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 …
REGULAR MEETING OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD JULY 22, 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/3Uyvu0e2qf 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 June 17, 2024. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Presentation, discussion and approve letters of support for community members and active participation in community engagement for the playscape replacement at Metz Neighborhood Park. (Sponsors: Villalobos, Flowers). (PARD Long Range Strategies: Relief from Urban Life, Operational Efficiency, Park Access for All). Presenter(s): Reynaldo Hernandez, Project Manager and Jonathan Haynes, Program Supervisor, Parks and Recreation Department. Approve the Parks and Recreation board Annual Internal Review and Report. (Sponsors: Villalobos, Flowers). STAFF BRIEFINGS Staff briefing on Parks and Recreation Department Community PARKnership Program. (Sponsors: Reed, Taylor). (PARD Long Range Strategies: Relief from Urban Life, Operational Efficiency, Urban Public Spaces). Presenter(s): Christine Chute Canul, Program Manager II, Parks and Recreation Department. Page 1 of 2 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Staff briefing on progress of the Festival Beach Soundwall and pedestrian improvements. (PARD Long Range Strategies: Relief from Urban Life, Urban Public Spaces, Park Access for All). Presenter(s): JT Stewart, Senior Planner, Parks and Recreation Department. 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 …
City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department Community PARKnerships Program Christine Chute Canul, Community PARKnerships Manager I City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department Park Planning Division Community PARKnerships Briefing Overview PARKnerships Program Briefing Includes: Does Not Include: • Programs and Initiatives Overview • Alignment with City and Department • Lease, Usage and License Agreements Goals • PARD PARKners • PARKnership Configurations and Collaborative Partnership Agreements • Program Impact • Contractual Obligation and Service Agreements • Concession Contracts Community PARKnerships |Encompasses the Following Programs & Initiatives Environmental Volunteer Stewardship Community Activated Park Projects Program (CAPP) Adopt-A-Park Program Cities Connecting Children to Nature (CCCN) School Parks | AISD JUA PARD PARKners Environmental Stewardship Volunteers on City parkland annually provide over $1 million in labor—they pick up litter, mulch trees, remove invasive species, plant saplings, serve as citizen scientists, and more. Partners facilitate stewardship events that are aligned with City standards for safety and environmental compliance. PARD reviews these events and provides guidance on all projects proposed on parkland. • Over 11,900 volunteers worked more than 31,000 hours in FY23 • FY23 volunteers planted over 1,400 trees and collected over 82,000 lbs. of trash Adopt-A-Park This collaboration between PARD and the Austin Parks Foundation (APF) helps community members become stewards and civic leaders. Leaders organize a community- based group that makes an ongoing commitment to engage their neighborhood around park related issues. Adopt-A-Park aims to build community agency and ownership around every neighborhood park in Austin. • 108 parks had adopters in FY23 • An additional 106 eligible parks (district, neighborhood, and pocket) were not adopted Adopt-A-Park group volunteering with It’s My Park Day at St. John Pocket Park, District 4 Community Activated Park Project (CAPP) Program The CAPP Program streamlines a proposal and implementation process for our nonprofit partners and community members seeking to initiate, engage, plan, design and implement improvements on parkland. • 133 CAPP proposals received in FY23 • 549 CAPP proposals received since program launch in 2018 Lighting at Heath Eiland and Morgan Moss Skatepark, District 9 Examples of CAPPs, FY23 Lighting at Davis White Neighborhood Park, District 1 Bike polo facilities at Metz Neighborhood Park, District 3 Basketball court resurfacing at Dove Springs (pictured) & Garrison District Parks, District 2 Community Activated Park Project Program Feasibility Review Submission Review Site Visit Approval or Denial Proposing community member completes form with project description. CAPP coordinator routes proposal for …
REGULAR MEETING OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD JULY 22, 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/3Uyvu0e2qf 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) AGENDA ADDENDUM DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 7. Approve a recommendation to Austin City Council to allocate an additional $2.62 million to the Parks and Recreation Department's budget for the upcoming fiscal year; and that of this amount, $2.24 million be allocated towards parks maintenance, including $1.5 million in ongoing funding and $740,000 in one-time funding, to support 16 year-round full-time equivalent (FTE) positions and necessary supplies; and that $385,000 be allocated towards the Homeless Encampment Response Team, including $375,000 in ongoing funding and $10,000 in one-time funding, to support 4 year-round FTE positions, operations, and necessary supplies. (Sponsors: Villalobos, Flowers). DISCUSSION ITEMS 8. Discussion on community engagement opportunities for the permanent location for boating concessions at Festival Beach and the amendment to the Holly Shores/Edward Rendon Sr. at Festival Beach Vision Plan to include that location, per City Council Ordinance No. 20191205- 070. (Sponsors: Reed, Taylor). 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 1
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES JUNE 17, 2024 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES JUNE 17, 2024 The PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD convened in a SPECIAL CALLED meeting on June 17, 2024 at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Villalobos called the PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Pedro Villalobos, Kathryn Flowers, Jennifer Franklin, Holly Reed. Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Stephanie Bazan, Lane Becker, Nicole Merritt, Shelby Orme, Kim Taylor. Board Members Absent: None. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Liz Barhydt - Austin Rowing Club Sharon Blythe - Cemetery advocate Scott Cobb - Lifeguard hiring Andrea Hill - Lifeguard hiring and chain of command issues Chris Flores - Violet Crown and Barton Springs Pool Joy Casnovsky - Austin Parks Foundation Elisa Rendon Montoya - Holly Shores concerns Bertha Rendon Delgado - Edward Rendon Holly Shores Master Plan Frank Estrada - Possible renaming of Camacho Activity Center Phillip Thomas - Edward Rendon Sr. Park and Holly Shores concerns Ricardo Chavana - Hispanic Baseball League APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of May 20, 2024. The motion to approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of May 20, 2024 was approved on Chair Villalobos’ motion, Vice Chair Flower’s second on a 9-0 vote with two vacancies. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Presentation, discussion and approve letters of support for enhancements to the PARD Cemeteries Program. 2. 1 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES JUNE 17, 2024 Jason Walker, Cemeteries Division Manager and Lucas Massie, Assistant Director, Parks and Recreation Department gave a presentation and answered questions on private organizations doing interments. The motion to approve letters of support for enhancements to the PARD Cemeteries Program was approved on Chair Villalobos' motion, Board Member Reed’s second on a 9-0 vote with two vacancies. 3. Presentation, discussion and approve a recommendation to Austin City Council to approve the negotiation and execution of a Parkland Improvement Agreement with Hill Country Conservancy for the Violet Crown Mile Zero Trailhead project that includes a maximum amount of funding of $900,000 the Parks and Recreation Department will allocate to Hill Country Conservancy for a portion of the cost to construct the project. D'Anne Williams, Project Manager, Parks and Recreation Department and Kathy Miller, CEO, Hill Country Conservancy gave a presentation and answered questions on …
Austin Parks and Recreation Department Metz Playground Replacement Recognition Parks and Recreation Board, July 22, 2024 Reynaldo Hernandez Jr, PLA, PMP, Park Development Jonathan Haynes, Supervisor, Rudy Mendez Recreation Center Seth Conway, Activity Specialist, Rudy Mendez Recreation Center Background • Council District 3 • Rodolfo “Rudy” Mendez Recreation Center built in 1972 and renovated in 2006. • Existing playscape installed in 2001 • PARD through the playground condition assessment identified this playground to be in poor condition and prioritized for replacement Background cont. Project Goals: • Replace existing playscape to provide enhanced opportunities for play within existing playground area • Increase shade in and around the playscape • Increase accessibility per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) • Engage community on play opportunities, theming and nature- based play elements Community Engagement • ROUND #1 (May 23- June 17): • Gathered over 100 responses from online survey and Mendez Rec. Kid's survey • ROUND #2 (July 1 – July 19): • Launched second survey with 45 Mendez Rec. Campers Recognition How can we help?! • Mendez After School Program • Scarlett and Ayden • Mr. Seth • Metz Playscape community engagement survey served as inspiration Creating Community & Opportunity Incorporating planning strategies can be fun! This project created youth opportunities to: • Plan, do, review • Interact and share ideas • Collaborate • Activate Youth Choice • Amplify Youth Voice Round # 1 Engagement Results • 72 paper surveys completed. • 31 online survey responses • Results determined ranked theming and preferred play features Project Participants • PARD Development • Reynaldo Hernandez, PLA, PMP • Katie Kimball, Landscape Designer • Mendez Recreation Center Staff • Jonathon Haynes, Supervisor • Seth Conway, Activity Specialist • PARD Communications and • Mendez Recreation Center Engagement Unit • Adrienne O'Keefe, Community Engagement Specialist Participant Leaders • Scarlett Reyes • Ayden Delgado Questions?
Austin Parks and Recreation Department Sound Wall at Festival Beach Staff Briefing Parks and Recreation Board, July 22nd, 2024 JT Stewart, Planner Sr., Parks and Recreation Department Project Progress Summary • First briefed Parks Board on January 22nd, 2024 • Previous Department Director Kimberly McNeeley accepted sound wall offer from Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) in February 2024 • PARD Planning staff met w/ Transportation and Public Works (TPW), CapMetro, Urban Trails, and community stakeholders to gather feedback on necessary and desired amenities related to the wall • TPW developed concept sketch (slide 6) and reviewed with stakeholders. Concept included: • ADA ramps • Crosswalks • Curb bulb-out • Water fountain • Irrigation • TxDOT reviewed and responded with modified concept map (slide 7) Traffic Noise Analysis Results 2 Barriers (north barrier removed) 3 Barriers Festival Beach Food Forest and Festival Beach Community Garden Original Concept Festival Beach Food Forest and Festival Beach Community Garden Add drinking fountain. Include SUP connection to Flores/ Waller intersection for access to ADA crossings. Show existing sidewalk that connects IH 35 frontage to Waller (constructed 2023). Show new curb line. Can reduce FOC to FOC on Flores to 24' with bulbout to make space for ramps without moving poles. Corner radii should be 10' to match existing. 0.63 ft 24 ft Add irrigation meter at each sound wall. Include ADA ramps for crossing Flores and Waller. Appears the existing MH can remain, verify if adjustment is needed from SUP slab Existing guy wires will need to be adjusted. Can reduce FOC to FOC on Flores to 24' with bulbout to make space for ramps without moving poles. Corner radii should be 10' to match existing. Show existing sidewalk that connects IH 35 frontage to Waller (constructed 2023). Show new curb line. Add irrigation meter at each sound wall (on the side of IH-35) 0.63 ft 2244fftt Add drinking fountain. LOCATION IS IN CONFLICT WITH ILLUMINATION MOVE TO PINK STAR Include SUP connection to Flores/Waller intersection for access to ADA crossings. Add irrigation meter at each sound wall City/PARD's proposed meter locations are too close to noise walls, AW will likely not approve. Please confirm. In addition, meter at north of Flores is within Critical Root Zone. City Markups GEC Remarks Pape Dawson Coordination with AW IF THIS CHANGE PLACES THE WL IN CURB/GUTTER, IT WOULD BE AN ISSUE FOR AW Include ADA ramps for …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD RECOMMENDATION YYYYMMDD-XXX Seconded By: Additional Funding for Maintenance and Homeless Response Date: Subject: Motioned By: Recommendation The Parks and Recreation Board Recommends that Austin City Council allocate an additional $2.62 million to the Parks and Recreation Department's budget for the upcoming fiscal year; and that of this amount, $2.24 million be allocated towards parks maintenance, including $1.5 million in ongoing funding and $740,000 in one-time funding, to support 16 year- round full-time equivalent (FTE) positions and necessary supplies; and that $385,000 be allocated towards the Homeless Encampment Response Team, including $375,000 in ongoing funding and $10,000 in one-time funding, to support 4 year-round FTE positions, operations, and necessary supplies. Rationale: Whereas, the City of Austin's Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) plays a critical role in maintaining the city's parks, green spaces, and recreational facilities, contributing to the overall quality of life and well-being of Austin residents; and Whereas, the demand for park maintenance has increased significantly due to the growing population and the increased use of park facilities, necessitating additional resources to ensure these spaces are safe, clean, and accessible to all residents; and Whereas, the Parks and Recreation Department is currently underfunded, limiting its ability to adequately maintain park facilities, leading to deteriorating conditions and reduced enjoyment for the community; and Whereas, the Homeless Encampment Response Team (HERT) provides essential services by addressing the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness within parks and ensuring the safety and cleanliness of these public spaces for all users; and Whereas, the HERT requires additional funding to effectively manage and respond to homeless encampments, ensuring that all park users, including those experiencing homelessness, receive the support and services they need; Therefore, be it resolved, that the Austin City Council is hereby recommended to allocate an additional $2.62 million to the Parks and Recreation Department's budget for the upcoming fiscal year; and Be it further resolved, that of this amount, $2.24 million be allocated towards parks maintenance, including $1.5 million in ongoing funding and $740,000 in one-time funding, to support 16 year-round full-time equivalent (FTE) positions and necessary supplies; and 1 of 2 Be it further resolved, that $385,000 be allocated towards the Homeless Encampment Response Team, including $375,000 in ongoing funding and $10,000 in one-time funding, to support 4 year-round FTE positions, operations, and necessary supplies. Vote For: Against: Abstain: Absent: Attest: [Staff or board member can sign] 2 of …
Page 1 of 8 Annual Review and Work Plan 2024 Annual Internal Review This report covers the time period of 7/1/2023 to 6/30/2024 Parks and Recreation Board The Board/Commission mission statement (per the City Code) is: (A) The Parks and Recreation Board membership should include citizens of the city who are interested in public parks and public recreation and persons who are knowledgeable in recreation matters. The director of the Parks and Recreation Department, the city manager or designee, the director of the Financial and Administrative Services Department, and the city attorney are ex officio members of the board. (B) The board shall advise the city council and the city manager regarding: (1)the acquisition, development, improvement, equipment, programming, and maintenance of all land and facilities managed by the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Austin; (2)the purchase of additional land to be managed by the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Austin. (C) The board shall outline a general plan of development for land, facilities, and programs. The board may submit the plan to the Planning Commission and the city manager for detail development, and the city manager may then submit the plan to the city council for approval as may be required by the City Code. (D) The board shall promote close cooperation between the City and all private citizens, institutions, and agencies interested in or conducting recreational activities, so that all recreational resources within the City may be coordinated to secure the greatest public welfare. (E) The board shall perform other duties as prescribed by the City Code or as directed by the city council. Source: The Code of the City of Austin, Texas § 2-1-165 – Parks and Recreation Board Page 2 of 8 Annual Review and Work Plan 2024 1. Describe the board’s actions supporting their mission during the previous calendar year. Address all elements of the board’s mission statement as provided in the relevant sections of the City Code. The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Board has three areas of responsibility in its advisory function to the City Council. The activities this board took for fiscal year 2023-2024 are listed by area below. Unless otherwise noted, all recommendation were adopted at a meeting of the whole Parks and Recreation Board. A. The board shall advise the city council and the city manager regarding: (1) the acquisition, development, improvement, equipment, programming, …
