Notes from the Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting on 7/29/09
The members of the Parks and Recreation Committee are Scott Muenz, Chair; Phyllis Jackson, Vice Chair; Linda Montemayor, Secretary; Bert Buys; Maria McCarns; Megan Mutschler; and Donny Jones. All members were present. Also present at the meeting were Council members David Legendre and Gary Johnson and Mayor Schoolcraft.
The Mayor swore in all the members. Donny Jones and Megan Mutschler were new appointments and all the other members were reappointments (the committee membership was recently increased from five to seven). He reminded them of the training they are required to complete on the Open Meetings and Open Records acts. He also gave them a few instructions regarding Robert’s Rules of Order and conducting meetings. The Mayor also reminded them that they are an advisory committee to the City Council, and that the Council does not need their approval before taking any actions.
They then elected officers. Scott Muenz was re-elected as Chair, Phyllis Jackson as Vice Chair, and Megan Mutschler was elected as Secretary.
Corey Peschke, with the San Antonio Disc Golf Association, was present to answer any questions the committee members might have about disc golf. Linda expressed concerns about the safety of the players and the people driving by (discs being accidentally thrown out of the park toward FM 1560 resulting in players running out into traffic to retrieve them or discs hitting passing cars or distracting drivers) and the City’s liability. Concerns were also expressed about discs hitting the house next to the park.
Mr. Peschke stated that he thought the course should be changed to a circular design where discs are thrown away from the streets and houses. He thought it should be a “putter only” course (apparently the putter discs are shaped differently). He also didn’t think the area could be used as a natural area and a disc golf course.
When asked about tournaments, he said that a tournament could have 8 to 10 participants or over 90. The committee thinks that there would be room for 10 to 15 cars to park. Linda asked Mayor Schoolcraft if the City was going to charge a fee to play and/or a fee for tournaments. The Mayor said they had not anticipated charging fees or having tournaments.
The committee also discussed the demonstration of disc golf that will apparently be held soon.
Mr. Peschke said that he personally thought that the area was too small for a disc golf course.
No action was proposed or taken. According to the agenda they were supposed to discuss and take action on a recommendation to Council.
Following this item there was a long discussion on upcoming events setting dates, times, and committee assignments and duties for each event. I thought I heard them make a motion to remove this item and the next from the agenda. Bert Buys made the motion and Linda Montemayor seconded it and they all voted in favor. However, I guess I heard it wrong, because they then proceeded to discuss both items.
The Easter egg hunt was scheduled for March 27, 2010. The Christmas tree lighting was scheduled for December 4, 2009. The Christmas night parade was scheduled for December 12, 2009. Also on their list was Volunteer Day, MarketPlace in Old Town Helotes, and Movie Night, but they stated that these dates are decided by City staff, and the funding comes out of park money.
The next discussion was on a budget request to submit to Council. After much discussion, they decided that they would ask for $10,000. They stated that the Chair would submit the request to Council detailing how much money they are requesting per event and what the money would be used for. They had discussed the uses of the money, e.g., prefilled eggs, candy, toys, maybe refreshments for the Easter egg hunt ($900); decorations for both inside and outside City Hall and food ($2,500); advertising, mail-outs, food, trophies for the Christmas parade ($2,500); which totals $5,900. Then when the motion was made, Linda said she thought they should ask for $10,000, so I’m not sure how the Chair will itemize the request. It was not part of the motion, but all were in favor of asking for $10,000.
They then discussed signage for the Helotes Natural Area. Apparently, they had discussed this at another meeting, because Linda explained what they had decided in the past. They wanted a rustic treated wood sign, and they said something about a metal arch. I didn’t really understand what they were talking about, and, again, no motion was made and no vote was taken.
The next agenda item was discussion and action on their “Fill the Tree” fundraiser. In the last City newsletter, they announced the “Fill the Tree’ program. They are asking Helotians to donate money to their committee/the City to fund these events and the committee’s work with the City’s park system. The donation form is shaped like a leaf, and when it is given to City staff with a donation, it is apparently placed on the tree on display at City Hall, thus the “Fill the Tree” concept. Apparently they have not received any leaves, but they decided to continue with the program and run the information again in the next newsletter.
The next item was discussion and action on a recommendation to be submitted to City Council regarding a celebration of the City’s 30th anniversary in August 2011. They thought it was a good idea, but they were premature in considering this event. They had talked previously about having a picnic on municipal grounds. They consider Council member Cynthia Massey as the City’s historian, and she wants to do more research. A motion was made to postpone this item; all were in favor.
The last agenda item was discussion of future agenda items. Phyllis Jackson wants the committee to consider some kind of “Spring Fling.” She also wants the City to consider purchasing the land next to the Helotes Natural Area. She has heard that it was for sale. Megan Mutschler wanted to discuss more fundraising ideas. I assume these items will be on their next agenda.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.