Parks Commission

Dan Dickerson Carolyn Grodinsky Bill Johnson Bryan Pfeiffer, Chairman Sarah Swenson Geoff Beyer, Parks Director Alec Ellsworth, Parks Caretaker Montpelier Park’s Commission Meeting Minutes July 19, 2016 7PM Commissioners Present: Bill Johnson, Bryan Pfeiffer, Carolyn Grodinsky, Dan Dickerson Agenda Revision Bill motioned, Carolyn seconded to add updates on city zoning and a proposal for Take a Kid Biking to the agenda and remove the parks caretaker housing item. Revisions passed unanimously. The Commission began by welcoming its newly appointed member, Daniel Dickerson. City Services Department — Under the guidance of facilitator Delia Clark, the Commission had a one-hour discussion of city plans to merge Parks, Recreation, Senior Center and Cemetery departments. The results of that discussion, once summarized by Delia, will be included with these minutes. 8:06: Take a Kid Mountain Biking (presented by Jen Roberts and Nolan Langweil of MAMBA) In the past there has been an opportunity for kids to try mountain biking in the park. This year MAMBA is having two events, including one proposed for Hubbard Park on Aug. 6. This year MAMBA is adding skills training, obstacles, and trial etiquette to what used to be more of a casual ride. There have been 10-15 kids in the past with their associated adults. Suggested routes were distributed on the Hubbard Park map. Bryan suggests that we approve the event, given the success of past years, pending Geoff and Alec approving a route. Geoff suggests that the event be posted around the park at least 4 days in advance so that all park users are warned. This includes the kiosks, and the trail routes. Geoff also wanted to be sure that it is made clear at the event that the Hubbard Park trails are not normally available for mountain biking. MAMBA also has insurance for the event through the Vermont Mountain Bike Association, and Nolan agreed to get this insurance certificate to Geoff. The group discussed getting the city added as an additional party to this insurance certificate for the event. Bryan brought up the suggestion that the commission should consider a fee for use of the park for events like this. He suggested that they let this event go through without a fee and that the commission consider fees in the future. Carolyn motions to approve this event. Dan seconds the motion. All are in favor. www.montpelier-vt.org/464/Parks-Commission parks-commission@montpelier-vt.org 802.223.7335  Dan Dickerson Carolyn Grodinsky Bill Johnson Bryan Pfeiffer, Chairman Sarah Swenson Geoff Beyer, Parks Director Alec Ellsworth, Parks Caretaker 8:17 – Greenprint Update Geoff got Vermont Housing Conservation Board approval to share the appraisal cost on the two properties abutting Hubbard Park. 8:19 – Zoning update Carolyn - The planning commission is exploring what tools can be used as part of the planning process to support conservation and parks. They are meeting with someone from the conservation commission this month. The Parks Commission could draft a letter of support. The conservation commission previously drafted a combination of their guiding map with the Parks Commission’s Greenprint map, but it was deemed somehow inappropriate for the zoning process. Geoff wanted to make clear that the Greenprint map was never intended to indicate any areas for “taking,” but rather areas that the city is interested in keeping as greenspaces or trails through sale, donation or easement. The commission is concerned about the Greenprint not being included in the new zoning regulations, and would like to get in line with the Conservation Commission so that we are speaking with a consistent voice about including open space in the zoning regulations. 8:35 – Dog Policy Update Geoff – He likes everything about the latest proposal for a city wide dog policy except from one wording discrepancy with regard to “at risk” dogs. The first reading at city council occurred last Wednesday. There will be another meeting of the drafting committee before the final reading, which will be August 13th at City Council meeting. Danis Regal (citizen attending the meeting) spent a lot of time working the American Kennel Club to develop these procedures. The city is tweaking these guidelines to tailor them to Montpelier. 8:39 – Shelter Reservation Policy Adjustment Geoff and Alec recommend changing the reservation policy so that fewer reservations have to come to the Parks Commission for approval. Geoff recommends that parks staff follow the guidelines for larger group reservations (up to 100 people) and that if people reserving a shelter object to the guidelines laid out by city staff then it can come to the Parks Commission for appeal. Geoff suggests that the Commission get involved to determine whether or not it is a park appropriate event only if the event will exceed 100 people. Bill makes a motion that the Commission change the policy so that for events of up to 100 users the Parks Director can make a decision as to the appropriateness of the reservation and that above 100 users all reservations would come to the Commission. Carolyn seconds, all are in favor. www.montpelier-vt.org/464/Parks-Commission parks-commission@montpelier-vt.org 802.223.7335  Dan Dickerson Carolyn Grodinsky Bill Johnson Bryan Pfeiffer, Chairman Sarah Swenson Geoff Beyer, Parks Director Alec Ellsworth, Parks Caretaker 8:49 – Parks Director Reports - We have 7 international volunteers currently serving in the park. - The park bought a better used 15-passenger van to help move volunteers around the park. - The Canine Code of Conduct signs have been erected in Hubbard Park. Two more can be erected in the North Branch Park. - The “pirate” mountain bike trail had some more work done on it; parks staff is closing it down. - NCCC has been approved to be at the park from the end of August through the middle of October. - Fall concert: we will try to make the fall concert happen with a committee of Alec, Fab and Marilyn 9:10 – Scheduling of next meeting August 16th, 6pm for a walk in the park. 9:15 – Carolyn moves to adjourn the meeting, Bill seconds, all in favor. www.montpelier-vt.org/464/Parks-Commission parks-commission@montpelier-vt.org 802.223.7335