City of Lawrence

Parks & Recreation Advisory Board               

January 10th, 2006

 

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Chair Sharon Spratt, Vice Chair Bill Penny, Tom Bracciano and Kelly Barth

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Chris Schumm

 

STAFF PRESENT:

Fred DeVictor, Mark Hecker, Ernie Shaw and Roger Steinbrock

 

GUESTS:

Marie Thompson and Lynne Zollner

 

         

 

          Meeting called to order by Chair Spratt.  Minutes of the December 13th meeting were approved on a motion by Bracciano, 2nd by Barth.

 

          The Board congratulated staff on the planting of trees on the highly visible medians on Clinton Parkway and Bob Billings Parkway.

 

          On a motion by Barth, 2nd by Bracciano, Bill Penny was elected Chair and Chris Schumm Vice-Chair for 2006.  The Board thanked Sharon Spratt for her services as Chair in 2005.

 

          Lynne Zollner, Historic Planner was introduced to discuss the designation of Hobbs Park to the Lawrence Register of Historic Places.  She explained the process and answered questions of both staff and the Board.  She indicated the Murphy-Bromelsick house did not qualify for historical designation since it had been moved to the site in the park.  After considerable discussion Barth made a motion to support this local historic designation for Hobbs Park, 2nd by Penny.  Motion carried unanimously.  Zollner said the recommendation would go to the City Commission for their consideration.

 

          Marie Thompson, representing the “Kansas River Expressions of Soul” project, was introduced.  She explained the Art Guild’s project promoting ecology and natural habitat type art along the Kansas River.  Staff had set up a tour of various river access points in Riverfront Park for her committee.  After seeing photos of types of art, concern was expressed about art placed in the river channel where it is likely to flood and destroy any art.  Also it was pointed out that this group would need to go to the Arts Commission to address the “Art in Public Places” policy.  Bracciano made a motion, 2nd by Barth to support the concept of developing art along the Kansas River.  Motion carried.

 

          DeVictor discussed park site evaluation criteria, which was handed out at the last meeting.  This would be used as a tool to help analyze sites for future consideration for parks.  The Board reviewed the draft criteria and on a motion by Bracciano, 2nd by Spratt, ok’d the criteria, which would help provide better assessment and justification of possible park sites as they are brought forward to the Board, Planning Commission and City Commission.

 

          DeVictor reported the sale of the Sport to Sport facility to Mike Elwell for a tennis center was finalized in early January.  The owner has expressed interest in acquiring some city owned land north of their property to build outdoor courts.  Staff will keep the Board informed of any further discussion about this.

 

          Shaw handed out a year-end report showing recreation division revenue of $1,405,751, which is $42,441 more than budget projections.  DeVictor said reports on golf were not finalized for 2005 but rounds were up and revenue increased about 3% and expenditures were down about the same percentage.

 

          Steinbrock reported winter classes started this week and enrollment is up 1.3% to date.

 

          Hecker reported the Farmer’s Market was planning to expand this year to the 800 block parking lot east of New Hampshire Street.

 

          DeVictor said several staff would attend the annual Kansas Recreation and Park Association conference January 22-25 in Overland Park.  Items for discussion at next meeting on February 14th are proposals for the use of the Carnegie Building and the PLAY position paper.

 

          Meeting adjourned at 1:35P.M.