Parks and Arts Commission

THE CITY OF LIBERTY LAKE PARKS & ARTS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 4TH 2021– 4:00 PM CALL TO ORDER: Commissioner Himebaugh called the meeting of the Parks and Arts Commission to order at 4:01 PM on January 4th, 2021. Commissioner Himebaugh cleared Commissioner Schutz absense . ROLL CALL: Commissioner David Himebaugh Commissioner Laina Schutz Commissioner Laura Frank Commissioner Nancy Hill Commissioner Tom Chamberlain Adjunct Bob Schneidmiller Unexcused Commissioner Tom Sahlberg Adjunct Noreen Johnson Commissioner Tara Cael Maintenance & Operations Director Jennifer Camp Student Commissioner Srikar Surapaneni Administrative Assistant Tait Hunter APPROVALS: Commissioner Schutz opened the floor to approve the December 7th 2020 minutes. Commissioner Chamberlain moved to approve the minutes, which Commissioner Himebaugh seconded. The motion carried unanimously. CITIZEN COMMENTS: No citizen comments were made at this meeting. STAFF REPORT: Jennifer Camp welcomed the new commissioners. She noted the resignation of Mayor Shane Brickner on December 31st 2020. There will be information on Winter Glow later in the meeting minutes. UNFINISHED & NEW BUSINESS: Commissioner Schutz noted that most projects were completed, but that perhaps a token of recognition could be presented to STCU in thanks for their partnership and sponsorship of the utility boxes. Commissioner Himebaugh did not have any updated information regarding the Story Walk project, as there have not been any new changes in the progress of the project. ACTION ITEMS: Commissioner Schutz welcomed the new commissioners, noting that due to COVID, things are a bit different, but ideas are still welcome. She opened the floor to any questions, but as of now there are none. Tom Chamberlain offered the update for Winter Glow 2020. He noted it was a huge success with the drive- through option, as well as the new displays. There was a case of vandalism but that was taken care of. Trutina will be repairing broken displays throughout the year. Full tear-down happened in about 2 and a half days. The Covid Art/ Liberty Lake Together art project was discussed amongst the commissioners. It is slotted for 2021, and we have a Call to Artists going out the 20th of January, once it has been approved through Council. Selection committees would form towards the end of March/ beginning of April, allowing a summer installation to still be possible. It could be proposed to Council as early as the second meeting in January, potentially. ACTION ITEMS CONTINUED: Commissioner Schutz plans to present to Council on 1/5 via the commission reports section of the meeting. The floor was opened at 4:28 for any new ideas or suggestions. Commissioner Johnson asked whether a Call to Artists could be done for the storage units at Orchard for Winter Glow. Commissioner Schutz said it was a possibility as long as the units were able to stay where they were per City ordinance. Commissioner Schutz wondered whether an ice rink would ever be a possibility, or whether the liability would be too high for the City to take on. Jennifer Camp said it had been lightly discussed, but not gone anywhere. It could be run through our risk management team to see what the pros and cons would be. It should also be brought to Council for their input and consideration. Commissioner Cael wondered if there had ever been consideration towards extending the skate park to better suit all age ranges, noting the Coeur d’Alene skate park ribbon. Jennifer Camp stated that the idea should be brought to Council for further discussion, but if the City were to fund it, it would have to be a CFP item and be a priority of the Council. Commissioner Hill noted that while an off-leash dog park had not been supported by Council in the past, as the previous Director of SCRAPS, she noted that there were many complaints from Liberty Lake parks specifically regarding dogs off the leash and incidents related to that. Commissioner Sahlberg urged Commissioner Hill to pursue the issue as there were many people interested, it just hasn't become a well supported or well planning project. Many residents have opposed the proximity to homes, and there is a lot of maintenance work required for a dog park that we may not have the resources for at this time. Commissioner Schutz wondered whether they could be included in the HOA pocket parks somehow and what the process of that would be. Commissioner Hill offered to further look into and pursue the idea for the commission. Commissioner Schutz proposed the idea of a pump-track, which is a rolling hill typically laid with dirt that are low- space and provide entertainment for children. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting concluded at 4:52 PM.