SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD JUNE 17, 2024 – 6:00 PM PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, ROOM 1406 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DRIVE AUSTIN, TX 78752 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/PSGCcWX3wk 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. Free on-site parking is available in the parking garage and with validation. Attendees should enter via the Event Center Doors on Wilhelmina Delco Drive. More information is available here: https://www.austintexas.gov/pdc. 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) VACANT (D-7) Kim Taylor (D-8) AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Jennifer Franklin (D-9) Holly Reed (D-10) Lane Becker (Mayor) 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 May 20, 2024. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Presentation, discussion and approve letters of support for enhancements to the PARD Cemeteries Program. (Sponsors: Villalobos, Flowers). Presenter(s): Jason Walker, Cemeteries Division Manager, Parks and Recreation. Presentation, discussion and approve a recommendation to Austin City Council to approve the negotiation and execution of a Parkland Improvement Agreement with Hill Country Conservancy for the Violet Crown Mile Zero Trailhead project that includes a maximum amount of funding of $900,000 the Parks and Recreation Department will allocate to Hill Country Conservancy for a portion of the cost to construct the project. (Sponsors: Villalobos, Flowers). (PARD Long Range Strategies: Relief from Urban Life, Urban Public Spaces.) Presenter(s): D’Anne Williams, Project Manager, Parks and Recreation Department and Kathy Miller, CEO, Hill Country Conservancy. Page 1 of 2 2. 3. Discussion on Parks and Recreation Board input to City Manager on the selection of a new Parks and Recreation Department Director. (Sponsors: Reed, Taylor). Staff briefing on the status of The Expedition School’s permitting and …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES MAY 20, 2024 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MAY 20, 2024 The PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD convened in a REGULAR meeting on May 20, 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, Lane Becker, Holly Reed. Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Stephanie Bazan, Shelby Orme. Board Members Absent: Jennifer Franklin, Nicole Merritt, Kim Taylor. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Liz Barhydt - Austin Rowing Club Chris Flores - Barton Springs Bathhouse Wolf Sittler - Norwood House Phillip Thomas - Free Zilker Coalition Cedar Stevens - Free Zilker Coalition APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of April 22, 2024. The motion to approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of April 22, 2024 was approved on Chair Villalobos’ motion, Vice Chair Flowers’ second on a 6-0 vote with two vacancies. Board Members Franklin, Merritt and Taylor absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Presentation, discussion and approve letters of support for George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural Center and Genealogy Center staff and the 2024 Stay Black & Live Austin Citywide Juneteenth Festival. Carre Adams, Cultural & Arts Education Manager, Parks and Recreation Department gave a presentation and answered questions on the Carver genealogical archives and events at the Carver. The motion to approve letters of support for George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural Center and Genealogy Center staff and the 2024 Stay Black & Live Austin Citywide 1 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES MAY 20, 2024 Juneteenth Festival was approved on Chair Villalobos' motion, Board Member Becker’s second on a 6-0 vote with two vacancies. Board Members Franklin, Merritt and Taylor absent. 3. Discussion and approve a recommendation to Austin City Council to direct the Watershed Protection Department to seek alternative solutions to the current proposed plan for the Reed Park Water Quality Improvement Project. Board Members discussed the need for green space in this park deficient area, the poor water quality of the creek, the effects of rapid urbanization on this area, the Chapter 26 process, and wastewater infrastructure. The motion to recommend to Austin City Council to direct the Watershed Protection Department and Parks and Recreation Dept. to seek alternative solutions to the current proposed plan for the …
Violet Crown Trail | Mile Zero Trailhead Parkland Improvement Agreement with Hill Country Conservancy Parks and Recreation Board Christine Chute Canul, Program Manager II Parks and Recreation Department, City of Austin June 17, 2024 Violet Crown Trail In 2006, planning of the Violet Crown Trail began. Its purpose is to create the first regional trail system in Central Texas. After years of strategic land acquisition and planning, the trail is now 13 miles long running from Zilker Park to Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. With continued construction, the VCT is on its way to becoming the longest trail of its kind in Central Texas. 2 Violet Crown Trail | Mile Zero Trailhead at Zilker Metropolitan Park 3 Project Improvement Map 4 Improvements at the Site Mile Zero Entry Feature and Gathering Area Meadow Pavilion Observation Deck and Overlook Stabilized Decomposed Granite Trail Meadow enhancements and walking trail Bike Racks Educational Signage Improved Crosswalk and ADA access 5 6 Project Cost Estimate PROJECT BUDGET Construction Costs Materials Cost Estimated Project Cost Contingency Total Project Cost: 7 Permitting, Design, Project Mgt Costs In-kind Design and Project Management 1,006,488 936,637 1,943,125 194,313 54,115 125,000 2,316,553 Timeline and Next Steps Community Engagement 2018-2019 – Complete 2022 Site Plan Approved 5/20/24 Parks and Recreation Board 7/18/24 City Council Execute Parkland Improvement Agreement Construction begins late 2024 – early 2025 8 Make a recommendation to City Council to approve the negotiation and execution of a Parkland Improvement Agreement with Hill Country Conservancy for the Violet Crown Trail Mile Zero Trailhead project. The agreement includes a maximum amount of Parkland Dedication funding of $900,000 the Parks and Recreation Department will allocate to Hill Country Conservancy for a portion of the cost of constructing the project. Action 9
CEMETERY OPERATIONS Parks and Recreation Board June 17, 2024 MISSION STATEMENT | Cemetery Operations strives to honor the past, present, and future of Austin’s sacred municipal burial grounds with integrity, empathy, and respect. VISION STATEMENT | Cemetery Operations utilizes available resources to manage all operations in a first-class manner applying the most modern administrative, maintenance, preservation, and conservation methods, techniques, and technologies to our day-to-day responsibilities. Cemetery Operations The Founding of Historic Cemeteries 1839 • Oakwood Cemetery 1872 • Stanley- Nolen 1878 • Cemetery at Longview Park 1898 • Plummers Cemetery 1915 • Oakwood Cemetery Annex 1926 • Evergreen Cemetery 1927 • Austin Memorial Cemetery City of Austin Cemeteries represents one of the earliest municipal achievements with the establishment of Oakwood Cemetery in 1839. Oakwood offered the citizens of Austin the opportunity to be buried and remembered in a dignified and respectful manner. Since 1839, the City of Austin has managed and operated 5 municipal and 2 family cemeteries and 80,000 burials encompassing approximately 200 acres of land. 2 Cemetery Operations Background and Current Status Parks and Recreation Department takes on management responsibility. • 1986 – Public Works ends management of municipal cemeteries. • 1990 – 2013 InterCare Inc., assumes responsibility for all aspects of management at city cemeteries. • 2013- Present • April 1, 2013, PARD assumed management of the City of Austin municipal cemeteries resumed some aspects of the cemetery management. • Current Status – 28 Full-time Employees: 6 administrative and 22 • Cemetery Operations maintain 200+ acres of cemetery land, which consists of maintenance (5 temporary) over 80,000 burials • An average of 500 – 600 interments per year and 800 space sales 3 Cemetery Operations Headstone Resetting/Releveling Pilot Project • Address and remediate sinking and leaning headstones in a sample section to determine the most cost-effective process to maximize city resources. • AMP Section 5 Pilot Project was designed by Cemetery Operations in response to the growing and costly issues related to shifting ground patterns and headstone sinking. • The project utilized two different methodologies to effectively evaluate and determine the most effective process moving forward. • The project goals were met, and staff provided useful feedback on the pros and cons of the processes. 4 Cemetery Operations Headstone Pilot Project cont…. • Maintenance staff began performing monument installations, resets, and relevels in November 2018. • Cemetery Operations plans to transition to all interment and burial …
Austin Parks and Recreation Department The Expedition School – Progress Update Presenter: Reynaldo Hernandez Jr, PLA, PMP June 17, 2024 Background Mid 2006: December 2019: The Expedition School (TES) founded and began operating as a contract instructor at Camacho Recreation Center. TES provided city-contracted instructor classes in kayaking, standup paddling, canoeing, and safety. Council Ordinance 20191205-070 • Authorized a boating concession on Lady Bird Lake for the Expedition School • Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) to determine permanent location of operation. December 2019: October 2020 : PARD and TES partnership agreement finalized Request for Quotation (RFQ) issued. • Temporary location of operation at Lady Bird Lake. • 18-month period, potential 2-year extensions • TES conducts planning efforts for permanent infrastructure Temporary Location: Festival Beach Boat Ramp at Nash Hernandez Road • September 2020, Site Plan Exemption received from Development Services Dept. (DSD) • October 2020, partnership agreement executed through April 2022 • January 2022, extension through April 2024 • December 2023, extension through April 2026 TES continues to operate at this temporary location. Planning and permitting for new location infrastructure is ongoing. Permanent Location: Permanent location of The Expedition School • TES is responsible for the design, permitting, and construction for the new infrastructure for planned TES programming. This may include storage, shade structures, equipment and material for operation of concession. All proposed amenities must be ADA compliant. • TES will also be responsible for infrastructure and facility maintenance including keeping concession area clean. • PARD is responsible for providing park identification sign, park directional signage, ADA compliant access, and ADA parking. Permanent Location cont.: A C B D BoardSafe design E E TES facility proposes the following amenities: A. Gang plank (1027 sq. ft.) B. Floating dock (7500 sq. ft.) C. Storage on floating dock (1715 sq. ft.) D. Shade structure on floating dock (4000 sq. ft.) E. 2 ADA boarding kits (740 sq. ft.) Total floating dock and amenities area: 9267 sq. ft. Existing Boating Concessions Comparison: TEXAS ROWING CENTER (2018 Improvements) A. Floating dock (9266 sq. ft.) B. Floating dock extension (4227 sq. ft.) C. 2 storage buildings on floating dock B C (5795 sq. ft.) A C Texas Rowing Center 6044 sq. ft. of existing floating dock incorporated into improvements. Total floating dock and amenities area: 19537 sq. ft. Permanent Location Next Steps: • Anticipate issuance of Site Plan Permit 3 months after final review comments …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD DIRECTOR’S UPDATE DATE: June 2024 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS: Beverly S. Sheffield Education Center: Beverly S. Sheffield Education Center (BSSEC) and Austin Nature & Science Center (ANSC) staff partnered with the Parks Grounds Maintenance team to open a new feature to the Zilker Metropolitan Park playscape on Friday, May 31st. The installation features a scientifically accurate representation of the endangered species that calls Barton Springs its home and will provide salamander education for years to come. District 8 Parks Grounds Maintenance and Nature Programs teams celebrate the opening of the new salamander feature at Zilker Metropolitan Park playscape. 1 Oswaldo A.B. Cantu/Pan American Recreation Center: On Saturday, May 18th the City of Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department celebrated the unveiling of a plaque in honor of Tony Castillo. After much deliberation with city council, the Parks Board, along with community advocates and the Castillo family, the decision was made by the board to erect a plaque in honor of Mr. Castillo. District 3 Program invitation for Tony Castillo plaque dedication in Pan Am neighborhood park. Tillery Neighborhood Park PARD staff will host a Virtual Community Meeting to discuss plans for the new parkland and pecan grove. The project will provide visible and safe access to the park and install amenities that align with community needs and environmental constraints. District 3. Tillery Neighborhood Park Community Meeting (Virtual) Wednesday, June 26 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Join us to meet project staff, learn more about the planned park improvements and timeline, and get your questions answered. Spanish interpretation will be provided. Register here! PLANNING UPDATES: 2 DEVELOPMENT UPDATES: Kicking Off: Project kick-off is underway for new park development at 1129 Tillery Street, known as Pecan Grove, in east Austin. The approximately two acres of parkland were officially acquired from the Austin Housing Finance Corporation in 2022 as part of a planned affordable housing development. Concept planning for the park will start with community engagement, anticipated to begin this summer. District 3 Aerial view of 1129 Tillery Street 3 MAINTENANCE UPDATES: Barton Springs Pool & Joan Means Khabele Bathhouse Rehabilitation Project: Possible drawdown to be scheduled before July 4th. The drawdown of water levels will help remove algae from the shallow end of the pool. The Bathhouse Rehabilitation Project is underway. Ticket sales were moved to the café, signage designating the change was installed and staff have been set up …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD RECOMMENDATION 20240617-3 June 17, 2024 Parkland Improvement Agreement for Violet Crown Mile Zero Trailhead Date: Subject: Motioned By: Kathryn Flowers Recommendation The Parks and Recreation Board Recommends to Austin City Council to approve the negotiation and execution of a Parkland Improvement Agreement with Hill Country Conservancy for the Violet Crown Trail Mile Zero Trailhead project. The agreement includes a maximum amount of Parkland Dedication funding of $900,000 the Parks and Recreation Department will allocate to Hill Country Conservancy for a portion of the cost of constructing the project. Vote Seconded By: Jennifer Franklin The motion to recommend to Austin City Council to approve the negotiation and execution of a Parkland Improvement Agreement with Hill Country Conservancy for the Violet Crown Trail Mile Zero Trailhead project. The agreement includes a maximum amount of Parkland Dedication funding of $900,000 the Parks and Recreation Department will allocate to Hill Country Conservancy for a portion of the cost of constructing the project was approved on Vice Chair Flowers motion, Board Member Franklin’s second on a 6-2 vote with two vacancies. Those voting aye were Chair Villalobos, Vice Chair Flowers, Board Members Bazan, Becker, Franklin and Merritt. Those voting nay were Board Members Reed and Taylor. Those abstaining were Board Member Orme. Pedro Villalobos, Kathryn Flowers, Stephanie Bazan, Lane Becker, Jennifer Franklin, Nicole Merritt. Against: Holly Reed, Kim Taylor. Abstain: Shelby Orme. Absent: None. Attest: Tim Dombeck, Board and Council Liaison, Parks and Recreation Department For:
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES JUNE 17, 2024 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES JUNE 17, 2024 The PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD convened in a SPECIAL CALLED meeting on June 17, 2024 at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Villalobos called the PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Pedro Villalobos, Kathryn Flowers, Jennifer Franklin, Holly Reed. Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Stephanie Bazan, Lane Becker, Nicole Merritt, Shelby Orme, Kim Taylor. Board Members Absent: None. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Liz Barhydt - Austin Rowing Club Sharon Blythe - Cemetery advocate Scott Cobb - Lifeguard hiring Andrea Hill - Lifeguard hiring and chain of command issues Chris Flores - Violet Crown and Barton Springs Pool Joy Casnovsky - Austin Parks Foundation Elisa Rendon Montoya - Holly Shores concerns Bertha Rendon Delgado - Edward Rendon Holly Shores Master Plan Frank Estrada - Possible renaming of Camacho Activity Center Phillip Thomas - Edward Rendon Sr. Park and Holly Shores concerns Ricardo Chavana - Hispanic Baseball League APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of May 20, 2024. The motion to approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of May 20, 2024 was approved on Chair Villalobos’ motion, Vice Chair Flower’s second on a 9-0 vote with two vacancies. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Presentation, discussion and approve letters of support for enhancements to the PARD Cemeteries Program. 2. 1 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES JUNE 17, 2024 Jason Walker, Cemeteries Division Manager and Lucas Massie, Assistant Director, Parks and Recreation Department gave a presentation and answered questions on private organizations doing interments. The motion to approve letters of support for enhancements to the PARD Cemeteries Program was approved on Chair Villalobos' motion, Board Member Reed’s second on a 9-0 vote with two vacancies. 3. Presentation, discussion and approve a recommendation to Austin City Council to approve the negotiation and execution of a Parkland Improvement Agreement with Hill Country Conservancy for the Violet Crown Mile Zero Trailhead project that includes a maximum amount of funding of $900,000 the Parks and Recreation Department will allocate to Hill Country Conservancy for a portion of the cost to construct the project. D'Anne Williams, Project Manager, Parks and Recreation Department and Kathy Miller, CEO, Hill Country Conservancy gave a presentation and answered questions on …
