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PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD November 30, 2021 MINUTES The Parks and Recreation Board convened in a regular meeting on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at 301 W. Second Street, Austin, Texas. Chair Lewis called the meeting to order at 6:05pm. Board Members in Attendance: Dawn Lewis, Sarah Faust, Lisa Hugman and Nina Rinaldi, Richard DePalma, Patrick Moore. Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Anna Di Carlo and Laura Cottam Sajbel. Board Members Absent: Kimberly Taylor and Nancy Barnard. Staff in Attendance: Kimberly McNeeley, Liana Kallivoka, Lucas Massie, Suzanne Piper, Davin Bjornass, Christine Chute Canul, Kevin Gomillion, David Crabb, Margaret Stenz, Patricia Rossett, Megan Eckard, Shelley Kilday, Sammi Curless and Nan Dowling. Board Member Cottam Sajbel departed the meeting at approximately 8:30pm. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Kevin Reinis – Austin Rowing Club Bill Bunch – Save Our Springs-Revisioning Plan. Re-wilding Proposal Sharon Blythe – Austin Memorial Park-Prairie Restoration Kimery Duda-Expedition School-Introductions and review school activities Jordan Maine-Expedition School-Student sharing experiences learning at school Mike Canetti-Barton Springs Association Matt Knifton– Texas Rowing Center A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of October 26, 2021. Chair Lewis made a motion to approve minutes; Board Member Faust seconded the motion. The motion passed on a vote of 8-0 vote with Board Members Kimberly Taylor and Nancy Barnard absent and one vacancy. B. NEW BUSINESS: PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS Page 1 of 4 1. Discussion and possible action regarding a recommendation to the City Council to authorize the negotiation and execution of an agreement with the successful proposer, Ecosystem Design Group, LLC, for land management planning for Department natural areas. Vice-Chair DePalma made a motion to approve agreement; Board Member Hugman seconded the motion. The motion passed on a vote of 8-0 vote with Board Members Kimberly Taylor and Nancy Barnard absent and one vacancy. 2. Discussion and possible action regarding a recommendation to the City Council to authorize the negotiation and execution of an interlocal cooperation agreement with the Austin Independent School District for the use of athletic fields at Delores Duffie and Parque Zaragoza recreation centers. Chair Lewis made a motion to approve minutes; Board Member Faust seconded the motion. The motion passed on a vote of 8-0 vote with Board Members Kimberly Taylor and Nancy Barnard absent and one vacancy. 3. Discussion and possible action regarding a recommendation to the City Council to authorize the negotiation and execution of an interlocal cooperation agreement with the Austin Independent School District for the Literacy First Program. Chair Lewis made a motion to approve minutes; Board Member Faust seconded the motion. The motion passed on a vote of 8-0 vote with Board Members Kimberly Taylor and Nancy Barnard absent and one vacancy. 4. Discussion and possible action regarding a recommendation to the City Council that all eligible hotel occupancy taxes be utilized as described in this recommendation and the Tourism Commission Parks and Environment Working Group memo. Chair Lewis made a motion to approve minutes; Board Member Faust seconded the motion. The motion passed on a vote of 8-0 vote with Board Members Kimberly Taylor and Nancy Barnard absent and one vacancy. 5. Discussion and possible action regarding appointment of Patrick Moore to the Financial Committee. Chair Lewis made a motion to approve appointment; Board Member Faust seconded the motion. The motion passed on a vote of 8-0 vote with Board Members Kimberly Taylor and Nancy Barnard absent and one vacancy. 6. Discussion and possible action on the 2022 Parks and Recreation Board meeting schedule. Chair Lewis made a motion to approve schedule; Board Member Rinaldi seconded the motion. The motion passed on a vote of 8-0 vote with Board Members Kimberly Taylor and Nancy Barnard absent and one vacancy. Page 2 of 4 7. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding a recommendation to the City Council to authorize the negotiation and execution of a qualified management contract with the successful proposer, Touchstone Golf, LLC to provide management and operational services for the golf and tennis operations and related facilities. Vice Chair DePalma made a motion to approve recommendation; Board Member Rinaldi seconded the motion. The motion passed on a vote of 8-0 vote with Board Members Kimberly Taylor and Nancy Barnard absent and one vacancy. 8. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding a recommendation regarding creation, continuation, termination, or status of a concession including issuance of a Request for Proposal for a concession in Town Lake Metropolitan Park for inclusion in the joint report between the Parks and Recreation Board and the Environmental Commission that is provided to the City Council annually. Chair Rinaldi made a motion to discuss amending recommendation; Vice Chair seconded the motion. The motion passed on a vote of 8-0 vote with Board Members Kimberly Taylor and Nancy Barnard absent and one vacancy. See changed language below: Whereas concessions serve as an important source of programming, offering park visitors the opportunity to experience various outdoor activities that support physical and mental health; and Whereas the eight concessions on Lady Bird Lake provided revenue to the general fund in the amount of $745,475 in FY21; and Whereas both programmed and passive park spaces serve the public in distinct but complementary ways; and Whereas a waterfront park such as Town Lake Metropolitan Park serves diverse users who seek out a broad array of activities, including but not limited to hiking, biking, paddling, and boating; and Whereas Lady Bird Lake is recognized and treasured for its natural beauty; Therefore, be it resolved that the Parks and Recreation Board accepts the concession report presented on 11/30/21 and recommends that PARD continue the following activities relating to concessions on Lady Bird Lake: • • Continue working with Austin Rowing Club pending construction of the Blue Line light rail to identify an alternate location for the concession and secure appropriate compensation for the concessionaire and/or City • improve a competitive bidding process that attracts multiple bids for each concession • contracting policies • • Continue to cooperate with the Watershed Protection Department and Austin Fire Department to conduct preliminary research associated with regulations and code that may govern Lady Bird Lake’s watercraft capacity • around watercraft impacts including but not limited to erosion, environmental impacts, water quality, and litter abatement • • Work with concessionaires to balance the need for accommodating both programmed and non-programmed uses when selecting new capital improvements at waterfront concessions • • Continue to examine opportunities to equitably locate rowing/paddling concessions all around Lady Bird Lake • from cyanobacteria • • Continue working with the Corporate Purchasing office to facilitate and continuously • Continue to pursue studies in cooperation with the Watershed Protection Department • Continue to raise public awareness around water quality and safety issues stemming • Continue to work with public safety agencies to promote safe behavior on the water • Continue to promote socioeconomic and racial equity through concessions and Page 3 of 4 • Continue to work expeditiously to bring the Zilker Cafe online as a concession 9. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding a recommendation to the City Council to approve the Pease Park Conservancy’s Annual Programming Plan for Kingsbury Commons within Pease District Park. Vice-Chair DePalma made a motion to approve; Chair Lewis seconded the motion. The motion passed on a vote of 8-0 vote with Board Members Kimberly Taylor and Nancy Barnard absent and one vacancy. 10. Presentation and discussion of the proposed pedestrian safety improvements at Zilker Metropolitan Park and the maintenance project at the Butler Landfill. Board Member Rinaldi made a motion to approve; Chair Lewis seconded the motion. The motion passed on a vote of 8-0 vote with Board Members Kimberly Taylor and Nancy Barnard absent and one vacancy. 11. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding a recommendation to the City Council for renewal of the Local Standards of Care for the City Parks and Recreation Department's Youth Recreation Programs (20210204-053) to be discussed via public hearing. Chair Lewis made a motion to approve Public Hearing date of February 17, 2022 Council Meeting; Board Member Hugman seconded the motion. The motion passed on a vote of 8-0 vote with Board Members Kimberly Taylor and Nancy Barnard absent and one vacancy. C. ITEMS FROM BOARD MEMBERS 1. Update from Zilker Park Vision Plan Working Group. (Lewis, DePalma, Faust, Taylor) 2. Update from Joint Working Group with the Animal Advisory Commission. (Lewis, Barnard) 3. Update from Downtown Commission. (Taylor) 4. Update from South Central Waterfront Advisory Board. (Cottam Sajbel) 5. Update from Joint Sustainability Committee. (DePalma, Rinaldi) D. DIRECTOR’S REPORT ON PROGRAM AND PROJECT UPDATES AND EVENTS No reports due to time constraints. E. Director McNeeley provided a report. F. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS DiCarlo/Lewis-Status report on Onion Creek Faust- Request for Public Information Office presentation re: surveys (how conducted and how results are measured). DePalma – Request for current study/report for Austin’s Heat Island and Tree Canopy coverage Lewis – Update/memo on PARD Tennis operations Chair Lewis adjourned the meeting at 9:46pm. Page 4 of 4