Parks & Recreation Commission

LACONIA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING JULY 18, 2016 Laconia Community Center- Parks & Recreation Office 7:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER: Commissioner Chair Mitch Hamel called the meeting to order at the above date and time. RECORDING SECRETARY: Secretary Liza Kelleher will be recording this meeting. ROLL CALL: Commissioner Chair Mitch Hamel called the roll with the following Commissioners in attendance: Tony Pederzani, Deanna Guyer, Arthur Kirk and Rodney Roy. Parks & Recreation staff in attendance: Recreation Facilities Director Kevin Dunleavy and Parks & Recreation Secretary Liza Kelleher. ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS: 1. Regular meeting minutes of June 20, 2016 Commissioner Tony Pederzani moved to adopt the minutes from the June 20, 2016. Seconded by Commissioner Deanna Guyer. The motion passed unanimously. I. OLD BUSINESS: A. Banner Policy – Kevin Dunleavy presented a draft of a banner policy to the Commissioners. Commissioner Hamel suggested we add the banner into facility use request form so the people using the field will not assume that they can just hung the banner anytime. Kevin said he would revise the draft based on the feedback he has received and will present it to the Commission at the next meeting. B. Lakes Region Waterski Enthusiasts- Opechee Point- Sunday, August 7, 2016 from 10am to 4pm for Lakes Region Waterski Boat Classic. Commissioner Roy motioned to withdraw the request due to lack of representation. Seconded by Commissioner Pederzani. All were in favor. C. Laconia Middle School Athletics a. Fall Interscholastic Sports Season 2016 i. LMS Soccer – Opechee Park Field, August 15th, 2016 to November 11, 2016 from 2:30pm to 6pm Monday thru Friday. ii. LMS Field Hockey – Smith Field - August 15th to November 11, 2016 from 2:30pm to 6pm Monday thru Friday. iii. LMS Football- Bobotas Field- August 15th to November 11, 2016 from 6pm to 8pm Monday thru Friday. b. Spring Interscholastic Sports Season 2017 i. LMS Softball – Opechee Park, March 20, 2017 to June 1st, 2017, Monday thru Friday from 2:30pm to 6pm. ii. LMS Baseball – Memorial Park, March 20, 2017 to June 1st, 2017, Monday thru Friday from 2:30pm to 6pm.  iii. LMS Track and Field – Smith Track and Smith Field - March 20, 2017 to June 1st, 2017, Monday thru Friday from 2:30pm to 6pm. Commissioner Roy motioned to approve the request to use the City facilities for interscholastic sports with the amendment of adding the use of Bobotas field. Seconded by Deanna Guyer. Al were in favor. D. KG Tennis Pro - Memorial Tennis Court- July 5 through August 11, 2016, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 12pm for a Teen Tennis Boot Camp. Commissioner Roy motioned to withdraw the request due to lack of representation. Seconded by Commissioner Kirk. All were in favor II. FACILITY USE REQUESTS: A. Evangelical Baptist Church- Opechee Point- August 21, 2016, Sunday from 11am to 4pm for a church picnic. Commissioner Pederzani motioned to accept the request and with a waiver for the use of 20lb propane gas tanks for the annual picnic. Seconded by Commissioner Roy. All were in favor. B. Weirs Action Committee (WAC) – Weirs Beach and Endicott Rock Park Parking Lot – June 10th, 2017 to June 18th, 2017, from 7am to 8pm for fundraiser for Weirs Beach beautification. Commissioner Hamel said that there is another organization requesting this facility. Rod Roy asked why there has not been a conflict before. Kevin Dunleavy said that he was not aware of more than one group asking for the facility at the same time. Rod Roy asked if there has been any discussion between the two groups about the parking conflict. Joe Driscoll IV said there has been no discussion and that WAC has requested and used the facility for years. Charlie St. Clair of the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association said he had only spoken with the WAC Treasurer Robert Ames and Mr. Ames told him WAC was not interested in a joint effort. Mr. Driscoll also said that sharing half the profits would not work for them because it is their primary fundraiser. Deanna Guyer asked if further details could be given on what WAC does with the funds. Joe Driscoll said that WAC is a 501-c4 organization. Joe said that the funds raised go to maintenance of the Weirs sign, landscaping at Endicott Rock Park, installation of the statue on Endicott Rock, installation of the accessible ramp into the park, hanging baskets along the boardwalk, new trash/recycle bins, the gazebo, landscaping at Blackstone Circle, donations to the beach erosion project and the Weirs Community Park, partnering with Downtown group to bring solar powered benches for charging devices and contributions to other causes throughout the City. Joe added that the money raised goes right back to the area and that they are a volunteer group with no one receiving a salary. Joe said that it is hard for the group to fundraise in the summer and this event gives them an opportunity to cover most of their fundraising that continues to enhance the area. Joe read a letter from Ken Drystan of the Weirs Community Park Association supporting the use of the parking lot by WAC. Charlie St. Clair said Laconia Motorcycle Week Association (LMWA) is a nonprofit with the mission to organize and promote Laconia Motorcycle Week and make it profitable. Charlie said that Parks and Recreation used to manage the parking lot fundraiser but revenue was taken away from Parks and Recreation and placed in the general fund. Charlie said LMWA was offered the opportunity to take it over but felt it was better suited for WAC. Charlie said his point is no one should have the  right to any facility forever. LMWA applied because they need funding to continue on its path. Charlie further said that no one else markets this event and fundraising opportunities to not happen without this event. Charlie said LMWA is faced with increased competition from other events throughout the country and Laconia has to be competitive which costs money. Mitch Hamel asked if there has ever been discussion about a joint effort. Joe Driscoll said WAC are former members of the LMWA but are no longer due to raised dues and other issues. Joe further said that WAC’s mission is to enhance the area and is not based on economic driven. Mitch Hamel asked Charlie what has changed now that lead to LMWA asking for the parking lot. Charlie said they are looking at it for an opportunity to raise needed funds. Many property owners benefit from the event yet no one contributes back to the event. Cynthia Makris of the LMWA said WAC has done great things for the Weirs and area. What has changed is the sponsorship of the event. LMWA is not getting the sponsors it used to and costs are increasing. Cynthia further said that the event brings $100 million dollars to the State but the event does not get State support. Lots of people make money on the event and no one contributes. Sponsorship is decreasing while costs to promote and hold the event increase. Many people have suggested that LMWA apply for the parking lot fundraiser. Commissioner Tony Pederzani asked how much money the fundraiser makes. Joe Driscoll said between $25K and 30K per year. Joe Driscoll said that if they had to share the funds, WAC would not be able to continue to do all it does for the area. Charlie St. Clair said that he was not sold that it would mark the end of WAC if they did not have this fundraiser, nor would it mark the end of LMWA if they did not get it. Charlie said what LMWA does is allow others to benefit from the event. Judy Krahulec of WAC said this discussion started when WAC was asked to contribute more for dues to help get LMWA out of a hole. Judy said it was late notice and WAC was not able to contribute. Judy said LMWA went to the City Council to ask for $50K which was denied and that was when LMWA started looking at the parking lot for fundraising. Tony Pederazani made the motion to table the two requests until the next meeting and see if the two groups can come together with a solution. Seconded by Rod Roy. All were in favor. Charlie St. Clair asked when the next meeting was. Mitch Hamel said August 15th. Charlie asked to put off the decision until the September meeting because he did not think he would be available. Mitch Hamel said the item did not appear pressing but it was up to the Commission. Rod Roy suggested it stay on the table and not discuss it until Charlie is at the meeting September. C. Laconia Motorcycle Week Association – Weirs Beach parking lot – June 9th, 2017 to June 17th, 2017, from 8am to 10pm for Laconia Motorcycle Week Association fundraising. Commissioner Pederzani motioned to table the request for further discussion. Seconded by Commissioner Roy. All were in favor. D. Laconia Police Department – Sanborn Park – August 2nd, 2016 from 5pm to 7pm for National Night Out event. Commissioner Pederzani motioned to table the request due to no representation. Seconded by Commissioner Kirk. All were in favor.  E. Holy Trinity School – Sanborn Park Field or any other available soccer field – September 1st, 2016 to October 19th, 2016 from 3:30pm to 6pm Monday thru Friday for soccer practice. Commissioner Guyer motioned to table the request due to no representation. Seconded by Commissioner Pederzani. All were in favor. F. Laconia High School Athletics a. Fall Interscholastic Sports Season 2016, August 15 thru November 1, 2016 i. LHS Football – Bobotas Field – Monday-Friday 3pm to 6:30pm ii. LHS Boys Soccer – Robbie Mills/Rotary Field and Leavitt Park Field – 2pm to 6pm on practice days, 3pm to 8pm on game days. iii. LHS Girls Soccer – Robbie Mills/Rotary Field and Leavitt Park Field - 2pm to 6pm on practice days, 3pm to 8pm on game days. iv. LHS Field Hockey – Smith Field, Monday to Friday, 3pm to 6pm on practice days, 3pm to 8pm on game days. v. LHS Cross Country – Robbie Mills/Hank Risley cross country course, schedule TBD. b. Spring Interscholastic Sports Season 2017, March 15 thru June 7, 2017 i. LHS Baseball – Robbie Mills Field, Monday thru Friday from 2:30pm to 6:30pm practice days, 2:30pm to 7:30pm game days, 8am to noon on Saturdays. ii. LHS Softball – Opechee Park – Monday thru Friday from 2:30pm to 6:30pm practice days, 2:30pm to 7:30pm game days, 8am to noon on Saturdays. iii. LHS Track and Field – Smith Track and Smith Field – 2:30pm to 6pm practice days, 2:30pm to dark for meets. iv. LHS Boys and Girls Lacrosse – Bobotas Field – 2:30pm to 6pm once or twice a week when Fitzgerald Field is occupied. Commissioner Roy motioned to approve the request to use the City facilities for interscholastic sports. Seconded by Deanna Guyer. Al were in favor. III. ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVALS-ROTARY PARK, WEIRS AMPHITHEATER & PAVILION No requests for Rotary Park/Weirs Community Park have been approved administratively this month. IV. NEW BUSINESS: V. ANNOUNCEMENTS: VI. NOMINATIONS, APPOINTMENTS & ELECTIONS: VII. PUBLIC COMMENT: VIII. COMMUNICATIONS: Letter from Danielle Millen regarding rule against use of Coast Guard approved life jackets. Mitch Hamel read the letter from Danielle Millen. Danielle Millen spoke and said she was a mother of two and was told by a lifeguard that life jackets  were not allowed. Danielle said that she now understood that the rule was in place for some time and that floatation devices do give a false sense of security. Danielle said as a mother, she wants to protect her children and will swim with them. She further stated that having the choice is a good thing and it might save a life. Mitch Hamel said that the Commission needs time to review the information and discuss how lifeguards might enforce and determine what an approved vest is. Danielle said that approved life jackets are labeled on the vest and other area beaches allow them. Kevin Dunleavy asked Danielle to confirm that she was only interested in changing the rule as it relates to approved life jackets and no other inflatables. Danielle said she was only interested in the allowing of approved life jackets. Mitch Hamel said that the Commission will need to look at how the verbiage of the rule would be constructed, how it will impact lifeguards and how it might affect the City and its exposure to liability. Kevin Dunleavy said he would get an opinion on how lifeguards might enforce the use of life jackets. Mitch Hamel said the discussion can be put on next month’s meeting agenda. IX. OTHER REQUESTS REQUIRING COMMISSION ACTION: X. PARK ASSOCIATION REPORTS: A. Leavitt Park Association –No report. B. Weirs Community Park Association- No report C. Tardif Park Association- No report. XI. DEPARTMENT REPORTS: A. Asst. Directors Report submitted by Amy Lovisek Our summer season is in full swing now! We have had a very busy start to our season and with the weather we have had lately will keep being active. The 4th of July Celebration went well in my opinion. With all we have to do that day and before we did very well. To begin with, the maintenance department needed to set up for the fireworks at Opechee with a fence. The weather was amazing all weekend, so they also needed to clean the Weirs Beach each morning. The collectors have been cleaning, but could not keep up with the garbage that was produced. The garbage kept coming even after they left for the day. The numbers at Weirs Beach were roughly 1800 over the weekend and about 2000 on the 4th. We did not hit our maximum number. Once things were settled at the Weirs I moved to Opechee and got things ready there. I set the parade up at Wyatt Park to come to Opechee. The parade is a hot topic right now as people were not happy with the participation. However, what they don’t realize is that no one wants to be in the parade that day. Politicians were my number 1 participant. This displeased many. We are willing for others to take over the parade in the future years. With everything else we are responsible for, this is one we can let go of and hope someone will take up the reigns. The rest of the event went well at Opechee the band was great and the fireworks were fantastic as usual. The Opechee Day Camp is running smoothly. The participation is low this year, but there are so many options for kids in Laconia these days that we are less needed. The kids in the camp are great and are quite young. This bodes well for the future years. The counselors know what they are doing and are amazing. The camp is going to be getting a donation from Auto Serve in the form of toys and games. We are thrilled for this and accept the gift thankfully. The Peanut Carnival is this coming Thursday night. Anyone willing to help out would be greatly appreciated. If you can’t help, come by and see what the kids can do at Opechee Day Camp. The event is from 5 – 7pm. B. Directors Report submitted by Kevin Dunleavy Department Updates: • Recent maintenance projects and activities include: Various work orders at City Hall, Library, park houses, LFD and LPD Athletic field preparations including Muskrats Mowing and trimming Trash removal Pet waste bag restocking Irrigation maintenance Special event and July 4th setup and breakdown Bathroom cleaning Beach raking  Planting area watering  Weeding of planting beds  Aerating of fields  Fertilizing •It has been an extremely busy month for the Parks and Recreation maintenance staff. Preparations for the official opening of our beaches and the July 4th festivities always require significant resources from our Department. The Fourth of July weekend saw the usual large crowds at Weirs Beach. The Fourth of July activities at Opechee Park went very well with great food, great music, great weather and great fireworks. The parade continues to be a challenge for the Fourth of July Committee and we are looking at handing over this task to others due to the focus that is needed at other locations on the holiday. •WOW Trail – Construction of Phase 2 of the WOW Trail has started and is moving along well. Grubbing of the trail route has been started and footings for areas of boardwalk have been installed in places. Lyman Construction is using part of the Bartlett Beach parking lot for a staging area for the project. •Memorial Park – The new scoreboard has been installed at the baseball field. We are looking to have a ceremony to recognize the generous donation made on behalf of Kenneth Glidden. The athletic field lights that were out have been repaired. Babe Ruth and American Legion baseball will be closing out their use of the field in the next week. • Beacon Street West Riverwalk Connection – Construction is nearing completion. There has been a delay in the arrival of fencing material to complete the job. It is expected that the project will be complete in a few weeks. •Parks and Recreation Budget FY 2016-17 – The City Council has approved the budget for the year starting July 1st. Funding for a new full time year round maintenance position was approved and we will be advertising for this position in the very near future. We are also approved to purchase a new tractor and a new dump truck. Additional project including the Leavitt Park Tennis Court, Memorial Park softball field bleachers and playground repairs are expected to be approved through the non-capital reserve account in the near future. •Happy Tails Dog Park –We are still awaiting word from the National Park Service to make sure they have no concerns in relation to the original acquisition of this property through the LWCF program. City staff is reviewing a draft agreement from the City Attorney. • Meetings that I have attended the last month include City Staff meetings, City Council meetings, Planning Board, Special Events Committee, WOW Trail Board, Downtown TIF Advisory Board, Weirs TIF Advisory Board, and Weirs Beach watershed improvements. • Winnipesaukee Muskrats – The Muskrats season continues at Robbie Mills Field. Covers for the fencing around the area for alcohol has been installed. • Rivers Edge Riverwalk Segment – The Rivers Edge Riverwalk is nearing completion. This segment is located across the river from City Hall and will connect River Street to the pedestrian bridge near the Belknap Mill. XII. PRESENTATIONS XIII. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Roy motioned to adjourn at 8:35. Seconded by Commissioner Pederzani. All were in favor. Respectfully submitted, Liza Kelleher Mitch Hamel Secretary Commission Chair