Parks and Recreation

Advisory Board Minutes

February 08, 2011             

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  

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

 

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:  

 

 

 

STAFF PRESENT: 

Ernie Shaw, Mark Hecker and Roger Steinbrock

 

 

GUESTS:

 

 

 

I.             Meeting called to order by Chair Dobbs

 

II.           Approval of January 2011 Minutes -- Motion to approve January 11 minutes by Loos and seconded by Barth.  Motion approved.

 

III.         Concerns of the Board – Clayton inquired about the concessions contract.  Shaw said the contract was awarded to Hy-Vee and it was discussed on the type of service and products that Hy-Vee will be able to provide. 

 

Dobbs reported that the water fountain does not work and the bathroom stalls in the ladies restroom do not latch at the Community Building.  Hecker said he would have staff check and get them fixed if necessary.

 

Loos inquired on the resurfacing of the Levy path.  Hecker said Public Works will resurface in the Spring.   

 

IV.         Tennis Center lighting open meeting discussion – Shaw reported that the turnout was great, heard feedback from both sides.  Jayhawk Tennis Group would like to meet and discuss an option to utilize their facility if we provided the lighting to their courts.  Shaw said the meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 09, 2011.     

 

V.           IPM Program review – Hecker wanted to delay the report because staff hadn’t had adequate time to prepare the report due to the weather, clearing snow, etc.

 

VI.         KCMPRDA Board Appreciation Banquet Marsh 31st Grandview, MO.  – Shaw suggested for those that were interested in attending they should let him know before the next meeting.

 

VII.       Wee Folks Scholarship – Steinbrock gave an explanation of scholarship process.   He indicated the scholarship fund has approximately $180,000.  He said guidelines are being created to distribute the funds annually to divisions awarding scholarships. He said divisions that meet their revenue projection will not receive any allocation at year’s end.  He said the two major contributors to the fund are Pepsi and Golf Tournament.  Steinbrock said we’d be switching from a long-term goal to a short-term goal and try to raise around $20,000 annually.  Dobbs has inquired about the possibly bidding out the fund to the banks get their highest yield.  Dobbs will contact Ed Mullin to discuss that possibility.

After the meeting it was discussed and decided that all divisions will receive the amount of scholarships awarded during a year regardless of a division meeting its revenue projection.

 

VIII.     Staff Reports

 

a.    Recreation/Golf Revenue/Expense Report – Shaw reported the recreation revenues were a little below what it was last year.  Projecting 103% of our income.   Shaw indicated Steve Maceli has contacted Dave Corliss and is concerned that the usage of the Carnegie Building is affecting his business. 

 

b.    Parks/Projects Report – Hecker said golf is up 32% compared to this time last year.  Hecker said Kerry Golden has accepted a position with Shawnee County Parks and Recreation. Golden’s position will be reviewed and determined if notice will be sent just in-house or opened to the public within the next few weeks.  He said since this past snow storm we have been running 24-hour shifts clearing and removing the snow.  Hecker said the Carnegie Building has had issues with the wiring but it has now been resolved.  He said we continue working with contractors to complete projects.

 

c.    Marketing Report – Steinbrock reported that the Summer/Fall Activities Guide is in process.  He said distribution will remain the same as before with the Journal World.  He said an audit of the last guide showed that we paid .30 cents for each copy, which is really, really good.  He said we will continue looking at other ways to market the brochure.  Steinbrock is also in the process of beginning a video highlighting how the department impacts the local economy.  On the Feb. 22  Steinbrock said the BlueCHIP Award that he received at the KRPA Conference will be presented to the Mayor by KRPA/Blue Cross/Blue Shield. It was awarded to the City of Lawrence for supporting healthy lifestyles through programs and community-wide activities. With the award comes a check for $2500 that will go towards the Coordinate School of Health Council, which they will use to provide mini-grants to grade schools for wellness.

 

Due to a conflict with Blue Cross/Blue Shield representatives schedule, the presentation was moved to the Tuesday, March 1, City Commission Meeting.

 

IX.          Other

a.    Barth reported that she is part of a committee that will be suggesting to the City Commission a policy called A Complete Street Policy.  It will consist of the City completing streets, trails or sidewalks accessible to anyone that needs to travel from one point to another.

 

 

Meeting adjourned.  Next Advisory Board meeting scheduled for Noon, Tuesday, Mar. 8, 2011, Parks and Recreation Conference Room.