Park Commission

Minutes of a Regular Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting May 2, 2023 A regular meeting of the Blue Springs Parks Commission was held on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at the Fieldhouse. The Chairman called the meeting to order. Jon Burke -- Present Parks Dept. Staff: Dennis Dovel Keith Hannaman -- Absent Parks Dept. Staff: Justin Stuart Gabriel Mejia – Absent Parks Dept. Staff: Derek Mayden Ken Horrell – Present Parks Dept. Staff: Mary Herrington Nick Brummel – Present Parks Dept. Staff: Matt Asikainen Tony Lopez – Present Parks Dept. Staff: Jayla Coleman Almitra Buzan – Present City Council Liaison: Ron Fowler –Absent Debbie Canfield – Present Tara Johnson – Present A motion was made by Tony Lopez and seconded by Nick Brummel to accept the Consent Agenda. It passed unanimously. Visitors/Correspondence: None Program/Activity Spotlight: Derek Mayden presented on Volunteer Group Work Days. An event that is turning into an annual event here in Blue Springs is the Love KC Day. There were 52 volunteers from two different church organizations come to Blue Springs to help with projects throughout our parks. The volunteers mulched two playgrounds, one at Pink Hill Park and one at Baumgardner Park. Volunteers also helped to plant 18 trees at Woods Chapel Park. A group went out to City Hall and mulched the grounds throughout the landscaping beds. A big thank you to ALL the volunteers that came out to help with these projects. 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 on the Aquatic Center. The lobby, locker rooms, and other rooms have the rough-in work for plumbing and electrical in progress. Steel beam installation is to start mid-May and precast panel installation at the end of May. The walls of the indoor natatorium have been installed along with the roof. All roof work should be complete early-May. Electrical rough-in in the ceiling will begin along with HVAC duct work. Digging the indoor pools is scheduled to begin in June. Through the month of May, work on the parking lots will occur. Base rock will be installed then followed by curbs, and then base layer of asphalt will be installed. This will help alleviate some of the parking issues we are experiencing currently. The retaining wall work has begun with the retaining wall on the north side of the property along I-70 being installed. New Business: Dennis presented on Smoking in Parks Ordinance. With the recent passage of recreational marijuana use, the current park ordinance needs to be updated. The current ordinance allows for smoking in the parking lots of parks. However, staff has had several complaints regarding second hand smoke when it comes to the policy as children and others who do not smoke are impacted by the second hand smoke from those in the parking lot. Staff is recommending updating the policy to the following: “Smoking of tobacco products, vaping and marijuana is prohibited in all park facilities and locations within the boundaries including parking lots, open spaces, and green spaces.” 1 Staff is looking for a recommendation to take before City Council for approval. A motion was made by Nick Brummel and seconded by Debbie Canfield to accept the change of the Smoking in Parks Ordinance. It was accepted unanimously. Miscellaneous: Park commissioners did not have anything to present for park visit reports. Dennis suggested updating circumstances to ask commissioners what park they will attend before the adjournment of each meeting. Nick Brummel volunteered to visit Hidden Valley Park and Debbie Canfield volunteered to visit Blue Springs Dog Park. As there was no further business, a motion for adjournment was made by Ken Horrell and seconded by Tony Lopez. 2