Parks & Recreation Board - Regular Meeting

Go ahead and call the Yes. November 20. Okay. Okay.

So follow-up.

Charles Pittman?

Here.

Jordan Lane?

Here.

Dan Alden?

Here.

Derek Riblin?

Here.

Jojo Sothos? Here. Peter Schirher?

Here.

Benjamin Heck? Here. Amanda Fox? Here. John Smythes?

Here.

You have a form. Here.

I will go to our citizen comment period. Do we have anyone?

So we

have two speakers.

Okay. First one is former council member, Jude Prather.

Mister Prather, I'm gonna keep time for you.

Yes, ma'am. Howdy, folks. Jude Prather. I live at 400 Browning Terrace, San Marcos, Texas. Been a resident of San Marcos since 2001. I got Bonnie Rose, our daughter with us. But I've been in resident of San Marcos since 2001, but the first time I came to San Marcos was in the mid nineties. I came for a soccer tournament.

And I

remember seeing all the trees and the river, and I

was like, this is a

really beautiful town. I can imagine myself living here. And, you know, twenty five years later, here I am. Right? But sports tourism is what brought me to San Marcos. And come to speak on agenda item two and four about that river, riverfront parks. First of all, exciting to see this kind of investment in our parks, such a a unique draw on the region and a beautiful spot for San Marcos. One thing I wanna particularly talk about is the Rayna Lucio Baseball Fields. What a great draw. I was there last weekend.

I saw kids playing there. I've watched some of her good friends play there. It's just such a viable spot of, you know, of land right down I 35 and Centimeters Allen, a gateway into our town. And if anything, I would enhance these baseball fields, stone fences, or make it like a champions Raymond Lucio baseball fields where people in the region wanna host their championship level games. Yes. We're gonna build baseball fields up in Quail Creek, and that's great too for tournaments. More fields, the merrier. Like, every time I'm at 5 Mile Dam, you know, and you see all the families there playing soccer. I got to coach her soccer team this year. It just brings a lot of joy when you see these facilities that bring out families.

And and if you ask citizens who don't even follow politics in San Marcos, like, is some of your major concerns in the top five was not enough activities for families and kids. So those baseball fields provide, activities, recreation for kids, and I think if anything, enhance it, make it when you drive down I 35 and you see that, those fields, it's something you well, what's going on in San Marcos? We need to have our baseball tournament there or our champion, play there. And if anything, that corner on Centimeters Allen I 35, some type of signature signage, bra, whatever that really draws in people because that is a gateway into our town. The other item I wanted to speak about, paid parking.

When I was on council, this is something I I supported On my car out there, we have a a beach parking permit sticker for Corpus Christi. It is a very common thing. Cities that have popular parks to draw people is to pay for that parking. There's a way we can do it where our residents don't even have to pay, But I would keep moving forward with paid parking in our our Poplar Park District because it is a drain on public safety resources, but it'll also be a a source of revenue to help offset those costs to make sure our parks are safe. The other thing, while I'm talking about that, this summer, it was a noticeable difference in public safety

I'm sorry.

With with

the temporary, fencing. So keep that up. Thank you.

Thank you, Jude Sprayter. And our next speaker is Virginia Parker.

Hey, guys. I'm Virginia Parker with the San Marcos River Foundation. I'll just echo pretty much everything Jude just said. The fencing this summer, I mean, from a safety perspective and from a trash pickup perspective on Monday mornings, we saw a huge difference. So kudos to y'all for taking the leap and, like, trying something new.

Nobody was turned away. You know, they just followed the rules more. So I just think it was a wonderful thing for our parks and for our reverse ecosystem. And then, also, to tie into the the Riverside Parks plan, I just love the idea of drawing the parking away from the river. I love that y'all are thinking about the river, and I just wanted to come and express my gratitude for you guys being river conscious. So thank you.

Thank you. You're smarter. Believe that's it for our citizen with comments. So to item one, please.

Consider approval by motion of

the 10/23/2025 regular meeting minutes.

And you agree? No motion.

I'll second. Motion to approve and a second.

You can call the roll, please.

Peter Schirher?

Aye. Garrett Grivlins? Ben Brentpat?

Aye. Jojo Sozo?

Aye. Jordan Lane? Aye. Dan Alden?

Aye.

Amanda Fox? Aye. John Tumutis? Aye.

Charles Hickman? Aye. Motion passed.

Move that. I don't know I'll two, please.

Oh, sorry. Val, I got you. Okay. Receive a staff update and hold discussions regarding the current Riverfront Parks preliminary design and East Side Regional Park preliminary design plan concepts. Based on the board's feedback during our last meeting, you do have the updated concepts for the broker front Parks that you kind of wanted to review and see.

So that is concept d, e, g, and h for the Riverfront Parks, and then concept a and b for Quail Creek or the East Side Regional Parks. We do have our consultant in the room. Eric Cooper is here with Happ and Associates to help answer any questions. And or and we're just here to help answer questions at this point. So turn it over to you, mister Chair.

So we don't have this on for a vote at this meeting, but I imagine we probably wanna get it done at the next meeting. So, hopefully, we can come to a consensus of a majority or even anonymous on next steps and which ones of these to choose. If you'll remember from the last meeting, we had very lengthy conversations about this number of different suggestions. We had so for instance, with concept d, we had, I think, from at least from my notes as I was taking them as we were all speaking, we had three commissioners that were interested in master plan concept d, two for master plan concepts e. This is on the riverfront sections.

Two commissioners, board members.

Board members.

Board members.

Sorry. Apologize. Board members at g four g, so we're we're not quite there on that one yet. And then we did have, I think, consensus enough of the board to request that the consulting firm provide us with some an option b Sorry. For the the Quail Creek property, which was the extra ball fields in that location and slimmed down, I guess, Frisbee Golf Course.

Right.

Right. Is that about it? The changes you made there? Yes. K. Did we and we didn't lose anything else. Nothing else changed. Just we moved some things around.

We moved the multipurpose fields, so to make room for the four additional baseball fields. But beyond that, no amenities were removed or impacted as far as that goes. Right here.

So if it's alright with the board, if we let's start with the easy side. Let's start with the Quail Creek part.

Is there

any any comments on the concept a or b in in relation to try and find some consensus? Anybody that wants to kick it off, please feel free. Well, I think

the thing is is that we might come to a different decision depending on what we decide to do on Riverfront Parks.

Okay.

Right? It's what I'm thinking because if we do come to consensus to keep Ramon Lucio Park and Ballfield's there, we might lean towards a. Okay. At least where I'm thinking.

Okay. Yeah. No. I get I get it, and I don't disagree with them.

Also agree with that. So

let's start with Dan, the robot blood thought system. Anybody wanna throw out again, trying to find some broader consensus better, but he wanna kick

it off. Okay. Peter,

I I just had a question, really. In concept h, there are three fields, and there's one that seems to be bigger than the other two. And I'm wondering if someone could explain why that is or what the difference between those three fields are.

Yep. Aaron, wanna answer that question?

Yes. So concept h has the three subtle fields. Is that correct? Yes, sir. So the existing condition at Ramon Lucia Park today is that there are it's one large field and four small fields. So that large field can currently serve as more like a championship type tournament field. So we wanted to preserve the to host more of a championship level style game.

Does that answer your question, Peter? And may I say you have fantastic Zoom lighting?

It's it's my iPhone 17. Go go figure.

Really good. Wow.

That's not a testament? Yeah.

It's perfect. Yeah. It's not me personally. It's a phone. I promise.

Anyway, that's

The larger field is for older kids too. So

So the longer field. Longer field. Mhmm. Thank you. Okay.

Nicely pointed away from the highway. Like it. Yeah.

I'm happy to. I mean, I I wonder if maybe a easy way to begin this, you know, elephant that we wanna eat here is just look at concept e and see if there's anyone that supports that at all. I can I can say, you know, I know that we had a lot of discussion and interest about moving parking spots away from the river? I think there were 300 in this concept last time, and it looks like y'all took an effort to maybe reduce them down. You know, for me still, that this seems like the least favorable option of all of them just because it still keeps all of that parking by the river.

I know it provides the most ball fields, but, there's still other options with baseball that we could kick around and, you know, I I don't know if there's anybody that would want to support this option because I heard a lot of people speak against wanting that riverfront parking, and I feel like maybe if there could be potentially some consensus in starting off with maybe removing this one and focusing on the others, but maybe that's not the case.

Charlie

You might disagree with me oh, sorry. I was

gonna say you

might disagree with me on that one because I, you know, I favor e and I dislike, gee, that removes all the fields. So I might be the odd one on that one.

So, John, Lisa, could you or Jojo, can you say that again? Your preference is?

Gonna send them I got down that she likes e, but not g. Jojo, you're muted. Sorry.

Alright. Well, we'll come back when she's able to get on. Okay.

Is my my mic not working?

Can Yeah. Okay. So we'll we'll get back to her when Yeah. Connection is there.

Is this

fixed now? Did I fix my mic?

Yes, ma'am.

Go ahead.

Did you is the mic fixed now or no?

Yes, ma'am.

Oh, I was just saying, I was like, you know, I might be the odd one because I you know, I'm on the opposite of what he was saying. I do. I don't support fully removing the ballparks, and so he is kinda what the one I would prefer to remove. Okay.

But of all the concepts you like the best, is that what you're saying?

No. The concept that I'm most in favor for is going to be the one that he just said. I think it's

h. H. H. Sure. So h shows three ball fields?

Yes. The one that has the larger field for the older kids and the two, like, team ball fields.

Alright. Thank you for that. Alright. Anybody else?

I like to agree with her. I think she shouldn't be an option. And of this last month, I've tried it every way to see any kind of point of view that you guys have on that. And I literally I I cannot find anything positive, given he has a way with all the baseball fields. I've called people, talked to people, people that I thought would have a different opinion, and I cannot find anybody that agrees with that. So, gee, I just I don't see anything worth it. E, I still I think we we talked about doing away with the parking.

And she did purchase.

Close to the river. Yeah. She did all that.

It by, I think, 70 spaces, I think.

Yeah. I mean, I still like the the four part the the four diamond concept. The little Northfield, that one that one, you know, we could we could phone that in place and and and then have the the four four diamond deal there. I think that would still be good. We and like I said, they can take the parking off that east side. That's closest to the riverside. So, yeah, it would obviously shorten that $2.20 quite a bit, but it'll keep the parking on the on the seam outlet side. That would be the only thing I would suggest. E with those those changes.

And the changes being?

The the parking off the river off the riverside of the field and the taking away the north field, the small stand alone field. So four whole fields.

So reducing it from five to four. Gotcha.

I would add that nice compromise, not that I'm I think d gives that championship feel that everybody sounds like they're looking for. It also is the least amount of parking that the least amount of parking in the park next to not having fuel whatsoever. So that's 200 as opposed to, you know, two twenty. My hope would be that we could maybe reduce that parking even a little bit more if possible. I'm still not a real big fan of the other ones, e, you know, e e and h, mainly due to the the amount of parking and the placement of the parking lot being so close to the river.

You know, I think a a really nice compromise would be that championship field that could be, you know, reimagined and developed in a sense that it'd be really beautiful for a gateway to the the city. And it also will offer us the least amount of parking that I think all of us are trying to achieve, but it would be nice if we could cut that parking down just a little bit more. And it is away from the river as well.

So you prefer V?

I wouldn't say I would I would prefer V. You know, I'm I think g, like we talked about last time, provides the the most green space and the the least amount of parking. So I think that that's a strong draw, but I I I also hear the the love and and desire to keep that fall field. So I think that d is a really strong compromise, and it's an it's an ability to make everybody happy. Those are my thoughts.

I'd like to ask a question to understand your comments. You mentioned you liked d because it moves the parking away from the river, but not e because it doesn't I I see those as having the parking in the same place. So I just wanna make sure

I understand. Rat.

I'm sorry. I'm talking about I thought you said okay. E is the big one. I'm sorry. I'm in the wrong thing. I was thinking of

Yeah. H I mean, even h is okay, but h is still at two twenty.

K. That's the difference is the 20 spots.

And, you know, I think a a a goal of that open lawn, the discussion of the open lawn, and more green space, you'll get that with one ball field that's this epic ball field that's quite beautiful. And you'll also get get a little bit more green space, I would think, as opposed to three three fields, three separate fields and more parking. That's my thought on.

Yeah. Jojo does have a minute.

Let's finish this. Alright. Ben, are you down with your comments? Yeah. I'm I'm good. Okay. I think I got you. Jojo?

I just have a question because, you know, seeing how the ballparks are, what's the amount of spacing we parking we need for the if they're gonna be games and families coming out, what is the amount of parking we need? Because I understand our want for not wanting parking, but there is also a need in seeing how the cars are piled up every weekend in that lot.

What is the standard?

It's about 75 stalls per field. We can reduce that to 60, but that's you do not wanna go less than 60.

And, Laura,

does that answer your question?

Yes. Yes. Thank you. Okay.

Is that numbers anything you have?

Jarvi, you wanna jump in?

Carrie, how many pork and boaters that we have on here?

Yeah. Sure.

Don't feel like that. Actually, that

And then while Jamie's running running up to grab that, just a quick question for you. On that I know my apologies if I'm forgetting this. But on Centimeters Allen, is there a bike lane on that? There's gonna be a a green path on that?

Parks.

167th.

Okay. That's all the way around to the back?

Yes, sir. That that's every dedicated parking spot. So where we have the curb stops installed and then actual scraped spot found by the pavilion.

Yeah. Yes, sir.

So we we spoke with engineering regarding bicycle facilities on CML, and and where we're currently standing is that there is still a dedicated on street bike lane in a green running southbound towards 30 5. And on the north side, bicycles would have a wide shared use path to the CML.

Alright. Thank you.

So don't we just on question on parking. Don't we count the street parking that is available for correct me if I'm wrong. There was timing. There was no very little parking at the ball fields. Right?

I know that I think I

don't There were some. But

There was some that wasn't

the afternoon.

Right. So it was it was a dirt field kind of a free for all, and so then we put in curb stops in an effort to organize it, organize the chaos a little bit. Obviously, there's still room for people to kind of park wherever the heck they want, so they do. So I'm not counting those specific spots. So if you do an aerial, you could probably count an additional maybe 15 to 20 vehicles parked in, like, random spots where there's open field. But but, yeah, the dedicated spots is It's what I and 67 now.

That's what I was saying last time. If we actually made it a parking lot, it would be a decent place. Like, right now, it's just muddy, and they've sent that channel through there. That's only. Yeah. It's a mess. Yeah. It's not that bad if we're riding.

Well, just a quick question, and I don't expect you to know the future on this, but I'm under the impression that when this parking lot goes into these baseball fields, at some point, we're going to have a discussion of whether it's paid parking there. So people every single person that's gonna be going to those baseball games, if they are from out of town, are going to be paying to park there. I would say

That that's been part of this board's recommendation to city council. Obviously, city council has yet to, you know, truly direct that implementation just yet. So we're doing the paid parking pilot right now. If the city council wants to continue that, then I foresee that they would then provide us direction to further implement paid parking.

Gonna be hard to give up that money. Okay. So you wanna go?

Sure. You know, I could be supportive of either options d or let me make sure I'm getting the numbers the letters right. The three concept here, h. You know, the the biggest concern I've had, and I've heard a lot of people voice again, is the parking close to the river. I think these plans have accomplished moving that away. You know, whether we have one or three ball fields, I kind of look to what's what better suits the community. I think both of these have accomplished, you know, pretty much the same number of parking spots in the same location and still leaving some green space for the river. So, you know, I could really be supportive of either one of those depending on what the Meters per base was.

Should have asked for I think, two options, but is d your first choice, would you say?

I keep hearing a need for more fields, so I'd probably say h is probably preferable.

Knowing knowing that there would be more fields at.

Let make sure I understood last meeting right. You were saying that ultimately we were looking for, like, 10 to 14 fields in the community?

Yeah. We need bigger adult, more we need larger fields so that for for mass we're missing the adult field. Mhmm. So we have adult softball fields do not have fields large enough to accommodate physical right play currently. Youth fields

And if we went with one of these Went Creek that has the more fields on it, are we moving our the needle on that?

We are. You know, it's hard because in in the master plan, it combined both the softball fields and the baseball fields. So it's very and I was not involved in the master plan process to understand why they're saying that on the youth side that we are sufficient because I think they're combining both softball and baseball as youth fields. Obviously, they're, you know, very different as far as lines and distances and all that jazz. So I would I don't know the exact number of what we will long term need, obviously, as we continue to grow more is better for planning purposes.

If we have the opportunity to add additional youth feels and adult feels at well, then I think my recommendation.

They're both gonna be used.

I'm sorry?

So they're they're gonna be used?

Oh, yes, sir. Yes, sir. Yeah. They're they would definitely be used.

Dan, you wanna go weigh in? Sure.

Yeah. First, I wanted to share, I was in school here. I was a little league coach. We went to the regional finals all the way to Brenham, and that was that was quite an experience. Had to skip out of class and go there very and I need

to do

That's good.

We lost our first game in Waco, made it all the way to the finals against Waco again and lost them again.

So I think I I like the concept, Dean, with the with the large field concept.

I I remember going to Frank Wilson, and, know, it was just you know, there's one thing I would just request is some kind of experience stadium, not the full stadium, but not just bleachers.

You know?

Something that, you know, when you drive by, you're gonna see it, and

you're gonna recognize. They that's, you know, a few. So something, you know, along those lines, I think, would enhance.

But, you know, don't know,

budget or something like that.

Yeah. We would we would get into those details further down into design.

Yeah.

You know, right now we're really high level. So but that's the feedback for the future. This is the way that the the body goes.

And and then I don't know if you need a second one on that, but as far as the the other Quail Creek, you know, the more fields, the better. So constant. As far as that goes, that would be my

Okay. Thank you, Dan. Peter, do you wanna weigh in? Yeah.

I think my opinion is more or less unchanged. I appreciate the work that went into rethinking these. I'm I still prefer d. I think one of the things I like about d is actually the the inclusion of the open lawn and the oval. I just I like that concept. I think it I think the tendency in the parks plans that I've seen so far is to program every little corner of the park. It each it it all has a function to play. Even the part in Rio Vista that's listed as open lawn actually has pavilions on it, So that has also been programmed. So I think it's great actually that there's a part of the parks that is just a lawn for people to enjoy and sit on, have a picnic, and that sort of thing. So I like d.

I could live with h. But if we if we're gonna go with h, I I really don't wanna see any additional fields out in Quail Creek. That's my that's my view.

Okay. So concept A for Quail. It's A and b. Right?

Yes, sir.

Yeah. Okay.

Oh, yeah. Who knows?

We lost Amanda. Yeah.

Well, maybe she'll come back on while you're speaking.

Ask about concept d, about the size of that field. Would that be in the size of, like, the what if we have it, quote, a two fifty, be like a smaller field size, or is it a full size level up to an adult size field?

I mean, we we can make it full size, but, yeah, it's currently showing up to two fifteen.

So yeah. And so, like, that's where like, I I had asked for something like Concept H, which is great, and this is pretty much right in line with what I was I think would be a nice compromise. It's less fields. The parking's away from the river. I think if we we were to go my my first choice is h. Right? If we went for d, I think in my mind, I would be in favor of Concept V for Quell Creek because then we're losing a lot of fields. We're losing a lot. So if we have we were to keep three, concept a for Gold Creek is awesome, but I think that gives us a nice balance of there's more open space. We have an open lawn next to the fields.

There is less parking, and I think it gives us flexibility with just, the adult size one full size baseball field still with all the other concepts other than e, which I think we were all pretty unanimous, would not be an option. We would lose adult size baseball fields completely. And it sounds like that's where we have the biggest need, which would just make that situation worse for us. So I think my first choice is h. H? Yep.

And d second. D second. It'd be quite Exactly. Different. I

think something to take into consideration with the larger fields is in order for younger kids

like t ball or or, you know, a little bit older cooked thatch, we would have to put temporary fencing up. So our staff would have to put it up, take it down, you know,

each time. Which is possible. Correct?

Oh, yes. Yeah.

Absolutely.

Yeah. I mean, it be an additional expense to purchase. I think they make them fancy now where you can Yeah. Pat holes in the ground that Yeah. We don't have that currently, but but that is just something to consider that, you know, the size of the field, you would have to put in the roof.

Alright. So I'm gonna say also concept d. And the reason I say concept d is because, like Peter mentioned, it gives us about a third of that space into open lawn, and that's really one of my big priorities. I like the brilliant idea of a championship, you know, something really nice there because y'all heard my opinion on on Chainlink and all that other

Mhmm.

You know, the the whatever. So I'm also with ConceptD and with the Quail Creek Double Fields. I'm gonna be asking the board to consider making a specific recommendation about that the council really do their homework and and have a I don't wanna say just a study, but I want them to be educated on the return on investment on little league baseball fields. And I want them to work with Parks and the formal whoever is an expert on providing us that that that specific data on you know? I think you told us that it was 175,000 per field or $1.50?

I think 250,000. Now that that's been a few years ago. So

$2.50 per field.

Correct.

Okay. So if they if the council knew what the ROI was on these fields specifically, then could work with parks and council sets the rates, but we gotta stop giving this away. If we're gonna invest $250,000 a field at eight fields or 10 and plus, you know, more for a championship field, we have to charge what a call you know, we have to get a return on investment. And I don't think on a lot of our stuff, we've we've been very reluctant. It's not set by the parks department.

It's set by the city council. We've been very reluctant to charge what other cities charge, you know, because for some reason, we're just not good enough. And so but I'll talk about that once we're through this. So I'm also with concept b as a first choice, and that gives us five members.

For d's.

For d as a first choice. And we have I heard Dan, myself, Jordan for concept and Dan for concept b, which is the double assist the double That's quail, the double ball fields. Eight ball fields at quail. Eight? Is it or a cat?

I believe it's Nine. Nine.

Eight. Right. Real quick. Is it gonna be voiced to the council that our decisions for one reflects our decision for Oil Creek? You know?

Absolute I think that you can absolutely include that in the resolutions. Yes, sir.

Yes. And and, of course, it's all just recommendation. Right. Right.

This is eight hour it's

like eight hours of our life. That's recommendation. So let's so I I do we have consensus for Dee on the Riverfront Park. Let's talk about Well Creek and nail this down. Can I ask Yeah?

Sure. One more question Sure. About in the so just hypothetically, right, concept h would not include any sort of, like we would include improvements to the fields. Right? But would that not include any sort of improvements to create some sort of championship style field in that concept where we could do maybe, like I I'm assuming we're not gonna build a major league stadium or even a minor league level stadium. We're not doing

that. Yeah.

But even just talking about what those single stadiums look like, the biggest one I've ever seen was San Antonio ISD has one down downtown, and it's just a big block of concrete with some seats on it. It's cool, but it looks awful on the inside. I'm assuming we're not gonna do that.

I would assume hope not.

But, also, we talked about return on investment. Right? And you can't host tournaments with one field. You can hold a few games a day, but with three, you can host an entire tournament and still have championship level games, and you can still have a really nice facility. So if the consensus is at d, obviously, that was my second choice, but I just wanted to throw that out there if that changes perspectives at all. I think it's worth talking about.

Yeah. I didn't I didn't ever it wasn't in my mind that we were gonna hold a tournament at that one. That would be the where you would play the final Mhmm. Or or other games during the process, but 10 total feels. Yeah. 10. Yeah. And you have one really great one that and I'm very conscious of what how our community appears from, you know, from when people are traveling and around. It's a gateway. It's important.

Mhmm.

I do know. Yep. Go ahead, John. Maybe you're going or any of the in this concept here, any of those fields the champion size?

Those are all, I think, two fifty that we're

showing right now. Is it possible? Make one one here? Yeah. Where we had one here and one there so that then we did have a tournament. I mean, granted, you have to go across the street to go to the other park, but we would have another option. Yeah. That's absolutely I'm

not I'm not sure what you were asking, Dan. I don't know.

To have a a feel that in the concept v. In concept?

Quail Creek. There's a room at Quail for a larger championship style field as well. Right.

So then we have to the town.

I

am not gonna say that.

I don't know. Yes. Okay. There we go. Like, I'm not the one.

The way I read this is the the idea is to create an a, like, a prestigious sport complex for youth that not only we can maybe rent out in the future to select all to generate revenue and then create this championship feel that that still stands in the city that they could go from this tournament here at Oil Creek and then play at the downtown field. That's sort of how I. So I like the idea of packing as many baseball fields into Boyle Creek so it can become this this next level, you know, facility that will draw people from outside the city when they lay there.

I don't think it gives ample parking, but it's also the least amount of parking in the park.

Yeah.

And that's and that's I mean, that's why I think that that concept is really really plus as well as the senate.

Well, let's talk about quail concept a and b.

I gotta go back to Riverside on here. They the another thing that I've noticed on here, and I've actually tops a couple of times, the hike and bike trails, they need to we need to revisit those because it's not just bikes anymore. It's all these ebikes. And we had two of the motorcycle ebikes cruising up there the other day at Children's Park. Those things go 55, sixty, eighty miles an hour.

Like a dirt bike? Yeah. Yeah. Those are those are illegal

Oh, yeah.

In parks anyway. When we have caught some of them, but it it's hard for them with the few amount of officers that we have right now. Around so Yeah. We I know. Had a significant, accident where one of our motors whenever we had a motor unit, they actually pursued one of those guys and actually, had to have surgery on his shoulder because he got hurt pretty bad. So so, yes, we we know that those are occurring, and we are trying to catch them, But they they're tough to catch.

But I'm saying maybe on this on this revision, on the hike and bikes, can do some sort of some sort of deterrent, some sort of you know? I don't know if the sidewalks, can do deterrents as far as making them more more or something like that. But

Yeah. It's tough because we have to have they have to be an 88 client. Yeah. And so that is something that we have to and they do have to be pervious or impervious on in that on the shared view. So we can we'll have to look at it. I I can't tell you exactly what those solutions may be. I don't know if Aaron's saying anything in this world.

I had it's such a new developments. As far as infrastructure improvements, I'm not aware of any sort of physical deterrents. I think the yeah. We're we're all the ones deciding against this. We're having you know, you've seen

it before, I'm sure. You know, you approach a a trail from the

street that says, noble vehicles, including whatever the definition of these electric motor cross bikes are.

Yes.

Hey, Peter. You got your hand up.

Yeah. Just well, just to that that point, I've seen some trails in San Antonio that have, like, rumble strips on them, and those don't slow those people down either. So I don't know how you fix that. But I I guess I wanted to echo John's point about the about economic analysis on this because I think I mean, I can't remember who was saying it that, you know, you can't have a tournament unless you have three fields. So if plan d is not gonna be viable economically, you know, no one's gonna use it or the rentals decrease to the point that it's so expensive and it's not even breaking even.

I mean, maybe that's something city council can figure out, but I think that's something that we we should consider. But at the same time, there's there's none of these plans where the number of fields would go down. Like, we're gonna net one no matter which plan we choose. Right? So the the question is just whether it's gonna be use a useful field, I suppose.

Six. And?

We're gonna net six

additional. Because because in we got plan if we get plan Yeah. We're gonna have one because five of them are moved out to Quail Creek.

Yes, sir. I'm sorry. Right?

Yeah. Correct.

Correct. Apologize.

So we're we're up one regardless. But if we're up one and it's not actually making an impact in demand, I mean, maybe that's something to think about too. Like, is it even worth having that, or should

we go with a plan that require

of course, we're I I fundamentally, I'm with plan d still, but I think that there's a possibility that the economics won't work out. I don't know what that economic analysis would be or what it would show.

But and I think that's the importance of of having you know, if you're gonna spend $250,000 and be a you better know how long it's gonna take you to pay them back. I mean, let's face it. They're we're gonna have to go into debt for all these, and there just has to be a return. But I assure you, every city in the corridor, as my business takes me up and down, every city in in this corridor has a complex with a lot of fields concentrated. And some of them have a, you know, a nice final place where the where somebody's gonna use it on an indie free tournament.

I mean, somebody's gonna play there, or they might play the first couple of games there and then the final game there. But, anyway, there were

Are those is that something I'm just curious since we're talking about d. Is that something that's of the size that, you know, much seating that it needs 200 parking spots? I I don't have a concept of what that championship stadium looks like.

Concept d. I mean, if we're talking about one field, one championship field, why don't we look at the future and do a really nice field, make it kinda mere bobcat field, and maybe go for a minor league team here in the next few years. I don't know. Why not think about that?

If we're worried about parking, the parking's just gonna get worse with a minor league team. Right? Heck, man. It's not I mean, don't just

I think it's not there. Right?

I would love to have a minor league field, and I would fight like hell to get in. I just don't know if that's the spot. What? Vehicle spot?

Would be a it would be a really It would

an amazing spot. No. But the

Is that what's envisioned there, though? Like, a big stadium, a lot of bleachers? You said

No.

I don't think it's that. There's not that.

That Not minor league. I mean I mean

Express for real could not I'm

not saying the minor league.

They made regular Express.

I'm sorry. Minor league.

That's why I mentioned the

That's what you need for a minor league. That's what I was mentioning. That is a heart and fish.

Is that

It's gonna be When you say minor league, that's one we had. The one we had The one we don't still

need to

have Not

have 200. Everyone less

than 200 is what we should have.

Yeah. We need it.

It doesn't require

Well, shows 200 here.

Like, right. There's, like, three levels of four levels of fire. So Awesome. You should roll it out. Triple net. Mhmm.

So

Oh, I'd love to have

a Like, a rookie party. Know?

So then you also get to Alright.

But that's not on your agenda.

Like, could pick so we're

gonna stop.

Really hard to hear multiple conversations, like, on the mic. I it's like we're I it's like rabbits talking kinda.

And I'm I'm gonna just round us back to a or b, and we need to hear a letter from everyone.

It would be and as far

as the

economic part of it, I mean, if we're gonna do it and say just the baseball, I think we need to say, yes. Five mile dam, just the multiuse fields, just the pool. You gotta do it for everything. You can't say just baseball and see if it's viable. I mean Now this is the whole concept. It's everything. Yeah.

Same.

The whole you're saying liability on the whole thing as far as that for because you said you Oh, on Just the baseball field, see if they're worth it. And, I mean, let's how much money are we making on the, activity center? How much money are we making on the high for cover. Exactly. So we can't really

I think maybe on pickleball, we might. But I don't know if we're gonna charge. I don't know. That probably won't be a charge by the day.

I mean, obviously, to be determined. Yeah. I mean, we do rent out the tennis courts for pickleball tournaments currently.

Oh, for tournaments.

Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. And I think it's, like, $42

Sure.

A day. But locals would be able to just go and play. Right?

Yes. Absolutely.

You know, I don't disagree with that, Derek. Absolutely. I I really think the council ought to go in with eyes wide open and knowing that first off, if you're gonna go ask the voters to fund this, you ought to know that you're gonna make some money back to help make the payments. It's not that hard to Alright. So, Derek, you said b. I heard you

I'm in a full support of b. I think getting whose many baseball fields over there. It's once they want

I agree. B.

Can I ask a question about

Yes, sir?

Concept b. I wanted to ask about our the citizens on Bogey Lane. What was the issue with the baseball fields there? I know that was a topic of conversation, but what was their exact complaint? Was it about lights or noise? Both. Both. So the multipurpose fields, would we be planning to put lights there?

Likely.

So would that cause the same issue that we were trying to avoid initially?

It could. Obviously, with sports lighting in general, you know, I don't know what the exact lighting would look like.

Mhmm.

There's I have we're in concept mode, not design mode, so there could be specific lights that could be utilized where they're more casting horizontally versus from the sky. So keeping it more dark side compliant on keeping the the spillage to a minimum. Yep. I I but I do suspect that, you know, overall, whenever this is getting developed, you know, we would need to install fencing and buffers. We would have to put stuff between our property and theirs.

Mhmm.

What what exactly?

I'm sure as long as we're just a decimal two below the airplanes that fly over their house 90 times at night. Or we we could annex them.

Well, now I think it has to be done by a petition where they have to go to B and I don't think that they want to.

Dan? I'm in support of B. The only caveat I'd add is, you know, there's a possibility to have one field that can be expanded in the event they need a larger field. Flexibility and size. Yeah. I mean, there's seems like there's enough room. So

178. Peter?

I think I'm I support b. My concern as before is that we're trying to program every single little space in this park to have a function, and it's just nice to have some open space. Right. But I think b is the solution to a lot of our concerns about baseball fields and need for extra capacity.

And Jojo?

I'm going for hold on one sec. I just want y'all can hear me?

Yes.

Can everyone hear me? Okay. Perfect. Thank you all.

Yeah. Good.

I'm going for b. And then on my last concept, I'm still gonna go for h as well. I know that's a lot of fields, but it's what also the community needs in counting them. And, also, I can see them using three fields, you know, to be able to host, you know, and thinking about parents being able to go to multiple games, something like that, and hearing about how many fields we needed. So I'm going for b.

Okay. And b. B. Okay. So we are unanimous on b. Woo. Anna, Jordi on d. We had one, two, three for h as first choice.

Amanda, that was.

Sorry. Didn't get it. But so there's some side comments that I think will be reflected in the minutes knowing the way that this board is clearly.

He does a good job.

That will all be reflected in the minutes as well. Is everyone okay with the request? I can work with Jamie on the actual language of this request for city council to carefully review the return on investment on Little League Baseball fields and and appropriate so that they get a concept of what what other communities are you know, what the market is charging for tournaments and for use of these fields, that type of thing.

And if I may, we actually we're we're actually kicking off the what is it? Great stuff. Yes, sir. Yeah. Yeah. So that's gonna be where especially just provided the consultant a bunch of information.

That way everyone's on the

same thing.

Are they, like,

baseball rentals and that kind of stuff in that? Or is

it I haven't

worked to that point yet. So so we could be. So it could very well could be that we have that information looked at sooner, which this body's gonna be reviewing that information anyway. So we could potentially Oh, I'm sorry. Well, and obviously once, you know, it's gonna take some time. Yeah. Because we don't know what the construction costs

Right.

Will formally be.

Right.

You know, at the time that they go to bond. And we don't know.

And so that's the time.

I see.

That's the analysis that Yes, sir. Because they have to set the policy. And, you know, coming from staff, coming from a board is one thing, but they have to set the policy. They have to be clear out of the numbers. And I think when they go to the voters, they're gonna have to have that backup information in order to to justify this.

You know? Well, it's not all good. We need that on the pool. We need that on the on the parking lots, all the parking lots. We need it on every single thing in the park then. The Frisbee, the golf the Frisbee golf course, everything has to be revenue based. If you're gonna single out one thing on it.

Well, I'm singling out one thing because we're not gonna have Frisbee golf tournaments, I don't think,

are we? Guarantee they would. Why wouldn't they? There's tons of Yeah.

I mean, how much are we putting into Frisbee golf? It's just a couple of what do you call that?

The holes?

Baskets. Do you

call that? Baskets. Nothing.

It's like nine baskets. Right? Not a whole lot of investment there. I get the pool closing.

Correct. Yes. This would be the the location of the

Pickle ball courts. I mean, those are a winner. Everyone knows that. Everyone shows up for those things.

And we now. I envision that we

I had said that ten years ago.

I know. Yeah. Right? I envision that we will definitely be able to host pickleball tournaments and at that facility for sure.

I mean

I'm not hearing you're proposing any recommendation on what we charge for just to have take a look at what's

It's just Yeah.

I see no harm in that.

Is everybody else okay with that?

Peter has his hand up.

Sorry. Peter, go ahead.

Yeah. I I mean, I I think Derek's point about the pool is a good one. I I've I've been reading articles about how communities are pulling pools out because they're so expensive to operate. So I I think there are some activities in these park plans that require ongoing investments of not investments, but ongoing injections of money in order to operate. Absolutely.

Lights Absolutely.

You know, fertilizing the fields, the water that goes in. So as opposed to a walking trail that, you know, you set it and forget it. Thirty years later, maybe you have to repave a section of it or something like that. But the things that require ongoing injections of of funding, I think, are are fair game here.

Indeed. I I don't disagree at all, and I and I hope that there is a thorough analysis. But we'll come back with that. So that's a kind of a separate aside from the recommendations on the proposal, that's a separate little recommendation. And they can take from it what they will. They can choose to do it or not. Okay. Is there any other questions on item two?

I have one. Yes. Wonder if the board would wanna support another recommendation that's a lot simpler, looking at the Quail Creek Park. I brought up some questions about this seven to 800 feet of improved riverbank that showed on the plan. I I kind of the comments last month was perhaps it's bank stabilization. We don't know. I spoke with Jamie and kind of discuss intent better than I can since it's your words, but I guess there really isn't an idea of what needs to be done there or even an identified need that anything needs to be done there.

Yeah. Aaron, I don't think so.

I mean The the the

public their general desire there was just low, like, low amounts of programming. There there would be nothing specifically constructed there, but it could be, yes, room rate stabilization, most of the things say. That just a place for them to gather in. So there there doesn't have to be any specific constructed amenity there, not just the space to recreate. Can't be a burp line.

I'm sorry? Burp line.

Yeah. Sure. And that was that was also the low that was kind of the drainage area. Right? That was the not drainage, but, I mean, that was the stormwater management part to this when that low.

This open space for also for managing floodwaters and things.

There there is a specific area that is designated in the the plan, yes, that could be utilized for any sort of future flood mitigation projects where they would need to take a

large volume out of the river corridor to increase storage.

But, I mean, for all the parking we're gonna add with the I mean, again, this was a golf course with a building on it and a small parking lot. We're adding a lot of impervious cover. This low lying area, I think if this is the area

that No. I believe you're referring to this floodplain storage extension over here that the engineering department has planned.

Right. You referred to

this. Yeah.

We show, like So it's this right here.

Oh, just that that lobby.

I'm hearing that the intended use is something more in line with something Peter's advocating for, which is just having some green space with some walking trails, and that's not really what this indicates. And I would be in favor of doing something like that. I I really, you know, think it'd be better served if we don't have an engineered solution down there and just focus on some type of natural walking trail, and that kinda seems to be in line with the intent I'm hearing. So I'd I'd suggest we delete that feature from the plan and

I I'm with that. Yeah. I'm fine with that. I can't even read that. I missed it. What is it? One point?

Right? That's why I did print y'all out some larger ones.

Oh, no. It's alright. I just I never even saw it.

You've been It's hilarious. Behind me. I was prepared. Yeah. I mean, we're not we're not married to it one way or the other. I I mean

Yeah. What was the thought?

That that it's more of just to have holes in the score. So

why does it say improved?

That is a valid question. So so the idea in this illustration was that there there could be small, you know, paved areas for just people to set out a blanket.

Oh, yeah. Like a little walkway. Yeah. Well, I'm okay with that. The

only thing I'd like

by the water, and and who doesn't wanna go down by the water and check it out?

Sure. I just the way this is represented on here, what that looks like to me, and and it was even stated in the last meeting, is we're gonna go out there and, you know, do something to the riverbank, change it. I mean, we're talking about putting trails and picnic areas. That sounds great, but that's not what this indicates here.

I think it'd be an awesome opportunity to have a really cool ADA compliant trail down there. And that could be a pretty long, good stretch, and really neat for them. We have a couple of them in town, but I think that would be a good opportunity to have a good thing.

I mean, maybe consider a note that says consider opportunities for river access or trails or something along those lines that's more consistent with what I'm hearing the intent to.

Can we rename improved Riverbank? How about that? Let's rename and because if they do, I don't wanna take away any opportunity, but I get your point. I mean, I'd like people to be able to go down and check out the water. Is that always is that section usually wet?

Yep. It's a really pretty section.

I really like being able to go down there. I might have a little trail to get there and skip some rocks. Like, something Talk to

your day.

Right. Go and cover this thing up with the limestone butter blocks and then we can divorce or We don't wanna do that or that's yeah. That's what this language suggests to me if we're doing something like that. Right.

Did does everybody does the staff get that? Does there have no consensus for that?

Well, I will remind y'all that Jeff

is talking on there. They just hear

a bunch of There

it's Hold on. Lose the

And then there's the Is

there any is there consensus on that to

Rename it or just remove it? I

I think, you know, as long as it doesn't look like the San Antonio Riverwalk, I think we're good.

Yeah. You know?

Keep it

keep it nice and like It's it's okay to have the staff receive that direction and and not weigh an opportunity. You know? I mean, I think you're

I think

we're all in agreement. We don't want anything major there. I don't wanna eliminate the chance of building a trail or something,

you know, just access to it.

And maybe that's the renaming. Maybe it's just access?

Slider trail?

I mean I mean, just leave it as access.

Trail slash access. Riverbank access. Yeah.

There you go.

There we go.

Love it. Is that okay?

Okay.

That's why we're here.

Okay.

Alright. That's that is a couple year conversation down the road. Okay.

I get it. Oh.

This is our chance. Alright. I'm gonna alright. I I think we beat this horse, and it's raining blue leaves. Moving on on to The next item, please? D.

Correct? Correct. Yes. Process d has the majority. And then And then then on step b on twelve three.

Correct. So

that that is what the recommended payment solution will Do you want these to be two separate resolutions? One for the riverfront parks and one for quail, or do you want them to be all one since it is since you we did mention that they are contingent on each other.

I think two separate resolutions.

And, obviously, we can name in there that they are contingent

going with the one field, then we do need the more fields at the other fields. So I feel like that is already our contingent.

The last thing I think any of us wanna see is less fuels like oil free. Right. You know? So it it makes sort of in my mind, I'm thinking it makes more sense to have it be one.

One where I'm just making sure I have the agenda posted the way that you all want it to be.

So This is a these are this is kind of a joint decision.

That's what I And I

really feel like if we were putting this on the it doesn't mean that city council could do whatever the hell they want, so they can change any of this. So just put I would suggest put it as one item. Just one item. One recommendation and let the city council.

Okay. And that's how we'll post it. We'll post it as just one recommendation resolution on your next

Okay. Item three, please.

Consider approval of the one twenty six parks and recreation and board meeting calendar. If you have the calendar, the good news is that we didn't have to move any meetings with the exception of spring break. We did adjust your March meeting to the fourth Thursday due to spring break fall falling on that March, but everything else remains on your routine third Thursday. Obviously, the board can move move that March meeting up or keep it as as recommended. But that's that's what staff has put together.

K. Can we go ahead.

There's

I did wanna share that the this

is based off the San Marcos CISD school board spring break. Right. And they don't have out the calendar. So sometimes they do change it to align with Texas State that haven't seen either one of those. So I just wanna let the week that they have for this. And I think that's what the city

Oh, something often as well. It's Wait. That's '25, '26. Oh, never mind. I'm sorry. Yeah. She's got the right week.

Yes. Yeah. Sorry. I was jumping all the way ahead for the match Yes.

Yes. School year. Never mind. Alright.

Okay. We need a motion. A question. Sure.

Why did you have choose July for known beings?

The city council doesn't have so the city council has reduced the numb their number of meetings, but July was chosen specifically just to give the board a break. Obviously, if the board would rather do that in June, it's your prerogative.

But

that's super. Totally up to you as well.

I doubt. Here's why July.

I'm Well, since

council's not meeting and it gives me a break.

I hope

you can

go on vacations.

I think there's a lot of value in that. Vacation.

Oh, right. I can't

take vacation. Mean I

won't be into

the next

thing, though, because I am taking vacation.

I'm curious why July we we we went to the July many years ago because absentee council members and half the staff we needed to hear from was on vacation. And so it's hot and miserable, and nobody wants to sit in a suit and nine hours of council meetings. So we chose July as the month for you wanna take a vacation and not worry about a city council meeting because every staff member may have something that's on the meeting, and then they need to be there. So that's why it's still on it. Right?

Yes, sir. That's correct. You know, if the if you would like to move your December meeting up in in the month by a week, that does give you that additional buffer. But, you know, it's totally up to you all.

And I motion for that?

For what?

To move the December meeting up a week.

Do we have a hold on. Do we have we need a main motion

and a second on the floor.

I was just

You were. Alright.

So I need a motion on this motion to approve, please. Motion. And do we have a second? I'll second. We have a motion and a second on the recommended calendar. We have a secondary motion from Jojo to move December 17 meeting to December 10?

Yes, sir.

Okay. We have a motion. Is there a second on that recommendation? I'll second. Yeah. We have a second on that. Yeah. I can have yours as a second. Okay. Alright. So let's go ahead and go on that one first.

Yes, sir. Call the roll for the amendment. This is to move the December 17 meeting to December 10. Yes. Peter Schirhart.

I abstain. I'm unaffected by this.

Oh, that's strange. Okay. Dan Alden.

Aye.

Charles Hickman. Aye.

Benjamin Hatt. Can you say

those dates? Did you say the tenth, which is a Wednesday?

12/10/2026 will be a Thursday.

Oh, okay. Sorry.

Yes, sir.

Yes. Sure. Yes.

Jonathan Matys?

No. Derek Gribble?

Yes. Jordan Lee? Aye. Jojo So to? Aye. Motion passed.

Okay. Alright. And we need motion on

Yep. So your main motion would be to accept the calendar as amended.

Okay. Calendar as amended, and we're gonna call a roll, please.

Alright. Judge Asotho? Aye. Charles Hickman?

Aye. Jordan Lane? Aye.

Dan Alden? Aye. Garrett Griblin? Aye. Peter Sheerhurt?

Aye.

John Tweedy?

Aye. Benjamin Pike? Aye. Motion passed.

Okay.

That's your calendar, so we'll get these updates on your Outlook calendar. We'll get that to them.

Item four, please.

K. Item four, receive a staff update and while discussing regarding state parking implementation in city Park. As we provided during the last meetings, we have begun siding, which is fine. That's sarcasm. So we're we're working through it. Jessica's doing a fantastic job, and that is our update. Unless we have anything else.

Okay. Questions? Hearing none.

Yep.

Yep. Okay. Item five is receive a staff update and hold discussion regarding our current parks and recreation projects. Just real quick, high level. Wanna provide you all an update on state stamp.

We received notice yes about late yesterday afternoon that a submission has been made, an application nomination for Cape Stam in the mill race to the Texas Historical Commission for it to be considered for the National Register. What that means is that on December 4, it's been a very busy day for us trying to navigate this. So we were getting ready to start our public engagement and stakeholder meetings. That's on pause until the city council provides their opinions on this because that is what they're being asked to do to this Texas historical commission. So the this our San Marcos historical commission will discuss that application, and any of their opinions on December 4.

City council will then discuss it on December 16, and that is all that I really have to provide to you. I haven't seen the packet, the application that was submitted. I I'll let

Who filed it?

Preservation Texas is what I've been told. But, again, I'm not seeing the complete filing, so I don't know what it in what's all in it. So we will we'll keep you apprised of where we're at and go ahead.