Parks Commission

Parks Commission Meeting Minutes September 19, 2013 Commissioners Present: Aaron Brondyke, Lyn Munno, Cara Robechek, Kip Roberts Staff Present: Geoff Beyer Called to order at 7:40pm Minutes approved from July and August with no additions or changes Aaron moved to approve the July minutes, Kip seconded the motions and the minutes were unanimously approved. Aaron moved to approve the August minutes, Lyn seconded the motions and the minutes were unanimously approved. Dog waste committee report: This committee met last week and discussed funding of dog waste receptacles and the best way to go about recognition of contributions. Committee discussed businesses that should be targeted to ask for contributions. Goal of committee: get Hubbard Park waste stations in by winter. Approval will be requested before the city council in October for placing waste receptacles on Stone Cutters’ Way and the bike path, as well as amending the dog ordinance to a simple pick up requirement. Discussion of asking the city how much they’ll be contributing towards this project. Question from a member of the public (Dan Voisin): where do the licensing fees go that are collected by the City? Danis Regal responded that the $10 licensing fee is set by the state. Further discussion and questions raised regarding the monthly removal fees and cost estimates. Another meeting will happen next week Goal: ~$4000 1 year: receptacle and pick-up fees Hubbard: ~$2800 Mediation meeting: October 8th @ 6:30pm Discussion from Cara as to what she sees as the purpose of the meeting. Lyn: she’s hoping the process and communication is discussed and not the dog policy itself. It was the hope of Lyn and Cara that this meeting will help the discussion move forward in a constructive manner for all. Blanchard Park:  Geoff: permit has not yet been applied for (permit: for the playground additions). Discussion by Geoff about whether or not a permit is required for this kind of park update. Park Gates: Bill Fraser expressed to Geoff that the proposal to change the designation of the roads through the park in order to be allowed to lock the gates again, should be brought before the Traffic Committee before being brought before the City Council. There has been no contact with lawyers regarding ATV implications. Lyn: wanted to make sure that taking the proposal to the traffic committee does not overly slow down the process since we would like to see the gate closed as soon as possible? Geoff: hopefully the process will be expedited since some undesirable gatherings are occurring in the park. Comment from Marilyn Mode: she observed a large, unattended fire at the old shelter. Next steps discussed. Geoff will look into whether it is important to bring this to the Traffic Committee given that we are aiming to return the situation to the way it has been for many years. House Renovations and lease: Renovations are progressing nicely. Lindon and Simon have moved in with Alec and Shannon. Building inspector snag: timber frame and stone issues perhaps not meeting fire code. Geoff gave a breakdown of this rule and offered solutions that were being sought. Geoff: there have been cost overruns to the tune of 100% + bills yet to come in Geoff hopes there will be some grant funds coming via Kevin Casey for weatherization and others that could total somewhere around $7000-9000. Geoff to bring a breakdown of renovation costs and where these funds might come from (including the reserve fund and possible grants) to the next meeting. Lyn questioned Geoff as to why there was no signed lease yet. Geoff felt that the lease was not just a standard VT lease. Members of the commission (Lyn and Cara) asked Geoff to have the lease issue settled sooner than later. Geoff reiterated that there are nonstandard parts to this lease (# of cars, conduct expected from residents of the house, etc.) Cara: there may need to be 2 leases: one for Shannon and Alec and the other for the co-renters. Geoff will discuss the details of the lease and the living situation in the caretaker house with the city attorney who will draw up the lease. Cara offered to help if needed. Mountain biking The question was raised of who will contact the land owners adjacent to Hubbard Park. Kip and Geoff had in previous meetings agreed to work together to get in touch with adjacent land owners to discuss possible access to their land to connect a larger loop being proposed around Hubbard. Little progress has been made. Geoff has had trouble contacting at least one of the adjacent landowners, but he had made contact with one of the adjacent land owners she seemed somewhat open to the idea Marilyn Mode commented that she has seen bikers traveling way too fast on some of the main roads Cara urged the commission and the MAMBA board member present, Dan Voisin, to work at getting a solid trail proposal from MAMBA in the next few months. Geoff commented that he would like to see a proposal by December, but Dan Voisin commented that he preferred to set no solid deadline, but work out the timing as progress allowed. Dan Voisin offered to work with  Geoff and MAMBA to come to the commission with a compromise proposal that can be discussed and then brought before the public. Smoke free parks proposal Geoff spoke with Department of Labor representative with whom he had been in previous contact regarding how banning smoking in Montpelier’s parks may affect placement of workers. It was Geoff’s impression that she thought we should do whatever we felt was best and not worry about turning potential workers away. Discussion as to whether banning smoking should happen in Hubbard or not. Danis Regal, member of the public in attendance didn’t feel that there was a problem on the trails in the park, and thought we should wait a year to discuss this. Geoff pointed out that many of the central meeting places (New and Old Shelters) seem to concentrate smoking activity and litter. There was discussion as to whether addition signage would be needed and who would enforce any proposed rule changes. It was mentioned that secondhand smoke affects children and all park users who come into contact and the commission should act on the basis of health concerns It was clarified that there would not be an ordinance or fine, just a park rule initiated. In a quick straw poll, it seemed the commissioners are in favor of making the park smoke free but Kip recommended that we wait until next month when Emily Boedecker will be back, to take the final vote. Marcus from New Directions will be invited to attend again. Park updates: Invasives work at North Branch work continuing. Original Americorps member left, Toby Cromer has stepped in as the new member. Housing is sought for Toby and Stephanie. Home Share offered as an option to explore by Marilyn Mode Budget: Geoff informed the commission that there is a new standard of Performance measures that will be expected by all city departments starting this year. Commission asked to view the 2014 budget in detail from Geoff at the next meeting. Capital budget discussion: Geoff welcomed help looking over the budget from commission members. Pond money: Money has been budgeted over two years for dredging the pond, with this being the second year. Funds allocated for use on the pond may be able to be pushed out another year which may make the funds available for the caretaker house shortfall. Budget discussion will continue over email and decisions will be made at the October meeting Enchanted Forest  Geoff plans to organize another Enchanted Forest Event this year. Community, Americorps and Vista are excited about the event and Geoff will help make it happen. There was discussion of using a portion of the funds from the Enchanted forest event to help fund the dog waste stations. Dog Waste Pit: There was a question as to who should be responsible for the cleanup of the dog waste pit in Hubbard Park. It was suggested that volunteers could assist Geoff. There was a suggestion of having the waste stations in place before clearing the pit. Another idea is to add another line item to the budget for the waste stations to cover the cost of removal of the waste pit as part of the project of installing the waste stations. Meeting adjourned 9:15pm