Parks & Recreation Commission

PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES Monday, August 6, 2018 ACTIVITY CENTER 12:00 Noon ATTENDANCE In Attendance: B. Combo, M. Dingman, D. Pennock, T. Hersh, B. Lee, K. Hope, D. Radford, K. Millgate, M. Hill, B. Martin, R. Campbell, G. Weitzel, P. Holm Members not in attendance: J. Forbes, J. Hammon, J. LoBuono, P. Lloyd, W. Johnson PUBLIC COMMENT  Brenda Dawson commented on the petition for a splash pad at Reinhart Park. She offered her assistance in helping the Parks and Recreation Commission in any way she can to get a spray park in Idaho Falls. She explained the frustration of citizens on the Westside of town having to drive to Ammon’s small and overly used spray park, or having to journey to Rexburg to enjoy a pool or water feature.  Michelle Bluemel also commented on people’s frustration that there are no water attractions on the Westside of town and that she believes that Reinhart Park is not being used to its full potential. APPROVAL OF MINUTES T. Hersh motioned to approve the June 4, 2018 minutes. K. Hope seconded. All in favor. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION ORDINANCE – M. DINGMAN M. Dingman reported on the following:  There will be a change of the Parks and Recreation Commission agenda moving forward. The Parks and Recreation Commission ordinance was reviewed and M. Dingman reiterated that the board needs to work more closely with the Parks and Recreation Director and the City Council in making actual tangible changes that will benefit our community. The ordinance was referred to several times. She highlighted the “Duties” definition in the ordinance to clarify her point that the board must adhere to this definition.  It was decided that no further time consuming member reports will be made by superintendents and board members. All reports will be summarized by G. Weitzel hence forth. There was a positive comment by each board member on these changes.   She advised that the City Council already committed to a splash pad several years ago when it was being planned for a Memorial Drive location. There was discussion.  She advised the City Council needs the guidance of the Parks and Recreation Commission on a location for the splash pad. PARKS AND RECREATION SYSTEM MASTER PLAN RFQ – G. WEITZEL G. Weitzel reported on the following:  The Request for Qualifications packet was passed to the board and reviewed. The Parks and Recreation Commission will be selecting a consultant team and then working with them to come up with a parks plan for the next five, ten, to twenty years. He discussed the scope of the plan and advised that this strategic future Master Plan is to guide clear decisions on present and future maintenance of a world-class parks and recreation system.  He advised the dates of the consultant selection schedule.  He anticipates a public meeting before the new year.  He recommends citizens who are interested in the department’s future park plans to visit www.ifparksplans.com. REINHART POOL PETITION – G. WEITZEL G. Weitzel reported on the following:  The spray park petition on Change.org and the Post Register poll regarding the park.  The funding in the budget for the spray park.  The decisions that will need to be made on the location or locations for splash pads in the future, and that we will need feedback from the community on their wants and needs. CALL FOR AGENDA ITEMS Meeting adjourned at 12:52 Next meeting will be held September 10th, 2018. Recorded by: Tracy Sessions, Clerk, Parks & Recreation