Park Commission

Minutes of a Regular Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting June 7, 2016 A regular meeting of the Blue Springs Parks Commission was held on Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at the Fieldhouse. The Chairman called the meeting to order. Richard Mitchem – Present Parks Dept. Staff: Dennis Dovel George Deibert – Absent Parks Dept. Staff: Steve Willman Kathy Richardson – Present Parks Dept. Staff: Justin Stuart Keith Hannaman – Present Parks Dept. Staff: Pam Buck Dena McLean - Present Parks Dept. Staff: Randy Cooper Jack Gilliland – Present Parks Dept. Staff: Carol Reed Maureen Johnson – Present City Council Liaison: Dale Carter Brandon Jackley – Present Jennifer Splittorff – Present A motion was made and seconded to accept the Consent Agenda; it passed unanimously. Visitors/Correspondence: None Program/Activity Spotlight: Pam Buck reviewed the Corks and Canvas and the Main Street Trick or Treat events. She discussed the Downtown Alive organization and their partnership with the department. She presented a PowerPoint showing photos of the events. Randy Cooper discussed the support his staff provides for downtown events, including set up and tear down. They also install seasonal banners on the light poles on Main Street. Finances: Dennis Dovel reviewed the financial report for May. He said all departments are well within their budgets. Staff Reports: Staff reviewed their reports. Pam Buck reported that attendance for the recent Movie in the Park, Minions, was 200 to 300, and is running around 600 for the weekly concerts at Rotary Park. Each band is sponsored by a local business. She also reported that Friday, June 24th is the annual Ice Cream Social. The July 4th fireworks celebration and concert is sponsored by KFKF and St. Mary’s Medical Center this year. Randy Cooper reported that the vacant building technician position has been filled recently but some seasonal positions remain open. Spring work is continuing for staff and summer special activities are beginning. These have included a girl’s softball tournament, Fishing Derby, Pooches in the Park, Concert in the Park, and the start of summer day camp. At the dog park dead trees have been removed and new benches installed. Randy also discussed the current 14 day mowing rotation and current staffing levels. 1 Justin Stuart reported that the adult softball league has begun with 78 teams participating. This is the largest number of teams in recent years. Summer day camp has also begun, as well as Little All Stars T-ball and a new T-ball league. All have met or exceeded registration goals and are on track for a successful season. Steve Willman reported that all plots in the Community Garden have been rented, and all but two have been planted. The Master Gardeners recently installed a Little Free Library at the garden site entrance. Gardening and recipe books have been placed in the library box for any interested gardeners. Steve also told the Commission that three of the four temporary art pieces have been installed at three fire stations. The fourth is scheduled to be installed June 8th at Fire Station #3. The dedication ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, June 16 at the CJCFPD Training Center on Highway 40 West. Two of the artists will be present to discuss their work. Steve’s report included usage totals and number of participant visits to the recycling center for the first seven months of the fiscal year. Use of the recycling center has greatly increased and is on pace to record over 32,000 visits this year. Dennis Dovel reported that memberships are still strong and are now at over 1400 memberships. Staff is still giving tours and selling memberships. Dennis also distributed copies of an article featuring the Fieldhouse from the June issue of Athletic Business magazine. Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman’s Report: None City Council Liaison Report: Councilman Carter discussed the CIP saying parks projects were removed from the CIP for further study as related to the Parks Master Plan. Old Business: Dennis reported on the proposed scholarship program, saying if CDBG funds are approved, the program will be developed at that time. New Business: Elections will be held in July Park Report – No report this month Activity Report – No report this month Miscellaneous: A question was raised regarding sidewalk repair in the City. Dennis Dovel responded that the City is doing the repair work, it is not being done by a contractor. As there was no further business, a motion for adjournment was made and seconded. ___________________________________ Brandon Jackley, Chairman 2