REGULAR MEETING OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD APRIL 28, 2025 – 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/vz4wFsgDC5 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) CALL TO ORDER Stephanie Bazan (D-5) Luai Abou-Emara (D-6) Diane Kearns-Osterweil (D-7) Kim Taylor (D-8) Jennifer Franklin (D-9) Holly Reed (D-10) Lane Becker (Mayor) PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 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 24, 2025. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Presentation, discussion and approve letters of support for PARD Staff working behind the scenes in the Support Services Division to maintain excellent administrative services across a large, diverse department. (Sponsors: Villalobos, Flowers) (PARD Long Range Strategies: Park Access for All, Urban Public Spaces). Presenter(s): Ben Rustenhaven, Business Process Consultant and David Hillers, Financial Services Division Manager, Parks and Recreation Department. 3. Conduct officer elections for Chair and Vice Chair of the Parks and Recreation Board. STAFF BRIEFINGS 4. 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). Presenter(s): Jesús Aguirre, Parks and Recreation Director. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Page 1 of 2 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 BOARD MEETING MINUTES MARCH 24, 2025 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MARCH 24, 2025 The PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD convened in a REGULAR meeting on March 24, 2025 at 301 W. 2nd Street in Austin, Texas Vice Chair Flowers called the PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Stephanie Bazan, Lane Becker, Kathryn Flowers, Jennifer Franklin, Nicole Merritt. Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Luai Abou-Emara (left meeting at 7:44 p.m.), Holly Reed. Board Members Absent: Shelby Orme, Kim Taylor, Pedro Villalobos. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Liz Barhydt - Austin Rowing Club Chris Flores - Swim scholarships and budget recommendation Gavino Fernandez - Mexican American Land Owners in East Austin Mike Cannatti - Joan Mean Khabele Bathhouse Project Joy Casnovsky - Austin Parks Foundation Fleetwood Jacobs - Zilker 351 Joel Manzo - Barton Springs and Zilker Park budget issues Mary Fero - Wildfire mitigation at Northwest park APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of February 24, 2025. The motion to approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of February 24, 2025 was approved on Board Member Franklin’s motion, Board Member Bazan’s second on a 7-0 vote with one vacancy. Board Members Orme, Taylor and Villalobos absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Presentation, discussion and approve letters of support for PARD Staff who have increased low- income access to PARD programs by improving financial aid programs, effective collaboration and removal of barriers. 1 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES MARCH 24, 2025 Christa McCarthy, Centralized Programming Division Manager and Davin, Bjornaas, Program Manager, Parks and Recreation Department gave a presentation and answered questions. The motion to and approve letters of support for PARD Staff who have increased low-income access to PARD programs by improving financial aid programs, effective collaboration and removal of barriers was approved on Vice Chair Flowers’ motion, Board Member Becker’s second on a 7-0 vote with one vacancy. Board Members Orme, Taylor and Villalobos absent. 3. Presentation, discussion and approve a recommendation to Austin City Council to approve the negotiation and execution of an interlocal agreement between the City of Austin and the Austin Independent School District for Project SAFE, a swim lesson and water safety education program that includes opportunities for students to continue their education by joining either paid or free swim lessons …
P ARD S UP P ORT S ERVICES Parks Board Meeting April 28, 2025 Ben Rustenhaven & David Hillers Austin Parks and Recreation Department Support Services Mission: To be value-added business partners that get results. Long Range Plan Goal E: Optimize and improve efficiency of operations Leverage partnerships and revenue opportunities to elevate the quality of PARD operations and maintenance while upholding equitable park access and ensuring a sustainable and well- balanced budget. Communications and Engagement Unit Public Information / Media Relations Marketing / Social Media Management Web / Creative Services Community Engagement Media Request Report s: • FY2 4 - 2 5 7 m e d ia re q u e s t s • FY2 5 - 8 7 m e d ia re q u e s t s • 2 0 17- 2 0 2 4 Avg . # o f Re q u e s t s : 3 8 8 10 Awards since 2021 2025 Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Award from the National Association of Government Communicators for the Tillery Neighborhood Park Community Gathering 2024 Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Award from the National Association of Government Communicators recognizing the Outreach Campaign for A Celebration of Life for a Tree Named Flo 2023 Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Award from the National Association of Government Communicators for the Ceremonial Moment of Silence and Splash Honoring Civil Rights Activist Joan Means Khabele Texas Recreation and Park Society (TRAPS) Promotions and Marketing Excellence Award – Class I – for Parque Zaragoza: Communidad, Cultura, y Resiliencia 2022 Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Award from the National Association of Government Communicators for the Community Engagement Forum on the Historic Montopolis Negro School Open House 2021 City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA) Silver Circle Award for the Our Parks, Our Future Long-Range Plan National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors Award of Distinction for the 2020 Zilker Tree Lighting Special Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers Award: Award of Excellence for the Parks and Recreation Department for the 2019 Annual Report Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers Award – Award of Honor – Electronic Report for the Our Parks, Our Future Long-Range Plan Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers Award: Award of Honor – Public Service Announcement for Bark Rangers: Poop Offender Leave No Trace Awareness Campaign HR- Employment / Compensation PARD HR Employment/Compensation held several department wide …
AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR’S UPDATE April 28, 2025 Welcome to AUSTIN PARKS & RECREATION VISION The Parks and Recreation Department will be an innovative leader in parks and recreation experiences. MISSION Inspire Austin to learn, play, protect and connect by creating diverse programs and experiences in sustainable natural spaces and public places. Ensure Parkland Offers Relief from Urban Life Recreation Services - Art in the Park Therapeutic Recreation Youth and adults with disabilities created art with many local organizations on April 10th at Fiesta Gardens for the annual Art in the Park event. Approx. Attendance 900 - Fishing Club Therapeutic Recreation Alamo Recreation Center took twelve adults with disabilities on their first fishing trip to Lady Bird Lake learning basic fishing skills while enjoying being with peers on a pier. – TILT Graduation Community Initiatives The Teens In Leadership Training (TILT) program held their graduation on April 10th with 24 students. Graduates will work for PARD this summer as Jr. Activity Specialists! Athletic Programs – South Austin Little League The South Austin Little League celebrated their 75th anniversary on March 30th with games, food, team pictures and fun activities. Approx. Attendance 400 Community Recreation Hancock Recreation Center The highlight of the evening was teens participating in the escape room designed by PARD staff. This year’s theme was the Hunger Games edition. - Tweens Night Out South Austin Recreation Center Parents and children work together while exploring art projects. - Crafty Tots Mendez Recreation Center Over 72 dogs and 130 people made it out to the park for free doggie and human games. -12th Annual Dog Extravaganza Varsity Games ~Yard Games & Pickleball Competitors will face off in Corn Hole, Washers, and Horseshoes on April 11th and 12th. On April 26th and 27th our annual pickleball tournament will occur at Turner-Roberts Recreation Center. Aquatics Aquatic Maintenance Recently completed eco-finishing at Dove Springs Pool and Big Stacy Pool. Repairs have also been completed at the Liz Carpenter Splash Pad, and preparations are underway for the rest of the splash pads in anticipation of summer. Barton Springs Successfully reopened on March 15th following its annual spring cleaning. Deep Eddy Currently undergoing its annual spring cleaning and is scheduled to reopen on April 19th . Instructional Swim Programing and Public Pools As of April 9th, we have 377 lifeguards ready to work. As of April 11th, we have had 963 total lifeguard applicants, …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES APRIL 28, 2025 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES APRIL 28, 2025 The PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD convened in a REGULAR meeting on April 28, 2025 at 301 W. 2nd Street in Austin, Texas Chair Villalobos called the PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Meeting to order at 6:11 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Luai Abou-Emara, Stephanie Bazan, Kathryn Flowers, Diane Kearns- Osterweil, Nicole Merritt, Holly Reed, Pedro Villalobos. Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Lane Becker, Jennifer Franklin, Shelby Orme, Kim Taylor. Board Members Absent: None. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Nicole Netherton - Pease Park Conservancy Dayna Williams - Austin Rowing Club Scott Cobb - Lifeguard issues Chris Flores - Thanks to Holly Reed for her service to the Parks and Recreation Board Kayla Reese - Austin Parks Foundation APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of March 24, 2025. The motion to approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of March 24, 2025 was approved on Chair Villalobos’ motion, Vice Chair Flowers’ second on an 11-0 vote. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Presentation, discussion and approve letters of support for PARD Staff working behind the scenes in the Support Services Division to maintain excellent administrative services across a large, diverse department. David Hillers, Financial Services Division Manager and Ben Rustenhaven, Business Process Consultant, Parks and Recreation Department gave a presentation and answered questions on the evaluation of KPIs. The motion to approve letters of support for PARD Staff working behind the scenes in the Support Services Division to maintain excellent administrative services across a large, diverse 1 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES APRIL 28, 2025 department was approved on Chair Villalobos’ motion, Board Member Merritt’s second on an 11-0 vote. 3. Conduct officer elections for Chair and Vice Chair of the Parks and Recreation Board. The motion to elect Stephanie Bazan to the officer position of Chair of the Parks and Recreation Board was approved on Chair Villalobos’ motion, Board Member Becker’s second on a 10-0 vote. Board Member Reed abstaining. The motion to elect Kathryn Flowers to the officer position of Vice Chair of the Parks and Recreation Board was approved on Board Member Becker’s motion, Board Member Franklin’s second on 9-0 vote. Board Member Reed and Taylor abstaining. STAFF BRIEFINGS 4. Staff briefing on Parks and Recreation Department community engagement …
