Parks Commission

Parks Commission, Nov 15 2012 DRAFT Present: Geoff Beyer, Kip Roberts, Lyn Munno, Emily Boedecker, Cara Robechek, Aaron Brondyke. 1. Commissioners voted to approve minutes from October. 2. Chris Miller presented design and fundraising proposal for stone sculpture in the park. He will manage Kickstarter fundraising campaign over the winter with installation in the coming summer. Commissioners discussed design, placement, materials, and if art installations are appropriate for the park. Recognizing quality of sculpture, natural theme and local materials commissioners voted to approve this project. Commissioners discussed if there is a need for a park sculpture policy, and if this project is significant enough that we would want to warn a discussion and vote in Dec. Lyn proposed a motion to approve a life sized bear sculpture from granite and fieldstone as proposed by Chris Miller, with amendment to allow 28 days for public input. Commissioners voted to approve the motion. Geoff will communicate plans to Chris Miller and post image on website, Lyn will submit a notice to the local paper. 3. Geoff shared city council request to all dept heads to show where cuts could be made in the budget to offset increases over last year. Equipment and maintenance should not be cut. Commissioners debated reductions to AmeriCorps volunteer which would result in reduction of volunteer hours and maintenance projects, reductions to caretaker position with implications for park security, viability of renting house for profit without requirement for caretaking responsibilities, or to defer projects such as the pond drainage. 4. Commissioners discussed proposed caretaker position in relation to the budget reduction request and the requirements of this person to be present in the park. Geoff will fine tune the budget and job description, including clarifying employment and rental contract with the city. 5. Dog survey letter to the editor was reviewed and approved. Lyn and Kip confirmed permission from local business to have survey in their locations. Emily will submit letter and survey to The Bridge. 6. Commissioners discussed request from Onion River Sports to hold three winter mountain bike races, Sunday morning, first week of Jan, Feb and March. This is an increase over the 1 race that has been held in each of the past three years. Impact to trails lasts 24 hours, grooming occurs after race to restore trail. In the case of icy conditions hay is spread on the trail, bikers are strongly encouraged to use studded tires in icy conditions. Onion River Insurance covers race participants. Motion to permit two races with ability to move dates if early winter conditions prevent race being held was approved by the Commissioners. 7. With planned changes to Geoffʼs status Cara asked Commissioners to consider alternative candidates for Caraʼs seat in March. We will revisit this question in December. 8. Commissioners agreed to move Dec meeting to the 18th.