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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2016-07-19 minutesPark Resources & Planning Committee Meeting July 19, 2016 Committee Chairs Bill Plank and Stu Murphy called the meeting to order at Noon in the Parks Conference Room of the City Annex, 427 Monroe Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101. Committee members present were: Kay Toft, Mark Leesman, Cindy Schnieders, Celeste Koon, and Charlie Palmer. In addition to Commissioners Bill Plank and Stu Murphy, Cindy Layton was present. Staff present was Todd Spalding, Amy Shaw, JJ Gates, Tina Werner, and Phil Stiles. Park Master Plan Update Director Spalding stated that the department is embarking on a Park Master Plan. Spalding reported in March of 1996 the City did a Comprehensive Plan that included some information relative to Parks and Recreation which outlined connecting parks and neighborhoods. Spalding stated that the Park Master Plan would be a will be a colorful layout of what is deemed necessary in our parks and what we want our parks to look like. It will be a plan that can be used daily in Parks and Recreation planning for the future. Director Spalding reported that a Request for Qualifications was sent to firms statewide with four firms responding. Spalding stated that one firm submitted a proposal but was disqualified due to the time their response was received. He added that a team would be formed to review and score the proposals and he further hopes to have a recommendation for the Commission at the August meeting. Wellness/Recreation Center Update Director Spalding stated construction is going well. He stated that bad weather/rain dates have been kept to minimum. Spalding stated that by the end of July the roof should be on the building. Staff and Lincoln University are working on the interior finishes as well as schedules and calendars for the facility. Committee member Charlie Palmer asked about the budget for the building. Spalding responded that the budget on track and he has shared change order information with the Commission. Spalding stated it is his and the staff’s intention to move forward without having to get a loan from the City. He feels that our budget is stable and will be able to cover the necessary funding. Palmer also asked how the staff is going about sharing information with the public. Spalding responded that many individuals are asking and he is communicating with many people. He stated that no public meeting has been setup, but if the committee feels this is important, staff can certainly get this done. The committee then talked about radio spots that could also be used to provide updates to the community. Tennis Court Update Spalding reported that the design of the park is underway, and he and staff from Lincoln will be attending the Jefferson City School Board Meeting on August 8 to request the $62,500 from the school district for their contribution on the project. Sales Tax “G” Review 2 Committee chair Bill Plank stated he serves on the committee with John Landwehr and Linda McAnany. Plank provided brochures to the committee for their information and stated the funding is critical to the City and urged everyone to vote on August 2. Park Projects Update JJ Gates, Park Resources Division Director provided an update on ongoing park projects. Gates stated after obtaining Green Berry Acres last year, the park and facilities are home to summer day camps. Improvements have been made to the sign and the entrance to the park as well as updates to the indoor cabin and outdoor restroom. Staff is planning to replace the septic system and connect to the sanitary sewer system in the future. Crews have worked with Musco Lighting to replace the lights at Scott and Byrd fields. Staff has installed two new small picnic shelters at Binder Lake. One new shelter was funded by the Jefferson City Rotary West Club. Renovations are complete at Ellis Porter Riverside Pool with the new zero depth entry, gutters, slide, diving board and play features at the facility. He added that attendance is up and patrons are enjoying the new renovation. The new hole #9 is open for play at Oak Hills. Staff added that the multi-tiered green makes the new hole challenging. A new shelter has been built at the Steiner house, next to the JC Flying Field. The shelter was needed for an additional day camp that was offered this year. Park crews reworked the sand courts and Binder Park creating three new courts. Gates stated that the courts are being used most nights and was needed for the expanded play. Vinyl fencing was also added to control some of the parking around the courts. Gates reported that staff had been approached about the use of the Eagles field on Missouri Boulevard on an extended term. Crews took the opportunity to rehab the concession stand so that it could be open for games scheduled at Lions and Eagles. Gates stated that park crews have been working on the new playground at McClung Park. The extension on the Frog Hollow Greenway was put on hold due to some geotechnical engineering required for MoDOT permits and some minor redesign on a portion to save money. He stated that he hopes to get all the redesign done so that Twehous can return to the site and complete the trail extension. In closing, Gates stated that parks staff has been working with the Big Ideas Committee from the Chamber of Commerce. This group donated money to the Foundation to help with the first phase of the Riverwalk at the Noren Access. 3 Other Business  Director Spalding stated that the homeowners near the Radio Control Flying Field are concerned with those flying the remote planes near their homes. Spalding stated he and staff are working with the homeowners to develop rules and regulations that will work for all.  Committee member Mark Leesman asked Director Spalding if he had assigned any staff to the Pokémon craze and if parks were incorporating any stops in the park system. Director Spalding further explained the Pokémon search to committee members and stated he would see if something could be done in the park system. Adjournment With no other items to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 1:10 p.m. The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for October 18, 2016 at Noon.