Park Commission

Minutes of a Regular Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting November 1, 2016 A regular meeting of the Blue Springs Parks Commission was held on Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at the Fieldhouse. The Chairman called the meeting to order. Richard Mitchem – Present Parks Dept. Staff: Dennis Dovel George Deibert – Present Parks Dept. Staff: Steve Willman Kathy Richardson – Present Parks Dept. Staff: Justin Stuart Keith Hannaman – Present Parks Dept. Staff: Pam Buck Dena Duhon - 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 Michelle Brown – Present A motion was made and seconded to accept the Consent Agenda; it passed unanimously. Visitors/Correspondence: None Program/Activity Spotlight: Dennis reviewed the first year at the Fieldhouse. He compared pictures of the building before renovation and the current building. He also reviewed projected membership and revenue figures for the first year. 500 day passes had been budgeted for the year, the actual number was over 2500. 200 units of membership were added last month, for a net gain of 120 to 130 members. Next year the focus will be on expanding group fitness classes. St Luke’s Therapy will begin providing health programs and we will also focus on member retention. Finances: Dennis Dovel said year-end figures will not be available until mid-November. Staff Reports: Staff reviewed their reports. Justin Stuart said fieldhouse rentals are becoming busy on both courts and fields. Also 10 new fitness classes have recently been added. Adult leagues and youth sports leagues are complete and games at Hidden Valley are done for the season. The Spooky Springs event was held at Adams Pointe Golf Club for the second year. Pam Buck reviewed activities and special events held at Vesper Hall. She said congregate meal numbers are running about the same as last year. Vesper Hall is very busy on weekends with lots of rentals. Special events in October included Oktoberfest, and Vesper Hall Halloween parties. Trick or Treat Main Street was well attended and 45 vendors participated. Randy Cooper said staff has created new office space at the Fieldhouse to house the scan equipment. They are now working on construction of a wall in the common seating area. Staff is also involved in the many special events held throughout the City. 1 Staff will soon begin to demolish a house east of City Hall, and are working at Hidden Valley on field renovation. Seasonal staff will be kept on as long as possible to complete many projects. One piece of temporary art has been picked up by the artist, the other three will remain in Blue Springs. Activity at the recycling center has increased with over 300 cars daily using the facility. In an effort to streamline the operation, plastics will no longer be sorted and one additional staff person will be hired. Steve Willman also discussed recycling center operation and the cost of pickup. He said prices are down for most materials. The public art temporary exhibit has ended for this year. The Public Art Commission will purchase one piece and the CJCFD will purchase two other pieces. Community gardeners have until Sunday, November 6th to remove everything from their garden plots. Dennis Dovel said the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan will go before City Council on November 7th. Staff has begun implementation of some items in the plan. Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman’s Report: None City Council Liaison Report: Councilman Carter said he had been approached about having bike patrol officers present at our special events. Old Business: None New Business: Park Funding Proposal – There was discussion of one of the action steps of the Master Plan, the need to address funding park maintenance. Park Report: None Activity Report: None Miscellaneous: Dena Duhon volunteered to serve on the CDBG Committee. Because the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting will be held on December 6th, the December Parks & Recreation Commission meeting will be held on December 13th. As there was no further business, a motion for adjournment was made and seconded. ___________________________________ Brandon Jackley, Vice Chairman 2