Lawrence Parks and Recreation

Advisory Board Minutes

September 13, 2011

MEMBERS PRESENT:	Chair Jana Dobbs, Vice Chair Joe Caldwell, Andy Clayton, Kevin Loos and Kelly Barth
MEMBERS ABSENT:
STAFF PRESENT:	Ernie Shaw, Mark Hecker and Roger Steinbrock
Guest	David Corliss, Cynthia Wagner, Casey Toomay, John Wilkins and Bob Sanner

I. Meeting called to order by Chair Dobbs

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

III. Concerns of the Board – Barth indicated that Eileen Horn would like to make a presentation to the board about the Community Gardens but couldn’t attend on the regularly scheduled meeting time. She requested the meeting for October be moved to the 4th Tuesday, so Horn could attend. All other members agreed.  Dobbs reported that she received an inquiry from LaRisa Lochner who is interested in serving on the Advisory Board.  Dobbs referred her to Mayor Cromwell. 

IV. Review of Commission Study Session – Corliss provided an outline of the potential agenda for the Commission Study Session.  A date for the session has not yet been determined.  Corliss explained how the 1994 Sales Tax has been allocated currently and in the past years.  Corliss reviewed park projects that have been completed along with future projects that are scheduled for 2011 and 2012.  City Commission allocated approx. 1 million capital improvement dollars in 2012 to be used to fix a number of public facilities to include both parking garages, outdoor pool, Deerfield Park and the Skate Park.  These funds are separate from the sales tax fund.  The debt schedule was also reviewed.  Corliss provided the summary on PLAY that was established in 2006.  Out of the top 5 recommendations 3 have been completed with the exception of an indoor field house as a project that has not been accomplished.  Hecker indicated that the importance of the 2009 Parks Planning Process and Survey is to show that a new field house is not a new idea but is one that has shown up in several surveys throughout the years.  Corliss also reviewed the 2011 Citizen Survey with the board. 

Review of an activity and wellness center was conducted by Wilkins.  The proposed facility location was determined by the current locations of the recreation facilities that are already established.  The site proposed is west of Wakarusa and North of Overland Drive near Free State High School.  Wilkins presented several plans for the recreation center.  Corliss discussed the approximate yearly operational expense that could be incurred.  Wilkins indicated that it would be difficult to include all center amenities that are envisioned for the $15 million budget that the City officials have mentioned.     

V. City / Parks and Recreation Budget Process – Corliss reviewed the 2011 budget and provided an explanation on how it is processed and determined.  Hecker also reviewed the Parks and Recreation budget and how it is managed and maintained. 

Meeting adjourned.  Next Advisory Board meeting scheduled for Noon, Tuesday, October 25, 2011, Parks and Recreation Conference Room.  Special meeting at noon October 11, 2011 to discuss Commission Study Session materials.