checked but at this time have not gotten an answer. Barton Springs is a spring and they do not have the current that a river has. However, at Barton Springs there is a cyclone fence around the pool and they do charge $3.00 a person. The cost for 3 to 4 lifeguards for approximately six months (March through September or October) at Blue Hole would cost approximately $15,000. This cost is just for the cost of lifeguards and does not include any renovations that would need to be done. Spillways: Questions on railings, cages and things of that nature going across the top of the dam were raised. There has been a suggestion to put a cyclone fence so that you could not walk across the dam. The problem with that is the debris in the river when it rains would prohibit the flow of the river and possibly cause the dam to break under the additional force of water. What about metal plates sealing the holes? That would not cost that much and would be a good solution. Does the lower dam have a spillway? When you say spillway are you talking about the water running around to the side? Yes. No there is no spillway on the lower dam. Police: Have the police stepped up their patrol to the area? They have started taking breaks in that area and write their reports in that area. So police patrols have been more intense. c: \pkboard \aug93.min Page 4 Board Discussion: A restatement of council objects as listed above was given to the board to address. Before discussion began, Robin suggested the board make their comments and recommendations in the form of individual motions to make the items easier to keep up with. Trash and littering: It appears that putting all the trash cans on hangers and continued maintenance on a rotational basis has addressed most of the citizen concerns and questions. Vandalism seems to be less to the trash cans with them on hangers. Litter has been much higher this year because of the increase in people using the area but the park is cleaned every morning between 7:30 and 8:00 am. Because of the rise in usage of the park a Saturday pick up was added. The board agreed that the trash and littering concerns had been addressed adequately. Signage: Are there any well placed boulders on which signs could be placed? Yes. However, we want to make sure that if signs are put out there the beauty of the cliffs are not destroyed. Verbiage for signs was discussed. DANGER / SWIFT CURRENT / SWIM AT OWN RISK Liability as a result of putting signs up was discussed. It was stated that the City would always be liable regardless of the signs because the park is an "attractive nuisance" being on the river. It was decided that City Attorney, Mary Ann Banks should address the issue of liability and if we place guards on the river where the responsibility falls for the City. Grant: The possibility of receiving the grant will close Blue Hole for approximately 8 months for construction and renovations. Construction for this project would probably begin in March or April. Solutions discussed now might not be permanent answers if the grant is approved. Police: A "park watch" program similar to a neighborhood watch program was discussed. It was agreed that this would involve community input and could help make the area safer. Crime prevention through environmental design was discussed. Alcohol consumption: A discussion concerning banning liquor consumption from Blue Hole and /or all City parks. This was discussed because the Board feels liquor consumption leads to some of the other problems within the park. This would be done through City ordinance involving the Police Department to enforce it. The City attorney, Mary Ann Banks, will be contacted regarding restricting alcohol consumption. She will also be contacted regarding the possibility of enforcing a curfew in the parks each night. c: \pkboard \aug93.min Page 5 Motions to City Council: 1. Motion was made by Harold McDonald to advise council that existing trash and litter procedures are adequate. This was seconded by Kathryn Stallard. Vote was unanimous. The parks staff was already doing a very good job in regard to trash and litter pickup; however, they have taken additional steps to improve their efforts by adding a Saturday pickup and installing hangers for the litter barrels to reduce the chance of rusting. 2. Motion was made by Kathryn Stallard to utilize existing poles to erect signage enforcing City ordinance regarding glass containers in parks, and safety signs with verbiage to include DANGER SWIFT CURRENT; DIVING PROHIBITED; AND SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK. The signs should be welded to the existing poles. A second was made by Harold McDonald. Vote was unanimous. Additional signage would improve safety in the park by notifying users of potential dangers. Utilizing the existing poles is the most economical way of addressing the problem at the present time. Hopefully, welding the signs to the poles will reduce the persistent vandalism being done to the signs. 3. Motion was made by Harold McDonald to recommend tabling recommendations on restrooms at Blue Hole until the Parks and Recreation Division is notified of the outcome of the application for a $500,000 grant. A second was made by Roger Pena. The vote was unanimous. It was felt that the cost of restrooms were cost prohibitive considering how near we are to the end of the summer season and how close we are to knowing the outcome of the grant. A short term solution recommended now could prove to be inappropriate depending on the outcome of the grant. Once the status of the grant is known, discussions to find a good, long term solution should take place. 4. Motion was made by Kathryn Stallard to recommend to City Council that ownership of both of the dams be determined. Modifications to close the holes in the lower dam should be made as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Joyce Gadison. The vote carried by unanimous decision. If City ownership is determined, modifying the lower dam could reduce the dangers of the swift current in this area. Care must be taken, however, to insure that the lower dam is structurally capable of withstanding the modifications and the increased water pressure. 5. Motion was made by Harold McDonald to contact the owners of the cliffs across from Blue Hold and request them to restrict diving from the cliffs. The motion was seconded by Joyce Gadison and carried by unanimous decision. The City is faced with serious safety questions stemming from property over which cApkboard \aug93.min Page 6 we have no control. We would encourage the owners to try to resolve the safety issues without destroying the natural beauty of the cliffs. 6. Motion was made by Kathryn Stallard to recommend that no life guards be posted at Blue Hole at this time. The motion was seconded by Harold McDonald. The vote was unanimous. At this time, there is no precedent that we know of for having lifeguards available on a flowing river. Questions have been raised about Barton Springs in Austin. However, Barton Springs does not sit on a flowing river and the surrounding area can be completely sealed off and closed when not in use. Also, the financial requirements for providing lifeguards at Blue Hole are beyond the Parks Division budgetary resources. 7. Motion was made by Harold McDonald to request increased police presents in the Blue Hole area and that Park staff and board determine feasibility of Park Watch Program for Blue Hole area. The vote was seconded by Joyce Gadison. The vote was unanimous. While the police have recently increased their patrols, until recommendations are implemented which offer long -term solutions for the current problems in the park, a greater police presence will improve safety in the area. Increased citizen involvement in all of the parks can help by providing a constant deterrent to problems such as vandalism when the police are unable to be in the area. 8. Motion was made by Kathryn Stallard to recommend that the City Attorney explore an ordinance that would close the parks and restrooms at a certain time. No time specified. The motion was seconded by Harold McDonald. The vote was unanimous. Closing the parks at a specified time could help reduce vandalism and other crime. The use of a curfew could make it easier for the police to patrol the parks at night. There are still questions however. Does a curfew infringe upon the rights of the citizens to use their parks? Should such a curfew be implemented on a park by park basis, or system wide? What is a reasonable time for a curfew to take effect? What are the costs associated with instituting such a ban? 9. Motion was made by Harold McDonald to seek public input regarding alcohol ban in City Parks. The motion was seconded by Joyce Gadison. The vote was unanimous. The Parks Board should seek public input regarding a possible ordinance banning alcohol in the parks. 10. Motion was made by Joyce Gadison to the City Attorney to explore the possibility of investigating an alcohol ban in the City Parks. The motion was seconded by Kathryn Stallard and carried by unanimous vote. c: \pkboard \aug93.min Page 7 A ban on alcohol could make the parks more 'family oriented" and could reduce and /or eliminate some of the safety, vandalism and crime problems which currently exist in the parks -- particularly at Blue Hole. There are still questions however. Can laws that are currently on the books be better enforced and resolve these problems? What are the costs associated with instituting such a ban? Should such a ban be implemented on a park by park basis, or system wide? 11. A motion was made by Kathryn Stallard to use the minutes to state reason for all of the above motions. A second was made by Harold McDonald. The motion carried by unanimous vote. The board discussed all the issues in depth and jumped from issue to issue throughouth the meeting. This motion allows the minutes to have continuity. Board members were encouraged to attend the August 24th Council meeting. The workshop begins at 5:30 pm, executive session begins at 6:30 pm, and council meeting begins at 7:00 pm. V. Information from Board Members Joyce Gadison thanked Randy for the additional picnic table at Kelly Parks and the electrical outlet at Chautauqua Park. Robin Hallett praised the job that Jim Landry, Scott Williams and the park staff were doing. She also thanked Donna and Randy for the work they had been doing. VI. ADJOURN Motion to adjourn by Kathryn Stallard with a second by Harold McDonald. The motion carried by unanimous vote. c: \pkboard \aug93.min Page 8