Parks & Recreation Board - Regular Meeting

So I can

Why don't start a call to order by thirty, and I can start with the roll call. Jordan Lane?

Here.

Dan Alden?

Here.

Derek Griblund? Here.

Brian Frakes?

Here.

Johnson? Bob Ian?

Here.

Benjamin Pat? Here. Amy Alvarri? Here. Judge Essodo?

We need to keep your camera on. Not yet. Not just Oh, wait. She's in the lobby.

That's Jen.

Oh, that's Jen. Yeah.

But I'm sure Jen would great. Oh, sure. Yeah. I sure. I'm sure we do not have any public comments signed up.

K. So no in the minutes?

We leave a motion in the second.

Motion. Second.

Is that Dan?

Yes. No. That's Brian.

Brian, sorry. Can't see.

Yeah.

Okay. And I can do the both for now. Amy Olgaard? Aye. Benjamin Hutt? John's Mighty?

Aye.

Ginger Griblin? Jordan Lane?

Aye.

Bob Neiman?

Aye.

Brian Grace? Aye. Dan Alden?

Abstain.

And motion passed.

Alright. Next item is receive a staff update and whole discussion regarding recent city council actions related to the city park parking and managed access at Rio Vista. Last Tuesday, the city council did a stop on second reading, adjusting the eligibility for paid parking permits. So it is expanded from just city residents. It now includes anyone that resides in the San Marcos School District or 78666.

They're they are we are using the terminology. Anybody that's outside the corporate city limits, we're calling them local area participants. It's not, like, maybe nonresidents or anything like that. So local area participants are anybody that's gonna be outside city limits. We've already started receiving applications and processing those permits.

So word is getting around, which is good. Then on the managed access, they did approve a $5 fee for managed access for out of town visitors of 18 and up, children 17 and under when we're day free. Additionally, we we're actually we received an email from a resident that lives in the Rio Vista neighborhood. She usually walks over there to Rio Vista and doesn't normally bring her cell phone or her ID with her. So she asked if we could come up with another solution for those folks that maybe live close, that maybe just wanna go to the river and then go home.

So we have requested some floats for RFID wristbands that are adjustable. With the intent, the city council wants the first one to be free. After that, charging a $5 replacement for those bands. We're meeting with our we have the contract in place for the technology to do the our passion. We're actually kicking off when next week.

Right, Jess? Yes. So have our kickoff call with them to actually build out the portal for people to apply, residents to apply if they plan to go to Rio Vista during managed access, which is on Saturday, Sundays, and holiday weekends and holidays. So, like, for example, it's, like, fourth of July. This year, it does fall on a weekend, so we'll just think it falls on a Saturday.

So we'll operate managed access to Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Memorial Day, it'll be Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday because Monday is the holiday. Obviously, fourth of July moves around, and so it's not as stable as Memorial Day and Labor Day. So we'll make adjustments to manage access and just charge on whenever the fourth of July is. I think in, like, next year, I think it falls on a Sunday.

The following year, it comes back, and it's on, like, a Monday or a Tuesday. So we'll make those adjustments as needed. Overall, managed access will operate for thirty six days out of the out of the year, so thirty six days this summer. Last year, we did operate it every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We really found that Fridays really weren't necessary unless it was a holiday weekend. It was pretty darn tame and dead. So it's kind of like, yeah. Yeah. This really is the best thing. Managing, you know, labor and adjusting things according to well, that works out well.

Happy to answer any questions y'all might have as we gear up. That will launch. We will go live with with the fee and managed access for Memorial Day. So May 22 will be when that that week, you'll see the fences go up. They are temporary fences. They're not chain linked. The council wanted something more aesthetic and temporary. There's not a lot of options because they did not want galvanized. They wanted it, like, black. So it's it it does look like security fencing.

And so, yeah, it'll I think it's, like, six feet tall. So it's not, like, 10 feet tall, but, I mean, it is obviously noticeable. But that's what the council looked through for us to install. That should that should be delivered here in the next couple of weeks. Maybe actually next week, I think. It's by the end of the month. We'll have the vaccine. So that's done. The technologies, we'll work it through that. Yes.

That most of the park investors have been hired. I think we as of Monday, Eric still had to hire Eric Weeks, who was the the manager that oversees that program. He still has 10 to hire out of 20. So we still had a pretty healthy application. So we didn't have a problem last year getting, you know, great folks, especially there at the last minute when the council loves to add 10 more. So I think we'll be I

think we'll be fine.

And I'm happy to answer any questions.

The adding San Marcos CISD and then 78666 ZIP code, is that so that's technically an expansion then, right, of what was initially free? Yes. Because originally, it was just residents in, like, the corporate settings. So now it's anyone in the ZIP code Right. And in SMC.

Yes, sir.

That's correct.

Okay.

And it that includes, you know, part of all of Martindale being in this whole district and part of Maxwell. City council did ask us, you know, if someone hasn't registered yet, but they have their ID and they have a Maxwell address. You know, are you really gonna split hairs? The answer is no. I mean, there's discretion that has to we're not our park ambassadors are not gonna be able to pull up a map and be like, okay. Let me address check

you.

You

know? So it's like, hey. Yeah. Well, you know, go ahead and enjoy, you know, your time, but next time, please go ahead and get ready.

And that covers managed access and paid parking?

Correct. Okay.

Yeah.

Now the the paid parking, anytime if somebody gets a citation for not having their permit, we waive that first citation and provide them with the information to register. Yeah.

You know, I have one more question. It was about you said July 4. So, like, if you're almost on a Tuesday, so that day would be paid back as well. But then you said holiday is Friday and Mondays. Right? So if it's just so if it's on a Tuesday, so it'd be Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday. Okay.

Yeah. So the hard part for managed access for the July 4 is when it when it's on, like, a Wednesday.

Right.

And we had that happen a couple of years ago Uh-huh. Where we weren't a 100% sure what the crowds were really gonna do on a Wednesday. What we saw is that they showed up on Wednesday and just extended their stay into the weekends. Oh. We had a little bit on the front end where they maybe had come in, like, Saturday, Sunday. Maybe went out to the outlet mall on Monday, but then they were back in the park on, like, Tuesday. So, I mean, lots of people will kinda split their their trips like that, and then it falls kinda.

And it's the it's the $5 that a day I can't remember.

Is it

a daily fee, or is it a for that weekend? Oh, yes.

Yeah. Yeah. So, well, it's only the managed access is active. Right. So Saturday, Sunday, or holiday.

Holiday. Yes.

Got it.

And if it helps, I mean, I can provide, like, full list of dates. Mhmm. I think we might have put that on our website as well.

Okay.

Yeah. It's thirty six days, like I said. Oh, that'd be great. Now it's gonna send out the dates.

Questions. And then he figured out the contract security? Or was it

I think it's gonna be a mix. I don't know if they're going to do contracts. Tiffany hasn't found the funds yet to be able to do the contract security. So I think that they are relying on overtime EV and then Fire Marshal like they did last year. I think they're still trying to tweak that out a little bit.

So they could for essentially, like, fourth of July weekend, which is normally a busier weekend, they could decide to contract that. I mean, it's usually I don't know if it would be it would be anywhere from 11,000 to $20,000. Yeah. So I think they're trying to figure out the best way to approach that. Managed access definitely helps give them

an edge, though, and and support. No. Actually, we were discussing, but I didn't see any of it. I know. I still look like a alert trailers or maybe similar response to vehicles. Yeah. Been strategic

Yeah. The city marshal's office is they requested a grant with from the Lions Club for affordable, like, camera trailer. They did get that funding. I don't know when they're going to get it. So I'll ask Tiffany because I don't know if they're gonna have it in time for this time.

Well, I was supposed to do that, like, the we talked about, you know, like, putting an alert trailer over there. Yeah. This. That's it. Or the bearcaps or something like that on one of the corners. So, you know, where the rugs are brought. I mean, just so they can look, you know, more prisms. You know? And what we actually have for instead of boots. You know?

Yeah. And

stuff. I

I will we'll ask her if we remind you to but we'll get you a follow-up on that.

You're referring to PD at like, PD presence. Right? Police department? Yep. Okay.

And then it's helpful. I mean, we can ask city marshal to attend our next meeting too and be able to answer any additional questions as we gear up for summer. So Yes, sir.

Talking to me?

Yes, sir. I am sorry.

Alright. Alright. So do we have to register? I wasn't clear on that.

Yes. Residents will need to register if they want to if they're planning on going to Rio Vista, on Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays. Any other Monday through Friday, the it there's no need for registration because we're not operating managed access. The same if if somebody goes and play like, say they're gonna paddle down to Rio Vista, they can put in at city park, paddle down, get out, and with no problem. So we're it's only when we have folks that, you know, really coming in to set up for the day.

And and not all residents will likely take you know, go and register. I I really don't know. I could be completely naive, but we'll we'll see.

Could you would it be okay if your team sent the board members the link for the registration?

Once it's available, we will absolutely be sending it out. We just got the contract approved with the vendor in and our kickoff call to build that in that technology is next week. So it'll be live within the next few weeks. But so I don't have it right now to send out. But, yes, we will definitely be sending that out because y'all probably get questions about it too. Yeah. Like That's right. Thank

you for that.

Yes, sir. Anything else? I guess we wanted to pause the next one. K. Receive a staff update for whole discussion regarding current parks and recreation projects. Next Wednesday what day is it? Oh my gosh. Next Wednesday, the twenty second is the good. Ahead. Is the day of the take spam open house at the activity center, 05:30 to eight.

The survey will be live until May 1. We can resend out that information if y'all need it. I know did the city hall Facebook page as well as our parks and recreation Facebook page has been pushing out that information. Individual postparts have been mailed out to Blanco Gardens and the Wallace Edition neighborhoods. And we've had stakeholder meetings already, so this is going into that the whole community involvement process.

Once that is done, then once survey closes, the Friesen Nichols will be compiling everything that they heard in order to present the feasibility study to city council. So within the next few months, I don't have a firm date on when when that process would be completed right now. But Okay. That would be the next step because y'all will see it before it goes to council. So

Do we just get to see it, or we actually vote on anything?

Make a recommendation on it. Yeah.

Okay.

Yeah. Just

like any other plans.

Right. Okay.

Yeah. That's in a park adjacent to a park. So

Yeah. For that Wednesday, they can look like it's not gonna be a q and a. It's more like

There is a q and a. Yeah. Yeah. So there will be we'll have the room room kinda divided. One side of the room will be where there's a presentation. It's about ten minutes or so, ten, fifteen minutes. Q and a can happen there. And then the opposite side of the room will be more charrette style where there's boards set up for people to put stickers and those kinds of things. So, yeah, total, yeah, q and a with free samples will occur. They didn't communicate that they that this wasn't just like a cyclical come and go thing.

So, yeah, now it is. It's they're gonna be providing that presentation pretty much on repeat. So

I thought you said there was gonna be divided those that wanna keep it and those that wanna

Oh, no. I mean,

obviously, that's gonna be bad.

I thought

That that that is that is definitely going to occur. It's very obvious on the Facebook feeds. That is that is the case. But, yes, we we will have it ring divided so that the presentation isn't necessarily interrupting the stuff or vice versa.

So yeah.

Thank you for making sure that that was clear. Okay. So next thing, the park plans. So the neighborhood commission last night did go over language on their recommendation resolution. They did not vote on it officially.

They're gonna vote on it in May. So most the majority of one is in the recommendation is opposing the Park Sports recommendations. So we'll see what happens within a month and see what the final final language is. So that is that update. We did go ahead and push out the presentation to counsel.

It will be July 7 work session now due to other work sessions already being scheduled. So it will be going to council July 7 for work session. And then depending on the council's direction out of that, bringing it for consideration and vote on April 8 I'm sorry. August 18. The Riverfront Parks.

Yes, sir. That's correct. Yes. So there's that I think that those are the big ticket items that I have for y'all. Doctor. Hosseys? Yes, sir.

I would just make a suggestion for all the board members and perhaps, those that are maybe newer to the community that are now on the board to go to that Cape Stam discussion, meeting on the twenty second, especially if that's coming to us at some point later in the summer. It's just an issue that's it's a big issue in the community, and it'd be really good for everybody to get fully up to speed, if you haven't already on that. So I just wanted to make that suggestion.

Alright.

Thank you, sir. Does anybody have any other questions about any other projects on all this? Like I said, those are our biggest things that we have right now.

I have a question about the the parks plan, the parks plan. So you said that the neighborhood commissions, it sounded like they're leaning towards no. Right?

As far as supporting what this body adopted.

Okay. But is their recommendation necessary for that to go

to city council?

They'll then city council will receive their recommendation.

Okay.

What happens whenever a body adopts a recommendation, the staff liaison sends that to the city clerk. It's then the job of the city clerk to send that out to city council. Okay. So city council will have it. What will be presented to city council is the park sports recommendation. The neighborhood commission is not they because they're not the park sport, they they're not presenting, like, another, like, ops.

Another option or something.

Right. Yeah. That's that's not their their role. So they're not presenting another concepts per se.

Okay. So then I wanna I wanna try to understand what their role is in their recommendation

Sure.

Thought that plan.

Sure. It's because if both parks are adjacent to neighborhoods, say you're weighing in as looking at as far as how the concepts would impact the neighborhoods. I see. Okay. Yes. We're looking at it through a neighborhood lens.

Okay. So city council will get both recommendations

Yes.

Still. Okay. Yeah.

Got it.

Yeah. They will have already received the neighborhood commission's recommendation

Mhmm.

Prior to us getting before them in July. Oh. We will have it attached as back, like, backup Yep. Material because it has happened, but it's not necessarily going to be presented to them.

I see. Okay.

What was their why did they live report?

Yeah. There was a there was a couple of things. They didn't like all the baseball and at Guail. There was concern. I guess, they have had conversations with people in the adjacent neighborhood about, you know, potential, like, disruption in voice.

Kind of the same thing at Rio Vista that they really were more focused on the Quail Creek, not less less on the Rio Vista plan. So and as soon as we have you know, it should be posted publicly whenever they put out their agenda. So once I see what that final draft is, I mean, I could send it out to the board just for your information. Just see what because they were still drafting it and final vote on it last night. So

Okay. Be there to help. Yeah.

But We

don't see any questions or any public? You sure?

Sure, Dennis. You're good. 553.