Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Minutes

February 9, 2010             

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  

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

 

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:  

Roger Steinbrock

 

 

STAFF PRESENT: 

Ernie Shaw, Mark Hecker and Lee Ice

 

 

GUESTS:

Chad Lawhorn, Alex Husbenet

 

 

I.             Meeting called to order by Chair Jana Dobbs.

 

II.           Approval of January 12, 2010 minutes -- Motion to approve by Kelly, seconded by Andy.  Motion approved.

 

III.         Concerns of the Board –  Kelly mentioned that a friend, Byron Wiley, a member of the Lawrence Fruit Tree Project, has been in touch with Mark Hecker and Crystal Miles, about planting some fruit and nut trees along Burroughs Creek Trail and they have hit a road block.  There is a city ordinance that it is illegal to pick fruit off of trees, flowers in planters, pinecones off of a tree, anything that is planted on public land. Conversations will continue to find solution.

 

IV.          Spring Semester Interns – Brad Todd and Alex Husbenet – Ernie introduced Alex to the board.  Alex mentioned that he is a senior at KU and assisting Lee at the moment with Houk baseball as well as youth baseball/softball.

 

V.            School Gymnasium schedules – Lee Ice -- Lee spoke of the challenges trying to coordinate basketball and indoor futsal practices with the 14 elementary schools can be very challenging.  There isn’t just one person within the school district that Lee works with in order to reserve gym space at the various elementary schools.  He may with a principal at one school and work with an administrative support staff or custodian at another school.  When he’s told that he has various times reserved and one of those dates is taken away, that can put out anywhere from three to six teams out of a practice time in one evening.  Kevin made a motion and second by Kelly for Jana and Kevin to sit down with a school board member and open the dialogue about this issue and see what we can do to move forward.  Motion passed.

 

VI.          Facility Survey progression – Ernie report that the facility discussion is on-going and that it is progressing.   We have been given permission to contact a couple of architecture firms to give us bids on some conceptual plans that can be used to educate the commission and public on what the facility may look like. We’re hoping to have something together with in a few weeks of a basic design and concept.

 

VII.        Skating Rink and BMX inquiries – Ernie said that a couple of different people have come to us regarding the possibility of building a roller skating rink and a BMX track on city property.  The BMX track organizers are in the process of getting a 501C3 and wanting to get a sanctioned bicycle track.  There are BMX tracks located in Wichita, Kansas City and Topeka.  The organizers are trying to get interest in this and hope to come back with information for the city commission.  No specific locations have been requested or discussed.

 

VIII.      Employee (Curt Talken) leaving February 5th – Mark reported that Curt’s position and a park maintenance position will not be filled at this time.  We’re down eight people from two years ago.  Not knowing what the property tax revenue is going to look like and what sales tax will be coming in, we don’t know if we can support this.  We have had volunteers help with planting flowers in targeted areas such as downtown.  With volunteer organizations, such as Target, the volunteer program can be successful.

 

 

IX.          Staff reports

 

a.    Recreation/Golf Revenue/Expense Report – Ernie reported that the golf course brought in about $2,000 for January due to the snow.  We hope to catch up once the weather improves.  Recreation is doing fine and we have to make about $100,000 more this year than last.  We’re getting revenues to where we don’t have a lot of flexibility, so we’re going to have to work hard and make sure we reach our estimated revenues.

b.    Parks/Projects – Mark reported that most of the construction projects are on hold.  We are about three weeks away from getting the ball fields going for the season.  We’re trying to reschedule some projects that have been put off due to weather.

c.    Marketing Report – Ernie reported on Roger’s behalf since he was not available today.  Roger and staff have been busy working on the upcoming activity guide.  Working with staff getting the prices and information together.  He is also working on sales promotions to help raise additional revenues for the department.

 

Ernie mentioned that construction will be starting on the Carnegie Library in the near future.  Mark is on the team, along with the City Manager, for that project.  Mark will be attending some project meetings and the contractor is A.B. Construction out of Topeka.  The target opening date is 2011. 

 

Meeting adjourned.  Next Advisory Board meeting scheduled for Noon, Tuesday, March 9th, 2010, Parks and Recreation Conference Room.