Park Commission

Minutes of a Regular Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting August 3, 2021 A regular meeting of the Blue Springs Parks Commission was held on Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at the Fieldhouse. The Chairman called the meeting to order. Jon Burke -- Present Parks Dept. Staff: Dennis Dovel Kathy Richardson – Present Parks Dept. Staff: Justin Stuart Keith Hannaman -- Absent Parks Dept. Staff: Mary Herrington Maureen Johnson – Present Parks Dept. Staff: Derek Mayden Megan Johnson – Present Parks Dett. Staff: Matt Asikainen Dena Duhon – Present Parks Dett. Staff: Jayla Coleman Richard Mitchem – Present City Council Liaison: Susan Culpepper --Present Gabriel Mejia – Present Ken Horrell - Absent A motion was made by Dena Duhon and seconded by Megan Johnson to accept the Consent Agenda. It passed unanimously. Visitors/Correspondence: None Program/Activity Spotlight: Matt Asikainen presented on Fieldhouse New Member Orientation. This program allows Fieldhouse staff to engage with members to find out what interests them and what staff can do to improve operation. This program is being adjusted to include front desk staff who will be the first to contact new members to welcome them to Fieldhouse. After the initial contact, the front desk staff will put the new members into contact with other staff depending on what their interests are at the Fieldhouse. Follow-up emails will be sent to them at later times to continue engagement with the members. This program will be extremely important and beneficial for our department once the aquatics center is open for operation. 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 presented an update for the Park Sales Tax. He stated that the RFQ/P for a Construction Manager at Risk (CMR) for the Blue Springs Aquatic Center and Fieldhouse expansion is well under way. On July 27, 2021 staff received the submittals from firms interested in being selected as the CMR. Interviews with selected firms will occur on August 19, 2021. It is anticipated that a contract will be presented to City Council on October 4,2021 along with the contract for SFS Architecture for the development of the construction documents. Staff has been working with STRATA Architecture on the development of new restroom facilities that will begin to be installed throughout our parks begin next fiscal year. The first two locations will the replacement of the Blue Springs Park restroom facility and the addition of a new restroom at Wilbur Young Park near the volleyball courts and tennis courts. Dennis then stated that staff is receiving bids for the several other projects in next years fiscal budget. Therese projects include paving, playgrounds, trails, restrooms, and shelters. These contracts will be presented to City Council on October 4th as well. 1 Miscellaneous: Dennis explained that this meeting is unfortunately Dena Duhon’s last park commission meeting that she will be attending as she is moving to a new district within Blue Springs. The entire commission and staff present declared their sincere thank you for all that she has done for the department throughout her tenure on the Park Commission. As there was no further business, a motion for adjournment was made by Dena Duhon and seconded by Megan Johnson. 2