Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

MINUTES CITY OF DRIPPING SPRINGS PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Monday,August 12,2013 City Hall,511 Mercer Street, Dripping Springs,TX I. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Robbie Zamora calls the meeting to order at 6;12 pm. City Administrator Michelle Fischer takes roll call. Present; Commissioner Robbie Zamora, Chair(DSYSA); Commissioner Erie Russell, Vice Chair(DSYSA); Commissioner Robert Hayden (CODS); Commissioner Rich Moore(DSISD); Commissioner Thao Phan(CODS); Commissioner Erie Henline(DSISD); Commissioner Britt Figueroa(CODS). Absent: Commissioner Shelly Reeves(DSISD). Also present are City Administrator Michelle Fischer, Brent Luck with Luck Design Team,Founders Memorial Park Pool Manager Clay Young, and Hays County Master Naturalists Garry Child and M. Lee Brown. II. PRESENTATION BY CITIZENS-no one speaks. III. CONSENT ITEMS Discussion and Possible Action regarding: A. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes, July 8,2013 B. Approval of Special Meeting Minutes, July 17,2013 C. Approval of Special Meeting Minutes, August 1,2013 Commissioner Russell makes a motion to approve the July 8*'^, July 1?"^, and August L'meeting minutes, seconded by Commissioner Phan. VOTE: all in favor. The motion is carried. IV. BUSINESS Discussion and Possible Action regarding: A. Request from Dripping Springs Independent School District (DSISD)for amendment of rules governing minimum ages for swimmers at Founders Memorial Park Pool, speciBcally modifying Code of Ordinances Sec. 16.02.064(Pool Rules) to provide that children under 16 years of age must be accompanied and supervised by a parent or competent person at least 18 years of age 1. Report from Clay Young,Pool Manager-Mr. Young gives an overview ofthe rule change. He reports that parents were dropping their kids off at the pool and leaving them without supervision. He is concerned that in case of an emergency pool staff may not be able to contact a parent; they do not want children to be unattended if removed from the pool for violating pool rules; the District is eoneemed with liability; and safety is the most important thing. 2. City Staff Report-Ms. Fischer states that the City Attorney advised that the Commission can agree to the rule change, not approve it, or approve a modified rule change and the change should be made through an amendment to the Pool Rules. Her report is on file. 3. Public Hearing-no one speaks. 4. Amendment to Pool Rules- Commissioner Zamora asks if there is an5dhing in the City's Park Rules regarding leaving a child at a park without supervision. Ms. Fischer states that the rules do not address it. Commissioner Russell asks if any provisions are being considered that other pools do to mitigate risk and allow kids under 16 to go to the pool without an adult. Mr. Young states that no provisions are being considered at this time. He states that the guards and pool patrons feel safer with the higher minimum age to enter the pool. Commissioner Henline states that it seems like the pool should get contact information for parents when they drop their kids off. Commissioner Russell asks what the risk is that is being mitigated by the higher minimum age requirements. Mr. Young states that it reduces the risk for accidents and prevents kids from being dropped off which may cause problems. Commissioner Russell states that he feels like the age increase is a quick and partial solution, and we could learn something from other pools. He states he thinks we could do more to mitigate risks than just raising the minimum age. Commissioner Zamora states that it seems like a 16 year old should be able to be responsible for a younger sibling. Commissioner Henline asks if there are options for what to do with a kid who is kicked out of the pool; what is the middle ground? Commissioner Figueroa asks how many times parents have dropped kids off and left. Mr. Young says it has happened at least 6 times that staff knows about. Commissioner Figueroa states she thinks it is abandonment to leave your child at the park unattended. Commissioner Russell states that the rule change is a stop gap measure and it needs more discussion, more comprehensive thought on safety, which has not been done but should be put into place by next surmner. He makes a motion to allow the pool staff to enforce the minimum of age of 16 years until the end of the summer season and for DSISD to come back to the Commission with more information and options to lower the minimum age and improve safety, seconded by Commissioner Moore. VOTE: all in favor. The motion is carried. B. Blue Blazes Ranch Development Agreement, to govern the approximately 35 acres including lots Al, A2, and A3 of Tract A, Vista Ranch Subdivision recorded in Volume 14,Page 12-13 of the Plat Records of Hays County,Texas 1. Presentation-Jaey Warwick,PE for the project, gives an overview ofthe project and its parkland dedication. 2. City Staff& Committee Report-Ms. Fischer goes over the applicant's comments and City Staffs responses regarding Draft 4 of the agreement that relate to the parkland dedication. 3. Public Hearing-Mr. Child asks questions regarding the collection of rainwater and amount of impervious cover. Ms. Brown asks about the trail maintenance.  Attorney advised that the Commission can agree to the rule change, not approve it, or approve a modified rule change and the change should be made through an amendment to the Pool Rules. Her report is on file. 3. Public Hearing-no one speaks. 4. Amendment to Pool Rules- Commissioner Zamora asks if there is anything in the City's Park Rules regarding leaving a child at a park without supervision. Ms. Fischer states that the rules do not address it. Commissioner Russell asks if any provisions are being considered that other pools do to mitigate risk and allow kids under 16 to go to the pool without an adult. Mr. Young states that no provisions are being considered at this time. He states that the guards and pool patrons feel safer with the higher minimum age to enter the pool. Commissioner Henline states that it seems like the pool should get contact information for parents when they drop their kids off. Commissioner Russell asks what the risk is that is being mitigated by the higher minimum age requirements. Mr. Young states that it reduces the risk for accidents and prevents kids from being dropped off which may cause problems. Commissioner Russell states that he feels like the age increase is a quick and partial solution, and we could learn something from other pools. He states he thinks we could do more to mitigate risks than just raising the minimum age. Commissioner Zamora states that it seems like a 16 year old should be able to be responsible for a younger sibling. Commissioner Henline asks if there are options for what to do with a kid who is kicked out of the pool; what is the middle ground? Commissioner Figueroa asks how many times parents have dropped kids off and left. Mr. Young says it has happened at least 6 times that staff knows about. Commissioner Figueroa states she thinks it is abandonment to leave your child at the park unattended. Commissioner Russell states that the rule change is a stop gap measure and it needs more discussion, more comprehensive thought on safety, which has not been done but should be put into place by next summer. He makes a motion to allow the pool staff to enforce the minimum of age of 16 years until the end of the summer season and for DSISD to come back to the Commission with more information and options to lower the minimum age and improve safety, seconded by Commissioner Moore. VOTE: all in favor. The motion is carried. B. Blue Blazes Ranch Development Agreement, to govern the approximately 35 acres including lots Al, A2, and A3 of Tract A,Vista Ranch Subdivision recorded in Volume 14,Page 12-13 of the Plat Records of Hays County,Texas 1. Presentation-Jacy Warwick,PE for the project, gives an overview ofthe project and its parkland dedication. 2. City Staff& Committee Report-Ms. Fischer goes over the applicant's comments and City Staff's responses regarding Draft 4 of the agreement that relate to the parkland dedication. 3. Public Hearing-Mr. Child asks questions regarding the collection of rainwater and amount of impervious cover. Ms. Brown asks about the trail maintenance.  4. Parkland Dedication-Commissioner Moore states that he was on the development agreement review committee and agrees with Staffs recommendations regarding the applicant's comments in Draft 4. Commissioner Zamora states that she is concerned with the City's liability for the ponds. Commissioner Moore makes a motion to approve the parkland dedication with City Staffs recommended changes to the development agreement based on the applicant's comments on Draft 4, seconded by Commissioner Henline. VOTE: all in favor. The motion is carried. C. Update of City of Dripping Springs Master Plan for Parks, Recreation and Open Space, Including Review of Public Input and Establishing Priorities-Mr. Luck hands out survey results related to park priorities (questions 11 and 14). He reviews the results and show Commissioners how to drill down on survey results using the website and how to filter responses set on certain criteria. Commissioner Phan leaves the meeting at 7:35 pm. Mr. Luck explains how the priorities and implementation plan are different. Commissioners request time to look at the survey, drill down on specific responses, and form their own opinions. Mr. Luck recommends they also review the open ended comments submitted. Mr. Luck and the Commissioners discuss the concept of creating a taxing district to fund parks. No action is taken on this agenda item. D. Request from Dripping Springs Water Supply Corporation for a 15 foot wide Exclusive Water Line Easement on Founders Memorial Park Property to Serve Founders Memorial Park and the Pound House-Ms. Fischer reports that City Staff recommends the following: a survey of the easement be submitted to the City which includes the easement, other easements and utilities on the property, and shows the fields; the waterline will only serve the park and the Pound House; the easement acknowledges that irrigation lines may be included in the easement area; any work done to the line will not interfere with organized use of the fields, if the waterline is worked on, the area disturbed must be repaired so that the area is in as good condition as it was before the work began. She recommends that the Commission not make a recommendation on the request until the additional information is submitted with the survey and the easement language. Commissioner Moore makes a motion to recommend that the Dripping Springs Water Supply Corporation submit the information, survey and easement language recommended by City Staff, so that the Commission can make a more informed decision, seconded by Commissioner Figueroa. VOTE: all in favor. The motion is carried. E. Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Amendment Request-Ms. Fischer gives an overview of the revised proposal for a playground at Foimders Memorial Park. She recommends that the Commission request the City to authorize the purchase ofthe playground and its installation using parkland dedication funds for the deposit on the playground this fiscal year (which is Vi the total cost) and the balance be spent next fiscal year. She reports that approximately $20,000 in the parks and recreation budget is expected to not be used and she recommends that the Commission consider requesting an amendment to the budget to use it to bring field lights at the Sports & Recreation Park into compliance with the City's Lighting Ordinance. She states that several citizens have requested that the City bring the lights into compliance since additional lighting is being installed on Field 7. Commissioner Russell makes a motion to request a budget amendment to approve the purchase of a playground for Founders Memorial Park with the required deposit for half of the cost to come from parkland dedication fees and to amend the budget to use unspent parks and recreation budget funds to be used to bring field lights at the Sports & Recreation Park come into compliance with the Lighting Ordinance, seconded by Commissioner Henline. Commissioners discuss the need to bring the lights into compliance, how it shows the City's commitment to dark skies, and asking DSISD to bring their lights into compliance. VOTE: all in favor. The motion is carried. F. Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Request- Commissioner Russell makes a motion to amend the budget request to reflect Vi of the costs for the playground at Founders Memorial Park being paid for with parkland dedication funds, assuming the Fiscal Year 2013 budget request amendment related to the playground is approved, seconded by Commissioner Moore. VOTE: all in favor. The motion is carried. G. Request from the Austin Waldorf School for a Reduction of Rental Fees for the Use of Field #6 at the Dripping Springs Sports & Recreation Park August 20*'' & 27*'', September 3'^'', and October 1®* and 3'^'', 2013, Chad Lipscomb, Coach ofAustin WaldorfSchool Soccer Team-Ms. Fischer reports that the proposed fee is fair based on a prorated hourly amount and that DSYSA has approved the use of the field and she recommends approval. Commissioner Henline recommends approval of the request, seconded by Commissioner Figueroa. VOTE: all in favor. The motion is carried. V. REPORTS Thefollowing updates relate to the planning and administration ofthe City's Parks & Recreation Program, No Action to be Taken: A. Maintenance Report- Michael Keaton(on file). B. Revenues and Expenses Report- Michelle Fischer, City Administrator(on file). C. Charro Ranch Park - Robert Hayden-Garry Child reports that the fence has been completed. D. Founders Memorial Park - Robbie Zamora and Eric Henline E. Dripping Springs Ranch Park - Rich Moore and Britt Figueroa F. Sports & Recreation Park - Eric Russell and Shelly Reeves G. Veterans Memorial Park and Triangle - Thao Phan H. Farmers Market Report- Jo Ann Touchstone, Market Manager parks and recreation budget is expected to not be used and she reconunends that the Commission consider requesting an amendment to the budget to use it to bring field lights at the Sports & Recreation Park into compliance with the City's Lighting Ordinance. She states that several citizens have requested that the City bring the lights into compliance since additional lighting is being installed on Field 7. Commissioner Russell makes a motion to request a budget amendment to approve the purchase of a playground for Founders Memorial Park with the required deposit for half ofthe cost to come from parkland dedication fees and to amend the budget to use unspent parks and recreation budget funds to be used to bring field lights at the Sports & Recreation Park come into compliance with the Lighting Ordinance, seconded by Commissioner Henline. Commissioners discuss the need to bring the lights into compliance, how it shows the City's commitment to dark skies, and asking DSISD to bring their lights into compliance. VOTE: all in favor. The motion is carried. F. Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Request- Commissioner Russell makes a motion to amend the budget request to reflect Vi of the costs for the playground at Founders Memorial Park being paid for with parkland dedication funds, assuming the Fiscal Year 2013 budget request amendment related to the playground is approved, seconded by Commissioner Moore. VOTE: all in favor. The motion is carried. G. Request from the Austin Waldorf School for a Reduction of Rental Fees for the Use of Field #6 at the Dripping Springs Sports & Recreation Park August 20*"* & 27*\ September 3*^^, and October 1®^ and 3'^'', 2013, Chad Lipscomb, Coach ofAustin WaldorfSchoolSoccer Team-Ms. Fischer reports that the proposed fee is fair based on a prorated hourly amount and that DSYSA has approved the use of the field and she recommends approval. Commissioner Henline recommends approval of the request, seconded by Commissioner Figueroa. VOTE: all in favor. The motion is carried. V. REPORTS Thefollowing updates relate to the planning and administration ofthe City's Parks & Recreation Program, No Action to be Taken: A. Maintenance Report- Michael Keaton(on file). B. Revenues and Expenses Report- Michelle Fischer, City Administrator(on file). C. Charro Ranch Park- Robert Hayden-Garry Child reports that the fence has been completed. D. Founders Memorial Park -Robbie Zamora and Eric Henline E. Dripping Springs Ranch Park-Rich Moore and Britt Figueroa F. Sports & Recreation Park-Eric Russell and Shelly Reeves G. Veterans Memorial Park and Triangle - Thao Phan H. Farmers Market Report-Jo Ann Touchstone, Market Manager VL ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Regular City Council Meeting, Tuesday, August 13, 2013, at 5:30 p.m. B. Regular Planning & Zoning Meeting, Tuesday, August 27, 2013, at 7:00 p.m. C. Regular Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting, Mon., September 9,2013, at 6:00 p.m. VII. ADJOURN-Commissioner Henline makes a motion to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Russell. VOTE: all in favor. The motion is carried and the meeting is adjourned at 8:52 pm.