Parks and Recreation Board

CITY OF HENDERSON PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, November 3, 2021 I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Jim Perkins called the meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board to order at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers Conference Room, 240 South Water Street, Henderson, Nevada 89015. II. CONFIRMATION OF POSTING AND ROLL CALL Karie Teruya, Executive Administrative Assistant, confirmed the Parks and Recreation Board meeting had been noticed in compliance with the Open Meeting Law. PRESENT: Chair Jim Perkins Kirk Brynjulson John Holman Michelle Nelson Ali Nilson Kurt Opsahl Lee Thomson ABSENT: Mauricia Baca (Excused – Extended Medical) Ted Olivas (Excused) Doug Perns (Excused) John Walker (Excused) STAFF: Carrie Becker, Park Planner Ray Everhart, Recreation Superintendent Brandon Kemble, Assistant City Attorney III JJ Moyes, Business Manager Kirk Niemand, Parks and Recreation Manager Jeannette Palmer, Parks and Recreation Manager Angela Summers, Parks and Recreation Assistant Director Karie Teruya, Executive Administrative Assistant Amie Wojtech, Park Project Manager III. PUBLIC COMMENT There were no public comments presented. Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Page 2 of 7 Wednesday, November 3, 2021 – Minutes IV. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA (For Possible Action) (Motion) Ms. Nelson introduced a motion to accept the agenda, as presented. The roll call vote favoring passage was unanimous. Chair Perkins declared the motion carried. V. NEW BUSINESS 1 MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING OCTOBER 6, 2021 PARKS AND RECREATION Parks and Recreation Board Meeting minutes of October 6, 2021. (Motion) Ms. Nilson introduced a motion to adopt the Parks and Recreation Board Meeting minutes of October 6, 2021. The roll call vote favoring passage was unanimous. Chair Perkins declared the motion carried. 2 INTRODUCE JEANNETTE PALMER, PARKS AND RECREATION MANAGER PARKS AND RECREATION Jeannette Palmer, Parks and Recreation Manager, will introduce herself to the Board. Jeannette Palmer, Parks and Recreation Manager, introduced herself and briefed the Board on her 21-year tenure with the City of Henderson. Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Page 3 of 7 Wednesday, November 3, 2021 – Minutes 3 SIENA HEIGHTS TRAILHEAD COURT CONVERSION PARKS AND RECREATION Amie Wojtech, Park Project Manager, will provide information about the potential court conversion from the tennis/pickleball court to floor hockey court at Siena Heights Trailhead. Amie Wojtech, Park Project Manager, presented a summary of this item and said a banner was installed at one of the tennis courts at Siena Heights Trailhead from October 13th through October 28th, which contained a QR Code linked to a survey to determine whether the standalone tennis/pickleball court should be converted to a floor hockey court or remain as is. Ms. Wojtech said 197 responses were received during that two-week period, and the data is currently being tallied; however, the unofficial data that has been counted is showing the residents are in favor of the standalone tennis/pickleball court conversion to a floor hockey court. She said staff wants to continue to implement the use of banners with QR Codes in City parks because of the high response rate from this survey. Ms. Wojtech said in addition to the QR Code on the banners, staff emailed the survey to over 300 recipients and posted the survey on the Nextdoor Social Networking Service site for residents in the surrounding areas of the Siena Heights Trailhead. Ms. Wojtech said one response from the survey requested the conversion to be for a skatepark. Ms. Wojtech stated more information will be provided to the Board at the next meeting regarding the status of the potential court conversion. Responding to an inquiry from Chair Perkins regarding whether Anthem has a hockey court, Ms. Wojtech affirmed the Anthem Roller Hockey Rink is located at that facility. Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Page 4 of 7 Wednesday, November 3, 2021 – Minutes 4 DRAKE STREET PARK PARKS AND RECREATION Carrie Becker, Park Planner, will provide an update regarding Drake Street Park 95% plans in design for consideration and potential approval. Carrie Becker, Park Planner, presented a summary of this item and said Drake Street Park will be adjacent to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, on Major Avenue and Drake Street. She displayed the Final Master Plan and the 95% Design Plan of the Drake Street Park and provided an overview of the amenities, which includes a community garden that will be managed by Garden Farms of Nevada. Ms. Becker said the estimated construction beginning date for Phase 1 will be Spring of 2022 and will include the community garden and parking lot updates. Additionally, she said the design and construction funding for Phase 2 has been secured through the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act (SNPLMA). A discussion ensued regarding the management of the community garden, the garden’s produce recipients, the types of produce that will be harvested, and ways the Boys & Girls Clubs of America could potentially be involved with the project. Following an inquiry from Ms. Nilson regarding whether the community garden will exclusively contain fruits and vegetables or if beatification plants and evergreens will be planted, Ms. Becker said the garden will contain typical park trees; however, all plants will have an edible quality to them, including herbs and spices. Responding to Ms. Nilson’s inquiry regarding security in the community garden to prevent vandalism, Ms. Becker said some safeguard measures include a six-foot fence, appropriate lighting, and established hours of operation. Angela Summers, Parks and Recreation Assistant Director, said staff is working in conjunction with the Henderson Police Department to prevent vandalism in the parks, which will be discussed during the vandalism report. (Motion) Mr. Thomson introduced a motion to approve the Drake Street Park 95% plans in design. The roll call vote favoring passage was unanimous. Chair Perkins declared the motion carried. Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Page 5 of 7 Wednesday, November 3, 2021 – Minutes 5 PARKS VANDALISM REPORT PARKS AND RECREATION Kirk Niemand, Parks and Recreation Manager, will provide information on parks and trails vandalism. Kirk Niemand, Parks and Recreation Manager, referred to the backup material and reported on the following vandalism incidents throughout Henderson parks and facilities: Name of Facility Date of Type of Incident Estimate of Incident Damage Morrell Park 09-14-2021 Fire Under $2,500.00 Bleachers Wells Park 09-14-2021 Toilets Vandalized $2,290.00 Potenza Park 10-07-2021 Restroom $4,276.00 Vandalized Silver Springs 10-09-2021 3 Stolen Carts $20,000.00 Park and (2 totaled, 10-16-2021 1 recovered with minor damage) Arroyo Grande 10-18-2021 Rocks/Window $3,000.00 Sports Complex Vandalism Heritage Park 10-24-2021 1 Stolen Cart $500.00 Acacia Park 10-25-2021 Vehicle Accident $5,000.00 Mr. Niemand stated the viral TikTok challenge (#deviouslicks) which encourages students to record themselves stealing and vandalizing property to post on social media could possibly be the reason for some of the vandalism incidents. Responding to Ms. Nilson’s inquiry regarding whether keys are left in the carts when they are not in use, Mr. Niemand said all keys are locked away when the carts are unoccupied, and he said staff has been instructed to move equipment into indoor storage areas to alleviate vandalism and loss. He said staff is also working with the police department to increase patrol of certain areas to possibly decrease the occurrences of vandalism and stolen property throughout the parks. Mr. Niemand said last week there was a vehicle accident at the Acacia Park Demonstration Garden, which was not included in the September – October Vandalism Report. He said that driver was identified, and a report was submitted. Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Page 6 of 7 Wednesday, November 3, 2021 – Minutes Angela Summers, Parks and Recreation Assistant Director, said there has been an uptick in behavioral concerns involving park facilities and stated staff has been working with the Henderson Police Department because many of the incidents occur during daylight hours with adults and children either watching or recording the inappropriate behavior but not reporting it. She said Code Enforcement staff has been utilized to monitor specific facilities, which tend to be parks that are in the vicinity of middle and high schools. She said staff is working with Clark County School District because any inappropriate behavior involving students that occur during school hours is the school district’s responsibility. Ms. Nilson recommended staff contact the neighboring schools’ student council members to encourage them to create ways to get the message of safety within the parks to students via social media or other engaging ways. Responding to an inquiry from Ms. Nelson regarding how homelessness within the park facilities is being addressed, Ms. Summers said staff is working with the Community Development and Services Department to provide services and resources to the homeless population and stated Code Enforcement staff also discourages overnight camping during closed hours. 6 STAFF REPORT PARKS AND RECREATION City staff will report on upcoming events, grand openings, ground breakings, special events, awards and/or programs. Amie Wojtech, Park Project Manager, reported the Parks and Recreation Board members visited Henderson parks on Saturday, October 9, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Mr. Thomson said he appreciated staff taking the time on a Saturday to give them the tour of the parks. Angela Summers, Parks and Recreation Assistant Director, said the Fitness Court Grand Opening at Cornerstone Park was held on October 16, 2021. She said the Farmer’s Market at the event specifically promoted healthier eating options and stated that Farmer’s Market will continue at Cornerstone and will also begin to offer classes. Ms. Summers stated the Parks and Recreation Department brought home seven awards from the Nevada Recreation and Park Society conference held in October. She said six were awards for excellence for innovative programming; and Jordyn Wright, Recreation Services Coordinator, was given the Young Professional award. Ms. Summers said a grand opening date for the Union Village Park will be announced soon. Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Page 7 of 7 Wednesday, November 3, 2021 – Minutes Lastly, Ms. Summers announced Doug Guild accepted a Deputy Director position with the City of North Las Vegas. She said the Henderson Parks and Recreation Managers will be in the Acting Parks Superintendent role over the next several months until Mr. Guild’s vacated position gets filled. VI. CHAIRMAN\MEMBER COMMENTS Chair Perkins said except for the lights in the pickleball courts at Black Mountain Recreation Center that only stay on for five minutes before going off and emitting a loud noise, he is enjoying the Henderson parks. He also thanked staff for their work. VII. SET NEXT MEETING The next meeting was set for December 1, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT There were no public comments presented. IX. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, Chair Perkins adjourned the meeting at 5:41 p.m. Respectfully submitted, __________________ Janet Sandifer, Deputy City Clerk