City of Lawrence

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

August 13, 2018 minutes

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Chair, Allen Humphrey, Mandy Enfield, Bart Littlejohn, Pat Phillips, Marilyn Hull, and Pat Collette

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Sue Hack, John Blazek, Val Renault

STAFF PRESENT:

Derek Rogers, Roger Steinbrock, Lee Ice, Mark Hecker, Tim Laurent

PUBLIC PRESENT:

Chris Tilden

 

     I.        Meeting called to order by Humphrey

 

   II.        New Member Introduction

Introductions were made by LPRD Staff, current board members and new board members.

 

 III.        Approval of July 10 minutes

Approval was motioned by Littlejohn; Humphrey seconded.  Motion carried.

 

  IV.        Highlights/Concerns

Enfield had a report that a tree is down on the trail along Folks Road.  She also reported that an adorable little girl participated in one of the PPNC camps and they fed her rice krispie treats with mealworms in them. 

Collette inquired about the card system at SPL, non-douglas county residents versus douglas-county residents. 

 

    V.        By-laws Update

Steinbrock passed out the approved by-laws.  Expanded the number of board members to nine; worked on the attendance policy, excused/unexcused absences.  Discussion was held regarding chair/vice-chair elections. 

 

  VI.        Signage for the Loop update

Hecker reported that a public meeting was held and the majority gave a “thumbs up” to the loop signage.  Signs are being manufactured – trail blazer signs as well as mile marker signs. Another comment received since then would be to evaluate slope grades on the trails.  Hecker said he hopes the project to get the signs up would start in mid-to-late fall (every half-mile.)  Steinbrock reported that the map and locations of the signage are on the city website and materials that were passed out at the public meeting is also available at: https://lawrenceks.org/loop//

 

VII.        CIP

Hecker explained to the new board members about the City’s CIP, what projects have been funded for 2019.  Any projects that are $100,000 and over goes on the CIP; any projects under $100,000 are taken from the department’s General Fund, which the department is allocated an amount that is used throughout the year for smaller projects and things that may come up needing repair.  Project lists change every day.  Hecker gave a brief overview of the projects list.

 

VIII.        Splash Park Update

Humphrey gave a little background on this issue.  Humphrey was contacted by the ELNA about getting a splash park in East Lawrence.  He responded that the board would look into this once the advisory board was fully staffed in the fall. 

 

  IX.        Retreat Possibility

Discussed the possibility of a retreat.   Will discuss it more at the September meeting.

 

    X.        Staff Reports

a.    Parks – Hecker reported that a lot of what we’re doing at the moment is part of the 2018 CIP projects.  New playground to be installed in South Park within the next couple of weeks; restroom installations at YSC; new shelter at the Rotary Arboretum; new restroom along Burroughs Creek Trail; money allocated for restoration at the Community Building, redo the floor in the basement, new windows on the north face and maybe the west face.  Grass seeding parks and organizing holiday lighting – getting things ordered. 

Indoor pool is closed for maintenance, painting, repairs, deep cleaning.

b.    Recreation – Ice reported youth sports is between sessions.  Staff is trying to find time to take vacations before school starts back up.  Finished up with the Hardwood Classic at SPL with 200+ teams.  Taking registrations for fall activities.  Summer camps are done.

c.     Staff – Steinbrock spoke about the news releases the new board members were getting from him.  Currently working on winter/spring activities guide for 2019, which will drop the last week of November.  Looking at adding a supplemental guide to come out in January with summer camps only. Will evaluate if it will be online only or a printed version.  Involved with health fairs around Lawrence.  Steinbrock said his staff has been busy working on videos for the different parks that would be used on the website. He also said he’d be sending some links to some videos that were short features his staff created for several things this summer.   

Director– Rogers said the second reading of the budget will happen next Tuesday at the City Commission Meeting.  Rogers is on the multimodal transportation committee and one thing they have been discussing is bicycle registrations.  He said Parks and Recreation is considering partnering with the Police Department to register bicycles.  He also spoke about the Quantrill’s Graveyard tour. 

 

  XI.        Public Comments

No public comments

 

XII.        Other

Humphrey reminded everyone to think about the retreat and that it will be on the agenda at the next meeting. 

 

XIII.        Next Board Meeting, Monday, September 10 at 5:30 p.m.

 

 

Meeting adjourned.