Board of Parks Commissioners Meeting

Norman Board of Parks Commissioners March 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 March, 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 Favors, London, Moxley, Rogers, Sallee, and Wright Absent: Commissioner Salmond City Officials Present: Jud Foster, Director of Parks and Recreation James Briggs, Park Planner ITEM 2, being: APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 2, 2017 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Commissioner London made the motion and Commissioner Sallee seconded to approve the minutes. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Chairman Hoover and Commissioners Favors, London, Moxley, Rogers, Sallee, and Wright NAY: None ITEM 3, being: APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Commissioner Wright made the motion and Commissioner London seconded to approve the agenda. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Chairman Hoover and Commissioners Favors, London, Moxley, Rogers, Sallee, and Wright NAY: None Park Board Page 2 of 5 March 2, 2017 ITEM 4, being: PRESENTATION OF ANNUAL REPORT FROM NORMAN AMATEUR SOFTBALL FOUNDATION Guy Miller, Treasurer of the Norman Amateur Softball Foundation presented to the board. He stated the group had seen a decrease in registrations which they attribute to the economy and also the fact that participants are aging and the younger generation is occupied with video games and other interests. They did find it encouraging that participants from outlying communities such as Ada, Lindsey and Chickasha came into Norman to play last season. They have been awarded the 2017 “D” Men’s State and the Women’s State All Classes Championship. They have applied for several other tournaments, which were not awarded to them, but they feel certain that in the future with the Norman Forward new complex they will be one of the premier places to host tournaments. Mr. Miller requested a few safety measures to be addressed by Parks and Recreation which included re-hanging of the netting between the complexes and replacement of the burnt out light bulbs in outfield. Their season will begin April 24th. Jud Foster stated staff would coordinate the issues. A written report and financial report was received prior to the meeting. The board acknowledged the report. ITEM 5, being: PRESENTATION FROM SUTTON WILDERNESS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Sutton Wilderness Committee member Judith Wilkins presented to the board and gave an update since their last report in 2012. Recently they have been partnering annually with the OU Big Event student volunteers to remove trash. A new Kiosk has been installed at the park entrance with education signage to focus visitors on the park as a habitat and home to wildlife. They worked with the Norman Police and GIS staff to create a grid map of the park to assist in reporting of problems to police and the Parks and Recreation Department. Cedar trees were removed by city staff so prairie habitats could be restored and the dam renovation has been completed as required by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board. Five educational signs have been installed and a Recreational Trails Program Grant was received to help with a parking lot expansion, trail repair and additional educational signage. There will also be a paved section of trail that will be wheelchair accessible. The group has raised funds to provide a memorial tree in honor of former Park Superintendent Bill Ulch. Problems needing to be addressed included overgrown trails, educating the public regarding the proper use of an urban wilderness and continued removal of cedar trees. The board acknowledged the report. Park Board Page 3 of 5 March 2, 2017 ITEM 6, being PRESENTATION OF ACTIVITIES FROM WESTWOOD GOLF COURSE Rick Parish Head Golf Professional presented the report for Westwood Golf Course. He stated Ralph Cagigal the Course Superintendent was unable to attend but wanted the board to know last year was a great year for Bermuda grass and a horrible year for Bent grass because of the 6 inches of rain throughout the season. He also wanted Rick to thank his crew for hand watering the course when a power outage in July took down the irrigation system. Their hard work saved the greens with little impact to the customers. The course is in very good condition at this time and they are looking forward to their 50 th anniversary season. Westwood Golf Course opened in July of 1967 and the course is getting ready to celebrate its 50th Anniversary with retro green fees for one day each in May (1987 green fee price $10), June (1977 green fee price $6) and ending with $2 green fees for one day in July which is what the 1967 fees were when opening. KREF radio will do a live remote that day along with several other activities throughout the month. The Men’s Golf Association started with a tournament in February that consisted of 17 teams. He reported the Thursday Night Men’s League will begin play at the end of March and end in October. They continue with Ladies Play Days, the Birthday Club, Senior Play Days and the Couples Tournament. Men’s and Ladies Clinics will be held beginning in May. Westwood Golf Course will host a First Tee Program again this year. This year will be the 41st year for the Westwood Invitational to be held. A junior clinic will be held June 6th and 7th. In 2016 they hosted 46 outside tournaments and 31 internal tournaments. They also had 9 tournaments that were cancelled due to weather or lack of participation. He thanked Jud and the Parks and Recreation Administrative Staff for all their help. The board acknowledged the report. ITEM 7, being: UPDATE OF 2017 YOUTH BASEBALL/SOFTBALL PROGRAM Billy Brewer, Parks and Recreation Sports Coordinator presented to the board and gave an update of the changes for the 2017 season. In the past the City hired seasonal employees as umpires. This year umpires will be contracted through a scheduler who will hire, train and schedule the umpires. This will allow umpires to be paid immediately after each game. There will be a pre-season round robin tournament for leagues with at least 10 teams registered to place them in leagues according to their skill level to facilitate a competitive and recreational program. Games are scheduled to begin the first week of April and wrap up by the end of June. We have seen a 50% increase of sponsors from last year. We currently have 1300 players registered on 113 teams. Park Board Page 4 of 5 March 2, 2017 ITEM 8, being: STAFF PRESENTATION OF NORMAN FORWARD NEIGHBORHOOD PARK PROJECTS James Briggs, City of Norman Park Planner, presented a plan regarding the Norman Forward Neighborhood Park Improvements Project. There is $6.5M that has been allocated to make improvements to the existing neighborhood parks. The needs of each park were evaluated and a list was made of renovation projects to be done. The project has been identified as a Pay-Go project in the Norman Forward Plan; so there is only a certain amount of funding available each fiscal year for projects. The plan currently covers the first five years of funding. The board was provided a packet outlining the proposed projects. In an effort to spread the funding around in the most logical way, staff proposes to utilize the neighborhood improvements project to produce at least one major park renovation each year, along with getting a particular category of improvement done at those parks where that type of improvement has been identified. Some of the larger projects in Norman Forward are being bond financed. In all cases staff plans to meet with any known Home Owner’s/Property Owner’s Associations to facilitate a quick survey of the park users to make sure the plans mesh with the goals of that group in each neighborhood. Commissioner Moxley expressed an interest in improving trails. Mr. Briggs stated there is another item as part of Norman Forward to improve a trail system and that more establishing of trails is being addressed through the Storm Water Master Plan. Commissioner London made the motion and Commissioner Wright seconded to endorse the proposed plan. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Chairman Hoover and Commissioners Favors, London, Moxley, Rogers, Sallee, and Wright NAY: None ITEM 8, being MISCELLANEOUS COMMENTS The Board welcomed new member Susan Favors. Jud Foster updated the board on Norman Forward projects. The pool is making good progress. Griffin and Reaves Park design teams have been interviewed and they are working through the consultant selection. The 2 outdoor courts at Westwood Tennis are complete and staff is working on an RFP for the indoor courts. He also noted that the East Library construction project has been awarded. Mr. Foster stated at since there are several new members, at the April meeting he will present a power point regarding an overview of the Parks and Recreation Department, Parkland Development Fees and Parkland Dedication Ordinance and the duties of Park Board members. Staff will also put together a Norman Forward Project presentation. The April meeting will be held across the hall in the Multi-Purpose room. Park Board Page 5 of 5 March 2, 2017 Mr. Foster asked members to be thinking about the May Park Board tour and come next month with suggestions on what they would like to see. Jud Foster also announced that Sherrel Sheriff is retiring as of March 17th and today will be her last meeting. There will be a retirement reception on Friday, March 10th from 2-4 in the Multi-purpose room. ITEM 9, being ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Wright made the motion and Commissioner London seconded to adjourn. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Chairman Hoover and Commissioners Favors, London, Moxley, Rogers, Sallee, and Wright NAY: None Passed and approved this ____________of ________________________ 2017 Debbie Hoover, Chairperson