[A. CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:12]
>> WELCOME TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING.
I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER.
>> THANK YOU AND WELCOME TO ALL OUR COMMISSION MEMBERS WHO MADE IT OUT TONIGHT. WELCOME TO CITY STAFF. IT IS NICE TO SEE YOU
[C. Approval of Minutes:]
ALL AND HAPPY NEW YEAR. >> HAPPY NEW YEAR.
>> LET'S MOVE ON THROUGH THIS. CITIZENS COMMUNICATION, THERE WAS NO ONE HERE, SO WE WILL CONTINUE ON TO ITEM NUMBER C, APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES. HAS EVERYONE HAD A CHANCE TO REVIEW THE NOVEMBER 11TH, 2024 MINUTES AND DO I HAVE ANY COMMENTS FOR
CHANGES? >> I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO
[1. Department Updates]
APPROVE AS PRESENTED. >> THE MOTION IS MADE. DO I HAVE A SECOND? I HAVE A SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. IT PASSES. ALL RIGHT. TURNING THE MEETING OVER TO OUR DIRECTOR,
MS. LISA. >> HELLO, HAPPY NEW YEAR, CHAIR, BOARD, COMMISSIONERS. WE ARE SO GLAD TO SEE YOU ALL TODAY. WE ARE KICKING OFF 2025. I CANNOT BELIEVE IT. NOT QUITE A YEAR FOR ME YET. A COUPLE MORE MONTHS, BUT I HAVE THOROUGHLY ENJOYED LEARNING SO MUCH IN HIS FIRST YEAR. SO, TODAY I'M GOING TO JUST HIGHLIGHT A FEW THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON IN OUR DEPARTMENT. TODAY THERE WILL BE SOME DIVISION UPDATES AND WE WILL TALK ABOUT SPECIAL EVENTS AND VACANCIES AND UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS HIM AS WELL AS STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.
SO, FIRST I'M GOING TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT GOLF. OUT OF A TOTAL OF 225 MEMBERS COMMITTED TO JOINING US THIS YEAR, 142 ALREADY HAVE RENEW THEIR MEMBERSHIPS AND WE ARE EXPECTING A SLOWER USAGE DUE TO THE SEASONAL WEATHER CHANGES THROUGH THE 21ST, BUT WE ARE ON TARGET AROUND THE SAME NUMBER THAT WE TYPICALLY HAVE THIS TIME OF YEAR. ONCE THEY FEEL THE WHAMMER WARM UP, THEY WILL COME BACK IN. I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE PARK STAFF AND WHAT WE HAVE BEEN BUSY DOING. WE HELD A MEETING JUST RECENTLY WITH A VENDOR, A KAYAK SERVICE COMPANY, THIS PAST WEEK AND THEY OFFERED DAYTIME AND NIGHTTIME RENTALS AND WE ARE EXPECTING TO HAVE A CONTRACT STARTED BY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND. WE ARE HAPPY TO REPORT THAT. I KNOW THAT IS A VERY, VERY EXCITING TIME FOR US TO BRING THAT BACK. FOR RECREATION, I WANTED TO SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED THIS PAST WEEKEND ON THE 10TH. THE RECREATION TEAM JOINED RAY FITCH, WHO IS A MASTER, AND WE HAD OUR MEXICAN ANNUAL YOUTH HUNT. WE HAD FIVE PARTICIPANTS. ELIZA RAMOS, THE CORONER, ALONG WITH STEPHEN GALLAGHER, WORK ON SITE. WE GAVE OUT SWAG GIFTS AND THEY ARE GIVEN TO THE YOUNG HUNTERS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND THAT INCLUDED HATS, WATER BOTTLES, AND POCKETKNIVES. THIS IS LOCATED AT THE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PORT OF VICTORIA. SO, WE HAVE SOME GREAT PICTURES THAT YOU CAN CHECK ONLINE AND WE DO THAT NORMALLY TWICE A YEAR. ONE TIME IN NOVEMBER AND WE ALSO DO THAT IN OUR JANUARY. ALSO, FIRST FORD TAURUS HIM, BECAUSE THAT IS A PART OF OUR RECREATION, WE DO NOT WANT TO MISS OUT ON THAT. WE WANT TO HIGHLIGHT WHAT IS STARTING TO KICK OFF THIS WEEKEND, AND THAT IS THE TEXAS AMATEUR ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION GAMES. THAT IS THE GAMES THAT WE HOLD IN JANUARY AND ALSO IN FEBRUARY. I JUST WANTED TO SHARE THE ORDER OF EVENTS TAKING PLACE FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY. SWIMMING GETS KICKED OFF AT THE AQUATICS CENTER. DISC GOLF BEGINS RIGHT AFTER THAT AT RIVERSIDE PARK. WE ALSO HAVE WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL AND THAT IS GOING TO BE AT EAST HIGH SCHOOL. I AM GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF FUN KEEPING SCORE. I AM NOT PLAYING THIS TIME. I WILL KEEP SCORE. ALSO, WE HAVE HAD THE THANK YOU CELEBRATION THAT HAPPENS AT BIRD DOGS AND THAT IS BAR AND GRILL, ABOUT 50 PEOPLE. WE ASK YOU PLEASE COME JOIN US. THERE ARE STILL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE, SO FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT TO US SHOULD YOU BE INTERESTED.
>> LISA, IS THAT GOING TO TELL YOU ABOUT THE CITY WEBSITE WERE
AT THE PARK'S WEBSITE? >> THERE IS AN ACTUAL WEBSITE FOR THE GROUP AND I BELIEVE IT IS TAFT.ORG.
>> ASK HIM OR THE WINTER GAME OF TEXAS . YOU CAN GET THAT.
>> GREAT. >> I WILL HIGHLIGHT A LITTLE
[00:05:02]
BIT MORE ABOUT THE COMMUNITY CENTER AS WE GO THROUGH THE SLIDES FOR THE DIVISION OF DAYS. ARE INCLUDED IN OUR VACANCIES. AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, WE HAVE SEVERAL SPECIAL EVENTS THAT ARE COMING UP. IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER, WE WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT AND PUT ON YOUR CALENDAR SOME OF OUR VERY IMPRESSIVE EVENTS THAT WE HOST, PARTICULARLY AT THE GOLF COURSE. THIS IS THE AMERICAN JUNIOR GOLF ASSOCIATION. A HUGE EVENT ON APRIL 3RD THROUGH THE SIXTH. WE ALSO HAVE COMING UP IN FEBRUARY, HOPEFULLY, ALL OF YOU AND ALL YOUR RESIDENTS OUT THERE ARE SIGNING UP FOR OUR AMERICAN HEART WALK ON FEBRUARY 1ST. THERE IS INFORMATION ONLINE TO HELP YOU GET SQUARED AWAY. OF COURSE, THIS IS AN EXCITING TIME EVERY YEAR , THE LIVESTOCK SHOW. IT IS COMING TO THE COMMUNITY CENTER. THAT IS FEBRUARY 14TH THROUGH MARCH 3RD. YOU CAN SEE THE PICTURE HERE, WHAT TO EXPECT, AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO ESTABLISHING JUST THAT ONGOING RELATIONSHIP WITH THIS PARTICULAR GROUP AND A MONTH-LONG ACTIVITY EVENT AND OTHER CHANNELS. HERE IS MORE ABOUT THE GROUP. . I JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT AGAIN THERE ARE TWO WEEKENDS AND THAT IS THIS COMING WEEKEND, THE 18TH AND THE 19TH, AS WELL AS FEBRUARY THE 15TH AND 16TH. I THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD TIME TO REALLY POINT OUT SOME OF THE KEY VACANCIES WE HAVE IN OUR DEPARTMENT. WE HAVE OBVIOUSLY SUPPORT WITH OUR HR DEPARTMENT IN THE CITY TO ALWAYS REALLY PROMOTE OURS -- OUR EMPLOYEES. THEY HAVE GONE ON TO BIGGER , DIFFERENT THINGS, SO OUR SPORTS TOURISM AND RECREATION SUPERVISOR POSITION IS OPEN AND AVAILABLE FOR ANYONE THAT IS INTERESTED. THAT IS A GREAT POSITION THAT IS HOUSED IN OUR PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT AND IT IS JUST LIKE IT SOUNDS.IT IS A MANAGERIAL POSITION, BUT IT DOES DEAL CLOSELY WITH THE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU AND THEY HIGHLIGHT HOSTS EVENTS THAT COME TO OUR CITY. THE COMMUNITY CENTER SUPERVISOR IS A HIGH PROFILE POSITION THAT WE WANTED TO SHARE WITH THE PUBLIC . THAT PARTICULAR POSITION DEALS WITH A LOT OF RENTAL RESERVATIONS, THINGS OF THAT SORT. YEAR-ROUND EVENTS, SO WE ARE LOOKING FOR A WELL ORGANIZED, EFFICIENT TEAM PLAYER TO JOIN OUR TEAM ON TWO ACCOUNTS. WE WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THOSE FOR CHECK AT OUR CITY WEBSITE FOR ANY JOB OPENINGS AND WE WILL BE HAPPY TO SEE HOW YOU CAN FIT IN WITH THE CITY OF VICTORIA. WE ALSO WANTED TO SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS THAT WE SHOULD ALL HAVE AN EYE OUT FOR. OUR CITY IS ACTIVELY WORKING ON A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT PROJECTS. ONE OF THEM IS THE ADULT SPORTS COMPLEX. YOU WILL HEAR MORE ABOUT THAT IN THE COMING MONTHS, AND SO I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HIGHLIGHT THOSE.
ALSO, OUR TREE CITY USA -- THE ORDINANCE. THIS IS THE NEXT STEP. NOW THAT WE HAVE DECIDED TO BECOME A DUAL BOARD COME AS A TREE BOARD, AS WELL AS AN ADVISORY COMMISSION BOARD AS WELL. OUR WAYFINDING SIGNS FOR THE PARK. WE HAVE TAKEN A LOT OF TIME TO WORK WITH THE CONSULTANTS TO UPDATE OUR CURRENT SIGNAGE AT ALL OF OUR PARKS. WE HAVE BEEN EXCITED TO REALLY DELVE INTO THE DESIGN CONCEPTS FOR THESE. YOU WILL HAVE A PRESENTATION THAT WILL BE SHOWN IN FRONT OF CITY COUNCIL IN THE COMING MONTHS AND THAT WILL KIND OF GET A CONSENSUS ABOUT WHAT EVERYONE'S AESTHETIC PLEASURE IS FOR OUR PARKS, WHETHER IT IS AN ARCH WERE PILLARS. WE WANT TO REALLY BRING HOME THE BRANDING EFFORTS AT THE CITY OF VICTORIA AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING, ESPECIALLY WITH OUR COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT AS WELL. ALSO, WE HAVE OUR ANNUAL REPORT. JUST RECENTLY, WITH CITY COUNCIL, IN THE LAST SESSION, THERE WAS THE LIBRARY, AS WELL AS COMMUNICATIONS THAT HIGHLIGHTED THEIR ENTIRE DEPARTMENT. SHOWING STATISTICAL FACTS ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA REACH, PARTICIPATION NUMBERS. WE WILL BE DOING THE SAME AND OURS IS COMING UP IN MARCH, SO WE HAVE SOME TIME TO PREPARE AND REALLY GET TO SHOWCASE ALL THE EFFORTS THAT THIS BOARD, AS WELL AS OUR TEAM, HAS REALLY DONE IN THE PAST YEAR, AND WHERE WE ARE HEADED. I DID NOT WANT TO MISS OUT ON SHARING SOME OF THE SHORT-TERM GOALS AND THE
[00:10:05]
LONG-TERM OBJECTIVES THAT WERE SHARED WITH COUNSEL IN DECEMBER. IN DECEMBER, WE WANTED TO REALLY TAKE TIME TO HIGHLIGHT ALL OF OUR BOARDS AND ALL OF OUR BACK MOTIONS AND ALL OF THE MEMBERS AND WHAT THEY DO AND THESE WERE SOME OF THE SHORT-TERM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES THAT WE SHARED WITH CITY COUNCIL FOR THIS PARTICULAR BOARD. I THINK THIS DOES EMBODY ALL THE EFFORTS THAT WE ARE TRYING TO PUT FORWARD. I JUST WANTED TO PUT THOSE UP. THEY STAY TRUE TO WHAT WE DISCUSSED IN OUR WORKSHOP AND WHAT WE DISCUSSED HERE EVERY TIME WE MEET. SO, AS YOU CAN SEE, WE WILL CONTINUE TO OVERSEE THE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MASTER-PLANNED. ARE OUR PRIORITIES AND THAT IS OUR GUIDING DOCUMENT, AS WELL AS HOLDING OUR WORKSHOP AND ALSO, AGAIN, APPLYING FOR THE TREE CITY USA DESIGNATION. ALL OF THESE BRANDING EFFORTS REALLY SHED LIGHT TO WHAT THE CITY OF VICTORIA IS ALL ABOUT, ENHANCING LIVABILITY. OUR LONG-TERM OBJECTIVES, WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY TOGETHER WITH WEEKLY MEETINGS, BIWEEKLY MEETINGS, MONTHLY MEETINGS, TO JUST A ON TOP OF WHERE WE ARE HEADED. WE CALLED OUR WORKSHOP "VICTORIA PNR," AHEAD OF THE CURVE. WE ARE STILL STICKING WITH THAT. WE DO THAT BECAUSE WE CARE. I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT. NEXT, I WILL PASS IT TO STEPHEN GALLAGHER, OUR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, AND HE WILL TALK MORE ABOUT OUR STAFF DEVELOPMENT.>> LET ME ASK, DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMISSIONERS? SHE JUST WENT OVER QUITE A BIT OF
>> ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? >> AWESOME.
>> THANK YOU. >> ALL RIGHT, GOOD MORNING, MADAM CHAIR AND COMMISSIONERS. HOW ARE YOU DOING TONIGHT?
HAPPY NEW YEAR. >> FINE, THANK YOU.
>> YOU WANT TO TOUCH BASE ON A FEW TRAINING ISSUES TO KICK THE YEAR OFF. YOU CAN SEE ON YOUR SCREEN, WE ARE GOING TO THE ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL GOLF ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE IN FLORIDA IN JANUARY. YOU WILL BE GONE FOR A WEEK AND LEARNING THOSE SKILLS THAT ARE IN THE INDUSTRY, THE WINNING EFFORTS FOR GOLF AND MAINTENANCE FOR THE GOLF COURSE, AS WELL AS OTHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTS FOR CLUBHOUSE AND STAFF. WE ARE VERY EXCITED FOR HIM, TO GET THAT OPPORTUNITY. THIS WEEK, ME AND LISA WILL BE TRAVELING UP TO THE EAST REGION. OUR STATE SOCIETY, THE TEXAS RECREATION AND PARK SOCIETY, YOU CAN GO UP TO THEIR WEBSITE AND SEE -- EACH ZONE IS SET UP DIFFERENTLY AND VICTORIA FITS INTO THE EAST REGION, BUT WE CAN ALSO, THE HOUSTON AREA, WE CAN ALSO GET UP IN THE SAN ANTONIO -- AUSTIN, OR THE SOUTH OF CENTRAL. THIS MONTH, THE EAST REGION IS HOSTED WITH A DAYLONG CONFERENCE FOR OUR PIERS PARKER IS ABOUT 100 PEERS AND COLLEAGUES FOR DIRECTORS AND SUPERINTENDENTS. THAT WILL GATHER AND DO WORKSHOPS AND WE WILL HAVE A LUNCH AND SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS TO TALK ABOUT TODAY'S INDUSTRY TOPICS. AND THEN WE ARE ALSO GETTING READY WITH THE ANNUAL YEAR. THEY HOST THE CONFERENCE. THIS ONE WILL BE IN ALLEN, TEXAS AT THE END OF FEBRUARY. THAT CONFERENCE WILL BRING TOGETHER THOSE PEERS AND HAVE A WEEKLONG CLASS TO GO OVER THE INDUSTRY AND THE MARKET FOR MAINTENANCE TO RECREATION PROGRAMMING AND SPECIAL EVENTS. THERE IS THE MATON IS RODEO. WE WILL BE CHEERING ON OUR PEERS AND COLLEAGUES. THEY DO MORE DRILLS AND BACKPACK DRILLS AND TRUCK DRIVING SKILLS AND THEY EARN POINTS AND THERE IS COMPETITION AND STUFF. THERE IS A LOT OF CAMARADERIE AND IT IS A GOOD WAY TO BUILD TEAM MORALE. WE CAN TRY TO BRING IT TO VICTORIA. EVENTUALLY, WE WOULD LIKE TO GET INVOLVED WITH THE EACH REGION -- EAST REGION AND HOST MONTHLY CONFERENCES OR BIANNUAL OR BY QUARTERLY. WE REALLY STEPPING INTO THAT AND LISTENING AND LEARNING AND OBSERVING AND BEING ENGAGED WITH OUR PEERS, TO HELP CONTINUE TO GROW VICTORIA AND PUT THEM ON A MAP AS THE EDUCATIONAL PLACE TO GO AND BEST PRACTICES FOR OUR PARK DEPARTMENT. TWO HERE ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO STAY ENGAGED WITH AND THEY WILL TIE IN AS WELL WITH OUR NATIONAL RECREATION ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE WE GO TO IN THE FALL. AND THEN ANOTHER STAFF TRAINING THAT HAS COME UP IN THE FEBRUARY TIME FRAME, AS WELL AS TRAINING FOR THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, SO WE WILL HAVE 10 EMPLOYEES THAT WILL BE HERE LOCALLY. IT IS DONE AT ONE OF THE COUNTY TRAINING CENTERS, USUALLY OVER AT THE AIRPORT, BUT THEY WILL
[00:15:10]
BE LEARNING AND DOING FIVE HOURS OF TRAINING, GETTING READY FOR THIS YEAR'S MOSQUITO SEASON. SO, WE DO NOT WANT TO USE THAT WORD, BUT AS YOU KNOW, WE DO GET MOSQUITOES IN SOUTH TEXAS, SO WE HAVE TO BE PREPARED FOR THAT. CONTINUING EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF OUR TEAM AND PREPARING THEM FOR BEST PRACTICES IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US, TO CONTINUE TO SHOW THE COMMUNITY THAT WE ARE ATTACKING THAT, THIS MENACE VERY VIGOROUSLY. DEFINITELY, WE WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THOSE TRAININGS THAT COME OUT. NEXT SLIDE. OKAY, CAPITAL[2. Capitol Projects Update]
IMPROVEMENTS. SO, WE HAVE BEEN TALKING THE LAST FEW MONTHS ON THE PROGRESS OF THE AT THE LEE TRACY GYMNASIUM. WE ARE CONTINUING TO GET OUR WATER SERVICES AND OUR ELECTRICAL CONNECTED AND IN THE NEXT SEVEN TO 10 DAYS, YOU SHOULD SEE SOME TEMPORARY FENCING GOING UP TO PUT IN THE BATHROOM AT AT THE LEE TRACY. HERE WE ARE IN JANUARY AND WE ARE RIGHT ON SCHEDULE. RIGHT BETWEEN THE SPLASH PAD AND THE PLAYGROUND OVER THERE AND IN FRONT OF THE BASKETBALL COURT, YOU WILL SEE THE FACILITY WITH THE GROUNDBREAKING, CONNECTING ELECTRICAL, WATER, AND SEWER. THEN THE BUILDING WILL BE CRANED AND WILL BE QUITE THE SITE TO SEE GET OFF THE TRUCK AND THEN TO PUT ON CONSTRUCTION. HERE WE ARE, READY TO GO IN OVER THE NEXT SIX WEEKS, YOU WILL START TO REALLY SEE THAT TAKE HOLD AND SEE THAT TAKE SHAPE AND FORM AND WILL BRING A NICE AMENITY INTO THE PARK AS THEY HAVE ASKED FOR. WE ARE SEEING THAT PROJECT COME TO FRUITION, SO ARE VERY EXCITED FOR THE AT THE LEE TRACY RESTAURANT. ANOTHER THING WE ARE ABLE TO WORK ON LAST BUDGET SEASON WAS THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GRANT. EACH YEAR, WE CAN GO AND LOOK AT NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS THAT QUALIFY FOR FUNDING GRANTS AND LAST YEAR, WE PUT IN FOR PINE STREET TO GET SOME GRANTS WE GOT AWARDED $95,000, SO ONE OF THE THINGS FOR THOSE PARKS THAT WAS ASKED WAS OVER AT BROWNSON PARK, WHERE HE PUT THE NEW PLAYGROUND AND PROVIDED A WALKING TRAIL. THERE IS ENOUGH ROOM TO DO ABOUT 1000 FOOT TRAIL IN THERE, SO THAT GRANT WILL HELP FUND THAT SO WE DO NOT HAVE TO FIND OTHER FUNDING SOURCES FOR THAT. AS WELL AS THE BROWNSON PARK, THAT IS ONE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS THAT DID NOT GET ANY KIND OF -- IF YOU RECALL, WILL ROGERS OR QUEEN CITY , WE GOT TWO OR THREE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SOLO LIGHTING TO PUT UP TO MAKE THE PARK A LITTLE BIT SAFER AT NIGHT OR TO PROVIDE THE PLAY AND DARKER HOURS, ESPECIALLY IN THE WINTER MONTHS. YOU WILL SEE THAT TO WHERE BROWNSON AND MEADOW LANE DO NOT HAVE THE SOUTHERN LIES. PINE STREET HAS THREE, BUT WE DO HAVE SOME FUNDING WITHIN THAT GRANT TO LOOK AT MODIFYING LIGHTING AS WELL BECAUSE WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT OUR FUTURE CURRENT BUDGET GENERAL FUNDS THAT PUT IN A PLAYGROUND AT PINE STREET.ANY FUNDING THAT IS EXTRA THAT IS NEEDED FROM THAT BLOCK GRANT WILL HELP WHAT IS CURRENTLY THERE, AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL LIGHTS. IT IS A BIT TWO ACRE PARK, SO THREE SOLAR LIGHTS, EVEN HOW THEY ARE, COULD BE ADDED. THAT IS VERY HELPFUL FOR THAT. AND THEN THIS SPRING, WE WILL CONSIDER OTHER FUTURE NEIGHBORHOOD RESTORATION AREAS THAT WE CAN THEN APPLY FOR AND GET NEXT FALL . WE WILL ANNOUNCE IF WE GET THE GRANT FUNDS TO IMPROVE THOSE PARKS AS WELL. IT IS NEEDED. ETHOS GRANTS WILL MOSTLY BE USED FOR LIGHTING AND THEN THE WALKWAY?
>> CORRECT. EACH YEAR, WE GO AND ASK FOR URBAN DEVELOPMENT WHAT WE CAN AND LOOK AT WHAT MIGHT BE ABLE TO BE FUNDED FROM PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT TO SUPPORT COME WHETHER IT IS FENCING, SIDEWALKS, LIGHTNING, OR WHATNOT. TREES AND STUFF. THOSE WERE THE SELECTED PROJECTS THAT WERE THERE AS WELL. YOU KNOW, SO FOR EXAMPLE, WE ALREADY HAD GENERAL FUNDING FOR THE MAIN STRUCTURE. THE PLAYGROUND AT PINE STREET WAS ALREADY AUTHORIZED AND WOULD GO INTO THE BUDGET. THE SAME THING, AS WE LOOK IN THE FUTURE OF BUDGETS FOR MEADOW LANE, WE ARE LOOKING AT SOME GRANTS FOR MEADOW LANE, AS WELL AS SOME GENERAL FUNDING BECAUSE THAT IS ANOTHER NEIGHBORHOOD PARK THAT WOULD NEED THE MOST ENHANCEMENT WITH THE PLAYGROUND AT THAT PARK THERE. SO, ALL THESE RESOURCES THAT WE CAN FIND TO HELP SUPPORT THE NEED RELIEF IS -- WE DO LOOK AT THAT HOLISTICALLY AND WITH ALL OF OUR DEPARTMENT FRIENDS IN THE CITY TO TRY TO FIND THE BEST RESOURCES FOR FUNDING. SO, I WANT TO BRING THAT TO THE NEXT TOPIC. A GOOD -- OVER AT THIS PARK, CURRENTLY, AT THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING, WE TALKED
[00:20:05]
ABOUT GOING OUT FOR -- WITH THE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE GRANT.IT DOES NOT FIT INTO THE COMMUNITY GRANT, WHERE WE CAN GET FUNDING AND SUBSIDY FOR LOW-INCOME AREAS. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT -- YOU KNOW WE JUST DID THE PARK OVER THERE ABOUT 2020 TOUR 2023, BUT THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT AMENITIES.
ONE OF THE BIGGEST AMENITIES PEOPLE LIKE TO USE IS THE WALKING TRAIL AND IT IS A CRUSHED GRANITE TRAIL THAT GOES BETWEEN THREE AND FIVE FEET. IT IS ABOUT 3/10 OF A MILE. YOU KNOW, MAYBE THAT IS 3000 SOME ODD FEET OR SO. ALSO, BETWEEN THE FIRE STATION, ALONG THE FRONT ROAD, ON SALEM, THERE IS NO SIDEWALK. THERE IS ALSO NO CROSSWALK FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO GET A CROSS OVER INTO THAT. SO, THAT GRANT WAS JUST APPROVED , THE CONSOLE WHERE I WANT TO SAY THE GRAND TOTAL ESTIMATED ENGINEERING COST AND STUFF IN CONSTRUCTION WAS AROUND $360,000. THE CITY'S PORTION WOULD ONLY BE $60,000 BECAUSE TEXAS PARKS TO WALKING TRAILS AND SUPPORT FOR UP TO 3000 DOLLARS. THERE'S A PERCENTAGE WE HAVE TO MATCH. IT WAS ADOPTED AND APPROVED, SO AS THAT GOES FORWARD LATER THIS SPRING, THEY WILL SAY, OKAY, THIS IS THE YEAR YOU CAN DO IT.
WE CAN ENHANCE IT TO A MULTIUSE TRAIL AND WHAT THAT MEANS IS FOR SKATEBOARDS, YOUR LITTLE SCOOTERS AND BIKES AND JUST ROLLERSKATING, YOU CAN HAVE A BIT MORE FAMILY ACTIVITY TIME THERE ON THAT TRAIL AS IT IS MEANT TO BE FOR MULTIUSE, 10 FEET, YOU KNOW? AS WELL, CONNECTING THE SIDEWALK CONNECTIVITY ACROSS THE FRONT OF THE PARK, TO GET PEOPLE -- TO HELP THEM CROSS WHERE THERE IS A MORE PREVALENT CROSSWALK.
IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS LOOKING AT WHERE IT WOULD BE A LET CROSSWALK, BUT AT LEAST THERE WILL BE A KNOWN CROSSWALK THAT THEY ARE LOOKING AT BECAUSE A LOT OF FOLKS COME FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD ACROSS THE WAY, SO JUST ANOTHER GREAT IDEA AND I'M LOOKING AT HOW WE CAN USE GRANT FUNDING TO SUPPORT A PROJECT THAT, YOU KNOW, HOW YOU WOULD KNOW TO GET IN. IT MIGHT TAKE A BIT LONGER. WE CAN USE OUR GRANT WRITER WITH THE CITY. IT IS HELPFUL TO GET THESE PROJECTS GOING, AS WELL AS THE MASTER PLAN ASKS US TO FIND WAYS TO IMPROVE THE TRAILS, SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE TO WATCH THAT FROM THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING WITH KATIE CONLEY, GIVEN THAT BRIEFING.
AND THE LAST PROJECT AN IMPROVEMENT TONIGHT IS TO KIND OF CONTINUE TO SHOW THE WALKING PATH OF THE CHILDREN'S PARK AND THE SPLASH PAD -- THE NEW SPLASH PAD AND THE MODIFICATIONS TO THE PARK. SO, THIS PAST SUMMER, WE DID A REQUEST FOR A PROPOSAL WE GOT 11 DIFFERENT COMPANIES THAT APPLIED. SO, WE WERE ABLE TO GET ONE OF THE COMPANIES AND WE ARE GOING TO BE DOING A WALK-THROUGH OF THE PARK THIS MONTH AND WE ARE GOING TO BE GOING OVER THE SCOPE AND SETTING THE STAGES FOR THE STEPS THAT WE NEED TO DO WITH THE STATEMENT OF WORK AND THE IMPROVEMENTS TO WHETHER IT IS A PARKING LOT OR A RESTROOM OR THE SHELTER, ANYTHING WITH THE PLAYGROUND ITSELF, AND AS WELL AS THE SPLASH PAD. THEY CAN COME BACK WITH COST ESTIMATES FOR US AND WE WILL BE ABLE TO SHOW SOME DESIGNS AND CONCEPTS TO BOTH THE COMMISSION AND COUNCIL AND THEN HE WILL START WORKING ON HOW THEY WILL FUND THAT. THERE IS SOME FUNDING ALREADY FROM THE MARSHA FOUNDATION. WE HAVE A GREAT KICK START TO WHAT THAT COULD BE AND THEN IT IS JUST A MATTER ON MAKING THE DECISION TO WEAR BOTH THE PROJECTS BE DONE IN THE SAME YEAR FOR '26, KNOWING WE GOT THE FUNDING AND WE WANT TO START DOING THIS CONSTRUCTION IN '25. WE WANT TO BE READY IN '26. WE COULD SHOVEL THE SPLASH PAD AND DO THE CHILDREN'S PARK PORTION IN '27 OR YOU FIND A WAY TO DO BOTH OF THEM AT THE SAME TIME.
THESE NUMBERS, THESE CONSULTATIONS WE WILL HAVE, WILL SHOW US THAT PAT AND IT WILL HELP GUIDE THE CONVERSATION WITH FINANCE AND CITY MANAGEMENT TO MAKE THE DECISIONS TO HELP SHOW WHICH WE WANT TO GO WITH THAT PROJECT.
THAT IS GOING TO BE A HUGE CONVERSATION PIECE IN THE NEXT NINE MONTHS, TO START HAVING THAT FOOTPRINT AND THOSE DESIGNS COME TOGETHER AND WE WILL BE WORKING HARD TO IMPROVE THAT ENTITY FOR THE COMMUNITY NEXT. TO BOTH OF THE CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENTS -- >> I WANTED TO PIGGYBACK OFF WHAT YOU SAID AND SAY THANK YOU FOR TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION WHAT WE HAD TALKED ABOUT THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS OF THE WALKABILITY OF THE PARKS AND KUDOS FOR GETTING THE GRANT FUNDING TO HELP PAY FOR THAT, BUT IT IS AWESOME TO SEE Y'ALL HAVE TAKEN THOSE INITIATIVES THAT WE TALKED ABOUT AND RUN
WITH THEM. GREAT JOB. >> YES, SIR, THANK YOU.
>> THANKS. >> ANY QUESTIONS FOR STEPHEN? ANYBODY? ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT, WELL, I KNOW WE HAD ONE GREEN
[00:25:10]
CARD THAT WAS HERE. I DO NOT KNOW, CHAIR, IF YOU WANTED TOENTERTAIN THAT. >> SURE, ABSOLUTELY.
>> THE FIRST AND LAST NAME I HAVE YEAR, I WILL PASS THIS TO
YOU. >> WE WILL CLOSE OUT ITEM D AND WE WILL MOVE INTO OTHER BUSINESS, BUT ALSO ASK MR. GEORGE -- COULD YOU -- YOU HAVE THE FLOOR FOR THREE MINUTES, I
THINK >> THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, GOOD EVENING, CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. SORRY TO DROP IN LIKE THIS, BUT I WAS ADVISED THIS MIGHT BE THE PLACE OF INTEREST. MY NAME IS DR. GEORGE AND I AM A PHYSICIAN IN TOWN. WE MOVED TO VICTORIA ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO. THAT IS MY WIFE, CLAUDIA. I AM A BIG PROPONENT OF UTES SPORTS AND I DO COACH THE UNDER 17 BOYS TEAM. I'VE HAD THEM SINCE THEY WERE 10 AND I HAVE MOVED THEM UP FROM THE THIRD DIVISION OF UTAH AND VICTORIA, TEXAS AND RIGHT NOW WE ARE PLAYING IN THE PRIME DIVISION OF UTES SPORTS, YOUTH SOCCER, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST LEVEL IN TEXAS. SO, MOST OF THOSE KIDS ALL ATTEND HIGH SCHOOL. THE BOYS I TRAIN, THEY MAKE UP ALMOST 70% OF THE WEST HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER TEAM AND ABOUT 30% OF THE EAST SOCCER HIGH SCHOOL TEAM. THE REASON WHY I AM HERE IS BECAUSE THE BIGGEST NEED FOR THE UTE SOCCER PROGRAM AND VICTORIA IS LIGHTED PROGRAMS. WE USUALLY HAVE SOCCER -- LAST TWO SEASONS. THE SUMMER AND FALL SEASON, BUT BECAUSE WE PLAY COMPETITIVE SOCCER, WE HAVE TO PRACTICE ALL YEAR ROUND IF THE KIDS ARE GOING TO GET BETTER. DURING THE FALL MONTHS, IT GETS DARK AT ABOUT 5:30 AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR US TO PRACTICE. RIGHT NOW, TO HOST PRACTICE, WE HAVE TO USE PORTABLE LIGHTS AT RIVERSIDE AND SOME OF US HAVE TO USE PORTABLE LIGHTS AT MEMORIAL AND I THINK A CITY THE SIZE OF VICTORIA, I THINK, WOULD REALLY, REALLY APPRECIATE SOME LIGHTED FIELDS. IN THE PAST, WE USED TO PLAY BY THE AIRPORT, AND THE CITY WAS KIND ENOUGH TO BUILD A BEAUTIFUL FIELD FROM RIVERSIDE. BUT DURING -- ABOUT FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS OF THE YEAR, WHEN THE DAYS ARE SO SHORT, IT IS HARD FOR THE KIDS TO PRACTICE. SO, I WAS ADVISED THAT THIS MIGHT BE THE FOR MORE I COULD GET THIS ADDRESSED AND IF I'M NOT IN THE RIGHT PLACE, I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY GUIDANCE ON HOW TO GO ABOUT THIS
REQUEST. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. YOU ARE IN THE RIGHT PLACE TO MAKE THE REQUEST AND , SO, WOULD LIKE TO SHOOT IT BACK TO STAFF AND SEE WHAT ARE THE THOUGHTS AND PLANS FOR ANY LIGHTING ON SOCCER FIELDS. WE KNOW THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE HEARD THIS AND WE KNOW THAT SOCCER HAS BEEN ON THE INCREASE AND THE RISE IN USE WILL ENHANCE THE FIELDS WITH OLD AT RIVERSIDE AND WERE BUILT IN CONJUNCTION.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH . IT IS A GOOD TIME TO COME OUT.
>> WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR INPUT.
>> YES. >> IT KIND OF BREAKS MY HEART BECAUSE EVERY TIME I DRIVE BY THE COMMUNITY CENTER, EVERYTHING IS LIGHTED. THE BASEBALL FIELDS ARE LIGHTED.
EVEN THE SKATE PARK. THE SOCCER FIELD IS THE ONLY PART OF THE
FIELDS THAT ARE DARK 24/7. >> I THINK THAT THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY WITH THE PLANT MULTIPURPOSE SOCCER FIELDS WITH THE NEW RENDERING OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER. THIS WOULD BE A GREAT TIME TO SEE IF THERE IS LIGHTING IN THE PLAN, THE
MASTER PLAN. >> THAT IS YEARS FROM NOW.
>> WE CAN USE THAT INPUT. >> I THINK IT DOES GO WITH THE BIGGER PICTURE AS WELL. NOW, AND IN THE FUTURE. I DEFINITELY WILL WELCOME ANY COMMENTS TO OUR PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT. WE DO HAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS AS WELL, SO ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS OF THAT SORT, THIS IS THE CORRECT FORUM, AS WELL AS CALLING OUR 361-485-3200 NUMBER. WE WELCOME YOUR FEEDBACK. WE CERTAINLY WELCOME THE FEEDBACK OF THE RESIDENTS BECAUSE WE ARE HERE TO SERVE THEM. I WILL TAKE THE TIME TO SET UP A SCHEDULE TIME SO WE CAN TALK TO THOSE ASKS AND SEE HOW THEY FIT WITHIN THE PRIORITIES AND THE MISSION AND VISION WE ARE HEADED TOWARDS. THANK YOU.
>> PERHAPS THERE IS -- I MEAN, YOU GUYS HAVE DONE SUCH AN EXCELLENT JOB IN FINDING GRANT MONEY. MAYBE THERE IS SOMETHING
OUT THERE FOR GRANT MONEY -- >> FOR YOUTH ACTIVITIES? I DO
[00:30:07]
NOT KNOW. >> IT DEFINITELY HAS BEEN RESEARCHED. IT IS A MATTER OF MAKING SURE WE ARE GOING IN THE SAME DIRECTION. LIKE WE SAID, WE HAVE THE COMMUNITY CENTER PLANT. ADULTS SPORTS FIELDS ARE ONE OF THE THINGS TO TRY TO MAKE THEM A FLEX FIELD, WITH LIGHTS. WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET AWAY WITH GOALS ON THOSE WHEN WE TALK WITH THOSE TALKING POINTS AND THE ADULT SPORTS FIELD OR IF THERE ARE SPORTS FIELDS WITH A NEW COMMUNITY CENTER PLANT. HOWEVER, YOU KNOW, WITH THE CURRENT FIELDS, THERE WAS, A WHILE BACK, SOME FUND AND LOOKED AT THE HARDEST PART IS THE FLOODWAY. THE LOCATION MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE IDEAL WITH LIGHTS AT THAT COMPLEX. IT DOES NOT MEAN IT IS A NO, BUT WE WOULD HAVE TO CONTINUE RESEARCH AND SEE IF THAT IS THE LONG-TERM STRATEGY TO PUT LIGHTS IN WITH THAT PRICE POINT.
>> ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT RIVERSIDE FIELDS?
>> YES. >> EVEN IF WE COULD JUST LIGHT
>> IS THERE A FEE THAT THE DIFFERENT YOUTHS BOARD LEAGUES PLAY FOR PRACTICE FACILITIES DOWN THERE OR IS IT JUST A FREE USE KIND OF THING WITH THE SPORTS FIELDS DOWN RIVERSIDE?
>> SURE, THERE IS OPEN PLAY TIME BUT WE CURRENTLY HAVE A CONTRACT WITH A YOUTH ORGANIZATION THAT WE CONTRACT OUT WITH. I DO NOT KNOW IF WE HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL ADD-ONS, BUT BESIDES THAT, THAT IS THE ONLY ENTITY WE WORK WITH
CURRENTLY. >> WAS LIGHTING CONSIDERED WHEN THOSE FIELDS WERE IN CONCEPT PHASE AND -- WAS IT CONSIDERED
AT THE TIME? >> FOR MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE POSITION I WAS IN, I WOULD JUST SAY, YES, THAT THE LIGHTING WAS LOOKED AT, BUT I THINK DUE TO COSTS AND THE FLOODPLAIN AND FUTURE MASTER-PLANNED ADDITIONS TO FIELDS AND OTHER PARKS POTENTIALLY, THERE WAS A MAY BE OPPORTUNITIES IN THE FUTURE, LIKE WE TALKED ABOUT, THE COMMUNITY CENTER OR THE ETHEL TRACY LINE, THAT WE COULD MEET THAT NEED. BUT THEY ARE TRYING TO LINE THEM UP IN THE LONG-TERM LINE OF THOSE PLANS OVER THE NEXT THREE TO EIGHT YEARS.
>> WE WILL NOT GIVE UP, SO DO NOT GIVE UP.
>> SURE, SURE. >> IT IS A COST CONSIDERATION AND WE KNOW HOW EXPENSIVE LIGHTING IS AND THE CHALLENGES WE FACE WITH OUR PARKS THAT ARE IN FLOOD ZONES, SO THERE IS THAT HINDRANCE AS WELL. YOU KNOW, WE DO HAVE ON THE HORIZON THE COMMUNITY CENTER COMPLEX . I AM NOT SURE WHERE THAT IS GOING IN '25, BUT I NOTICED COMING BACK TO COUNSEL IN '25?
>> THAT IS CORRECT. >> SOCCER FIELDS WERE PART OF
THAT. >> YES, MA'AM. I KNOW THERE IS A SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING THAT WILL BE AIRED AND I BELIEVE THERE IS SOME DISCUSSION SURROUNDING THE COMMUNITY CENTER MASTER PLAN AND THAT WILL BE ON TOMORROW DURING THE
DAY. I THINK IT IS 2:00. >> OH, OKAY.
>> WEDNESDAY. THANK YOU, SIR. I GOT MY DAYS MIXED UP.
>> ALL RIGHT. >> OKAY, SO WE ARE IN -- STILL IN ITEM E, OTHER BUSINESS. TO ANY OF THE COMMISSIONERS HAVE
ANYTHING TO DISCUSS? >> SORRY, THAT IS LISA.
>> BACKUP. >> I HAD A QUESTION ON THE CAPITAL PROJECTS AND UPDATES. WHERE ARE WE AT WITH HOW WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE LAST 18 MONTHS WITH THE OLD COMMUNITY CENTER PAD AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A FOOD TRUCK PARKED? I KNOW THAT WE WERE LOOKING AT FACILITIES AND AMENITIES AND WATER AND POWER, ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF. I WANTED TO SEE IF
THERE WAS AN UPDATE. >> NO PROBLEM. STEVE?
>> THAT COULD BE A PART OF THAT GREAT QUESTION, THE PROCESS OF WHAT THAT COMPLEX IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE IN THE LONG-TERM FUTURE . SO, NOT ONLY JUST ENHANCING THE PARKING SPACE AT THAT COMMUNITY CENTER PARKING, BUT EVEN ADDING ADDITIONAL PARKING OVERALL. SO, THEY HAD AN AREA SET ASIDE TO IMPROVE THE PARKING. RIGHT NOW, THERE IS A DETERMINATION WITH BEING IN A FLOODPLAIN AS WELL AS WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE NEED BECAUSE THAT IS A HUGE AREA FOR SOCCER. YOU KNOW THERE IS NO PARKING REALLY AVAILABLE. I HAVE BEEN TO RED RIVER AND NORTH GLOVE.
ALL THE LOCATIONS, INCLUDING THE TRIANGLE OVER NORTH BLUFF AND RED RIVER, AS WELL AS THAT MAIN PARKING LOT, WHAT IS THE RIGHT WAY TO DO IT? IS IT LEVELING THAT ENTIRE COMMUNITY CENTER DIFFERENTLY FROM WHAT IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FOR THAT? THEY KIND OF TOOK A STEP BACK TO LOOK AT A DIFFERENT APPROACH, TO LOOK AT ALL THESE THINGS ON WHAT IS SOCCER GOING TO LOOK LIKE DOWN THERE FROM NOW, FOR THE NEXT 10, 15 YEARS, AND HOW TO BUILD THE RIGHT PARKING. ONCE WE GET THAT INFORMATION, WE CAN COME BACK AND SHOW THE NEW PLANS. THE ORIGINAL PLAN IS KIND OF ORANGE HOLD. -- KIND OF ON HOLD. WE
[00:35:04]
CAN LOOK AT YOUNG STREET THROUGH TO THE PARKING LOT. IT WOULD ADD MORE PARKING AT THAT TIME. YOU KNOW, OR TO KEEP THAT CURRENT PLAN AND ADD PARKING IN THE TRIANGLE ON THE OTHER SIDE.EVEN IN THE NORTH BLOCK AT RED RIVER AREA, THERE ARE THREE ACRES THERE THAT COULD POTENTIALLY BE A CHAMPIONSHIP FIELD WITH LIGHTS, SO THE WHOLE LIST -- HOLISTIC APPROACH OF WHAT THEY WILL NEED FOR THE FIELD, TO INCLUDE DOING THE PARKING RIGHT THE FIRST TIME AND ADDING ADDITIONS TO THE FIELD IF THEY INCLUDE LIGHTS AND RESTROOMS OR WHATEVER, WE
ARE TAKING A FRESH APPROACH. >> THE FOOD TRUCK PARK IS IN CONGRUENCY WITH -- WITH ALL THE PARKING ON THE SOCCER FIELD?
>> I TOOK A STEP BACK TO WITH A MINUTE AND PAUSE AND COME BACK WITH A BETTER, FRESH APPROACH, TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS HOLISTICALLY GOING TO COME TOGETHER AND BE PACKAGED IN A
[3. Discuss and Vote on Meeting Schedule]
WAY THAT WOULD MAKE THE MOST AMOUNT OF SENSE FOR THE FUTURE>> THANK YOU. >> BACK TO YOU, LISA.
>> ALL RIGHT. SO, TONIGHT I WANTED TO DISCUSS ABOUT OUR BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE. FOR NO OTHER REASON OTHER THAN MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE BRINGING THE INFORMATION IN REAL-TIME TO YOU, BUT STILL ALLOWING TIME FOR DEVELOPMENT WITH MY STAFF AND GETTING YOU UPDATES. MY UNDERSTANDING FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS, THAT THE MEETING HAS FUNCTION ON A MONTHLY BASIS. IT IS THE OPINION OF THE BOARD. WE WILL GO WHATEVER ROUTE YOU FEEL MOST COMFORTABLE WITH, BUT WE WERE ENTERTAINING MORE OF A QUARTERLY APPROACH. THE REASON BEING, FOR SEVERAL REASONS, ONE OF WHICH WE ARE WORKING WITH OUR TEAM DIRECTLY . THERE ARE A LOT OF PROJECTS THAT ARE HAPPENING. THESE ARE JUST A FEW. SO, WHILE WE CERTAINLY WANT TO KEEP REAL-TIME COMMUNICATION HAPPENING, WE ALSO WANT TO BE VERY INTENTIONAL ABOUT WHAT COMMUNICATION WE ARE BRINGING OUT THERE. THESE MEETINGS THAT WE HAVE, WE ARE WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH CITY COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS AS WELL. WE WANTED TO POSE TO THE BOARD -- WOULD IT BE OF INTEREST TO PUT OUT A SCHEDULE THAT WAS ON A QUARTERLY BASIS VERSUS A MONTHLY BASIS? IT IS AT THE LEISURE OF THE BOARD. AGAIN, WHATEVER DISCUSSION, WE ARE PREPARED TO GO WHATEVER ROUTE SHOULD YOU CHOOSE. WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE GIVING YOU ENOUGH INFORMATION TO GO OFF OF BECAUSE MOSTLY, FROM OUR MONTH TO MONTH, THERE ARE THINGS THAT CHANGE, BUT PROJECTS TO TAKE A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME, SO I AM JUST OPENING UP THE FLOOR. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE A GOOD DIALOGUE AND WHAT BETTER TIME TO BEGIN TO SET A PRECEDENT THAT YOU MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE ENTERTAINED GOING INTO THE NEW YEAR, SO THIS IS A GREAT BOARD. WE ARE EXCITED. WE ARE FIRST ON DECK TO HER ABOUT OUR COMMISSION FOR THE PUBLIC AND CITY COUNCIL AND SO WE SET A HIGH BAR. I WANT TO BE MINDFUL WITH RESPECT TO YOUR TIME AND WHAT YOU DO OUTSIDE OF THIS BOARD AS WELL. THANK YOU.
SO, I WILL OPEN THE FLOOR FOR ANY COMMENTS FOR THAT.
>> THE FIRST QUESTION I HAVE BEFORE WE GET INTO THE DIALOGUE. GIVEN THAT WE SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND WE HAVE A SET OF BYLAWS, LEGALLY, CAN WE MAKE THAT CHANGE AND HOW WOULD THAT HAPPEN?
>> SURE. I NEED TO PULL THAT UP DIRECTLY SO I CAN ANSWER THAT SPECIFICALLY. LET ME PULL THE BYLAWS UP.
>> WHILE SHE IS DOING THAT, WE CAN HAVE A DISCUSSION.
THOUGHTS, PROS, CONS, MOVING TO QUARTERLY VERSUS MONTHLY?
>> I THINK IT IS A GOOD IDEA. >> JESSICA?
>> I THINK MAYBE CUTTING IT FROM THREE MEETINGS EVERY THREE MONTHS TO ONE MEETING A MONTH OR FOUR MEETINGS A YEAR MIGHT NOT BE ENOUGH TO KIND OF KEEP GOING WITH ALL OF THE PROJECTS.
I DO THINK THAT WE COULD PROBABLY CUT IT TO ONCE EVERY OTHER MONTH AND GIVE YOU ALL MORE TIME TO GATHER PROJECT UPDATE AND THAT SORT OF THING. I JUST WORRY IF WE CUT IT DOWN TO FOUR TIMES A YEAR, ARE WE GOING TO BE ABLE TO MAKE ANY REAL PROGRESS ON ISSUES AND THINGS THAT POP UP? THAT IS MY
KIND OF TWO CENTS. >> WE CAN ALWAYS HAVE A SPECIAL
MEETING IF WE NEEDED. >> YEAH.
>> I KIND OF LIKE THE MAYBE EVERY OTHER MONTH WERE EVERY EVEN NUMBER OR ODD NUMBER MARTH -- MONTH.
>> LOOK AT ARTICLE 3. THEY SAY REGULAR MEETINGS, JUST --
SPECIAL MEETINGS -- >> THERE WE GO.
>> IF IT IS IN THE BYLAWS, I KNOW BEING A PARLIAMENTARY
[00:40:10]
ORGANIZATION, THAT YOU HAVE TO PROPOSE IT AND THEN YOU HAVE TO READ IT THREE TIMES. LIKE THEY DO AT CITY COUNCIL, BEFORE YOU CAN PASS IT. YOU'RE LOOKING AT THREE MONTHS IN A ROW BEFORE YOU CAN EVEN COME UP WITH A DECISION.>> AND ONE OF THE BOARDS I AM ON DOES QUARTERLY MEETINGS AND
WE ACCOMPLISH NOTHING. >> YEAH.
>> TELL ME MORE BECAUSE YOU DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION OR
NOT ENOUGH TIME? >> COULD YOU PLEASE USE YOUR MICROPHONE? YOUR MICROPHONE, PLEASE? THANK YOU, SIR.
>> JUST TALK. >> OKAY, PEOPLE CAN LOSE TRACK OF WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING BETWEEN MEETINGS, SO A LOT OF THINGS DO NOT GET DONE . NOT INTENTIONALLY, BUT IF YOU'RE GOING TO MEET AGAIN NEXT MONTH, THEN YOU HAVE FOUR WEEKS TO DO SOMETHING. IF YOU HAVE 12 WEEKS TO DO SOMETHING, THAT SENSE OF URGENCY DISAPPEARS.
>> ALSO, I WOULD THINK YOU FORGET. I AM ALWAYS LIKE, OKAY, WHAT DID WE DISCUSSED LAST MONTH? I WANT TO KEEP UP ON OUR CURRENT PROJECTS AND I DO NOT KNOW.
>> I AGREE. I MEAN, AS LONG AS I HAVE BEEN A MEMBER OF THIS COMMITTEE, LAURIE, AND YOU HAVE PROBABLY BEEN THE SAME, A LOT OF IT COMES TO , YOU KNOW, I SEE ONE OF THE WAYS I FUNCTION -- A LOT OF PEOPLE ASK AROUND THE COMMUNITY -- WHAT IS GOING ON. YOUR MOUTHPIECE TO THE COMMUNITY OF THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON. WE ARE KIND OF THE BIGGEST CHEERLEADERS FOR PARKS AND REC. THAT IS WHY WE VOLUNTEER OUR TIME TO COME OUT AND DO THIS SORT OF THING. HAVING THOSE MORE REGULAR MEETINGS ALLOWS YOU TO GO BACK OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY AND TO REPORT TO THE OTHER VARIOUS SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE SAID, HEY, HERE'S THE STUFF THAT IS GOING ON WITH, YOU KNOW, THE COLLEGE. THEY CAME FROM VICTORIA COLLEGE. GETTING THAT SYNERGY BETWEEN THE TWO, WHERE IF WE ARE ONLY MEETING, YOU KNOW, EVERY SO OFTEN, IT KIND OF GOES TO THE BACK OF YOUR MIND AND YOU DO NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO TALK ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON ALL THE COOL THINGS PARK AND REC IS DOING, BECAUSE YOU DO SO MUCH AMAZING STUFF FOR THE COMMUNITY, SO ARE MEETING REGULARLY AND HEARING ABOUT ALL THAT STUFF, IT ALLOWS US TO GO OUT THERE AND CHAMPIONS WERE CAUSES AND TALK
>> I WAS JUST THINKING BECAUSE WE OFTEN HAVE MEETINGS -- I LIKE THE 30 MINUTE MARK. I AM ALSO THINKING THE MORE REGULAR BUT KEEPING THEM SHORTER OR, YOU KNOW, JUST A QUICK CHECK IN. I COULD SEE IT EITHER WAY. QUARTERLY MIGHT BE NICE --
>> I WAS ALSO THINKING EVERY OTHER MONTH. BUT I ALSO THINK WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, A MONTHLY CHECK IN, BUT KEEPING THEM IN THE SHORTER RANGE, AND THEN MAYBE IF THERE ARE LARGER THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON, WE ALREADY HAVE A ONCE A YEAR
WORKSHOP SCHEDULED. >> DID I HEAR THAT RIGHT? FROM YOU, IN THE BYLAWS IT SAYS WE HAVE TO HAVE REGULAR MEETINGS?
>> CORRECT. >> WE DO NOT NEED TO AMEND ANYTHING TO DO THAT. WE COULD JUST MAKE A MOTION?
>> RIGHT. IT IS DEFINITELY JUST A DIALOGUE TO SEE WHAT THE PLEASURE OF THE BOARD IS, SO WE CAN CONTINUE AND WE ARE PREPARED, WHATEVER DIRECTION, BUT THERE IS NOTHING SPECIFICALLY THAT SAYS ABOUT HOW MANY TIMES WE ARE DEEMED TO
MEET. >> I'M HAVING AN IDEA. IT IS ALMOST A HYBRID AND THAT IS WE HAVE REGULAR MEETINGS BASED UPON THE CALENDAR YEAR, BUT I KNOW THERE ARE CERTAIN MONTHS WHEN STAFF IS SWAMPED WITH SOMETHING, WHENEVER, OR WHEN THERE IS A HOLIDAY OR IT IS THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER AND WE HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING A VACATION OR SPRING BREAK OR WHATEVER, SO I WOULD ASK STAFF TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE ANNUAL CALENDAR, KNOWING THAT WE WANT TO HAVE A WORKSHOP LIKE WE DO EVERY
>> THEN COME BACK TO US, SAYING, THESE ARE THE MEETING
>> ALLOWING YOURSELF TIME FOR THE THINGS I JUST MENTIONED, LIKE SUMMER BREAK OR WHATEVER. WE ARE NOT -- LET'S SET A SCHEDULE BASED UPON YOUR NEED, VACATION SCHEDULES, HOLIDAY SCHEDULES, ET CETERA, THAT WORK FOR US ON THE SAME MONDAY. WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK ABOUT THAT? MAYBE WE ARE AT 10 MEETINGS A YEAR OR MAYBE AT NINE MEETINGS A YEAR, WHATEVER THE NUMBER IS, BUT WE DO NOT LOSE THE SYNERGY OR THE FORWARD MOTION THAT WE ARE CREATING ON A MONTH TO MONTH BY GOING QUARTERLY. THE PROJECTS YOU GUYS OUTLINE FOR 25, I WILL KNOW WHAT THE MASTER
[00:45:01]
PLAN IS. I DO THINK WE HAVE MADE SUCH GREAT INROADS AND PROGRESS AND I KNOW FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE PEOPLE STOP ME ON THE STREET OR AT A PARTY. THEY WATCH THIS ON TELEVISION.>> WONDERFUL. >> PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED. TO LOSE THAT MOMENTUM THAT WE WORKED SO HARD TO GET IN THE PUBLIC EYE, I WOULD HATE TO SEE THEM GO AWAY, SO MAYBE COME BACK TO US WITH A NINE OR 10 MONTH OR AN EIGHT-MONTH -- I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE NUMBER LOOKS LIKE. WE HAVE CANCELED MEETINGS BECAUSE OF DIFFERENT THINGS, SO LET'S TAKE A PROACTIVE
APPROACH. >> I KNOW WE DID MEET EVERY MONTH LAST YEAR. I THINK THERE WERE EIGHT MEETINGS?
>> THAT SOUNDS ABOUT RIGHT, YEAH.
>> PARTICULARLY I KNOW THE HOLIDAY TIME, THINGS LIKE THAT.
WE APPRECIATE BEING ABLE TO GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD AND THEN WE CAN ALSO BETTER PREPARE OUR DISCUSSION TOPICS WITH YOU AS WELL. THAT WOULD INCREASE OUR PLANNING EFFORTS, SO WE KNOW WHAT TO BRING TO YOU ABOUT THE SAME SORT OF TIME. THE PREDICTABILITY IS A GOOD TIME. SO, THANK YOU.
>> ALSO, I LIKE HEARING MORE ABOUT THE GOLF COURSE. I THINK IT IS INTERESTING. IT IS SUCH A HUGE COMPONENT OF OUR SYSTEM.
SO, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THESE MEETINGS IN THE FUTURE, MAYBE AFTER SPRING SEASON STARTS WHEN IT IS MORE APPROPRIATE, WOULD LOVE TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THOSE PROJECTS AND HOW THEY ARE DOING. I KNOW WITH THIS BUDGET, IT HAS BEEN, YOU KNOW, PAYING FOR ITSELF, BUT THINGS LIKE THAT ARE OF INTEREST. PICK TOPICS, LIKE YOU SAID. DO A 12 MONTH LOOKOUT AND WHAT YOU WILL DO IN THESE MEETINGS, FORD, KNOWING WHAT PROJECTS YOU HAVE.
I DO NOT WANT TO GIVE YOU MORE WORK, BUT --
>> WE JUST HAD A BEAUTIFUL GOLF UPDATE AND REALLY HIGHLIGHTED THE DIVISION ITSELF, BUT INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, ONE OF THE THINGS I SAID, YOU WILL HEAR FROM ME, BUT YOU WILL HEAR
MORE FROM MY TEAM. >> I THINK THAT IS GREAT, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU BROUGHT THEM TO THE WORKSHOP. I THOUGHT
THAT WAS REALLY GREAT. >> THEY KNOW. I HAVE NOT MADE IT OFFICIAL, BUT I THINK THEY SHOULD BE HERE WITH ME. SO, WE ARE WORKING ON THAT AND, AGAIN, WITH THE DECISION THAT WE MAKE ONCE WE BRING THOSE DATES, I CAN PLAN WITH MY TEAM AND THEY CAN MARK THEIR CALENDARS AND THEY CAN PLAN TO BE HERE TO PRESENT. I THINK IT IS A WIN-WIN OR -- SITUATION. AS WE GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER WITH NEW MEMBERS -- THANK YOU FOR ENTERTAINING THAT AND WOULD LIKE TO BRAG ON OURSELVES EVERY SINGLE MONTH. HECK YEAH. WE WOULD TOTALLY DO THAT. I SAW HARVEY IN THE STORE AND THAT WAS GREAT. I NEVER GET TO SEE ANYBODY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR
[E. Other Business:]
CONSIDERATION. >> ALL RIGHT. A GOOD
DISCUSSION. >> OKAY, NOW WE WILL MOVE --
>> KEEP IT GOING. I HAVE ANOTHER SET.
>> I HAVE PLENTY. >> ITEM E, OTHER BUSINESS. THIS IS WHEN IF ANY OF THE COMMISSION MEMBERS HAVE ANY NEW TOPICS OR RULE TOPICS THEY WOULD LIKE TO BRING, NOW IS THE
TIME TO BRING THEM UP. >> I HAVE SOME TOPICS.
>> ALL RIGHT. >> MY GRANDSON IS VERY INVOLVED IN BASEBALL, SO I AM OUT AT THE LITTLE LEAGUE COMPLEX QUITE A BIT DURING THE WHOLE YEAR . THE MAJORITY OF THESE TOPICS I HAVE YEAR, I GAVE TO MR. GALLAGHER AND HE LOOKED AT THEM AND I ALSO EMAILED THEM TO HIM. ONE OF THE ONES IS TO CLEAN THE NASTY RESTROOMS AT THE PARK. THEY ARE NASTY. THEY NEED TO BE AT LEAST WASHED DOWN WITH A POWER HOSE AND SOME CLOROX.
THEY ARE JUST NASTY OUT THERE. THE SINKS , I HATE THEM. YOU WALK UP THERE AND YOU HAVE TO MOVE YOUR HANDS AROUND TO GET THE WATER TO RUN. THERE IS USUALLY ONE SEEK -- SINK OR FAUCET THAT WORKS. ANOTHER PAPER TOWEL, YOU HAVE ONE PAPER TOWEL HOLDER AND ONE HAND DRYER. THAT IS IT FOR THE WHOLE
BATHROOM. >> YOU ARE REFERRING BASICALLY
TO -- >> THE LITTLE LEAGUE COMPLEX.
SO, YOU HAVE 12 FIELDS OUT THERE AND ON A WEEKEND, THERE ARE TWO FIELDS BEING USED, SO YOU'RE GOING THROUGH A LOT OF PEOPLE GOING IN AND OUT OF THE RESTAURANT AND A LOT OF FAMILIES AND A LOT OF BASEBALL PLAYERS. SOME WASH THEIR HANDS AND SOME DO NOT. YOU NEVER KNOW, BUT YOU HAVE ONE HAND DRYER AND ONE THING OF PAPER AND IT DOES NOT TAKE LONG FOR ALL THE PAPER TO BE GONE AND SOMEONE IS STANDING IN LINE, WALKING OUT, WIPING THEIR HANDS ON THEMSELVES. IF WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT. AS FAR AS THE OTHER THINGS FOR THE RESTROOMS, I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE PORTA POTTIES OUT THERE AT THE FIELDS. IT IS A LONG WALK FROM THE FIELDS TO THE RESTROOM AND THE CONCESSION STAND. WHEN THESE KIDS GET THROUGH WITH THE GAME, SOMETIMES THEY MIGHT ONLY HAVE 15 OR 20 MINUTES IN
[00:50:01]
BETWEEN A GAME. AS FOR THE PARENTS THAT ARE OUT THERE, TO GO FROM THIS VIEW AND GO TO THE RESTROOM AND GO BACK, YOU MIGHT STAND IN LINE FOR 20 TO 30 MINUTES, AT THE CONCESSION STAND, WAITING TO GET SOMETHING IN OF THE GAMES HAVE ALREADY STARTED AND YOU MISSED AN INNING OR TWO. IF YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE RESTROOMS -- THE CONCESSION -- THE CONCESSION STAND IS A WONDERFUL JOB. THERE IS SOMEPLACE WE CAN MAYBE PUT SOME FOOD TRUCKS OR POSSIBLY EXPAND THE CONCESSION STANDS .THEY HAVE THEM IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA, WHERE THEY CAN BRING SOMETHING FROM THIS CONCESSION STAND OVER TO HERE, LIKE THE BURGERS AND THE CHIPS AND THE NACHOS THAT SELL REALLY FAST.
ALSO DRINKS. THAT IS THE BIG THING. YOU CAN STOP ME ANYTIME IF YOU WANT TO ASK ME ANY QUESTIONS. ALSO, THE RESTROOMS, IF YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN OUT THERE, IT IS LIKE WALKING INTO A HEATED OVEN. THERE IS NO VENTILATION. YOU WALK IN THERE AND IT SMELLS. IF THERE COULD BE SOME VENTILATION, THAT WOULD REALLY HELP. IF YOU HAVE EVER BEEN OUT THERE, IF YOU NOTICE, THERE ARE SUNFLOWER SEEDS ALL OVER THE PLACE ON THE GROUND OUT THERE BECAUSE THE KIDS JUST CHEW THEM. I NEVER KNEW HOW TO DO THAT. I CANNOT PUT A SUNFLOWER SEED IN MY MOUTH AND LEAVE THE SEED IN MY MOUTH AND SPIT THE HULL OUT. YOU HAVE SUNFLOWER SEED HULLS ALL OVER THEM. THE BIRDS DO NOT EAT THE HULLS. THEY'RE ALL OVER THE STANDS AND THE SIDEWALKS.
>> WHAT DO YOU THINK? DO NOT SERVE SUNFLOWER SEEDS?
>> THE KIDS BRING THEIR OWN, PLUS YOU CAN BUY THEM AT THE
CONCESSION STAND. ADULTED -- >> IF YOU CAN GET OUT THERE WITH A POWER HOSE AND JUST WASH THEM OUT , THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
>> OKAY. >> THEY ARE IN THE STANDS. IF I GO TO A GAME ON SATURDAY AND I EAT AND I'M SITTING HERE AND I PICK UP ALL MY STUFF, BUT THIS PERSON, SHE WAS SITTING NEXT TO ME AND SHE WAS EATING SUNFLOWER SEEDS AND ALL OF HER SUNFLOWER SEEDS ARE RIGHT THERE IN THE STANDS. THEY'RE STILL THERE THE NEXT DAY AND POSSIBLY THERE THE NEXT WEEK. THEY DO NOT CLAIM THE STANDS. THERE IS, AND EVERYTHING ON THE SEATING STANDS OUT THERE. THEY ARE FILTHY. YOU HAVE THE POWERHOUSE. ONCE A WEEK, CLEAN THEM. THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
FIXING THE SCOREBOARDS. LIKE I SAID, THERE ARE 12 FIELDS OUT THERE AND MAYBE FOUR OR FIVE OF THE SCOREBOARDS ACTUALLY WORKED. OUT OF THOSE FOUR OR FIVE, MAYBE TWO OR THREE OF THEM HAVE ALL THE LIES THAT WORK. WE NEED TO DO THAT AND THE FIELDS ARE VERY OUTDATED. WE NEED TO COME UP WITH A LOT
BETTER FIELDS. >> IF I MAY, THANK YOU FOR THESE GREAT COMMENTS. THESE ARE GREAT TEAMBUILDING THINGS WE ARE BORED WITH THE STAFF OFF-SEASON FOR THE 2025 SEASON AND WE WILL CONTINUE AS WE GET READY FOR THESE TOURNAMENTS IN THE NEXT 2 TO 3 WEEKS, TO RAISE CIRCLE BACK TO THESE QUESTIONS.
SOME HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED AND ONE OF THE THINGS I DID NOT INCLUDE IN THE UPDATE, BUT THE RECOLLECTION IS WITH THE SCOREBOARDS, WE WERE ABLE, IN THE CURRENT BUDGET, TO FUND AND BUDGET FOR FOUR SCOREBOARDS. I'M SORRY, WE BUDGETED FOR FOUR BASED ON THE COST, WE GOT FIVE BECAUSE THE PRICING CAME OUT REALLY GREAT. SO, THE FOUR SCOREBOARDS WILL BE ON FIELDS ONE THROUGH FOUR AND NUMBER SEVEN. NUMBER SEVEN HAS BEEN THE IMPORTANT ONE FOR THREE YEARS. THE SCOREBOARDS THAT ARE COMING DOWN, THEY WILL TAKE THE GOOD NUMBERS AND L.E.D. BUTTONS OUT OF THEM AND PUT THEM IN FIELDS SIX AND EIGHT, WHICH ARE THE NEXT WORST BOARDS, SO THOSE PROJECTS, THEY WERE ORDERED DURING THE CHRISTMAS BREAK, SO THEY ARE BEING BUILT AND THEY ARE EXPECTED TO BE SHIPPED HERE MID FEBRUARY AND BE INSTALLED BY THE END OF FEBRUARY WITH THE CONTRACTOR, SO BY LITTLE LEAGUE SEASON, BY MID-MARCH, WE WILL BE UP AND RUNNING TO THE NEXT STEP OF BOARDS THAT ARE BETTER CAPACITY THAT IS BEING ASKED.
SO, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THAT REMINDER.
>> OKAY. THIS WAS AN IDEA I CAME UP WITH I SPOKE TO A FEW PEOPLE. THAT WOULD NOT BE BAD, THAT YOU CHARGE A DOLLAR PER VEHICLE THAT COMES IN THERE TO WATCH. THIS MONEY WOULD GO TOWARDS FIXING THE SCOREBOARDS. ON A WEEKEND, MY SON ONLY PLAYS LITTLE LEAGUE, BUT HE ALSO PLAYS TRAVEL BALL. THESE FIELDS ARE BEING USED ALMOST EVERY WEEKEND OF EVERY MONTH .
>> YES, SIR. SORRY. GO AHEAD. >> IF YOU COULD HAVE SOMEBODY
[00:55:02]
OUT THERE SAYING, OKAY, IT WILL BE A DOLLAR PER CAR, IT DOES NOT MATTER. IT IS A DOLLAR PER VEHICLE BECAUSE IF YOU GO OUT THERE, THE PARKING LOT IS FULL AND IT SAYS, DO NOT PARK ON THE GRASS. YOU WILL BE SURPRISED HOW MANY CARS AND TRUCKS ARE PARKED ON THE GRASS. I MEAN, YOU KNOW, JUST A DOLLAR A CAR, IN A WEEKEND, YOU MIGHT MAKE $6000 OR $7000. THERE IS ASCOREBOARD RIGHT THERE. >> LIKE I SAID, THIS IS EVERY WEEKEND. SOME OF THESE GAMES ARE FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS, ALL TOURNAMENTS. THEY USE IT FOR THE LITTLE LEAGUE AND TRAVEL TEAMS. THEN YOU HAVE THE GIRLS SOFTBALL COMPLEX AND THE GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE TEAM OUT THERE. I DO NOT KNOW WHO TAKES CARE OF THOSE, BUT ALL THE MONEY THAT WILL BE GENERATED WILL GO TO FIX ALL THE SCOREBOARDS ON ALL
THE FIELDS. >> CHAIR? THANK YOU.
>> ONE LAST THING THEN I AM THROUGH. I AM SORRY. I SPOKE TO MR. GALLAGHER ABOUT THIS. DURING THE VETERANS DAY, WHICH I WAS IN CHARGE OF THE PARADE AND THANK YOU ALL FOR ATTENDING. IT WAS A WONDERFUL PARADE. I WANT TO USE THE RESTROOM IN THE PLAZA AND THERE WERE TWO -- ONE FAUCET WORKS IN THE RESTROOM AND THERE WAS ONLY ONE HAND DRYER. THERE ARE NO TOWELS, BUT ONE HAND DRYER AND THERE. SOMEONE DID NOT DO A GOOD JOB OF SAYING THIS IS HOW THE BATHROOM NEEDS TO WORK. I
AM THROUGH. >> CAN WE TAKE CARE OF THAT OR IS THERE A CONTRACTOR THAT DOES THAT?
>> THE MAIN STREET PROGRAM HAS TWO STAFF MEMBERS THAT MAINTAIN THE RESTROOM DOWN THERE AND THEN WE DO ABOUT 20% ON THE WEEKENDS. IT IS A SHARED ENTITY, BUT WE WILL WORK WITH OUR CITY TEAM MEMBERS AND TAKE A LOOK IF THEY STILL HAVE QUESTIONS. I'M NOT SURE -- WE HAVE SEVERAL EVENTS. SINCE THAT
TIME, I'M NOT SURE. >> THAT WEEK I WAS THERE, NOVEMBER, I WAS LIKE, OH, OKAY. THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WE SPENT AND YOU CAN ONLY HAVE ONE FAUCET WORK AND ONE HAND DRYER.
I WAS LIKE, NO. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME TALK TO
>> THANK YOU FOR THOSE COMMENTS. I DO WANT TO ADD JUST A COUPLE OF NOTES. I REALLY APPRECIATE THE PERSPECTIVE FROM THE USER PERSPECTIVE. THE USER EXPERIENCE IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US, SO WE CONSTANTLY ARE DOING WALK-THROUGHS, SO , I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY FROM THE COMMUNITY, WE GET PICTURES AND WE GET COMMENTS, SO THOSE ARE NOT THINGS THAT WE LOOK AT IN A NEGATIVE LIGHT. IT IS A VERY POSITIVE THING. THAT IS A LEARNING TOOL FOR OUR TEAM. WE ARE EMPHASIZING VERY MUCH THE MAINTENANCE STANDARDS. THAT IS ACROSS THE BOARD. BECAUSE WE ARE GETTING THESE NEW FACILITIES, WE WANT TO TAKE HER OF WHAT WE HAVE. IN REGARDS TO THE PARKING THAT YOU MENTIONED, ABOUT REVENUE-GENERATING OPPORTUNITIES, OUR MASTER-PLANNED DISCUSSION THAT WE HAD WITH CITY COUNCIL ENTERTAINED A NUMBER OF THINGS SURROUNDING TOURNAMENTS AND I WILL TELL YOU ONE OF THE PROPOSALS THAT WE HAD LOOKED AT WERE GATE FEES AND COLLECTING A PERCENTAGE OF THAT. WE CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND THE TRAFFIC FLOW THERE, SO I AGREE WITH YOU THAT THERE IS -- ONE STEP AT A TIME, WE WILL LOOK AT THOSE PARAMETERS AND ENTERTAIN THOSE. I THINK WE ARE GOING TO BENEFIT WELL FROM THAT. THAT RELATIONSHIP IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE, SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE ALSO HAVE THE TOURNAMENT PLAY, A DEPOSIT. THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WE REALLY NEEDED TO BRING FORWARD GOING INTO A VERY HARD TIME. STEVE HAS BEEN WORKING VERY, VERY HARD WITH THE ABSENCE OF -- HE HAS STEPPED INTO THAT ROLE. WE HAVE SEEN FIRSTHAND THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE DEALING WITH ALL THE COACHES. WHILE THEY STAND TO MAKE MONEY, WE ALSO NEED TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THE RESOURCES WE NEED FOR KEEPING HIGH MAINTENANCE STANDARDS. SO, TRUST US IN THAT WE TALK WITH OUR TEAM WEEKLY AND WE MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE CHECKING AND INSPECTING WHAT WE EXPECT FROM OUR TEAM.
>> I KNOW ON WEEKENDS, WHEN THE SWING TEAM PLAYS, THEY CHARGE FIVE DOLLARS A PERSON. I THINK IT IS THREE DOLLARS FOR YOUTH.
I MEAN, THEY ARE BRINGING IN MONEY TO THEMSELVES, BUT THAT MONEY, I DO NOT THINK OF IT GOES ANYWHERE ELSE EXCEPT, YOU KNOW, FOR THEIR ORGANIZATION. LITTLE LEAGUE DOES NOT CHARGE YOU ANYTHING. YOU JUST WALK -- WHAT I REALLY APPRECIATE, THAT YOU ALL HAVE DONE, YOU HAVE LABELED THE FIELDS. THAT IS SO WONDERFUL. I CAN SAY, OKAY, THEY ARE ON FIELD NINE. THERE IS A MAP AND YOU ARE GOING -- OKAY. THEY ARE LIKE, YOU ARE
WALKING -- >> IF YOU GO THE WRONG WAY, IT IS A 15 MINUTE WALK THE OTHER WAY.
>> YOU GO TO THIS FIELD AND YOU GO, THEY'RE NOT ON ANY OF THESE FIELDS BUT THEN MY SON WOULD SAY, DAD, COME UP AND TURN TO THE RIGHT AND WALKED DOWN. NOW I HAVE TO WALK ALL THE WAY UP TO THE CONCESSION STAND AND ALL THE WAY BACK OVER THERE. THESE NUMBERS, ONE THROUGH SIX THOMAS SEVEN THROUGH 12. THAT IS WONDERFUL.
>> THANK YOU. >> THAT WAS AN IDEA I HAD AND I WAS WONDERING, HOW DO I GET IT TO THESE PEOPLE.
>> THAT WAS A GREAT SUGGESTION. THEY WANT TO LET US KNOW WITH
[01:00:08]
SOME SUGGESTIONS AND WE CAN SEE HOW WE CAN IMPLEMENT THEM AND IF IT MAKES THE BEST SENSE. WE HAVE RESIDENTS THAT SHARED THE SAME CONCERN AND WE WILL LOOK AT GETTING LOW-COST SIGNAGE AND GET THE PEOPLE TO THE FIELDS. IT HELPS THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR BECAUSE THEY HAVE STOPPED ANSWERING THE QUESTION ABOUT THE LEFT, RIGHT, OR STRAIGHT.>> I AM OUT THERE, YOU KNOW, ALMOST EVERY WEEKEND WITH MY GRANDSON PLAYING AND I AM LISTENING TO WHAT PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY IN THE RESTROOM, IN THE CONCESSION LINE, UP IN THE STANDS. YOU CAN HEAR THEM SAYING, OKAY -- I HAVE TO WRITE THIS DOWN AND REMEMBER THIS AND I CAN TAKE IT TO WHERE WE ARE AT AND SEE IF WE CAN WORK ON IT. I AM YOUR EYES AND EARS.
>> THANK YOU. >> AT LEAST AT THE LITTLE
LEAGUE COMPLEX. >> THANK YOU. WE APPRECIATE IT.
>> WE HAVE A QUESTION FOR OUR NEXT MEETING. I KNOW IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP MULTIPLE TIMES BY CITIZEN COMMUNICATION ABOUT PEOPLE ON THE BOARD OF THE RESTROOMS THAT I KNOW HOW HARD IT IS. I DO NOT KNOW FIRSTHAND, BUT I KNOW YOU ALL HAVE TOLD US HOW HARD IT IS TO KEEP A PUBLIC RESTROOM THAT CANNOT BE LOCKED UP AND EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO, TO KEEP IT CLEAN AND SUPPLIED.
HOWEVER, AS YOU GO TO THESE CONFERENCES AND KIND OF LEARN BEST PRACTICES AND TALK TO VENDORS THERE, COULD YOU ALL MAYBE LET US KNOW AT A FUTURE MEETING WHAT ARE THE BEST PRACTICES AND WHAT ARE OTHER COMMUNITIES DOING AS FAR AS BEING ABLE TO KEEP SOAP AND PAPER TOWEL OR HAND DRYER AND TOILET PAPER IN THE RESTROOM BECAUSE I KNOW THOSE ARE HARD THINGS TO, YOU KNOW, KEEP BUT IF WE WILL PROVIDE THESE FACILITIES, ESPECIALLY THE NEW ONE AT ETHEL LEE TRACY, HOW WILL YOU MAKE SURE THERE IS TOILET PAPER AND WORKING SINKS
AND SOAP FOR THEM? >> ABSOLUTELY.
>> THANK YOU. >> AND CURIOUS WHEN YOU TALKED ABOUT GATE FEES AND THAT KIND OF THING. AS I AM SITTING HERE AND THINKING WITH REGARD TO FEES AND, AGAIN, IS THERE SUCH A THING AS A DEDICATED FETUS FOR MAINTENANCE OF RESTROOMS DURING THE TOURNAMENT PERIOD? A STRAIGHT UP LINE ITEM.
>> IS THIS WHAT YOU MEAN BY DEPOSIT? AT THE END, THEY HAVE NOT TAKEN CARE OR CLEAN UP THEIR TRASH AND CLEANED UP -- THEY DO NOT GET THE DEPOSIT BACK?
>> THEY FORFEITED THE TOURNAMENT WHERE THERE IS A CANCELLATION. THERE IS ALSO OTHER ALTERNATIVES. A DAMAGE
DEPOSIT. >> USING THE RESTROOM AS BARS OR WHATEVER THEY ARE PULLING THINGS OFF THE WALL. ARE THEY TAKING BASEBALL BATS AND BREAKING THOSE DRYERS AND PAPAL
-- PAPER TOWELS. >> AND THEN A QUICK QUESTION. I DO NOT KNOW MUCH ABOUT THIS. THE DIFFERENT TOURNAMENTS, THEY ARE PAYING LITTLE LEAGUE -- THEY DO NOT CHARGE AND YOU MENTIONED SWINGS AND TEAMS, THEY ARE ALL PAYING TO USE THEM
EQUALLY? >> CORRECT. THE LITTLE LEAGUE -- AND SOUTH TEXAS, THE SAME THING WITH -- THEY PLAY CONTRACTUAL FEES AT A SET RATE PER SEASON. TOURNAMENTS THAT COME IN, ONES THAT PAY THE DEPOSIT, WE GET THEM SCHEDULED FOR THE FIELDS. IT IS A PRO FIELD USAGE. THE RENTAL FEE IS $75 PER FIELD, PER DAY. ON A WEEKEND, YOU CAN GET ANYWHERE WITH 10 FIELDS AND IT IS $1500 A WEEKEND THAT IS COMING IN.
SO, WITH OUR MASTER FEE PLAN, WE HAVE APPROACHED THE COUNCIL TO RESET BY $25 PER FIELD TO GET $100 PER FIELD, AS WELL AS THOSE TOURNAMENTS AS MENTIONED, THAT A TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR CAN COLLECT A GAIT FEE OF THREE DOLLARS TO SEVEN DOLLARS A PERSON OR A WEEKEND PASS FOR $12. THAT IS VERY COMMON IN THE INDUSTRY TO DO. WE COULD LOOK AT THAT IS EITHER THE CITY TAKES OVER THAT AND TELLING TOURNAMENT DIRECTORS WE WILL STAFF AND MAN AND NEGLECT THOSE FEES AND PROBABLY WILL LOSE TOURNAMENTS OR WE WILL TAKE A PERCENTAGE OF, YOU KNOW, 100 OR $200 FOR THE WEEKEND OR A DAY AND COME UP WITH A FEE THAT MAKES SENSE BECAUSE THAT IS HOW THE TOURNAMENT MAKES MONEY FOR TROPHIES AND AWARDS, THE GAIT FEE. THAT IS A TOUCHY SUBJECT, BUT WE COULD STILL GET A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF IT, AS WELL AS THE SCOREBOARDS THAT WE HAVE. THESE NEW ONES THAT ARE COMING IN, THEY WILL COME WITH A SPOT IN THE COULD COME UP WITH A SYSTEM WERE FEE TO GET SPONSORSHIP OR ADVERTISERS AND WE CAN TAKE THOSE FEES AS WELL AND TURN THEM INTO CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENTS AT THE COMPLEX. >> ALL GOOD IDEAS AND
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SUGGESTIONS. THIS HAS BEEN A REOCCURRING ISSUE, SOMETHING, AGAIN, THAT KEEPS COMING BACK. LET'S GET SOME SOLUTIONS.>> ABSOLUTELY. >> I KNOW THERE IS A COST ISSUE
TO IT, BUT YOU KNOW -- >> IF WE CAN RAISE THE RATE ON CHARGING, MAYBE WE COULD STAFF IT MORE.
>> ANOTHER DIRECTOR. >> WITHOUT LOSING TOURNAMENTS.
>> WE ARE READY. I KNOW YOU GUYS, YOU KNOW, ARE WELL AWARE OF IT. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, FOR BRINGING IT UP. LET'S SEE
WHAT WE CAN DO FOR SOLUTIONS. >> YOU WERE SAYING ABOUT THE TOILET PAPER STUFF. ON THOSE WEEKENDS, LIKE LITTLE LEAGUE AND SWINGS AND TRAVEL TEAMS, THERE IS USUALLY A GUY COME IN THE WALL OR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT, AND HE WILL KEEP THE PAPER TOWELS AND THE TOILET PAPER, YOU KNOW, CLEAN AND HE INTRODUCED THE TRASH CANS. THERE IS ONE PERSON OUT THERE DOING ALL OF THAT. THAT IS ONE GOOD THING ABOUT THAT. AS FAR AS THE BIGGER JOBS, THEY ONLY HAVE ONE SINK. I CANNOT GO WASH MY HANDS HERE. I GUESS I WILL JUST WALK OUT. SO, THAT IS ONE OF THE BIG THINGS, THAT ALL THE SINKS WORKED.
>> I THINK IT LEAVES A GOOD IMPRESSION WHEN YOU TRAVEL OUT OF TOWN OR OTHER PLACES AND THEIR FACILITIES ARE NICE AND WE WANT THAT FOR VICTORIA, ESPECIALLY AS THE SPORTS TOURISM IS GROWING. THAT IS SUCH A SIMPLE THING, BUT IT IS IMPORTANT. WE WANT TO HAVE THAT GOOD REPUTATION, THAT OUR FACILITIES ARE CLEAN AND TAKEN CARE OF. EVEN IN -- YEAH.
MAKING SURE EVERYONE IS DOING THEIR JOB AND MAKING SURE THAT THE ATHLETES ARE BEING TAKEN CARE OF.
>> A SHAMELESS PLUG FOR OUR PART TIME AND FULL TIMERS THAT ARE OUT THERE. YOUR WORK MATTERS. IT REALLY DOES MATTER.
WE DO DRIVE THAT HOME AND YOU CERTAINLY ARE CORRECT ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT THEY ARE DOING THOSE, YOU KNOW, CHECKS AND THAT WE ARE VISIBLE. IT IS A KEY PART. JUST BEING VISIBLE CAN DETER SOME OF THAT, THE CONFIDENCE, YOU KNOW, THAT RESIDENTS OR VISITORS THAT WE HAVE COME TO OUR FACILITIES, SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. WE CERTAINLY WILL TAKE THIS AS A NOTATION AND COME BACK TO THE BOARD WITH SOME SOLID PROGRESSIVE SOLUTIONS BECAUSE WE KNOW THERE ARE LOTS OF PEOPLE THAT ARE DOING IT RIGHT. WE ARE DOING IT RIGHT. HOW CAN WE CONTINUE TO GROW AND GET BETTER IN CERTAIN AREAS? WE WILL KEEP IT ON THE -- WE WILL LET OUR TEAM KNOW. THANK YOU FOR NOTICING. HOW ABOUT THAT? THANK YOU FOR NOTICING. THANK
>> ALL RIGHT, ANYTHING ELSE? >> I WAS INVOLVED WITH THE GINGERBREAD EVENT AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER AND I WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND THE ENTIRE CENTER STAFF FOR DOING AN EXCELLENT JOB. THEY WERE VERY HELPFUL AND COURTEOUS. THEY COULD USE MORE EXTENSION CORDS.
>> YES. I WROTE THAT DOWN. YES, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE INTERNAL EVENTS THAT WE WILL PROVIDE THOSE. I KNOW FOR OUR EXTERNAL CUSTOMERS, THAT MAY NOT BE A CHOICE AT THIS PARTICULAR TIME.
MAYBE SOMETHING -- I DO NOT KNOW. WE ALSO ARE LOOKING FOR A COMMUNITY CENTER AND A SUPERVISOR TO SET THE TONE OVER THERE. WE HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT KIND OF MILESTONES, THINGS THAT WE WANT TO KIND OF TACKLE GOING THERE, BUT I CERTAINLY AGREE. SOMETHING THAT SMALL, BUT THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT TO OUR ATTENTION. ANYONE ELSE? ANYONE HAVE ANY TOPICS THEY WANT TO BRING UP AT THIS TIME? WITH THAT, THEN WE
NEED A MOTION TO ADJOURN. >> SO MOVED.
>> SECOND THE MOTION HAS PASSED. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF ADJOURNING ON JANUARY 13TH, SAY YES. WE
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.