Parks and Recreation Commission

Meeting Minutes

February 6, 2014

6:30 p.m.

 

PRESENT:  Azer, Diedrick, Gelbach, M. Holt, Stoner, Wall

ABSENT:    Boehm, Doneen, D. Holt, and Simbeck notified staff about being unable to attend

STAFF:        Anfang, Brokke

 

 

1.    INTRODUCTIONS

Commissioner Diedrick acted as Commission Chair this evening with the absence of Commissioner D. Holt.

 

2.    ROLL CALL/PUBLIC COMMENT

None

 

3.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JANUARY 7, 2014 MEETING

Commission Recommendation: 

Minutes for the January 7, 2014 meeting were approved unanimously.

 

4.    MOORE'S FARRINGTON ESTATES PARK DEDICATION

Brokke reviewed the site and options for the park dedication. The property in discussion is planned for 8 developed home sites. This project will trigger a park dedication of .36 acre in land dedication or $28,000 in cash payment in lieu of the property. Brokke had mentioned the developer would prefer the cash payment rather than the property dedication, due to decreasing the overall property size by .36 acre will impact the overall development.

 

Commission Recommendation: 

Motion by Azer to recommend that the City Council accept $28,000 in cash to satisfy park dedication in lieu of land for the Moore?s Farrington Estates development, second by Wall. 

Motion passed unanimously

 

Commissioner Azer asked about future updates on projects that benefit financially from funds collected through the Park Dedication fees. Commissioner Diedrick also encouraged regular updates on the park dedication fund balance.

·         Brokke mentioned that the City recently purchased a property near Langton  Lake with Park Dedication fees.

 

5.    PARK & RECREATION RENEWAL PROGRAM

     Brokke updated the Commission on the Renewal Program.

·         11 project packages have recently been released for contractor proposals.

o    First proposals are due February 12 with others staggered through the next 2 weeks.

o    Second set of proposals (Nature Center, Skating Center, bridges & boardwalk, Natural Resource projects and pathways & sidewalks are due March 18.

o    A pre-proposal meeting was held January 28 with over 50 contractors in attendance.

o    Staff are beginning to plan a construction kick-off event for May 3, 2014 at Lexington Park. Save the date.

 

6.    COMMUNICATIONS PLAN DISCUSSION

Commissioner Gelbach briefed the Commission on recent work being done to help improve communication efforts.

·         Gelbach and Anfang met with the City Communications Manager, Garry Bowman recently. The three talked about possible mapping efforts and online opportunities.

·         Gelbach talked about developing maps on a variety of levels - large all city maps, to smaller, take-along individual maps.

·         Gelbach also shared a sample of possible communication piece that could be developed for each park renewal project that would include general information along with a QR code that would take interested community members to a web site with more up-to-date information.

·         Gelbach also shared an audience snapshot, a communications tool used to better understand the audience and targeting messages and information to designated audiences.

o    Commissioner Wall inquired into whether this might be a joint project with the new Civic Engagement Commission.

o    Commissioner Diedrick questioned the ability to keep up with updates. Gelbach explained that he envisioned more generalized pieces with updates on separate documents that might be accessed by using the QR code.

 

7.    COMMISSION GOALS ANNUAL REVIEW

Lee Diedrick provided a status update on the annual Commission goals.

·         Commissioners discussed the need to return to the Council with a recommendation from the Commission on consideration of a Park Board.

o    Commissioners suggested adding the Park Board discussion to the March meeting agenda.

 

8.    STAFF REPORT

Brokke reported;

·         Central Park Foundation recently received a $107,000 gift from the Denny Malarkey family.

·         Friends of Lexington Park had raised money in the past for projects in Lexington Park, the group is looking to expand on their fundraising efforts for a project addition as part of the Lexington Park Renewal Program.

·         A Community Orchard at the Arboretum is being considered. The Orchard would include apple and pear trees, with a portion of the harvested fruit being donated to local community organizations. Organizers are looking into different grant opportunities to help support the project.

·         The Parks and Recreation Commission has one opening for the coming year. Community members are encouraged to consider applying.

 

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:00pm

Respectfully Submitted,

Jill Anfang, Assistant Director