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PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD DIRECTOR’S REPORT DATE: January 2020 MASTER PLAN UPDATES: Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park Master Plan The Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park Master Plan presentation to Council date is pending. Additional information can be found at the project’s website: https://www.austintexas.gov/department/walter-e-long-park-master-plan John Trevino Jr. Metropolitan Park at Morrison Ranch Master Plan The fourth and final Community Meeting for the John Treviño Jr. Metropolitan Park Master Plan was held on Saturday, December 7, with over 150 people attending the meeting. The final online survey closed on January 11. The consultant, GGN, is currently developing a draft master plan report. It is anticipated that the draft master plan will be presented to the Parks and Recreation Board in March. Additional information about the plan can be found at the project’s website: http://www.austintexas.gov/JohnTrevinoMetroPark George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center Master Plan The Capital Contracting Office is finalizing the contract with the selected consultant for the master plan, Smith & Company Architects. The master plan process is anticipated to begin in February. Zilker Metro Park Master Plan Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) staff is currently working with the Capital Contracting Office to issue a solicitation for a consultant to lead the master planning process for the park. PARD anticipates that City Council will approve staff to move forward with the negotiations with a consultant in July and begin the community planning process shortly thereafter. Land Development Code Rewrite PARD staff continues to coordinate with the Land Development Code (LDC) leadership team to implement Council’s direction on the LDC. January 24 was the last day to consider amendments to the parkland section. On January 31, DRAFT 2 of the LDC will be published. January 2020 Report DEVELOPMENT UPDATES: George Morales/Dove Springs Recreation Center Expansion Among the community’s top priorities for the Dove Springs Recreation Center Expansion were to provide additional space for programming activities and to better integrate the Center into the surrounding park landscape. The renovated and expanded Recreation Center project includes the build- out of a new dance and fitness studio, a large covered porch, commercial grade kitchen, a mobile study area for visitors, reconfiguration of staff spaces and control desk, new gymnasium flooring and fitness equipment, as well as building systems and accessibility improvements to meet current code requirements. The construction project reached substantial completion in December and the Recreation Center is expected to re-open to the public in early 2020. PARD Facility Services is currently completing repairs and improvements to the Center and will replace the signage to honor the renaming of the facility to George Morales/Dove Springs Recreation Center. Once completed, the facility will reopen and the collective improvements will be celebrated with a ribbon cutting event on Saturday, April 4. This project represents the third and final phase of improvements completed at Dove Springs District Park under the 2012 G.O. Bond program. Previously completed projects include the development of a new nature based playscape, fitness equipment and trail extensions and the development of two new multi-purpose sports fields. The addition and renovation of the Center was supplemented by a $500,000 Urban Indoor Grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The George Morales/Dove Springs Recreation Center is located in District 2. Exterior view of the facility 2 January 2020 Report Brush Square – O. Henry Museum Restoration The historic O. Henry Museum, built in 1889, is a City of Austin Historic Landmark and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The restoration project will address the building envelope including needed roof repairs, window and door restoration, as well as wood siding repair and repainting. Also planned are system upgrades to include replacement of the HVAC system, electrical wiring, security system and installation of a fire protection system, all to the benefit of the interpretation and conservation of the unique historic collections within the Museum. Site work will include improvements to landscape, irrigation and lighting. Construction of a new stone patio at the back of the house will facilitate programming opportunities within Brush Square. Currently under final review, the project will be posted by February 2020 as a Competitive Sealed Proposal (CSP) solicitation. Anticipated construction start is July 2020. This project is part of the City Council allocated Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) funding in Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 to support projects and initiatives that meet allowable uses as defined under Chapter 351 of the Texas Tax Code. Hotel Occupancy Tax revenue provides PARD with needed funding to promote and preserve the historic park facilities that are adjacent to the Convention Center or that are in areas frequented by tourists and convention visitors annually. The Brush Square O. Henry Museum is located in District 9. Office of Special Events Competitive Temporary Concession Request for Applications released January 13 for the following high priority park sites: • Deep Eddy Pool – one (1) vendor permit • Vic Mathias Shores – one (1) vendor permit • Zilker Park – five (5) vendor permits • Deadline: Friday, January 31, 2020 at 4:30 PM • http://www.austintexas.gov/page/current-temporary-concessionaires In addition, applications may be submitted on a first-come first-served basis for other identified temporary concession locations. View a Map of Available Concession Sites. Office of Special Events is anticipating a busy spring season of ceremonies/ribbon cuttings. Once dates are confirmed official invitations will be released. To date, plans are in development for the following: • Colony Park • Alliance Children’s Garden 3 January 2020 Report MAINTENANCE UPDATES: DEFERRED MAINTENANCE PROJECTS The Deferred Maintenance Program has successfully addressed much needed maintenance and repair work system-wide that was not otherwise funded. In FY 2019, $1 million was added to PARD’s budget to address deferred maintenance needs at all park facilities. In FY 2020, $1.2 million will be allocated on deferred maintenance projects. The following projects were completed under this program: • Little Stacy Neighborhood Park Restroom Renovation – work began in early 2019 to renovate the park site inclusive of the existing park shelter house that contained the restroom facilities for the park. The improvements to the structure included replacement of the roof, exterior repairs to the building stucco, overall painting of the structure and ADA improvements. In addition to work performed at the restroom structure, the existing tennis courts received a re- surfacing, re-lining and replacement of the court posts and nets. Work was completed at the park in late September. Little Stacy Neighborhood Park is located in District 9. • Parque Zaragoza Recreation Center HVAC Replacement – this highly utilized recreation center had been experiencing interior climate control issues due to the heating and cooling units reaching the end of their life cycle. For the past several years, the Facility Services group has been creatively maintaining these units with the understanding that they needed to be replaced. The installation of the two new HVAC units was completed in December. The Parque Zaragoza Recreation Center is located in District 3. • Circle C Ranch Metropolitan Park on Slaughter Creek –identified as a long standing need, PARD hired a contractor to construct the improvements on one of the existing parking lots for ADA compliance and installation of accessible picnic tables. In June, the parking lot was repaired, resurfaced and a compliant ADA parking spot was provided. In addition, an ADA accessible path leading to accessible picnic tables was constructed. The Circle C Ranch Metropolitan Park on Slaughter Creek is located in District 8. AQUATICS Barton Springs Pool – will be closed February 29-March 13 for the Annual Spring Clean. Deep Eddy Pool – will begin closing the first Tuesday of every month for monthly maintenance starting February 4. The Aquatic Division Management worked with the Friends of Deep Eddy Pool to schedule monthly closures so that staff and volunteers can address needed maintenance issues. Additionally, the pool will be closed April 11-24 for the Annual Spring Clean. CEMETERY OPERATIONS Austin Memorial Park (AMP) Cemetery – the Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) asphalt contract will be considered by the City Council in February for the repaving of AMP Cemetery. Staff anticipates the contract should be in place and ready in March. Citizen communications with our stakeholder and citizen groups will be sent prior to the start of the repaving to provide ample notification. 4 January 2020 Report First Tee Agreement – PARD staff will meet with the First Tee of Austin to discuss opportunities to expand golf programming for the Recreation Centers and Senior Programs. The current partnership with the First Tee also includes discounts for golfers at the Harvey Penick campus for GolfATX (City Course Memberships) as well as City employees. Other program partnership concepts to grow golf activity will also be discussed including discounts to junior golfers living in the City of Austin. NATURAL RESOURCES PROGRAMS Austin Nature & Science Center (ANSC) Austin Fire Department executed the removal of brush to create shaded fuel breaks between Mopac and the Preschool and between the Zilker Nature Preserve and Birds of Prey Exhibit to increase the safety for animals, visitors and staff. Tree Planting • Planted 63 trees at Civitan on November 22 with Tree Folks. • Planted 19 trees by Horticulture at Conley-Guerrero on November 25. • Planted 44 trees at Ponciana on December 9, in combination with mulch event hosted by APF. • Upcoming • Planting 50 trees at Hubert C Schroeder February 4. • Planting 100 trees at Circle C as part of our Division Work Day on March 4. Wood Reclamation – PARD Forestry has restarted the Wood Reclamation program this month in a new location at John Trevino Jr. Metropolitan Park. The most recent event on January 3 resulted in 1,850 board feet of wood being diverted for reuse, totaling nearly 14 tons. (Photo credit Kris Burns.) 5 January 2020 Report PROGRAM/EVENT UPDATES: Recycling Program – Christmas Tree Recycling PARD and Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) partnered to host the 33rd Annual Christmas Tree Recycling event at Zilker Park over two weekends – December 28-29 and January 4-5. Austin residents and businesses dropped off over 2,000 Christmas trees, with the largest drop-offs from Lowe’s and Trail of Lights. All trees were diverted from the landfill and were turned into mulch on-site on January 14-15 by ARR, with mulch available free of charge to the public beginning January 16. Volunteers worked with PARD staff from Forestry, Park Rangers, and Grounds Maintenance to ensure a successful operation with up to 12 cars dropping off their trees simultaneously. Please see additional photos on ARR’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/austinrecycles/ 6 January 2020 Report It’s My Park Day – In partnership with APF, It’s My Park Day will be held on Saturday, March 7. Registration is now open: https://austinparks.org/impd/. AQUATICS SwimATX – began January 22 at Big Stacy pool. The pool will be closed on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 am-12 pm. StarGuard lifeguard training continues this month with open water training for all current staff. Initial and renewal trainings have begun for the public. Find out how to apply at www.lifeguardaustin.com. The Aquatics Division recruiting schedule is as follows: Date January 16-17 January 22-23 January 28-29 January 30 January 30 Location LBJ High School Recruiting Eastside Memorial Early College High School Recruiting Recruiting – Northeast Early College High School “I Can” Role Model Fair – Blackshear Elementary School Hiring Day at Aquatics Division 1 3 1 10 9 District COMMUNITY RECREATION DIVISION Beyond Beads Class Lamar Senior Activity Center participants are enjoying a 3-week “Beyond Beads” class in collaboration with the Dougherty Arts Center (DAC) and an “Insects & Arthropods” hands-on 4-week presentation by the Austin Nature Science Center (ANSC). These classes brought together creative and curious participants allowing them the opportunity to explore new skills, share life experiences and Create Community by socializing with friends old and new. Both classes are free and at capacity with a waiting list. Strength and Stretch Class Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity Center is now offering new Strength and Stretch Class on Fridays, 1- 2 pm. The format of this class involves a thorough warmup, followed by movements that balance the body’s strength, flexibility and balance and increase blood circulation. This will improve coordination and increase agility. Finishing up with a cool-down and relaxation, participants will leave feeling like they just had a good “movement massage.” 7  Jugueton 2020 – Gus Garcia Recreation Center Gus Garcia Recreation Center, in co-sponsorship with Univision Inc., hosted the annual Three Kings Celebration on Saturday, January 11 from 10am-1pm. Community vendors and agencies provided a day of food, fun, live entertainment, and photos with the Wise Men. Games, free health screenings and well over 400 toys were given away. Holiday Candlelight Trail Hancock Recreation Center hosted its annual Holiday Candlelight Trail on Friday, December 6 from 7-9 pm. This event was a great opportunity for the community to join staff for an evening of live music and hot chocolate as they walked among hundreds of flickering lights near Hancock Recreation Center. Total attendance was 414. Intro to Painting Beginning January 10 and running on Fridays from 4-6pm, Alamo Recreation Center is hosting a free “Intro to Painting” class in the multi-purpose room. Taught by local artist Luke Cisneros this class will explore different techniques and styles of painting. Luke will show the class artists - both past and present - and lead participants in portrait, still life, and landscape paintings. Students are invited to display their paintings in the spring art showcase to be held at Alamo Recreation Center. January 2020 Report 8  McBeth Recreation Center Adaptive Sports The McBeth Adaptive Sports volleyball teams competed in the Special Olympic Texas (SOTX) volleyball area tournament at Marbridge Foundation bringing home three gold and two silver medals. Visit http://www.austintexas.gov/McBeth to learn about all the amazing programs and services offered at McBeth Recreation Center. MUSEUMS & CULTURAL PROGRAMS DIVISIONS Asian American Resource Center The Asian American Resource Center held its annual holiday lunch for 295 seniors on December 18. Austin Symphony played holiday music, several senior groups performed music and dance from Asia and free health screenings and flu shots were provided by Austin Public Health. To learn more about the AARC senior program, please visit: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/senior- programs. Old Bakery & Emporium Carol Hayman and Theresa Bond will be representing The Print Austin, which works with organizations and individuals throughout the Austin visual arts community, to showcase fine art prints during this annual exhibit entitled “Figures and Faces, Chariots and Vessels”, January 15-February 15. Joining them are Chris Celusniak and guest artist Jennifer Hill. Visit: http://www.austintexas.gov/obemporium. Dougherty Arts Center Over the last three decades of performances at the Dougherty Arts Center, Ballet East Dance Company has remained a platform for many emerging artists. On December 6 & 7, Ballet East presented the new work of six choreographers – Melissa Villarreal, Aurelio P. Rodriguez, Dixon Mena, Juan P. Flores, Miguel Marroquin and Sharon Marroquin – titled Legacy; a tribute to Rodolfo Mendez, founder of the company who passed away earlier in 2019. Attendance over the January 2020 Report 9  two nights was 410. Visit: http://www.austintexas.gov/dac. George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center On December 28, the Carver Museum held its sixth annual community Kwanzaa Celebration, commemorating the second principle of Kwanzaa – Kujichagulia (self-determination). Kwanzaa is an African American holiday that highlights seven principles: unity (Nia); self-detemination (Kujichagulia); collective work and responsibility (Ujima); cooperative economics (Ujamaa); purpose (Nia); creativity (Kuumba) and faith (Imani). Nailah I. Akinyemi- Sankofa, an artist whose work was featured in an exhibition (Alaase: Messages within Conjure) in the Carver gallery, led the Kwanzaa celebration. A multi-generational audience of 136 people attended the event which included African dance, storytelling, music, a libation to the ancestors and food from Watsota Vegan Paradise. Visit: www.austintexas.gov/carvermuseum. Oakwood Cemetery Chapel On December 21, the “Caminar” opening event included a “Dance of the Four Corners” healing ceremony by Danza Actec Mexica, a viewing of an artistic video, “Solsticio” by Nohbords, a launch of the “Caminar” story map and a walking processional and reading of names of Mexican Americans and Tejanos buried at Oakwood Cemetery. Attendance was 34. Visit: http://www.austintexas.gov/oakwoodchapel. January 2020 Report 10  Square Museums In Defense of Prisoner #30664 current exhibit available until June. Visit: http://www.austintexas.gov/department/o-henry-museum. January 2020 Report NATURE BASED PROGRAMS DIVISION Zilker Botanical Garden The Zilker Botanical Garden celebrated the grand opening of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar Exhibit,” celebrating the 50th anniversary of the celebrated classic children’s book. The exhibit will run through March 22, allowing thousands of visitors to experience the book in a new way. Park Rangers Park Rangers are Creating Community by fully embedding themselves within it and offering information, assistance, programs, and conservation services in our parks. In the month of December: Park Rangers handled daily operations including over 1288 regular contacts regarding laws, safety, service and education; 416 of those focused directly on the concern of loose dogs in parks. 11 January 2020 Report Park Rangers ran a total of 36 Leave No Trace centric programs in December with a total of 1066 participants for 111 hours. These programs focused on providing information, safety and a connection with our Natural Resources in conjunction with PARD programming units, Watershed Protection, Austin ISD, and many more. Austin Nature & Science Center: Exhibit Docent Program, Volunteer Training & Appreciation Event Volunteers gave 315 hours of their time to ANSC in December. On December 1, ANSC held its quarterly volunteer training. Many ANSC volunteers have expertise in fields related to the natural sciences. Trainings are structured to allow volunteers an opportunity to share their expertise with each other and to prepare for a busy spring filled with visitors from elementary schools throughout Austin. During December, a number of volunteer projects were completed, including several improvements to the animal exhibits and program animal enclosures and support areas. A Capital Area Master Naturalist volunteer constructed a larger, high quality enclosure for ANSC’s resident bats. During Volunteer Work Day, a group from APF spread river rock in the large exterior animal enclosures. This enhancement greatly improves the appearance of the exhibits, also making them easier to sanitize and creating a more natural surface in the enclosures, which is healthier for the animals that live at ANSC. The Exhibit Docent program is gaining traction on Saturdays. Volunteers either sit at a table with nature items or walk the grounds to interpret and provide learning opportunities to visitors. In December, volunteers ran a touch table about skulls. December 12, ANSC celebrated the many volunteers who help make the Nature Center a special place for all visitors. To learn more about volunteering at ANSC, please visit: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/ansc-volunteer-opportunities 12 January 2020 Report ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES: COMMUNITY AND ENGAGEMENT UNIT Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park Playground Replacement Project On January 18, PARD held an interactive community gathering near the playground at Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park in order to get feedback about what the community wants to see in a new playground. The new design will incorporate nature discovery opportunities and build programming with Earth Native Wilderness School. PARD Partner Projects Austin Parks Foundation (APF) The Eastlink Trail Interpretive Placemaking Project – APF hosted the third community meeting for Park Anchored Liaisons and Stakeholders (PALS) on January 27. During this meeting, the project team shared feedback to-date and discussed physical improvements as well as wayfinding and interpretive elements near or in Bartholomew District Park, Rosewood Park/Boggy Creek Greenbelt, Parque Zaragoza and Metz Neighborhood Park. The Trail Foundation (TTF) Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail Safety and Mobility Study – TTF is partnering with PARD to conduct a safety and mobility study of the Butler Trail. Nelson Nygaard is contracted with TTF as the prime consultant on the study. The consulting team is currently developing the scope of the study and community engagement plan. Christine Chute Canul, D’Anne Williams, and Justin Schneider will represent PARD. Leave No Trace (LNT) HOT SPOT Activation Week, March 5-10 In partnership with Leave No Trace and Park Rangers, Barton Creek Greenbelt has been selected as a 2020 Hot Spot. LNT Staff will visit the site in March and facilitate planning, programming, and workshops to help define and address environmental damage in the area caused by overuse. HUMAN RESOURCES Online Sexual Harassment Training As part of an initiative from City of Austin Human Resources Department (HRD), it is now a requirement for all City of Austin employees to take training on sexual harassment. The HRD developed an online training which outlines the City’s sexual harassment policies and reinforces how thoughtful behavior can create a respectful workplace. The training was developed to help employees recognize, react appropriately to and report any behaviors on the job that may be considered sexual harassment. All City of Austin employees were expected to take the training by December 31, 2019. Approximately 1340 or 96% of regular and temporary status employees have completed the Sexual Harassment training. The PARD HR employee relations team completed more than 20 in-person training sessions to ensure all employees without computer access received the appropriate training. Financial Services Town Lake Concession Solicitations The Texas Rowing Center concessionaire contract is set to expire on May 18, 2020. The Contract Management Unit is in the process of developing a draft scope of work and implementation schedule in preparation for the release of a RFP for a concessionaire to maintain and operate a boating concession 13 January 2020 Report on Town Lake. The draft scope of work was presented to the Concessions and Contracts Committee at its January 14 meeting for review and comment. The release of the RFP is scheduled for late February. Management and Operation of Late-Night Youth Recreational Basketball Tournament Services An Invitation for Bid (IFB) was released seeking an organization experienced in the management and operation of a recreation basketball tournament service for coed youth between the ages of 10 and 19. Services included providing PARD a monthly, late-night tournament, free of charge, to coed youth residing in the City of Austin. The IFB closed on January 7 with only one bid received. PARD leadership staff has requested that the service be rebid. An implementation schedule for the new process is in development. Expedition School Boating Concession The City Council has directed the City Manager to provide a boating concession for The Expedition School through a resolution. PARD staff is working with vendor to develop a concession contract. Morris Williams Concession Solicitations The Morris Williams concessionaire contract is set to expire on May 25, 2020. The Contract Management Unit is in the process of developing a draft scope of work and implementation schedule in preparation for the release of a RFP. The release of the RFP is scheduled for late February. FY 2021 Budget Development The City’s focus is on several areas to help better position the City in the coming years. The following are key dates from the City of Austin Budget Timeline: Information Systems Management Wi-Fi in the Parks Project To date, Viasat has completed the installation of equipment, satellite receivers, and access points at Zilker, Barton Springs, Vic Mathias Shores, and Krieg Fields. Tasks awaiting completion include final agreement on signage such as design, content and placement. Other task are the development of content for the system landing page when users connect to the Wi-Fi network and the planning for system announcement and ribbon cutting ceremony. Revenue/Expenditure Forecast due from departments CIP 5-year Plan Council Briefing: Forecast Presentation Budget Hearings Council Budget Work Sessions Tax Rate Hearing and Budget Readings Proposed Budget due from Departments Proposed Budget Presentation to Council July 23, July 30 July 28, August 4 August 12 February 21 March 13 (tentative) May 8 July13 February 21 CALENDAR 14