SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD CONTRACTS AND CONCESSIONS COMMITTEE AUGUST 22, 2025 – 12:00 PM CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS 301 W. 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701 Some members of the committee may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Tim Dombeck, (512) 974-6716, tim.dombeck@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Lane Becker (Mayor), Chair Pedro Villalobos (D-2) Nicole Merritt (D-3) Stephanie Bazan (D-5) Kim Taylor (D-8) CALL TO ORDER AGENDA PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten 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 Contracts and Concessions Committee on November 15, 2024 and March 21, 2025. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing on an upcoming a change to the Austin Parks and Recreation Concessions Policy to create Legacy Concessions. (Sponsors: Becker, Villalobos) (PARD Long Range Strategies: Operational Efficiency). Presenter(s): Denisha Cox, Contract Management Supervisor II, Austin Parks and Recreation. Page 1 of 2 3. Staff briefing on the monthly Austin Parks and Recreation contract report summarizing new and ongoing contract development. (Sponsors: Becker, Villalobos) (PARD Long Range Strategies: Relief from Urban Life, Park Access for All). Presenter(s): Denisha Cox, Contract Management Supervisor II, Austin Parks and Recreation. 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 tim.dombeck@austintexas.gov, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Parks and Recreation Board, please contact Tim Dombeck at (512) 974-6716 tim.dombeck@austintexas.gov. Page 2 of 2
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD CONTRACTS AND CONCESSIONS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 15, 2024 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD CONTRACTS AND CONCESSIONS COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2024 The PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD CONTRACTS AND CONCESSIONS COMMITTEE convened in a REGULAR meeting on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2024, at 301 W. 2nd Street in Austin, TX. Acting Chair Villalobos called the PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD CONTRACTS AND CONCESSIONS COMMITTEE Meeting to order at 12:09 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Holly Reed, Kim Taylor, Pedro Villalobos. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Lane Becker. Board Members Absent: Nicole Merritt. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Ricardo Chavana - Economic benefit of parks as a gathering place. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board Contracts and Concessions Committee on September 20, 2024. The minutes from the regular meeting of September 20, 2024, were approved on Board Member Taylor’s motion, Board Member Villalobos’ second, on a 4-0 vote. Board Member Merritt absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing on the monthly Parks and Recreation Department contract report summarizing new and ongoing contract development that requires City Council approval and/or committee and board recommendations. Denisha Cox, Contracts Management Supervisor II, Parks and Recreation Department gave a briefing and answered clarifying questions on watercraft concession at Barton Creek and whether is now under the purview of the Real Estate Office, which 1 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD CONTRACTS AND CONCESSIONS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 15, 2024 concessions are being managed by PARD Partners and Phase 2 of The Trail Conservancy Parkland Operations and Maintenance Agreement. No action was taken on this item. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Presentation, discussion and refer to the Parks and Recreation Board a recommendation to approve the Parks and Recreation Board 2024 Annual Concession Report. Karen Charles, Contract Management Specialist III, Parks and Recreation Department gave a presentation and answered questions on unlicensed concessioners, The Expedition School concession agreement, conditional use permits for alcohol sales, revenue from Zilker Eagle Train and revenue sharing in new contracts. Board Members discussed tabling the approval of the 2024 Annual Concessions Report to the January 2025 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board. No action was taken on this item. 4. Discussion and approval of setting the Parks and Recreation Board Contracts and Concessions Committee 2025 regular meeting schedule. The motion to approve setting the Parks and Recreation Board Contracts and Concessions Committee 2025 regular …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD CONTRACTS AND CONCESSIONS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MARCH 21, 2025 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD CONTRACTS AND CONCESSIONS COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 2025 The PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD CONTRACTS AND CONCESSIONS COMMITTEE convened in a REGULAR meeting on FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 2025, at 301 W. 2nd Street in Austin, TX. Chair Becker called the PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD CONTRACTS AND CONCESSIONS COMMITTEE Meeting to order at 12:08 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Lane Becker. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Nicole Merritt, Holly Reed, Pedro Villalobos. Board Members Absent: Kim Taylor. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Christ Flores - Homelessness issues and cooking concerns at Zilker Café APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board Contracts and Concessions Committee on January 17, 2025. Chair Becker noted an error on the agenda concerning the approval of minutes. The Contracts and Concession Committee did not meet on January 17, 2025. The Contracts and Concessions Committee's meeting minutes from November 15, 2024 and March 21, 2025 will be approved at the next meeting. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing on an upcoming RFP solicitation for management and operation of the Zilker Café. Andrew Benford, Contract Management Specialist IV, Parks and Recreation Department gave a briefing and answered clarifying questions on grease traps security, 1 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD CONTRACTS AND CONCESSIONS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MARCH 21, 2025 alcohol sales, environmental precautions for salamanders, public input, the most recent concessionaire at this location and local preference. No action was taken on this item. 3. Staff briefing on the monthly Parks and Recreation Department contract report summarizing new and ongoing contract development and on the FY25 Annual Concession Activity Report summarizes year to date concessionaire activity per Austin City Code § 8-1-73 Annual Concession Report required data. Idella Wilson, Contract Management Specialist IV, and Pat Rossett, Business Process Consultant, Parks and Recreation Department gave a briefing and answered clarifying questions on considerations for 'historic' concessions, revenue concessions payment schedule and TTC management of concessionaires. No action was taken on this item. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Presentation, discussion and refer to the Parks and Recreation Board a recommendation to authorize the negotiation and execution of an interlocal agreement between the City of Austin and Austin Community College for restoration of the historic iron fencing surrounding family lots at Oakwood Cemetery. Jason Walker, Cemeteries Division Manager, Parks and Recreation Department …
Austin Parks and Recreation Policies and Procedures Update for Concessions in City Parks System Contracts and Concessions Meeting August 22, 2025 Presenters: Denisha Cox, Ed.D, MBA, MPH, CTCM, Contract Management Supervisor II Suzanne Piper, DBA, Chief Administrative Officer Commercial Visitor Services Policy for Concessions in City’s Parks System Purpose Establish Policies and Procedures intended to maintain the aesthetic and environmental quality of the Parks System, provide positive recreational experiences to park visitors, and ensure a financial return to the City from park concessions. Authority In accordance with City Code Title 8, the Austin Parks and Recreation Director has the authority and responsibility to execute policies and procedures for concessions in City of Austin parks in accordance with City policies and best practices. Supersedes Policy: • March 12, 1998, Adopted by Council Resolution 980312-25 Definitions Applicable Rules means the applicable provisions of City Code Title 8, the Park Use Rules, and these Policies and Procedures, as they may be amended from time to time. Concession means a business owned by a private citizen or a privately- owned business operating in the Parks System pursuant to an agreement between the City and the citizen or business or a permit issued by the Department. Examples include, but are not limited to, food and beverage stands, boat and watercraft recreation services, bicycle rentals, pushcarts, and souvenir stands. Legacy Concession means an existing Permanent Concession that: • Has been continuously owned and operated in the same park location by the same person or a Family Member for at least 30 years; • Has operated under the same or a similar name for the entirety of its existence; • Contributes to the City’s history and culture, as determined by the Department in its sole discretion; and • Has maintained the physical features of the Concession in good condition. Concessionaire means a private citizen or privately owned business operating a Concession. Parks System means all City of Austin parks, parkland, park amenities, facilities, buildings or bodies of water. Department means Austin Parks and Recreation. Director means the Director of the Department or designee. Permanent Concession means a Concession operating pursuant to an agreement between the City and the Concessionaire with a term of more than six months. Family Member means a biological or adoptive parent, biological or adoptive grandparent, spouse (husband, wife, domestic partner), child (biological, adopted, stepchild, foster, legal ward), sibling (biological, adopted, stepsibling), and parent, …
Austin Parks and Recreation (APR) Contracts Under Development Concessions and Contracts Committee Aug-25 Contract/Project Interlocal Agreement with AISD/ Go Project Contract Type Interlocal Phase N NCP NA S / NS NS CCC N/A PARB Feb-25 Council Apr-25 Interlocal Agreement with AISD/S.A.F.E. (Swimming and Fitness Education) Swim Interlocal N NA NS Mar-25 Mar-25 Apr-25 Interlocal ACC Welding Program Partnership Interlocal N NA NS Mar-25 Mar-25 Jul-25 Notes The City and AISD entered into an agreement in 2005 relating to an educational program known as the GO PROJECT that is a community-based transition program for students with disabilities who are 18-22 years of age and that enables students to move beyond the high school setting and finish their education in a college or work environment. The City provides facilities for AISD's use in providing such classes to the identified students and is interested in continuing to do this. As the current agreement in almost 20 years old, the City wants to revisit and refresh the agreement to better meet all needs. A draft agreement has been sent to the Legal Department for review. On February 24, 2025, the Parks and Recreation Board approved by a vote of 7-0 a recommendation that Austin City Council authorize negotiation and execution of an interlocal agreement with AISD to collaborate on the GO Project, an educational program for high school aged students with disabilities. The item was approved by City Council on April 24, 2025. It has been sent to AISD for review and approval. Project SAFE is an aquatic safety education and swim training program provided to the Austin Independent School District by the City of Austin’s Aquatic Division. Each spring, students are invited to their nearby City of Austin- operated aquatic facility for a two-week long learn-to-swim session. Each day, participants will get an opportunity to engage in curriculums approved by the internationally recognized Starfish Aquatics Institute. It is the City's hope that participation in the program leads to greater water safety practices among the participants. At the conclusion of the program, registration information will be provided for students to continue their learning by participating in additional City of Austin Parks and Recreation programs. On March 21, 2025, the CCC was briefed on this item and recommended the item be approved by Park's Board. On March 24, 2025, the Park's Board recommended Council authorize the the negotiation and execution of the ILA on a …
ATTACHMENT A - EXPIRING CONTRACTS Contract Category Definition Concessions: Relationship with for-profit or non-profit where the contractual partner earns money by using parkland. The contractual partner pays a portion of the revenue to PARD. PARD periodically evaluates whether this “service” continues to be a business need priority. Formal solicitations are typical for these relationships. In some cases, Council provides specific direction*. Contractual Obligation/Services: PARD enters into an agreement either for services or to provide services. May be driven by PARD business need or it may be Council directed. PARD periodically evaluates whether this “service” continues to be a business need priority. When services are provided to PARD, PARD typically allocates a portion of the general fund or other resources to pay for the services. Interlocal Agreements: PARD enters into an agreement with another governmental entity either for services or to provide services. May be driven by PARD business need or it may be Council directed. While PARD periodically evaluates the need for the “service”, there may be other considerations for maintaining the agreements Partnership: Cooperation, collaboration, working together for public benefit with non-profit organizations. These agreements are not necessarily subject to bid processes. These partners should adhere to recently developed base terms associated with partnership levels (operations and maintenance). PLD: Parkland dedication requirement for developers. Contract Name Type of Contract Contract Description Contract Term Beginning Date Contract Term Ending Date Texas Tennis Consultants Contractual Obligations/Services Management and Operation of Caswell Tennis Center 5/15/2015 9/12/2025 Fairways Cantina Concession - Morris Williams Golf Course Concession Food and Beverage concession. Amendment One, executed 10/18/24, changed the revenue payments to ten percent (10%) of all Gross Revenues and added two additional extension options, for a total of three options: Option is 1-9/30/25 to 9/29/30; Option 2 is 9/30/30 to 9/29/35; and Option 3 is 9/30/35 to 9/29/40. 9/30/2020 9/30/2025 Capital Area Council of Governments (CACOG) Interlocal Interlocal Agreement between the COA and CACOG for delivery of congregate meals to various PARD facilities. Renews automatically each year. 4/1/2011 9/30/2025 Round Rock ISD Swimming Pool Interlocal Cooperation Agreement Interlocal Parties jointly construct, maintain, use and operate a swimming pool located on Round Rock ISD property located at Round Rock ISD Canyon Vista Middle School. 12-month extensions available annually until 9/30/2031, when the pool returns to RRISD. 6/1/2010 9/30/2025 Rowing Dock Rippner Tennis Lone Star Tennis Company Concession Paddling watercraft rental concession on Lady Bird Lake 5/1/2002 …
