Parks & Recreation

Advisory Board Minutes

July 14, 2009              

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  

Chair Kevin Loos, Vice Chair Jana Dobbs, Kelly Barth, Joe Caldwell and Andy Clayton

 

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:  

 

 

 

STAFF PRESENT: 

Ernie Shaw, Mark Hecker, Roger Steinbrock and Jimmy Gibbs

 

 

GUESTS:

 

 

 

I.              Meeting called to order by Chair Kevin Loos.

 

II.            Approval of June 9, 2009 minutes – Motion to approve by Dobbs, second by Barth.  All approved.

 

III.           Concerns of the Board – Andy Clayton had a concern of the proposal by USD 497 regarding Parks and Recreation being charged for gym space usage.  Kelly Barth commented on the appearance of Riverfront Park on how much better it is than what it used to be.

 

IV.          Back ground check policy draft (Jimmy Gibbs) -- Background checks used to be handled through our local police department.  With the Fair Credit Reporting Act, background checks are now done through a third party.  Validity ID has been hired on an emergency basis.  A Request for Proposal will be sent out in the fall for bids.  This allows us to keep background checks separate from their employment applications.  The potential candidate will go on-line and fill out a profile, allowing us to authorize the background check, checking the sexual registry, criminal history (municipal and federal courts) looking for misdemeanors, felony offenses, etc. that might keep a person from working with kids, dealing with money or sensitive information.  The cost is $17.00 per background check. 

 

V.            Hobbs Park improvements/Hobbs house open to public – Sewer line project is done and new restroom has been delivered.  Also working on replacing some of the outfield fence.

 

VI.          Staff reports

 

a.    Recreation/Golf Revenue/Expense Report – revenue report is still up from the last report.    107% projection on revenue budget; EBGC is running even; increase in golf rates will be on the city agenda Tuesday night, as well as other rate increases.

b.    Parks/Projects Report – replacing gym lights at the Community Building, going to a high efficiency florescent light (cost energy efficient); still working on DeVictor trail extensions as we have money; out for bid at the moment is roofing for the Depot; Mark suggested that board members take a look at the gardens around town, they’re getting to their peak.

c.    Marketing Report – Up five percent in enrollment.  Gearing up for the winter/spring activities guide before too long.

 

VII.         Miscellaneous – YSI Fields – adding additional baseball/softball diamonds in phases.  Adding four diamonds with the hopes of being able to play on next spring.  Being built with the hopes that they can be used for games and/or practice fields.

 

Activity center – trying to plan for something that has been recognized as a high priority need.  Commissioners are very concerned about budgets.  When something new is built, it has to be maintained.  Loos asked if there was anything that the Advisory Board members could do.  Ernie suggested being advocates and communicating with elected officials as citizens to let them know your thoughts.   Best advocates are those with kids, talk to your friends and neighbors.

 

We have had some discussions with the Assists Foundation and Coach Self is very interested in a project like this for the city.  He wants to sit down with City Manager and myself to discuss this in the near future.  Gibbs mentioned Wayne Simien is in favor of more gym space.  Hecker said that a lot of private investors want to see the money first, or a viable project.  If money stays in the budget, investors will know that there is a commitment.

 

Ernie mentioned that we keep reminding elected officials and the public that we’re short on facilities and our activities and enrollments continue to increase. We have activities that have to split seasons like the basketball in the fall and indoor soccer in the winter because we do not have enough gym space. Basketball should go until March – 10 to 12 games and we’re only running 6 games.  We just don’t have the space and we keep trying to accommodate more people with less.

 

Meeting with KU architectural students and Treanor Architects.  They will be working on some concept drawings for free and expect to have it by the end of August.

 

Loos made a motion to draft a letter and send it off to each of the commissioners.  Seconded by Dobbs; motion passed.  

 

Meeting adjourned with next scheduled meeting Tuesday, September 8th, at Noon, Parks and Recreation Conference Room.