Parks Board

REGULAR MEETING OF THE LAFAYETTE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD 4:00 pm 20 March 2023 The City of Lafayette Parks and Recreation Board met in regular meeting at 4:00pm, March 20, 2023. The meeting was held at Rush Pavilion in Columbian Park. The meeting was called to order by Park Board President Matt Metzger. Board members present were Maurie Denney, Dave Mecklenburg and Siany Molina. Parks Superintendent Claudine Laufman and Parks Director of Operations Jon Miner and Recording Secretary Jenny Spencer were present. Parks staff members present were Mike Perry, Neil Dale, Samantha Haville, Kurt Wolf, and Chad Alford. Also in attendance were Bob Downing and Eileen Hession Weiss of the City Council. Upon motion by Mr. Mecklenburg, seconded by Mr. Denney, and unanimously carried, minutes of the February 13, 2023 Parks Board meeting were approved. Upon motion of Mr. Denney seconded by Ms. Molina, and unanimously carried, General Fund Claims in the amount of $58,120.82, Non-Reverting Fund Claims in the amount of $55,557.32 for a total of $113,678.14 were approved. Superintendent’s Report: • Marketing Manager, Samantha Haville shared that on March 6, the announcement was made that Air Supply would be coming to Loeb Stadium on Friday July 29. Tickets went on sale March 9, and 1,832 tickets have been sold to date. The Zoo will be opening on April 15, with the hours being 10am – 4:30pm until May 27, when summer hours begin. McAllister Rec Center is hosting Spring Celebration on April 15 as well from 11am – 2pm. It corresponds with the last Winter Market being held at McAllister. There will be games, crafts and food trucks. Ms. Haville provide a media appearance update; including an interview given regarding the design of new zoo exhibits with WLFI among others. In other business Ms. Haville shared that more updates were being completed in Rush Pavilion including blinds to be installed in the coming weeks. The 2023 Fun Guides have arrived. Over 3,000 were given out last year. • Zoo Director, Neil Dale shared Zoo opening information. Prices remain the same this year. Summer camps are going well being full to 97% capacity. The Schools on Safari program begins on April 18 with a great deal of interest. Seasonal Zookeeper hiring is going well. Landscape and mulching are going well for opening day. • McAllister Recreation Center Manager, Chad Aldridge reported that there are 239 registrants for summer camp. Spring Break camp is at limit. Programs seem to be back to pre-pandemic numbers. Park Board Minutes 3/20/2023 Page 1  • Director of Operations Jon Miner provided an aquatics update, sharing that hiring for lifeguard was slower this season than last. However, other areas such as Pool and Grounds, Food & Beverage and Guest Relations are fully staffed. There are still potential candidates enrolled in the lifeguard class. The base rate is $14.00/hour for lifeguards. • Superintendent Laufman gave a project update: - Zoo Commissary Design project is meeting weekly and going well - McCaw Park Project received a single bid from JR Kelly Construction. - At the Board of Works tomorrow, proposals will be opened to select a Construction Manager to oversee choosing sub-contractors and other details from the ground floor of projects. Upon motion by Mr. Denney, seconded by Mr. Mecklenburg, and unanimously carried, the 2022 Annual Report was approved. Marketing Manager Haville provided an overview of the annual report. It reflected continuing recovery from the lower numbers during the pandemic. Upon motion by Ms. Molina, seconded by Mr. Mecklenburg Resolution 23-02, to accept conveyance of real estate, was approved. Superintendent Laufman shared a map showing the area including Mill Creek parcels included in a gift near Brittany Chase with access to Bridgewater Circle. The property will provide great trail access and connectivity for the south side community. A discussion followed regarding the map and history of the other gifts in the area. (Attachment A) Upon motion by Mr. Denney, seconded by Ms. Molina, and unanimously carried, Declaration of Surplus property was approved (See Attachment B). Mr. Miner presented the list of items from McAllister Recreation Center. Communications: • Board: Mr. Metzger commended Superintendent Laufman and the Parks’ Maintenance team on the clean up at Munger Park after Duke did some major cutting. • Public: City Councilwoman Eileen Hession Weiss shared that she continues to receive great feedback on the parks. She also thanked the Board and Parks’ staff for their hard work on behalf of the City Council. • Written: none Park Board Minutes 3/20/2023 Page 2 There being no further business to come before the Board, on motion of Mr. Mecklenburg, seconded by Ms. Molina, and unanimously carried, the meeting adjourned at 4:20 pm. _______________________________________ Matt Metzger, Park Board President _______________________________________ Maurie Denney, Secretary Pro Tem ________________________________________ Jenny Spencer, Recording Secretary Park Board Minutes 3/20/2023 Page 3