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I'M CALLING THE REGULAR MEETING OF
[CALL TO ORDER]
THE PARK AND RECREATION BOARD FOR JANUARY THE SEVENTH, 2025 AT 6:00 PM TO ORDER.I'M GONNA GO THROUGH THE ROLE PEDRO VS.
KATHLEEN, ARE YOU, UH, ARE YOU ON? SHE HASN'T MAY HAVE STEPPED AWAY BECAUSE JUST A FEW MINUTES BEFORE TIM SAID WE WERE WAITING ON YOU.
OH, SHE MIGHT HAVE STEPPED AWAY.
UH, WE'RE GONNA MOVE TO PUBLIC COMMUNICATION GENERAL.
[PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL]
MR. DOMINIC, CAN YOU PLEASE TELL THE FIRST SPEAKER FIRE YES.WE HAVE FOUR SPEAKERS DURING GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT.
OUR FIRST SPEAKER WILL BE LIZ BAR HIDE.
THEN WE'LL HAVE MARY FARROW, CHRIS FLORES AND PHILIP THOMAS.
BUT OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS LIZ BAR HIDE.
YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES FROM THE TIME YOU BEGIN SPEAKING.
I'M LIZ BARITE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF AUSTIN ROWING CLUB.
TONIGHT I WANTED TO GIVE YOU A SUMMARY OF OUR 43RD YEAR ON LADY BIRD LAKE AND ALSO TO THANK THE PARD BOARD AND STAFF FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT.
AS YOU WILL SEE, UH, THIS WAS A VERY BUSY YEAR FOR US AT THE BOATHOUSE.
FOR THE THIRD YEAR IN A ROW, ARC'S ANNUAL REVENUE WAS OVER 3 MILLION.
UH, TOTAL PAYMENTS TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN WAS CLOSE TO A QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS.
WE PROVIDED OVER A HUNDRED PEOPLE WITH PART AND FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT.
UH, IN ADDITION TO ARC'S ROWING AND PADDLING, OUR BOATHOUSE PARTNERS INCLUDED RETRO BOAT, A TX ROW FITNESS, THE PERCH CAFE, AUSTIN COOLERS, DRAGON BOATS, AND OUTRIGGER CANOE.
AS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, OUR MISSION IS TO PROMOTE HEALTH AND WELLNESS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND ENSURE ACCESSIBILITY TO OUR WATERWAYS.
ON LADY BIRD LAKE, WE HAVE MULTIPLE OUTREACH PROGRAMS TO TEACH ROWING AND PADDLING AT NO COST TO PARTICIPANTS.
THAT OUTREACH INCLUDED 350 PAR SUMMER CAMPERS FROM 14 RECREATIONAL CENTERS, 220 ADULTS FROM THE MEXICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER'S WELLNESS PROGRAM, OVER 400 MARTIN AND MEIN MIDDLE SCHOOLERS WITH OUR ROWING IN SCHOOL EXPERIENCE, WOMEN CANCER SURVIVORS FROM TEXAS, UH, FROM TEAM SURVIVOR AND PAIR OF VETERANS AT THE TEXAS REGIONAL GAMES.
ADDITIONALLY, WE GRANTED OVER $50,000 IN JUNIOR ATHLETES SCHOLARSHIPS AS A GOOD STEWARD OF OUR ENVIRONMENT.
AND WITH OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH KEEP AUSTIN BEAUTIFUL, WE HAVE COLLECTED ALMOST 20,000 POUNDS OF GARBAGE FROM LADY BIRD LAKE AND THE TRAIL.
THIS COULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF OUR MANY VOLUNTEERS WHO GAVE OVER 2,700 HOURS OF VOLUNTEER TIME.
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS CONTINUED THIS COMING YEAR AND OUR CONTINUED OUTREACH AND PROGRAMMING FOR THE COMMUNITY.
AND WE'D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR SUPPORT THIS EVENING.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER WILL BE MARY FARROW, FOLLOWED BY CHRIS FLORES.
GOOD EVENING, THANKS TO YOU NEW AND RETURNING BOARD MEMBERS TO DIRECTOR AGUIRE AND TO THE PART STAFF FOR ALL THE GOOD WORK YOU DO.
I'M MARY FARROW, A LONGTIME RESIDENT OF THE ALLENDALE NEIGHBORHOOD.
I LIVE VERY NEAR SHEFFIELD NORTHWEST DISTRICT PARK AND I'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH PARK ISSUES SINCE SERVING ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION BOARD AND CHAIRING THE PARKS COMMITTEE THERE.
I'M HERE TONIGHT TO UNDERSCORE COMMUNITY CONCERNS RELATED TO THE THREAT OF URBAN WILDFIRE AND CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES IN OUR PARKS.
I APPRECIATE DIRECTOR AGUIRRE'S FOCUS ON THESE ISSUES.
NORTHWEST PARK IS IN THE HEART OF CENTRAL AUSTIN.
ITS 31 ACRES EXTEND ALONG SHOAL CREEK AND PROVIDE A NATURAL ENVIRONMENT WITH MANY TREES.
DURING THE 2023 ICE STORM, MANY LARGE TREES AND LIMBS FELL, AND TWO YEARS LATER, THEY REMAIN ON A HILLSIDE DIRECTLY BENEATH HOMES THAT RING THE SOUTHERN EDGE OF THE PARK.
IN THE SPRING OF THAT YEAR, UM, THERE WERE NEIGHBOR'S CONCERNS, UH, GREW AFTER EVERY TRASH AND RECYCLE BIN IN THE PARK WAS TORCHED
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AND BURNED TO THE GROUND THAT SAME NIGHT A TRASH CAN AND VEHICLE AT A HOUSE ON THE NORTHERN EDGE OF THE PARK WERE TORCHED LEAVING THE SAME RESIDUE.AT THE END OF LAST YEAR, A FIRE WAS STARTED IN A CULVERT ON THE HILLSIDE BENEATH NEIGHBOR'S HOMES.
AND THIS MONTH A PORTA POTTY IN THE BACK PARKING LOT WAS TORCHED AND BURNED TO THE GROUND, LEAVING THE SAME RESIDUE AS PREVIOUS FIRES.
THERE WERE ALSO TWO DUMPSTER FIRES.
WE'VE ALERTED A PD ABOUT THESE FIRES IN ADDITION TO LATE NIGHT GATHERINGS THAT HAVE BECOME QUITE ROUTINE INVOLVING EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION, SPEEDING VEHICLES ENTERING THE PARK PAST 10:00 PM UM, MUSIC AND LOUD VOICES, ALCOHOL CANS AND BROKEN GLASS LITTERING THE PARKING LOTS ON SUBSEQUENT DAYS, FIRE CONCERNS WERE SHARED WITH DIRECTOR MCNEELY AND COMMUNICATED TO PAR URBAN FORESTRY IN THE CITY'S WILDFIRE DIVISION.
FORESTRY REPORTED THAT THEY WERE NEITHER STAFFED NOR FUNDED FOR FUEL REDUCTION OR OTHER ACTIVE MANAGEMENT OF WILD OF NATURAL AREAS.
THEY SAID WORK WAS DONE BY AFDS WILDFIRE DIVISION.
WILDFIRE SAID IT WAS THEIR WORK WAS MITIGATION.
ONE NEIGHBOR WHOSE PROPERTY ENDS AT THE TOP OF THE HILLSIDE RECENTLY CONTACTED WILDFIRE MITIGATION.
THEY CAME TO HIS HOUSE AND OFFERED SOME SUGGESTIONS.
WHEN HE SHOWED THEM THE RISK OF THE FALLEN TREES AND LIMBS IN THE PARK BENEATH HIS HOUSE, HE WAS TOLD THAT THEIR MITIGATION EFFORTS ARE LIMITED TO PRIVATE PROPERTY AND NOT PUBLIC LANDS.
WE KNOW CITY COUNCIL IS NOW POISED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO ADDRESS WILDFIRE DANGER SPOTS, AND OUR NEIGHBORS WANT TO BE SURE THAT SHEFFIELD NORTHWEST PARK IS ON THE LIST OF PUBLIC LANDS THAT NEED REMEDIATION.
WE'RE ASKING YOUR HELP TO ENSURE THAT THESE LONGSTANDING CONCERNS WILL BE ACTED ON.
WE'RE ALSO EAGER TO EXPLORE WAYS TO CURTAIL THE ONGOING LATE NIGHT ACTIVITIES AT THE PARK AND WOULD LIKE A POINT OF CONTACT TO DISCUSS POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS AND HOW WE CAN BE INVOLVED IN EFFORTS TO ADDRESS ALL OF THESE ISSUES.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER WILL BE CHRIS FLORES, FOLLOWED BY PHILLIP THOMAS.
UM, I'M SPEAKING ON ITEM NUMBER FOUR, SO IS IT OKAY FOR ME TO SPEAK NOW OR SHOULD I WAIT? YEAH, WE DON'T.
HOW MANY SPEAKERS DO WE HAVE TOTAL, MR. DOBE? UH, FOUR FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT, AND THOSE ARE THE ONLY SPEAKERS WE HAVE SIGNED UP.
UM, MY, UH, REASON FOR COMING, UH, BEFORE YOU TONIGHT IS TO ASK YOU NOT TO, UM, APPROVE THE DRAFT, UH, CONCESSION REPORT BY THE PARKS DEPARTMENT, UM, BECAUSE IT'S INCOMPLETE.
UM, THE NEW, UH, DIRECTOR OF THE PARKS DEPARTMENT, UH, STARTED FROM WHAT I HEARD, UM, MID-JANUARY, AND SO IT BEING DUE AT THE END OF JANUARY.
HE HASN'T HAD ENOUGH TIME TO, TO LOOK AT IT.
UM, I'M GOING TO ITEMIZE THE REASONS WHY I THINK IT'S INCOMPLETE AND THEN I'LL GIVE YOU MY CONCLUSION.
UM, I SENT YOU, UM, FOUR PAGE DOCUMENT THROUGH TIM DOBA IF YOU WANNA READ THE DETAILS, BUT THE, THE PARKS DIRECTOR IS ACTUALLY SUPPOSED TO BE SIGNING OFF ON THIS REPORT TO, UH, ASSURE THE READERS THAT IT'S ACCURATE AND IT'S, THERE'S NOT EVEN A NAME ON, ON THE DRAFT THAT WE GOT TO SEE.
UM, ON THE SUBJECT OF INCOME EXPENDITURES, THERE'S A STANDARD WAY TO REPORT ALL THAT STUFF, AND IT INCLUDES LINE ITEMS OF EXPENSES AND NOT JUST ONE TOTAL AND ONE TOTAL, ALL THE BUSINESS IN THE MIDDLE, HOW MUCH IN TAXES, HOW MUCH IN PAYROLL, HOW MUCH IN ALL THE DIFFERENT THINGS, ALL THE DIFFERENT REVENUE SOURCES, AND ALL THE DIFFERENT EXPENSES SO THAT WHEN WE LOOK AT IT, WE CAN SEE, OH, OKAY, THIS ENTITY MADE $2 MILLION.
THE CITY GOT A MILLION, THEY HAVE A BLOATED PAYROLL, THEY GAVE AWAY A BUNCH OF MONEY.
BUT WITHOUT ALL THAT INFORMATION, WE HAVE NO WAY TO JUDGE IT.
IS IT EQUITABLE? WHO KNOWS? UM, ON THE NUMBER OF WATERCRAFTS RENTED, THERE'S JUST ONE ITEM, LIKE HOW MANY PADDLE BOARDS, HOW MANY CANOES, AND THAT'S IT.
BUT THERE'S A WHOLE LOT OF OTHER REVENUE SOURCES FOR THESE, UM, CONCESSIONS.
THEY HAVE OFF THE STREET PRICES FOR A RENTAL OF A WATERCRAFT.
THEY HAVE FREQUENT USER MEMBERSHIPS, THE ROWING CLUB MEMBERSHIPS, SLIP RENTAL, WHERE YOU CAN STORE YOUR BOAT.
A LOT OF THE THESE THINGS ARE REVENUE GENERATING, BUT THEY'RE NOT REPORTED ANYWHERE.
THEY'RE NOT, THEY'RE JUST NOT IN THE REPORT AT ALL.
AND WE NEED TO KNOW HOW MANY TIMES, WHAT PRICE TO KNOW IF IT'S EQUITABLE.
SO CAN A WORKING POOR PERSON AFFORD THIS SERVICE? WE WON'T KNOW UN UNLESS THEY SPECIFY WHAT THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING IS.
UM, UH, THERE'S A, A SECTION FOR STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS. UM, PROBLEMS IN THIS DRAFT WERE DEFINED AS ILLEGAL NON-LICENSED WATERCRAFT BUSINESSES, AND THAT AUSTIN POLICE GOT
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INVOLVED.UM, THE HOUSTON TILLSON REPORT FROM 2023, UH, USED A METRIC OF CROWDS PER ACRE AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS OVERCROWDING GOING ON ON THE RIVER.
UH, AT THAT TIME, UM, TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DID A, A TASK FORCE STUDY OF TUBERS IN SAN MARCOS, AND THEY, THEY USED A DIFFERENT METRIC.
THEY USED PEOPLE'S COMPLAINTS TO 3 1 1 9 1 1 LAW ENFORCEMENT CITATIONS.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS PHILLIP THOMAS.
GOOD EVENING CHAIR BOARD MEMBERS HAPPY 2025.
FIRST OFF, WANNA WELCOME UH, DIRECTOR AGUIRE.
I'M PHIL THOMAS, UM, REPRESENTING DEEP HOLLY ADVOCATES A UH, GROUP OF RESIDENTS WITHIN THE HISTORICAL BOUNDARIES OF THE EAST TOWN LAKE CITIZENS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION IN DISTRICT THREE AND VERY, VERY CLOSE TO EDWARD RDO AND SENIOR PARK.
CONCERNING THE ANNUAL CONCESSION REPORT, WE POINT TO THE DRAFT CONTACT TERMS GRAPHIC OF THE CONCESSION REPORT.
IT INDICATES A VARIED TREATMENT OF CONCESSIONAIRES.
ON ONE HAND, A MINORITY HERITAGE BUSINESS AND CONSISTENT REVENUE PERFORMER IS BEING OFFERED A SINGLE YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION, WHEREAS THE EXPEDITION SCHOOL, FOR EXAMPLE, HAS YET TO MEET ITS FINANCIAL BENCHMARKS AND IS OPPOSED BY COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND IS OPERATING UNDER A MULTI-YEAR EXTENSION.
SUCH INCONSISTENCIES RIFE WITHIN THE REPORT.
IN THE BIG PICTURE, WE SEE COMMERCIAL ENTITIES BOTH FOR PROFIT AND NON-PROFIT TAKING OVER STEWARDSHIP OF OUR METRO PARK.
GIVEN THE CURRENT DYNAMIC, THEY WILL PROFIT HANDSOMELY FROM THIS PARTNERSHIP.
ONE GROUP IS POISED TO TAKE OVER MOST OF THE EXISTING CONCESSIONS, AND IT IS CURRENTLY UNDER AUDIT.
IN ANY CASE, WHY WOULD PARD ALLOW THIS TO MOVE FORWARD? WHEN IS A MONOPOLY EVER? A GOOD THING, ESPECIALLY CONCERNING, IS THAT THE NONPROFITS DO NOT OPERATE UNDER THE SAME TRANSPARENCY REQUIREMENTS, AS DOES OUR CITY.
AUSTIN PARKS SURVIVED A MAJOR DEPRESSION IN THE 1930S, A RECESSION IN THE 1980S AND THE 1990S WITHOUT BEING TURNED OVER TO COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES OR PARTNERSHIPS.
WHAT WE NEED IS A HEALTHY BALANCE BETWEEN COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS AND NATURAL PARKS DESIGNED FOR PEOPLE TO HELP MITIGATE CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECTS.
IDEALLY, PARKS SHOULD BE KEPT AS WILD AND GREEN AS POSSIBLE.
LET US RECALL THAT OUR PARKS ARE NOT BLANK CANVASES TO POPULATE WITH A GROWING NUMBER OF ENTERPRISES.
PLEASE DO NOT APPROVE THE ANNUAL CONCESSIONS REPORT UNTIL AN AUDIT OF THE TRAILS CONSERVANCY HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND THE PARKS BOARD HOLDS A BRIEFING AND PUBLIC HEARING ON THE FINDINGS.
PAR LEADERSHIP NEEDS MORE TIME TO FULLY VET THE ANNUAL CONCESSION REPORT OR SEND IT BACK FOR MORE DETAIL.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE PRESENT THAT WOULD LIKE TO BE HEARD BY THE PARKS BOARD DURING GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT? THAT IS THE END OF GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT.
WELL, I'LL MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM
[APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
NUMBER ONE.WE HAVE THE MINUTES FROM THE NOVEMBER 25TH, 2024 MEETING.
AND WHILE WE DO THAT, UH, BOARD MEMBER, EDIE, ARE YOU PRESENT? IT,
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YOU STILL ON MUTE? WE CAN HEAR YOU NOW.WAS WAS THAT TOWARDS US OR WAS THAT TOWARDS CHAIR? I'M, I'M TEXTING BOARD MEMBER ED TO SEE IF I CAN RESOLVE THIS.
UM, MR. DOMINIC, CAN YOU, UH, JUST INDICATE THAT, UH, KATHLEEN EVEN WAS IN THE MEETING? WAIT BEFORE THE MINUTES? YES.
UH, BUT BOARD MEMBER, EDIE, YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO APPEAR ON CAMERA IN ORDER FOR YOUR VOTE TO BE COUNTED PER TOOMA.
UM, AT THIS TIME IS THERE ANY, UH, EDITS OR CHANGES TO THE MINUTES CHAIR? I JUST NOTICED A SLIGHT TYPO ON, UM, STAFF BRIEFING NINE.
THAT LAST SENTENCE, CLARIFYING QUESTIONS ON THE STATUS SHOULD BE OF THE EXPEDITION SCHOOL AGREEMENT.
WE'LL MAKE THAT CHANGE TO ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS, ANY OTHER EDITS.
I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD REGULAR MEETING OF NOVEMBER 25TH, 2025 WITH THE EDIT AS MENTIONED BY BOARD MEMBER BAAN.
ALL THE, IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND.
THERE'S A SECOND BY BOARD MEMBER FLOWERS.
ALL THOSE, ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
[2. Presentation, discussion and approve letters of support for Parks and Recreation and City Staff who led the development and assisted with the premiere of a short documentary focused on the historic Haskell House. (Sponsors: Villalobos, Flowers)]
TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER TWO, PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL LETTERS OF SUPPORT FOR PARKS AND RECREATION AND CITY STAFF WHO LED DEVELOPMENT ASSISTED WITH THE PREMIER OF A SHORT DOCUMENTARY FOCUSED ON THE HISTORIC HAS HASKELL HOUSE.GOOD EVENING CHAIR AND BOARD MEMBERS.
I'M THE DIVISION MANAGER OF THE ARCHITECTURAL DEVELOPMENT DIVISION HERE AT PARKS AND RECREATION, AND I'M HONORED TO HAVE THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND TOURISM PROGRAM UNDER, UM, MY UNIT.
UM, IT INCLUDES CYNTHIA JEFFRIES, ELLEN COLFAX, AND SARAH MARSHALL.
IT WAS FORMALLY LED BY KIM MCKNIGHT, WHO'S ALSO HERE IN SUPPORT.
UM, THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND TOURISM PROGRAM IS A HUGELY SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM FOR THE PARKS AND RECREATION.
THEY HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN BRINGING IN OVER $51 MILLION IN CIP BUDGET FOR OUR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS OF HISTORIC, UM, LOCATIONS.
THEY ALSO ARE A HUGE PROPONENT OF US GETTING OVER $3 MILLION IN OPERATING COSTS THAT SUPPORT ALL OF OUR HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROGRAMS, UM, THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM.
UM, WE SERVE UNDER LIANA KOVA AS OUR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR IN THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE WORLD OF PARKS AND RECREATION.
AND I'LL HAND IT OVER TO ELLEN TO, TO GIVE THE PRESENTATION.
I'M ELLEN COLFAX, PROJECT MANAGER AND NOW PROGRAM MANAGER OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND TOURISM PROGRAM.
OUR TEAM WAS REQUESTED TO COME PRESENT HERE AFTER THE VERY SUCCESSFUL HASKELL HOUSE DOCUMENTARY PREMIER.
ON NOVEMBER 16TH, THE DEPARTMENT'S HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND TOURISM PROGRAM PREMIERED A SHORT DOCUMENTARY FOCUSED ON THE HISTORIC HASKELL HOUSE AT THE BOYD VANCE THEATER IN THE GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER CULTURAL CENTER AND MUSEUM.
THE HASKELL HOUSE IS RECOGNIZED AS THE OLDEST DOCUMENTED RESIDENCE WITHIN THE CLARKSVILLE NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT.
BEFORE WE SHOWCASE THE EVENING OF THE PREMIER,
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LET ME PROVIDE SOME BACKGROUND ON OUR PROGRAM.THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND TOURISM PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED IN FY 18 WHEN CITY COUNCIL CREATED THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUND FROM HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX FUNDS OR HOT FUNDS TO SUPPORT CAPITAL PROJECTS AND SPECIFY THAT IT'D ALSO BE USED FOR ALLOWABLE OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE EXPENDITURES.
AT CITY OF AUSTIN HISTORIC FACILITIES AND SITES, ALL HOT EXPENDITURES MUST MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF TEXAS TAX CODE SECTION 3 51 DIRECTLY.
THESE INCLUDE DIRECTLY ENHANCING AND PROMOTING TOURISM AND CONVENTION IN HOTEL INDUSTRY.
EVERY EXPENDITURE OF THE HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX MUST CLEARLY FIT INTO THE DEFINED TAX CODE CATEGORIES SUCH AS HISTORICAL RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION PROJECTS OR ACTIVITIES, OR ADVERTISING AND CONDUCTING SOLICITATIONS AND PROMOTIONAL PROGRAMS TO ENCOURAGE TOURISTS AND CONVENTION DELEGATES TO PRE TO VISIT PRESERVED HISTORIC SITES OR MUSEUMS THAT ARE LIKELY TO ATTRACT TOURISTS AND HOTEL GUESTS.
THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT IS AN IMPORTANT PARTNER IN THE EFFORT TO PROMOTE TOURISM AS PUBLIC PARKS, MUSEUMS AND CULTURAL CENTERS ARE AMONG THE TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN THE CITY.
UM, ALYSSA HAS INTRODUCED OUR TEAM AND, UM, CYNTHIA JEFFRIES IS HERE ON MY LEFT, AND SARAH MARSHALL IS HERE ON MY RIGHT.
AND KIM MCKNIGHT IS, UM, IN THE, IN THE BACK, BACK THERE.
OUR FORMER DIRECTOR, OUR PROGRAM MANAGER.
OUR PROGRAM USES A THREE-PRONGED APPROACH TO ENSURE THAT THE TEXAS TAX CODE REQUIREMENTS ARE MET.
WE FOCUS ON PUBLIC HISTORY TO RESEARCH AND CREATE INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE, HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATIONS, AND BUILD A CULTURAL RESOURCE DATABASE.
WE CREATE MARKETING AND PROMOTION OF OUR HISTORIC SITES, INCLUDING DIGITAL AND PRINT ADVERTISING TO LOCAL, STATE, AND REGIONAL MARKETS, BROCHURES, GRAPHIC DESIGN, PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO PRODUCTION TO REACH TOURISTS AS THEY PLAN THEIR TRIPS TO AUSTIN.
WE MANAGE ARCHITECTURAL PROJECTS TO RESTORE AND PRESERVE OUR HISTORIC SITES, INCLUDING CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AND SMALL PROJECTS AT HISTORIC SITES THAT DRAW TOURISTS.
WE HAVE, UM, HERE A COUPLE OF PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
THE JOAN MEANS CABBEL BATHHOUSE AT BARDON SPRINGS, AND ON THE RIGHT, UH, THE ELIZABETH NAY MUSEUM RESTORATION.
THAT WILL BE STARTING IN A FEW DAYS.
WE HAVE PROJECTS IN THE WORKS, UM, ON TOP THE, UH, ZILKER CLUBHOUSE REHABILITATION, AND BELOW THAT, UH, FIESTA GARDENS REHABILITATION.
AND TO THE RIGHT, UM, AT THE BOTTOM IS THE, IS SUNKEN GARDENS, UM, IN ZILKER PARK.
ALL OF THESE ARE IN IN THE WORKS.
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE, FOR A SMATTERING OF COMPLETED PROJECTS.
WE HAVE ON THE UPPER LEFT THE OAKWOOD CEMETERY CHAPEL, UM, THE HISTORIC GATES AND FENCE AT THE OAKWOOD CEMETERY.
UM, WE HAVE O HENRY HOUSE MUSEUM AND, UM, IN THE CENTER BOTTOM, THE DOWNS FIELD, GRANDSTANDS, AND, UM, ON THE BOTTOM RIGHT, THE SEA HOME INTAKE FACILITY.
UM, NEXT, SARAH MARSHALL, OUR PUBLIC HISTORIAN, WILL PROVIDE THE HISTORY OF THE HASKELL HOUSE.
I'D LIKE TO SAY A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SARAH.
SHE'S A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE HBT PROGRAM, AND HER WORK HAS BEEN BROAD AND CRITICAL TO ITS SUCCESS.
HER RESEARCH HAS GUIDED THE LANDMARK DESIGNATIONS AND INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE FOR MANY A APARTS HISTORIC PROPERTIES, AS WELL AS BUILDING A APARTS ONLINE HISTORIC AND CULTURAL RESOURCE INVENTORY TO NAME A FEW OF HER CONTRIBUTIONS.
HASKELL HOUSE IN THE STORY OF CLARKSVILLE CHRONICLES, THE LIFE OF HEZEKIAH HASKELL AND HIS DESCENDANTS.
THE HISTORIC HEZEKIAH HASKELL HOUSE IS LOCATED AT 1703 WATERSTON AVENUE.
IT WAS BUILT BY PETER TUCKER, A FORMERLY ENSLAVED MAN AND HIS WIFE BETTY, IN ABOUT 1875.
IT'S LOCATED IN THE COMMUNITY OF CLARKSVILLE, WHICH IS ONE OF THE FIRST FREEDOM COLONIES ESTABLISHED IN TEXAS AFTER THE CIVIL WAR.
IT IS THE OLDEST REGISTERED STRUCTURE IN CLARKSVILLE, WHICH IS, AND IT IS ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES, AS WELL AS A STATE OF TEXAS AND A CITY OF AUSTIN.
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LONG AFTER BUILDING THEIR HOME, THE TUCKER SOLD IT TO EDWIN AND MARY SMITH.MARY WAS ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF THE HISTORIC SWEET HOME MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, WHICH WAS BEGUN SOON AFTER CLARKSVILLE WAS ESTABLISHED.
INITIALLY, SERVICES WERE HELD IN THE SMITH'S HOME BECAUSE EARLY CLARKSVILLE RESIDENTS DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY FOR LAND OR A BUILDING.
SMITH LATER DEEDED THEIR HOME TO THEIR DAUGHTER CATHERINE AND HER HUSBAND, HEZEKIAH HASKELL, WHO FOUGHT ON THE SIDE OF THE UNION DURING THE CIVIL WAR AND THEN WAS A B BUFFALO SOLDIER.
THE COUPLE RAISED THEIR FAMILY THERE AND THEIR SON HEZEKIAH JR.
OR KAI, UH, DIED IN 1976, AND AFTER WHICH THE HASKELL FAMILY DONATED THE HOUSE TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN TODAY UNDER A USE AGREEMENT WITH PARD.
THE HOUSE IS MANAGED AND MAINTAINED BY THE CLARKSVILLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, THE CCDC, WHICH IS THE NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION FOR HISTORIC CLARKSVILLE.
THE CCDC OPERATES THE HOUSE AS A MUSEUM ABOUT THE HISTORY OF CLARKSVILLE AND ITS EARLY RESIDENCE, AND IT'S A COMMUNITY ACTIVITY, A COMMUNITY ACTIVITY SPACE, AND A MEETING SPACE AS WELL.
AND NOW WE'LL HAVE A SHORT FILM ABOUT THE PREMIER OF THE HASKELL HOUSE DOCUMENTARY.
I WANNA WELCOME YOU HERE TO THE GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER MUSEUM.
WE ARE HERE TO PREMIERE THE DOCUMENTARY HASKELL HOUSE AND THE STORY OF CLARKSVILLE EVENTS LIKE THIS AND AUDIENCES LIKE THIS, DIVERSE AND CURIOUS AND INTERESTED IN THE HISTORY OF OUR FAIR CITY, UM, IS HOW WE KEEP OUR LEGACY ALIVE.
THE HISTORIC HEZEKIAH HASKELL HOUSE WAS BUILT BY PETER TUCKER, A FORMERLY ENSLAVED MAN AND HIS WIFE BETTY IN ABOUT 1875, A SAFE SPACE WHERE THEY CAN LIVE INDEPENDENT, SELF-SUSTAINING LIVES ON THEIR OWN PROPERTY.
SELMA CLARKSVILLE IS, IS A RESULT OF, OF LAND THAT WAS SOLD OR GIVEN TO CHARLES CLARK, WHO DECIDED THAT HE WOULD OFFER THE LAND TO OTHER FREED BLACKS.
AND CHARLES CLARK ACTUALLY ESTABLISHED CLARKSVILLE IN 1871.
NOW YOU PROBABLY RECOGNIZE MANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO WERE IN THE FILM ON THE STAGE TONIGHT, AND WE'RE GONNA BE SHARING A LITTLE BIT OF MORE ABOUT THEIR CONNECTION TO CLARKSVILLE AND TO THE HASKELL HOUSE.
AND CLARKSVILLE HELPED ME FIND OUT WHO I AM, AND I'M JUST GRATEFUL THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WERE PART OF THAT JOURNEY.
YOU KNOW, ONE OF MY HOPES IS THAT THE YOUNGER GENERATION CAN APPRECIATE IT AND THAT IT CONTINUES.
AND I HAD A LOT OF TIME IN THAT HOUSE BECAUSE HE USED TO CALL MY MOM AND TELL HER, SEND THAT BIG HEAD BOY DOWN TO MY HOUSE,
I PICK THE FIGS OFF THE FIG TREE.
ALL OF THIS JUST SPEAKS TO ME ABOUT THE, THE AMAZING POWER OF THE, THE PEOPLE THAT SETTLED AND CREATED CLARKSVILLE.
AND EVEN IF THEY WEREN'T ENSLAVED BY PEAS, THEY WERE ENSLAVED SOMEWHERE.
BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE ALSO MAKE SURE THAT OUR STORIES ARE VALUED AND WHAT'S BEING PASSED ON IS VALUED.
I WANNA FULLY RECOGNIZE THAT THERE WERE FREE BLACK PEOPLE IN THE 18 HUNDREDS WHO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE AGENCY INDEPENDENCE AND FREEDOM RIGHT HERE IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
AND SO TONIGHT WE CELEBRATE WITH THE FAMILY AND DESCENDANTS OF THE FOLKS WHO HAPPEN TO MAKE THAT LEGACY REALITY RIGHT HERE IN OUR FAIR CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS.
I WANNA, I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE CYNTHIA JEFFRIES.
CYNTHIA'S OUR TALENTED GRAPHIC DESIGNER WHO CREATES MARKETING AND PROMOTION OF PARTS, HISTORIC SITES IN A VARIETY OF CREATIVE WAYS.
SHE WAS THE MASTERMIND IN HIRING, GUIDING PRODUCTION CONTENT, AND PROMOTING THE HASKELL HOUSE DOCUMENTARY.
HER WORK ALSO INCLUDED PLANNING THE VIDEO PREMIERE IN ALL ITS COMPLEXITIES.
[00:30:01]
UM, THE VIDEO WE DID JUST SAW WAS FILMED AND EDITED BY JUSTIN HUMPHREYS.HE'S ANOTHER TALENTED LOCAL VIDEOGRAPHER.
UH, WHEN WE SET OUT TO MAKE THIS, WE WANTED TO MAKE A DOCUMENTARY THAT WOULD NOT ONLY EDUCATE VISITORS, BUT ALSO GIVE THEM A DEEPER AND MORE AUTHENTIC CONNECTION TO THE HASKELL HOUSE AND THE DESCENDANTS OF CLARKSVILLE ORIGINAL RESIDENCE.
HASKELL HOUSE AND THE STORY, UH, SORRY.
HASKELL HOUSE AND THE STORY OF CLARKSVILLE WAS FUNDED BY THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUND IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HERITAGE.
THE HERITAGE TOURISM DIVISION OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT.
CLIPS FROM THE FULL LENGTH DOCUMENTARY WILL BE USED ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND IN DIGITAL ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
AND THE FULL LENGTH VIDEO ITSELF WILL BE SHOWN INSIDE THE HASKELL HOUSE TO VISITORS.
THIS YEAR, THE HASKELL HOUSE MUSEUM WILL BE PROMINENTLY FEATURED IN OUR PRINT AND DIGITAL ADVERTISING, AND THAT INCLUDES THE TEXAS STATE TRAVEL GUIDE AND AAA DISCOVER TEXAS SECTION.
TO MAKE THIS FILM, WE WORKED WITH JUDY MAGGIO, A POPULAR AUSTIN TELEVISION PERSONALITY, AND WOODY HARRISON, ANOTHER VIDEOGRAPHER WITH THE LOVE OF STORYTELLING.
UM, WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO JUDY AND WOODY.
WE'RE GRATEFUL TO THE HASKELL DESCENDANTS AND THE WONDERFUL PEOPLE OF SWEET HOME MISSION, UH, SWEET HOME MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH FOR THEIR WILLINGNESS TO TELL THEIR STORIES AND MAKE THE DOCUMENTARY AND THE PREMIER'S SUCCESS.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO FIND THE FULL LENGTH DOCUMENTARY, IT IS AVAILABLE ON PAR YOUTUBE CHANNEL.
BOARD MEMBERS, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, UH, FOR THE PRESENTERS OR ANY COMMENTS? I JUST WANNA SAY I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT THE HOUSE BEFORE AND NOW, UH, ALSO AFTER.
UM, SO IT'S A REALLY GREAT TREASURE THAT WE HAVE HERE IN AUSTIN.
UM, WELL, UH, BOARD MEMBERS, UM, I DO HAVE A LETTER OF RECOGNITION, UH, FOR EVERYONE THAT WAS INVOLVED IN MAKING THIS A SUCCESS.
UM, AND I'LL READ IT, UH, UH, I'LL READ IT.
AND THEN WE DO HAVE COPIES IF APPROVED, UH, TO GIVE TO, UM, UH, UH, UH, STAFF.
SO IT'S A DATED GENERATED 27TH, 24 20 24 TO YOUR PARKS AND RECREATION CITY STAFF.
WE ARE RUNNING TO EXTEND OUR GRATITUDE FOR THE, UH, FOR THE INSTRUMENTAL ROLE YOU PLAYED IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND PREMIER OF THE SHORT DOCUMENTARY HIGHLIGHTING THE HISTORIC HASKELL HOUSE.
THIS A REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT IS A TESTAMENT TO YOUR DEDICATION, COLLABORATION, AND COMMITMENT TO PRESERVING AND SHARING THE RICH, RICH HISTORY OF OUR COMMUNITY, THE HASKELL HOUSEHOLDS, AN INVALUABLE PIECE OF OUR CITY'S HERITAGE, SERVING AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN THE PAST AND THE PRESENT.
YOUR EFFORTS IN BRINGING ITS STORY TO LIFE THROUGH THIS DOCUMENTARY HAVE NOT ONLY HONORED THE LEGACY OF THIS HISTORIC LANDMARK, BUT OF ALSO ENSURE THAT ITS SIGNIFICANCE WILL RESONATE WITH FUTURE GENERATIONS.
BUT WORKING TOGETHER TO SHOWCASE THE HASKELL HOUSE IN AN ENGAGING, INFORMATIVE MANNER, HE CREATED A VALUABLE RESOURCE FOR EDUCATORS, HISTORIANS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS ALIKE.
THE CREATIVITY, HARD WORK, AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL IS EVIDENT IN EVERY ASPECT OF THE DOCUMENTARY.
YOU, UH, OF THE DOCUMENTARY, UM, AND THE PASSION, AND IS A, AND IS A REFLECTION OF THE PASSION AND PROFESSIONALISM THAT YOUR TEAM CONSISTENTLY, UH, DEMONSTRATED FROM THE EARLY STAGES OF RESEARCH TO PLANNING TO THE FINAL MOMENTS OF THE PREMIER.
YOUR COLLECTIVE CONTRIBUTIONS HAVE BEEN NOTHING SHORT OF EXCEPTIONAL.
THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR YOUR OUTSTANDING WORK IN BRINGING THE HISTORY OF THE HASKELL HOUSE TO LIFE.
UM, WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING HOW THIS DOCUMENTARY INSPIRES CONTINUED INTEREST AND APPRECIATION FOR OUR, HIS CITY'S HISTORICAL TREASURERS.
UH, KINDEST REGARDS, UH, SIGNED BY THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR, SO THANK YOU.
UM, SO BOARD MEMBERS NOW I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS LETTER OF RECOGNITION.
UM, IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND.
THERE'S A SECOND, THIRD, SECOND VICE CHAIR.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALRIGHT, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
AND I DO WANNA EXTEND THE PERSONAL THANK YOU, UM, FOR THE STAFF THAT, YOU KNOW, WENT TO ALL THIS WORK.
I KNOW WE JUST DID THE, UM, THANK YOU LETTER, BUT ALSO I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT THE HASKELL HOUSE AND IT'S GREAT TO SEE IT, YOU KNOW, AS A, AS A PLACE OF COMMUNITY.
AND THEN ALSO TO HAVE THIS, UH, FILM PUT TOGETHER THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO SHARE WITH SO MANY MORE PEOPLE, KIND OF THE ORIGINS AND STORY BEHIND IT.
UH, BOARD CHAIR, UH, CHAIR, UH, BOARD, BOARD MEMBER FRANKLIN, IF I DIDN'T SEE YOUR HAND.
[3. Presentation, discussion and approve a recommendation to Austin City Council to approve the renewal of the Local Standards of Care for the City Parks and Recreation Department's Youth Recreation Programs. (Sponsors: Villalobos, Flowers)]
TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER THREE, UH, DISCUSSION PRESENTATION REGARDING OUTDOOR DISCUSSION, PRESENTATION AND APPROVE LETTERS.UH, APPROVE A RECOMMENDATION TO AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL TO APPROVE THE RENEWAL OF LOCAL STANDARD CARE FOR THE CITY PARKS AND RECREATION
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DEPARTMENT, YOUTH RECREATION PROGRAMS. IS THERE ANY, UH, NO.I AM A DIVISION MANAGER WITH THE PARKS INAUGURATION DEPARTMENT.
I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE LOCAL STANDARDS OF CARE, AND THIS WILL BE A VERY SHORT PRESENTATION FOR YOU.
THE STATE OF TEXAS EXEMPTS MUNICIPALITIES FROM BEING LICENSED CHILDCARE PROVIDERS FOR ELEMENTARY AGE PROGRAMS, PROVIDED THAT THE MUNICIPALITY ANNUALLY ADOPTS THE STANDARDS OF CARE BY ORDINANCE AFTER A PUBLIC HEARING.
THE ORDINANCE MUST INCLUDE, UM, A MECHANISM FOR MONITORING AND ENFORCING IN THE ORDINANCE.
MINIMUM STAFFING AND SUPERVISION RATIOS, STAFFING QUALIFICATIONS, MINIMUM FACILITY HEALTH AND SAFETY STANDARDS, AND A MEANS OF DISTRIBUTION.
UM, PLEASE NOTE THAT WE HAVE NOT MADE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGING OUR, UM, STANDARDS OF CARE FROM PREVIOUS YEAR.
UM, AND JUST A REMINDER THAT THESE ARE MINIMUM STANDARDS OF CARE, WE DO, UM, TEND TO EXCEED THOSE STANDARDS.
SO WE ARE ASKING TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION FOR THE CITY COUNCIL TO RENEW THE LOCAL STANDARDS OF CARE, UM, FOR PUBLIC HEARING, UM, WITH THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL ON MARCH 27TH.
ANY, UM, QUESTIONS? BOARD MEMBERS? ALRIGHT, AT THIS TIME I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE RECOMMENDATION TO AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL TO APPROVE THE RENEWAL OF THE LOCAL STANDARDS OF CARE FOR THE CITY PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENTS, YOUTH RECREATION PROGRAMS, ALL, UM, IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALRIGHT, AT THIS TIME WE'LL TAKE A VOTE.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
UH, UH, MR. BECK, DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS FOR AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FOUR? NO OBJECT.
AT THIS TIME WE'LL TAKE UP AGENDA ITEM NUMBER
[4. Presentation, discussion and approve a recommendation to Austin City Council approve the Parks and Recreation Board 2024 Annual Concession Report. (Sponsors: Becker, Villalobos)]
FOUR, WHICH IS PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION, AND APPROVAL OF RECOMMENDATION TO AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL TO APPROVE THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD 2024 ANNUAL CONCESSIONS REPORT.MY NAME IS KAREN CHARLES, AND I'M A CONTRACT MANAGER, UM, FOR THE CITY PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT.
THANK YOU CHAIR AND BOARD MEMBERS FOR ALLOWING US TO PRESENT INFORMATION FROM THE ANNUAL CONCESSION REPORT TODAY.
BEFORE WE BEGIN, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO INTRODUCE STAFF WHO'VE JOINED ME FOR THIS PRESENTATION.
TO MY RIGHT IS DANISHA COX DANISHA.
I'M THE CONTRACT MANAGEMENT SUPERVISOR, TWO WITH THE PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT FINANCIAL SERVICE DIVISION.
AUSTIN CITY CODE EIGHT DASH ONE DASH SEVEN THREE REQUIRES THAT ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 31ST OF EACH YEAR, THE DIRECTOR SHALL DELIVER A REPORT TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION ON THE CONCESSIONS GRANTED UNDER THIS DIVISION.
THE ANNUAL REPORT PREPARED IN UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL INCLUDE THE FOUR ITEMS, THE NAME OF EACH CONCESSION, OPERATING IN TOWN LAKE METROPOLITAN PARK, AND INCOME AND EXPENDITURE STATEMENT FOR EACH CONCESSION, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF WATER GRA WATERCRAFTS RENTED IN TOWN LAKE METROPOLITAN PARK, AND A STATEMENT DESCRIBING ANY PROBLEMS
[00:40:01]
CAUSED OR CREATED BY A CONCESSION.SO THIS MAP SHOWS THE CONCESSIONS CURRENTLY LOCATED AROUND LADY BIRD LAKE AND TOWN LAKE PARK.
UM, IF YOU LOOK IN THE UPPER LEFT SIDE OF THE SCREEN, UH, WE HAVE ROWING DOCK, AND THEN NEXT TO THAT IS, UH, TEXAS ROWING CENTER, UM, ZEZ, ZILKER EAGLE, WHICH IS THE NEW TRAIN.
UM, NEXT TO THEM IS THE, UM, ZILKER CAFE, WHICH IS NOT OPEN YET.
AND THEN WE HAVE ZILKER PARK BOAT RENTALS, UM, BUTLER PITCHING PUTT, YOU'LL SEE LONE STAR, RIVERBOAT, EPIC STEP.
AND THEN I'M GONNA GO BACK UP, UM, EXPEDITION SCHOOL AND THEN THE WALLER CREEK BOATHOUSE, WHICH IS AUSTIN ROWING CLUB, WHICH THANK YOU.
YES, WHICH IS ALSO AUSTIN ROWING CLUB.
UM, SO YOU'LL HEAR US, UM, INTERCHANGE THE NAME, UM, AS WE GO THROUGH THIS CONCESSIONS REPORT.
THIS SLIDE SHOWS THE CURRENT CONTRACT TERMS FOR EACH OF THE CONCESSIONS.
JUST A COUPLE OF HIGHLIGHTS FOR FY 24, UM, PART REQUESTED AN ADDITIONAL ONE YEAR EXTENSION FOR ROWING DOCK TO ENSURE THE WATERCRAFT AMENITY IS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
THIS EXTENSION AMENDMENT WILL EXPIRE OCTOBER 31ST, 2025.
ALSO, REGARDING EXPEDITION SCHOOL ON AUGUST 26TH, 2024, THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD RECOMMENDED TO AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL THAT COUNCIL ORDINANCE NUMBER 20 19 12 0 5 0 7 OH BE REVIEWED FOR APPROPRIATENESS.
ADDITIONALLY, THE BOARD RECOMMENDED THAT THE PARK DIRECTOR EXPLORE ALTERNATE LOCATIONS FOR THE EXPEDITION SCHOOL IN LIGHT OF THE HOLLY SHORES COMMUNITY.
OBJECTION TO THE RECOMMENDED PERMANENT LOCATION.
DUE TO IT NOT BEING AN APPROVED COMPONENT OF THE HOLLY SHORES EDWARDS SENIOR PARK MASTER PLAN, AND THE LACK OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OR INPUT REGARDING EXPLORATION OF ALTERNATE LOCATIONS, DISCUSSIONS ARE ONGOING PENDING FY 25 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OUTCOMES.
ONCE A LOCATION IS DETERMINED, IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE VENDOR WILL OPERATE AT THE IDENTIFIED LOCATION.
NEXT, NOW THIS GRAPH REPRESENTS THE CONCESSIONAIRE'S INCOMES REPORTED EXPENDITURES AND PAYMENTS TO THE CITY FOR FY 24.
SO YOU SEE HERE, THE DARK BLUE BAR REPRESENTS GROSS INCOME, I'M SORRY, GROSS SALES.
UM, THE, THE RUST COLOR BAR REPRESENTS THE REPORTED EXPENDITURES, AND THE GRAY BAR REPRESENTS CONCESSION PAYMENTS TO THE CITY, INCLUDING A MONTHLY FLAT FEE AND REVENUE SHARE.
NOW, IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY, ONE OF THE HIGHEST GROSSING, UM, CONCESSIONS WAS AUSTIN ROWING CLUB AT WALL OR WALLER CREEK BOATHOUSE.
THEY WERE AT $3,387,564 WITH EXPENDITURES OF 3 MILLION 64, 5 50, UH, THREE.
AND THEN THEIR PAYMENTS TO THE CITY, UM, INCLUDED 237,925.
ALSO, BUTLER PITCHING PUTT, IF WE COULD LOOK AT THEM QUICKLY, UM, THEY GROSS, THEIR GROSS SALES WERE 3 MILLION ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY SEVEN SEVEN TWENTY THREE EXPENDITURES, ONE MILLION EIGHTY SEVEN THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED AND THIRTY ONE THOUSAND OR $331.
AND THEN THEIR PAYMENTS TO THE CITY WERE TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY FIVE TWO EIGHTEEN.
JUST TO GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE OF, UM, SOME OF THE, UM, POINTING OUT SOME OF THE PAYMENTS, UH, SALES AND THE REPORTED EXPENDITURES.
NOW THIS GRAPH SHOWS THE TOTAL CONCESSIONS GROSS SALES OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS.
AS YOU CAN SEE, THERE WAS AN UPTICK IN FY 22 FROM COVID,
[00:45:01]
AND NOW WE'RE STARTING TO SEE ACTIVITY LEVEL OFF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS.THIS SLIDE SHOWS THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS MADE BY THE CONCESSIONS OR SOME OF THE CONCESSIONS FOR FY 24 THIS YEAR.
BUT BUTLER PITCH AND PUTT AND ROWING DOCK MADE IMPROVEMENTS TO THEIR SITES.
BUTLER PITCH AND PUTT IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PROPERTY INCLUDED A NEW WELL WATER PUMP, SEASONAL TREE MAINTENANCE SOD, TURF GRASS INSTALLATION UPDATES TO PUTTING GREEN DRAINAGE SYSTEM AND METAL ROOF INSTALLATION OVER OUTDOOR TRAIL STRUCTURES.
THE ROWING DOCK IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDED REDOING THE GRANITE PATHWAYS REPAIRS AND RE STAINING THEIR PICNIC TABLES AND BEANS AROUND THE PARKING LOT, TRIMMING TREES, SANDING AND STAINING, AND REPLACING BOARDS ON THE BOXES AROUND THE TRASH CONTAINERS.
NOW THIS SLIDE, UM, WE HAVE PROVIDED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON OTHER PART CONCESSION ACTIVITIES.
SO THERE ARE SEVERAL CONCESSIONS SET UP AT PART GOLF COURSES.
CLAY KAISER MORRIS WILLIAMS BOTH HAVE FOOD AND BEVERAGE CONCESSIONS.
TEJAS GOLF IS A DRIVING RANGE.
ALL THREE PAY A PERCENTAGE OF REVENUE TO PARD IN FY 24 GOLF A TX RECEIVED APPROXIMATELY $416,586 IN PAYMENTS FROM THESE THREE VENDORS.
ADDITIONALLY, THERE IS A FOOD AND BEVERAGE VENDOR AT LIONS GOLF COURSE, AND THE REVENUE SHARE FROM THAT CONCESSION GOES TO THE SAVE HISTORIC MUNI DISTRICT FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE GOLF COURSE AND FY 24.
THE LIONS CONCESSION PAYMENTS TO SHMD TOTALED $64,119 AND 53 CENTS.
PART ALSO RECEIVES REVENUE FROM SHORT TERM PERMITS FOR COMMERCIAL USE OF PARKLAND.
THE PERMIT PROCESS FOR TEMPORARY CONCESSIONS IS OVERSEEN BY THE SPECIAL EVENTS OFFICE.
PERMITS ARE ISSUED FOR COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY SUCH AS VENDING OR MERCHANDISE SALES, FITNESS TRAINERS AND PERFORMING ARTISTS.
THE TABLE LISTS THE COSTS PER PERMIT, THE NUMBER OF PERMITS ISSUED FOR FY 24 AND THE TOTAL REVENUE FROM EACH PERMIT TYPE FEES ARE BASED ON THE TYPE OF USE AND THE TYPE OF PARK.
METRO PARKS ARE $1,500 AND ALL OTHERS ARE 500 FOR SIX MONTH PERMITS, $50 FOR ONE DAY PERMITS.
FITNESS TRAINERS ARE CHARGED PER TRAINER WITH ADDITIONAL CHARGES PER ATTENDEE FOR FEE-BASED CLASSES WITH MORE THAN THREE ATTENDEES.
NOW, THIS SLIDE SUMMARIZES THE RECOMMENDATIONS STAFF RECEIVED FROM THE PAR, UH, PARKS AND REC RECS BOARD LAST YEAR REGARDING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND REVENUE SHARE PAYMENTS.
IN 22, PARD COMMISSIONED A STUDY OF LADY BIRD LAKE CAPACITY THAT CONSIDERED THE RECREATIONAL USE OF THE LAKE AND THE THEIR POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS.
THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THESE STUDIES WILL BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION DURING FUTURE SOLICITATIONS REGARDING REVENUE SHARE.
THE PART CONTRACTS UNIT HAS HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO DETERMINE THE VALUE OF THE CONCESSION REAL ESTATE.
THESE DISCUSSIONS WILL INFORM THE REQUESTED REVENUE SHARE FOR ANY POTENTIAL NEW VENDORS.
THIS SLIDE ADDRESSES THE RECOMMENDATIONS PARD RECEIVED FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION IN FY 23 REGARDING MARINE WASTE DISPOSAL, LAKE SAFETY, AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS.
PARD HAS FOLLOWED THESE RECOMMENDATIONS IN CONCESSION COMPLIANCE EFFORTS, AND THIS SLIDE GIVES A LITTLE MORE DETAIL ON THE REQUIREMENTS FOR MARINE WASTE.
THIS DISPOSAL, THIS PERTAINS ONLY TO LONE STAR RIVERBOATS, WHICH HAS
[00:50:01]
ONE VESSEL WITH AN ONBOARD TOILET.AS YOU SEE, THERE ARE MULTIPLE GOVERNMENTAL BODIES THAT REGULATE THIS TYPE OF BOAT.
AS PART OF PARTS CONTRACT COMPLIANCE PART REQUESTS A COPY OF MANIFESTS TO MAKE SURE LONE STAR RIVERBOAT COMPLIES WITH STATE AND CITY REGULATIONS.
THESE MANIFESTS ARE INCLUDED IN THE WRITTEN REPORT SUBMITTED TO PARD, THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION AND MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
IN 2022, PARD COMMISSION A STUDY OF LADY BIRD LAKE CAPACITY THAT CONSIDERED THE RECREATIONAL USE OF THE LAKE AND THEIR POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS.
AN OVERVIEW OF THE STUDIES FINDINGS WERE PRESENTED TO PARKS AND REC BOARD AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION.
ALONG WITH THE FY 23 ANNUAL CONCESSIONS REPORT.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE STUDY WILL BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION DURING FUTURE SOLICITATIONS.
UNLICENSED VENDOR ACTIVITY IS MONITORED BY THE PARK RANGERS.
ADDITIONALLY, CITIZENS CAN REPORT UNLICENSED ACTIVITY THROUGH 3 1 1.
THE MOBILE APP HAS A CATEGORY FOR COMMERCIAL USE OF PARKLAND, WHICH IS FOR THE REPORTS OF UNLICENSED VENDORS.
NOW, THIS TABLE RECORDS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RENTALS FOR EACH CONCESSIONS IN FY 24 AS RECORDED IN THE MONTH REPORTS, MONTHLY REPORTS SUBMITTED BY EACH CONCESSION.
IN ADDITION, THE AUSTIN ROWING CLUB AND TEXAS ROWING CENTER, FY SHELL RENTALS ARE INCLUDED IN THE TOTAL COUNTS ABOVE AND WILL BE REPORTED IN THE NUMBERS OF RENTALS GOING FORWARD.
THE TOTALS OF BOTH SHELL RENTALS IS 7% OF THE 201,500.
AND, UH, 652 TOTAL CONCESSION RENTALS PART WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE NUMBER OF BOATS IN THE CONCESSIONS RENTALS INVENTORY.
ADDITIONALLY, PART STAFF AND PARK RANGERS, ALONG WITH THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, RESPOND TO REPORTS OF UNPERMITTED CONCESSIONS, INCLUDING WATERCRAFT ACTIVITY FOR THE PAST SEVEN YEARS.
PART HAS ASKED THE CONCESSIONS TO RECORD THE NUMBER OF RENTALS EACH DAY DURING A DESIGNATED PEAK.
THE TABLE HERE SHOWS THE TOTALS FOR EACH EIGHT DAY PERIOD.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THESE NUMBERS DO NOT REFLECT THE NUMBER OF BOATS ON THE LAKE AT ANY GIVEN TIME.
ONLY THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RENTALS BY PART CONCESSIONS.
THIS NEXT CHART SHOWS THE NUMBER OF WATERCRAFT IN EACH CONCESSIONS RENTAL INVENTORY, THE TEXAS ROWING CENTER AND AUSTIN ROWING CLUB.
INVENTORIES ALSO INCLUDE ROWING SHELLS AND COACH COACHING LAUNCHES THAT ARE USED FOR LESSONS, CLUBS, CAMPS, ET CETERA.
NOW THIS SLIDE ADDRESSES STAFF RESPONSES TO OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS FROM PARKS BOARD AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSIONS IN THE PAST FEW YEARS.
PART INCLUDES ENVIRONMENT ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS IN EACH RFP.
ADDITIONALLY, PART STAFF WORK WITH CORPORATE PURCHASING TO SOLICIT REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS AND STAFF HAVE PUT IN PLACE STANDARD SCOPES OF WORK AND CONTRACT COMPONENTS, WHICH ARE USED FOR EACH NEW SOLICITATION AND CONTRACT.
AS WE CONCLUDE THIS PRESENTATION OF THE ANNUAL CONCESSIONS REPORT, WE WANNA LEAVE YOU WITH A SUMMARY OF THE CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES OF THE CONCESSIONS AS PART OF THEIR AGREEMENT TO MANAGE THE WATER CREEK BOATHOUSE.
AUSTIN ROWING CLUB IS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND FREE PROGRAMMING TO UNDERSERVED YOUTHS, INCLUDING SCHOLARSHIPS TO COVER ROWING FEES AND FREE BOAT RENTALS FOR PART SUMMER CAMP AND OTHER YOUTH GROUPS.
[00:55:02]
40,000 IN ROWING SCHOLARSHIPS ANNUALLY, AND AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO 10% IN ANNUAL REVENUE FOR BOAT RENTALS.SO IF YOU CAN, IF YOU CAN'T SEE, UM, FROM WHERE YOU ARE, I'LL JUST READ OFF A COUPLE OF THE ACTIVITIES, UH, FOR PUBLIC BENEFIT THAT THESE CONCESSIONAIRE ARE FULFILLING.
UM, SO WE'VE HEARD WHAT AUSTIN ROARING OR HEARD THE PARAMETERS THAT AUSTIN ROARING CLUBS ARE SUPPOSED TO MEET IN REGARDS TO THERE.
UM, PHILAN, THEY'RE PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITIES, BUT, UM, PROVIDE FREE PROGRAMMING AND DISCOUNTS TO YOUTH AND COMMUNITY GROUPS.
PROVIDE, UM, FULL AND PARTIAL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FAMILIES WITH DEMONSTRATED FINANCIAL NEED.
BUTLER PITCH AND PUTT PROVIDED PASSES FOR FREE ROUNDS AND CLINICS TO LOCAL YOUTH PROGRAMS AND NON-PROFIT FUNDRAISING EVENTS.
PROVIDE ALSO, THEY PROVIDED CASH DONATIONS TO LOCAL CHARITIES ON BEHALF OF BUSINESS LEAGUE WINNING TEAMS. LONE STAR RIVERBOAT DONATED FREE PASSES TO LOCAL SCHOOLS AND NONPROFIT FUNDRAISING EVENTS, DISCOUNTS TO, UH, WERE GIVEN TO SENIORS PROVIDED, UM, REDUCED PRICE TICKETS FOR BAT WATCHING CRUISES FOR THE EDUCATION AND ACTION SUMMER PROGRAM.
AND THEN FINALLY, UM, ROWING DOCK DID, UM, EXCUSE ME, RON DOCK PROVIDED FREE EQUIPMENT USED FOR COMMUNITY NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.
THEY HOSTED A NONPROFIT FUNDRAISING EVENT INCLUDING PADDLE PADDLES FOR PUPPIES, UM, ALZHEIMER FOUNDATION, FUNDRAISER AND EARTH DAY.
SO WHILE FOR SOME OF OUR CONCESSIONAIRES, IT'S NOT NECESSARILY REQUIRED, UM, THE OTHER VENDORS, THEY GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY IN NUMEROUS, UM, OTHER WAYS.
BUT PARTICIPATION IN LAKE CLEANUP AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION EFFORTS IS REQUIRED IN ALL NEW WATERCRAFT RENTAL CONTRACTS.
SO NEXT STEPS AFTER THIS EVENING'S PRESENTATION, OUR, OUR REQUESTED ACTION IS FOR THE PARKS BOARD TO MAKE 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.
THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR ALLOWING US TO PRESENT INFORMATION FROM OUR 2024 ANNUAL CONCESSION REPORT.
WE'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME.
THANK YOU FOR THAT PRESENTATION.
UH, BOARD MEMBERS, DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? I DO HAVE A QUESTION.
THIS IS JUST, UM, REGARDING SOME OF THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS' CONCERNS ABOUT THE TIMING OF THE REPORT IN RELATION TO THE NEW DIRECTOR START.
UM, IF YOU COULD JUST SHARE WITH ME HOW, IF AT ALL, THAT AFFECTED THE COMPLETENESS OF THE REPORT, OF THE FULFILLMENT OF THE REPORT, JUST SO THAT THERE'S MORE CLARITY AROUND, AROUND THAT.
SO THE REPORT HAS BEEN DRAFTED AND, AND USING, UH, THE DATA FOR FY 24.
UM, THE NEW DIRECTOR CAME ON BOARD AND WE DID PROVIDE, UH, THE DOCUMENT FOR REVIEW.
UM, NOW, AS FAR AS THE COMPLETENESS OF THAT REVIEW, UM, I'M NOT SURE IF THAT'S OCCURRED, BUT WE HAVE UNTIL THE 31ST FOR THAT.
SO THE DOCUMENT ACTUALLY JUST CONTAINS THE CODE REQUIREMENTS.
IT HAS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, BUT IT DOES RE CONTAIN THE REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE CODE.
YOU, YEAH, IT JUST, IT JUST CAME UP.
SO I WANTED TO, TO ASK THAT QUESTION SO THERE WAS MORE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO IT JUST SO THAT THE PUBLIC COULD HEAR THAT.
UM, I THINK ANOTHER PART OF THAT CONCERN WAS THAT THERE WASN'T A NAME ATTACHED TO THE, UM, TO THE DOCUMENT.
BUT I'M NOT SEEING THAT THAT'S A REQUIREMENT PER SE.
NO, IT JUST NEEDS TO BE PRESENTED.
UM, AND WITH, UH, YOU MAY HAVE AN ACTION, UM, YOU AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION THAT WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT, WRITTEN REPORT.
AND THEN JUST SOME CLARITY AROUND, I THINK THERE MAY BE, UM, WELL, I DON'T WANNA PUT WORDS IN ANYONE'S MOUTH, BUT THE, THE PART OF THE CODE THAT SAYS THE DIRECTOR SHALL DELIVER THE REPORT, SO, AND PART OF DELIVERING THE REPORT, I THINK
[01:00:01]
IF YOU'LL JUST SPEAK TO THAT AND THE NUANCE AROUND THE DELIVERY, I THINK THAT MIGHT HELP TOO.SO WE, WE PRESENT THE REPORT ON THE BEHALF OF THE DIRECTOR'S OFFICE ANNUALLY.
UM, UH, THE PRIOR INTERIM DIRECTOR, UM, DIRECTOR MEANS, UM, DID RECEIVE THIS IN ADVANCE.
UM, UM, BUT YOU KNOW, SHE'S NOT HERE TO, TO SPEAK TO THAT.
SO, UM, I CAN SAY THAT IT WAS, UM, PROVIDED TO THE DIRECTOR'S OFFICE FOR REVIEW.
ANY BOARD MEMBER ON, UH, WEBEX? I DIDN'T MISS ANYONE.
I APPRECIATE, UH, Y'ALL MAKING THIS RECOMMENDATION.
I APPRECIATE THE CLARIFICATION AT THE BEGINNING ABOUT WHAT THE CITY CODE RECOMMENDS IN REGARDS TO WHAT THE PURPOSE OF THE, UH, OF THE ANNUAL ANNUAL CONCESSION REPORT, UH, ENTAILS, WHICH KIND OF GIMME SOME GUIDANCE, UM, AS TO WHAT TO EXPECT IN REGARDS TO WHAT Y'ALL WERE GONNA BE PRESENTING AND WHAT IT SHOULD CON AND WHAT IT, WHAT IT, UH, SHOULD CONTAIN.
UM, I KNOW THAT THE, UH, SOME COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT SOME OTHER STUFF, UH, RELATING TO CONCESSIONS BUT NOT, UH, GERMANE TO WHAT THE CITY CODE, UH, REQUIRES.
SO I'LL LEAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS FOR ANOTHER DAY.
AT THIS TIME, WITHOUT ANY FURTHER REC, ANY, ANY FURTHER COMMENT, I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE A RECOMMENDATION TO AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL TO APPROVE THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD 2024 ANNUAL CONCESSION REPORT.
IS THERE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND.
FROM BOARD MEMBER NICOLE MERRI.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL RIGHT.
AT THIS TIME I'LL TAKE A VOTE.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
UM, AT THIS, WELL, NO, ACTUALLY NO.
UM, UH, WE'LL MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FIVE.
[5. Update from the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget Working Group regarding discussions from the January 17, 2025 working group meeting. (Sponsors: Flowers, Merritt, Franklin, Becker)]
IS THERE ANY SPEAKERS FOR AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FIVE? NO SIR.UH, WELL, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO VICE CHAIR FLOWERS.
SO HOPEFULLY YOU ALL HAD A CHANCE TO REVIEW THE MINUTES FROM OUR BUDGET WORKING GROUP MEETING.
UH, OBVIOUSLY PRIOR TO THAT MEETING, WE DID NOT HAVE SPECIFIC CITY GUIDANCE.
SO IT WAS MAINLY A MEETING PLANNING FOR A PROCESS THAT WOULD BE JUST LIKE WHAT WE EXPECTED BEFORE.
GUESS WHAT? THAT'S NOT WHAT'S HAPPENING Y'ALL.
AND IF YOU'RE, YOU KNOW, DEEPER IN THE CITY, WEEDS, YOU MAY KNOW THIS, BUT THE BUDGET PROCESS WILL BE CHANGING THIS YEAR PRETTY SUBSTANTIALLY, UH, IS MY UNDERSTANDING.
UM, I HOPE THAT WE WILL BE GETTING SOME GUIDANCE ON THAT AS A BOARD LATER THIS WEEK.
I WAS TOLD, UM, HOPEFULLY, UH, BUT I DID, UH, THROUGH SOME DIGGING MYSELF, UH, REALIZE IT'S, IT'S A PRETTY BIG CHANGE.
SO I THINK WE CAN EXPECT SOME CHANGE TO THE TIMELINE, POSSIBLY ALSO SOME CHANGES TO WHAT WILL BE NEEDED FROM US.
I DON'T THINK THAT THERE'S MUCH MORE FOR ME TO SAY.
I AM GONNA CONTINUE TO KEEP THE WORKING GROUP MEETING EVERY OTHER WEEK AS WE ARE UNTIL WE GET THAT FURTHER GUIDANCE FROM THE CITY, AT WHICH TIME WE MAY ADJUST OUR MEETING CADENCE, JUST DEPENDING, UM, IT, IT KIND OF, EVERYTHING'S UP FOR POSSIBLE CHANGE.
SO IT MAY NOT EVEN BE A MARCH TIMELINE AT THIS POINT, UH, FOR OUR RECOMMENDATION.
SO THAT SAID, I DID WANNA OPEN IT UP HERE IN CASE ANYONE WHO IS NOT ON THE WORKING GROUP ITSELF, UH, FROM THE BOARD, HAS ANY, UH, ITEMS THEY WANNA CALL OUT NOW THAT THEY'D LIKE US TO BE CONSIDERING.
WE ARE ALREADY WHERE WE HAD ALREADY INITIATED SOME REACH OUTS TO OTHER BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.
UM, AGAIN, THE TIMING MAY END UP BEING WRONG ON THAT, DEPENDING ON THE NEW PROCESS, BUT IT'S, IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY TO BE EARLY.
SO AT, AT WORST WE'RE EARLY RATHER THAN LATE.
SO DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY ITEMS THAT, UH, THEY WANTED TO ADD OR HAVE THE BUDGET WORKING GROUP CONSIDER FOR, UH, POTENTIAL RECOMMENDATION? UH, JUST THE ONLY ONE THING I WOULD ADD, AND I THINK THIS WAS A MAJOR POINT OF TALK OF DISCUSSION THE LAST TIME WE APPROVED, UM, OUR RECOMMENDATION FOR THE BUDGET, WHICH IS HAVING, UH, FUNDING FOR FTES IN ORDER TO MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENT OF HOW MUCH STAFF IS NEEDED TO MANAGE THE MAINTENANCE.
MAINTAIN THE PARKS AS THEY ARE.
UM, I THINK THERE'S LIKE A, YEP, THERE'S LIKE A SPECIFIC CRITERIA OF ACRES PER YEP.
SO MAKING SURE THAT WE KEEP A, A CONTINUED PUSH FOR THAT.
UM, 'CAUSE I DON'T KNOW OF LAST TIME THAT FUNDING, WE DIDN'T BREAK IT THERE.
BUT THE FUNDING THAT THEY DID END UP PUSHING TOWARDS AT THE VERY END, THAT ADDITIONAL FUNDING, IF THAT WAS TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT.
BUT ANYWAY, JUST MAKING SURE THAT IT BECOMES PERMANENT AND THAT WE ADD MORE TO THAT.
AND THIS MAY FIT UNDER ONE OF THE OTHER CATEGORIES, BUT I WAS JUST INTERESTED A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT LIGHTING FOR SAFETY REASONS.
I KNOW IT MIGHT FALL UNDER THE, LOOKING AT RECREATION CENTERS AND SENIOR CENTERS OR
[01:05:01]
CRIME.THERE'S SOME OTHER AREAS WHERE THAT MIGHT FILL IN.
AND I KNOW WE'VE DONE SOME WORK AROUND LIGHTING.
UM, BUT THAT CONTINUES TO BE AN ISSUE THAT COMES UP AND THAT I HEAR, UM, FROM CONSTITUENTS.
IF WE CAN NOTE LIGHTING IN PARTICULAR.
OTHER ITEMS? ANY OTHER ITEMS? BOARD MEMBERS? ALRIGHT.
AND THEN THE ONLY THING I WILL NOTE, BECAUSE I DID LOOK AT THROUGH THE NOTES AND MAYBE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD, I WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO, UH, FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS. JUST GIVEN WHAT'S GOING ON ON THE WEST COAST IS JUST A BRIEFING ON WILDFIRE PROVISION EFFORTS HERE IN AUSTIN.
I THINK IT'D BE BENEFICIAL FOR THE BOARD TO JUST GET A, A BRIEFING, A STAFF BRIEFING ON THAT.
UM, THAT WOULD ALSO ALLOW THE, UH, COMMUNITY TO ALSO HEAR WHAT Y'ALL ARE DOING IN ORDER TO HELP, HELP PREVENT WILDFLOWERS.
ANY, UH, ANYTHING FURTHER? BOARD ADVICE, SHARE FLOWERS? NOPE, NOTHING ELSE FROM ME.
WE MEET AGAIN THIS FRIDAY, SO NEXT MEETING I'LL HAVE AN UPDATE ON WHAT WE DID.
ANY OTHER, ANYTHING ELSE ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FIVE? ALRIGHT, THANK YOU.
AND THEN I WILL MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER SIX,
[6. Staff briefing on Parks and Recreation Department community engagement events, planning updates, development updates, maintenance updates, program updates and administrative updates. (Sponsors: Villalobos, Flowers)]
STAFF BRIEFING ON APPROXIMATE RECS DEPARTMENT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS, PLANNING UPDATES, DEVELOPMENT UPDATES, MAINTENANCE UPDATES, PROGRAM UPDATES, AND ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES.THEY SURE THERE'S NOT ANOTHER UPDATE WE CAN ANSWER THAT
UH, AND THANK YOU FOR, UH, UH, THIS IS YOUR FIRST MEETING TO THE, THE NEW DIRECTOR.
SO IF YOU JUST WANNA TAKE A MOMENT TO, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THE OTHER BOARD, BUT IF YOU WANNA TAKE A MOMENT TO THAT, THAT'D BE GREAT TOO.
MAYBE THE ONLY OTHER UPDATE I'LL GIVE YOU IS ABOUT MY HEALTH.
SO I MAY GO INTO A COUGHING FIT AND I APOLOGIZE, I MIGHT, UH, STEP AWAY.
BUT, UM, GOOD EVENING CHAIR VIS, VICE CHAIR OF FLOWERS AND, AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
I'M EXCITED TO BE HERE TODAY AS YOUR PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR.
UH, I AM TWO WEEKS INTO THE ROLE AND I'M REALLY EXCITED AND ALREADY AS I GO AROUND AND, AND MEET WITH INDIVIDUALS BOTH WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT, OUTSIDE OF THE DEPARTMENT, UH, IT'S, IT'S OBVIOUS THAT THIS IS A, A BELOVED DEPARTMENT.
WE DO SOME TREMENDOUS WORK IN EVERY COMMUNITY ACROSS THE CITY.
SO I'M REALLY EXCITED AND PROUD TO BE A PART OF THIS GROUP.
UH, I COME HERE, UM, I'M NOT COMPLETELY NEW TO AUSTIN.
PRIOR TO THIS ROLE, I WAS THE CEO OF THE WATERLOO GREENWAY CONSERVANCY.
UH, BUT BEFORE THAT I WAS THE PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR FOR THE CITY OF SEATTLE.
UH, PRIOR TO THAT I WAS THE PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR FOR WASHINGTON DC AND THEN PRIOR TO THAT, I HAD A WHOLE CAREER IN EDUCATION WHERE I STARTED OFF MY CAREER AS A, UM, MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHER.
SO I'M EXCITED TO BE BACK IN TEXAS TO BE BACK HOME, UM, AND CONTINUE THE GREAT WORK OF THIS DEPARTMENT.
SORT OF TO, TO KICK OFF, I WANT TO JUST THANK YOU ALL, UH, AS BOARD MEMBERS FOR YOUR RECOGNITION OF OUR STAFF, NOT JUST TONIGHT FOR THE STAFF THAT PRESENTED AND RECEIVED THE RECOGNITION, BUT TO THE, TO PARKS AND RECREATION STAFF ALL OVER THE CITY.
UM, I ALSO WANNA THANK ALL OF THE, THE MEMBERS, UH, OF THE PUBLIC WHO TESTIFIED EARLIER TODAY.
UM, AND, AND THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE WATCHING US AT HOME.
I DO WANNA RESPOND A LITTLE BIT TO A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT CAME UP IF I CAN.
UM, AND THEN I'D LOVE TO SHARE SOME UPDATES, UH, FROM THE WORLD OF PARKS AND RECREATION.
SO, UM, THANK YOU TO MS. BARITE.
I'M SORRY IF I MISPRONOUNCED THE NAME AND CONGRATS TO THE, TO THE AUSTIN ROWING CLUB FOR THEIR 43RD, 43RD YEAR IN SERVICE.
I, I WAS REALLY GLAD TO HEAR THE REPORTING, PARTICULARLY AROUND THE PUBLIC BENEFIT THAT THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES.
UM, FOR MS. FARROW, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR, FOR YOUR INFORMATION, UM, AND YOUR CONCERNS REGARDING SHEFFIELD PARK.
AND I'LL WORK WITH STAFF TO UNDERSTAND THE ISSUES.
I'M NOT SURE IF SHE'S STILL HERE, BUT TO UNDERSTAND THE ISSUES, UH, HAPPENING IN THE PARK AND, AND CERTAINLY, UM, AM AM AS CONCERNED AS, AS COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE IN TERMS OF SAFETY IN OUR PARKS.
AND I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN DO WHATEVER WE CAN TO, TO, TO ADDRESS AS MANY CONCERNS AS WE CAN.
UH, AND TO THE FOLKS WHO, WHO TESTIFIED REGARDING THE CONCESSIONS REPORT AND, AND THANK YOU TO THE BOARD FOR A RECOMMENDATION APPROVAL, RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF THAT TO THE COUNCIL.
UH, I WILL SAY THAT I HAVE READ THE REPORT AND IN MY REVIEW, IT CERTAINLY COMPLIES WITH THE MANDATES OF WHAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT.
AND WE CAN CERTAINLY WORK WITH YOU ALL, UH, IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS IN TERMS OF WHAT SHOULD BE ON COVER PAGES, ET CETERA.
BUT, UH, I'M, I'M SATISFIED THAT THE REPORT, UH, MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS AND I THINK THAT THE STAFF DID A, A GOOD JOB ON THAT REPORT.
UM, AND THEN JUST GENERALLY IN TERMS OF THE, THE, THE WORK OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MAY, MAYBE I'LL PAUSE THERE AND SEE IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS FROM BOARD MEMBERS, UH, REGARDING ANY OF THE THINGS THAT I TALKED ABOUT ALREADY.
AND THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US AT THE DEPARTMENT TO SORT OF TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE, THE GREAT WORK HAPPENING ACROSS THE CITY.
UH, I WILL SAY THAT, UH, BOARD MEMBERS, YOU RECEIVED THE DIRECTOR'S UPDATE AND, AND I THINK IT'S BEEN POSTED ON YOUR WEBPAGE.
UM, IT WOULD BE REALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO, TO TALK ABOUT ALL THE AMAZING THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING ACROSS THE CITY, UH, THAT ARE BEING BROUGHT FORTH BY
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A DEPARTMENT AS LARGE AND AS DIVERSE AS THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN.SO, UH, THERE ARE A LOT OF GREAT THINGS HAPPENING.
UM, IN TERMS OF, OF PARKLAND DEVELOPMENT AND NEW PARK UPDATES.
UH, I'LL NOTE THAT THE, UM, MILE ZERO TRAILHEAD OF THE VIOLENT CROWN TRAIL, UH, AT THE BARTON CREEK GREEN BELT IS KICKING OFF CONSTRUCTION.
THIS IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HILL COUNTRY CONSERVANCY.
UH, CONSTRUCTION WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE, THROUGH THE, THROUGH 2025.
UM, ALSO THE AGAVE NE NEIGHBORHOOD PARK IS GETTING A NEW SHADE STRUCTURE.
METS PARK IS GETTING A NEW PLAYGROUND, UH, THIS MORNING.
UM, THE WATERLOO GREENWAY CONSERVANCY CELEBRATED THE OPENING OF THE HARTMAN BRIDGE, WHICH IS IN NEW BRIDGE ACROSS, UH, WALLER CREEK, UH, AS PART OF THE THE BUTLER HI AND BIKE TRAIL.
UM, TO YOUR POINT, UH, CHAIR WAS ABOUT, UM, FIRE SAFETY.
OUR TEAM HAS BEEN WORKING WITH, UM, THE AUSTIN FIRE DEPARTMENT, UH, TO, TO REALLY PREPARE FOR PRESCRIBED BURN AT ONION CREEK, UH, METRO PARK.
AND, AND OUR TEAMS IN NATURAL RESOURCES HAVE BEEN WORKING TO ENSURE THAT WE, UM, HAVE ADEQUATE LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM TO MAKE SURE WE CAN MITIGATE SOME OF THOSE THINGS.
UM, EXCUSE ME, THE ELIZABETH NA MUSEUM, UM, HAS, IS UNDERGONE RESTORATION SITE IMPROVEMENTS, INCLUDING THE CREATION OF A NEW PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE ACROSS WALLER CREEK.
UM, WE'VE GOT DITMAR RECREATION CENTER HAS NEW A DA SIDEWALK AND A DA WORK.
SOUTH AUSTIN RECREATION CENTER IS GETTING SOME RETROFITTED LED LIGHTING.
UM, AND WE'VE GOT LOTS AND LOTS OF WORK HAPPENING, UH, AROUND OUR MUSEUMS AND CULTURAL PROGRAMS AND EXHIBITIONS, UM, THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
OUR PARKS AND RECREATION COMMUNITY CENTERS, UH, HAVE BEEN PROGRAMMING AND CONTINUE TO PROGRAM.
UM, LOTS OF GREAT THINGS HAPPENING.
UM, I WILL NOTE THAT, UH, SUMMER CAMP, SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION FOR NATURE PROGRAMS IS KICKING OFF FEBRUARY 22ND.
UM, AND SORRY, THERE'S LOTS AND LOTS OF OTHER AMAZING THINGS AND, AND TO TRY TO PREVENT ANOTHER COUGHING FIDDLE, PAUSE THERE AND SEE IF THERE'S ANY, ANY OTHER, UH, ITEMS THAT THE BOARD WOULD LIKE ME TO TALK ABOUT.
I WANNA MAKE YOU STOP TALKING
ANY QUESTIONS? UH, BOARD MEMBERS, UH, HATE TO ASK YOU A QUESTION.
UM, ANY, SOMETIMES WE HEAR ABOUT THINGS AFTER THE FACT.
ANYTHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO, UM, THAT WE COULD PARTICIPATE IN OR, UM, SHOW OUR SUPPORT? ABSOLUTELY.
AND, AND MAYBE WE CAN LEARN ABOUT THOSE THINGS TOGETHER AND WE'LL SEND YOU A LIST OF THOSE THINGS.
CERTAINLY WE APPRECIATE THAT, THAT YOU ALL AS, AS REPRESENTATIVES FROM YOUR DISTRICTS ENGAGE WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
SO WE WANNA MAKE SURE WE SHARE THAT INFORMATION WITH YOU.
I APOLOGIZE, I DON'T HAVE THAT IN MY HEAD YET.
THANK YOU, UH, DIRECTOR FOR THAT UPDATE AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU NEXT.
[FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS]
OTHER THAN THE WILDLIFE, I MEAN WILDFIRE, UH, BRIEFING.I HAD, UH, REQUESTED ANYTHING ELSE FROM BOARD MEMBERS.
I DON'T KNOW THAT THIS IS A FUTURE AGENDA ITEM SO MUCH AS A QUESTION AND IT'S TOTALLY FINE IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE ANSWER NOW.
BUT I GOT A VERY SPECIFIC QUESTION ABOUT FOUR 17 HACKBERRY, WHICH WAS A PARKLAND ACQUISITION IN DI DISTRICT FOUR.
SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED IN RECENTLY AND WENT BEFORE COUNCIL.
AND IT DID MAKE ME WONDER, I GUESS THE PERSON WAS ASKING ME, DIDN'T THIS GO BEFORE THE BOARD? AND IT DIDN'T.
BUT I ALSO WAS LIKE, WELL I DON'T KNOW THAT THE PARK PARKLAND ACQUISITION NORMALLY GOES BEFORE THE BOARD.
UM, BUT IF YOU COULD, IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THAT BECAUSE THE PERSON IS ASKING, YOU KNOW, WHAT'S THE PLAN FOR IT, WHY WAS IT BOUGHT ALL OF THESE THINGS, I WASN'T SURE WHERE TO DIRECTOR.
AND IT'S FINE IF THAT REQUIRES A FOLLOW UP LATER.
WE'LL, WE'LL GET AN ANSWER ON THAT.
ANY OTHER BOARD MEMBER MERIT? NO.
I JUST WANNA THANK YOU FOR COMING, EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE SICK AND PROVIDING A LOT OF INFORMATION.
UM, AT THIS TIME WE'RE ADJOURNMENT WITHOUT ANY FUR, WITHOUT ANY OBJECTION.
IT'S 7:19 PM AND THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING OF PARKS AND REC FOR JANUARY 27TH IS NOW ADJOURNED.