Parks & Recreation Commission

LACONIA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING March 20, 2017 Laconia Community Center- Parks & Recreation Office 7:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER: Commission 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: Rodney Roy, Tony Pederzani and Deanna Guyer. Absent- Arthur Kirk. 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 February 21, 2017 Commissioner Rodney Roy moved to adopt the minutes from February 21, 2017. Seconded by Commissioner Tony Pederzani. The motion passed unanimously. I. OLD BUSINESS: A. Review of rule against use of Coast Guard approved life jackets. Mitch Hamel said that at last month’s meeting, Kevin reviewed the information that was provided by Primex. Mitch said that some Commissioners were concerned about the potential implications of insurance costs if we allow the lifejackets at our beaches. Kevin Dunleavy said that there is a chart in the meeting packet showing the policies of various communities relating to life jackets. Kevin explained that some communities allow them and others do not. Kevin said that some communities have lifeguards inspect the lifejackets but not all of them. Kevin Dunleavy explained that the City’s insurance carrier Primex responded that there is no adjustment on members’ contribution coverage due to the use of lifejackets but any incident resulting in the use of lifejackets can have a negative impact. Kevin stated that the biggest challenge is the process of inspecting the vests because we do not want lifeguards approving vests when they should be watching the water. We would need additional staff to inspect life vests. Kevin further stated that the responsibility of making sure people have proper vests that fit correctly falls with the City. Kevin Dunleavy mentioned that Primex is indicating that there is a higher risk associated with allowing life jackets at our beaches based on their research. Commissioner Hamel also mentioned that we do have a unique situation because we do have several beaches in Laconia. Commissioner Hamel stated that Weirs Beach is very challenging to implement the use of lifejackets because it’s the busiest beach compared to the others and it would be very difficult track and determine who has been inspected and who has not. Resident Danielle Millen expressed concerns about not allowing lifejackets at the beaches. Danielle said that having that extra protection for young children offers parents a level of comfort and it does not take long for a children to go under water and get into  trouble. Danielle said that lifejackets are required for children when they are in boats because of safety and beaches should be the same. Resident David Plourde asked the Commission to consider allowing lifejackets and think of their grandchildren when making a decision. Commissioner Roy motioned to table the request for further review and discussion. Seconded by Commissioner Pederzani. All were in favor. B. NHIAA – Robbie Mills Baseball Field – June 7, 2017 from 4:00pm to 10:00pm (June 8th rain date) for NHIAA Division 4 Baseball semi-finals. Commissioner Roy motioned to accept the request conditioned upon submission of a certificate of insurance, $100.00 special event fee and $80.00 field light fee. A key deposit of $25.00 is required if needed. Seconded by Commissioner Guyer. All were in favor. C. Weirs Action Committee- Endicott Park & Beach- July 3 to September 3, 2017 every Friday at 10:00pm (rain date Saturday) Monday July 3 12:00 am and Sunday September 4, 2017, for Weirs Beach 2017 Fireworks. Kevin Dunleavy said that the beach would not be available for fireworks setup until after 4pm on July 3rd. Commissioner Roy motioned to accept the request conditioned upon submission of a certificate of insurance and the understanding that the beach should be cleaned after each fireworks show. Seconded by Commissioner Pederzani. All were in favor. D. NH Humane Society- WOW Trail- June 3, 2017, Saturday from 8:00am to 1:00pm for Bow Wow Fest. Commissioner Guyer motioned to accept the request for use of the WOW Trail from Elm Street to Messer Street for the Bow Wow Fest dog parade. Seconded by Commissioner Roy. All were in favor. II. FACILITY USE REQUESTS: A. Partnership for Public Health- Smith Track & Field- Saturday, May 13, 2017 from 9am to 12pm for Stomp the Stigma walk. Commissioner Roy motioned to accept the request for the Stomp the Stigma walk. Seconded by Commissioner Guyer. All were in favor. B. Lakes Region Christian School- Memorial Tennis Courts- April 3 through May 31, 2017 from 3:00-5:00pm Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for tennis team practice. Kevin Dunleavy said there are other requests for this facility and the schedule will need to be worked out. Commissioner Pederzani motioned to accept the request conditioned upon the submission of a certificate of insurance and final scheduling with the Parks and Recreation Department. Seconded by Commissioner Guyer. All were in favor. C. NH B.A.S.S. Nation- Bartlett Beach- Sunday, May 7, 2017 for a bass fishing tournament. Commissioner Guyer motioned to accept the request for the NH Bass open team fishing tournament. Seconded by Commissioner Pederzani. All were in favor. D. Winnipesaukee Warriors NH Special Olympics Team- Smith Track & Field- Sundays, April 23 through May 25, 2017 from 10am to 12pm for track & field practice. Commissioner Roy tabled the request due to no representation. Seconded by Commissioner Pederzani. All were in favor. E. Evangelical Baptist Church- Leavitt Park- June 26 –July 1, 2017, Monday through Saturday from 8am to 4pm for a soccer camp. Commissioner Pederzani motioned to accept the request conditioned upon the submission of a certificate of insurance, payment for non-resident users fee, $25.00 key security deposit if needed and approval from the City Council for fundraising on City property. Seconded by Commissioner Guyer. All were in favor.  F. Faith Alive Christian Fellowship- Memorial Park- Saturday, May 20, 2017 from 7am to 5:30pm (June 3, 2017 rain date) for an annual kids carnival. Commissioner Roy motioned to accept the request conditioned upon submission of a certificate of insurance and key deposit of $25.00 per key if needed. Seconded by Commissioner Guyer. All were in favor. G. Laconia Chiefs Football and Spirit- Memorial Field- July 31, 2017 through October 31, 2017 from 5pm to 8pm Mondays through Fridays, 8am-11am on Saturdays for youth football practice. Commissioner Pederzani motioned to accept the request conditioned upon submission of a certificate of insurance, non-resident users fee, storage bay fee and light fee. Seconded by Commissioner Guyer. Commissioner Roy abstained. All were in favor. H. Lakes Region Tennis Assoc. - Memorial Tennis Court- May 2 through June 15, 2017, Tuesdays and Fridays from 3pm-5pm for a Junior Tennis team. Kevin Dunleavy said there are other requests for this facility and the schedule will need to be worked out. Commissioner Roy motioned to accept the request conditioned upon submission of a certificate of insurance, non-resident users fee and final scheduling with the Parks and Recreation Department. Seconded by Commissioner Pederzani. All were in favor. III. ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVALS-ROTARY PARK, BEACHES, WEIRS AMPHITHEATER & PAVILION The following birthday party and wedding requests have been approved administratively: A. Rebecca McAlister- Rotary Gazebo- Sunday, November 5, 2017 from 11am to 1:30pm for a wedding ceremony. B. Amanda Ruth- Rotary Gazebo- Saturday, July 22, 2017 from 1pm to 5pm for a wedding ceremony. IV. NEW BUSINESS: A. Safety netting at Bobotas Field. Commissioner Roy stated that high school and youth lacrosse is looking at putting some safety netting on the Morrill St. side of Bobotas Field for safety reasons. Commissioner Roy mentioned that the cost will be approximately $4000.00. Commissioner Roy said the fence is going to be 12 feet high and would extend across the end of the field to prevent lacrosse balls from going over the hill and hitting someone. Commissioner Roy said the fence rolls right up for storage and the posts would be can be removed from sleeves in the ground when not needed. Commissioner Roy mentioned that he will bring this up to the next youth lacrosse board meeting. Commissioner Guyer also mentioned that the Laconia Soccer might be able to contribute since they are looking to donate money to some organization and they would benefit from the fence during the youth soccer tournament. Commissioner Roy also mentioned that once the netting fence is up, lacrosse and other sports games can occur on Bobotas Field. Athletic Director Craig Kozens mentioned that we should be proud of our facilities here in Laconia and we should promote what we have to others. The Commissioners agreed and said we should try to promote our facilities and park system as best that we can. Kevin mentioned that we will be having a new City website soon that we can better feature our  fields and facilities. Commissioner Hamel suggested we further discuss the netting issue at the next meeting. All were in favor. B. Recycling Drop Off Location – Lakeport Area- Kevin Dunleavy said that DPW approached him about the relocation of the recycling drop off area that needs to be relocated from the Lakeport Fire Station site due to the upcoming transfer of the property to a private property. Kevin Dunleavy mentioned the location in Leavitt Park near the basketball court parking lot. Commissioner Hamel asked if the vacant parking areas by the Evangelical Baptist Church were a possibility. Kevin Dunleavy said that they are private property and an agreement would need to be acquired. Kevin said that City property is the easiest situation. The Commission asked if DPW can come to the next meeting to discuss the matter. Kevin said he would reach out and see if DPW can attend the April meeting. Councilor Hamel suggested the Commission discuss the issue further at the next meeting. All were in favor. C. Weirs Beach Vending Inquiry- Kevin Dunleavy mentioned that the owner of the 405 Pub inquired about the possibility of building a concession stand at Weirs Beach for a seasonal food concession operation. Kevin said that there would need to be a process that proposals would be submitted so that a fair selection process could take place. Several Commissioners expressed concerns about existing businesses being against the idea considering the current issues with Motorcycle Week vending spaces provided by the City. Commissioner Pederzani said that this would open a can of worms for other parks and Weirs Beach businesses. Kevin Dunleavy said he would convey the Commissions thoughts on the inquiry to the 405 Pub. V. ANNOUNCEMENTS: VI. NOMINATIONS, APPOINTMENTS & ELECTIONS: VII. PUBLIC COMMENT: VIII. COMMUNICATIONS: IX. OTHER REQUESTS REQUIRING COMMISSION ACTION: X. PARK ASSOCIATION REPORTS: A. Leavitt Park Association –March Minutes of the meeting. B. Weirs Community Park Association- No Report C. Tardif Park Association- No report XI. DEPARTMENT REPORTS: A. Asst. Directors Report submitted by Amy Lovisek This month has been a planning month. I have been preparing for spring and summer. I have almost completed the Spring/Summer brochure. I am just waiting for a couple of other dates. It should be out soon. I will be hosting the Annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 8 at 10 am at Opechee Point. I am looking for some help that day for set up and helping with crowd control. Anyone able and willing let me know. As we are planning for summer we are planning a meeting with other city departments to figure out the best course of action for the new kiosk at Weirs Beach. We have a bunch of things to iron out before we can even hire anyone. We are changing some of maintenance jobs this summer to make the work simpler. We are looking to change some of the tasks to make them part time jobs. For instance, we could have a gardener and someone who does beach cleaning and raking. Our hope is to get these jobs filled with people who don’t necessarily want a full time job or can’t do all the maintenance jobs. This should help us fill the jobs. I am still working with the city on the new website. We have altered ours here at LP&R so it is better and more streamlined when it gets moved to the new site. Check it out so in July when the new site roles out you can see the difference. B. Directors Reports submitted by Kevin Dunleavy Department Updates: • Recent maintenance projects and activities include: Work orders/repairs at City Hall, Library, park houses, LFD and LPD Winter maintenance- snow removal - deicing City Hall City Clerk area modifications Trash removal Pet waste bag restocking Brush cutting, tree clearing Painting DPW plowing support Vehicle cleaning Maintenance shop cleaning and organization • We were getting close to starting some spring outdoor maintenance tasks until the major snow storm arrived. Maintenance staff has returned to snow removal operations. Several of our maintenance staff have also been on vacation before we enter the busy season. We will be monitoring the snow melt and conditions of our athletic fields in the next month as various sports organizations prepare to start their seasons. •Happy Tails Dog Park – The City received proposals for archeological services and has awarded the work to IAC Consulting out of Portsmouth NH. Research work will begin immediately with field work to follow once the weather conditions permit. •Memorial Park- New sign and final irrigation startup will take place when weather permits. I will be meeting with a Memorial Park advocate next week to discuss other potential  improvements. •Normandin Square Park Area – Parks and Recreation staff is working on a proposed design for the small park area at Busy Corner. • Weirs Beach Restoration – Awaiting a response from NHDES to set up another pre permit meeting in the near future. • Lakeside Avenue Improvements – Improvements are still on schedule and will include parking kiosks at the Weirs Beach parking lot. I will be meeting with other City Departments (DPW, Police and City Manager) to work on details relating to how Parks and Recreation will play a role in the oversight of the new parking system • Weirs Beach Water Quality – DPW is finalizing a wetlands permit for installation of porous concrete panels in a portion of the Weirs Beach Parking Lot to treat surface drainage and improve water quality. Last fall, DPW upgraded a rusted drain pipe in the Weirs Beach Parking Lot. • LAYBL – Lou Athanas had another successful tournament that brought many people to the region over the course of a weekend at the end of February. Glad we could provide the Community Center Gym for this event that is great for our youth and great for the area. • Winter Recreation – Our skating rinks are no longer able to be used this year due to the weather conditions. We have reopened our sledding hill thanks to the latest snow storm and will keep it open as long as we can. • Meetings that I have attended the last month include City Staff meetings, City Council meeting, contractor meetings for City Hall window replacement, Downtown TIF Advisory Board, and Parks and Recreation budget meeting with City Manager. XII. PRESENTATIONS XIII. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Roy motioned to adjourn at 9:08pm. Seconded by Commissioner Pederzani. All were in favor. Respectfully submitted, Liza Kelleher Mitch Hamel Secretary Commissioner Chair