Parks and Recreation Board Finance Committee Meeting - Regular meeting will be held at the Britton, Durst, Howard and Spence Building located at 1183 Chestnut Ave, Austin, TX 78702.
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD FINANCIAL COMMITTEE MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2022 – 12:00PM BRITTON, DURST, HOWARD AND SPENCE BUILDING 1183 CHESTNUT AVENUE, AUSTIN, TX 78702 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Sarah Faust (D-5), Chair Richard DePalma (Mayor) Patrick Moore (D-3) CALL TO ORDER Lisa Hugman (D-6) Kimberly Taylor (D-8) Dawn Lewis (D-10), Ex-Officio AGENDA PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers who register to speak no later than noon the day before the meeting will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Financial Committee special meetings of November 18, 2021, and February 28, 2022. B. NEW BUSINESS: PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS 1. Presentation, discussion and possible action regarding a recommendation to the Parks and Recreation Board as it related to the Parks and Recreation Department Fiscal Year 2023 budget. Presenter(s): Ed Morris, Financial Analyst, Parks and Recreation Department; and Nicholas Johnson, Financial Analyst, Parks and Recreation Department. 2. Discussion and possible action regarding FY23 PARD Under Resourced Service Expectations. Presenter(s): Sarah Faust, Committee Chair, Parks and Recreation Board Financial Committee. Page 1 of 2 3. Discussion and possible action regarding financial implications of Barton Springs Pool schedule modifications and lifeguard pay structure required to maintain expected community service levels of pools. Presenter(s): Sarah Faust, Committee Chair, Parks and Recreation Board Financial Committee. 4. Discussion of proposed Parks and Recreation Board Financial Committee agenda topics for 2022. Presenter(s): Sarah Faust, Committee Chair, Parks and Recreation Board Financial Committee. C. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Tim Dombeck, with the Austin Parks and Recreation Department, at 512-974- 6716, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Parks and Recreation Board, please contact Tim Dombeck at Tim.Dombeck@austintexas.gov or by phone at 512-974- 6716. Page 2 of 2
Austin Parks and Recreation Department FY 2023 BUDGET FORECAST Department Budget Overview FY 2022 Totals at a Glance FY 2022 Approved Budget FY 2022 Positions FY 2022 Sources $115 Million 769.25 FTEs Tax Supported: 75% Fees/Other: 22% Grants/Other: 3% FY 2022 Budget by Program FY 2022 Budget Highlights Support Services 5% Transfers, Debt Service, and Other Requirements 11% Park Planning, Development, Operations and Maintenance 27% • • • $660K for Operations & Maintenance Support for the operation and maintenance of new, expanded, and redeveloped parkland and facilities $900K for expansion of child-care at recreation centers $615K for expansion of Park Rangers Program Community Services 57% 2 Department Overview Data and Highlights FY22 Expenditure Budget by Category PARD Full Time Employees 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Personnel $77M 65.3% Contractuals $33M 30.2% 780 760 740 720 700 680 Commodities $5M 4.5% 693.75 695.75 719.25 694.75 FTE 734.75 769.25 744.75 PARD SD23 Goals and Measures • Activate and enhance urban park spaces to provide flexible and diverse programming Align accessible and diverse programs and services with community needs and interests Ensure the parks system preserves recreational and natural spaces to serve as a respite from urban life Expand and improve access to parks and facilities for all • • • 3 Department Budget Overview FY 2023 Proposed Total PARD Budget Forecast FY 2023 Proposed Budget FY 2023 Proposed Positions FY 2023 Sources Tax Supported: 75% Fees/Other: 22% Grants/Other: 3% $118.7 Million* 769.25 FTEs FY 2023 General Fund Highlights Proposed General Fund Budget Increase - $3.3M** Employee Wage Adjustment Increases Fleet Maintenance and Fuel City Support Services Standard City-Wide Cost Drivers - $1.4M • • • Requested Department-Wide Cost Drivers - $1.9M Increases to accommodate items previously authorized by Council and/or Contractual Obligations Barton Springs Pool Safety and Security Support Cemetery Interment Unit Increase Operations & Maintenance Support Millennium Youth Entertainment Center (MYEC) Maintenance *Includes Enterprise Golf Fund **Estimate only. FY23 Budget is still under development, pending City Council approval. 4 Department Budget Overview FY 2023 Budget Proposal BASE COST DRIVER DEFINITION: General Fund and Support Services departments must develop a forecast with only baseline requirements. In other words, the only increases allowable are those necessary to accommodate items previously authorized by Council. Examples of acceptable forecast items that increase the Department’s budget are: • Costs of a new facility that will be opened part-way through FY …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD FINANCIAL COMMITTEE MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2022 – 12:00PM MINUTES The Financial Committee convened in a meeting on Monday, February 28, 2022, at 1183 Chestnut Avenue in Austin, TX Vice-Chair DePalma called the meeting to order at 12:05 PM. Committee Members in Attendance: Richard DePalma, Patrick Moore, Lisa Hugman and Kimberly Taylor Staff in Attendance: Kimberly McNeeley, Jodi Jay, Daniel Paciocco, Vanorda Richardson, Christa McCarthy, Nan Dowling and Tim Dombeck PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board Financial Committee regular meeting of November 18, 2021 were not voted on due to a clerical error. Those minutes will be voted on at the next Financial Committee meeting. B. NEW BUSINESS: PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS 1. Presentation, discussion and possible action with regards to the Department Aquatics Division budget as it relates to staffing, wages, operational items, security expenses and other expenses. Vanorda Richardson, Jodi Jay and Daniel Paciocco, Parks and Recreation Department, made a presentation and answered questions. No action was taken on this item 2. Presentation, discussion and possible action with regards to the Department Summer Camps and supplemental summer programming budget as it relates to staffing and operational items. Page 1 of 2 Christa McCarthy and Vanorda Richardson, Parks and Recreation Department, made a presentation and answered questions. No action was taken on this item. 3. Presentation, discussion and possible action with regards to FY23 PARD Under Resourced Service Expectations. Vanorda Richardson, Parks and Recreation Department, made a presentation and answered questions. No action was taken on this item. 4. Discussion of proposed Parks and Recreation Board Financial Committee agenda topics for 2022. Board Members discussed the item. No action was taken on the item. C. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None. Vice-Chair DePalma adjourned the meeting at 1:45 PM. Page 2 of 2
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD FINANCIAL COMMITTEE THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021 – 12:00PM MINUTES The Financial Committee convened in a meeting on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 1183 Chestnut Avenue in Austin, Texas. Chair Faust called the meeting to order at 12:08pm. Committee Members in Attendance: Chair Sarah Faust, Richard DePalma, Lisa Hugman, Kimberly Taylor and Dawn Lewis, Ex-Officio Staff in Attendance: John Nixon, Vanorda Richardson, Nicholas Johnson, Ed Morris, Nan Dowling and Sammi Curless CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the Financial Committee special meeting of October 25, 2021 were approved on Committee Member De Palma motioned; Committee Member Lisa Hugman seconded for a 4-0 vote with one vacancy. B. NEW BUSINESS: PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS 1. Presentation and discussion regarding the Fiscal Year 2023 budget development process. Presenter(s): Vanorda Richardson, Financial Manager III, Parks and Recreation Department 2. Discussion and possible action on Park Districts and Park Fees in follow-up from August 18, 2021 presentation. 3. Discussion and possible action on a recommendation to the Parks and Recreation Board regarding Hotel Occupancy Tax. Presenter(s): Sarah Faust, Committee Chair Committee Member De Palma motioned; Committee Chair Faust seconded with a 4-0 vote including one vacancy 4. Presentation, discussion and possible action regarding the Committee annual report and Page 1 of 2 review of Committee topic list. Presenter(s): Sarah Faust, Committee Chair 5. Discussion and possible action on the 2022 Committee meeting schedule Presenter(s): Sammi Curless, Business Process Specialist, Parks and Recreation Department. Committee Member De Palma motioned; Committee Member Lisa Hugman seconded on a 4-0 vote with one vacancy C. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS • Unmet Needs/Priority List Chair Faust adjourned the meeting at 1:49pm. Page 2 of 2
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD FINANCIAL COMMITTEE THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021 – 12:00PM MINUTES The Financial Committee convened in a meeting on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 1183 Chestnut Avenue in Austin, Texas. Chair Faust called the meeting to order at 12:08pm. Committee Members in Attendance: Chair Sarah Faust, Richard DePalma, Lisa Hugman, Kimberly Taylor and Dawn Lewis, Ex-Officio Staff in Attendance: John Nixon, Vanorda Richardson, Nicholas Johnson, Ed Morris, Nan Dowling and Sammi Curless CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the Financial Committee special meeting of October 25, 2021 were approved on Committee Member De Palma motioned; Committee Member Lisa Hugman seconded for a 4-0 vote with one vacancy. B. NEW BUSINESS: PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS 1. Presentation and discussion regarding the Fiscal Year 2023 budget development process. Vanorda Richardson, Parks and Recreation Department, gave a presentation and answered questions. No action was taken on this item. 2. Discussion and possible action on Park Districts and Park Fees in follow-up from August 18, 2021 presentation. Board Member DePalma gave a presentation and answered questions. No action was taken on this item. Page 1 of 2 3. Discussion and possible action on a recommendation to the Parks and Recreation Board regarding Hotel Occupancy Tax. Chair Faust gave a presentation and answered questions. Vice-Chair De Palma motioned; Committee Chair Faust seconded with a 4-0 vote including one vacancy. 4. Presentation, discussion and possible action regarding the Committee annual report and review of Committee topic list. Presenter(s): Sarah Faust, Committee Chair Chair Faust gave a presentation and answered questions. No action was taken on this item. 5. Discussion and possible action on the 2022 Committee meeting schedule Sammi Curless, Parks and Recreation Department, gave a presentation and answered questions. Vice Chair De Palma motioned; Committee Member Lisa Hugman seconded on a 4-0 vote with one vacancy C. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS • Unmet Needs/Priority List Chair Faust adjourned the meeting at 1:49pm. Page 2 of 2
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD FINANCE COMMITTEE MOTION FISCAL YEAR 2023 BUDGET Date: March 21, 20222 Subject: Parks and Recreation Department FY 23 Operating Budget MOTION BY: SECONDED BY: VOTE: RATIONALE: WHEREAS, the Parks and Recreation Board Finance Committee reviewed the Parks and Recreation Department Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Forecast and Department Overview at its meeting on March 21, 2022; and WHEREAS, the Parks and Recreation Board Finance Committee finds that the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget items are all necessary in order to achieve the PARD Strategic Direction 23 goals of: activating and enhancing urban park spaces to provide flexible and diverse programming; aligning accessible and diverse programs and services with community needs and interests; ensuring the parks system preserves recreational and natural spaces to serve as a respite from urban life; and expanding and improve access to parks and facilities for all; and WHEREAS, the Parks and Recreation Board recognizes that the loss of Parks and Recreation Department fee revenue in Fiscal Year 2022 due to the COVID-19 global pandemic was significant yet the demand for PARD facilities and programming continues to grow moving into the 2023 fiscal year; and THEREFORE, the Parks and Recreation Board Finance Committee recommends approval of the Parks and Recreation Department FY 2023 Operating Budget as presented in the FY 2023 Budget Forecast. Page 1 of 2 VOTE: For: Against: Abstain: Absent: Attest [Staff or board member can sign]: ____________________________________ Page 2 of 2
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD FINANCE COMMITTEE MOTION REGARDING FISCAL YEAR 2023 UNDER RESOURCED SERVICE EXPECTATIONS Date: March 21, 2022 Subject: Parks and Recreation Department FY 2023 Under Resourced Service Expectations MOTION BY: SECONDED BY: VOTE: RATIONALE: WHEREAS, the Parks and Recreation Board Finance Committee “Finance Committee” reviewed the Parks and Recreation Department Financial Services Division Under Resourced Service Expectations at its February 28, 2022 meeting and the Parks and Recreation Department Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Forecast and Department Overview at its March 21, 2022 meeting; and WHEREAS; the Finance Committee finds that the FY 2023 Under Resourced Service Expectations, including: addressing homelessness, safety and security; increasing human resources support; advancing equity; and meeting customer service expectations for condition and quality of parks and facilities are all critical needs that are essential to meeting the service expectations of our community, but lack resources, and; WHEREAS, the Finance Committee finds that funding of the FY 2023 Under Resourced Service Expectations is necessary to achieving the Strategic Direction 23 goals of: activating and enhancing urban park spaces to provide flexible and diverse programming; aligning accessible and diverse programs and services with community needs and interests; ensuring the parks system preserves recreational and natural spaces to serve as a respite from urban life; and expanding and improve access to parks and facilities for all; and THEREFORE, the Finance Committee recommends to the Parks and Recreation Board that it recommend to the Austin City Council that it provide allocations in addition to the Parks and Recreation Department FY 2023 Budget Forecast sufficient to fully fund the Under Resourced Service Expectations, as described in Attachment A. VOTE: For: Against: Abstain: Page 1 of 2 Absent: Attest [Staff or board member can sign]: ______________________________________ Page 2 of 2
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD FINANCE COMMITTEE MOTION REGARDING LIFEGAURDS AND SEASONAL EMPLOYEES Date: March 21, 2022 Subject: Parks and Recreation Department Lifeguard Shortage MOTION BY: SECONDED BY: VOTE: RATIONALE: WHEREAS, the Parks and Recreation Board Finance Committee “Finance Committee” reviewed a presentation regarding Aquatics Budget and Staffing at its February 28, 2022 which demonstrated that hiring of lifeguards has been difficult due to previous pandemic induced hiring freezes and other economic factors; and WHEREAS; the Parks and Recreation Department notified the Finance Committee that it will be offering an incentive bonus to temporary life guards that join the staff and stay through the summer season; WHEREAS, the Parks and Recreation Department subsequently announced that Barton Springs Pool will be closed indefinitely for two days a week due to a staffing shortage of approximately 20 open water certified life guards needed in order to safely guard Barton Springs Pool and to provide training to newly recruited life guards; and WHEREAS, the Finance Committee is concerned with the closure of any swimming pools during the spring and summer swim seasons due to staffing issues because swimming is a critical form of exercise and outdoor recreation for our community; and WHEREAS, the Finance Committee is especially concerned with the closure of Barton Springs Pool during the entry fee season, as the closure of Barton Springs in the spring season is estimated to cost $9,000.00 per day in lost revenue and would cost much more during the summer season; and WHEREAS, the Finance Committee finds that staffing at the swimming pools that are open-year round and in particular Barton Springs, which requires specially trained open water certified lifeguards, has become especially difficult due to rising costs of living in Austin and wages for part-time and temporary employees that have not risen proportionally; THEREFORE, the Parks and Recreation Board Finance Committee recommends to the Parks and Recreation Board that it recommend that the Parks and Recreation Department and Austin City Council to pursue all available measures to increase staffing to sustainable levels for all Page 1 of 2 aquatics facilities, with particular emphasis on Barton Springs, including but not limited to the following measures: 1) increasing pay rates for all lifeguards and in particular open water certified lifeguards; 2) increasing the number of year-round full time employee open water certified lifeguards to ensure continuous open operation of Barton Springs Pool; 3) increasing staff support positions …
