Parks & Recreation Commission

PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING November 7th, 2022 Maeck Education Center 12:00 Noon Members in Attendance: B. Combo, B. Nitschke, M. Hill, R. Foote, J. Walker, C. White, J. Radford, L. Burtenshaw, D. Pennock, R. Campbell, P. Holm, C. Horsley, T. Reinke, Guest: Kyle Orchard Members Not in Attendance: B. Lee, T. Hersh, P. Lloyd Call to Order – B. Combo B. Combo called the meeting to order at 12:05 pm. Approval of Minutes B. Nitschke motioned to approve the July 11th and September 12th meeting minutes. C. White seconded. All in favor. Director’s Report – P. Holm P. Holm reported on the following: • P. Holm introduced guest Kyle Orchard who attended the meeting to fulfill a master’s degree program requirement. Department Update – Projects, Programs, Policy, Concerns • The War Bonnet Round Up was voted “Idaho’s medium rodeo of the year” at the PRCA Wilderness Circuit Finals event in Heber City on November 4th. • P. Holm reported on a potential partnership with the Gateway Parks Company regarding a tubing hill at Heritage Park. The company has been very persistent in urging Parks and Recreation to collaborate with them on a seasonal tubing hill at Heritage Park. The company has adjusted their schematics to reassure our department that Heritage Park will retain the natural characteristics which were originally intended. Upon further group discussion, it was agreed that the commission would like to have Gateway Parks attend a future meeting to present the entirety of their plans before a decision can be made.  • P. Holm has been working with the FAA on obtaining a new agreement for the soccer complex. • Meyers Anderson Architects was recently hired to review our preliminary plans for the soccer site, confirm the number and layout of the fields, and generate a conceptual site master plan, including 3D renderings. They will also solicit and coordinate surveying for the area. • LWCF Update – The State of Idaho has sent a letter recommending our location on Meppen Dr. as the replacement property for LWCF compliance. Golf Advisory Committee Report – T. Hersh (absent), reported by T. Reinke • We had a very successful year despite the worst spring weather we’ve had in a long time. The warm summer and fall made up for the revenue losses during the spring. Play was busy through the end of October and the course is still open as of November 7 th. October was one of the busiest October’s on record for revenue and rounds played. • T. Reinke has noticed an increase of new players, and the growing town is having a positive impact of the golf courses. • The irrigation system was finished this summer and the kinks were eventually worked out by the superintendent. The system cost over three million, but through our fees, we have raised nearly one million for repayment on the loan thus far. • An event shelter will be built at Pinecrest with most of the money raised from donations to the Mel Erickson Memorial Fund. Bonneville County J. Walker • J. Walker reported the county reservoirs and lakes are low right now which is normal. They did get seven inches of snow and three hours of heavy rain which will help. • The county waters also have thirty-five swans in residence. School District 91 – P. Lloyd (absent), reported by Lisa Burtenshaw • L. Burtenshaw reported the Idaho Falls High School multi-purpose sports facility continues to move forward. The softball diamond and football fields will be graded this week and the irrigation system is almost completed. This spring the pump will be ordered and the grounds will be sodded. Shade Tree Committee – M. Hill • The Shade Tree Committee is working on a Forestry Master Plan which will be necessary to prepare for the ash borer beetle threat. There was board discussion on the damage the beetle has done to other communities. Park Updates – R. Campbell • The Parks Department has finished winterizing park restrooms and the irrigation systems. • The Skyline High School Tennis Court Project was completed. • Ryder Park pond number two was completed. The seed was planted last week, and the trees will be planted soon. • The Parks Department had a difficult summer finding employees. Increasing the wage to $12.00 per hour didn’t seem to help. • Replacement pieces for the John Hole’s walking bridge have been ordered. • Park curfews have been implemented, and it is hoped that the curfew helps with the ongoing vandalism and other problems. Security cameras and auto lock doors will soon be installed at some parks. The Reinhart Park restrooms will be the first restroom fitted with the cameras and auto lock doors. Recreation Updates – C. Horsley • The ice arena opened on October 1st. We’ve had over 1300 patrons, not including our user groups, to date. • The Spud Kings practice at the facility three or four times per week and will continue until the Mountain America Center opens. • We received a Recreation Center donation from Sharon Piper on behalf of her late husband Dave Piper who spent his youth at the gym. • The lights on both Craner and Chapple fields were replaced with LED lighting. We plan to do the same with the football field. • The patrons of the Aquatic Center have noticed a vast improvement on the facility air quality following the renovation at the pool. • The hockey and figure skating user groups raised $21,000 for ice arena improvements. Zoo Updates – D. Pennock • The zoo has been experimenting with extending the seasonal hours. They were open every weekend in October and weather permitting, they will remain open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm through November. Their goal is to recoup the cost to remain open. • October attendance was up over a thousand patrons from last year. • Boo at the Zoo was affected by the weather, but still raised a net $70,000 and had over eight thousand people attend the event. • A new species was added at the zoo. A collared lemur, an endangered species from Madagascar, is the newest resident.  • The indoor aviary is close to being completed and the staff hopes to have the Adventure Island exhibit open by next summer. Adjournment at 1:36 pm. Next meeting will be held December 5, 2022 Recorded by: Tracy Sessions, Clerk, Parks & Recreation