PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES

SEPTEMBER 18, 2007

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

MEMBERS PRESENT: Russ Jones, Cathy Dwertman, Rowland Seymour, John Marshall, John Howard 2 Vacancies

OTHERS PRESENT: Steve Conley, Connie Patterson

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: There being no additions or corrections, the minutes for the meeting on August 21, 2007 were approved as distributed.

REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION: No report.

REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PARKS & RECREATION: Mr. Conley reported that he had stopped at Greenwood Park. Construction of the trail should be completed Wednesday, 9/19. Mr. Conley is pleased with it. Mr. Seymour commented that it looks extremely good. He asked Mr. Conley if there was a map showing plans for that park, such as location of the trail etc. Mr. Seymour said residents want to know why the trail isn’t coming all the way around the perimeter of the park. Mr. Conley said he doesn’t want to put the trail in the low area or the wetland area. The distance of the trail is 3,753’.

Mr. Seymour commented that a car had driven back in there about 10:30 p.m. and he never saw it come back out. Mr. Conley asked him to call the police if that happens again. There should be no one back in there at that time of night.

Mrs. House is going to talk to Beazer Homes about asphalting the trail. They had expressed an interest to do something in that area.

The last concert in the park is this Sunday, 9/23. Gas Pump Jockeys is the band performing.

COMMISSIONER’S REPORT ON INDIVIDUAL PARKS:

Mr. Seymour reported that Schwartzkopf and Mill Creek Parks look great and are getting a lot of use.

Mr. Howard reported that Legion Park looks great. He complimented Lane and his crew for doing a super job. Mr. Howard continues to receive complaints from Legion members about cutting down the trees.

Mr. Marshall reported that Mill Valley looks good. There is a lot of activity in the park, particularly a lot of Frisbee Golf players.

Mr. Conley said the Shelter/Restroom/Concession building construction is progressing.

Mr. Marshall suggested purchasing trash cans to place at the Frisbee Golf tee boxes. Mr. Conley said he would like to do that, but the kids will not leave them alone. Also, there are trash cans in other parks and people continue to throw trash on the ground. Mr. Conley would like to see trash cans at every Puppy Mitt stand.

Mr. Jones said everything is fine at McCarthy Park.

Mrs. Dwertman reported that McCloud and Lewis Parks are fine.

Mr. Conley is going to check on signs regarding “leashed dogs” for Legion Park.

CITIZENS’ COMMENTS NON-AGENDA ITEMS: No comments

OLD BUSINESS:

· Soccer Fields (in Central Park)

Mr. Conley checked, and soccer fields can be built in the City well area. No restrooms can be built within a 300’ radius of the well. He talked with people from the Soccer organization. They are excited about the prospect of additional soccer fields, and they do have some money to contribute. They asked if this area would be restricted to soccer only. Mr. Conley said no; it will be a City Park and fields would be scheduled like all the other fields. Mr. Conley is going to meet with John Edsall to get some ideas for the park.

· 5-year Capital Improvement Plan

Mr. Conley suggested moving the $53,000 budgeted in 2008 for Mill Valley Park-Central to Central Park for the soccer fields. As noted in last month’s meeting, due to reservoir construction, it would not be wise to proceed with the projects in Mill Valley Park Central.

Mr. Conley is proposing to put $96,000 in the 2008 budget for replacement of the baby pool at the Municipal Pool. There have been problems with the baby pool for the last few years. The pool will be independent of the big pool system. The current baby pool has no water source to it. The new pool will have its own water source and drain. The estimate for this project is $96,000. There is money in the Parkland Fund to pay for this. This expense will be added to the 5-year Capital Improvement Plan.

Another change proposed for the 5-year Capital Improvement Plan is to remove the $20,000 for replacing the shelter at McCarthy Park. Mr. Stilling’s crew has repaired the shelter, so a replacement is not necessary.

Mr. Conley said $35,000 is budgeted for re-roofing and roof repair of the pool building, The re-roofing of the pool came in at $10,500. He’s uncertain what the repairs will cost.

Mr. Marshall said there is a dirt farm in front of Central Park. Need to keep that area in mind as far as safety, when constructing the area for soccer fields. May need to put landscape buffers in to keep people away from that area.

Mr. Conley asked the Soccer organization to pay for the Master Plan to speed the project along. It’s estimated that possibly eight full-size soccer fields could be built in that area. Need to be sure to have plenty of parking. The Soccer organization guarantees that if that can happen, they can have tournaments in Marysville. That could sell out all Marysville and surrounding hotels.

Revised cost for 2008 projects is $224,000.

Mr. Seymour moved to accept the proposed amendments to the 5-year Capital Improvement Plan, seconded by Ms. Dwertman. Affirmative voice vote was unanimous.

Clerk will make proposed changes to the 5-year Capital Improvement Plan and send copy to Mr. Conley and Mr. Morehart, plus all Commission members.

NEW BUSINESS: None

COMMENTS OF CITIZENS – AGENDA ITEMS: None

COMMENTS OF INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONERS: None

Mr. Conley said that Mr. Reams had emailed him the name of a person who lives in the ward where Parks & Rec needs a replacement. He will contact her to see if she may be interested in becoming a member.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before Parks & Recreation Commission, the meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.