Parks & Recreation Advisory Board: September 10, 2026

Call to Order

Chair Teresa Sustaita called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and declared a quorum present.

Present: Chair Teresa Sustaita, Vice Chair Kenny Barnhill, and Members Darlene Dunaway and Javier Trevino. Absent: Member Brett Mobley. Staff: Tammy Lindquist, Parks & Recreation Director and Staff Liaison.

Citizens to Be Heard

Chair Sustaita read the following statement: Pursuant to Tex. Gov’t Code §551.042, the Board may not deliberate on or take action on any subject not posted on the agenda.

Loretta Weatherby, Fanny Pack Estates, asked whether the ducks at Queso Creek Park have a leader and, if so, whether the leader can be reasoned with. Chair Sustaita thanked Ms. Weatherby and stated that the ducks are posted as Item 4.

Rusty Hatfield, 700 block of W Chili Dog St, asked whether Sweet Tea Lake could be filled with sweet tea for the Fourth of July as a one-time thing. Chair Sustaita thanked Mr. Hatfield and stated that the Board could not deliberate on the matter. Director Lindquist stated for the record that Sweet Tea Lake is 61 acres.

Approval of Minutes

Motion by Vice Chair Barnhill, second by Member Trevino, to approve the minutes of the June 11, 2026, regular meeting as presented. Motion carried 4–0.

Queso Creek Park Waterfowl Management

Director Lindquist presented the staff report. Staff counted 71 ducks at Queso Creek Park on August 20, 2026, compared with 44 in August 2024. Most are domestic and Muscovy ducks, which are not native to the creek and are believed to have been released by their owners.

Since June 1, 2026, Parks and Animal Services have received 19 reports involving ducks, including six reports of ducks pursuing park users, two reports of sandwiches taken from picnic tables and one report of ducks occupying the reserved pavilion. Staff has observed the ducks gathering at the pavilion about ten minutes before each reservation begins. The ducks remain aggressive and well organized.

Feeding waterfowl in a park is already prohibited by Section 12-7 of the Code of Ordinances. Director Lindquist reported that the solicitation for duck signage (ITB-2026-04) was cancelled in April, and that the FY 2027 budget includes $1,860 for six signs advising visitors not to approach the ducks, which staff will purchase and install directly. Staff recommended that the Board support:

1. Installing the six budgeted signs at the trailhead, the pavilion and the creek bank;
2. A 60-day period of written warnings for violations of Section 12-7, followed by citations; and
3. Working with Animal Services and a licensed waterfowl rescue to rehome domestic ducks, and consulting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service before any action involving Muscovy ducks.

Member Dunaway asked what the ducks are being fed. Director Lindquist stated that reports most often mention bread and tortillas, and in one case a kolache. Vice Chair Barnhill asked about the creek bank. Director Lindquist stated that Section 12-7 allows her to close portions of the trail when waterfowl activity creates a hazard, and that she has not yet done so.

Motion by Member Dunaway, second by Vice Chair Barnhill, to recommend the staff plan for signage, enforcement and rehoming as presented. Motion carried 4–0.

Sweet Tea Lake Park Boat Ramp

Director Lindquist reported that the boat ramp at Sweet Tea Lake Park, closed since June 22, 2026, reopened Monday, August 31, 2026. The project replaced the 1987 concrete ramp with a launch lane 16 feet wide, up from 12 feet, that extends 20 feet farther into the lake. It added a 40-foot floating courtesy dock and two LED lights, and regraded the gravel lot with 14 marked trailer spaces. The contractor was Lakeside-ish Marine Construction, LLC.

Funding	Amount
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department boating access grant (75%)	$160,725
City share, Park Improvement Fund (25%)	$53,575
Total project cost	$214,300

The ramp is open during park hours, dawn to 10:00 p.m. There is no launch fee.

The alligator advisory sign was removed during construction and has been reinstalled at the top of the ramp in its original location, with its original wording. Staff was unable to locate a record of who installed the sign originally.

No action was taken.

Trunk-or-Treat 2026

Director Lindquist presented the event plan. Trunk-or-Treat will be held Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Dad Bod Memorial Park. It is free for children 12 and under with an adult. Staff is seeking at least 45 trunks this year. Trunk host registration is free and closes Friday, October 23, at 5:00 p.m.

Proposed rules for trunk hosts:

• Hosts arrive between 4:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. and remain parked until 7:15 p.m.
• Candy must be individually wrapped and store-bought. Hosts should plan on at least 300 pieces.
• No open flames. Battery-operated lights only.
• Fog machines are limited to three bursts per hour.

A costume contest will be held at 6:00 p.m. near the grill, with age groups of 4 and under, 5–8 and 9–12, plus a pet category. Best Trunk will be judged at 6:00 p.m. by members of City Council. Staff will request the closure of Okra St between E 2nd St and E 4th St from 3:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Constabulary Unit 7 will participate and will hand out candy from its basket.

Motion by Vice Chair Barnhill, second by Member Trevino, to approve the Trunk-or-Treat 2026 event plan as presented. Motion carried 4–0. Chair Sustaita and Member Dunaway will staff the registration table, and Vice Chair Barnhill and Member Trevino will judge the costume contest. Staff will contact Member Mobley about his availability.

Director’s Report and Items for Future Agendas

Director Lindquist reported that the Queso Creek Park pavilion has 14 reservations in October. Chair Sustaita requested an update on waterfowl management at the next regular meeting, December 10, 2026.

Adjournment

There being no further business, Chair Sustaita adjourned the meeting at 7:04 p.m.

Draft minutes, pending approval by the Board.

Attest: Tammy Lindquist, Parks & Recreation Director and Staff Liaison