Great Hills Park Meeting Minutes
February 15, 2026, Time: 6:30 – 8pm
Location: Triumphant Love Church
Secretary: Amy Johnston Harper
Members Present:
Mark Johnson
Paul Clarke
Sierra Kumar
Anu Mathews
Amy Johnston Harper
Cathie Richard
Rodney Peshel
Tom Meserole
Ralph Marston
Marie Laing
Isobel Lopez
Austin Lane
Areej Siddiq
Sheri Brummet
Chris Thompson
Scott Prevrati
Meeting Called to Order: By Mark Johnson at 6:32
The minutes from the Summer Park Meeting 2025 were approved as presented.
Mark Johnson nominated Amy Johnston Harper as Secretary. Cathie Richard seconded. Motion Passed.
Committee Reports:
CHAIR
- The position of Treasurer remains open. Mark Johnson is Acting Treasurer. Currently have $8,470. Additionally a large donation was made to Friends of the Parks of Austin. $40,000 has been earmarked for GHP. Spent nearly $20,000 on park benches and playscape. The remaining $20,850 is still available. That money is restricted to park specific items and needs a long lead time.
- Brick donations are still being taken. $150 for a brick. We received a $600 donation this year for one brick. When we receive several donations in a year, we typically delay ordering until we need about 5 bricks. For the occasional donation, such as this year’s, we don’t delay.
TRAILS
- Finding signs and other large pieces of wood attached to trees – Marie suspects it’s the “bike people.” If signs -or other things attached to wood- are found in the future, let Mark know and he’ll get them removed.
FLAG
- Chris Tompson: New flag was put up today – Sunday. Still creating an improved mechanism to keep the cable in the proper position and make it stay easier to raise and lower.
GARDENING
- Anu Mathews: They meet most Friday mornings, 7.15am. Current projects include watering flower beds, weeding flower beds, and picking up trash. Open to more volunteers. Check with Tami about being added to the mailing list.
KIOSKS
- Rodney: Taylor Draper roof is in need of replacing asap.
- Rodney: Called 311 and the city removed the large log that fell across the dam. Will send pictures to Ralph to post on website.
- Tom: Floral Park Kiosk roof needs some repair. There’s been no vandalism this year. But the wildflower garden was not replanted due to the droughts. Some perennials are coming back.
EVENT SIGNS
- Tom: Most signs make their way back home – 1 disappears every 4-5 meetings
- Sheri: Easter Egg Hunt needs new signs. Tom to look into it.
Chimney Sweeps Update
Chimney swift towers were cleaned on Friday 2/13 before storm. Sweeps only allow 1 nest per chimney sweep. Counting of Chimney Sweeps should be scheduled in August and September. Mark to organize.
WEBMASTER
- Ralph: The website should be moved from his private server to a managed server. His recommendation is to use BlueHost at a cost of $143.64 for the first 3yrs. After that, the list price is $120/year – typical for most companies. SSL certificate expires next month. Blue Host would cover the cost of SSL. Domain registration is through Go Daddy. It’s paid for through Sept 2027. Go Daddy runs about $18 per year for a .org site. Site is built on WordPress – both Ralph and Mark can post. But only Ralph really knows how to navigate major site changes. Anyone can be given access to post to the site.
- Motion was made to have Ralph transfer Web hosting and Admin to Blue Host and Park Committee to 3yr host fee. Sheri seconded. Motion Passed.
BAT HOUSES
- Three houses were added/replaced last summer. No bats yet, maybe some in March. Can take up to 3 years. Will keep an eye out to look for guano. If it’s found, a plan to clean it will need to be created.
CAMPING IN PARKS
- It’s not allowed. The process if you find someone camping: Report it to 311. If the request is closed, it means it’s been routed to the proper division. If there are illegal activities, or wild/vicious dogs, call 911. GH Parks Committee does not enforce camping rules.
EAGLE SCOUT PROJECTS
- Arun: Bruno sponsored. Replaced eroded and broken steps at the Sierra Nevada entrance and along the main trail above the first water crossing. Fallen logs were used. 20 volunteers helped. Project complete.
- Zach: Mark is sponsoring. Replace the roof to two kiosks – about 4hrs work for each, Taylor Draper and by the Playscape roofs selected. New plywood and extend roof, tar paper and cedar shakes with ridge cap. Asked if the Park Committee could sponsor half the cost – $365.
- Motion made to financially sponsor half this Eagle Scout Project. Motion approved.
IMPD
- Sierra has it set for March 7 from 9-12. Mulching trees and path, garden beds, telescope, trash pick up around trails, and exercise area. She earned grants from Austin Parks Foundation to pay for her project. 55 volunteer slots, 49 are already filled online sign up at APF. She can add more if needed.
NEW BUSINESS
- Request for a new sign at Sierra Oaks & Sierra Tahoe. Sheri Brummet to take the lead. First step is to obtain bids.
- Request to get more involvement in removal of invasive species. Marie said the Forestry Dept says we can continue any type of work we’ve already done. Marie says we’ve done this type of work in the past. The word would be spread through social media.
FIRE MITIGATION
- Based on the success of May 31st and Dec 6 workdays, should the Park continue to have fire mitigation cleanups? District Rep Marc Duchen was instrumental in driving support. Austin Parks Foundation (APF) paid to haul away the brush both times. $2550 for May 31st; a higher amount for December 6.
- Recommended another Fire Mitigation Cleanup be set for April. One month after IMPD, volunteer participation could be lower. Need to start getting word out and drive participation. Need someone to take the lead on this. No one volunteered so Mark will take the lead.
Meeting Adjourned: 8:00pm
Submitted by: Amy Johnston Harper