Parks and Recreation

Advisory Board Minutes

March 08, 2011             

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  

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

 

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:  

 

 

 

STAFF PRESENT: 

 Mark Hecker and Roger Steinbrock

 

 

GUESTS:

Bob Bosow and 6 Members of the KU Strategic  Communicating Class

 

 

I.             Meeting called to order by Chair Dobbs

 

II.           Approval of February 2011 Minutes -- Motion to approve February 2011 minutes by Barth and seconded by Clayton.  Motion approved.

 

III.         Concerns of the Board – None at this time. 

 

IV.         Tennis Complex update – Hecker said there was a meeting with Debbie Van Saun, KU Athletics, and Kyle Markham of Jayhawk Tennis to discuss the potential of lighting their outside courts for public use as an alternative to lighting the courts at Lawrence High School. Discussion is on-going.

 

V.           KCMPRDA Board Appreciation Banquet March 31 Grandview, MO. – Dobbs, Caldwell and Loos will be attending along with Shaw and Steinbrock.     

 

VI.         Discuss Advisory Board meeting date changes for April, May, and July – It was moved and approved to move the April, May, June and July meetings to the third Tuesday of each month.

 

VII.       Staff and organizational changes - Hecker reported they are currently recruiting the Golf Course Superintendent position that would have turf experience, as well as overseeing ball diamonds.

 

The right-of-way street tree management has been moved under the Horticulture Division. We have also created a District 4/Forestry Division, moving some of the parks from District 1 and other areas that haven’t been developed. District 4 will also oversee Downtown maintenance responsibilities and other forestry services.  

 

Tasha with Prairie Park Nature Center will be leaving Parks and Recreation to pursue other opportunities.

 

VIII.      Staff reports

a.    Recreation/Golf Revenue/Expense Report – Hecker reported that the golf course revenue is up from last year.  Recreation is holding close to what it normally does still running in the 103% projection for the year.

 

b.    Parks Report – Hecker indicated we are in the process of getting the parks up and running for Spring.  Ball diamonds are ready to go and the batting cages are open.  Currently, we are recruiting for our seasonal part-time positions along with volunteers for our Pansy Planting event on March 19.

 

c.     Marketing Report – Steinbrock reported that the Summer/Fall Activities Guide will be going to press on Friday.  We are currently conducting an audit on our website going through every page and all the links making sure that the content is correct.

 

IX.          Other

a.    Clayton inquired about if we have received any further correspondence from Maceli’s.  Hecker reported there has been, and the City Manager has asked us for information on the facility’s usage.

 

Meeting adjourned.  Next Advisory Board meeting scheduled for Noon, Tuesday, April 19, 2011, Parks and Recreation Conference Room.