06-07-2017 Parks & Rec Commission Minutes

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MINUTES PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION June 7, 2017 can be brought to residents instead of the traditional method of having citizens come to City Hall. Kost mentioned fact sheets would also be prepared to share with residents. He also noted a community survey would be included. Kost indicated the next step would be a revised needs assessment. He explained parks would be classified and levels of service would be determined. Kost stated this would also be the step where he and Springer would look at resident’s access to park land. These measures would be compared to surrounding communities. Kost would also look at social trends, evaluate how to anticipate future needs, and draft system enhancements. Finally, the master plan would be outlined and drafted. Chair Miller asked if the survey would be online. Kost explained part of the idea behind the Canadian Days pop up meeting would be to pass out stickers or small business cards with URL links to the survey. He noted paper copies would also be available. Kost stated the length of the survey would be no more than 15 questions to maximize responses. He indicated the purpose of the survey would be to see how people’s park needs are met, and to understand how the parks are being used. Kost expected to see 500 – 1000 survey responses. Kost noted the final step would be to draft the plan and hold a public hearing early in 2018, and pending that meeting compile the final plan. Chu asked how SEH would address changing demographics within the City. Kost explained allowing for flexible meetings throughout the process, instead of planning them out specifically at the beginning, allowed him to get to know the community, and then the meetings can be tailored to different groups of people. He noted the survey also allowed for a broader range of participation. Kost explained he found it important to meet people where they are at, instead of making them come to City Hall. The City Administrator asked Kost to discuss the Commission’s role in the process. Kost stated he would need the Commission’s help running the booth, this would allow the booth to be open longer and hopefully attract more people. He also noted he would need help connecting with volunteer groups and other organizations like the LCRA. Kost noted he would like to see a short presentation put together for an LCRA meeting to raise awareness about getting input for the plan. Chair Miller suggested having something to give to residents when talking with them to remind them to share their input. Kost stated he could have small business cards or even stickers made to give to residents. He noted this may be more effective than large brochures, because people are less likely to throw them away. Councilman Fischer stated business card work well because of their size and indicated Night to Unite would be a good way to spread the word about the Park Master Plan. He explained the City