Board of Parks Commissioners Meeting

Norman Board of Parks Commissioners February 2, 2017 The Norman Board of Parks Commissioners of the City of Norman, Cleveland County, State of Oklahoma, met in the Council Chambers on the 2nd day of February, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. and notice and agenda of the meeting were posted at 201 West Gray Street, 24 hours prior to the beginning of the meeting. ITEM 1, being: ROLL CALL Present: Chairman Hoover and Commissioners London, Moxley, Rogers, Sallee, Salmond and Wright Absent: 2 positions vacant City Officials Present: Jud Foster, Director of Parks and Recreation James Briggs, Park Planner ITEM 2, being: APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY 5, 2017 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Commissioner Salmond made the motion and Commissioner London seconded to approve the minutes. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Chairman Hoover and Commissioners London, Moxley, Rogers, Sallee, Salmond and Wright NAY: None ITEM 3, being: APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Commissioner London made the motion and Commissioner Wright seconded to approve the agenda. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Chairman Hoover and Commissioners London, Moxley, Rogers, Sallee, Salmond and Wright NAY: None Park Board Page 2 of 5 February 2, 2017 ITEM 4, being: PRESENTATION OF APPRECIATION PLAQUES TO HEATHER MILLAR AND MICHAEL DOUGLAS Outgoing members Heather Millar and Michael Douglas were recognized with plaques in appreciation for their service to the City of Norman and the Norman Board of Parks Commissioners. Neither Millar or Douglas were able to be present. Staff will get their plaques to them. ITEM 5, being: CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST TO ACQUIRE PUBLIC PROPERTY AT THE CLASSEN LANDING ADDITION Classen Landing Addition is located in Section 32 of Township 9 North, Range 2 West of the Indian Meridian. It is located on the east side of Classen Boulevard and north of Lindsey Street, in the area once occupied by several garages and similar commercial businesses (See Map). This plat does not contain any residential component; however, the developer has approached the City of Norman regarding an old parcel of land that was designated as Park Land when the area was originally platted in the 1920’s. The small triangle of land is currently classified as a beautification island, with little more than a few cedar trees and amur maples planted where Enid Street meets Classen Boulevard. Mowing is currently being provided through a contracted service. We do not classify the area as a park, due to its small size and busy location. It is basically a traffic island. The deed from 1929 does express the thought that the land would be, “for the use of the Public as parks. Provided that In the event said tracts or parcels of land are ever used for any purpose other than as Public parks the title thereto shall revert to the grantors, Provided, further, that grantors reserve to themselves the right to supervise, control and improve the said real estate and premises hereby conveyed during the life time of said grantors.” As stated, the land being redeveloped was used for decades by various car lots, repair garages, small commercial ventures and auto storage. The redevelopment will build modern commercial facilities and retail shopping space, with associated parking. As part of this plan, the developer plans to re-design the access to the site, which will include re-designing the Enid/Classen intersection. The traffic island owned by the city and given as park land is in this plat; and the developer wishes to acquire that land from the City to make it part of the development of the site. Their plans would retain most of the island as a landscape area along the parking lot edge (see plat). This addition is located less than a quarter of a mile from Faculty Heights Park to the east and less than a quarter of a mile from Earl Sneed Park to the north. In reviewing the deed, and discovering that the “grantors” have long-since passed away, the City of Norman Legal Staff has determined that the City could sell the land to the developer via quit-claim deed in order to accomplish two things: 1. It would remove an area from the mowing contract the city pays annually; and, 2. The developer of Classen Landing would be assuming the risk that the heirs of the grantor might make a claim on the park property. Park Board Page 3 of 5 February 2, 2017 In summary, since there is no residential component, the Classen Landing Addition is not required to provide any Park Land as part of their development; however, there is a small parcel of “Park Land” located in the proposed development which they would like to acquire and incorporate into their development as green space. Staff agrees with this proposal, which would transfer ownership and maintenance of this small traffic island from the City to the Developer and not make any noticeable impact on the amount of usable public park land in the Norman Parks System. James Briggs presented an overview of the proposed development. Sean Rieger, attorney for the developer was present to answer questions. Commissioner London asked if anyone was going to check to see that there would be no encroachment making the parcel smaller. Mr. Rieger stated the plat approval was going to be based on the proposed site plan. If there was anything different they would have to go back to be reviewed. Commissioner London asked if they were going to keep the trees. Mr. Rieger stated they would keep some of them. Commissioner Moxley asked what compensation would be received. Mr. Briggs stated that would be determined by The City Council. Commissioners were also concerned about Oklahoma Ave being closed. Mr. Rieger stated the Traffic Division actually preferred the street closed. Commissioner London made the motion and Commissioner Moxley seconded to approve the request by the developer to acquire the property with the stipulation that it remains as open green space in the platting configuration and that any trees that are removed are replaced. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Chairman Hoover and Commissioners London, Moxley, Rogers, Sallee, Salmond and Wright NAY: None ITEM 6, being PRESENTATION OF RECREATION ACTIVITIES Jason Olsen, Whittier Recreation Center Supervisor presented an overview of the Parks and Recreation activities over the past year. A new event this year was the Zombie Escape held at Griffin Park. There were about 115 participants who participated in running away from Zombies scattered throughout the course. Staff is looking forward to having a larger crowd at the next Escape. Upcoming events include the Trout Derby on March 24 and our largest event the Daddy Daughter Dance February 4th at the Embassy Suites. More than 4200 Dad’s and Daughters will attend this event throughout the evening. Other events have included the Mummy Son Dance, Movies in the Park and 4th of July Norman Day. Registration is currently underway for Youth Baseball and Softball and Junior Jammer Volleyball. Currently there are 600 youth participating in the Winter Season of Junior Jammer Basketball. The recreation brochure is now available on-line. The board acknowledged the report. Park Board Page 4 of 5 February 2, 2017 ITEM 7, being: CONSIDERATION OF BOARD OF PARKS COMMISSIONERS SUB-COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS Park Land Acquisition and Development Jeff Salmond Naming and Recognition of Parks and Recreational Facilities Kristi Wright Debbie Hoover Rules Review Debbie Hoover Kristi Wright Nic Rogers Advisory Committee for Urban Wilderness Parks Chris Moxley Programs Review Committee Betty London Debbie Hoover The motion was made by Commissioner Moxley and seconded by Commissioner Rogers to dissolve the Bikeways and Sidewalks sub-committee. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Chairman Hoover and Commissioners London, Moxley, Rogers, Sallee, Salmond and Wright NAY: None The motion was made by Commissioner Salmond and seconded by Commissioner Sallee to accept the new sub-committee appointments. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Chairman Hoover and Commissioners London, Moxley, Rogers, Sallee, Salmond and Wright NAY: None Park Board Page 5 of 5 February 2, 2017 ITEM 8, being MISCELLANEOUS COMMENTS Commissioner Moxley inquired about Ruby Grant Park. Jud Foster stated there is a Master Plan for the park and it is one of the Norman Forward projects with the design to start possibly next year. The Master Plan is on the Parks website. Commissioner Moxley inquired about when new developments are created has staff considered requiring the HOA to maintain the park. Jud Foster explained that private parks, which are maintained by the HOA, are an option for park land dedication and that there are a number of them in town. However, we cannot require private parks. That option must be requested by the developer. ITEM 9, being ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Wright made the motion and Commissioner Sallee seconded to adjourn. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Chairman Hoover and Commissioners London, Moxley, Rogers, Sallee, Salmond and Wright NAY: None Passed and approved this ____________of ________________________ 2017 Debbie Hoover, Chairperson