HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_PAREB_09.12.2013
Minutes of the Meeting of
the Parks and Recreation Board
City of Georgetown, Texas
Thursday, September 12, 2013
The Parks and Recreation Board of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on Thursday, September 12,
2013.
Members Present:
Charles Brashear, Chuck Bridges, Daniel Dance, Katherine Kainer, Keith Fruge, Robert Johnson, Robert
Palko
Members Absent:
Staff Present:
Kimberly Garrett, Eric Nuner, Jill Kellum, Ilyana Kaditch
Minutes
Regular Meeting
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Robert Johnson.
2. Roll Call
3. Introduction to the Georgetown Challenge Course — Elliott Pervinich
Kimberly Garrett introduced Elliott Pervinich the Challenge Course Coordinator for the
City of Georgetown. Elliott Pervinich explained we specialize in team building
programs for elementary school groups, corporate businesses, drug and alcohol
treatment centers and athletic teams. 80% of our programs are groups that have
worked with us year after year. We do about 100 programs per year and focus on team
building helping small businesses to improve their group dynamics, having a good time
together and working out issues they have. We have had groups as large as 125 people
on the challenge course at one time and we bring in multiple staff to make that happen.
Elliott Pervinich stated next week we have the opportunity to work with the University
of Texas International Program (UT) that will include 160 Pakistani students that hope
to come to college in the United States and Elliott Pervinich will offer a leadership
workshop for them over a 3 day period. He explained there are 22 high elements as
high as 35 feet in the air. He stated the challenge course was featured on the Daytripper
for the Georgetown episode. Keith Fruge asked about the condition of the overall
structure and maintenance. Elliott Pervinich stated everything is doing well and there
are 2 poles that are being monitored for pole twist and the structure is inspected once a
year from the builder. He stated no changes have occurred in the quality of the
structure. Keith Fruge asked if there are any additions that would help. Elliott
Pervinich stated he would like to have running water at the course and shade
structures. Kimberly Garrett explained that the property the challenge course is located
on is contracted by the US Army Corps of Engineers and is part of a lease agreement
and everything would have to be approved by them. Robert Johnson asked Elliott
Pervinich how he got this group from UT. Elliott Pervinich stated 2 years ago they
brought in a group of Saudi Arabian students that were hoping to be accepted in
American universities. It was their first experience to American culture particularly on
mindsets. He stated that the group of students were in the US for six weeks and the
challenge course was all they talked about. Since then the international program has
contacted us and this summer we had a group of Iraqi students for a program with the
UN through universities that are selected throughout the country. Robert Johnson
asked what the revenue was from the challenge course. Kimberly Garrett stated the
hard cost expenses are covered but the salaries are not covered. Robert Johnson asked
what the cost of the program to UT would be. Elliot Pervinich stated he and his
supervisor, Traci Stengle, worked on what the break down would be for a presentation
since it is not something they have done before. They looked at what they charge for
groups, which is a per person fee for a team building program, and that this program is
a different set up. He will be working with a large group by himself and not bringing
in additional staff to drop the ratios of the participants to the facilitators. The rate being
charged to UT will be $500.00 for the hour and half workshop. Katherine Kainer asked
about Elliott Pervinich being the only facilitator for this large group. Elliott Pervinich
explained that with this big of a group and the dynamic it is going to be and the level of
the activities he is presenting, he is not going too far into the sequencing of the program
that he works with. His direction and presentation of activities will be on a surface
level to a large number of small groups. Typically they keep the ratios 12:1 of
participants to facilitators especially if a high ropes program is done. The rates range
from $25.00 per person for a resident non -profit group and $65.00 per person for a
nonresident business. Elliott Pervinich stated he started working with challenge
courses when he was at Florida State University. He majored in recreation and leisure
service administration. He stated he was terrified of public speaking and heights and
still is, but always is pushing himself. He states when he has a group and someone is
really timid or really confident, he knows both of those feelings on the course and he
has an opportunity to connect with them. He states the challenge course now has the
opportunity to host their own trainings on the course for individuals who are interested
in working with groups and facilitating programs. This will allow the group to develop
the staff they do have and add to it from other individuals in the area. Elliott Pervinich
explained that Traci Stengle and Joe Armstrong, the adventure coordinator, are both
certified for the challenge course and there are additional contract facilitators.
Katherine Kamer asked if there are different levels on the challenge course. Elliott
Pervinich explained there is a low ropes program and a high ropes program. He
explained there is a lot of work done prior to the program to learn about group, see
where they are and what they want. Robert Johnson asked if there are any cross feeds
set up with other venues across the country so as share things that are improving or
changing or new ideas. Elliott Pervinich stated he is tied into the Association for
Challenge Course Technology, they are the international governing body of the
challenge course and it is who we are certified through to make sure we meet the
standards for the industry. Elliott Pervinich stated he is unique as a challenge course
coordinator in that he does not just manage the course from his office, he is working
with every group that comes out to the course and he is the end user for all of the
equipment. He is cement and up to date on the standards. Keith Fruge asked about
injury rates. Elliott Pervinich stated 20% of injuries are participants and about 80% of
those occur in tag games. Staff is more likely to get injured because of the increased
time they are on the course. He explained that he also helps with other programming
in the Parks and Recreation Department such as senior adult trips and adventure
programming and trips. Robert Johnson asked what our rate structure was compared
to others. Elliott Pervinich states we are a little lower than some. He stated there are
very few cities, in the country, that have challenge courses. He states he knows of 3
across the US other than the City of Georgetown. He stated our rates with those are
roughly about the same. Most challenge courses are on a university or summer camp.
The summer camps don't often rent them out during the year and if they do, they
charge absurd rates. The universities are more expensive than us or a lot cheaper
depending on the support they get from the student government.
4. Discussion and possible action on preliminary design concept for the Creative
Playscape Phase 2.
Tim Bargainer with Baker Aidden presented the conceptual design of the playscape.
He explained that after they conducted a series of public input sessions, the team and
the staff had a brain storming meeting to access all the information they gathered. With
the information they gathered, it was clear the direction or the identity of this
playground was important to the community and they wanted more of a community,
Georgetown, history type of theme. He also stated 70% of responders wanted
education involved in the playground. He showed an initial concept plan that
establishes the environment in which the play activities will occur. He stated there are
a lot of details still being established as we move forward and the cost involved. He
stated there is The Georgetown Timeline as the conceptual design is explained. There
are 5 pods that are defined in the overall site plan. Pod 1 is the Native American area
that includes a climbing wall, Indian encampment and bent tree tire swings. Pod 2 is
the Settlement Period that includes a pavilion and some areas that represent a barn,
farm equipment and a cattle drive. Pod 3 is the Industrial Period and shows where
Georgetown began developing. This will incorporate the courthouse and town square
and the store front feel. There is an area that will represent the Blue Hole and
Southwestern University where another pavilion will be located. The blue represented
in the picture is not a water feature but surfacing. Pod 4 is The Surge where the baby
boomer /post war era where the surge of population began. This will have more
traditional play components such as the swings, slides, monkey bars, a zipline and
something to incorporate the Pickett Trail. Pod 5 is the New Millennium which is
where we are and where we are going and there will be modern play equipment
components in this area. The concept as a whole is to get a timeframe of Georgetown
wrapped around the center which is the courthouse and the square. They are looking
at how they can integrate the unique feature of the existing playground and the city
scape. On the conceptual plan it shows the columns that were made by tiles by the
children of Georgetown that are there now and they are looking at placing them more
to the entry to be a focal point. He stated the area is fenced and there are 2 points of
entry. Robert Johnson asked about the recognition for the previous donors. Tim
Bargainer stated they took a photo of every plaque that is on the playscape. There are
some that are missing and they are looking for them. They are going to reestablish that
recognition with the new structure. Eric Nuner stated there is a lot of elevation change
on the design. The entry is 8 foot and it goes down to zero elevation and the courthouse
area is up to 11/2 foot. Tim Bargainer stated the vertical change is important as you will
see from one structure to the other and the use of ramps. There are 3 birthday party
pavilions in the design with the possibility of the courtyard area being rented. Keith
Fruge asked how large the area is. Tim Bargainer stated they are still working on the
area and the conceptual design shows about twice the surface area of the original
playscape but they are working with budget and play components. Tim Bargainer
explained the trees with spokes on them, on the conceptual design, are the trees that are
there now and they are saving as many trees as possible for shade and to integrate into
the design. The area will be fenced but no gates. There will not be any impingement on
the hike and bike trail. Keith Fruge asked about the possibility of incorporating a maze
into the concept. Kimberly Garrett stated there has been some discussion about using
security cameras in the area.
u
There will be a public meeting on September 19 and from there a conceptual design
will be brought back to the parks board and city council in November.
Motion made by Robert Palko, second by Keith Fruge to approve the overall site plan
as presented. 7 -0 approved.
5. Update on Year - to - Date Parks and Recreation Revenues
Kimberly Garrett showed current revenues. In May there was discussion about how we
were down in memberships and in adult leagues and that trend is still there. We have
done some things to promote memberships through e -Perks and Living Social. There
seems to be a positive response to these promotions. Also in the 2013/2014 budget there
are funds to advertise and promote recreation membership and programs. Adult
leagues are not thriving but youth programs are higher in revenue than prior years.
Park rental revenues have increased due to the fee structure and the block rental time
structure that was changed last year. The park areas are now for rent in block times
which doubled the reservation times and in turn doubled the reservation revenue and
accommodates more people. Robert Johnson asked if the fee structure that we altered
has hurt us in revenue generation overall. Kimberly Garrett and Eric Nuner explained
that some of the areas might have been affected specifically with the nonresident rates.
The financial analyst will run a report showing our cost recovery numbers for this year.
A year end summary will be given in November when the 2012/2013 budget is
completed.
6. Staff Updates
a. Garey Park Request for Qualifications
Kimberly Garrett stated requests for qualifications closed last Thursday and
there were 8 firms that submitted proposals. The committee was approved
Tuesday night which includes Robert Johnson, Keith Fruge, Patty Eason, Jerry
Hammerlun, Mr. Jack Garey, Kimberly Garrett and Eric Nuner. The firms will
be selected by the October meeting.
b. City Council workshop on September 106 regarding Aquatic Master Plan and
Creative Playscape Phase 2
Kimberly thanked everyone that attended the workshop on Tuesday. The CIP
for the next 3 - 5 year was discussed. Robert Johnson stated Kimberly Garrett
did a good job working with Tim Bargainer on the playscape. Eric Nuner stated
that the main structure of the playscape will be down tomorrow.
c. Creative Playscape Phase 2 Design Concept Open House - September 19f at
6:30 pm at the Community Center,
Kimberly Garrett stated it will be a true presentation that will start at 6:30 pm.
7. Update from the Friends of Georgetown Parks and Recreation
Keith Fruge stated there was not a meeting in August. There is an annual meeting on
Id
September 23 .
8. Approve minutes from the August 8, 2013 meeting
Motion made by Katherine Kainer, second by Robert Palko to approve the minutes
from the August 8, 2013 meeting. Approved 7 -0
9. Adjourn
Motion made by Katherine Kainer to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at
735 m.
Ro ert Johnson �,/y,✓ Katherine Kainer
C �i -r� Parks a;i# creation Board Secretary - Parks and Recreation Board
Liaison - Parks and Recreation Board