Parks and Recreation Board Special Called Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board - Meeting to be held with Social Distancing Modifications. See agenda for details.
Versión en español a continuación. Special Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board September 23, 2020 Parks and Recreation Board to be held September 23, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (September 22, 2020 by Noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the September 23, 2020 Parks and Recreation Board Meeting, residents must: • Call or email the board liaison at 512-974-6716 or sammi.curless@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. • Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. • Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. • Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. • Handouts or other information may be emailed to sammi.curless@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live • Reunión del Parks and Recreation Board September 23, 2020 La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (September 22, 2020 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los residentes deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en 512-974-6716 or sammi.curless@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). La información requerida es el nombre del orador, los números de artículo sobre los que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutrales, y un número de teléfono o dirección de correo electrónico. • Una vez que se haya llamado o enviado por correo electrónico una solicitud para hablar al enlace …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Wednesday, September 2, 2020 – 10:00-11:30 a.m. MINUTES The Parks and Recreation Board convened in a special meeting on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 via videoconference in Austin, Texas. Chair Lewis called the meeting to order at 10:06am. Board Members in Attendance: Chair Dawn Lewis; Vice Chair Romteen Farasat; Laura Cottam Sajbel; Richard DePalma; Anna DiCarlo; Sarah Faust; Francoise Luca; Kate Mason- Murphy; Fred Morgan and Kimberly Taylor. Board Members Absent: Nina Rinaldi. Staff in Attendance: Kimberly McNeeley; Liana Kallivoka; Lucas Massie; John Nixon; Anthony Segura; Zach Baumer; Celine Rendon; Don Bland; Kevin Gomillion and Sammi Curless. A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes from the special meeting of July 10, 2020 were approved on Board Member Faust motion, Board Members Morgan and Cottam Sajbal second on an 10-0 vote with Board Member Rinaldi absent. B. NEW BUSINESS: PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS NON-CONSENT 1. Austin Climate Equity Plan (five-year revision to the Austin Community Climate Plan). Presented by Zach Baumer, Climate Protection Manager and Celine Rendon, Community Engagement Specialist, Office of Sustainability. No action taken by the Board. Board Member Cottam Sajbal departed the meeting at 10:30am. 2. Lamar Beach Vision Plan and License Agreement with Austin Pets Alive. Public comment by Pat Valles-Tres regarding Austin Pets Alive agreement with the City of Austin. Presented by Kimberly McNeeley, Director, Parks and Recreation Department and Don Bland, Chief Animal Services Officer, Animal Service Department. No action taken by the Board. Page 1 of 2 CONSENT 3. Recommendation to the City Council to authorize the negotiation and execution of an interlocal cooperation agreement with the Save Muny Conservancy to operate the food and beverage concession at Lions Municipal Golf Course. Chair Lewis corrected the agenda to indicate that the interlocal agreement is with the Save Historic Muny District rather than the Save Muny Conservancy. Chair Lewis made a motion to recommend to the City Council the negotiation and execution of an interlocal cooperation agreement with the Save Historic Muny District to operate the food and beverage concession at Lions Municipal Golf Course; Board Member DePalma seconded the motion. The motion passed on a vote of 9-0 with Board Members Cottam Sajbel and Rinaldi. C. ITEMS FROM BOARD MEMBERS 1. Discussion of mixed-use park spaces specific to skateboarding, derby and BMX facilities. Presented by Board Member Richard DePalma. No action taken by the Board. 2. Discussion and possible action …
U.S. Board on Geographic Names Ebba Springs Proposal Fact Sheet • The U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN) has received a proposal from a property owner near Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park and the Austin Lake Hills neighborhood to officially name a natural spring on their property as Ebba Springs. • The BGN is responsible by law for standardizing geographic names for use by the Federal Government. The spring currently has no name that is official for federal use. • The BGN places importance on local opinion and therefore in accordance with their standard processes, asks for input from local government elected officials who represent community members who may have an interest. • The requesting property owner states that the spring has been known locally for many years as Ebba Springs, and the property is known as the "Ebba Springs Wildlife Refuge." • The City Council is asked to provide its recommendation on the naming to the BGN due to the property being located on land in Travis County that falls under the Extra Terrestrial Jurisdiction of the City Austin to protect the nearby Colorado watershed. Recommendations are also being sought from the Travis County Commissioners Court and Texas Geographic Names Committee. Federally recognized Tribes also have an opportunity to provide comments. • This item comes to the Parks and Recreation Board as a courtesy review for comment because of the spring’s proximity to Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park. • The City Council is scheduled to consider its recommendation on this matter at the October 15, 2020 meeting. 1 of 1
UNITED STATES CASE BRIEF (Domestic) BOARD ON GEOGRAPHIC NAMES Approved Promulgation authorized Executive Secretary Domestic Geographic Names ______________________________ Ebba Springs: spring; located 2 mi. N of Habbingston Hollow; named for the Old English word “ebba” meaning ebb and flow, which describes the spring’s fluctuating water output; Travis County, Texas; 30°20’02”N, 97°52’41”W; USGS map – Bee Cave 1:24,000. https://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/gazvector.getesricoor?p_lat=30.334006&p_longi=-97.878067 Proposal: to make official a name in local use Map: USGS Bee Cave 1:24,000 Proponent: Barbara Ritter; Austin, TX Administrative area: None Previous BGN Action: None Names associated with feature: GNIS: No record Local Usage: Ebba Springs (proponent; Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Water Resources Branch) Published: None found Case Summary: This proposal is to make official the name Ebba Springs for a spring located just outside the city limits of Austin. The spring is located on the proponent’s property and seeps out of rock bedding planes and fractures at the head of a small unnamed valley. Travertine deposits are found at the spring. The proponent has used the name Ebba Springs for several years. An aquatic biologist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Water Resources Branch recently surveyed the springs and used the name Ebba Springs in the report. The proponent refers to the property as the “Ebba Springs Wildlife Refuge” and the house and property have been part of the annual Austin Weird Homes Tour. The proponent has stated that “‘Ebba’ does not refer to any person or animal, but only to the springs.” Proposed by: Barbara Ritter; Austin, TX Submitted by: same Prepared by: M. O’Donnell Case ID: 5309 Reviewed by: J.Runyon Date: 4/27/20 Date: same Date: 6/4/20 Quarterly Review List: 440 Date: 6/23/20 4/27/2020 DGNP - Name Proposal Printout/Pdf DOMESTIC GEOGRAPHIC NAME PROPOSAL SUMMARY PROPOSE NEW OR CHANGE NAME Name Proposal ID: 9855 The springs are on private property and have only been seen by a few people. The name has been GNIS queried, I personally checked the maps, and Chad Norris of Texas parks and Wildlife completed a springs survey and no names appeared in his research. Date Created: 27-APR-20 Date Submitted: 27-APR-20 Proposed Name: Ebba Springs Action Requested: Name an unnamed feature Existing Name: Unnamed Evidence: Locally Used: No Locally Used Years: Local Conflict: No Local Conflict Detail: Additional Details: FEATURE INFORMATION GNIS Feature ID: Feature class: SPRING - - - - - https://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=130:20151:25674712958701::::::YES 1/3 4/27/2020 DGNP - Name Proposal Printout/Pdf Descriptive information: See attachement …
Austin Parks and Recreation Department Barton Creek Greenbelt Reservation Pilot Amanda Ross, Natural Resources Division Manager PARB Presentation September 2020 1 2 CHALLENGES • Environmental Impacts • Litter • Flooding and Closures • Safety and Response Time • Social Distancing • Neighborhood/Parking Concerns 3 RECENT EFFORTS • Quarterly Trash Surveys • Leave No Trace Hot Spot • Additional Programing • Upgraded Entry Trash/Recycle and Signage 4 PILOT PROJECT • Free Reservations Available Online • Park Monitors In Place At 7 Entrances • Reservations Implemented Thursday-Sunday • 10:30am-7:30pm 5 GUIDING QUESTIONS • Can managing access provide enjoyable access/nature appreciation for park users? • Can a reservation system be implemented equitably? • Is this a model that could work in this park or other parks? • What are potential benefits and challenges of increasing staffing levels at the Barton Creek Greenbelt? • Are there changes to environmental impacts? 6 DATA COLLECTION • Number of Reservations • Trash Survey • Number of Reservations Claimed • Public Survey Feedback • Visitors Without Reservations • Public Feedback • Demographic Data • Environmental Impact 7 NEXT STEPS • Project runs through November • Public Feedback • Data Analysis • Recommendations 8 Questions Questions 9
PARKS & RECREATION RESPONSE TO HOMELESSNESS Presented by: Lucas Massie, Assistant Director and Kimberly McNeeley, Director September 2020 Parks and Recreation Board Meeting 1 Dedicated Resources Staffing Levels • PARD has one FTE (full-time employee) dedicated to PARD specific efforts associated with homelessness • PARD Park Rangers assist the single FTE with specific efforts associated with homelessness 2 Dedicated Resources Service Partnerships • Homeless Outreach Street Team (HOST) which assists with connection to resources, including medical, mental and substance abuse counseling and housing • Pathways for Transitions to Housing (PATH) which assists with connection to resources, including medical, mental and substance abuse counseling and housing 3 Dedicated Resources Workforce First Program • The Other Ones Foundation (TOOF) administers Workforce First, which is an alternative employment program, where individuals are offered the opportunity to work in service of the community as an alternative to panhandling • As PARD’s cleanup contractor, TOOF abates encampments through assignment and direction of staff 4 Dedicated Resources City-Wide Coordination • Watershed Protection Department (WPD) which we coordinate with to manage encampments and keep our waterways clean • Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) which provides funding and storage assistance for encampment cleanup efforts 5 Code and Enforcement Code & Ordinance • City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department Park Rules, Section 22. Camping and Overnight Use • City of Austin Code Ordinance § 8-1-11 (B) A person may not fish, camp, or use a specific area in a public recreation area between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. without an approval 6 Code and Enforcement Code & Ordinance • City of Austin Code Ordinance § 8-1-11 (G) A person may not remain in a public recreation area if the person is advised that the person's behavior is disruptive and the person is instructed to leave the property by supervisor of the department • City of Austin Code Ordinance § 9-4-11 – Camping and Obstruction in Certain Public Areas 7 Code and Enforcement Enforcement • Curfew Violation § 8-1-11 (B) • Law enforcement issues a Class C Misdemeanor ticket for violating park hours. (Can result in arrest if individual refuses to leave at that time) • Disruptive Use/Inclusive Use Violation § 8-1-11 (G) • Criminal Trespass Violation • CTN Form A: Requires three warnings before issuance effective on the sixth day (1 year) • CTN Form B: Requires one warning before issuance and is effective immediately (1 day) 8 Code …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD DIRECTOR’S REPORT DATE: September 2020 PLANNING UPDATES: Walter E. Long Metro Park Vision Plan: The park vision plan was presented to City Council at the September 1 work session meeting. After Council direction, this vision plan is currently on the October 15 Council meeting agenda. The draft vision plan and additional information can be found at the project’s website: http://www.austintexas.gov/department/walter-e-long-park-vision-plan. District 1 Vision Plan for John Treviño Jr. Metropolitan Park at Morrison Ranch: The park vision plan was presented to City Council at the September 15 work session and is scheduled to be considered for adoption by City Council on October 1, 2020, barring any additional Council direction. The draft vision plan and additional information can be found at the project’s website: http://www.austintexas.gov/department/john-trevino-jr-metropolitan-park-vision-plan. District 1 George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center Facility Expansion Plan: The Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) and the consultant team continue with the planning phase following several months of community engagement. All materials from previous engagement activities, including the presentation and recording from Community Meeting #1, are available on the project’s webpage and allow community members to provide feedback and address the same questions posed in Community Meeting #1. After presenting updates to the African American Resource Advisory Commission (AARAC) at their July 6 and August 3 meetings, the planning team requested a working group to continue to be involved throughout the planning process. The team will meet with the Commission's Culture and Lifelong Learning Working Group on September 22, as well as the City Technical Advisory Group on September 21. The preliminary planning concepts will be presented to the community at the second virtual community-wide meeting on October 3. The meeting will be hosted virtually via Zoom and streamed live on the Carver Museum's Facebook page. Additional information can be found at the project’s website: https://www.austintexas.gov/CarverATXplanning, or SpeakUp Austin! page: https://www.speakupaustin.org/carveratx-planning. District 1 Central Williamson Creek Greenway Vision Plan: This community-activated planning process continues in partnership with The Nature Conservancy and Community Powered Workshop and their selected consultant, Asakura Robinson. PARD and the Watershed Protection Department (WPD) maintain involvement through a working group of City staff members including the National Park Service; the project also has a working group of community members. The team will host the second round of virtual community picnics on October 15 and 17. For additional information, upcoming events and opportunities to get involved visit …
Parks and Recreation Board Financial Committee PARB Bylaws Article 8 – Standing Committees Bylaws adopted November 2016 mandate the Contracts Committee and Land, Facilities and Program Committee. Charge of LFP Committee to “serve in an advisory capacity on issues of development and programs of the public parks, playgrounds and recreational facilities, and the general welfare of the parks, playgrounds and recreational facilities.” May 27, 2020 PARB discussed continuation or termination of Land, Facilities and Program Committee. PARB could create a Financial Committee to replace Land, Facilities and Program Committee. Reasoning for and Operation of Financial Committee Challenges to funding Parks and Recreation goals are increasing. State law changes to City’s control over property tax rate changes and COVID-19 related closures of fee generating activities and additional expenses are causing additional pressure on PARD; closure of fee-based programs and facilities may continue on and off into the future creating volatility. PARB would benefit from members being able to develop more in-depth knowledge on budget issues and additional PARD funding opportunities, to provide meaningful input on budget and funding to PARD staff, and to be more effective advocates for PARD funding. Financial Committee would set an annual agenda for itself each year outlining the financial items meriting consideration, including an annual review of capital improvements, an annual review of fees charged by PARD, proposals for generating income to be used for parks and parks acquisition, and at least two meetings reserved each year for reviewing the PARD proposed budget prior to presentation and consideration of the budget by the PARB. Next Steps Board and Staff discussion on creation of Financial Committee as advisory committee to PARB on issues of budget, fees, revenue, funding and other financial matters. Recommend PARB bylaw amendment at October PARB meeting. City Council Audit & Finance Committee reviews and approves or denies at November meeting.
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Wednesday, September 23, 2020 – 3:00-4:30 p.m. MINUTES The Parks and Recreation Board convened in a special meeting on Wednesday, September 23, 2020 via videoconference in Austin, Texas. Chair Lewis called the meeting to order at 3:02pm. Board Members in Attendance: Chair Dawn Lewis; Vice Chair Romteen Farasat; Laura Cottam Sajbel; Richard DePalma; Anna DiCarlo; Sarah Faust; Francoise Luca; Kate Mason- Murphy; Fred Morgan; Nina Rinaldi and Kimberly Taylor. Staff in Attendance: Kimberly McNeeley; Liana Kallivoka; Lucas Massie; Suzanne Piper; Anthony Segura; Amanda Ross; and Sammi Curless. A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes from the special meeting of September 2, 2020 were approved as corrected on Board Member Cottam Sajbel motion, Board Member Mason-Murphy second on a 7- 0 with Vice Chair Farasat abstaining, Board Member Faust off the dais and Board Members Luca and Morgan absent. Board Members Luca and Morgan joined the meeting at approximately 3:10pm. B. NEW BUSINESS: PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS 1. Make a recommendation to the City Council on the official naming of “Ebba Springs” in response to a proposal filed by a local property owner to the United States Board on Geographic Names, that concerns an unnamed spring located on private property in the City’s extra-territorial jurisdiction near Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park and the Austin Lake Hills neighborhood. Board Member DePalma made a motion that the Parks and Recreation Board offers no objection to the naming of “Ebba Springs”; Board Member Morgan seconded the motion. The motion passed on a vote of 10-0 with Board Member Faust off the dais. 2. Presentation and discussion of the Barton Creek Greenbelt reservation pilot. Presented by Amanda Ross, Natural Resources Division Manager, Parks and Recreation Department. The Board discussed the item, but no action was taken. Page 1 of 2 3. Presentation and discussion of people experiencing homelessness response on parkland. Presented by Kimberly McNeeley, Director, Parks and Recreation Department. The Board discussed the item, but no action was taken. C. ITEMS FROM BOARD MEMBERS 1. Discussion and possible action regarding modifications to the bylaws of the Parks and Recreation Board. Due to time constraints, item moved to October meeting. 2. Discussion of swimming pools and COVID-19 modified operations. Presenter: Board Member Laura Cottam Sajbel Director McNeeley provided notice that pools will open with modified operations beginning on September 26. 3. Discussion and possible action regarding the Alternative Funding Working …
