Parks & Recreation Commission

PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING APRIL 1, 2019 ACTIVITY CENTER 12:00 Noon ATTENDANCE: Members in Attendance: C. White, T. Reinke, T. Hersh, M. Hill, J. LoBuono, C. Horsley, D. Pennock, J. Hammon, J. Freeman, B. Lee, P. Holm, R. Campbell, B. Combo, G. Weitzel Members Not In Attendance: J. Forbes, K. Hope, D. Radford, P. Lloyd, W. Johnson CALL TO ORDER – B. COMBO B. Combo called the meeting to order at 12:06. APPROVAL OF MINUTES T. Hersh motioned to approve the March 4, 2019 minutes. C. White seconded. All in favor. DIRECTOR’S REPORT – G. WEITZEL G. Weitzel reported on the following:  The final Recreate I.F. letter and Needs Assessment Survey was reviewed by the Commission. G. Weitzel discussed several of the survey questions. Three thousand surveys will be mailed out. There will also be billboards put up that will encourage people to visit www.ifparkplans.com. Once the surveys are out, we will begin scheduling our consultants to revisit Idaho Falls. We will also start looking to schedule stake holder meetings.  The Park Maintenance Budget Request for 2020 was summarized. The vast areas that the Parks & Recreation Department maintains was reviewed. Much of these areas that we maintain, are not Parks and Recreation property. Long standing agreements that have existed for decades explain why we are maintaining these properties. It is clear that we are very short staff and equipment for all this maintained space.  G. Weitzel and R. Campbell explained the park properties being broken into eight zones and the levels of services that will be provided for zone areas. This reorganization will help the Parks Department to better function with limited staff and equipment.  The three different staffing options for budget requests were explained. Out of the three options, option number three will be the one that is requested.   We are below national standards in park staffing and there was discussion of whether our accreditations could be effected by this. The hope is, our new organizational plan will help us with the accreditation process. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR – P. HOLM P. Holm reported on the following:  The possibility of having several smaller neighborhood splash pads instead of one large one. Several location were discussed. Pricing will be obtained from three companies.  The Customer Service Contract with Paul Mix & Associates was explained. We will be renting three terminals to obtain customer feedback. We will then be able to collect reviews on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. DEPARTMENT REPORTS Parks & Cemeteries – R. Campbell R. Campbell reported on the following:  The spring cleanup has started at several parks and right-of-ways.  They began the baseball and softball field maintenance.  Nine restrooms were opened for the season.  The Conditional Use Permit for the restroom at the Rock Gardens was approved and construction started Friday, March 29th.  Phase 2 of the Community Park Pathway Improvement Project was awarded to TMC Contractors for $66,760.  The Rosehill Cemetery Road Improvement Project was awarded to HK Contractors for $56,945.  Continued work in the grandstands at Sandy Downs, including relocating the bucking chutes and bleachers.  Planting and transplanting has begun in the greenhouse.  Tree trimming continued on Hitt Road, Community Park and several other locations.  There were twenty-two burials at Fielding Cemetery, three burials and two cremations at Rosehill Cemetery.  The Community Build for Community Park is scheduled for Saturday May 11th and 18th. The ribbon cutting is tentatively scheduled for May 31st. Zoo – D. Pennock D. Pennock reported on the following:  The Maeck Education Center received the Best New Facility of the Year award from the Idaho Recreation and Parks Association.   The Community Cleanup was a success with over two hundred and fifty attendees.  He discussed grant funding for an interactive look at the eco system (bats).  They are hoping to bring a new species to the zoo. The Fennec fox. Golf – T. Reinke T. Reinke reported on the following:  All three golf courses have opened, with Pinecrest being the last, on March 26th.  Play has been extremely robust even with cool spring temperatures.  Revenues, compared to last year, are up and expenses are comparable at this point.  Courses are all in outstanding condition and came through the mild winter well.  Club sales are up as a result of the new launch monitor, and they are on track for the best club sales year ever.  The five year plan is just about finished.  They have a plan for irrigation funding. Recreation – C. Horsley C. Horsley reported on the following:  The fist Learn to Skate recital was held at the ice arena.  The first pickle ball tournament will be held in April and they have thirty-one teams, and forty-six participants registered.  They are reconfiguring field eleven and twelve at the Soccer Complex.  They are partnering with the Desert Eagles Model Airplane Club for programs. CALL FOR AGENDA ITEMS Meeting adjourned at 1:20 p.m. Next meeting will be held May 6, 2019. Recorded by: Tracy Sessions, Clerk, Parks & Recreation