HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_PAREB_10.14.1993CITY OF GEORGETOWN
Parks & Recreation Board
Minutes
October 14, 1993
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Ms. Robin Hallett, Chair
Ms. Debbie Fustin
Ms. Joyce Gadison
Mr. Harold McDonald
Ms. Ronda Seagraves
Dr. Nick Sikes
Ms. Kathryn Stallard
Mr. Tom Swift
Mr. Robert Pena
MEMBERS ABSENT:
None
OTHERS PRESENT:
Randy Morrow, Director of Parks & Recreation
Mary Lee Prigge, Recreation Superintendent
Donna Kirk, Administrative Assistant
I. APPROVE MINUTES FROM SEPTEMBER 16, 1993 PARKS AND RECREATION
BOARD MEETING.
Kathryn Stallard had a few questions. Roman Numeral IV - The information in the
middle of the first paragraph after the heading G.Y.R.A. on the right hand side. "Mr.
Pena requested funding with continued support from both G.Y.R.A." Change to "Mr..
Pena requested funding with continued support from both G.Y.R.A. and the City."
Roman Numeral V - take out the word is between study and will.
Roman Numeral VII - 2. "Lot 29 is being sought for additional parking." Change to
"Lot 29 is being sought for additional parking or playground."
* A motion to accept minutes with the above corrections and additions was made by Harold
McDonald and seconded by Nick Sikes. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
H. CITIZENS WISHING TO ADDRESS BOARD.
Kurkjian Engineers introduced themselves - Mr. Garabed Kirkjian, P.E., R.P.L.S. and
Mr. Jerry Meeks. The company submitted an interest statement and qualifications on the
River Cooridor project.
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III. RECOMMENDATION TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL ON TAKING OVER
THE GEORGETOWN YOUTH RECREATION ASSOCIATION.
Mary Lee Prigge gave an overview of the G.Y.R.A. becoming a City Recreation
activity. The board received a sample flyer and Staff Recommendations concerning
G.Y.R.A.
Harold McDonald asked what taking over the activities meant?
Mary Lee responded that the City would take over G.Y.R.A. activities beginning this
season with youth basketball beginning January, with sign -ups beginning in November.
Harold McDonald asked about there being no budget and how the City intended to fund
this project?
Mary Lee responded with using some of the special program budget and keeping detailed
books for submittal to the City Council next year for funding of this program in next
year's budget.
Robin Hallett asked the cost per child and if the cost would remain the same?
Mary Lee responded with $15 per child and the cost would remain the same for this
year. This funding will offset some of the operating expenses.
Kathryn Stallard asked the anticipated operating expenses for this year?
Mary Lee said the funding would include umpires, t -shirts and trophies. The coaches
will all be volunteers. The staff, as far as setting up all the teams will be done with
G.Y.R.A. volunteers.
Kathryn Stallard said in the past the t -shirts were donated by different companies with
the company's name on the t -shirt. Will this be done this year?
Mary Lee said we would try to it do this year with the help of G.Y.R.A. board. The
City is looking forward to this new recreation activity.
Robin Hallett asked about pulling staff from other departments to help with registration
for the G.Y.R.A. activities?
Mary Lee said that part-time recreational staff helping was a possibility. However, we
are relying on the volunteer support furnished by G.Y.R.A.
Tom Swift asked what it meant "G.Y.R.A. is a non - competitive program ".
Mary Lee stated that this was on the G.Y.R.A. philosophy and that Roger Pena was
probably a better person to answer that question.
Roger said that non - competitive means that the same team does not play together year
after year. Each year the team is comprised of new players, practices and plays on
Saturdays only. They do not travel, they play only in the community with competition
set -up by the children participating and everyone plays.
Harold McDonald stated that he appreciated having the staff recommendations in writing
and that is was very helpful to the board members.
The other flyers that the board received are the upcoming events for October and
November. Calendars will be published on a regular basis.
Motion was made by Dr. Sikes to recommend to the City Council that the Parks and
Recreation Division take over G.Y.R.A. Second was made by Tom Swift. The motion
carried by unanimous vote with Roger Pena abstaining.
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IV. RIVER CORRIDOR SUB - COMMITTEE REPORT.
Kathryn Stallard reported that 12 reports had been received at this time with 5 of those
being submitted today. The committee has toured the San Gabriel Park area from the
park all the way to Blue Hole via walking. We have made notes and Wednesday the
committee went to San Antonio and Pflugerville to tour projects in those areas.
Roger Pena asked what the committee's initial impressions were?
Kathryn said that is was very productive to walk the Kings corridor area. The San
Antonio River Walk tour downtown was not very representative of what we expect for
the River Corridor as it is in the San Antonio urban area.
Tom Swift asked when the appropriate time and place for making comments on the River
Corridor regarding access?
Kathryn responded this would be done after we choose the consultants.
Robin reiterated that this would be discussed thoroughly with the consultants. The
specific issues would be discussed.
Tom Swift asked if there was a grading system for selecting the consultants?
Robin Hallett responded no. You need to look at the sheet that Randy gave out the first
night regarding some of the things that are important to look for in the consulting firm.
V. RECREATION CENTER SUB - COMMITTEE REPORT.
Ronda Seagraves stated that the group had met briefly regarding where to start and how
to approach the project. They are scheduled to meet again to discuss programming, what
types of things they would like to see in a new building and what types of rooms, gyms,
locker rooms, bathrooms and that type of thing. This group will be going to Walburg
and Giddings. Zion Lutheran has the type of building that we think we may be able to
afford and we are going to take a look at this building.
Joyce Gadison asked about the location?
Ronda stated that several sites had been discussed. The church at the corner of
University and Austin Ave. is available, however, the price is probably prohibitive.
There is some land that is available for sale close to the River Corridor and the City
owns land near the purposed athletic fields.
Robin asked if we were going to try and get an inventory on City owned land from the
Planning and Zoning Department?
Ronda stated that this would be done.
Robin stated that we should request a minimum acreage.
Ronda said that there are limitations due to funding. There was a discussion of phasing
facilities in as the budget allowed.
Robin asked for any other questions. There were none.
VI. APPOINT BOARD MEMBER TO SERVE ON SUB - DIVISION REGULATIONS
ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
Robin told the board about the Sub - Division Regulation Advisory Committee appointed
by the City Council. At this time a Parks and Recreation member was asked to serve
on the Advisory Board. Harold McDonald agreed to serve in this capacity. Harold has
an extensive background in the Century Plan.
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Harold McDonald asked the board to read back through the Sub - Division Regulations and
asked for any positive and negative ideas on it.
Robin stated that some issues had not been resolved to everyone's satisfaction during the
last session of the Sib Division Regulations Advisory Board Committee. At this time
they are reconvening the committee with some additions and some changes. This
committee will be discussing just a few issues and not a complete look at all of the sub-
division regulations. That does not come up for another year.
Kathryn Stallard has some issues that she does have some ideas on.
Tom Swift stated that in his last session he sat in on that the Parks and Recreation Board
came across as anti - growth to the developers. Their view was that all we care about is
greenbelt at the expense of all other considerations. If in the process as a representative
on that board we could state that we are not anti - growth but we are pro - planning and that
there is an enormous difference. We are just trying to speak up for those families that
will be living in the sub - divisions.
Robin said that these are the very reasons that the sub - committee is reconvening.
Kathryn asked about the fee as opposed to land donation? She felt that the decision was
supposed to be the City's not the developers decision.
Robin stated that Marianne Banks and she had discussed this issue. This is clearly stated
in the Century Plan as the City's choice and it is a real gray area and presents itself as
an opportunity for the sub - committee to make clear.
Kathryn asked if the fees collected go directly to the Parks Division budget?
Randy stated that there is an account with just those fees in it.
Robin stated that Susan Morgan is working on a way for Randy to keep track of each
donation of money or fees as there is a stipulation to spend this money within five years.
The other thing is that there is some discussion that it is not really clear, not only here
in Georgetown but in a lot of other communities, exactly what radius that you bring in
the funding from where that money is spent. Therefore, things must be kept in sperate
accounts in order to track them. The last thing we want is to bring money in and then
lose it.
VII. INFORMATION FROM BOARD MEMBERS AND DIRECTOR.
Tom Swift stated that the Playscape will build the week of November 15th. There seems
to be an impression in the community that there are thousand of volunteers already
signed -up to help and that is not the reality! The architects are requiring two to three
thousand people on the sign -up list. He said that the board should take the lead in
volunteering and sign up for shifts. This would send a signal to the community how
important the playscape is to the community. The architects normally send five
representatives but if we do not have enough volunteers they will send only one. We
need names and people calling 863 -3HUG. That is the only way we can make this
happen. Tom ask that the Parks Board provide the leadership. He said the crews would
run Nov. 17 through Nov. 21 from 8 AM until 3 AM every day.
Roger Pena said that because of his past experience with G.Y.R.A. he will be working
really closely with Mary Lee. He asked that there might be a need to have a board
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member sit on the G.Y.R.A. board.
Harold McDonald asked that if sometime back the board had requested from City
Council another member to the Parks Board from the G.Y.R.A. organization?
Robin said there was a request for a member from the recreation providers.
Kathryn Stallard asked about the status of the land below HEB and Wal -Mart?
Randy Morrow stated that the City does have an option on the land and that we would
look into incorperating it into the plan as the River Corridor approached that area.
Kathryn asked about other areas that the City might have an agreement with?
Randy said there were no others at this time. He stated that the land was not a real
good location because of the way it was situated, but maybe it was something we could
use as the land is on the river for future trail development.
Randy reported on the eagle scout project involving handicap drinking fountains in the
park. Brent has finished installing the fountains and the parks crew installed one in Old
Town Park. We are saving one drinking fountain for the playscape area.
The Parks Division is a finalist in the Beautification Award Division for the Downtown
Pocket Parks by the Texas Downtown Association. Molly Alexander nominated us for
this award.
VIH. ADJOURN.
Tom Swift made the motion to adjourn and it was seconded by Joyce Gadison. Motion
carried by unanimous vote.
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