Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout2015-10-20 minutesPark Resources & Planning Committee Meeting October 20, 2015 Committee Chair Darryl Winegar called the meeting to order at Noon in the Multipurpose Room of the City Annex, 427 Monroe Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101. Committee members present were: Jim Chilcutt, Kay Toft, Gene Bushmann, Randy Allen, and Karl Staub. Commissioners Cindy Layton, Denise Chapel, and Bill Plank were present. Staff present was Bill Lockwood, J.J. Gates, Tina Werner, Phil Stiles, Andy Carroll, Amy Schroeder, and Amy Shaw. Mark Leesman with Friends of McClung Park was also present. Friends of McClung Park Director Lockwood introduced Mark Leesman. Lockwood stated that JJ Gates and Any Carroll have been working with Mr. Leesman and the neighborhood. JJ Gates stated that Mark Leesman contacted him over one year ago. He stated that at that time the neighborhood was working on a celebration of the park. As a part of the celebration event, the neighborhood talked about how to improve the park and to make changes/additions to the park. Gates commented on things that are being funded at the park by the Department which includes replacement of the wooden playground structure. Gates stated that as of November 1, some money will be available to help with repairs to the upper parking lot. Gates stated that the Friends of McClung Park understanding the funding that is available, but there are some additional items they would like to undertake. Mr. Leesman thanked JJ Gates and Andy Carroll for the help they have provided. Leesman feels that McClung Park has been forgotten over the years, but the park provides much to the community. Leesman stated there are a number of people that reside in the Moreau Heights historical area that have an interest in McClung Park. Following the celebration in the park last year Leesman stated that the group met and stated they would like to have an advocacy group to act as a resource group to the Park Resources and Planning Committee. They want to work in tandem with the committee in order to see the park and their community improved while providing resources. Leesman stated that the Friends of McClung Park would like to get the okay to proceed with some work at the park which included a walking trail. Leesman with the help of power point showed the area where a walking trail could be located. Another idea was an unpaved nature trail. Leesman stated that the neighborhood also has a number of dog owners and feels that a dog park would be a great addition; however, he understands the concern of barking dogs in a residential neighborhood. Other ideas by Friends of McClung Park included general landscaping of the park and an area for a smaller disc golf. 2 Director Lockwood commented on the ideas of a dog park and a disc golf course. He stated that typically we don’t have the necessary funds to build items like this at more than one location. He stated that if you act on these items, you can be sure that the patrons will want the same things at other locations. Following an in-depth discussion, Committee member Karl Staub made a motion recommending to the Commission moving forward with Friends of McClung Park to develop a nature walking trail through the park, and through the Adopt-A-Park program, work on beautification of the park. Committee member Gene Bushmann seconded the motion. The motion passed with all committee members voting in favor. Greenway Usage Report Director Lockwood stated that approximately nine months ago staff purchased some counters for the greenway system to get data on trail usage. Andy Carroll, Planner, described the locations for the three counters currently in the park system and stated that the counters have an electronic eye that count when the beam is crossed. Carroll stated that the counters were put into place in March and described the data collection for committee members. The committee went into an in-depth discussion with the outcome being that the information was valuable and the committee recommends purchasing additional counters. Green Berry Acres Use Policy and Rental Rates Director Lockwood stated information was at each member’s seat relative to the use policy and rental rates. JJ Gates stated that Green Berry Acres is a hybrid park - a neighborhood park with rental facilities. Gates stated at the summer bbq staff received feedback that was valuable in helping determine the hours for this park being shorter than the larger parks of 11 p.m. Staff feels that a 9 p.m. cutoff time is better suited. Gates stated that the outdoor shelter rental rate would be $12 per hour which is in line with the lake deck at Binder Park. The indoor cabin rate would be $17 per hour since this is a smaller venue with no indoor restrooms or kitchen facility. Gates reported it is important that we continue with the rental rate of $25 per day for the Girl Scout groups. Gates went on to describe other policies for the rentals and closed stating that the facility would be available for rentals starting April 1, 2016. Only one rental would occur at time (indoor cabin/outdoor shelter) due to parking. Following discussion, Committee member Randy Allen made a motion recommending to the Commission the use policy and rental rates for Green Berry Acres. Committee member Kay Toft seconded the motion. The motion passed with all voting in favor. Quigg Commons Facility Rental Rates and Naming Director Lockwood stated that staff has been working to make improvement to the Quigg Commons area in North Jefferson City. Staff is currently working on the addition of another small picnic shelter and working on trails through the tree planting and landscaping in the area. Lockwood stated that staff is beginning to receive requests for rental of the shelters. 3 Director Lockwood called on Committee member Kay Toft for another report on the area. Toft reported that the Foundation has a generous benefactor and friend who has made it possible to enhance the Quigg Commons. That person is Gene Bushmann. Due to his generosity the staff has been able to build the shelter in the conifer garden area and with the remaining funds, other improvements are planned. Over the years Gene Bushmann has been a loyal and active supporter of the park system. Therefore, Committee member Kay Toft made a motion that the Park Resources and Planning Committee make a recommendation to the Commission that the shelter and the surrounding area be named after Gene Bushmann. Committee member Randy Allen seconded the motion. The motion passed with all voting in favor. JJ Gates then spoke regarding the rental rate for the shelter. He stated that other shelters of this size rent for $12 per hour and suggested that we would offer this rate as well. Gates stated that since this is a smaller park with a small parking lot, staff would only like to offer one rental at the pavilions (one or both can be used during the rental time). Following discussion, Committee member Plank made a motion recommending to the Commission the rental rate of $12 per hour for the pavilions at Quigg Commons. Committee member Staub seconded the motion. The motion passed with all voting in favor. J.C. Miller Park Field Lighting Committee chair Darryl Winegar stated he would be asking the committee for action. Winegar stated these are the lights at the Scott/Byrd fields at Binder Park. Winegar stated that when doing some inspections of these lights, staff has found excessive deterioration beyond repair. Director Lockwood stated that the Commission briefly discussed this at the October meeting, but staff found further problem when inspecting the lights for repair. Lockwood reported that the light poles have twisted over time and the lights are not focused in the right direction. The poles have splits in them and are rotted in many locations. Lockwood stated that the system was installed in the mid 1970’s and the oldest athletic lighting in the park system that still remains. Lockwood stated staff did not realize the amount of damage but feels in order to keep the patrons safe, this is a repair that needs to be done quickly in order for use in the spring of 2016. Lockwood stated there are some cooperative procurement opportunities that could help expedite the project. Following discussion, Committee member Randy Allen made a motion recommending to the Commission approve the J.C. Miller Park Field Lighting at outlined. Committee member Jim Chilcutt seconded the motion. The motion passed with all voting in favor. Project Update JJ Gates stated that park crews have completed work on the #9 hole and tee at Oak Hills and showed before and after pictures of the project. Park crews have helped the disc golf club finish up the new course at Binder Park. Gates reported on the Ellis Porter Pool rehabilitation project. He stated that bids are out and will be received for renovation of the pool that will include removal of the wading pool in 4 order to create a zero-depth entry. A new gutter system will be installed as well as new features at the pool that include a diving board. Gates reported on work at the tennis courts. He stated that the old courts will be “white topped” in order to create an area for youth tennis and pickle ball. Gates stated that crews have been working at the Noren Access on riverfront improvements. Gates reported that a hard surface trail is being installed. In closing Gates reported on the greenway system. Gates stated that the department in working on an easement for the Frog Hollow area that will allow additional trail to be built. Other Business Multipurpose Building Director Lockwood reported that the project is out for bid. The pre-bid meeting will be held on October 15 at 10 a.m. for prospective bidder to learn more about the project. The bid opening date is scheduled for November 5 and the anticipated award by the Commission will be November 10 followed by the Board of Curators Meeting on November 12. Lockwood stated that the bid is setup with several alternates depending on availability of funds. The site plans and building plans were submitted to City Planning and Code Enforcement on October 12 for them to begin their review process and is sue required permits. General questions ensued by committee members with Lockwood and Gates responding. President Chapel closed by stating that a ceremonial groundbreaking was held during Homecoming. Chapel stated that everyone is excited about the project and looks forward to this partnership opportunity. Adjournment At 1:45 p.m., Committee member Karl Staub made a motion that the meeting adjourn. Committee member Gene Bushmann seconded the motion. The motion passed with all voting in favor.