Park Commission

Minutes of a Regular Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting July 2, 2019 A regular meeting of the Blue Springs Parks Commission was held on Tuesday, July 2, 2019 at the Fieldhouse. The Chairman called the meeting to order. George Deibert -- Present Parks Dept. Staff: Dennis Dovel Kathy Richardson – Absent Parks Dept. Staff: Justin Stuart Reid Hansen – Present Parks Dept. Staff: Mary Herrington Keith Hannaman -- Absent Parks Dept. Staff: Matt Asikainen Maureen Johnson – Present Parks Dept. Staff: Nichole Cogbill Megan Johnson – Present Parks Dept. Staff: Jayla Coleman Dena Duhon – Present City Council Liaison: Jerry Kaylor -- Present Richard Mitchem – Present A motion was made by Megan Johnson and seconded by Dena Duhon to accept the Consent Agenda. It passed unanimously. Visitors/Correspondence: John Theis, Bill Everett, Chris Mann, James Hefner, Renae Nix, Brad Nix, Jose Ossa, Sandy Mollinger, Ben Whitesell, Keith Glendenning, and Matthew Dixon spoke about their concerns with the renovations at Wilbur Young Park, specifically the disc golf course. Visitors and staff discussed thoughts and issues including the following: John Theis commented, “A dedicated group of disc golfers and myself spend numerous hours at Wilbur Young to mulch, pull weeds, and make the course presentable and functionable. Why on the new plans for Young Park are you adding an additional entrance into the park, that goes straight through the disc golf course?” Dennis Dovel answered, “With Blue Springs South High School’s continued expansion, we are looking out for the safety of patrons who are entering and leaving the school and park. Currently, there is only one entrance/exit to the park and school. Adding an additional entrance would allow for emergency personnel to enter and exit the park and school if needed.” Chris Mann commented, “Highway 40 and ADP is not safe. There is nowhere on AA Highway that would allow for a safe entrance.” René Nix then said, “Where is the school district’s master plan? Shouldn’t it have accounted for entrances and exits to help with the flow as they expand?” Councilman Kaylor responded, “This is only a conceptual design. Nothing has been set in stone regarding the road or additional entrance and exit. We do need more road to help with the flow of traffic in the park and school.” José Ossa commented, “The only time that the entrance and exit is an issue at the school is when school lets out for the day. All other times, there are no issues. Are there other options on Adams Dairy to add an entrance instead of AA?” Sandy Mollinger then said, “The traffic on AA is increasing and it will not be safe to add an entrance and exit.” Dennis Dovel responded, “This is only a conceptual design. Currently there is only money budgeted for renovated tennis courts, shelters, restrooms, playgrounds, lights on the softball field, re-pavement of the trail, and basketball court. This money is funded through the park sales tax. The paving projects, including the trail and possible road, will not take place for another year.” Shirley Coleman commented, “Lights are being left on all night.” An audience person questioned, “Can the speed limit on AA be reduced?” Megan Johnson answered, “This sales tax incentive is good for 5 years, with a $3 million budget per year, totally $15 million. We are completing the projects that the 1 community asked for currently. When this sales tax sunsets, we can try for the tax again and add additional items to the list to get fixed or updated.” René Nix asked, “How do you get involved in deciding what projects get completed?” Dennis Dovel responded, “We host stakeholder and public meetings. Surveys are distributed to the community and projects or ideas are developed based upon the survey results. We market the meetings and surveys via social media, our newsletters, press releases our activity guide.” An audience person commented, “If you move the basketball court, you are creating a safety hazard for hole 8.” Ben Whitesell commented, “Adding the road is damaging to the course. The course is already small, and the road would remove the course needs.” Keith Glendenning added, “Moving the basketball court affects the course. There is no money in the budget to improve the course?” Dennis Dovel responded, “The sales tax money is for deferred maintenance, or depilated projects only. There are other funds that other projects come out of the mowing and operational fund.” Megan Johnson added, “A list was created when the sales tax passed of everything that was being updated over the 5 years. We will go to the community again for another sales tax and for a list of new items that need to be fixed or updated.” John Theis commented, “This course is a special course and brings people to the city. The park property is part of the Land, Water and Conservation Fund and because of that a road cannot be put in due to the conversion policy.” Maureen Johnson stated, “We will address the concerns with relocating the basketball court.” Dennis Dovel added, “I will speak to the architect and see if we can move the basketball court North/South to help with hole 8. Once I hear from them, I will reach out to you (John) to set up a follow-up meeting.” John Theis commented, “We are passionate about this course and don’t feel appreciated.” Program/Activity Spotlight: Nichole Cogbill presented on several summer programs currently and upcoming. Let’s Glow Crazy was a new event held at Ward Park. Activities included bowling, twister, volleyball, ring toss, face painting, and decorating frisbees. Thirty-five participants enjoyed family time and snacks. The next new event was Family Nerf Wars which was also held at Ward Park. Forty-eight participants were put on 6 teams with a double elimination bracket. Equipment was provided, and snacks/drinks were included. The event was fast paced, and winners received prizes. Summer Day Camp averages at 72-90 kids per week. There are two field trips per week, campers swim twice a week, and park days are every Friday. Our last movie in the park is being revamped as Splash and Show, held at Burrus Old Mill Park Splash Pad. Families will have time to play on the new splash pad, followed by the showing of a water related movie: Hotel Transylvania 3. The event is free. Finances: Financials were reviewed by Dennis. Brad Nix asked, “if there is a chance to bring back the recycling center?” Dennis answered, “The recycling center is a city council decision.” Staff Reports: Staff reviewed their reports Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman’s Report: None City Council Liaison Report: None Old Business: Dennis reviewed the status of Burrus Old Mill Park. We have put in a request for a new slide for the playground. The biggest issue is overuse of the splashpad. Staff is having to change filter and water more often than expected. Dennis explained that we are continuing to look at new ways to 2 improve the Splash Pad. The public has requested to add parking that is closer to the Skate Park but that is up to Public Works department. Dennis explained we are hiring a company to do a study and survey of the community’s needs for park land development, focusing on Southern Blue Springs, and aquatic needs. New Business: Dennis explained that he will coordinate with residents of Blue Springs to work through details of Wilbur Young. Brad Nix asked, “How does the public get notified about activities from Parks and Recreation?” Megan Johnson answered, “Social media, the city website, and the activity guide that gets sent to Blue Springs residents.” Miscellaneous: Dena Duhon asked about how often financial reports will be provided. Dennis answered that the reports will continue to be sent a month behind. As there was no further business, a motion for adjournment was made by Dena Duhon and seconded by Richard Mitchem. 3