City of Lawrence

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

September 10, 2018 minutes

MEMBERS PRESENT:	Chair, Allen Humphrey, John Blazek, Mandy Enfield, Pat Phillips, Marilyn Hull, and Val Renault, Bart Littlejohn
MEMBERS ABSENT:	Sue Hack, Patricia Collette
STAFF PRESENT:	Derek Rogers, Roger Steinbrock, Lee Ice, Mark Hecker, Tim Laurent
PUBLIC PRESENT:	Dylan Lysen, Courtney Shipley, Phil Collison, Coyla Lockhart

I. Humphrey asked members and staff to reintroduce themselves, so Val Renault would know everyone as this was the first meeting she was attending.

II. Meeting called to order by Humphrey

III. Approval of August 13 minutes

Approval was motioned by Hull; Blazek seconded. Motion carried 7-0.

IV. Highlights/Concerns

Blazek spoke about a scooter program he saw while on a business trip to Indiana.

V. Cemetery Decorations Proposed Changes

Steinbrock spoke briefly about the public meeting that was held on Sept. 5. Hecker and Steinbrock reported on the violations at the three cemeteries overseen by the City based on current decoration rules. Hecker explained to the board all the maintenance concerns that are involved with the cemeteries. Starting in 2019, part of the plot sales will go into a perpetual care fund. One proposed rule change is staff will remove flowers three times per year (February, June and September) versus two times per year. Price of the cemetery plots will increase $50 per year for the next five years, starting January 1, 2019. There will also be a non-resident of Douglas County fee. Next public meeting on the decoration rules is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 1 at 5:30 p.m. at the Union Pacific Depot.

VI. Retreat Discussion

Tabled until next month.

VII. SPL Tournaments

Lee reported that September is a slow month for tournaments. Once October hits they go full board with volleyball. Very few weekends off between the months of October 2018 through July 2019.

VIII. Staff Reports

a. Parks – Hecker reported that the new playground equipment in South Park is in, just waiting on the playground surface to be installed. YSC restrooms have approval to be installed by the end of October as well as the resurfacing of the north parking lot at Holcom. He said staff will be installing a restroom at Burroughs Creek, off of 15^th Street in the near future. He said the painting project is finished at the IAC. There have been vandalism problems at Deerfield Park, which was also asked about by Board Member Collette. He also mentioned there have been requests for a playground at McSwain Park.

b. Recreation – Ice reported that fall activities are in full swing. Youth basketball will start up in October. Special Populations went to the State Fair. Ice said he is working with Kaw Valley Soccer and Little League Football groups to work on congestion at YSC.

c. Staff – Steinbrock reported that staff is currently working on the Winter/Spring 2019 activities guide, which will drop Sunday, Nov. 25, in the Lawrence Journal-World. Working on the summer camp guide, with it possibly coming out the first of the year. May be producing it for online onrly or as an insert in the paper.

Director– Rogers reported how one of our staff caught an individual vandalizing along the loop/tunnels. The graffiti artist is being prosecuted.