HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_PAREB_09.09.2021Minutes of the Meeting of the
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
City of Georgetown, Texas
September 9, 2021
This Regular Session may, at any time, be recessed to convene an Executive Session for any
purpose authorized by the Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code 551.
A Call to Order — Katherine Kainer, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Chair
The meeting was called to order by Katherine Kainer at 6:01 p.m.
B Roll Call — Katherine Kainer, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Chair
Members Present: Katherine Kainer, Jack Flatau, Lindsay Cooper, Peter Bahrs, Brazos Fielder,
Jolene Melancon
Members Absent: Chad Holz
Staff Present: Kimberly Garrett, Eric Nuner, Amber Mims, Madison Haynie
C Parks and Recreation staff member introduction and presentation — Kimberly Garrett,
Parks and Recreation Director
Kimberly Garrett introduced Madison Haynie and stated that she started with the department
as an intern and is a graduate from Texas A&M. She came back in 2018 to work at Garey Park
as a recreation coordinator and has been with the department for almost 3 1/2 years. Her
position will change to recreation supervisor on 9/13/2021 and she will oversee the recreation
side of the park, developing and implementing programs and the volunteer program and will
be responsible for the rentals associated with Garey House. There is currently a vacancy in the
event coordinator position that will be filled next month, and that person will report to her.
Peter Bahrs asked if the Garey House was primarily a wedding venue. Madison Haynie stated
most rentals are weddings and Quinceaneras. Kimberly Garrett stated Madison Haynie
prepares the statistics reports for Garey Park and this was an opportunity for the board to ask
her questions about that. Madison Haynie tracks the attendance, revenue, and rentals and she
stated she likes that so much information was tracked right from when the park opened. It was
asked if horses are boarded at Garey Park and Madison Haynie stated they are not. She stated
there are equestrian amenities such as trails, and an arena so people can bring in their horses to
use those facilities, but they are not boarded on site. She stated on Labor Day there were 15
trailers that came in. She stated a lot of the horse activity depends on the weather and the
equestrian usage has increased since opening the park. There was a question about the dog
park area. Madison Haynie explained it is 41h acres and there 2 large dog sections and one
small dog park section and it is a natural ranch like landscape. Lindsay Cooper asked Madison
Haynie what the favorite part of her job is. She stated when they first opened, she was
surprised, as there is such a brief interaction at the window, and the importance to give good
quality customer service. To her it is that they have been able to build relationships with their
clients and people that come in often and she loves that and didn't expect that. She stated it is a
valuable part of the client's day and hers. It was asked if there are regulations or guidelines
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with people with horses and who has the right of way, so they don't bump into each other.
Madison Haynie stated there isn't an issue with that, but the rules state passing on the left and
are like bike rules. She stated people with horses are used to it and being around people that
may not know. Madison Haynie explained that bikes are not allowed on any of the trails, but
some are pedestrian only and there are about 41/z miles of shared use trail. It was asked if the
horse owners must carry a waste bag, like the dog owners. Madison Haynie stated they do ask
them to shovel up the manure into the compost designated area in the parking lot. Katherine
Kainer asked if on the shared trails, if there is horse manure who takes care of that. Madison
Haynie stated there are 3 full time park maintenance staff and they monitor and maintain the
trails. Madison Haynie stated that Rowan Prothro is the recreation specialist that started in
2019. She has coordinated a lot of nature programming and interpretive hikes. During Covid
2020 she put together a lot of information online. In 2019 there was a Family Nature event prior
to Rowan Prothro starting, but this past year they put on a virtual event that gave information
and resources online. Jolene Melancon asked about the Master Naturalist involvement.
Madison Haynie stated there is a wildlife viewing blind and the Master Naturalist built it and
maintain it.
D Consideration and possible action to approve minutes from the August 12, 2021
meeting - Jill Kellum, Administrative Supervisor
Motion made by Lindsay Cooper, second by Brazos Fielder to approve minutes from the
August 12, 2021 meeting. Approved 6 — 0 —1
E Update from the Friends of Georgetown Parks and Recreation - Peter Bahrs, Parks and
Recreation Advisory Boardmember Liaison
Peter Bahrs stated the Friends Group has been discussing the upcoming fall dance and whether
to have it. Kimberly Garrett stated as far as she knew the Friends Group is still moving forward
with the dance.
F Presentation by the Georgetown Trails Foundation to build mountain bike trails
parallel to the hike and bike trails - Kimberly Garrett, Parks and Recreation Director
Kimberly Garrett stated she has been working with the Georgetown Trails Foundation since
March and they discussed some opportunities they saw in adding an amenity to Georgetown
and they would like to move forward doing work on city property. Kimberly Garrett stated
they are working with the city's legal department on proper documentation. She stated it has
been brought to the board not for action but for input. Aaron Zander and Cove McCormick
presented information to the board about their organization and trails. He stated the mission of
their group is to promote, create and maintain a natural surface trail system in Georgetown for
outdoor recreation, public health and well-being, economic development, and community
enrichment. He stated other areas around the state and country have seen a boost in tourism
due to this. Their goal is to help make Georgetown an urban outdoor destination. There is
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potential here, but they can't do it by themselves. He stated they don't own the land to do it
and they need access which involves the city. They have also met with the president of
Southwestern University about property access. He stated they feel they could get 25 miles just
on city property alone and with Southwestern University property they could get close to 60
total miles of natural surface trails including the 26 miles at the US Army Corp of Engineers
(Lake Georgetown). They explained that half of it exists already. They stated that the
International Mountain Bike Association has recognized Lake Georgetown trail as an epic trail
and there are only 2 in Texas. They stated that Austin Ridge Riders built the trail, and they
work with them on a regular basis as volunteers. They stated that they now own a piece of
property, through the generosity of the Georgetown Health Foundation, which is 7 acres of
river frontage behind Tractor Supply and Hobby Lobby. The vision is to connect with what the
city is doing with their paved path. They stated they are not asking for money as they are self -
funded at this point; it is volunteer labor and at some point, he stated they will need community
involvement. He stated there is a lot of intention put into this. Peter Bahrs asked that they
basically took initiative and made some of the trails more fun and safer and they intend to keep
doing it. They agreed. It was explained that it can take some of the pressure off the paved pads.
Jack Flatau asked about a hike and bike trail right being next to a mountain bike trail; so now
there are 2 trails which seem inefficient, and he is a walker. They stated there are rules of the
trail and technically hikers should yield to bikers and announce their awareness. What they are
proposing is to use good sight lines, not use sharp corners and are not looking to build big
jumps where you would run over someone. It is to be enjoyed by all. They stated there are
international guidelines to minimize user conflict. There will more education on trail use. Jack
Flatau asked if their vision is to connect the city's concrete trail with these natural trails. They
stated possibly. Jolene Melancon asked if they anticipated any problems with the salamander
and habitat erosion. They stated they have a board member that is well versed in handling
those types of issues. They stated they will address any environmental concerns and they have
resources and expertise. Kimberly Garrett stated those areas are identified on a map and that
map is accessible to anyone. She stated it doesn't trigger anything from the city since it is not a
hard surface. Peter Bahrs stated it would be nice to have the extended trails marked with
degrees of difficulty. They stated that is the idea and stated also they plan for all the trails to be
safe and novice friendly. Kimberly Garrett stated her goal was to bring the group in and have
them talk about what they are doing. She stated she has engaged the legal department to draft
an agreement to give them permission to do this. That agreement would need to be approved
by council. This would come back to the Parks Board for recommendation, and this would give
the board opportunity to research this idea now. Jack Flatau asked about liability. Kimberly
Garrett stated they would be required to have insurance with the agreement with the city but
there is a state statute that there is an inherent risk for recreation activities that you do.
G Discussion on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Survey Results - Kimberly
Garrett, Parks and Recreation Director
Kimberly Garrett stated there were about 4 citizens in attendance and 30 online at the public
meeting. The full results have been received which have more details and they will be posted
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on the website. The project team met to see where the direction should go, and they are looking
at the benchmarks, demographics, census numbers and growth rate. The consultants also
looked at the budgets and programs and are formulating the information into a draft plan. The
draft plan should be available November 91h and that is the target date to go to city council. Jack
Flatau asked about clarification on the maintenance comments in the survey and how staff
interpreted them. Eric Nuner stated Greenplay inventoried the whole park system, and they
have a process where they score everything, and their observations were that everything was
well maintained. Eric Nuner said from what Greenplay explained was that when any survey
asks what could be better, maintenance could always be better. Eric Nuner stated staff does
want to look into this deeper. Kimberly Garrett stated she feels like the department has a good
plan and has a good capital maintenance and replacement plan. Eric Nuner stated the
discussion that staff has had with the consultant about programming and services that are
offered, that this is the direction that the department needs to go. The discussion was more
than building stuff. He stated the consultants are looking into the program level, are dialed in,
and asking good questions. Kimberly Garrett stated she feels like we will get a plan like we
have never had before in Georgetown. The other plans have all been highly focused on parks
and capital improvements and not really addressed the recreation side and programming side.
H Presentation and discussion on the committed regional trail segments along the South
San Gabriel River - Kimberly Garrett, Parks and Recreation Director
Kimberly Garrett showed the South San Gabriel River trail map. She explained the process of
obtaining the parkland for building the trails and where.
I Director Report - Kimberly Garrett, Parks and Recreation Director
Kimberly Garrett reviewed the director report with the board.
J Capital Project Updates - Eric Nuner, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director
Eric Nuner reviewed the capital project updates.
K Discussion to set a time and a date for the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board park
tour. - Kimberly Garrett
The park tour is tentatively set for Monday, October 11, 2021.
Adjournment
Adjourn — Katherine Kainer, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Chair
Motion made by Jack Flatau, second by Peter Bahrs to adjourn the meeting. The meeting
adjourned at 8:00 pm.
_ J4'(K�
Katherine Kainer, Board Chair
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Lindsay doper, Secretary
IC lum, Board Liaison
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