Parks and Recreation

Advisory Board Minutes

June 8, 2010             

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  

Chair Jana Dobbs, Kelly Barth,  Andy Clayton, and Kevin Loos

 

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:  

Vice Chair Joe Caldwell

 

 

STAFF PRESENT: 

Ernie Shaw, Mark Hecker and Roger Steinbrock

 

 

GUESTS:

Shane Warta, Intern

 

 

I.              Meeting called to order by Chair Dobbs

 

II.            Intern introductions – Steinbrock spoke a bit about one of the interns, Tyler Sharp, who wasn’t in attendance due to assisting with Boys State.  Shane Warta introduced himself. He’s a senior at Kansas State, majoring in park management and conservation with an emphasis on recreation administration.  Shane is currently working with Annette Deghand, special population supervisor, and he hopes to spend time with Steinbrock to gain some marketing insight. 

 

III.           Approval of May 11 meeting minutes –  Loos made a motion to approve both sets of meeting minutes; Barth seconded.   Motion approved.

 

IV.          Concerns of the Board – Barth spoke about how well the levy looks on the east side.    Dobbs mentioned that Jimmy had a crew of lifeguards out at the swimming portion of the Ironman competition.  Loos said that staff might want to reconsider and not schedule three games at the Holcom Left and Right fields, as well as the new fields at YSC.  The 8:15 games get shorted an inning when there are no lights on the fields and it starts getting dark at 8:45ish.  Clayton said that he received a call inquiring about fast pitch softball in the fall.  Ernie said that he would have staff check with the girls fast-pitch league to see if there would be enough interest in a fall league. 

 

V.            New Facility Policy – Shaw said he was hoping to have more information, but he does not at this time.  A memo has gone to the City Manager’s office and hasn’t been commented on yet due to the budget sessions. We will send it out to you once we hear back.  Loos made a motion to approve the new facility policy and Clayton seconded the motion.  Motion approved.

 

VI.          June 3 USD 497 Administrators meeting – Dobbs/Loos – Hecker, Shaw, Dobbs and Lee Ice attended the meeting with a majority of the elementary school principals in attendance.  Shaw said this was the first opportunity that Ice had to visit directly with the principals and felt that it was very helpful.  Frank instructed the principals to get their school activity calendars to his office by July 1.  Each principal will try to set aside specific days of the week for parks and recreation.  Dobbs said that they did discuss having on-going meetings every two months to see how things are going and to stay on top with the transition of the junior high.  Shaw thanked Dobbs and Loos for their assistance in conversing with the school district.

 

VII.         2010 Budget Concerns – Shaw reported cuts had to be made to the recreation budget. The amount of $350,000 was taken out of the 2010 budget.  Hecker stated we will probably lose $100,000 from the general fund this year and two more full-time positions next year, bringing the total of eight full-time positions the department has lost in three years.  Clayton inquired about the lag time if we were to discuss changing fees and actually changing the fees.  Shaw said that we can change any fees internally with the exception of golf and swimming.  Shaw said fees are based on comparative pricing with other organizations in the area.

 

VIII.        Staff Reports

 

a.      Recreation/Golf Revenue/Expense Report – Golf revenue is doing well, making more than we are spending.    Building rental has gone down a bit due to a couple of long-term reservations moving in to their own buildings.  Adult Sports is up due to league changes.  Class enrollment is down a bit compared to this time last year.  We are doing alright for now.

b.      Parks/Projects Report            - A lot of projects going on.  Repairing winter damage to parking lots and driveways.  Zoysia was put in at the golf course.  Fencing was put up on field # 5 and new foul poles are up on all the diamonds except for #5; working on irrigation system, sod will be put down in between the diamonds, and the Deerfield skate park will be Mark;s next big project.  Clinton Parkway bike trail is coming along; Burroughs Creek is done between 11th and 19th Street, now starting on the cross connections.  Installing a maintenance road (back road) from the YSC to the dog park, materials are free

c.      Marketing Report – Still receiving calls regarding sponsorships and have put up our first banners at the adult sports complex.  We are looking for more golfers for the Bill Self Golf Tournament.  Working on a new video “Week in the life of Parks and Recreation” showcasing what our department does. 

 

Meeting adjourned.  Next Advisory Board meeting scheduled for Noon, Tuesday, July 13, 2010, Parks and Recreation Conference Room.