Park Commission

Minutes of a Regular Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting March 2, 2021 A regular meeting of the Blue Springs Parks Commission was held on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 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 Keith Hannaman -- Present Parks Dept. Staff: Mary Herrington Maureen Johnson – Present Parks Dept. Staff: Randy Cooper Megan Johnson – Present Parks Dept. Staff: Jayla Coleman Dena Duhon – Present City Council Liaison: Galen Ericson -- Present Richard Mitchem – Present Gabriel Mejia – Present Ken Horrell - Present A motion was made by Dena Duhon and seconded by Megan Johnson to accept the Consent Agenda. It passed unanimously. Visitors/Correspondence: Josh Boyles was previously a basketball coach for the Youth Basketball League. He explained that after several practices and games with his team he was informed that he would not be allowed to coach anymore due to failing his background check. He discussed that is was inappropriate for recreation staff to have released him of his coaching duties after he had started coaching his team, when he should have been notified of his background check issue prior to starting the season. He stated that he did in fact have a felony on his record. He then requested that the park commission evaluate the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) background check requirements because he does not think it is fair that he is being penalized for a felony that happened in 2004. Keith responded to Josh that the park commission thanks him for presenting at this meeting and will take this information under advisement. Program/Activity Spotlight: Mary Herrington presented on Create a Critter. Like build-a-bear workshop, this program allowed participants to make their own stuffed animals. Each animal received a heart and a birth certificate. There were 37 participants who all enjoyed their animals. Mary then presented on the Easter Egg Hunts. Staff is very excited that Jackson County Health Department approved staff to have these events, but not without some changes from previous years. One major change includes pre-registration for our free Easter Egg-stravaganza event at Rotary Park. This event usually brings out hundreds of kids. Because of new guidelines set by the county, we are only allowing 300 total kids. We are still holding our Flashlight Egg Hunt and Adult Egg Hunt. Both will include changes to accommodate social distancing. Finances: Dennis presented on financials. Staff Reports: Staff reviewed their reports. Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman’s Report: None City Council Liaison Report: None Old Business: Dennis and Dena presented on the status of the Parks Sales Tax Renewal. Dennis explained that we have completed a brochure which is the information piece that will be given to the public. Staff is hoping to have this brochure printed within next week. The City will also be mailing out a postcard at the end of March. Dena reported that the Political Action Committee (PAC) will have three different marketing pieces to offer. Dena explained that it is very important the park commission helps during this time. Commissioners will be asked to work various shifts during the polls. Commissioners will also need to help with getting large signs placed around the community and passing out yard signs. New Business: Maureen asked how to proceed with evaluating background check standards. Dennis answered that these standards were adopted from NRPA and put in place a few years ago that the park commission approved. 1 Several commissioners voiced concern of the importance to make sure background checks are processed prior to being allowed to coach. Dennis explained that all our Youth Sports programs are volunteer coaches for each team formed. These coaches are required to have a background check completed to coach in our program. During our current youth basketball program, we had some issues with our service provider who does background checks. They had changed their format and we were unable to access the account. This was missed due to staff turnover. Due to this situation, coaches could begin practicing prior to the backgrounds being conducted. We were informed of a coach with potential issues and did a background check through our police department and other public sources and found the coach did not meet our criteria and was removed from the program. Moving forward, this has been rectified to ensure this does not happen with future programs no volunteer can be with youth without the background check being performed. Dena asked if volunteers are aware of these regulations when filling out the background check form. Dennis answered that the standards and regulations are not provided but moving forward staff can take this into consideration and get this information attached to the form. Miscellaneous: Park Commission meeting for April 2021 is cancelled due to Election Day. The next meeting will be in May 2021. As there was no further business, a motion for adjournment was made by Dena Duhon and seconded Ken Horrell. 2