Parks and Recreation

Advisory Board Minutes

June 21, 2011

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  

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

 

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:  

Chair Jana Dobbs

 

 

STAFF PRESENT: 

 Ernie Shaw, Mark Hecker and Roger Steinbrock

 

 

GUESTS:

Chad Lawhorn

 

 

I.             Meeting called to order by Caldwell

 

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

 

III.         Concerns of the Board – No concerns at this time.  Clayton inquired about the pool pump at the outdoor pool.  Hecker reported that the bearings went out and they have since been fixed.  Loos gave compliments on the awnings that cover the dugouts and stands at the ball fields. 

 

IV.         June 20 Prairie Park Nature Center had its bald eagle at Great Plains Nature Center for the National American Eagle Day Proclamation event. Invited by Kansas Dept. of Wildlife & Parks, Kansa and staff represented us. Governor Brownback made the proclamation. Shaw reported that it was an honor for our Nature program to be asked to bring our eagle to this event. 

 

V.           Cemetery – Landscape entrance renovations – Hecker indicated that we will be sprucing up the entrances of the cemeteries with flowering shrubs.  This is an on-going project that will be done throughout the summer and fall.

 

VI.         Jai Hoyer – Aquatics programmer II leaving end of summer to teach in the Desoto School District  -- Hiring of new Senior Forrester Anthony (Tony) Barron to begin work 7/5/11 – Shaw reported they are in the process of reviewing the Aquatics Programmer II position and are hoping to fill it by the end of the summer.  Hecker indicated that Barron will be rejoining our team.  He has a bachelor degree in Park Natural Resources Management and brings with him a lot of field experience in a broad range of areas.

 

VII.       Administration office move by July 2012 – Shaw reported that the Administration office will be moving to South Park once our current lease has expired in July 2012.  We are in the process of working with Gould Evans on creating a layout for that space. 

   

 

VIII.     Staff reports

                                         i.    Recreation/Golf Revenue/Expense Report – Shaw reported that recreation is doing very well.  We’re projecting 106% at the end of the year.  Loos inquired about indoor classroom space and the availability.  Shaw indicated that we are limited in space in all facilities, and we have had to partner with other facilities outside of LPRD to accommodate some classes for example: G-Force and Jayhawk Tennis Facility.  Hecker reported that the golf course is still staying on the low end for our projections; we are still projecting a profit at this point we are just taking it one month at a time.

 

                                        ii.    Parks/Projects Report – Hecker reported that our project list is constantly changing.  One of the items on the list is Burroughs Creek Trail, which we’ve been working with private entities to build a playground. Black and Veatch has spearheaded the project with some of its contractors to collect donations of $25,000 from all the companies for a playground along the trail.

 

                                       iii.    Marketing Report – Steinbrock reported that we are currently beginning to get the timeline together for the Winter/Spring guide.  The release date will be moved up to the first weekend in November from its first weekend in December release in the past.  Shaw indicated that next month is Parks and Recreation month and Steinbrock will schedule a proclamation for a future City Commission Meeting.  Posters will be distributed to City buildings.  The State Hersey’s Track and Field is this weekend in K.C.   

 

 

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