PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES

 

FEBRUARY 15, 2005

 

 

 

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jones at 7:00 p.m.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Russ Jones, Deborah Groat, David Monk, John Marshall, John Howard    Absent:  Rowland Seymour

 

OTHERS PRESENT:  Steve Conley, Cathy Dwertman

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  There being no additions or corrections, the minutes of the meeting of January 18, 2005 were approved as distributed.

 

Mr. Jones introduced Cathy Dwertman, who is expected to be appointed to the Parks & Recreation Commission at the next City Council meeting.

 

REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION:  No report.

 

REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PARKS & RECREATION:  Mr. Conley reported that the Frozen Nose 4-Miler was held on January 15^th and it was a success despite the freezing temperatures and some icy conditions.  There were 55 participants. $816.00 was raised for the Parkland fund.  He thanked all the sponsors and volunteers.  He read a Letter to the Editor praising the race and everyone who helped with the event. 

 

On Thursday Mr. Conley will meet with a gentleman from the Land Trust of Washington, DC, Kathy House, John Rockenbaugh and Lane Stillings at MacIvor Woods property to discuss plans for the property.

 

Mr. Conley is currently working on the Parks & Recreation newsletter.  He noted swimming lessons would be held the latter part of June.

 

Mr. Marshall asked about what could be done with the MacIvor Woods property relative to trails, etc.  Mr. Conley noted basically inside the 58 acres nothing can be done.  There are natural trails on grass on the property, which are kept mowed.  He noted that an additional ¾ of an acre was donated for parking and restroom facilities.

 

COMMISSIONER’S REPORT ON INDIVIDUAL PARKS:  No report.

 

CITIZENS’ COMMENTS NON-AGENDA ITEMS:  No comments.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

q       Reservation Fees

Mr. Conley received a few calls from soccer and baseball people expressing concern that registration had already begun.   Because of this he has decided that fees would not be in place until the fall.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

q       Parkland Budget

 

Mr. Conley noted $33,000 was budgeted for Lewis Park for demolition of the building.  The Commission also discussed the water issue at South Park.  Mr. Conley feels that a walking trail should be put in at South Park.  If it floods, people just won’t be able to use the trail until the water recedes. 

 

Ms. Groat suggested taking substantial dollars, do an engineering/drainage study to find out why the problem exists and do something about it.  She noted it’s been said there are broken tiles, and these must be fixed or there will always be drainage problems.

 

Mr. Marshall stated that development is being planned for that area, and when the area is further developed, the problem may be taken care of at that time.  Mr. Marshall stated, per Council’s perspective, study is not the way to go, however, drainage is a big concern for Council members. 

 

Ms. Groat does not want to hear in two years or when development takes place, that we don’t have the money to do it.

 

At this time, nothing will be done to South Park.

 

$50,000 in 2006 was put in the Parks & Recreation Capital Improvement Plan.  Administration feels this is a safe number to anticipate for the City to take in new parkland fees.

 

Regarding demolition of the building at Lewis Park, Mr. Jones would like to see the newest portion of the building remain.  Mr. Conley noted the Master Plan proposes relocating the entire building.  The Building & Grounds Supt. is not in favor of demolishing the building because it is used for storage. Mr. Conley would rather not demolish the building unless we could build a new building and a parking lot, which can’t be done because the City does not have the money.  At one time, suggestion was made to convert restrooms currently in the building, which are not public, to public restrooms.  He currently pays $80 per month for a porta-pot.  It was felt the residents in the area would be against building a restroom down by Collins.

 

Mr. Conley reported that Paris Township donated $9,000 for a stainless steel handicap ramp for the pool.  They also reimbursed the City for lawnmowers that were purchased last year.

 

Motion was made to not demolish the building at Lewis Park this year and the question put, stood:

 

Mr. Jones  YES  Ms. Groat  YES  Mr. Monk  YES  Mr. Marshall  YES  Mr. Howard  YES

 

Motion passed.

 

Park projects to expend unused funds should be on the March agenda.  Unused funds include the $33,000 for Lewis Park and $20,620, which was to be designated by Parks and Rec Commission in 2005.  Another project that will be put off from 2004 is the Creekview trail access because in 2006, construction of a pump house for the reservoir is planned.  The trail would most likely be torn up by construction traffic and would have to be replaced.  $10,000 was budgeted for this project.  Mr. Conley will prepare a prioritized list of projects prior to the next meeting.

 

COMMENTS OF CITIZENS – AGENDA ITEM:  No comments.

 

COMMENTS OF INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONERS:

 

Mr. Marshall noted that he met with Mill Valley residents.  Residents discussed a traffic concern relating to speed on Valley Drive where the soccer fields are.  Suggestion was made to put the speed-monitoring machine on Village Drive to make people more aware of their speed or have police in the area around game time.  Mr. Conley will talk to the Police Department and will also look for “Children at Play” signs.

 

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before Parks & Recreation, the meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.