City of Lawrence

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

June 12, 2018 minutes

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Chair, Allen Humphrey, John Blazek, and Mandy Enfield

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Sue Hack

STAFF PRESENT:

Derek Rogers, Roger Steinbrock, Lee Ice, Brandy Shoemaker, Lori Madaus

PUBLIC PRESENT:

Kim Anspach, Mayor Stuart Boley, Commissioner Lisa Larsen

 

     I.        Meeting called to order by Humphrey

 

   II.        Approval of May 8 minutes

Humphrey amended the minutes to reflect a clarification that if the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting moves to an evening that it should not be on the same night as the regular City Commission meeting.” Approval was motioned by Humphrey and seconded by Enfield. Passed 3-0.

 

 III.        Highlights/Concerns

a.    Arboretum Parking Lot

New parking lot poured in 2017 and is now coming apart.  Waiting on testing to find out if there was an issue with the contractor with the materials and why it didn’t last.

 

b.    Lawrence Skate Association

Group of individuals that have been working with staff to develop a (DYI) Do It Yourself skate park at Edgewood Park.  The group is looking to apply for a Tony Hawk Foundation grant and asked Parks and Recreation at the last minute to be a partner with the grant because they needed a municipality or 501c3 group to be able to be issued the grant. Staff supports the group’s efforts, however there just wasn’t enough time to get everything together by the June 13 deadline.  The group has raised $4000 and have plans for the skate park. 

 

  IV.        Bylaws Review Status

Steinbrock reported an ordinance from 1964 was unearthed explaining the establishment of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board by taking the former Recreation Commission and creating the city’s advisory board.  There were some modifications made in 1979.

 

An ordinance will be going before the City Commission to increase the number of people who serve on the advisory board.  The board had already voted to recommend increasing the size from five members to seven members.  The first reading for Ordinance No. 9510 will be June 19. The new by-laws will then be presented the same evening as the second reading of the ordinance, which is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, July 17.

 

    V.        Board Meeting Times

Discussion about evening meeting times, 5:30 or 6 p.m. start time.  Motion to change the Parks and Rec Advisory Board to the second Monday every month, beginning at 5:30 p.m. starting in August of 2018 by Enfield and seconded by Blazek.  Motion carried 3-0 to move the board’s standing meeting to 5:30 p.m. the second Monday evening of each month, beginning with Monday, August 13, 2018.

 

  VI.        Departmental Budget Slides

Derek reported that funding is relatively stable from last year.  Significant changes on the park side – increased part-time maintenance staff salaries some.  Trying to do the same internally with our budget with the recreation side.

CIP project list – have parking lots and road improvement needs all throughout the city, not just parks and recreation.  Still need to repair Burcham Park shelter and downtown brick pavers.

 

Rogers spoke about the security and accountability at the Community Building.  Facility was built in 1940 with two entrances and five exits.  Wasn’t designed to be ADA compliant, but does have an elevator on the SW end of the building. 

 

Rogers mentioned the cemetery fees increase is new – last increase was in 2008.  Requesting a fee increase change and to create a maintenance reserve fund to help with repairs to the cemetery so we can become self-sustained.  Waiting on approval for the cemetery fee increase for 2019. 

 

VII.        Staff Reports

a.    Parks – Touch-a-Truck event at Broken Arrow this weekend.  Crews have been taking care of tree debris from a recent storm.

b.    Recreation – Ice reported that summer activities are going strong.  Jr. NBA tournament just ended at SPL.  Bill Self basketball clinics are taking place.  Planning for fall activities. Shoemaker gave a report about swim passes (aquatic donations report attached). Discussion was held regarding the numbers of swim passes that are passed out with the majority going to non-profit organizations.  No limit has been set yet.  Staff does look over the number of swim passes that have been used by the various organizations each year.

c.     Staff -- Steinbrock reported that Gyr, the black-footed ferret at the nature center passed away.  His staff put together a little video as a memorial of Gyr.  Staff is also working on other videos, one of them being for the Mutt Run dog park.  Bill Self golf tournament is coming up at EBGC.  Recreation staff wants to possibly put out the summer camps in January so people can start gearing up for summer early will need to see if it is feasible and within budget. It could be just an online piece. 

 

VIII.        Next Board Meeting, July 10 at Noon

 

  IX.        Public Comments

Kim Anspach, with Explore Lawrence, spoke about a community outreach program (Safety Summit) on June 28th at Maceli’s.  Captain Troy Squire with the Lawrence Police Department is going to lead a Void, Deny, Defend training and Julie Boyle with USD 497 is going to present on Small Business Communications Crisis Planning. Open to anyone interested. 

 

    X.        Other

Enfield inquired about Cost Recovery Status.  Derek gave a brief update. 

Blazek mentioned how clean the sports pavilion is and how dedicated the staff are.  He also mentioned he has been volunteering at Eagle Bend and he has been impressed with the PGA pro. Blazek said he’s seen him work with all types of people from getting a hot dog for someone behind concessions to helping a child with their swing.  Blazek said he didn’t know what he was paid but that if he wasn’t a supervisor, he should be.

 

 

Meeting adjourned.