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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-14-2005 BOARD OF PARKS & RECREATTON MTNUTE$ OF MEL=T~N& - NOVEMBER 14, 2005 The meeting was c~lled to order at 12:05 pm by President Kevin LaGrange. Members present: KevJn LaGrange, VickJ Conlin, Mick Hennegan, ,Tohn Young, Ted Thrackmorton. Absent: Sue Pfau. Personnel and guests present were as follows: 5uperintendent Rob Poll, Assistant Superintendent Beverly Couts, Aquatic/Recreation Director Sara Kraft, Outreach birectar ~Tustin Campbell, Park Liaison Barbara Wilson, Boys and Girls Club Executive Director Ed Carla. Any other guests present will be recognized as they address the board. Minutes: The October 2005 minutes were approved after discussion on a motion made by VickJ Conlin, seconded by ~Tohn Young, carried unanimously. Public Comment: None .Old Business: Rob passed out rough draft of Bob Hedge Park promotional brochure to the board members for their interest and input. He made a recommendation to the board to have the Bob Hedge Park playground area named the Lydia Ricci Playground(after requirements to sponsors Ogle Foundation and Crusade for Children have been fulfilled). This is in honor of Lydia, who was the special needs grandchild of Sandy and Larry Knott and the inspiration for the special needs park. A motion was made by ~Tohn Young to call the playground area at Bob Hedge Park The Lydia R/cciPlayprou~d, seconded by Kevin LaGrange. The family of Lydia R/cci had requested memorial gift proceeds to go to the Bob Hedge Park renovation project and, to-date, have received approximately $:t,500. Rob passed around drawings from the playground equipment company Game Time. He indicated the surfacing expense is still the major cost and cause of delay. Rob wants to investigate the three bids and then negotiate. Rob was pleased to report a $500,000 grant from the I(en Ellis Center project has been awarded to the city. New Business: Anthony I~pps, Director of the ~Teff Boys and Girls Club, was introduced by Rob and asked to give a brief overview of the day-to-day operations of the club. Anthony said when the children arrive at the center after school they are first required to do one hour of homework called the "Power Hour" and remarked that their grades have improved considerably. There is a computer room thcrrs used by the young kids and teens alike. There are two national contests (photo and fine arts) that the kids can porticipote in as well as a spelling bee. Sports leagues such as soccer, flag footboll and softball ~re offered in the summer months. He explained that discipline is enforced at the center. There are presently 3:>5 members and would like to have 400 by the end of the year. The board thanked Anthony for his update. Nachand Fieldhouse Report: The claims for October 2005 were distributed for review. ,Tustin CampbeU reported that the K-l-2 I~sketball Program is going well. Claims: The claims for October 2005 were distributed for review and approval. After discussion, a motion was made by Vicki Conlin to approve claims as distributed, seconded by ~Tohn Young, c~rried unanimously. Correspondence: A letter from Utic~ Elementary School requesting an auction item for their Fall Festival was addressed. A two hour party at the Fieldhouse was approved. Superintendent's Report: Rob discussed and informed on the following: L Leak detection at Aquatic Center, had to order plugs for pressure testing. A&A Mechanical doing the work 2. The concrete foundation was poured last week for the garage building at Mai jar Fields. The work was done in-house with our maintenance staff. 3. Met with ~Torge I~nz regarding River Stage proposal to the ¢orp of Engineers, Poppy Park floodwall walkway ide~, D-year MaSter Plan Renewal, and site plans for Bob Hedge Park (demolition, site and construction). ar. ~TustJn and ]~ met with Koetter Construction about Bob Hedge Park work. 5. Halloween bowntown was a success. Showed photographs taken at the event to the board. 6. Rob asked ~Tustin Campbell and Sara Kraft, who attended the annual NRPA Conference in San Antonio, TexaS, to give the board a briefing. Sara said a couple of classes she porticipeted in were very helpful. One entitled "Taking Your Concessions to the Next Level" suggested ways to make your aquatic center concessions efficient and profitable. Another claSs entitled "Why Do Guards Continue to Fail" suggests sponsoring in-services with the lifeguards to teach ways to eliminate accidental drowning and/or injury. Sara is also planning to have a children's ChristmaS event December ~th entitled 'Tee with Mrs. Claus". The cost would be $§.00 per child. Vicki Conlin was asked to be Mrs. Claus and she accepted. The children will engoge in fun activities/crafts, be served hot chocolate and cookies and receive a "trinket" when they leave. Kevin LeGronge offered to donate the cookies for the event. ~Tustin Campbell felt that he made several important contacts at the Conference and stated it was a good place to network. One of his classes suggested sponsoring a Golf Tournament. They said profits are always good with this event, suggesting an expected minimum profit of $2,500. Twilight Golf Course was suggested aS a possible location. Another class entitled 'Sponsorship' suggests finding a corporate sponsor in order to have additional income for progrommJng. The Parks Department provided some lights and all the labor to hang Lights for the Holiday Open House on Spring Street Thursday, November ~0th. ~Tay Ellis and the Downtown Merchants were very complimentary of the wore 8. We purchased three sets of lockers for the Aquatic Center for next season. 9. The Parks Department purchased street pole banners for the Holidays. He showed the board samples of the banners. Our marketing person, Thom Whittinghill, designed them. ~[0. Three more security cameras should be installed at the JAC in the next two weeks. 11. Skate Park was a mess after the weekend. Trash and evidence of make-shift restroom. 12. Slogan statement next month. :~3. We will be decorating Warder Park for Light-Up downtown Thursday, December 1, 2005 from 6pm - 8pm. 14. Tea with Mrs. Claus Sunday, December ll, 200§. l§. K-1-2 Basketball League has started and going well - 200 participants. [6. Warder Park dance floor designs surfacing information - proposal needs to go through Historical 5ociety. 17. Mayor, Bev Knight and T met with radio station :~07.7 WSFR about concerts for 2006. Board Znput: Ted Throckmorton asked if the $5.00 fee for "Tea with Mrs. Claus" was reasonable. He was afraid some parents might not be able to afford the fee. After discussion, it was determined this fee was customary and reasonable. Ted asked Rob how the Vogt Park project was progressing and about the tree removal in Warder Park. Rob said he was waiting on the delivery of the monument to be placed in Vogt Park. Delivery has been promised in December and the tree removal in Warder Park has been completed. A motion was made by Ted Throckmorton to name the three Youth Football fields as follows: Tom Galligon, Dale Orem, Bob Grant and wants to see the signs in place by next year, motion was seconded by Mick Hennegan. ~Tohn Young indicated this motion needs to follow Ru/e~ o£ Or/er and should be made during the discussion of 'Old and New Business". He feels the entire board should have input on this decision and the matter should be tabled at this time. Ted Throckmorton withdrew his motion, MJck Hennegon seconded. President Kevin LaGrange asked P. ob to put this item on the agenda in December and the board will address it at that time. Ted asked if the laminate floor at Warder Park has to be approved by the Historic [~oard. Rob says Jt does and after approval from that board, the Parks Board will do an official motion to get bids. Rob indicated he will get a materials list. Mick Hennegan would like to see the phrase "Merry Christmas" on next year's holiday banners. Rob says in order to stay politically correct, "Happy Holidays" was used instead of "Merry Christmas". ,Tohn Young asks if the Poppy Park neighborhood has been polled for their interest Jn the proposed walkover to the ,Tell Aquatic Center. Rob said he hasn't brought the idea to the neighbors yet. ];t is just in the "idea" phase. Kevin La,range said a family who lives near ¢olston Park has asked him if they can have the original plaque that may be removed when the bridge project comes through. Kevin complimented everyone involved with the Halloween Downtown for a job well done. He also indicated he will be meeting Wednesday, November ~6th with Clerk Treasurer Peggy Wilder to settle a $150,000 non-reverting fund dispute. Vicki Conlin addressed the board about the yemrly salary that is given to each board member in December. Vicki wants it in the record that she Js declining her salary and would like her salary to be donated toward the new Warder Park dance floor. 5he is also encouraging other board members to do the same. Vicki indicated neighbors around the Highland Park area are telling her that the drug traffic is getting bed. 5he called the police and asked for their help in patrolling the are~ Vicki drove by the Lottie Oglesby Park and remarked how attractive the park Iook~ and how much people seemed to enjoy it. Kevin LaGrange asked Rob what measures have been token to help eliminote the vondolism problem at the Skateboard Park. Rob soid new cameras are going to be placed Jn areas that can possibly identify the vandals. Announcement: The next scheduled meeting for this board will be noon on Monday, becember :~2th. Adjournment: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned et :~:4§pm on a motion made by ~Tohn Young, seconded by Vicki Conlin, carried unanimously. President - Kevin L~Grange 5ecretan/- Vicki Conlin