Parks Commission

Montpelier Parks Commission August 19, 2014 Present: Commissioners: Bryan Pfeiffer, Lyn Munno, Emily Boedecker (Chair), Kip Roberts. Staff: Geoff Byers, Sophie, Bill Fraser 1) July minutes adopted unanimously with amendment of 45 Elm to 485 Elm. 2) No major items on the City Council agenda for Parks Commission. Bill Fraser expressed support for opening lines of communication — both ways. 3) Parks Director Department Head Evaluation. City is implementing a consistent evaluation process of all dept. heads. Bill said his evaluation would benefit, obviously, from Commission participation. Geoff has already completed the self-evaluation. Bill asked each member to fill out evaluation form independently and discuss it all at a future Commission meeting. The Commission agreed to do it in executive session at the October 21 meeting, probably 8pm. The plan is to gather opinions and present them to Bill, who would incorporate them into the review. Then Bill and Emily would meet with Geoff to discuss the review. The Commission will invite former commissioner Cara Robechek to join the process since she has valuable experience with Geoff. Bill will send us Geoff’s self- evaluation and City Council goals. 4) Park Visioning – The commission expressed the genuine need for a parks visioning/planning process to help guide policy and use of Hubbard Park and other city parkland into the future, spurred in part by the MAMBA proposal for mountain biking in the park. Bill said that in another year the city is starting a new Master Plan, Parks Commission should consider opportunities to align but not necessarily wait to be part of the larger process. Bill suggested Commission reach out to new Planning Director Mike Miller for grant opportunities. Alternatively, the next budget, particularly for this one-time request, could include an item for parks visioning on the Town Meeting Day ballot. Bill suggested the request go though the city’s budgeting process — rather than by independent ballot initiative. The budget process starts in October. November is staff work. December, Bill and staff present recommended budget to the Council for consideration for ballot in March. So an early October visit (either October 8 or 22) to the City Council by representatives of the Parks Commission to get reacquainted and present key issues is advised. Next steps: • Geoff to check with Mike Miller about grant opportunities. • Emily to request Parks Commission on Council agenda in October, and schedule preparatory discussion at Parks Commission meeting in September. • Formalize visioning product and get realistic pricing to inform budget request. (for our September agenda) • Lyn contact Andy ??? who has signaled his interested in advising the commission on a visioning process and invite him to September meeting. 5) Park Gate – The Montpelier Police Department is still locking the gate each night, but cannot commit to opening it every morning. Bill suggested that the Commission determine the best possible way to open and close the gate — rather than relying entirely on the Police Department. A neighbor volunteer program might be a great idea. Geoff will investigate recruiting a small number of volunteers with the responsibility of opening the gate at specified hours. This would include a  written agreement on terms. The names would be available to the Commission, Police Department, City Manager and parks staff. Keys cannot be duplicated. The underlined portion of this item was proposed as a motion, seconded and approved unanimously. 6) Parks Update (Geoff) – Foundation, frame and roof are in on the pole barn (equipment shed at caretaker’s house). “Yestermorrow did a great job,” said Geoff. Shannon ran the class to build the frame; she directed the whole process. Geoff reports quite a bit of work at Blanchard Park — stone steps through wasteland of rock and riprap, making a nice entrance; play area; moved almost 8 tons of stone; rope swing (Geoff will encase the rope ball in foam for safety). Supposed to get a new pick- up truck this year from the Water Department once it gets its new truck. The van will be dead by this October (it may not pass inspection) or next year. Afternoon of September 12, VISTA volunteer community service day. 7) Enchanted Forest - Sophie is helping to organize and make it happen tentatively for October 11. Haunted halloween alternative to connect people to parks at night. It starts at 4pm for youngsters. Walks, plays, stories, lanterns to the tower. Volunteers welcome. 8) Lyn proposes to go into exec session to discuss real estate issue and Commission vacancy. Bryan seconded. Unanimous. Emerged at 9:50 having taken no action to report. 9) The next MAMBA Mountain Biking Day is Sunday, August 24.