^thanks.

I agree, were here about fishing not bickering. We all need to take care of our lakes so we have a place to fish. I hope TT make improvements that will benefit all of us. I am sure the prices will go up but I hope that it will be reasonable enough so that we can all continue to use the lake.

Wonderful Jennifer Ramos, District 3 CouncilWoman, is getting us some answers. Braunig lake is considered a 'park' in her District. Here is the first response from CPS to her inquiry, I think she will have more later. Notice, the CPS Board did not vote on it, Something about the purchase not 'rising to the level...'. I guess only money rises to that level.

"Report on Calaveras and Braunig Lake Parks
Response to Councilwoman Jennifer Ramos’ Questions on New Contract for Operation and Management of the Lake Parks

Question #1: Will fees increase?

What has been reported in the media and some internet forums as a fee increase was a request by Thousand Trails to redefine the $4.00 24-Hour Park Entrance Permit as a Day Use Permit beginning January 1, 2010. Thousand Trails observation was that under the San Antonio River Authority’s management, some park patrons were being allowed to purchase the 24 Hour Park Entrance Permit instead of the $8 Camping Permit and stay on the grounds overnight or for multiple days effectively camping for a lower price. Implementation of that requested change is under review by CPS Energy and based on input received thus far will not be implemented as requested as it appears to penalize other park patrons, in particular night time fishermen.

Question #2: Will hours be shortened?

Thousand Trails operation and management proposal to CPS Energy was based on closing the parks 2 hours earlier; 8 p.m. instead of 10 p.m. Based on their experience, an 8 p.m. closing time was consistent with other parks’ operations in the industry and allowed them to have the most efficient and cost effective staffing rotations. CPS Energy has asked Thousand Trails to provide us with input on the operational and financial impact of leaving the parks open until 10 p.m. so we can further evaluate this operational change. CPS Energy will require Thousand Trails to keep the parks open until 10 p.m. until we can fully evaluate the operational and financial impact.

Question #3: When is the effective date of the contract?

December 1, 2009

Question #4: Why a fifteen year contract?

An initial Request for Proposals was sent out with a requirement for a 5 year term. No qualified bid responses were received so some of the potential providers were contacted to see why they did not bid. One of the reasons given by a couple of potential providers was the short term of the contract. Five (5) years did not give them enough time to recoup their investment in startup costs and improvements needed to make the parks cost effective to operate. Their suggestions and input from our consultants led us to increase the term to 15 years on the next Request for Proposal issued. That second Request for Proposal is the one to which Thousand Trails responded. Thousand Trails was the only qualified bidder to our RFP.

Questions #5 & #6: What procurement procedures were used, i.e., did Board of Trustees
approve the contract? If they did not review and approve, why not?

This purchase was competitively let and was publicly advertised. The review of procurements by the Board of trustees is set forth in our procurement policy. As a general service, the value of this purchase did not rise to the level of Board review."

I stopped by Calaveras yesterday on my way home and spoke to the gentleman at the gate. He told me everything will stay AS IS (operating hours & cost) until 1 January 2010 at that time the 8:00 p.m. gate closing will go into effect. All Annual passes purchased from SARA will be honored until expiration date. TT will also be offering an annual pass in the near future to all boaters/fishermen (no insight on the cost though). 4 RV Slots will be going in immediately on the finger between the boat launches for the TT employees (also RV'ers) that will be operating the park. The bathrooms are going to be first priority or atleast on the top of the list. They will also be adding showers from what the gentleman told me. From what I gathered the area to the South of the entrance will be fitted with 12-15 RV hook ups. He also told me that there will be major efforts to try and make the Lake a more enjoyable place for everyone.


Rob

Well so far it's not sounding to bad. I'm just happy we'll be able to fish the lakes. The 8pm closing time doesn't really bother me. I have never arrived out there after 8pm.
Sounds like the facilities will get better. May be the bank fisherman will loose some spots to the RV sites.

Thanks for the report Rob. He was not as forthcoming for me yesterday. You must have charm. I agree that it does seem like an effort to improve the lakes.

My bottom-line question:

"Is there any enforceable language in the contract which will require TT to give access to the public for 'some' bank fishing and use of the boat ramps without purchasing a TT membership."

I want to know what controls CPS has over TT so that we do not lose all control over what TT does to these lakes.

Don,

I can talk a starving dog off a meat wagon lol. I appreciate all the digging you are doing for us and all the other people that visit those 2 lakes sir. I figured since it is on my way home from work I would stop yesterday and see what I could add to your post. The gentleman seemed nice enough and even laughed and joked a bit. I told him that us as sportsmen that enjoyed fishing the lake are able to avoid some of the riff-raff because we have boats but would like to see more enforcement of the gamelaws and just all around responsibility of the park visitors increase. He and said things were going to change for the better and hoped we would appreciate the changes. I too would like to ensure I don't have to purchase one of their pricey memberships to be able to enjoy the Lake. I also expressed to him I often visit the Lake during summer hours around 6:00 p.m. and leave around 10-11:00 p.m. and was a bit concerned about having to pay $4 twice when doing so. He mentioned something about extended hours passes (I'm sure will cost a little more than $4) but did not mention anything once again about the price. I did not want to pry too hard as it seemed I was atleast getting some truthful answers from him. The gentleman also told me the STORE will be coming back and it will include some fishing and camping gear. He said they will be keeping SOME of the vending machines but they want to restore the the store type atmosphere. I forgot to ask him if they would be bringing back the bait stand as well, but since he mentioned getting rid of the bait vending machine. I took it for granted that he was implying they will have a FULL bait stand once again also.


Rob

thanks guys for the info...just to clarify i was not at all being racist i am not like that. I guess my smart@$$ comments got misinterpreted. Is pretty hard to tell someones tone on the internet lol. Thanks for cleaning the thread up and i apologize if i offended anyone, was not my intention. See yall out there Saturday! Good Fishing guys!

Don,

You have started some great work here. I do not fish those lakes as often as some on this forum, but I must say I love Feb through April on those lakes. Slaying the bucket mouths and then the stripers is alot of fun. I will also say I used to frequent Cally and Brauni more often about 8 or 10 years ago when they were nice places to go with a store and clean facilities. I used to go in the evening fish late, crash out, get up early grab some munchies from the store and then start fishing at day light again.

Anyways, enough with my personal story. I love to Bass fish and left those lakes due to the traffic on the bank and the riff raff made you feel unsafe. you could not get to the shallow reeds with out running your prop through 5 million lines, and on top of that the restrooms were horrible the bushes and dry leaves as TP were more inviting, so I hope changes are for the better.

Please keep us informed and let us know if there is anything we can do. My house is literally 15 mins from Calli and I would love to see some positive AFFORDABLE changes. If they raise rates and charge about what state parks do, I am all good. Hopefully they will runn it more like the corp of enigineers parks though.

Let us know how we can help. I am willing to phone a representative and apply pressure if I have to.

The couple who are running the show, Ken and Janet, are really nice people.

Thanks Rodney. So far, so good. Let's see what the contract says and see if steering pressure is needed. You are a true stakeholder. Amen to the RR problems.

Sounds like things are looking up. Maybe all our concerns were for nothing. When you start messing with someone's fishing, it's bound to stir up anxiety. Don..do you expect to receive a copy of the contract in a hardcopy? A PDF document would be easier to disemiate. Good work Don..
Roger

Roger,
I agree that we are feeling better, but the language in the contract is what can make or break. If there is any tweaking of the contract to do, better now than later.

I made an official Public Records request yesterday for an electronic copy. I have not received a reply yet that they even received my request. Law says that I am due a prompt reply. I will check on it tomorrow. When it comes, I will put a link to it here.

Here is some good news about public health and the lakes.

http://sanantonio.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2009/11/30/daily32.html

Wow ... this would be Great !

It is encouraging that TT's staffing at the lakes appear to be easy to get along with, however upper management will set the rules & decide on upon changes. As large as the company is, we may never see or talk to the "chiefs".
Roger

Update on the search for the contract language between TT and CPS:

From CPS:

Question: "Is there anything in the contract which requires TT to keep the lakes open for the public to do 'some' bank fishing and to use the boat ramps without having to pay for a TT membership?"

Response: The agreement calls for operating, among other things, camping facilities, boat ramps, fishing piers, courtesy docks, fish cleaning stations and for providing the public with reasonably priced, quality facilities. There is nothing in the contract creating any type of membership requirement for bank fishing or use of boat ramps.[/b]


Regarding my request to see the contract: Response from CPS:

Mr. Gadberry,
CPS Energy has notified Thousand Trails of your request for the contract regarding the management of Calaveras Lake Park and Braunig Lake Park because it may contain proprietary and confidential third party information. Thousand Trails objects to the release of the contract. CPS Energy will request an opinion from the Attorney General of Texas ("AG") so that Thousand Trails will have an opportunity to submit their arguments as to why their information should be withheld. You will be copied on all correspondence to the AG.


Thank You,
Frances M. Flores, CP
Certified Paralegal
CPS Energy
Legal Services Division



We need to do some research with Thousand Trails and its members to see if there are any of their parks which do not require a TT timeshare-like membership. I will be looking around and submit an inquiry with Thousand Trails.

TT objecting to the release of the TT/CPS contract to the public is not a good sign.
Roger

I was thinking the exact same thing Roger.




Rob

This is the usual knee-jerk reaction. Many bids have inside, proprietary information submitted in response to the bid request that the company does not want open to public and competitors to view. Often the AG will say to withhold certain pages and let the rest out. That is the part I want. Takes time though to get it though. Very pleased with the promptness of the CPS response for the open record. They are required to get permission from the bidding vendor and we got it quickly.

I did a little more online researching today & found quite a bit at RV.NET/FORUMS..some people were happy, others were not. Seems like most complants were about membership fees & maintenance fees. One person wrote that paying 325.00 a year maintence fee & having clean bathroom, grounds, etc was worth every penny. I also read someting about going under chapter 11 back in 2002-2003. I have no idea about their present financial status. May have been bought out by another company.
Roger

They have not responded to my inquiry. I think I need to go to one of the better travel forums and ask some of the TT users if TT has public access parks and lakes.

well they have parks on medina and it's public correct

Don't know...too late to call tonight.

http://1000trails.com/getaways/texas/medinalake.asp

Silver Leaf Resorts has a place on Canyon Lake, but they didn't close down public access to Canyon Lake. It's one thing to build an area where people can feel special, but to prohibit others from using the lake seems like piracy to me.