REGULAR MEETING OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD AUGUST 26, 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/M9ygQPCMFF 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) Cathleen Eady (D-6) VACANT (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 July 22, 2024. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Presentation, discussion and approve letters of support for staff and programming at the Old Bakery and Emporium, Brush Square Museum and the Elisabet Ney Museum. (Sponsors: Villalobos, Flowers). (PARD Long Range Strategies: Relief from Urban Life, Operational Efficiency, Park Access for All). Presenter(s): Herlinda Zamora, Cultural & Arts Education Manager, Parks and Recreation Department. Discussion and approve a recommendation related to City Ordinance No. 20191205-070 that authorized, on an expedited basis, a concession for The Expedition School, waiving the requirements of City Code Section 8-1-74 (Review of a Proposal Seeking a Concession) and an amendment to the Holly Shores/ Edward Rendon Sr. Vision Plan. (Sponsors: Reed, Taylor) 2. 3. Page 1 of 2 Presentation, discussion and approve a recommendation to Austin City Council to find that the Hays Common Municipal Utility District application is superior with respect to parkland dedication. (Sponsors: Villalobos, Flowers). (PARD Long Range Strategies: Relief from Urban Life, Urban Public Spaces. Presenter(s): Thomas Rowlinson, Principal Planner, Parks and Recreation Department. Discussion and approve appointments to the Parks and Recreation Board seat on the Joint Sustainability Committee. (Sponsors: Becker, Bazan). 4. 5. 6. STAFF BRIEFINGS Staff briefing on Parks …
Austin Parks and Recreation Department Presentation on: Hays Common Municipal Utility District Application August 26, 2024 Thomas Rowlinson, Principal Planner Development Overview Existing Use: Undeveloped Proposed Use: Single family with 700 residential units plus commercial use located at FM 1626 and SH 45. MUDs require City consent for their creation. Downtown Airport PROJECT LOCATION 2 Development Overview Site is 498 acres. It includes a section of Little Bear Creek to the south. It is adjacent to the 45S Trail along the highway, with planned connections to the Violet Crown Trail. 3 Development Overview Site is partially in the City of Austin extraterritorial jurisdiction, and partially outside the city limits. Site is divided across Travis County and Hays County. Site would come into the City’s jurisdiction via strategic partnership for annexation. 4 Parks and Open Space Public parkland to be dedicated: 16.09 acres Publicly accessible open space: 35.41 acres Little Bear Creek Trail Area: 3.74 acres Minimum amount required for superiority: 20.38 acres Parks and Open Space • Amount of parkland exceeds what would be required under current code, since only City of Austin extraterritorial jurisdiction code requirements would apply to a portion of the site. • Open space will be publicly accessible. • MUD commits to +10% per dwelling unit in excess of current park development fee, meaning greater park development than required under current code. • MUD commits to creating a public trail along Little Bear Creek that may not otherwise be feasible under current code. PARD staff currently supports this MUD application for superiority with respect to parkland dedication. 6 Board Consideration Recommend to Austin City Council to find that the Hays Common Municipal Utility District application is superior with respect to parkland dedication. 7
ORDINANCE NO. 20191205-070 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A BOATING CONCESSION ON LADY BIRD LAKE FOR TEE EXPED-7-ON SCILOOL; WAIVING THE REQUIREMENTS OF CITY CODE SECTION 8-1-74 (REVIEW OF A PROPOSAL SEEKING A CONCESSIONj; AND AMENDING THE HOLLY SHORES/EDWARD RENDON, SR. PARK MASTER PLAN TO INDICATE THE LOCATION OF - E EX?ED 7-ON SC. 00-'S BOATING CONCESSION. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: PART 1. Findings The City Council finds that: (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F) Residents of Austin who live east of IH-35 and north of Lady Bird Lake have no opportunity to access rental canoes, stand-up paddleboards, and other watercraft without traveling west of the highway or south of the lake. The Expedition School has been providing City-contracted instructor classes on Festival Beach near Camacho Recreation Center since 2006. The Expedition School has the capacity to offer a wide range of programs and activities, including team-building exercises, life-saving training, paddling adventures, safety plans and programs, and outdoor education. The Expedition School has received awards from the Austin Police Department, Keep Austin Beautiful, the American Red Cross, and Down Home Ranch. The Expedition School has removed more than 17 tons o f trash and 3 tons of recycling from Lady Bird Lake since its inception. The Expedition School works with the visually-impaired, the hearing-impaired, and other residents with special needs. (G) Alumni of the Expedition School have saved 92 lives. (H) More than 150,000 athletes have been safely supported by Expedition School staff during sporting events. Surrounding residents and community groups have written letters of support for a (I) Page 1 of 3 boating concession operated by the Expedition School, including the Holly Neighborhood Coalition and the East Cesar Chavez Neighborhood Contact Team. Kimery Duda, founder of the Expedition School, is a well-respected member of Austin's adventure sports community and a leader in safety and safety advocacy. The continued community services provided by the Expedition School at its current location are at risk due to a lack of operating revenue and due to the fact that the standard recreation instructor contract between the City and the Expedition School does not provide for concession opportunities. The Expedition School has the capacity to offer affordable rental equipment to students, but standard recreation instructor contracts do not provide for concessions. (J) (K) (L) (M) A concession contract would allow the Expedition School to continue enriching the lives …
TITLE 8. - PARKS AND RECREATION. CHAPTER 8-1. - PARKS ADMINISTRATION. ARTICLE 5. - TOWN LAKE METROPOLITAN PARK. Division 2. Concessions in Town Lake Metropolitan Park. Division 2. Concessions in Town Lake Metropolitan Park. § 8-1-71 CONCESSIONS AUTHORIZED. (A) If authorized by the director, a person may operate a food or beverage, rental, or service concession in Town Lake Metropolitan Park. (B) A person under the age of 18 engaging in the occasional sale of nonalcoholic beverages may not be required to obtain authorization under this section. Source: 1992 Code Section 11-3-1; Ord. 031009-11; Ord. 031211-11; Ord. No. 20190307-014, Pt. 9, 3-18-19; Ord. No. 20190919-038, Pt. 4, 9-30-19; Ord. No. 20240229-046, Pt. 9, 3-11-24. § 8-1-72 BOATING CONCESSIONS. (A) Subject to the restrictions in this section and authorization by council, a person may operate a concession for a boating activity on Town Lake Metropolitan Park and the Colorado River adjacent to Town Lake Metropolitan Park. (B) On Town Lake Metropolitan Park, between Tom Miller Dam and Lamar Boulevard, a person must obtain a (1) to rent to the public a boat designed for recreational rowing, including a canoe, kayak, racing shell, or rowboat; (2) to operate an excursion boat; or (3) to maintain a landing for an excursion boat that is not a permanent mooring. (C) On Town Lake Metropolitan Park, between Lamar Boulevard and Congress Avenue, a person must obtain a (1) to rent to the public a boat that requires little or no skill to operate, including a paddleboat; (2) to operate an excursion boat; or (3) to maintain a permanent mooring for an excursion boat. (D) On Town Lake Metropolitan Park, between Congress Avenue and Longhorn Dam, a person must obtain a concession: concession: concession: (1) to rent to the public a boat designed for recreational rowing, including a canoe, kayak, racing shell, or rowboat; (2) to operate an excursion boat; or (3) to maintain a landing for an excursion boat that is not a permanent mooring. (E) In the river basin immediately upstream from Longhorn Dam, a person must obtain a concession to rent a sailboat to the public. (F) On the Colorado River, between Longhorn Dam and U.S. Highway 183, a person must obtain a concession to rent a boat designed for recreational rowing that can withstand swiftly flowing water and fluctuating water Austin, Texas, Code of Ordinances (Supp. No. 165) Created: 2024-07-02 11:44:00 [EST] …
M E M O R A N D U M TO: Stephanie Hayden-Howard, LMSW, Assistant City Manager FROM: Kimberly A. McNeeley, M. Ed., CPRP, Director Austin Parks and Recreation Department Kimberly McNeeley Digitally signed by Kimberly McNeeley Date: 2022.12.20 10:32:30 -06'00' DATE: December 15, 2022 SUBJECT: Contract Term for Expedition School Boating Concession Per Ordinance No. 20191205-070 (see attached), City Council directed the City Manager to find a suitable location for the Expedition School boating concession and to amend the Holly Shores/Edward Rendon, Sr. Park Vision Plan to indicate the boating concession location. Since this action the Expedition School was granted the use of a temporary operating location (18 months) at the Festival Beach Boat Ramp since PARD’s use of the Camacho Dock for programming had increased thus restricting additional use by the Expedition School (see attached Mayor And City Council Members Memorandum – December 15, 2020). Moreover, PARD staff, working with the Expedition School, identified a long-term location at Edward Rendon Senior Park Festival Beach Lagoon west end for the operation of the watercraft concession. The long-term site is undeveloped and will require a considerable vendor investment ($1.46M). The proposed improvements would include long-term site design, planning, permitting and preparation; and construction of an ADA accessible dock, storage, walkways, landscaping, shading and a staging area. The anticipated time period for the proposed improvements is approximately two years. To provide the Expedition School sufficient time to make the necessary parkland improvements, staff is proposing an interim period of two years with an initial 10-year contract term with two five-year extensions for a total 22-year contract. The interim two—year period would allow the vendor to make the necessary site improvements that are required for the operation of the concession. This initial interim two-year period will also include specific development and fundraising benchmarks. Failure to meet the established benchmarks will be considered a contract violation and grounds for considering termination. While this is not typical, it is deemed an appropriate measure to ensure the project progresses in a timely manner to deliver a quality service to the Austin community. Assuming the Expedition School successfully accomplishes the established benchmarks, the Department recommends a 10-year contract term with two five-year extensions for a total 22-year contract. While the initial ten-year period with two extension falls in line with the current standard Page 1 of 3 for other concessionaires. PARD’s preferred term exceeds Corporate Purchasing’s …
CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF AUSTIN (“City”) and The Expedition School (“Contractor”) for Boating Concession on Lady Bird Lake Contract Number: NR210000001 The City accepts the Contractor’s Offer for the above requirement and enters into the following Contract. This Contract is between The Expedition School having offices at 4306 Las Palmas Dr, Austin, TX 78759 and the City, a home- rule municipality incorporated by the State of Texas. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings given in the Solicitation. 1.1 This Contract is composed of the following documents in order of precedence: 1.1.1 This Document 1.1.2 Terms and Conditions dated 10/21/2020 incorporated herein and attached as Exhibit A hereto. 1.1.3 Contractor’s Proposal,incorporated herein and attached as Exhibit B hereto. Revenue. The Contractor shall pay the City in accordance with the Contract requirements: 1.2 1.2.1 Contractor shall pay the City without demand, at the Office of the Director of the Parks and Recreation Department for the City of Austin by the 10th of each month, a minimum flat monthly fee of 10% of gross revenue minus sales tax. Revenue is to include sale of merchandise, rentals, classes, safety and education courses, teambuilding events, youth programs and memberships. 1.3 Term of Contract. This Contract shall remain in effect for an initial term of 18 months or the City terminates the Contract. 1.4 Designation of Key Personnel. The City and the Contractor resolve to keep the same key personnel assigned to this engagement throughout its term. In the event that it becomes necessary for the Contractor to replace any key personnel, the replacement will be an individual having equivalent experience and competence in executing projects such as the one described herein. Additionally, the Contractor shall promptly notify the City and obtain approval for the replacement. Such approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Contractor’s and City’s key personnel are identified as follows: Standard Contract Template Rev. 08-07-2020 1 List of Exhibits Exhibit A Terms and Conditions Exhibit B Contractor’s Proposal Exhibit C Ordinance NO. 20191205-070 Standard Contract Template Rev. 08-07-2020 3 The Contractor agrees that the Contract shall be governed by the following terms and conditions. EXHIBIT A CITY OF AUSTIN TERMS AND CONDITIONS GENERAL 1 1.1 1.2 1.3 TERM OF CONTRACT: A. The Contract shall commence upon execution unless otherwise specified and shall continue in effect until all obligations are performed in accordance with the Contract. Upon written notice …
City of Austin Parks Board Members, June 17,2024 Hello, this is Bertha Rendon Delgado President of East Town Lake this letter is in reference to the Expedition school that has taken over our new building Lorraine Camacho Activity Center that was name after (Grandma Comacho) that was proposed as our Neighborhood Elderly Center in our barrio. In the last two decades we have watched our beloved activity center be taken over by an PAID Instructor who founded this Large operation that has overgrown to be housed in our beloved Edward Rendon Sr. Holly Shores Master Plan. We have questioned the PARD Staff Former Director Kimberely on how they have been permitted to be housed here in our public park facility not giving the community access.. So many residents are very concerned on how this operation is being operated, the special privileges of receiving an approval of request that was made by the Expedition School dated in 2019 as the last item on the Agenda for that year without any public input brings a red flag to this. The Edward Rendon Holly Shores Master Plan has an ordinance in place that there is no concession can take place unfortunately special favors have been awarded to the Expedition School this contract has expired as well has not been good stewards in our community. There has been major complaints brought to our attention with evidence of the people participating in this Expedition School so call program that has NOT been following safety procedures and the City of Austin Parks can be held liable if an incident occurs here especially in the water here are the following listed: ● Adults renting from this concession not being mandated as well as wearing safety life jackets in the colorado river known as Lady Bird lake ● Destroying the nature of the grass lawns with the U Haul trucks, large storage metal bins & canoes The large amount of trash that is left behind by these users ● Adults drinking alcohol during the time of rental on the water ● ● Children Jumping off the small bridge over the lagoon ● Swimming in a very dangerous water with no lifeguard there is a no swimming ban in place for decades due to drownings. Today the request from our neighborhood concerned residents is to ask for a postponement on this item we have a lot of discussion as …
Open Letter In Opposition for a Permit and Concession To The Expedition School et.al. *** Time Sensitive*** Date: August 2, 2024 ( Addition items to consider and amended on August 15, 2024 ) To: City of Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, City Manager TC Broadnax, City of Austin Parks Interim Director Angela Means, City ACM Stepahanie Hayden-Howard CC: City Council Member District 3 Jose Velasquez, All City Council Members CC: City of Austin Parks Board Chair Pedro Villarlobos, Vice Chair Kathryn Flowers, District 3 Board Representative Nicole E. Merritt, Holly Reed CC: City of Austin Legal Department From: East Town Lake Citizens Neighborhood Association HABLA Residences of East Austin Raza Roundtable LULAC Significant City of Austin stakeholders to submit their concerns directly to Council Applicant: MWM Design, Expedition School LLC, Expedition School Fund and Kimery Duda Regarding: Ordinance # 20191205-070 Dated December 5, 2019 (Violation 1) “An ordinance authorizing a boating concession on Lady Bird lake for the Expedition School (a) Waiving the requirements of City code Section 8-1-74 (Review of a proposal seeking a concession). (Violation 2) (b) And amending the Holly Shores/ Edward, Sr, Park Master plan to indicate the location of the Expedition school’s boating concession” (Violation 3) ____________________________________________________________________________ Violation1. Ordinance # 20191205-070 should be rescinded immediately based on a violation of City Charter. § City Charter Article 2 Chapter 7 Section A and (1). - POWERS OF THE COUNCIL. All powers and authority which are expressly or impliedly conferred on or possessed by the city shall be vested in and exercised by the council; provided, however, that the council shall have no power to, and shall not: (A) Sell, convey, lease, mortgage, or otherwise alienate any land which is now, or shall hereafter be, dedicated for park purposes, unless: (1) the qualified voters of the city shall authorize such act by adopting in a general or special election a proposition submitting the question and setting forth the terms and conditions under which such sale, conveyance, lease, mortgage, or other alienation is to be made; Amendment note: Section 7 appears as amended at the election of November 6, 2012, and later renumbered by Ord. 20121213-004. Violation 2. Ordinance # 20191205-070 should be rescinded immediately based on violation of its fiduciary duties as City Council members by omitting City Code Section 8-1-71 and Section 8-1-72. The applicants do not meet the requirements of financial capacity and requirements under this …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES JULY 22, 2024 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES JULY 22, 2024 The PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD convened in a REGULAR meeting on July 22, 2024 at 301 W. 2nd Street in Austin, Texas Chair Villalobos called the PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Pedro Villalobos, Kathryn Flowers, Stephanie Bazan, Lane Becker, Cathleen Eady, Jennifer Franklin, Holly Reed. Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Nicole Merritt. Board Members Absent: Shelby Orme, Kim Taylor. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Nicole Netherton - Pease Park Conservancy Claire Krebs - Festival Beach Community Garden Grace Gilker - Festival Beach Food Forrest Liz Barhydt - Austin Rowing Club Santiago Tza-Wan - Historic pecan grove at Festival Beach Scott Cobb - Barton Springs Lifeguard Gail Rothe - PARD PARKnership Program Chris Flores - PARD PARKnership Program Bertha Delgado Rendon - East Town Lake Citizen Neighborhood Association Elisa Montoya - East Town Lake Citizen Neighborhood Association APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of June 17, 2024. The motion to approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of June 17, 2024 was approved on Chair Villalobos’ motion, Vice Chair Flowers’ second on a 7-0 vote with one vacancy. Bord Member Eady abstaining. Board Members Orme and Taylor absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Presentation, discussion and approve letters of support for community members and active participation in community engagement for the playscape replacement at Metz Neighborhood Park. Reynaldo Hernandez, Project Manager, Jonathan Haynes, Program Supervisor and Seth Conway, Activity Specialist, Parks and Recreation Department gave a presentation. 1 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES JULY 22, 2024 The motion to approve letters of support for community members and active participation in community engagement for the playscape replacement at Metz Neighborhood Park was approved on Chair Villalobos’ motion, Vice Chair Flowers’ second, on an 8-0 vote with one vacancy. Board Members Orme and Taylor absent. 3. Approve the Parks and Recreation Board Annual Internal Review and Report. Board Members discussed this item. The motion to approve the Parks and Recreation Board Annual Internal Review and Report was approved on Chair Villalobos’ motion, Vice Chair Flowers’ second on a 7-0 vote with one vacancy. Bord Member Eady abstaining. Board Members Orme and Taylor absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 4. Staff briefing on Parks and Recreation Department …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD RECOMMENDATION YYYYMMDD-XXX Date: Subject: Expedition School Concession and Amendment to Holly Shores/ Edward Rendon Sr. Vision Plan Seconded By: Motioned By: Whereas on Dec. 15, 2019, the Austin City Council passed Ordinance No. 20191205-070 to expedite authorization of a boating concession on Lady Bird Lake for the Expedition School1 Whereas Ordinance No. 20191205-070 was an unprecedented Council directive for a boating concession approval in that it waived the requirements of City Code Section 8-1-74 (Review of a Proposal Seeking a Concession) by-passing review by the Parks Board, the Environmental Commission, Design Commission, and related public engagement process2 Whereas, by waiving the requirements of City Code Section 8-1-74, Ordinance No. 20191205-070 conflicts with City Charter Article 2, Chapter 7, Section A3 Whereas Ordinance No. 20191205-070 authorized an amendment to the Holly Shores / Edward Rendon Sr. Park Master Plan without notification to the community and public stakeholders who have collaborated in good faith with the Parks and Recreation Dept. on the Park Master Plan since it was approved in 20154 Whereas community stakeholders have significant issues with a large boating concession that was not part of the original Holly Shores / Edward Rendon Sr. Park Master Plan and have expressed to the Parks and Recreation Board their difficulty in having their issues addressed in the current process5 Whereas the City of Austin and State of Texas recognize the Mexican American heritage, cultural and historical significance of the Holly Shores / Edward Rendon Sr. Park Whereas the proposed location of the commercial dock for the Expedition School Concession is within an area that has poor water quality and may create additional negative environmental impact and public safety concerns Whereas the Parks and Recreation Dept. has not amended the Holly Shores / Edward Rendon Sr. Park Master Plan to indicate the location of the Expedition School boating concession, as directed by Ordinance No. 20191205-070 over four years ago 1 Ordinance No. 20191205-070 https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=333264 2 City Code 8-1-74 3 Section 7 Powers of the Council 4 Holly Shores / Edward Rendon Sr. Master Plan 5 Open Letter In Opposition RE: Permit and Concession for Expedition School et al, Opposition Letter 1 of 3 Whereas PARD staff, working with the Expedition School, but not the community stakeholders, identified a long-term location at Edward Rendon Senior Park Festival Beach Lagoon west end for the operation of the watercraft concession, in conflict with …
Herlinda Zamora, Culture & Arts Program Manager Parks & Recreation Department Mission Statement Austin Heritage Museums are a part of the Museums & Cultural Programs Division of PARD, which celebrates Austin’s unique stories within Texas. They share knowledge of Texas history through community engagement, collections management, and robust scholarship. Vision Austin Heritage Museums aim to be dynamic, trusted, and engaging storytellers, rooted in the material culture, landscape, and fabric of the City whose stories they tell. Objectives Austin Heritage Museums will accomplish this vision by expanding best practices in preserving our venerable places and their contents. We are telling stories that: Present a comprehensive, equitable, and accurate history of Austin Seek out and elevate diverse voices Encourage historical curiosity Incorporate both traditional and innovative storytelling techniques, including the interpretive power of artistic expression Engage all visitors and whenever possible, maximize opportunities to listen to them Provide a meaningful visitor experience and make Austin’s history relevant FY 2024 in Numbers 69,564 visitors across all sites 61 programs with 29,241 participants 281 Local artists were given places to show their work and sharpen their craft The Old Bakery & Emporium welcomed visitors from over 30 states and 20 different countries The 47th Annual O. Henry Pun-Off hit its highest-ever number of attendees with over 1200 guests 10th Annual Ney Day doubled attendance from last year with 500 guests 11,000 followers on social media and 3,500 email subscribers FY 2024 Museum Visitors Brush Square 16.5% 11,497 The Ney 26.4% 18,380 69,564 Total Visitors 39,687 Old Bakery 57.1% FY 2024 Museum Highlights The Old Bakery & Emporium completed an 18-month community engagement project with the Downtown Austin Alliance resulting in the first mural to be painted on the historic building, entitled “Generational Ties”. The mural was unveiled at the 3rd Annual Midsummer Festival A new program, Naturalist at the Ney, was developed based on public engagement in 2023 Brush Square has been focusing heavily on expanding education and outreach programming within the community Museum Highlights Cont. Through the ongoing grant with the International Sites of Conscience, the museums have worked closely with the Refugee Collective in Austin, and they increased their language offering to include Spanish tours and gallery guides in both Spanish and German OBE is partnering with AVAFest (Austin Veteran Arts Festival) on a new project to support veterans and youth with PTSD, as part of the ISOC grant The OBE artisan …
Austin Raza Round Table August 26, 2024 Chair Pedro Villalobos Parks and Recreation Board P.O. Box 1088 Austin, TX 78701-1088 Dear Chair Villalobos and PARB Members: At least five car clubs have met at the Festival Beach parking lot just southwest of the Johnny Degollado Pavilion on Saturdays for most of the 20th and all of the 21st centuries so far. This area is known by the Mexican American community as Chicano Park. The car clubs share their love of their classic cars, many of which have been modified to be lowriders. Today, they continue to show their cars and barbecue at Chicano Park on weekends. Neighbors have fished off the existing dock, walked the accompanying trails, held family picnics, and held celebrations for events such as birthdays and weddings. Cinco de Mayo and Diez y Seis de Septiembre celebrations are held at the Johnny Degollado Pavilion. The Expedition School has operated for almost two decades at Festival Beach, first at the Lorraine "Grandma" Camacho Activity Center and now at the boat ramp at the end of Nash Hernandez Street. The school offers educational programming, private events and public rentals. It operates as a for-profit concessionaire with a nonprofit component for its educational purposes. The school wants a new boating dock and storage facility on the lagoon down the slope from the parking lot these car clubs have used for many decades. The car club members are concerned that the traffic created by kayaking and stand-up paddle board rentals service will push them out of the park by taking up the limited parking area and grounds. Raza RoundTable of Austin supports the car clubs, East Town Lake Citizens Neighborhood Association, and Hispanic Advocates Business Leaders of Austin (HABLA) in their opposition to the dock. We believe that this will be the final step to push all local neighbors’ use of the park out not only of the Camacho Center but all of Chicano Park. We request that the City rescind the 2019 ordinance that granted the Expedition School the concession and not allow them expand. If you have questions about this issue, please contact our Co-Chair, Dr. Jane Rivera at janehrivera@austin.rr.com. Respectfully, Raza Round Table of Austin: 1 Susana Almanza Larry Amaro Daniel Baladez Dr. Paul Barton Skylar T. Bonilla Alejandro Caceres Ernesto Calderon Ruby Calderon Mario Cantu Remi Carbajal Marylou Castillo Ricardo A. Chavira Viola Cobos Dave Cortez Marta …
Dear Parks Board Members, 7/30/2024 We are requesting that the Parks Board recommend that City Council rescind the December 2019 Expedition School ordinance which without stakeholder notification or input went against the whole letter and spirit of the Holly Shores/Edward Rendon, Sr. Parks Master Plan, (Master Plan) by creating an unauthorized private enterprise in a public park. The Expedition School (TES) plans to construct a large dock in the Master Plan area of Festival Beach. TES is a for profit entity with a non-profit component. The group prospers by rentals and luxury adventure group consulting for substantial fees. TES began using the Camacho Activity Center in 2006. After taking over much of the activity center, TES decided to expand further in our park and even opened a facility in San Antonio. In 2019 a December City ordinance passed that circumvented stakeholder involvement and gave the TES the opportunity to use one end of a Festival Beach Lagoon for a large dock with storage buildings. Locals did not know of the ordinance until well after it had passed. Now TES is poised to move ahead, creating a park concession that is not and never has been part of the vetted Master Plan. In short, TES is responsible for the following breaches and oversights: · Blatant disrespect & disregard for community and stakeholders · Employing highly questionable possibly illegal methods to circumvent official processes · Misrepresenting the enterprise status as a 501C3 · Ignoring and bypassing environmental checks of the proposed expansion/dock · Overlooking the local mandate for a wild/tranquil park The above concerns cast doubt upon a positive outcome of any current or future TES project within the Master Plan area. Moreover, TES recently employed a lobbyist to represent them at city hearings which raises questions about their use of donor funds. Does the group deem itself too wealthy to meet stakeholders face to face? This questionable deal is the tip of the iceberg. In past months we’ve seen an erosion of the trust in city park administration, much of it surrounding the non-profits. A handful of non-profit businesses and enterprises are carving up our parks for their own interest—in the guise of providing vital services. It’s time to rethink how we interact with non- profit entities. Meanwhile, injustice is never a done deal. It’s not too late to rescind the shadowy TES ordinance amendment—which should never have passed. Let us …
Thursday, August 22, 2024 at 16:40:21 Central Daylight Time Thursday, August 22, 2024 at 16:40:21 Central Daylight Time Subject: Subject: Date: Date: From: From: Fw: Letter of Support Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at 11:39:50 AM Central Daylight Time Kimery Duda To:To: Attachments: Outlook-horizontal.png, FINAL Exp School Support Letter 2023-10-30.docx Attachments: Katherine Nicely, Michele Rogerson Lynch [Outside Email] Kimery Duda Founder The Expedition School www.expeditionschool.com From: Diane Mackey <diane@austinadventurers.org> Sent: Monday, October 30, 2023 1:54 PM To: Kimery Duda <kimery@expeditionschool.com> Subject: Letter of Support Hi Kimery, Please find attached the letter for support of the Expedition School from the Adventurers Academy. If you need it to say more or anything different, please let me know. Good Luck! Diane 1 of 1 7106 Shadywood Drive, Austin TX, 78745 Tel 737-203-5494, Fax 1-888-300-6396 adventurers@austinadventurers.org www.austinadventurers.org Tax ID 45-4299243 Enriching lives of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Adventurers Academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization October 30, 2023 Kimery Duda Expedition School Dear Kimery, The Adventurers Academy of Lifelong Learning is pleased to submit this letter in support of our partnership with the Expedition School as you seek to receive a grant for your organization. The Expedition School has been an excellent and valued partner since 2020 as the Adventurers Academy serves adults in the greater Austin area with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Academy’s mission is to help adults become more independent and connect with their community. The paddling instruction and experiences provided by the Expedition School enables them to access recreational resources of Lady Bird Lake, one of the central features of the Austin community, with confidence and safety. Adventurers really look forward to paddling and have gained confidence in their ability to learn new skills. Most of our families would not be able to afford the cost for their Adventurer to go paddling on a weekly basis without the generous donations and discounts provided to us by the Expedition School. If the Expedition School is awarded this grant, we would hope to build our partnership by adding a multi- day kayak Adventure to the paddling we get to do on a weekly basis! We are grateful for the Expedition School’s support of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and look forward to continuing our partnership! Sincerely, Diane Mackey Director, Adventurers Academy Thursday, August 22, 2024 at 19:17:01 Central Daylight Time Thursday, August 22, 2024 at 19:17:01 Central Daylight Time Subject: …
8/16/24, 8:26 PM Gmail - REMINDER! Member Survey on Neighborhood Developments 🏡 David Kinsey <davidkinsey2011@gmail.com> REMINDER! Member Survey on Neighborhood Developments 🏡 2 messages Holly NA <hollyneighborhoodassocation@193250530.mailchimpapp.com> Reply-To: hollyneighborhoodassocation@gmail.com To: davidkinsey2011@gmail.com Mon, Aug 12, 2024 at 7:13 PM View this email in your browser Holly Members, The board and development committee of The Holly Neighborhood Association has identified two development items in our neighborhood in which we would like to poll our members before taking a stance on the projects. As a non-profit seeking to represent our neighbors, we are asked time to time by various parties to express an opinion related to a development. In many cases we abstain, and instead do our best to share information with our members so that their inclinations can be expressed privately. However, we believe these two projects are impactful enough that taking a collective stance on the development would be beneficial to the residents of Holly. Below, we have a link to a quick survey and detail surrounding both projects - we’d love to get your feedback! Start Survey! EV Charging Stations Voltera conditional use permit appeal to City Council to allow for commercial electric vehicle charging stations https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ik=fa5d35766f&view=pt&search=all&permthid=thread-f:1807229135023140212&simpl=msg-f:180722913502314021… 1/5 8/16/24, 8:26 PM Gmail - REMINDER! Member Survey on Neighborhood Developments 🏡 HISTORY: EV charging company Voltera is seeking City Council support to build charging stations for commercial vehicles on their properties at 2711 E Cesar Chavez and 2730 E Cesar Chavez. In April, Voltera's initial application was denied by the Planning Commission, citing the lack of fit a charging station would have in our neighborhood, and resident opposition. The vote was 7-3-3, seven opposed, three in favor, and three abstaining. Following this ruling, Voltera initiated an appeal of the Planning Commission decision. CONSIDERATIONS: The Holly NA board has expressed concerns over the degree of fit a commercial charging port has in our neighborhood, the persistent on-site lighting and potential noise from the generators, the quoted/expected number of vehicles to pass through the site daily, the upkeep of the landscaping over time, and the small number of public charging spaces currently available. Here is a short presentation from Voltera on the proposed sites, and this link details a California project designed by Voltera for trucks (Cesar site for sprinter vans or smaller only). ADDITIONAL DETAIL: Following the Planning Commission hearing, Voltera has proposed changes to their project plans to include two public …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD RECOMMENDATION 20240826-4 August 26, 2024 Hays Common Municipal Utility District Application Date: Subject: Motioned By: Pedro Villalobos Recommendation The Parks and Recreation Board recommends to Austin City Council to find that the Hays Common Municipal Utility District application is superior with respect to parkland dedication. Vote The motion to recommend to Austin City Council to find that the Hays Seconded By: Kathryn Flowers Common Municipal Utility District application is superior with respect to parkland dedication was approved on Chair Villalobos’ motion, Vice Chair Flowers second on a 9-0 vote with one vacancy. Board Member Taylor absent. Pedro Villalobos, Kathryn Flowers, Stephanie Bazan, Lane Becker, Cathleen Eady, Jennifer Franklin, Nicole Merritt, Shelby Orme, Holly Reed. Tim Dombeck, Board and Council Liaison, Parks and Recreation Department. None. None. Kim Taylor. For: Against: Abstain: Absent: Attest: 1 of 1
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD RECOMMENDATION 20240826-3 Date: Subject: August 26, 2024 Expedition School Concession and Amendment to Holly Shores/ Edward Rendon Sr. Vision Plan Seconded By: Nicole Merritt Motioned By: Holly Reed Whereas on Dec. 15, 2019, the Austin City Council passed Ordinance No. 20191205-070 to expedite authorization of a boating concession on Lady Bird Lake for the Expedition School1 Whereas Ordinance No. 20191205-070 was an unprecedented Council directive for a boating concession approval in that it waived the requirements of City Code Section 8-1-74 (Review of a Proposal Seeking a Concession) by-passing review by the Parks Board, the Environmental Commission, Design Commission, and related public engagement process2 Whereas, by waiving the requirements of City Code Section 8-1-74, Ordinance No. 20191205-070 may conflict with City Charter Article 2, Chapter 7, Section A3 Whereas Ordinance No. 20191205-070 authorized an amendment to the Holly Shores / Edward Rendon Sr. Park Master Plan without notification to the community and public stakeholders4 Whereas community stakeholders have significant issues with a large boating concession that was not part of the original Holly Shores / Edward Rendon Sr. Park Master Plan and have expressed to the Parks and Recreation Board their difficulty in having their issues addressed in the current process5 Whereas the City of Austin and State of Texas recognize the Mexican American heritage, cultural and historical significance of the Holly Shores / Edward Rendon Sr. Park Whereas the Parks and Recreation Dept. has not amended the Holly Shores / Edward Rendon Sr. Park Master Plan to indicate the location of the Expedition School boating concession, as directed by Ordinance No. 20191205-070 over four years ago 1 Ordinance No. 20191205-070 https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=333264 2 City Code 8-1-74 3 Section 7 Powers of the Council 4 Holly Shores / Edward Rendon Sr. Master Plan 5 Open Letter In Opposition RE: Permit and Concession for Expedition School et al, Opposition Letter 1 of 3 Whereas PARD staff, working with the Expedition School, but not the community stakeholders, identified a long-term location at Edward Rendon Senior Park Festival Beach Lagoon west end for the operation of the watercraft concession, in conflict with the Master Plan6 Whereas in Dec. 2022, the Assistant City Manager approved Contract Terms and a Parkland Improvement Donation Agreement for the Expedition School Boating Concession, including an interim two-year period during which the vendor was required to meet specific development and fundraising benchmarks7 Whereas the Contract Terms …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 26, 2024 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 26, 2024 The PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD convened in a REGULAR meeting on August 26, 2024 at 301 W. 2nd Street in Austin, Texas Chair Villalobos called the PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Pedro Villalobos, Kathryn Flowers, Holly Reed. Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Stephanie Bazan, Lane Becker, Cathleen Eady, Jennifer Franklin, Shelby Orme, Nicole Merritt. Board Members Absent: Kim Taylor. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Liz Barhydt - Austin Rowing Club Scott Cobb - Barton Springs Lifeguard Joel Manzo - ATX Towing Issued Elisa Rendon Montoya - Park maintenance issues Bertha Rendon Delgado - Town Lake boat races APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of July 22, 2024. The motion to approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of July 22, 2024 was approved on Chair Villalobos’ motion, Board Member Reed’s second on a 9-0 vote with one vacancy. Bord Member Taylor absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Presentation, discussion and approve letters of support for staff and programming at the Old Bakery and Emporium, Brush Square Museum and the Elisabet Ney Museum. Herlinda Zamora, Cultural & Arts Education Manager, Parks and Recreation Department gave a presentation. The motion to approve letters of support for staff and programming at the Old Bakery and Emporium, Brush Square Museum and the Elisabet Ney Museum was approved on Vice Chair Flowers’ motion, Chair Villalobos’ second on a 9-0 vote with one vacancy. Board Member Taylor absent. 1 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 26, 2024 3. Discussion and approve a recommendation related to City Ordinance No. 20191205-070 that authorized, on an expedited basis, a concession for The Expedition School, waiving the requirements of City Code Section 8-1-74 (Review of a Proposal Seeking a Concession) and an amendment to the Holly Shores/ Edward Rendon Sr. Vision Plan. Board members discussed the intention of the ordinance, the Parks Board's role in reviewing these types of concessions, the Holly Shores/ Edward Rendon Sr. Park Vision Plan, proposed amendments to the vision plan, and the volume of rentals at similar watercraft concessions. The motion to approve the recommendation as posted in backup was made on Board Member Reed, seconded by Board Member Merritt. Chair Villalobos made a motion …
