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2007 02 13 CC Minutes, SpecialMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN February 13, 2007 - 7:00 p.m. A quorum of members of the Baytown City Council attended the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting on February 13, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber of the Baytown City Hall, 2401 Market Street, Baytown, Texas to hear the aquatic consultant's report with the following in attendance: Stephen H. DonCarlos – Mayor Mercedes Renteria, III - City Council Member, District 1 Brandon Capetillo - City Council Member, District 3 Sammy Mahan - City Council Member, District 6 Bob Leiper - Deputy City Manager Kelvin Knauf - Assistant City Manager The Baytown Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. The first item on the agenda was: Mark Hatchel with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. and Scot Hunsaker with Counsilman-Hunsaker, Inc. will conduct a public meeting regarding the Aquatic Facilities Master Plan. Mr. Scott Johnson, Director for the City of Baytown Parks and Recreation Department, introduced Mark Hatchel with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. along with Scot Hunsaker, President of Counsilman- Hunsaker, Inc. and Kevin Post with Counsilman-Hunsaker, Inc. who conducted the public meeting regarding the Aquatic Facilities Master Plan. Mr. Hatchel began the meeting with opening remarks and introduced the team of Kimley-Horn Associates and Counsilman-Hunsaker, Inc. to the Parks Board Members and guests supported by background information. He stated that he is a Landscape Architect and Park Designer with 30 years of experience in the State of Texas. Counsilman-Hunsaker is the leading aquatic planning and design firm in the United States and Kimley-Horn Associates are nationally known engineers, aquatic designers and park planners. Mr. Hatchel reported that the last aquatic study done in Baytown was in 1998 and since that time two of the pools have been closed, Roseland and McElroy. The City of Baytown has two 1970 vintage pools which are located at the Wayne Gray Sports Complex and N.C. Foote Park which are currently operated by the YMCA. A power point presentation with an overview of the aquatic programming options, costs, operational considerations, and current Texas and nationwide trends in aquatic design was shown and discussed by Mr. Hunsaker. He explained the approach for the aquatics master plan, which is to identify potential user groups, evaluate existing area providers, research area demographics, develop concepts for aquatic programming, develop construction and project cost estimates, estimate revenue potential, estimate operating expenses, and determine cash flow. He explained the types of aquatic programming, such as, competitive, lesson, wellness and therapy programs, and recreation. Mr. Hunsaker stated that aquatic recreation has changed in the past 35 years. He showed slides that consisted of photographs of aquatic recreation elements at municipal facilities with amenities such as Page 2 of 4 Minutes of the Special Council Meeting — February 13, 2007 Waterslides, Flow Riders, Wave pools, Participatory Play Features, Water Vortex, Lazy River/Current Channels, Lily Pad Walk, Floatables, Raindrops, Zero Beach, Tea Cups, Spray Bars and Bubbler. He also provided slides of family aquatic centers in other cities. The presentation consisted of photos of the upcoming aquatic center in Bellaire-Town Square, Hurst-Central Aquatics Center, Mesquite- Vanston Pool and Dallas-Bahama Beach. Upon concluding the presentation, Mark Hatchel and Scot Hunsaker opened the floor for questions regarding the vision for the future of aquatic programming in the Baytown community. Council Member Mahan asked for a cost estimate on the Mesquite pool. Mr. Hunsaker stated that the cost of the pool was $2.2 million. Council Member Mahan asked if access lifts are required for all aquatic facilities and are the access lifts maintained by lifeguards. Mr. Hunsaker stated that access lifts are dependant upon the size of the pool and can be maintained by an attendant. He advised Council Member Mahan that the zero beaches have no sand and have a concrete surface; therefore it is similar to maintaining a pool. Council Member Renteria inquired about the design cost. Mr. Hatchel replied that there will be another 10% for indirect cost including fees, surveys, and geographical services. He also stated that as they bring forward cost estimates for construction costs and indirect costs there will be a detailed breakdown for the project total cost. Mr. Hunsaker added that a retail cost will be provided along with an assumption of a time projection, which is normally a period of two years. Mr. Johnson stated that there has been a discussion on what should be done with the existing pools in Baytown. For instance, should the pools be excavated and one large pool be installed at a nice park and install a spray park in another location or should there be more pools installed. Mr. Johnson also stated that there is a definite need for pools for swimming lessons and various other activities. Council Members Renteria and Mahan along with Mr. Johnson agreed that N.C. Foote pool is very busy during pool season. Council Member Renteria added that this pool is attended by the District 1 residents as well as people from outside the district and outside the city and for this reason he and his constituents would like to keep the N.C. Foote pool and suggested that a spray park be installed at Bergeron Park due to a lack of transportation for the residents in his district. Council Member Renteria also stated that there are three areas that need to be considered: ¾ Building in the oldest section of Baytown due to the needs in the area, ¾ Upgrading on the north side of town, and ¾ The overall theme park. Mr. Hunsaker responded to the comments by stating that one of the goals of Kimley-Horn Associates and Counsilman-Hunsaker is to define success for the City of Baytown. For instance, is the definition of success: ¾ Location, attendance and the overall use of the facility? or ¾ A fiscally sustainable facility or one that meets the program needs, such as, therapy needs, recreational needs, lesson and training need or the competitive needs of the Baytown community? Page 3 of 4 Minutes of the Special Council Meeting — February 13, 2007 Parks Board Member Billy Barnett, stated that he would like to see a facility for all of the citizens of Baytown for every one of all ages to enjoy and also draw out of town guests. He stated that this project should be done right the first time and perhaps a bond can be passed by getting the support of the voters. Wayne Gray, Chairman stated that through research and discussions he has learned that the mega facilities can bring in a lot of revenue in the first several years. He stated that the city should be prepared for competition. He suggested that the City of Baytown not enter into a permanent deferred maintenance program so that in the future of the facility is not shutdown. Mr. Gray also stated that the N.C. Foote pool has reached its life expectancy, but no one wants to see the pool shutdown due to its heavy usage. Mr. Hunsaker stated that for each option that Kimley-Horn Associates and Counsilman-Hunsaker develop; it will include a budget for capital replacement cost, so that funds are available for future repairs. Mr. Hunsaker gave three models of aquatic facilities in the United States. The first model being the “subsidy model”, which is a 1960’s or 1970’s approach where tax dollars are used to build and operate an aquatic facility. The second model is the “Break Even” approach where tax dollars are used to build the facility, but the direct revenue is used to cover the direct expenses of the facility. This is a typical approach. The last model is the “Positive Cash Flow” approach where the user fee will pay for the direct operating cost, and it will also contribute to a portion of the capital. Mr. Hunsaker advised that there is a need to build for the future, but not to build a new obsolete facility like a pool due to the rapid changes in aquatic recreation facilities. Eva Benevides asked that consideration be taken when selecting the type of facility as it will affect the cost of entering the park. She stated that many of the residents of Baytown cannot afford to pay the high cost of many of the large water parks in the area, but they need the recreation for their families. Mr. Hunsaker stated that the process that Kimley-Horn Associates and Counsilman-Hunsaker are doing at this time is the first step of a three part process, which is information gathering, identifying needs and meeting with all groups in the community. He stated that it is their intent to return to the Baytown community within 45 days with different concepts along with bubble diagrams and representations that will basically show what the facility will look like. The consultants will also have on hand a preliminary analysis of the project retail cost in a projected two-year span. An opinion of attendance will be developed and a rough guess regarding location and a starting point on developing a fee schedule. After this process is complete the consultants will return within 45 to 60 days with more of a finished product with all of the support information, then review the draft collectively and present a final draft in early June of 2007. Council Member Brandon Capetillo stated that his definition of success is to meet the needs of the established citizens and the guests of the community and to also remain financially responsible. He stated that the Lewisville model could meet the needs of the community and the needs of all age groups. A resident of the Baytown community asked Mr. Johnson for the proposed site. Mr. Johnson stated that the Wayne Gray Sports Complex would be a good location, but not a definite location. The resident suggested the Goose Creek Stream be developed into an aquatic park. Mr. Hunsaker encouraged that the community not determine a location at this time due to a lack of information. Mr. Hunsaker stated that when he returns in 45 days he will have preliminary findings with regards to site requirements and the amount of land needed for each option. Page 4 of 4 Minutes of the Special Council Meeting — February 13, 2007 The consultants will provide development cost and operating cost on the following options: 1. Escalate prices into current cost from the 1998 feasibility study or an audit done by the Baytown community of the existing aquatic facility to look at what it would take to repair those facilities into current condition. 2. Develop a spray park built on the success of the current installation and perhaps add extra amenities. 3. A neighborhood park with elements of lap lanes, lesson areas, slide elements or more of a neighborhood park aquatic facility by current standards. 4. A destination oriented facility with expanded features of the Lewisville concept. 5. Long course component or a 50 meter pool more of an outdoor concept that could be used for water polo, competitive swimming. Mr. Hunsaker recommended that the options be narrowed from five to three. Mayor DonCarlos suggested that the aquatics plan cover the entire City of Baytown. He stated that a spray park should be considered in an area such as Bergeron Park and be expanded on the concept of a neighborhood or family oriented facility at N.C. Foote Park. He expressed that the community and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board should not think small and should present the plan as a package to be completed at one time and not in phases. He also expressed that Mr. Johnson’s idea of a surfing facility be considered, because it would be a unique idea in this area. He stated that Hotel/Motel Tax dollars could possibly be used to draw regional guests to the facility. He discourages the wave pool concept since LaPorte and Mount Belleview already have these type facilities. He advised that City Council seems to be moving forward toward a November bond issue and would like to charge the citizens bond committee with developing the aquatics program as part of a major bond issue in November. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m. ______________________________ Lorri Coody, City Clerk