Lago Vista parks advisory committee discusses staff hire, pickleball repairs and trail work

The Lago Vista Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee on an evening meeting discussed a prospective hire for parks leadership, short-term staffing moves, repair work at several parks and the status of a turnback-trail grant as it prepares priorities for the coming fiscal year.

Committee members reported that the city extended an employment offer to David Montgomery Scott, described at the meeting as a local Lago Vista resident who currently serves in an interim parks role in California; the group said the hire would likely begin in August if Scott accepts. Committee members and staff said parks remains understaffed and that a temporary employee had been reassigned from streets to parks to help with mowing and cleanup until permanent hiring is completed.

Why it matters: the committee framed the hire and immediate repairs as prerequisites to executing a multi-year parks plan that will be folded into the city manager’s budget recommendation to council. Committee members repeatedly emphasized staging for next year’s work and reserving larger, more expensive projects for the subsequent fiscal year if funding is limited.

Most immediate priorities discussed included repairs to the pickleball courts, lighting and a related list of safety and amenity improvements at Sunset Park. The committee noted the court surface has been patched, a matting system with a 10-year warranty was installed to address slab cracking, and a new net was installed after players raised concerns; participants said one of the repair line items was a roughly $60,000 slab-related option discussed at the meeting. Committee members expressed preference for a long-lasting repair over a quick resurfacing that might fail within a year and encouraged review with the incoming parks leader to find cost-effective, durable solutions.

The committee also discussed the status of a turnback-trail grant that some members understood to have a June 30 expiration for certain phases. Eric Dillon Cruz, identified at the meeting as the city’s procurement manager and assistant city secretary, was referenced as the staff member who helps move grant- and contract-related items to completion. Committee members said portions of the trail work have been completed in phases and encouraged site visits to verify completion and access improvements.

Youth-league facilities and agreements arose in the discussion: members noted a 25-year agreement between the city and a youth league for maintenance of an upper field at Parkay is expiring and that the league has been primarily responsible for upkeep. Committee members said they have discussed shifting maintenance responsibility toward a year-to-year arrangement while the city and committee determine long-term ownership, management and funding.

The committee did not take formal action during the meeting. Members said next steps include meeting with the incoming parks leader to review the committee’s presentation and to develop a prioritized, phased work plan for the coming fiscal year and the following year in case council funding is constrained.

Ending: committee members agreed to present recommended priorities to the new parks leader and to coordinate with city staff and council during the budget process; no formal motions or votes were recorded on hiring or capital authorizations during the meeting.