City of Lawrence

Parks & Recreation Advisory Board               

March 14th, 2006

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Chair, Bill Penny, Vice Chair, Chris Schumm, Tom Bracciano and Kelly Barth

 

MEMBERS ABSENT

Sharon Spratt

 

STAFF PRESENT:

Fred DeVictor, Mark Hecker, Ernie Shaw and Roger Steinbrock

 

 

          Meeting was called to order by Chair, Penny.  Minutes of the March 14th meeting were approved on a motion by Bracciano, 2nd by Barth.

 

          Schumm reported that his family utilized Prairie Park and the Nature Center often and wanted to tell staff that this was an excellent facility and programs are well run.

 

          Penny reported he felt it important to comment about trail connection needs in the proposed planning for the Harris development in east Lawrence near Pennsylvania Street.  The Board concurred that this should be brought up.

 

          DeVictor reported on the LPRD business plan for the Carnegie Building and this would be discussed by the City Commission on May 2nd.  The Board advocated for this facility to be managed by LPRD and to remain available for public use.

 

          DeVictor reported that a draft of an RFP and cooperative agreement will be discussed by the four entities; city, county, schools district and Chamber for a needs assessment for the PLAY committee.  Once agreement is reached the RFP will be mailed to vendors interested in doing feasibility studies.

 

          Hecker reported on the 2nd generation park projects and indicated that we have recommended we begin with Clinton Park, do some design work and bidding in house and would complete these four park projects over several years.

 

          Hecker reviewed the five-year CIP plan with the Board.  The Board discussed the overall parks and recreation needs on the CIP list and asked for Chair Penny to send a letter to the Mayor and City Commission expressing concern for the mounting project needs and interest to continue using the sales tax funding source for these future projects.

 

          Steinbrock reported summer brochures came out April 2nd and high interest has been shown for classes, camps and activities.  49% of enrollment was done on line the first week which is 10% higher fro summer activities.  He also reported on the successful “Fun in the Park” held in South Park on April 2nd, which celebrated our 60th year of organized recreation in Lawrence.

 

          Shaw reported the annual Easter Egg Hunt would be held April 15th in South Park and indoor pool.  He said recreation revenue through March was $325,000.

 

          Hecker reported he was working on the budget and spring was a high workload time getting water turned on in parks, ball diamonds ready for spring play and beginning flower plantings.

 

          Shaw reported a new scoreboard would be dedicated tonight at the Ice Field at the Holcom Sports Complex in memory of Gayle Armbrister.  He was a long time baseball coach who passed away suddenly last fall.  About $33,000 has been raised privately and the committee was chaired by Lee Ice.

 

          Meeting adjourned at 1:00P.M.   Next meeting May 9th, 2006.