Parks Commission

Montpelier Parks Commission Meeting Minutes July 7, 2014 7:00pm Commissioners Present: Lyn Munno, Cara Robecheck, Kip Roberts, Emily Boedecker Staff Present: Geoff Beyer Citizens present: Bill Merrylees and Tim Flynn 7:07: Meeting Opened Cara Robecheck announced her resignation from the Parks Commission effective at the end of the meeting. Cara has been on the Parks Commission for the past 7 years and has decided not to complete the end of her term. There are 3 years remaining on her term. The Commission decided to go into executive session at the end of the meeting to determine what to do about the interim vacancy. The remaining Parks Commissioners thanked Cara for all her work on the Commission. Open Meeting Law: Emily Boedecker updated the Commission on changes to the Open Meeting Law effective July 1st . Agendas now need to be posted on the website 48 hours in advance and at that point changes cannot be made to the agenda until the meeting. 1 Taylor Place: There are currently 3 proposals being put forward by the developer, Redstone. The next meeting is July 30th. Kip, Geoff and/or Bryan will attend the meeting on behalf of the Parks Commission. The Parks Commissioners agreed to look at the plan and provide feedback to Geoff prior to the meeting. Montpelier Area Mountain Bike Association (MAMBA) “Take a Kid Mountain Biking in Hubbard Park” Events Request: MAMBA submitted a proposal to the Parks Commission (attached) for an event series to be held in Hubbard Park. They proposed four dates –one in July, two in August and one in September - where families would be able to bring kids to Hubbard Park to try out mountain biking. There would be volunteers to help with the event and lead groups of kids over a couple hour period in the morning. There would be an easier route on the closed roads (currently open to mountain bikes) and a slightly harder route on trails (that are generally closed to mountain bikes). The Parks Commissioners discussed the plan at length with Tim Flynn, representing MAMBA, and Bill Merrylees, who was there in support of the proposal. ● Cara and Lyn requested that all advertising of the event is clear that these trails are not generally open for mountain bikes. ● Geoff and Emily asked that we have very clear instructions for folks on the rules of the trails – who yields, etc. ● After some discussion everyone agreed that it would be better to have two dates after school starts to allow outreach through the PE teachers and afterschool programs on the events. The new dates will be submitted to Geoff but will likely be one at the end of July, one in August, one in September and one at the end of September/first week of October. ● MAMBA will sign the park in advance with route information. ● Geoff will post notice of the events at least week in advance at entrances and kiosks. ● The Parks Commission discussed whether it would be better to start with three events but agreed to keep four, in part, because of the possibility of a rain cancellation.  ● MAMBA will contact Geoff 24 hours in advance to see if the trails and weather are suitable for the event. If unexpected weather occurs in less than 24 hours, Geoff still has the discretion to cancel the event. Lyn made a motion to approve the event with the agreed changes to the dates, and agreed protocol for communication with Geoff and the public. Cara seconded. All were in favor. The Commission thanked MAMBA for their work on the proposal. Park Updates: ● International Volunteers for Peace are here – great but young. Might need some help with cooking. ● Geoff has hired a 1 year VISTA starting in August and is hoping to have her start early part-time. ● Some trees were cut in Hubbard Park in the managed softwood stand ● Geoff is in discussion with folks at 45 Elm Street about a possible donation of either an easement or piece of the property for a community garden and river access. Park Gates: The police have told Geoff that they will not be able to open the park gates anymore. Alec Ellsworth is resident in the park house as the parks caretaker, however the agreed upon job description and hours does not include opening and closing the gates. The Parks Commission advised Geoff to inform the City and Police that parks staff are not on duty at dawn and dusk, and to request a continuation of the role played by a City dept with 24 hour staffing. The Parks Commission agreed to go into Executive Session at 8:43 to discuss the vacant seat available with Cara’s resignation. The Parks Commission came out of Executive session at 8:55. During Executive Session the Parks Commission agreed that since the seat would be available only until the next Town Meeting Day election that it would be best to have an experienced commissioner. The Commission agreed to ask some past Parks Commissioners and past heads of the original Friends of Hubbard Park if they would be willing to act as interim Commissioner for the next 8 months. The seat will then be open at the next Town Meeting Day. Emily will ask to see if any of the past Commissioners are interested and let the Commission know. If no one is willing to fill the seat, the Parks Commissioners will discuss other options at the next Parks Commission meeting. Meeting Adjourned 9:05.