REGULAR MEETING OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD APRIL 22, 2024 – 6:00 PM CITY HALL CHAMBERS, ROOM 1001 301 W. 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701 Some members of the Parks and Recreation Board may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. For remote participation, registration must be completed no later than noon the day before the meeting. To register to speak, click here: https://forms.office.com/g/7CGe6ax037 or call or email Tim Dombeck, (512) 974- 6716, Tim.Dombeck@austintexas.gov. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and may be allowed up to three (3) minutes to provide their comments. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Pedro Villalobos (D-2), Chair Kathryn Flowers (D-4), Vice Chair Shelby Orme (D-1) Nicole Merritt (D-3) Stephanie Bazan (D-5) VACANT (D-6) Julie Hayes (D-7) Kim Taylor (D-8) Jennifer Franklin (D-9) Holly Reed (D-10) Lane Becker (Mayor) CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL AGENDA The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three- minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of March 27, 2024. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Presentation, discussion and approve letters of support for PARD Human Resources Team for their successful recruiting and hiring practices, use of new technology, administration of summer bonuses, and nationally recognized safety training program. (Sponsors: Villalobos, Flowers). Presenter(s): Daniel Paciocco, Human Resources Manager, Parks and Recreation Department. STAFF BRIEFINGS Staff briefing on the draft Equity-Based Preservation Plan. (Sponsors: Villalobos, Flowers). Presenter(s): Cara Bertron, Program Manager II, Planning Department. Staff briefing on Parks and Recreation Department community engagement events, planning updates, development updates, maintenance updates, program updates and administrative updates. (Sponsors: Villalobos, Flowers). (PARD Long Range Strategies: Relief from Urban Life, Urban Public Spaces, Park Access for All). Presenter(s): Kimberly McNeeley, Parks and Recreation Director. Page 1 of 2 2. 3. 4. 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 at Parks and Recreation Department, at (512) 974-6716 …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES MARCH 27, 2024 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES MARCH 27, 2024 The PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD convened in a SPECIAL CALLED meeting on March 27, 2024 at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Villalobos called the PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Meeting to order at 6:06 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Pedro Villalobos, Kathryn Flowers, Lane Becker, Shelby Orme, Holly Reed. Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Jennifer Franklin, Julie Hayes, Nicole Merritt, Kim Taylor. Board Members Absent: Stephanie Bazan. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Joe Kendall - Texas River School Aubrea Rudder - Austin Rowing Club Joe Riddell - Waterloo Greenway Conservancy Concerns Joel Manzo - Youth Baseball Advocate Jason Williams - Youth Baseball Advocate, Northwest Park Justin Graber - Youth Baseball Advocate, Garrison Park Horacio Garcia - Youth Baseball Advocate Rob Bluestein - Youth Baseball Advocate Sharon Blythe - Parkland used for infrastructure projects APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meetings of February 26, 2024. The motion to approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of February 26, 2024 was approved on Vice Chair Flowers’ motion, Chair Villalobos’ second on a 9-0 vote with one vacancy. Board Member Bazan absent. WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS 2. Report of recommendations by the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget Working Group. Vice Chair Flowers addressed the Board regarding discussions of the working group, the needs of Austin’s Park system, and how to realistically have the most impact. No action was taken on this item. 1 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES MARCH 27, 2024 DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Approve a recommendation to Austin City Council regarding the Austin Parks and Recreation Department’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget. The motion to approve the recommendation as posted in backup was made by Board Member Becker and seconded by Board Member Merritt. The motion to amend the recommendation to include funding for three full-time employee positions to implement PARD’s Land Management Plan was made by Board Member Reed and seconded by Chair Villalobos. Board Members discussed this amendment. Board Member Reed withdrew the motion. The motion to amend the recommendation to add Section 4 to read “The allocation of additional funding on top of any proposed PARD FY2025 Budget to address funding for fourteen additional full-time employees for the PARD Ground Maintenance Team in order to align with …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD | APRIL 22, 2024 Austin History Center (C05767, PICA 24201, PICA 29995); Chen Chen Wu; City of Austin Plan Vision Historic preservation in Austin actively engages communities in protecting and sharing important places and stories. Preservation uses the past to create a shared sense of belonging and to shape an equitable, inclusive, sustainable, and economically vital future for all. Joe’s Bakery, anonymous, Amy Moreland/ Austin’s Atlas Community-Based Process 26 working group members 1,100 working group hours 300+ people involved Icons from the Noun Project: Community by Gan Khoon Lay, focus group by mikicon, committee by Adrien Coquet Community-Based Process “Being part of the working group was a great experience mainly because the members had diverse backgrounds, but the same goal. It was a rare learning experience.” Michelle Benavides Ursula A. Carter Linda Y. Jackson Brenda Malik Emily Payne Gilbert Rivera 1 Brita Wallace* 1 Justin Bragiel 2 Mary Jo Galindo* Meghan King* Alyson McGee 1 Rocio Peña-Martinez* JuanRaymon Rubio 2 Bob Ward 1 Noel Bridges 1 Jerry Garcia 1 Jolene Kiolbassa 1 Debra Murphy 2 Misael Ramos* Maria Solis* 1 Caroline Wright 1 *Drafting Committee member 1 Phase 1 only 2 Phase 2 only Julia Brookins* Ben Goudy 2 Kevin Koch Robin Orlowski 2 Mary Reed* 1 Erin Waelder 1 Amalia Carmona 2 Hanna Huang* 1 Kelechi Madubuko Leslie Ornelas 1 Lori Renteria 1 Equity-Based Preservation Plan REVIEWING THE DRAFT Neal Douglass, Oct. 1949, ND-49-346-02, Austin History Center, Austin Public Library. Draft Plan Goals 1. Tell Austin’s full history 9. Proactively identify important places 2. Recognize cultural heritage 10. Follow good designation practices 3. Preserve archaeological resources 11. Support stewardship of community 4. Stabilize communities assets 5. Support environmental sustainability 12. Be strategic with review 6. Engage communities equitably 13. Protect historic resources 7. Support people doing the work 14. Implement the plan collaboratively 8. Engage new partners What We Preserve Parade and mural unveiling (The Austin Chronicle), San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation Think broadly. • Recognize Austin’s rich and complex history through active listening, inclusive research, and interpretation • Better recognize and protect legacy businesses, murals, and archaeological resources • Use preservation tools to support community stabilization and environmental sustainability Who Preserves Invite and support. • Help people access knowledge, resources, and decision-making power • Streamline and explain historic review and designation processes • Support craftspeople, commissioners, and staff • Engage new partners and …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD DIRECTOR’S UPDATE DATE: April 2024 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS: All Abilities Playground at Onion Creek Metropolitan Park: The second round of community engagement for the design of an All-Abilities Playground at Onion Creek will take place this spring with a virtual community meeting on May 2nd followed by several small group discussions. The Department is partnering with Austin Parks Foundation and their consultant team, TBG Partners and Cultural Strategies, to design and develop the playground in alignment with the 2015 Vision Plan. The project team has developed multiple conceptual ideas based on feedback from the first round of community engagement in January. A final round of community engagement to share a single playground concept is expected to be completed by late summer. A schematic design phase led by Austin Parks Foundation will begin as funding becomes available. District 2 https://www.austintexas.gov/Onion-Creek-All-Abilities Interested community members are invited to review initial concepts and provide feedback. Meeting will have ASL and Spanish interpretation and closed captioning available. The playground will be universally accessible and inclusive to all visitors, particularly children with disabilities and special needs, and it will feature innovative design and programming opportunities. This playground is being developed in collaboration with Austin Parks Foundation as part of the 2015 Onion Creek Metropolitan Park Vision Plan. Zoom Registration Saturday, April 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Project Webpage District 2 Bolm District Park Vision Plan- Virtual Community Meeting #3: Join project team members on Tuesday, May 14 at 6:30 p.m. to kick off the third round of community engagement. Staff will share a concept design as the next step for the vision planning process and launch the third community survey. Come learn about how the previous rounds of engagement have informed the future park planning and get your questions answered about next steps. Spanish interpretation provided. Bolm District Park Vision Plan, Community Engagement Round 3 Registration Tuesday, May 14 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Bolm District Park Webpage District 3 This final round of community engagement will present a draft vision plan concept for the park, with presentations to the Department Executive Team and the Parks and Recreation Board to follow. The draft vision plan and report are anticipated to be completed this summer. District 3 https://www.austintexas.gov/department/bolm-district-park-vision-plan 1 Brownie Neighborhood Park: In May, the Department’s Community PARKnerships team will organize a series of activities and PARKnership pop-up events to celebrate …
City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) Human Resources April 22, 2024 Daniel Paciocco, HR Manager PARD Human Resources Team Employment/Compensation Employee Relations Sam Williams, HR Supervisor • • Ray Paez, HR Advisor Senior • Melissa Martinez, HR Advisor Samantha Ferry, HR Advisor • • Avis Gipson, HR Assistant Senior LeeAnn Tacchi, HR Assistant • Benefits and Payroll • Alisha Mayes, HR Supervisor • Gloria Terrazas, HR Specialist • Arrietta Allen, HR Specialist Organizational Development & Training • Rachel Irmen, OD & TSS Jai McGraw, HR Supervisor • • Wes Koehl, HR Advisor Senior • Vickie Westphal, HR Advisor Senior • Rachel Poole, HR Advisor Senior Safety • John Hollenbeck, Occupational Safety Manager • Adam Jones, Safety Specialist Senior John Nelsen, Safety Specialist • Karl Loftis, Safety Specialist • • Cheryl Brown, B &G Assistant Administration • Ann Galabeas, Administrative Assistant • Omeama Yousuf, Administration 2 EMPLOYMENT The employment team reduced total vacancies from 158.5 (19.6%) January of 2023 to a current number of 69 (8.6%), met 2023 demand for staffing of summer programs which included staffing hired to open all of the City Aquatic facilities, on and off boarding over 2,000 temporary employees. Numerous reports were created as tools for the Department to track vacancies, bonus payouts, and temporary staff. VACANCY DASHBOARD HEADER The employment team, along with the PARD ISM team, built an electronic Temporary Onboarding database that has streamlined temporary staffing increasing hiring efficiency and reducing hiring times and errors. Employment/Compensation Team • Sam Williams, HR Supervisor • Ray Paez, HR Advisor Senior • Melissa Martinez, HR Advisor • Samantha Ferry, HR Advisor • Avis Gipson, HR Assistant Senior • LeeAnn Tacchi, HR Assistant TOPS Home Page 3 3 Benefits and Payroll • Alisha Mayes, HR Supervisor • Gloria Terrazas, HR Specialist • Arrietta Allen, HR Specialist BENEFITS AND PAYROLL The payroll team successfully paid out hundreds of summer bonuses in 2023 with almost a 100% accuracy rate, facilitated the UKG Kronos roll-out to a complex department. The Benefits side has been able to improve the leave management and benefits process, to help ensure PARD staff have access to ALL of the City Benefits. Bonus dashboard 4 EMPLOYEE RELATIONS The Employee Relations team has reduced the number of ongoing ER concerns from over 60 to currently 22. The team has built excellent partnerships across the Department from individual contributors to the Director including the HR Department, …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES APRIL 22, 2024 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES APRIL 22, 2024 The PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD convened in a REGULAR meeting on April 22, 2024 at 301 W. 2nd Street in Austin, Texas Chair Villalobos called the PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Pedro Villalobos, Kathryn Flowers, Jennifer Franklin, Nicole Merritt, Holly Reed. Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Stephanie Bazan, Shelby Orme, Kim Taylor (left meeting at 6:27 p.m.). Board Members Absent: Lane Becker. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Joe Riddell - Waterloo Greenway and Waterloo Conservancy Laura Esparza - Austin Arts Alliance and Daugherty Arts Center Ted Eubanks - Frederick Law Olmstead Parks and Divisive vs. Unifying actions Lucky Lemieux - Daugherty Arts Center Construction Diana Prechter - Withdrawal of Ted Eubanks Parks and Recreation Board Nomination Wolf Sittler - Norwood House Chris Flores - Barton Springs Pool Issues Gail Rothe - Withdrawal of Ted Eubanks Parks and Recreation Board Nomination Tanya Payne - Withdrawal of Ted Eubanks Parks and Recreation Board Nomination Teri Adams - Role of the Parks and Recreation Board Robin Rather - Withdrawal of Ted Eubanks Parks and Recreation Board Nomination Andrea Hill - PARD Management Patrick Moore - Building a Tower in Bolm District Park APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board special called meetings of March 27, 2024. The motion to approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board special called meeting of March 27, 2024 with amendments to remove the words “Barton Springs Conservancy’s Role” from Item 7 Paragraph 1, and to show Board Member Stephanie Bazan as having been in attendance remotely was approved on Chair Villalobos’ motion, Board Member Merritt’s second on a 7-0 vote with two vacancies. Board Members Becker and Taylor absent. 1 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES APRIL 22, 2024 DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Presentation, discussion and approve letters of support for PARD Human Resources Team for their successful recruiting and hiring practices, use of new technology, administration of summer bonuses, and nationally recognized safety training program. Daniel Paciocco, Human Resources Manager, Parks and Recreation Department gave a presentation and answered questions on delays in lifeguard hiring and the need for more HR staff. The motion to approve letters of support for PARD Human Resources Team for their successful recruiting and hiring practices, use …
