Parks, Tree and Recreation Advisory Board

CITY OF LARAMIE PARKS, TREE & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD August 8, 2012 Minutes of Meeting MEMBERS PRESENT: Dave Bluemel, Dave Hammond, Jamie Le Jambre, Shawnacey Meares, Steve Ropp, Jacque Stonum, Amy Williamson MEMBERS NOT PRESENT: Rod Whitney, John Ysebaert COUNCIL LIAISON: Not present GUESTS: Robin Despain, President of the Friends of Community Recreation P&R STAFF PRESENT: Paul Harrison, Parks & Recreation Director; Michael Peters, Recreation Manager; Scott Stevenson, Facilities Manager; Mel Owen, Administrative Assistant The regular meeting was called to order by chair Dave Hammond at 7:03 pm. Consent Agenda: 1. To approve the minutes from the July 18, 2012 regular meeting of the Parks, Tree and Recreation Advisory Board. 2. To approve the proclamation designating Saturday, September 15, 2012 as Laramie Community Service Day. 3. To accept the donation from Jean Hein of one new four foot bench for placement in LaPrele Park, with a recognition plaque in memory of Paul Louis Hein. 4. To approve the renewal of an Adopt a Park Agreement with Ross Eads for LaBonte Park and authorize the City Manager sign. Motion by Williamson, second by Ropp, that the consent agenda be approved and that each specific action on the consent agenda be approved as indicated within the staff reports. Motion carried 7-0. Regular Agenda: 1. Consideration of the Facility Use Agreement between the City of Laramie and the Laramie Amateur Hockey Club. Harrison requested that the Board table the facilities use agreement until the September meeting, as negotiations concerning the agreement are still ongoing between the City and the LAHC. Motion by Le Jambre, second by Williamson, to table the Facilities Use Agreement between the City of Laramie and LAHC until the September Advisory Board meeting. Motion carried 7- 0. 2. Consideration of a Resolution to offer a free public skate day at the Ice & Event Center on Saturday, September 29, 2012; and to offer free admission to the Recreation Center on Saturday, October 6, 2012. Peters presented the recommendation to offer Albany County free days at the Recreation Center and the Ice & Event Center this fall in appreciation to Laramie and Albany County citizens for another successful year of operation. Motion by Williamson, second by Meares, to recommend a Resolution to adopt free admission days at the Laramie Community Ice and Event Center on September 29th, 2012 and the Laramie Community Recreation Center on October 6th, 2012 for all residents of Albany County. Motion carried 7-0. 3. Consideration of an application for grant funds from the Guthrie Family Foundation to purchase roller skates. Peters presented the grant application to the Board and introduced Robin Despain, the President of Friends of Community Recreation (FCR). Despain spoke briefly to the Board and voiced the FCR’s support for the grant application and the endeavor to bring roller skating to the Ice and Event Center during the off season. Motion by Williamson, second by Stonum, to approve authorization to submit a grant for roller skates in the amount of $5,000.00 through the Guthrie Family Foundation Grant. Motion carried 7-0. 4. Consideration of co-sponsoring the scheduled “Downtown Kickoff”, as requested by the Main Street Alliance, and to waive all associated reservation fees for the event. Harrison presented the request by the Main Street Alliance to co-sponsor the Downtown Kickoff which celebrates the start of the school year and the football season while highlighting everything that downtown Laramie has to offer. Motion by Le Jambre, second by Ropp, to approve the request by the Main Street Alliance for the annual Downtown Kickoff to be a co-sponsored City event, with all associated reservation fees waived for the rental of the First Street Plaza and portable stage and to forward the matter on to Council for their consideration. Motion carried 7-0. 5. Consideration of a Facility Use Agreement between the City of Laramie and the Laramie Swim Club for the 2012-2013 season. Peters presented the Facility Use Agreement with the Laramie Swim Club (LSC) and noted that the agreement is conditional upon LSC’s Board approving the Agreement as well. Peters highlighted the fact that the new agreement is operating on a flat fee basis which is based upon LSC’s past years pool facility use averages. The Board requested that staff ensure that LSC’s use of the 8 Lane Pool is well posted so the public is aware of any limited access times. Motion by Williamson, second by Le Jambre, to approve the facility use agreement between the Laramie Swim Club and the City for use of the 8-lane pool for practices and swim meets and to forward on to Council for their consideration. Motion carried 7-0. Staff Reports FYI  Harrison presented the Recreation Center membership reports.  Peters presented the Recreation staff reports.  Stevenson provided a brief update of the work completed during the recent annual maintenance closure at the Recreation Center and stated a full report would be provided to the Board at the next meeting. New Business  Williamson gave an update on the Master Plan Ad Hoc Advisory Committee’s recent work to the Board. Staff noted that the Master Plan survey has been made available to the general public and while these results will not be used in the statistical results of the survey, it will be used as general public input and will inform a variety of aspects of the plan.  The Board was reminded that August 26th will be Dog Day in the Park at Washington Park. An inquiry was made as to whether or not it would be permissible for vehicles to briefly drive on the turf to unload for the event. Staff stated it would be okay if the vehicles were moved after unloading their supplies.  It was suggested that the Ad Hoc Committee might look into planning for the creation of a similar facility to the Paul Smith Children’s Village in Cheyenne, especially since it might fill a current gap in children’s recreational programming within the community.  The Board requested that staff present a report on the designated off-leash dog area of Depot Park at the next meeting.  Staff requested that the Board consider shifting the next meeting date due to an out of town conference the majority of staff members would be attending. The Board agreed to set the next meeting for Thursday, September 13th and requested a reminder be sent to members prior to the meeting. Public Comments None. Meeting adjourned at 8:22 pm. Respectfully submitted, Mel Owen Administrative Assistant Parks and Recreation City of Laramie