Parks Commission

Parks Commission Meeting Minutes 7/30/12 Call to order 7:37 pm Commissioners present: Kip, Emily, Lyn, Aaron, Cara Staff present: Geoff Minutes approved from May and June with one addition (Lyn) Project Updates: Geoff ● National Life project – moving slowly, but surely. Will be finished next year (currently 5 weeks into 7 week stint.) ● $6k check from Nat Life rec’d for 2011 ● Trails and Rec funding – Nat Life funding – didn’t happen. (Trails and Rec funding budget cut in general—could explain lack of funds.) ● Parks committed to equal match to Nat Life funding this year ($6k) and $5.5k to finish. One idea considered: community fundraiser to make up short fall sometime this fall ● Storm damage repair at NB continued. Bridge work done. ● FEMA – (funding used) ○ Trail Gator used on trails with park trailer to move gravel and stone at north end of Hubbard. ○ Park tractor getting used heavily due to storm work and lots of crews doing lots of work ○ White truck is also being used heavily. Geoff suggested selling it at end of summer. ● Rock weir installed at Peace Park is working well to rebuild the bank with deposits. Commission questioned whether steps be installed down to weir—potentially a hazard for small children. More discussion/vetting of potential risks to continue. ○ Bench needs to be linseeded at the Peace Park. ● Storm crew: some personnel drama due to personalities ● Invasives intern work going well. Six invasives trail signs will be installed soon. Knotweed work at North Branch is on-going. ● National Life garden has groundhog problems. ● Old Shelter retaining wall needs work. On the short list of projects ● Ranger House (via Geoff) acquired new basement oil tank and stairs. ● Summer Street Park “pileated woodpecker tree” is on its last legs; another SSP tree, a Norway maple, has a trunk split. ○ Removal is recommended for both. Lyn suggested hanging an imminent-removal sign on trees to notify residents. Notice could also ask for residents’ feedback. Replacement strategy involves two large, salt-tolerant trees. ● Dog issues: ○ Police and ambulance called for dog bite last week  ○ Dog shrine with both natural and unnatural items was removed. Future removal of temporary structures such as this will most likely be warned with a small notice at the site. ○ Dog survey: Could go in paper ($400 for insert) and/or online. Emily will work on insert cost and format before commission continues with distribution plan. Results to be published in paper. ● Other shrines and cairns being constructed on Fitness Trail; fairy homes, etc. have also been constructed. Emily suggested letter in Bridge to the effect of keeping the park natural and not rearranging nature. Possible need of policy or public notice re: no monuments and rearranging natural items. ● AmeriCorps position: Byron is back for second year. Vista person hired, as well. ● Ranger house: Geoff will potentially vacate in December or January. Hiring Process Suggestions: ● Fill the house with someone who will work in exchange for rent ○ Someone who could ultimately take over for Geoff? ● Geoff’s exit timeline: 3-4 years max ● Bill Frasier hire someone to overlap with Geoff for 3-6 months ● Geoff take off for awhile then come back half-time ● Caretaker and Parks Director(s)—positions split ● HR policies needed from City ● Job description needed from Geoff, including during and after-hour duties ● Distinction needs to be clear between rent, after-hours caretaking, and the day job Adjourned at 9:10pm.