Parks & Recreation Commission

PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING JUNE 1, 2020 WEBEX MEETING 12:00 Noon Members in Attendance: B. Lee, J. Forbes, B. Combo, M. Hill, C. White, J. Hammon, S. Smede, D. Pennock, P. Holm, R. Campbell, C. Horsley Members Not In Attendance: K. Hope, T. Hersh, J. LoBuono, D. Radford, P. Lloyd, W. Johnson CALL TO ORDER – B. COMBO B. Combo called the meeting to order at 12:06. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The May 2020 were minutes tabled. No quorum. DIRECTOR’S REPORT – P. Holm P. Holm reported on the following:  He advised the Commission of the Snake River Ferry business that will begin operating a ferry on the Snake River this summer giving rides to patrons.  The 20/21 proposed budget was submitted. He discussed the many cuts and need to do the absolute minimum this year. The only budget request will be for the Aquatic Center. We will be cutting our planned roadway repairs for Tautphaus Park, closing Noise Park for the season, vacating the Sandy Downs stalls, and temporarily ending the maintenance of Sandy Downs.  The Aquatic Center structural assessment was discussed. The assessment team will arrive June 16th.  The plan by Pro’s Consulting should be finished by the beginning of the fiscal year.  The Sandcreek caretaker house inspection was conducted. The house is in bad shape and Building Maintenance will get an appraisal to help us decide if it is worth saving.  He advised the board that the Youth Hockey organization has offered to collaborate with Parks and Recreation very early in the season to make the upcoming hockey season better and safer for the participants COVID Updates   Revenue projections being down were discussed. He explained that the controller’s office asked Parks and Recreation to cut the budget for this reason. Recreation will take a huge hit and it’s hard to predict how many people will feel comfortable coming back to the Aquatic Center or the Recreation Center when the facilities open.  Playgrounds, shelters, and the skate park opened May 23rd.  The Aquatic Center and Recreation Center will open on June 13th.  We had some layoffs, including a Recreation Center front desk position, the Sponsorship Coordinator position, one position at the Parks, and the elimination of a Parks Operator position.  He advised that the Aquatic Center staff and one Recreation Center staff member continue to be working with the Parks crews until those facilities open back up.  The golf courses were discussed. The tee times are selling out daily and they have a ten minute gap between tee offs. Green fee sales are up, but year passes are down a bit. They will begin opening the ball washers and taking the benches back out the last week of May. They will keep the flag poles as a non-touch item for Covid concerns.  He advised that we will be planning on constructing a restroom at Pinecrest out by the maintenance building. This will be constructed so that the maintenance staff will have somewhere to wash off chemicals as well as better follow sanitation guidelines for Covid. This will be paid for by the General Fund, and we will send in a reimbursement request to FEMA. PARK UPDATE  The Parks Department staff had the cemeteries looking fantastic for Memorial Day weekend, however the big snow storm on Memorial Day broke trees branches at the cemeteries as well as several other parks.  Two ping pong tables were installed on cement pads across from the Recreation Center on the greenbelt. The Recreation Center will rent equipment for one dollar.  The north park road in Tautphaus Park is under construction. A pathway into Rosehill Cemetery from Tautphaus will be added.  Construction has begun at the dog park.  We are adding a playground in the Dunes Addition, which will be paid for by the addition’s home owner association. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT – C. Horsley C. Horsley reported on the following:  He discussed the safety guidelines upon reopening the pool. He advised they will have a separate entrance and exit for patrons to better adhere to social distancing guidelines. They will also close the locker rooms to changing, and have patrons come and leave in their swimming attire. They will have modified pool hours and ask parents to drop off  students for lessons instead of staying to watch. There will be a “no touch” policy for instructors while giving lessons.  Recreation league numbers were updated. Girls fastpitch numbers are the same as last year, however adult softball numbers are down about half. Youth baseball is slightly down.  He advised the Southeast Idaho Umpire Association put on a spectacular training seminar to local umpires. ZOO OPERATIONS MANAGER – D. Pennock D. Pennock reported on the following:  The zoo opened on May 16th. They had a very successful first week. Attendance has been good, but zoo memberships have decreased by 60%. They hope to make that up as the season continues.  They have taken Covid precautions for social distancing. Most of the time it seems to be working unless people crowd up to an exhibit.  He discussed the dilemma of fundraising during the pandemic as events are too large to adhere to social distancing.  They are still not holding any educational programs, so those staff members are now working elsewhere within the zoo.  He advised that Funland will not open this year. They are putting together a group of people to help come up with ideas for the direction they want to take. Motion to Adjourn: M. Hill motioned to adjourn at 1:00pm. B. Combo seconded. All in favor. Next meeting will be held July 6, 2020. Recorded by: Tracy Sessions, Clerk, Parks & Recreation