Park Commission

Minutes of a Regular Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting September 3, 2019 A regular meeting of the Blue Springs Parks Commission was held on Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at the Fieldhouse. The Chairman called the meeting to order. George Deibert -- Present Parks Dept. Staff: Dennis Dovel Kathy Richardson – Present Parks Dept. Staff: Justin Stuart Reid Hansen – Present Parks Dept. Staff: Matt Asikainen Keith Hannaman -- Present Parks Dept. Staff: Randy Cooper Maureen Johnson – Present Parks Dept. Staff: Jayla Coleman Megan Johnson – Absent City Council Liaison: Jerry Kaylor -- Present Dena Duhon – Present Richard Mitchem – Absent Rachel Uptergrove – Present A motion was made by Dena Duhon and seconded by Megan Johnson to accept the Consent Agenda. It passed unanimously. Visitors/Correspondence: John Theis Program/Activity Spotlight: Randy Cooper presented on some new dynamics of park maintenance. Traditionally the department had 28 employees. Now the department has a more full-time dynamic with seasonal employees working 9 months out of the year, however it has been a struggle for the past few years to get applicants for these positions which makes it a challenge to keep up with everything. A new plan to help with this issue that has been incorporated is Adopt-a-Park by full time staff members being assigned a park. That employee does an inventory assessment on the park they have been given and evaluates deficiencies. Each Monday employees work on items from their park evaluation to make improvements to that park. With this plan the department is still learning and growing at the same time the labor issues is not getting better. Dena asked, “What is the pay rate?” Randy explained it is around $10/hour and that not everyone is willing to do labor work for this pay rate. George offered a suggestion that this concept can be used as a fitness program and could be offered through the Fieldhouse for outside activity to help make these improvements in our parks. Dennis explained that the Adopt-a-Park concept is something the department is looking to take to the public once it evaluates how best to implement and supervise it. Finances: Financials for the month of July were reviewed by Dennis. Staff Reports: Staff reviewed their reports. Dennis explained that our department has been approached by Landscape Structures, who designed the Burrus Old Mill Park Splash Pad and Playground, to potentially be the first City in the nation with a new line of playground design that has a futuristic style. This new equipment would be anticipated as part of the renovations at Wilbur Young Park with installation beginning this year. We are hoping for a layout design to be presented at the next Parks Commission meeting. John Theis brought a concern about sports balls being hit into parking lots at Wilbur Young Park. Dennis explained that getting coverage to keep the sports balls out of the parking lot is not part of the current sales tax. Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman’s Report: None City Council Liaison Report: None Old Business: None 1 New Business: None Miscellaneous: None As there was no further business, a motion for adjournment was made by Dena Duhon and seconded by Megan Johnson. 2