Parks Commission

November 18, 2015 Parks Commission Meeting Minutes Bryan Pfeiffer, Geoff Beyer, Bill Johnson, Kip Roberts, Carolyn Grodinsky Community members: Danis Regal, Marilyn Mode Agenda: Amendments to this meeting: Discussion on Impact Fees and Morse Farm Ski Touring Center, Bill proposed the motion to amend the agenda, Kip seconded, approved Approve the October minutes:​ ● October minutes amended to include Bryan’s printed “list of assumptions” about how people felt about dogs in the park, Bill made the motion, Kip seconded, unanimously approved Tristian of Onion River Sports – events request: ● ​​ Winter bike race, Frozen Onion: tentative Sunday, February 7th, “fat bike” demos after the race, time - approximately 9-1. Signs are posted a week before the event. Fat Bike demos would be along the race course. Bill moved that bike race be approved, Carolyn seconded. Anthony Mennona said event very popular and brings out of state riders. Discussion on having a winter running race too. Unanimously approved ● ​– ​ Friday January 29th Hubbard Park Snowshoe Romp, snowshoe demos, hot cocoa (25th ​​year) Carolyn made a motion to approve, Bill seconded, unanimously approved Parks Web Content: ● Draft minutes need to be posted on web in 5 days. Minutes should be distributed to Commission within 3 days to give enough time for review and to meet this deadline. Geoff Beyer suggested next 5 weeks are a good time for Parks staff to work on the new site. Geoff is hoping set up Shelter Reservations electronically. Dog/visitors card language:​ Danis Regal sent original text, Bill worked on it, Bryan worked on text today with Danis’ draft. Flyer would be two-sided – one side for dog owners, one for park visitors. This card is intended to be an educational tool that can be handed out to guide dog owners and others’ interactions to assist in park users in having positive visits. Kip and Geoff expressed interest in keeping to the Code of Conduct out of pamphlet entirely so that it may remain a stand alone document as “these are the rules” and the pamphlet be friendlier and more informal in nature, as suggestions for all visitors on how create a positive experience for all, with the Code as the underlying guide. Members and interested parties are to get proposed revisions to Bryan so that he can bring a revised copy to the next Parks Commission meeting for approval. Park Signs:​ Geoff – City can make metal signs for Parks. Geoff is looking into getting access to having Park’s staff trained on a laser machine that can cut text into wood. Do we want a sign for every trail? Geoff and Alec will count how many trail intersections there are. ● Code of conduct should be on a metal sign ● Park maps would be more durable if on metal  ● Bryan suggested using the same wooden road signs as they use for roads in East Montpelier ● Danis suggested getting a proposal for the cost of wooden signs and suggested having uniform signs around the Park. Suggested having speed signs too. ● Bryan suggested putting out an RFP for signs. Geoff can work to get it in next year’s budget. ● Could this be a project for a group, such as the Boy Scouts? Could we control quality. ● Start with adding some key signs and then can add to them. ● Bill suggested starting with metal signs for Code of Conduct and speeding signs ● Geoff to make recommendations about the best trail intersections to post Park maps ● Kip asked for a review of the Code of Ordinances (specifically Section 8-210) as it was his understanding (and others in attendance) that City Council had voted to amend the allowance of off-trail defecation by dogs in public parks as recommended by the Parks Commission. Geoff said he would follow up with the city. http://www.montpelier-vt.org/DocumentCenter/Home/View/1481 Parks Director report: ● Enchanted Forest was a big success, over 700 attendees, raised $3600, over $1200 in expenses, extra proceeds went to the Natural Materials Playground. ● Geoff is now a member of the Vermont Rec and Park Executive Board. ● Dave Brunell is no longer working for the Park, Alec Ellsworth is officially full time. ● Proposed new fee schedule: fee schedule for the shelters is being reviewed– commercial event vs non-profit, Montpelier residents versus out of town residents. Alec and Geoff to research other city park fee structures and propose a fee structure for our next meeting, including fees that reflect commercial use of the Park. Parks is only permitted to charge a reservation fee, not a use fee. o Marilyn Mode expressed concerns about “for-profit” businesses using public spaces with the potential for financial gain and asked Kip to comment in his capacity as GM of ORS. ● City services performed by Parks staff: Parks asked to move sculptures, helped with things along the bike path, helped with plantings along with Conservation Commission, helped with City flagging. At the same time, Parks are billed by other City Departments if they perform a task at one of the parks. Bryan would like Parks to be compensated for their time. ​udget update:​ B ● Sandy and Geoff are exploring a more accurate way to separate out costs related to time spent doing park and tree work. When Dave’s park and tree position his position was mostly covered by the Tree Management budget. Basically his park work was “exchanged” with Geoff doing tree work. In the new model 20% of Alex and 20% of Geoff’s salary comes out of the City’s Tree Management budget, this allocation will mean $700 less being taken out of the park salary budget then comparatively to last year. ● Budget congress – larger department heads come together and hash out the budget as a group. ● Parks tractor needs major repair Commission vacancies and candidates:​  ● Emily Boedecker’s seat is open in the coming election year, Cara Robochek’s seat is open (currently filled by Bill Johnson) There was insufficient time to address the agenda item on Morse Farm Touring Center and that item is moved to the Dec. meeting. December meeting:​Tuesday December 15th ​ Bill moved to adjourn, Kip seconded Meeting ended 9:25 pm