Parks & Recreation Commission

PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MONDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2017 ACTIVITY CENTER 12:00 NOON Present: Greg A. Weitzel, Brent Martin, Ronnie Campbell, PJ Holm, Linda Beard, John Graham, Bill Combo, Jeff Forbes, Tom Hersh, Matt Hill, Kyler Hope, Kerry Martin, Dave Radford Absent: Mike Davis, Jim Hammon, John LoBuono, Kris Millgate Guest Attendees: Lisa Jones, Robert Nitchke, Brandon Lee of BYSA APPROVAL OF MINUTES August Minutes – Dave Radford motioned to approve as written. Kerry Martin seconded. All in favor. PUBLIC COMMENT None. BRANDON LEE  June Soccer Tournament. Fields never looked better. Thanked the City of Idaho Falls.  Growing Organization would use more fields if the City had them to offer.  Would also like the City to build an indoor arena for winter use in the future if possible.  Cost of maintaining artificial turf brought up. Discussion ensued.  Bonneville Youth Soccer Association willing to help fundraise for new builds. DIRECTOR’S REPORT – Greg Weitzel  Congratulated Parks and Recreation staff for completing the busiest summer on record.  Announced the reorganization of City PIO services. Discussion ensued.  Construction documents are being developed for Heritage Park. City Council approved $500,000.00 to help with power line relocation. Bidding out tentatively in February for spring groundbreaking.  Council approved two trail projects; Key Bank to Pancheri, Pinecrest Trail (Using $500,000.00 in grant funds)  UTV Trail at Noise Park will be opening end of September.  Signage and Wayfinding needs to be rebid.  One open position on the Shade Tree Advisory Board and one opening on the Parks and Recreation Commission currently.  Discussion regarding the 4H property process. DEPARTMENT REPORTS Golf – John Graham  New billboard installed.  Revenues are up over last season. Family Day and short courses contributed to this success.  Four tournaments left in season and the courses are still in great shape. Zoo – Linda Beard  Attendance at a historic high – 147,128  Lion cubs and gray gibbon being introduced back to parents.  Zoo Brew in September and Boo at the Zoo in October still to come. Recreation – PJ Holm  Working on Recreation Programming Plan to comply with accreditation standards.  Holding Sports Symposium on November 8th All Commission members invited to attend.  Fall Winter Guide is out.  Roof had been replaced at the Rec Center over the racquetball courts.  Holding Spook House in October partnered with Live a Little Productions.  Ice Arena gearing up for opening.  Parks/Cemeteries – Brent Martin/Ronnie Campbell  New Art Bench installed on the east side of the river walk.  New Pond and ditch is now open at Ryder Park. This has increased visitors to the extent that parking is now an issue.  Replaced two memorial benches.  Soccer fields were reseeded with a different variety of grass. Hoping this will keep the fields green longer.  Changes at South Tourist Park have made a big difference. BONNEVILLE COUNTY – D. Radford  Congratulated City for successful War Bonnet Round Up.  Unfortunate death at Ririe Reservoir.  Continuing to work towards installing an additional boat ramp at Palisades.  Expressed interest in hosting a Senior Olympics event in Idaho Falls GOLF REPORT – Tom Hersh  Pinecrest ProAm had one of the best turnouts in the State.  The zoo passes to Development Workshop are much appreciated. SCHOOL DISTRICT #91 – Kerry Martin  September 23rd at 2pm is kickoff for the Emotion Bowl.  Swimming will be a sanction sport in the school district next year. This will impact the use agreement with the City. SCHOOL DISTRICT #93 – Mike Davis (absent)  No Report SHADE TREE COMMITTEE – Matt Hill  Richard Potter new Shade Tree Committee Member.  Still need one member for open seat.  Committee has voted to move to 9 meetings per year in 2018.  Committee would like to have input on which trees are chosen for the Heritage Park development. MEETING ADJURNED AT 1:24 P.M. Recorded by Lisa Jones Parks and Recreation Division