HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_PAREB_11.08.2021Minutes of the Meeting of the
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
City of Georgetown, Texas
November 8, 2021
Regular Session
(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 6:00 pm.
B Roll Call - Katherine Kainer, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Chair
Present: Katherine Kainer, Chad Holz, Jack Flatau, Jolene Melancon, Brazos Fielder, Peter
Bahrs, Lindsay Cooper
Staff present: Kimberly Garrett, Eric Nuner, Jill Kellum
C Consideration and possible action to approve minutes from the October 14, 2021
meeting - Jill Kellum, Administrative Supervisor
Motion made by Jolene Melancon, second by Chad Holz, to approve minutes from the
October 14, 2021 meeting. Approved 7 — 0
D Update from the Playful Child - Julie Damian, Playful Child Foundation
Julie Damian with Playful Child
Kimberly Garrett introduced Julie Damian, Playful Child Foundation Founder. Julie Damian
gave a brief description of the playground they are wanting to develop; a natural playground
that will be open ended play. She started a nonprofit in 2018, presented to the parks board
January 2019 and started fundraising the summer of 2019. They had a kids committee meet to
tell what they saw in a park and playground; what they really want to have happen in that
space. Then the adult committee met which included parks staff and some design consultants
which produced the conceptual drawings. They showed some of the drawing images and she
stated it will be done in phases. She stated they have done some park clean ups and they want
to keep a natural area. She stated the construction costs will come in the end of November.
Families would like to help sponsor some of the pieces. They would like to break ground the
end of 2022 or the beginning of 2023. Julie Damian showed the conceptual designs of the park.
E Presentation and discussion on the Parks and Recreation Masterplan - Kimberly
Garrett, Parks and Recreation Director and Dan Seder, GreenPlay LLC.
Kimberly Garrett introduced Dan Seder, GreenPlay, LLC and Dave Peterson, GreenPlay, LLC
and Covey Landscape representatives, Josh Donaldson and Travis Crow. Dan Seder went
through the draft masterplan and stated the draft masterplan is for content only and is a layout
of what the document will look like. There is a lot more information coming, and they are
looking for feedback from the board and city council. The final presentation will go to city
council on January 25, 2022. Kimberly Garrett stated it goes to Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department (TPWD) for review, as the city can get grant funding from TPWD. Jolene Melancon
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asked about it going to TPWD. Kimberly Garrett stated they look at it to make sure it meets
their criteria. Peter Bahrs asked about the zones and if they were council districts. Kimberly
Garrett stated they are parkland dedication zones and not city council districts. Jolene
Melancon asked about how the partnerships work. Eric Nuner explained that the Kade Damian
Park through the Playful Child Foundation, is an example. Chad Holz asked if the % of people
for bond referendum was positive support, since the recent GISD bond was voted down. Dan
Seder stated the survey showed 59% or higher range that there is strong support. Kimberly
Garrett stated that the 2008 parks bond passed by 58% and there was the same level of support,
as indicated from the survey, even though the community has grown since 2008. She stated
that the school is different, they had a different partner, and they do things differently. Chad
Holz asked how this % compares to other cities. Dan Seder stated it depends on the community
and what role parks and recreation plays in that community. Jolene Melancon asked if they felt
city council would see the comment about maintenance as the parks department not doing their
job. Kimberly Garrett stated if they got complaints staff would know about it and it could have
been for example a citizen that was in the park when mowing hadn't been done yet and
everyone has their own perspective of maintenance. Dan Seder stated this is the survey and it is
just one tool of many tools they use, and they don't just go with what is on the survey. Dave
Peterson presented information on the parks inventory. He identified gaps in the system
through the GRASP Walkable Access. He stated he worked with Covey on this information.
He stated the information did not include the homeowner's association (HOA) areas and did
not include undeveloped areas. Lindsay Cooper asked about the Target Score of 67 on the
graph. Dave Peterson stated it is an algorithm they use based on the amenities in the park. BRS
did the indoor recreation findings and Dave Seder gave the summary for this information. Josh
Donaldson with Covey Landscape Architects stated they will work with the city on updating
the trails master plan. It is a 2-part approach, and the first part was to set them up for the future
acquisition and development of an off-street trail system. The second part is to look at what
was done previously; the existing plan as it relates to both trails and pedestrian infrastructure.
He stated they worked with other city staff in the planning, engineering, and parks department
to split it up so it can better set the parks system up to implement an off-street system. He
stated they went to the federal standard to differentiate the two trail types: a side path and
shared use path. He explained the trailheads and how that plays into safety which addresses
the lighting and the possibility of emergency call boxes. Jack Flatau asked if trailheads are
parks and recreation responsibility. Josh Donaldson explained that it is parks and recreation
responsibility. He also explained the difference between trail heads and trail access points. Dan
Seder went over the key issues for indoor recreation. He stated a feasibility study would be the
next step to identify renovations for the existing facility and a new location for another
recreation center. He then followed up with the key issues with programming. Peter Bahrs
asked what programming could be taken out to a neighborhood. Kimberly Garrett stated it
could be a mobile program. She stated parks and recreation would go to the parks and have
scheduled activities available. Dan Seder stated this could be a partnership and get other
entities involved. Dan Seder summarized the financial portion of the masterplan. He stated the
cost recovery plan will also help with this. Chad Holz asked about the 10 employees and if that
was just to maintain the current level of service. Dan Seder stated Teresa Jackson did the
financial analysis and she looked at the budget and bench marking and looked at NRPA with
data from other cities our size. Dan Seder stated a feasibility study would determine this. Jack
Flatau asked if the city budget would give the money for the employees. Kimberly Garrett
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stated that staff would ask for additional employees and the money needed in the budget.
Kimberly Garrett stated when they ask for the CIP budget, they must include the operational
aspect of it. Next, Dan Seder went over the cost recovery plan and explained that it is separate
from the masterplan. It is a management tool to look at the benefit of service you provide and
help make decisions as you look at the programming and setting fees. Jolene Melancon asked
what the short term, mid-term and long term is. Dan Seder stated short term is 0 — 3 years and
they will continue to reevaluate those. If it says ongoing, that is something you do on a regular
basis. He stated there are some things that are already being worked on. Jolene Melancon
asked about the recommendations to reclassify the parks. Eric Nuner gave an example that
some parkland is classified as neighborhood parks, but they are reclassified as preserves
because they may only have a tree on it, and it cannot be developed. Areas like that will be
named a preserve and he stated there are not many like this. Kimberly Garrett stated the
classifications are from the old masterplan and they were called differently. Dave Peterson
stated that classifications have traditionally been structured around acreage only. Eric Nuner
stated there is not a real consequence, but it will help when setting up the maintenance standard
as it will help define those areas and there will be a set level of service based on classification.
Lindsay Cooper asked if we build another recreation center will the old one be renovated first
or done simultaneously. Kimberly Garrett stated that is where a feasibility study would come
in. Lindsay Cooper asked when it would be. Kimberly Garrett stated the soonest time for a
bond would be November 2022. Jack Flatau asked about page 67 on the draft, and it talks about
acre of parkland per thousand residents, but it states it does not include 365 acres of
undeveloped parkland currently in the system inventory. Dave Peterson stated that is what it is
meant to say. You have banked this land and based on your population growth, to keep the
same level of service, you will have to add acres and you will have to think about developing
some of these acres. Kimberly Garrett stated it will take capital money to develop the land.
Lindsay Cooper asked about the southeast side park and if that would be bond money.
Kimberly Garrett stated the bond money from 2008 can be used for this. Chad Holz stated he
felt like the indoor aquatics and tennis center were missing. Kimberly Garrett stated the tennis
center is mentioned 3 times in the plan and aquatics was not a high priority. Dan Seder stated
the masterplan calls it out and then you would do a feasibility study. Jolene Melancon asked
about the after -school programming and if other city's do this. Dan Seder stated you do see
other cities offer this.
F Update from the Friends of Georgetown Parks and Recreation - Peter Bahrs, Parks and
Recreation Advisory Boardmember Liaison
Peter Bahrs stated there has not been a meeting since the last time and they did have their dance
on October 30, 2021.
G Director Report - Kimberly Garrett, Parks and Recreation Director
Kimberly Garrett went over the Director's report. Parks staff will be recognized at city council
tomorrow night for winning lst place team overall, at the TRAPS Central Texas Maintenance
Rodeo.
H Capital Project Updates - Eric Nuner, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director
Eric Nuner stated on the 181h the restroom will be installed at Heritage Gardens and the fencing
will be going up in December and the project is on track. The ADA trail is complete and
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planning for the next phase which will be the connection from 2°d street down to the trail and
the project will begin in summer of 2022. For University Park, staff is planning to get back to
the neighborhood later this month to show them the playground option from their previous
meeting and get it installed early 2022. For Wolf Crossing, one of the easements was secured
and the other one is waiting to get the metes and bounds; survey work is completed. They are
bidding the project and plan the bid opening on December 1st. It will go to Council in January.
Pinnacle, Raintree, LaConterra, Westhaven, Vista Verde and Crystal Knoll are in the planning
phase now and will work with the design firm to package those together. There will be public
input in the neighborhoods and work through the construction documents from there. For San
Gabriel Park Phase 3 there has been a project kick off meeting. The design team is working and
there will be a stakeholder input. On the regional trail development, they are moving through
the process and working on the connection pieces. Those are throughout the system. They are
designing now and look for construction in FY23. Chad Holz asked if one of these connections
is at Rivery, connecting the parking garage. Eric Nuner stated they are not looking at that
currently, but this is a continuous process.
I Discussion on December 9, 2021 meeting. - Kimberly Garrett, Parks and Recreation
Director
Kimberly Garrett stated we may have one item for the December meeting, and we usually have
a dinner for the December meeting. It was decided to have the regular meeting and a dinner.
Public Wishing to Address the Board
On a subject that is posted on this agenda: Please fill out a speaker registration form which
can be found at the Board meeting. Clearly print your name, the letter of the item on which
you wish to speak, and present it to the Staff Liaison, preferably prior to the start of the
meeting. You will be called forward to speak when the Board considers that item.
On a subject not posted on the agenda: Persons may add an item to a future Board agenda by
filing a written request with the Staff Liaison no later than one week prior to the Board
meeting. The request must include the speaker's name and the specific topic to be addressed
with sufficient information to inform the board and the public. For Board Liaison contact
information, please logon to http://government.georgetown.org/category/boards-
commissions/.
At the time of this posting, no one had signed up to speak.
Legislative Regular Agenda
K Consideration and possible recommendation to approve a Parkland Maintenance
Agreement with the Playful Child Foundation for park maintenance at the future Kade
Damian Park located off Country Club Road. — Kimberly Garrett, Parks and Recreation
Director
Kimberly Garrett stated this is for the Playful Child Foundation to do park clean up and go on -
site. The city needed to formalize this agreement, so the Playful Child Foundation could go
onsite on a more regular basis. This agreement has been drafted by the legal department and
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the Playful Child Foundation has provided all the required insurance. City Council is required
to approve this park maintenance agreement.
Motion made by Brazos Fielder, second by Lindsay Cooper to approve a Parkland
Maintenance Agreement with the Playful Child Foundation for park maintenance at the
future Kade Damian Park located off Country Club Road. Approved 7 - 0
L Consideration and possible recommendation to approve a Parkland Improvement
Agreement with the Georgetown Trails Foundation to develop and maintain natural surface
hiking and biking trails on City Parkland. - Kimberly Garrett, Parks and Recreation Director
Kimberly Garrett stated this is a parkland improvement agreement with the Georgetown Trails
Foundation. This is the document that will give them permission to go on city parkland and
construct those hiking and biking natural surface trails. They have the required insurance, and
this will also go to City Council.
Motion made by Jack Flatau, second by Peter Bahrs to approve a Parkland Improvement
Agreement with Georgetown Trails Foundation to develop and maintain natural surface
hiking and biking trails on City Parkland. Approved 7 - 0
Adjournment
Adjourn- Katherine Kainer, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Chair
Motion made by Katherine Kainer, second by Chad Holz to adjourn the meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 8:29 pm.
Katherine Kainer, Board Chair
Lindsay Cooper, Secretary
(av�—i//A-
jilikellum, Board Liaison
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