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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/14/1996 - Regular Minutes - Parks Board MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD SPECIAL MEETING - PUBLIC HEARING TUESDAY, MAY 14, 1996 - 7:00 P.M. SOUTHWOOD VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 2700 BROTHERS BOULEVARD -- CAFETERIA -- MEMBERS PRESENT: Ron Gay, Chair; Bob DeOtte,Vice Chair; Carol Reynolds; Greg Taggart MEMBERS ABSENT: Mike Manson and Debra Anderson STAFF PRESENT: Steve Beachy, Director; Emily Baker, Senior Secretary; Cathy Capps, Programs Assistant, Curits Bingham, Parks Operations Superintendent; Gary Marske, Parks Operations Supervisor; and Tony Scazzero, Athletic Supervisor VISITORS: Glenn Canis, Deanne Swierc, Rodney Ryden, John Jackman, Bill Barba, Wendy Wolfe, Kathy Culver, Sherman Frost, Guy Foster, Carl Odom I. • • • kA Minutes for the meeting on April 9, 1996, were approved as submitted. II. Resolution in Honor of Larry Ringer: Ron read the proclamation for Mayor Ringer recognizing him for his continued support to the Parks and Recreation Department throughout his tenure. Bob motioned to approve the proclamation, seconded by Carol. The motioned carried. III. Hear Visitors: No unscheduled visitors were present. IV. Public Hearing Concerning Brothers Pond Park: Mr. Carl Odom, 13909 Renee Lane, stated that the exercise equipment that used to be there was for citizens over 40, but was replaced with new equipment for youth 12 and under. Mr. Odom does not think that the old equipment should have been removed, he does not like the new equipment. Steve mentioned that the old equipment did need to be replaced. The department had received complaints about its condition. He stated that they would have replaced it with the same equipment but that company was no longer in business. Mrs. Deanne Swierc, 2707 Pierre Place, would have rather seen the playground equipment replaced instead of the exercise equipment. Mrs. Swierc would also like to see bike trails created for kids to ride their bikes on instead of them creating their own. She also stated that the City could encourage the schools to become involved with bike safety. Mr. Sherman Frost stated that the department's priorities should be realigned more towards natural resources rather than programs, which are already good. He stated that ballfields and facilities are kept in great shape but natural areas in parks are deteriorating. Mary Ann McCarthy stated her concern about how parks are becoming more baseball oriented. Ms. McCarthy also mentioned that the department should make bike trails around Southwood Park. Mr. Glenn Carls stated that he believes the department is using "management by neglect" regarding the control of natural areas in parks. Parks Board Minutes May 14, 1996 Page lof 3 IV. Public Hearing Concerning Brothers Pond Park: (continued) Guy Foster, 1104 San Rita, is concerned about the people in the park during the late hours. He stated that they are so noisy that you cannot open your windows at night. Bill Barba addressed his concern regarding the excessive number of ducks in the park. He also dislikes the kids riding their bikes on the jogging trails. He suggested encouraging the kids to ride on the bike trails instead of the jogging trails. Ron informed Mr. Barba that 30 ducks have already been removed from the park. Kathy Culver, 1103 Santa Rita, stated her concerns about the mosquito problem. Ms. Swierc stated that she erected purple martin houses and bat houses to combat the mosquito problem. Steve mentioned that when there is not a lot of rain, water becomes stagnate and creates a certain breed of mosquito, whereas when it rains a lot, another breed emerges. He also mentioned that bat boxes were put up in several parks to help with the mosquito problem. Spraying is not an affective method of mosquito control unless it comes in direct contact with the mosquito. Since the city can only spray public areas, private homes and yards that are unaffected by the spraying, lead to ineffective mosquito control. Mr.John Jackman, 1103 Rio Bravo, would like to see a management plan developed for the park. Bob motioned to hold another public hearing and would like to work on Mr. Jackman's idea about putting together a park management plan, but would like to involve more citizens in the community, not limit it to just the 8-10 people present at the meeting. Carol seconded and the motion carried. V. PI *11 onsiderat.on of Results from the Girl's Softball Program Surveys: Ron reviewed the survey conducted the week of April 15, 1996. The survey was directed at both parents and the players. Eighty-one of the eight-two people surveyed were satisfied with the program. Most people surveyed wanted the program to continue to be fun, informal, and recreational rather than competitive, as was previously addressed at a previous board meeting by a few parents. Seventy-one surveyed would rather the parks department run the program, compared to twelve who would prefer for little league to run it. VI. 0' . '11 i a i ideration of the Results from the Teen Survey: Steve mentioned that the teen survey is part of an action plan to address one of the Council's Strategic Issues regarding junior high and high school aged youth. Several of the youth indicated a desire to be involved in a committee to work with the department on future programming. Others indicated that they were willing to fill out the survey, but believed nothing would be done with the results or suggestions given. Ron would like the results of the survey distributed to the community once they are completed. He believes the youth surveyed, as well as the community, would like to review the results. VII. Discussion of Request to Rename Southwood Pool: Steve stated that the first requirement for renaming a parks facility had been met with the petition signed by 25 citizens. Carol, Ron, and Greg volunteered to be on the subcommittee. They will meet later in the month to discuss the request. VIII. Capital Improvement Program Report: Steve stated that the Southwood Pool renovation is going well. The stainless steel gutters are in, the pool shell is complete, but some work is still needed in the mechanical room. The development of Pebble Creek Park was awarded to Marek Brothers Construction and work should begin the week of May 20th. The Wayne Smith Baseball Complex is under conceptual design. It will include three baseball fields, instead of four. The Central Park Pond Improvements project is out to bid. This will include sidewalks for handicap accessibility to the fishing piers, as well as a small shelter on the northeast side of the lake. Parks Board Minutes April 9, 1996 Page 2 of 2 IX. Other Business/Board Concerns: Bob suggested including Brothers Pond Park and the WPC Amphitheater in the board tour when it's conducted for the new board members. Bob reviewed the mission statement for the Sports Advisory Committee. He would like the chairman of that committee to be a Parks Advisory Board member. The committee will meet either bi-monthly or quarterly. Bob stated that he has noticed a lot of traffic passing between the stands and the ballfields at Southwood and suggested looking into trying to alleviate that at Wayne Smith, if possible. It distracted him from watching the game. X. Adjourn: The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m. APPROVED: Ron Gay, Board Chairman Date Attest: Bridgette George CPS, Board Secretary Date Parks Board Minutes April 9, 1996 Page 3 of 2