Parks & Recreation Commission

PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING April 3, 2022 Maeck Education Center 12:00 Noon Members in Attendance: B. Nitschke, T. Hersh, M. Hill, C. White, J. Radford, P. Holm, T. Reinke, R. Campbell, L. Washburn, C. Horsley, D. Pennock Members Not in Attendance: B. Combo, B. Lee, P. Lloyd, J. Walker Call to Order – P. Holm P. Holm called the meeting to order at 12:05 pm. Approval of Minutes The March 6th minutes were tabled due to a lack of a quorum. Director’s Report – P. Holm P. Holm reported on the following: • A draft of the soccer complex future build out was shown. The Parks and Recreation Department plans to turn the field into a sod farm to build a healthy turf for a couple of years before development begins. • P. Holm met with the City’s Airport Director, R. Cloutier, and we will have access to the Old Butte Soccer Complex property until October of 2026. • The Parks Department is working with a steering committee to assure the public’s desired facilities will be built at the Westside Sports Complex. • The 2024 budget process is underway. The Parks and Recreation Department will be requesting funds for the following projects: a) The Soccer Complex project b) Meppen Canal Trail project c) Tautphaus Park Tennis Court project d) Grant funding for the Recreation Center gym floor. (There has been interest shown by one credit union to pay for this.) There was board discussion regarding the need for the new floor, which is estimated to cost $174,000. Councilman John Radford – Tree Presentation • Councilman John Radford presented the Parks and Recreation Commission with an informative slide show about trees and the goal to plant 100,000 trees over the next decade in our area. The threat of the emerald ash borer beetle could destroy 40% of our city’s tree canopy in the next ten to twenty years. During his presentation, he listed the benefits of trees such as: a) Temperature control. b) Retaining storm water. c) Creating water vapor. d) Trees cool and protect pavement, thus saving taxpayer dollars. e) Trees make beautiful cities which benefits communities economically. f) Trees help with mental health, reduce stress, reduce crime (per double blind studies), reduce anxiety, depression, improve immune systems, etc. g) Trees clean and provide the air we breathe. (One large tree provides oxygen for four people). h) Trees clean drinking water. i) Trees help us reduce the energy we need to cool and heat our homes . • J. Radford reported that a subcommittee will be formed under the Shade Tree Committee to work on ways to make trees affordable for the average citizen, research available grants, educate the public, and research ways to utilize carbon credits. • The City’s Horticulturist Lee Washburn reported on the plan to plant trees in the drainage pond on Merlin. There is a local chamber leadership group interested in fundraising for this project that would turn the area into a “Nature Play Pond”. Division Reports: R. Campbell – Parks • R. Campbell reported that this staff is working on spring cleaning, taking down the ice rink, tree trimming, and hoping to begin field prep in the next couple of weeks. T. Reinke – Golf Operations • T. Reinke reported that there is a possibility that Sand Creek Golf Course might be able to open the second week of April, weather permitting. He also reported that snow has been removed from golf greens for the first time in over thirteen years. • A new Sand Creek Golf Course superintendent, Dereck Stanfield, has just been hired and begins working April 4th. C. Horsley – Recreation • C. Horsley reported that the spring adult leagues are beginning, and the staff is gearing up for the softball and baseball season. D. Pennock – Zoo Operations • D. Pennock reported that the zoo is scheduled to open April 12th. The Community Cleanup Day had to be cancelled due to bad weather. • The zoo concessions will be handled “in-house” this year. There is a consultant in town giving them tips on how to be successful. • Funland at the Zoo is expected to open this summer, and a train with 600 feet of track was obtained from New York for free (minus the shipping costs). Golf Advisory Report – T. Hersh T. Hersh reported on the following: • T. Hersh reported on the historical opening dates of the City’s golf courses for the last forty years, and the last time we opened the courses this late in the season was back in 1985. • There is hope that Sand Creek Golf Course will open before April 15th this year. • The golf concessionaire, Mike Stevens, signed an extension to his vending contract for the current golf season. At the end of this season the Parks Department will send out an RFP so other area vendors have an opportunity to bid for providing the golf course concessions. Bonneville County – J. Walker (absent) School District 91 – P. Lloyd (absent) Shade Tree Committee – M. Hill M. Hill reported on the following: • Arbor Day is scheduled for May 15th at 1:00 pm at the new pond at Ryder Park. CTE Tech students will help with the planting of 20 to 25 trees. • Nine trees had to be removed from Central Park after the Ips beetle caused extensive damage to them. • Nine trees along the river walk had to be removed due to rot. Adjournment at 1:10 pm. Next meeting will be held May 1, 2023  Recorded by: Tracy Sessions, Clerk, Parks & Recreation