PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES

 

JUNE 21, 2005

 

 

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

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Russ Jones, Debbie Groat, Cathy Dwertman, David Monk, John Marshall, Rowland Seymour   Excused:  John Howard

 

OTHERS PRESENT:  Steve Conley, Clerk Patterson

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  Add Debbie Groat as an attendee at the meeting.  There being no further additions or corrections, the minutes were approved as distributed.

 

REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION:  No report.

 

REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PARKS & RECREATION:  Mr. Conley reported the following:

 

q       Progress report of Proposed Projects.  There are two projects that are not yet completed; the gravel for all the park trails and the security camera equipment.

q       Report of vandalism to men’s restroom at Eljer Park.  Would like Parks & Rec Commission to consider purchasing automatic flushers.

q       $8,139.28 was saved on projects, either by cost coming in lower than planned or use of city employees to do the work. 

q       Play structures throughout the City and the bleachers at the Amphitheater were powerwashed.

q       Volunteers are needed on July 15th Third Friday event to help with the bicycle race.  Contact Mr. Conley if interested.

q       Volunteers are needed on July 16th for Day in the Park.  Contact Mr. Conley if interested.

q       A large sycamore tree was cut down along the trail on Mill Creek because it was dead.

q       Concert in the Park this Sunday.  Trombone Plus will perform.

q       Excellent start to the pool season due to warm temperatures.  Favorable income is anticipated.

 

Mrs. Groat complimented Mr. Conley on the Parks & Recreation newsletter.  Felt it was very informative.

 

Mr. Conley also asked the Commission to consider spending some of the money saved on lounge chairs for the pool.  Chairs run about $175 per chair.  Would like to purchase 10/12 chairs. 

 

Motion was made to use some of the $8,139.28 for automatic flushers for all commodes in the parks.  Affirmative voice vote was unanimous.

 

Mrs. Groat moved to buy lounge chairs for the pool, but total for flushers and chairs should not exceed the $8,139.28.  Mr. Seymour opposed, all others voted for.  Motion passed.

 

COMMISSIONER’S REPORT ON INDIVIDUAL PARKS

 

Mr. Seymour participated in the tour of Eljer Park as part of the quarterly report.  He noted cracks along the edges of the asphalt.  All repairs found must be completed within 30 days of the report.  The remainder of the park looked good. 

 

Schwartzkopf Park looks remarkable.  The horseshoe club fixed the fence surrounding the horseshoe area. 

 

Mr. Marshall had no major issues with Mill Valley Park.  Overall, park looks real good.  Regarding trees, should have a licensed arborist tend to the trees.  He noted the Mill Valley South parking lot is being used frequently, as well as the trails.

 

Mr. Monk reported that Butterfly Park looks good.  Trinity Park looked good, but noticed low, bare spots.  Mr. Conley stated Buildings and Grounds has that on their list to fix.

 

Mrs. Dwertman reported that McCloud looks beautiful.   She noted a low area in Lewis Park where water stands.  Mr. Conley will have Mr. Stillings check it out.

 

Mrs. Groat asked about the swans at Aldersgate.  They are beautiful.  Mr. Conley stated that Mrs. Frost purchased the swans.  Mrs. Groat asked about fishing in the pond and about individuals being licensed.  Mr. Conley stated anyone fishing or operating a watercraft must have a license or they can be ticketed.  Mrs. Groat noted some of the lattice work needs repaired.  She noted there needs to be some type of identification in Shalom Park.   Mr. Conley will check it out to be sure it is the City’s green space.        

 

Mrs. Groat mentioned the pump in Legion Park.  If it’s usable, let’s fix it.  If not, get rid of it.  Mr. Conley feels it’s more decorative than functional.  It’s not a safety issue.  It does not work.  Mr. Conley will get with Mr. Stillings and check it out. 

 

Mr. Jones reported that the basketball hoop is up at McCarthy Park.  It’s real peaceful at the park.  There is a dead tree at Eljers Park.  He noted a bird nest above one of the lights on the restroom.  Mr. Conley stated one of the trail lights was broken and will cost about $900 to fix.  The pick-up/drop-off is getting bad.  When you go in to drop off, you can’t get turned around to get back out of there.  People have been parking back in there.

 

Mr. Jones reported, in Mr. Howard’s absence, that a large tree in Legion Park needs to be cut down before it falls on someone or something.  Also fresh mulch is needed around the playground. 

 

CITIZENS’ COMMENTS NON-AGENDA ITEMS – No comments.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

          Traffic and speed on Valley and Village going to Mill Creek Park.

 

Ms. Dwertman stated when dropping kids off at the park for games, cars would speed down Valley and Village.  She noted the radar trailer had been set in the area and feels it did a lot of good.  She has also noticed more police patrol in the area. 

 

Mr. Marshall stated he had mentioned these issues to the Police Chief, as well as pocket bikes and motorized scooters. The Chief shares the residents’ concerns, but noted he has a staffing issue and it’s difficult to put an officer out there.  He also mentioned to the Chief to not allow police cruisers to drive on the asphalt trails, due to the damage they can do to the trails.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

          5-year Capital Improvements Plan

 

Mr. Conley noted he was directed by Finance and the Public Services Director to expand the 5-year Capital Improvements Plan out two more years, to 2010. 

 

Ms. Davies, Public Services Director, also suggested increasing the amount per year from $50,000 to $75,000 per year, due to the projected, potential growth. 

 

Add MacGivor Preserve to the Plan.  Mr. Conley suggested meeting out there for one of the Commission’s meetings. 

 

South Park – 2006 – Change that number to $75,000. 

 

Mr. Conley expects to hear in August if the City receives the $85,000 grant.  

 

Sixty-eight acres are expected to be parkland in Mill Valley.  When presented, Parks & Rec Commission instructed Dominion to asphalt the trail and put in the benches and garbage cans. 

 

Mill Valley Central – Pave parking lot - $45,000. – Already in the plan for 2008.

 

Jim Simmons Trail, a separate financial entity, although it’s in Mill Valley.

 

The next 68 acres will be Mill Valley North.  This area should have no capital expenditures.  Should add to list of City parks so once it does become the City’s responsibility, it will be on the capital plan to maintain.

 

2008 - Additional $30,000 at Mill Valley Central might be the additional connection trail to the 68 acres that Dominion is to develop for the City compared to the 24 acres that the City will have to run the trail to. 

 

2007 -Sidewalk at Aldersgate will be more than $12,000.  Mr. Conley will contact someone to get a firm cost before the next meeting.

 

Mr. Conley will identify some projects needed in the parks since he works with the parks on a daily basis.  He will try to get copies of the Master Plans for South Park and Lewis Park for the next meeting.

 

Mrs. Groat will not be able to attend the July meeting.  She asked the Commission to proceed with putting projects in the plan.  Mr. Jones and Clerk Patterson will complete the worksheet for presentation/finalization at the July meeting.

 

COMMENTS OF CITIZENS – AGENDA ITEMS: No comments

 

COMMENTS OF INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONERS: 

 

Mr. Seymour commented that he did not oppose the lounge chairs for the pool, he opposed spending the money.  Feels there are other priorities that should be concentrated on.  Would like to see a lot of effort put towards South Park.  He noted the Adena Pointe development had been approved and development is about to begin.

 

Mr. Marshall encouraged Commission members to attend Planning Commission meetings and express the desire to have communities connected via walking trails, and developers should be required to include in the plat prior to approval so they pay for it and not the City. 

 

Mrs. Groat suggested the Commission meet in November or December and put together a philosophy for Parks & Recreation Commission which can be presented to developers who come to Planning Commission with new developments.  Mr. Conley stated the philosophy lately has been that the City does not want any more parkland, money in lieu of parkland is preferred.    

 

ADJOURNMENT:  There being no further business to come before Parks & Recreation Commission, the meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.