Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Advisory Board Meetings

PARKS, RECREATION & CULTURAL SERVICES July 13, 2022 ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES Members present Charlene Rios, Greg Nevarez, Chuck Perry, Troy White, Ryan Holterhoff, and Jamie Nixon-Garcia Members absent Allison Palumbo Staff present Susan Schwiesow, Bill Aukett, Carrie Hoiness, and Stefanie Dunn 2022 MEETING ATTENDANCE RECORD Name Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Charlene Rios X X X X X X X Chuck Perry X E X X X X X Ryan Holterhoff X X X E X E X Greg Nevarez X X E E E X X Troy White X X X X X X X Jamie Nixon-Garcia X X X X Allison Palumbo E C = Meeting Cancelled X = Present A = Absent E = Excused R = Resigned Call to Order The regular meeting was called to order by Charlene Rios at 6 pm. Introduction of Guests/Visitors/Board Members Ms. Rios advised the board that there is a new Board Member, Allison Palumbo, who plans to be at August board meeting. Approval of Minutes Mr. White moved to approve the minutes dated June 8, 2022. Motion seconded by Ms. Nixon-Garcia. Motion unanimously approved and passed. Plat Reviews/Dedication, or Fee in Lieu of Land: Maple Grove Park Ms. Schwiesow reviewed plat provided to the board, which outline plans for new park in Maple Grove. She advised this park will be located off Grape Drive, down the street from where the food bank is being built off Highway 17. Board asked about swings in parks and whether Parks Department is removing swings at parks. Ms. Schwiesow clarified that swings are not being removed from parks that have them, but rather swing sets are classified in sections and both swings in one section must be the same type, toddler or regular belt. Museum Update Ms. Schwiesow provided an update on museum attendance, with 800+ people in the month of June. She went on to explain that is a good mixture of local community members and out of state visitors. Ms. Schwiesow advised that there have been a large variety of museum classes, and a new show is up in the museum: 23 Sculptures and Me and Evolution in Wood, featuring Alan Newberg. Ms. Schwiesow advised that this Friday, July 15, 2022, from 4 – 6pm will be the dedication of the 1 PARKS, RECREATION & CULTURAL SERVICES July 13, 2022 ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES Community Gallery in honor of Ramon Cerna, who recently decided to retire. She went onto explain that he served the museum for many years helping to set up galleries. Ms. Schwiesow shared that StoryCorps kick-off was well-attended. There continue to be StoryCorps interviews set up and taking place, so community members are encouraged to sign up and tell their story. Creative District – Ms. Schwiesow shared that graphic designer is assisting with logo creation for the Creative District and staff will be attending upcoming rural cohort meeting to connect with other creative districts throughout the state. She also shared that social media pages have been created for the Creative District. Recreation Update Ms. Hoiness advised that we are about halfway through the summer season and staff are preparing for fall season. She advised there is talk of pushing the fall/winter Recreation Guide publication back a few weeks to coincide with the Larson Recreation Center build completion. Ms. Hoiness advised that the water park has been somewhat slow so far this season, which may be due to cooler weather early summer. She did advise that water park rentals are steady going into the rest of the summer months and swim lessons have been popular. Ms. Hoiness advised that the Mobile Rec program has been running well. She advised that least attended site has been Longview Park location. Ms. Hoiness also shared that guest speakers have been popular days for attendance, which is fun to see. Ms. Hoiness shared that Explorer Day Camp continues to run well. There is a field trip scheduled to the roller rink in Ephrata this week, which should be a good time. Ms. Hoiness shared that recent State tournament hosted at Larson Playfield this last weekend went well. Ms. Hoiness shared recent Recreation Coordinator hire, Gunnar Blankenship, started this week. She advised he will be learning programming as we head into the Larson Recreation Center building this fall. Ms. Hoiness shared that scholarship options are being developed for memberships at the Larson Recreation Center, which was an ask by City Council. Parks Update Mr. Aukett provided a Parks Maintenance update. He advised that 3 new seasonal staff have been hired, which puts them close to full crew for the rest of the season. Mr. Aukett also said that full-time Park Maintenance Technician position had some good interest, so looking forward to filling that position. Mr. Aukett advised that the water park is running smoothly. The lazy river leak has been isolated and no further issues thus far. Mr. Aukett advised that the maintenance crew continues to keep up with weed control this season. Mr. Aukett advised that vandalism continues to be a challenge. Also, maintenance has been doing some regular maintenance on picnic shelters. Board discussion about weeds on streetscapes, particularly the Alder fill area. Mr. Aukett advised that Maintenance will survey that area and work to clean up weeds and overgrowth. Director’s Report 2 PARKS, RECREATION & CULTURAL SERVICES July 13, 2022 ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES 1. Public Art Ordinance – Ms. Schwiesow advised that this will be going to Council this month, which will help create the Arts sub-Committee with this Advisory Board. She went onto explain that this ordinance would give 1% of city capital projects (streets, building repairs, etc.) to the arts, which would go to improving and updating the art in town. Ms. Schwiesow explained that sculptures around town need repair and/or replacement, which is an example of something that the 1% for the Arts would fund. 2. Seasonal Staff Shortage – Ms. Schwiesow shared an article with the Board from Spokane, WA explaining a common need in cities pertaining to lack of seasonal help. She went onto explain that we have been struggling to find seasonal help, also, and that maintenance staff have done a great job this year keeping up with work that needs to be done and doing more than usual. 3. Parks Vandalism/Graffiti – Ms. Schwiesow touched on the increased vandalism and graffiti this season in our parks and facilities. She explained that Moses Lake Police Chief summarized at City Council that 2021 police report shows vandalism is up 50% from the year before, which Parks Department can attest to. Ms. Schwiesow advised that Parks continues to look at installing cameras at various park locations. 4. LRC Update – Ms. Schwiesow advised that the recreation center is coming along, and that mid- October remains the target for occupancy. 5. Bird Scooters Update – Ms. Schwiesow advised that contract is still being worked on, however, the timeline has been changed to next spring to launch the pilot program in Moses Lake. This delay will allow a full tourism season for this program. 6. Park & Recreation Month – Ms. Schwiesow shared that July is Parks & Recreation month and we are planning a celebration at McCosh Park on July 20, 2022, from 3 – 5pm. Our Mobile Rec Unit will be present, cookies and water will be provided, and community is invited to join us. Commission Questions/Comments Board discussion about former Concerts in the Park program. Ms. Schwiesow advised that this program historically had tourism funding and fundraised money to put together a summer concert series with good acts. As we look at what this program might look like now, tourism money would be difficult to get due to the requirement that “heads in beds” (hotels, etc.) needs to be supported in order to get tourism funds. A concert series moving forward would take some research, funding and/or fundraising, etc. Board asked about the attendance at Cascade Campground. Ms. Dunn advised that campground usage seems more than last season. Health department has not yet started water testing, but Ms. Schwiesow advised an email was sent out advising that algae blooms are being reported and testing will begin soon. Adjournment Mr. Nevarez moved to adjourn, seconded by Mr. White. The meeting adjourned at 6:46pm. Minutes approved by Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Advisory Board on 10th of August 2022. By: _____________________________________________ Stefanie Dunn, Administrative Assistant Moses Lake Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services 3