HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_PAREB_03.08.2018Minutes of the Meeting of the
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
City of Georgetown, Texas
March 8, 2018
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board met Thursday, March 08, 2018 at 6:00 pm at 1101 N.
College Street, Georgetown, TX 78626.
Regular Session — To begin no earlier than 6:00 pm.
Parks and Recreation Board may, at any time, recess the Regular Session to convene an
Executive Session at the request of the Jim Hougnon for any purpose authorized by the Open
Meetings Act, Texas Government Code Chapter 551.)
A Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Jim Hougnon at 6:00 pm.
B Roll Call
Jim Hougnon, Katherine Kainer, Scott Macmurdo, Danelle Houck, Larry Gambone, Mike
Simpson, Wayne Beyer
Staff: Kimberly Garrett, Eric Nuner, Jessi Fischetti, Rachel Franks
C Parks and Recreation staff member introduction and presentation
Kimberly Garrett introduced Rachel Franks the Recreation Supervisor. Rachel Franks gave a
brief history of her education and duties at the recreation center. It was asked how the
utilization was. She stated we get 10 —12 new memberships per day. It was asked about the
programming and computer classes. She stated we still have the computer classes in addition
to several other programs such as SAT prep, language lessons, photography, tutoring, teen
cooking and teen finance and more. She stated we have a great hardworking, creative staff that
put on the programs and have ideas and find the contractors that host these classes. It was
asked what the most popular activity is and she stated it depends on the age group. She stated
with the seniors it is the Silver Sneakers program. We are using the gym for the class as there
are a lot of people that participate. Kimberly Garrett stated it benefits us to participate as we get
a specified amount of money each time a Silver Sneakers member comes in. We have added
additional classes to accommodate the high usage from this group. It was asked what the
busiest time of the day is at the recreation center and she stated 4:30 pm — 5:30 pm and also at
5:30 am. It was asked what would be one thing she would like to see added to the Recreation
Center. She stated space; we are bursting at the seams. It is trying to find that balance for
people to come in and have open play in the gym, and programs that we offer and also rentals
for different organizations. Kimberly Garrett stated as we look at the masterplan for 2019 that
will come out through citizen input and surveys and that will hopefully facilitate the need for a
recreation center on the west side of town. Kimberly Garrett stated we added Sunday for the
center to be open and that has helped to distribute people but with the added growth to
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Georgetown that adds to the usage. It was stated that the employees that work there are
universally helpful and knowledgeable and there are a lot of programs available.
D Update from the Friends of Georgetown Parks and Recreation
Danelle Houck stated the Friends have an increase in soccer registration assistance applications.
The next meeting is April 2nd and there are 8 members on the board.
E Project Updates and Staff Report
Eric Nuner updated the board on the projects. The last items for the Garey House are wrapping
up. The decal lane is about 95% complete for the entry. A cave was discovered by the
equestrian area and that has delayed us about 3 weeks. It was asked if we were on schedule
and Eric Nuner stated we are. At San Gabriel Park progress is being made and moving slow. It
is behind schedule and we do not have a date for completion. The columbarium was approved
by council on 27th and it will be coming in the spring. For San Gabriel Park phase 2 the bidding
process will start early April and then come back to board in May for construction contract.
Kimberly Garrett stated we are working on the trail piece and waiting on Texas Parks and
Wildlife for the environmental assessment. It was asked about the grand openings and if there
would be one for each phase. Kimberly Garrett stated that is still being worked out.
F Review and discussion of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board by-laws and
attendance policy for board members.
Kimberly Garrett stated that this is the start of new term and all members have been
reappointed. She reviewed the by-laws and attendance policy with the board members. She
stated they haven't changed since 2015.
G Discussion to set date and time for the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Annual
Parks Tour
Kimberly Garrett offered a tour of the parks. It was suggested that we view the inside of the
Recreation Center and Tennis Center and more information on the cemetery. April 23rd or April
251h were suggested dates.
H Update on the Parkland Dedication process and schedule
Kimberly Garrett stated the parkland dedication subcommittee will meet immediately
following this meeting to go over draft that we have so far and will probably meet prior to the
next regular Parks and Recreation meeting in April. At the April Parks and Recreation Advisory
Board meeting a draft will be presented. It will then go to the UDC committee and then to City
Council for a workshop probably in May. Then the public input process will begin.
Legislative Regular Agenda
I Consideration and possible action to elect the Vice -Chair of the Parks and Recreation
Advisory Board
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Motion made by Scott Macmurdo second by Larry Gambone to elect Scott Macmurdo as the
Vice -Chair of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
Approved 7 — 0
J Consideration and possible action to elect the Secretary of the Parks and Recreation
Advisory Board
Motion made by Mike Simpson second by Wayne Beyer to elect Katherine Kainer as the
Secretary of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
Approved 7 — 0
K Consideration and possible action to set date and time for 2018 Parks and Recreation
Advisory Board meetings
Motion made by Mike Simpson second by Larry Gambone to set the 2018 Parks and
Recreation Advisory Board meetings on 2nd Thursday of month at 6:00 pm.
Approved 7 — 0
L Discussion and possible action on continuing operations at the Heritage Community
Gardens at 2100 Hutto Road
Kimberly Garrett stated the City purchased property in 2001;19 acres along Hutto Road. Half
of it is in the flood plain. The City entered into an agreement with Williamson County and
Cities Health District (WCCHD) in 2003. She stated the area is very rich in history. Natalie
Vreeland has been the Heritage Gardens coordinator and she came to Kimberly Garrett and
stated that the WCCHD will be changing their philosophy and direction and where they would
be spending their resources and they will not be funding her position. Kimberly Garrett stated
that the other people in the room are gardeners that have current plots there and wanted to
know what will happen if she left. Kimberly Garrett stated the City had no intention of getting
rid of the gardens and that we didn't know things were changing until recently. Kimberly
Garrett stated this came up at a good time since it is at the start of the budget process and that
we had a few months' notice to get some things in place. She stated we would like to continue
operations through the end of April that Natalie Vreeland would still be on board. That leaves
5 months in our current fiscal year that we would have to figure out how to pay for any
expenses that may happen there that would be unforeseen that we didn't budget for. The
biggest item would be a portable restroom which we could fund out of our park maintenance
budget which is about a $1,000 a year for another restroom. The City already pays for the water
that is used there and the roll off carts for garbage and the mowing. There are things we would
have to gap fund for the next 5 months. Staff will go to council and explain the situation and
ask for funds to continue the community garden. She stated that will give staff some time to see
what resources we might have to allocate to oversee the operations. She stated that the
property doesn't lend itself to other uses as over 1/2 of it is in the flood plain, so access and
structures on the property are not best. Staff recommendation would be not to displace the
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gardeners as it provides a really great benefit. There are opportunities to add more
programming and utilizing volunteer groups. The garden has applied for grants in the past and
that is how they funded a lot of their operations and the Parks department is grant driven as
well. There is opportunity for revenue as there are rentals of the plots and that structure may
have to shift a little. It was stated that the current rentals are $25.00 a year per gardener. There
are 75 raised gardens and 33 in ground gardens and they range in size from tiny to 200X100. It
was asked about how it is currently handled and if there was a standard for maintaining a lot.
Currently, the gardener comes in and is shown what is available and they pick an area. There
are current standards for maintaining the garden. It was asked about the crop. Kimberly
Garrett stated the produce is the gardeners but a percentage is donated to The Caring Place.
There are currently 70 gardeners and last year there were 105. Because of all the changes and a
predicted drought the number is down. Natalia Vreeland stated she is also getting callers every
day for new gardeners.
Motion made by Wayne Beyer second by Larry Gambone to continuing operations at the
Heritage Community Gardens at 2100 Hutto Road through this fiscal year.
Approved 7 — 0
M Consideration and possible action to approve minutes from the February 08, 2018
meeting
Motion made by Danelle Houck second by Scott Macmurdo to approve the minutes from the
February 08, 2018 meeting.
Approved 7 — 0
Adjournment
Adjourn
Motion made by Katherine Kainer second by Larry Gambone to adjourn the meeting.
Approved 7 — 0
The meeting adjourned at 7:12 pm.
J,qnfes Hougn d. Chair
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Katherine Kainer, Secretary
ji ellum, Board Liaison
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