City of Lawrence

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

October 10, 2017 minutes

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Chair, Allen Humphrey, Vice Chair, LaRisa Chambers, , John Blazek

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Sue Hack, Mandy Enfield

STAFF PRESENT:

Derek Rogers, Mark Hecker, Brandy Shoemaker, Roger Steinbrock, Tim Laurent

PUBLIC PRESENT:

Phyllis Lafferty, Michael Almon

 

I.               Meeting called to order by Humphrey

 

II.       Approval of September 12, 2017, minutes by Chambers, and seconded by Blazek. 

 

III.           Highlights/Concerns

Chambers inquired on the maintenance of the Burroughs Creek Trail.  There are several nuts and other debris falling from trees overhanging the trail.  Hecker replied crews sweep the trails throughout the fall season.  Blazek inquired on the possibility of offering adult flag football.  Steinbrock responded it was offered at one time and there were not enough teams signed up to proceed but it could be tried again.  Blazek inquired if any additional information regarding combining the Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.  Rogers responded nothing has been determined to move in that direction at this time.    

 

IV.              Friends of the Oak Hill Cemetery discussion

An exciting collaboration is forming with Friends of the Cemetery.  A meeting is scheduled this afternoon to discuss opportunities that would benefit both organizations.  A fraternity group from KU has contacted LPRD about opportunities to volunteer and have been connected with the friends group. They are planning on assisting the friends group at Oak Hill Cemetery Saturday, Oct. 28, which is Make a Difference Day.  They will be helping to inventory headstones and collecting data to create a database with names, photos and condition of headstones.   

 

V.                By-Laws  

It was decided staff and a couple of board members would prepare a draft of by-laws. Once complete, the by-laws would be brought to the full board for review and vote.  Once approved by the board, it would be sent on to the City Commission for review and approval. As chair, Humphrey would meet with staff to create a first draft of the by-laws. Rogers indicated Enfield had also expressed interest and may want to assist. Blazek offered to assist if Enfield didn’t want to. Staff will contact Enfield to see if interested and schedule a meeting to discuss.

 

IX.        Staff reports

 

i.                Recreation/ Expenses-Revenue/2017 Financial Updates –

Hecker presented the September report.  Eagle Bend Golf Course is performing extremely well.  Concessions sales are up.  Recreation revenue is also doing very well. 

 

    

          

ii.               Parks/Golf Course/Projects Report/2017 financial updates –

Hecker reported Fall projects are underway.  Trying to complete projects before the winter season arrives.  The hanging of holiday lights will soon begin.  It is a three-week process and will be completed for the Friday after Thanksgiving holiday lightening event.

             

 

X.        Other – Almon inquired about the status of a request that was submitted a few months back regarding the Brook Creek Park woods making a naturally preserve nature park.  Rogers indicated he would look into the item and get back to him.  Almon also inquired about the site plan for the parking lot at the East Lawrence Recreation Center because currently there is not an additional entry access.   Almon asked if the possibility of creating a second entrance access to the facility to elevate traffic congestion would be pursued.  Hecker responded the site plan did not include an additional entrance due to funding of the project.  Potentially at some point the entrance needs to be widen to accommodate larger vehicles.

         

 

Meeting adjourned.  Next Advisory Board meeting scheduled for noon, Tuesday, November 14, 2017.