Parks & Recreation Commission

PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING APRIL 4, 2022 WEB 12:00 Noon Members in Attendance: B. Combo, B. Lee, B. Nitschke, T. Hersh, C. White, J. Radford, J. Walker, P. Holm, D. Pennock, R. Campbell Members Not in Attendance: M. Hill, R. Foote, W. Johnson, P. Lloyd Call to Order – B. Combo B. Combo called the meeting to order at 12:05 pm. Approval of Minutes R. Nitschke moved to approve the March 7th minutes. T. Hersh seconded. All in favor. Director’s Report – P. Holm P. Holm reported on the following: • The LWCF request for the Meppen property was taken to the City Council Work Session on March 28th. This location for the proposed park was supported by City Council. • The lease agreement between the City of Idaho Falls and Snake River BMX was approved by City Council on March 31st. This agreement will allow Snake River BMX to use the old riding arena on the southeast side of the track at Sandy Downs for their program operations. The term of this agreement will be five years. This agreement will allow revenue collection by the City of Idaho Falls from the Snake River BMX Association in the amount of one dollar ($) per paid competitor, user, and spectator at each event. • The Parks and Recreation Department is looking for two new War Bonnet Committee members and one new Shade Tree Committee member. • Area tree issues were discussed. The majority of the City’s tree canopy comprises of the Ash tree which is facing future annihilation from the ash borer beetle. This topic will be taken to City Council with the intent to get feedback for developing a plan to replace the threatened trees. • The TAP grant for the expansion of the Meppen Canal Trail was approved. The following budget priorities, needs, concerns, and wishes were discussed: • Maintenance funds for lighting, irrigation, playgrounds, and roads. • The Tautphaus Park Tennis Court renovation. • TAP Grant project funding. • Heritage Park funding. • Purchase of an excavator for the Park’s Department Landscape Superintendent. • Funland at the Zoo Restoration. The following department project and program updates were discussed: • Sage Lakes and Sand Creek Golf courses have opened for the season. • The Idaho Falls Zoo opens April 13th. • The ice arena is closed for the season, but we may open earlier next fall to accommodate the Idaho Falls Hockey Team. • The Aquatic Center is set to open on or before May 23rd. • The Reinhart Park Splashpad grand opening is tentatively scheduled for June 1st at noon. • A landscape/construction superintendent position was created for the Parks Department. • Our new Landscape Superintendent and team will be working with Knife River to add additional pathways at Heritage Park. The park teams are also working to clear willows, and dead trees along the river in the park. LWCF Updates: • The yellow book appraisals are updated and ready for the conversion process. • P. Holm will be meeting with Kathy Muir the second week of April to discuss the Meppen conversion site. Grant updates: • The Pancheri Bridge TAP Grant. WE have 80K in the budget for engineering the project this year, with planned construction next year. • The Meppen Canal Trail TAP Grant. The project was approved by City Council. Funding will be available for construction in 2024. Parks and Recreation will budget $500.000 for the project with $465,000 being reimbursed. The Department will need to budget for the bridge over the Idaho Canal separately. Golf Advisory Committee Report - T. Hersh T. Hersh reported on the following: • Sage Lakes Golf Course opened March 25th and Sand Creek and Pinecrest opened March 28th.  • Golf course budget update. The golf budget is looking good due to a long fall season, increased pass sales and merchandise sales. • The Sage Lakes and Sand Creek Pro Shops were remodeled and the restrooms at Sage Lakes are being upgraded. • Kevin Kavran is doing a fantastic job since his promotion to head golf pro at Sage Lakes. • Concerns amid reports of the challenges of those trying to apply for seasonal jobs when using the City of Idaho Falls Human Resource Department’s new software. Division Updates Parks – R. Campbell R. Campbell reported on the following: • The Park’s Department staff continues to work on spring cleanup projects. • The staff is beginning to turn on the larger irrigation systems and will turn on the smaller ones once the weather warms up. • The Parks Department is struggling to hire seasonal staff. They raised the starting salary to $12.00 per hour in hopes this helps recruit staff. Zoo – D. Pennock D. Pennock reported on the following: • The Zoo’s season opening is April 13th. • The zoo has welcomed a new baby cotton-top tamarin. This adorable South American primate is nearing extinction due to large scale habitat destruction. Recreation – C. Horsley (absent) Commissioner Reports J. Walker – County Commissioner J. Walker reported on the following: • The low water levels at the Ririe Dam and the expectations that adequate levels of water will only last until late July. Ririe is currently at 63% and Palisades is at 37%. • The county is done grooming the back trails due to warming conditions. School Dist. 91 – Pat Lloyd (absent) School Dist. 91 – W. Johnson (absent) Shade Tree Committee – M. Hill (absent) Adjournment at 1:00 pm. Next meeting will be held May 2, 2022 Recorded by: Tracy Sessions, Clerk, Parks & Recreation