Board of Parks Commissioners Meeting

Norman Board of Parks Commissioners Regular Meeting November 2, 2017 The Norman Board of Parks Commissioners of the City of Norman, Cleveland County, State of Oklahoma, met in Council Chambers on the 2nd day of November, 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 Dolan, Favors, Rogers, Sallee Salmond and Wright Absent: Commissioner Moxley City Officials Present: Jud Foster, Director of Parks and Recreation Karla Chapman, Administrative Technician IV ITEM 2, being: APPROVAL OF THE OCTOBER 5, 2017 MEETING MINUTES Commissioner Dolan made the motion and Commissioner Sallee seconded to approve the minutes. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Chairman Hoover and Commissioners Dolan, Favors, Rogers, Sallee Salmond and Wright NAY: None ITEM 3, being: APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Commissioner Dolan made the motion and Commissioner Wright seconded to approve the agenda. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Chairman Hoover and Commissioners Dolan, Favors, Rogers, Sallee Salmond and Wright NAY: None Park Board Page 2 of 5 November 2, 2017 ITEM 4, being PRESENTATION OF APPRECIATION PLAQUE TO ELIZABETH LONDON Outgoing member Elizabeth London was recognized with a plaque in appreciation for her service to the City of Norman and the Norman Board of Parks Commissioners. Ms. London was not able to be present and Staff will get her plaque to her, unless she attends a future Park Board meeting to show her appreciation to the Park Commissioners, as she indicated to Mr. Jud Foster, Director of Parks and Recreation. ______________________________________________________________________________________ ITEM 5, being PRESENTATION OF THE 2016 ANNUAL REPORT FROM THE NORMAN YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION (NYSA) Ms. Christy Fuentes, President of the Norman Youth Soccer Association (NYSA), presented to the Board and said NYSA offers three youth soccer leagues which currently have approximately 3,000 participants. The league is offered to boys and girls ages 3 to 18 years old. Ms. Fuentes highlighted their Academy (development) league for U8 and U10 boys and girls and said anyone can enroll in the league. She said all players train with professional coaches and compete against Academy teams within NYSA. Ms. Fuentes said NYSA also offers a Competitive league to U11 to U19 boys and girls. Annual Competitive league tryouts are held in June each year and accepted players are placed on teams based on ability. All Competitive players train with professional coaches and compete against Competitive teams in other soccer organizations. NYSA also offers Adult and US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) programs and highlighted each. She said the Adult recreational league is a fundraising project and US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer is for disabled players enrolled in the Norman Public School (NPS) system. Ms. Fuentes highlighted tournaments that NYSA operates as fundraising projects and camps that are held during the summer for a fee. She said NYSA provided approximately $80,250 in scholarships to players in the Academy, Competitive, and Recreational Leagues. In the summer of 2016, NYSA partnered with The Celtic Football Club from Glasgow, Scotland to run a camp for the Academy and Competitive players. The camp was offered again in July 2017 and allowed NYSA players and coaches to have exposure to the player development philosophy of one of the leading soccer organizations in the world. Ms. Fuentes said NYSA is excited about the Norman Forward Griffin Park Master Plan that was approved by Council in August, 2017, as well as the future for NYSA. A written report including financial information was submitted prior to the meeting. Commissioner Wright asked why the referee costs and other costs are so high and Ms. Fuentes said NYSA added a new age play (6 year olds) and NYSA is developing a long term and higher quality referees. Park Board Page 3 of 5 November 2, 2017 The Commission complimented the Association on the great job they have done and acknowledged the report. __________________________________________________________________________________ ITEM 6, being PRESENTATION OF THE 2016 ANNUAL REPORT FROM THE HISTORICAL MUSEUM Rob Million, President of Cleveland County Historical Society spoke to the board. They continue to focus on their goals and mission statement, “To research, preserve, publicize and perpetuate the history and genealogy of Cleveland County, Oklahoma and its people. To assemble and display objects of historical interest and significance.” Their goals include; Innovative Outreach, Preservation and Research, Fundraising, Consistent & Quality Programming and Diversify Audiences. For the 2016-2017 year, the museum has seen 850 visitors, from a wide range of ages. Admission is free to visit the museum and the only based activity fee is the Children’s Summer History Camp which is $5.00 per camper per session. Stephanie Hixon, manager of the museum spoke to the board and discussed the exhibits at the historical house including; Victorian Handicrafts, Making a Difference, Norman Women Past and Present, All About Letters, and Christmas in Oklahoma. She said the upstairs room at the Historical House has been revamped that now allows it to be an interactive space and the museum has had the highest enrollment since beginning in 2015. A written report including financial information was submitted prior to the meeting. The board complimented the Historical Society on the good job they have done and acknowledged the report. Commissioner Wright asked if the increase was due to a survey or because word of mouth and Stephanie said probably both. Stephanie said the Historical Museum also utilizes facebook, which she feels helps promote the museum as well. Commissioner Dolan asked about the newly created “research” form. Stephanie said the museum began using the form in April 2017, and also added the form to the website. She said since that time, 1800 people have utilized the “research” form. Commission Salmond asked whether the museum had any challenges and Stephanie said getting returned visitors is a challenge; however, hopefully continuing events and exhibitions will draw returned visitors back to the museum. The board acknowledged the report. __________________________________________________________________________________ ITEM 7, being DISCUSSION REGARDING PROPOSAL TO ALLOW OFF LEASH DOGS AT SUTTON WILDERNESS AREA DURING SPECIFIC TIMES Jud Foster, Director of Parks and Recreation provided a summary of the off-leash dog request that was received several weeks ago. He said the request was to consider a specified time period where dogs could legally be off leash at the Sutton Urban Wilderness Area. Mr. Foster said Staff has researched and gathered the following information: Park Board Page 4 of 5 November 2, 2017  Norman City Code Sec. 3-107 (1) and 3-402 prohibits off leash dogs within the City of Norman. Staff spoke to the City Attorney’s office and were advised that, for potential liability reason, this request should not be considered;  The Norman Dog Park at Griffin Community Park (adjacent to the Sutton Wilderness Area) allows for off leash dogs within the fenced areas. Furthermore, posted rules state that dogs must be leashed when entering and exiting the park;  Staff checked with other municipalities in the metro and found almost identical ordinances and dog park rules to include Oklahoma City, Midwest City, Edmond, and Moore. None of the cities allow off leash dogs;  Staff researched Oklahoma State Parks, looking to see if there would be an option at Little River State Park in east Norman. All dogs are required to be leashed within the State Park;  The lease agreement that the City of Norman has for the property is silent relative to any specific leash laws; and  Staff met and discussed the request with Sutton Urban Wilderness Advisory Committee and with one exception, all members felt very strongly against allowing off leash dogs in the area. Their concerns were mostly about the safety of people using the area and also included concerns about off leash dogs chasing other animals that live within the area. Mr. Foster said given all the above information, and particularly considering the advice from the City Attorney’s office, he could not recommend allowing off leash dogs as requested. Mr. Foster asked the Board if they had any final comments and Commissioner Dolan said he read in the paper that there is currently a dog park in Norman, where dogs can be off leash within a fenced area. Commissioner Dolan said he is also opposed to the request for off leash. The Board discussed and rejected the proposal to allow off leash dogs at Sutton Wilderness area during specific times. Commissioner Dolan made the motion and Commissioner Sallee seconded to reject the proposal to allow off leash dogs at Sutton Wilderness area during specific times. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Chairman Hoover and Commissioners Dolan, Favors, Rogers, Sallee Salmond and Wright NAY: None ______________________________________________________________________________________ ITEM 8, being MISCELLANEOUS Mr. Foster updated the Norman Forward projects and said progress continues moving forward at the Westwood Family Aquatic Center (WWFAC) and the contractor will begin painting the pool on Monday, November 6th. He said good weather is needed to get the painting completed and then plans to fill and test the pool should happen the first part of December. Mr. Foster said installation of the pumps, electric, etc., will begin as well as the concrete decking and interior bath building. He said the artist has begun constructing the base for “Splash” and felt it was a great looking art piece the City will be proud of. Park Board Page 5 of 5 November 2, 2017 Mr. Foster said the consultant is wrapping up details on the Griffin Park Plan and should be ready to bid shortly. He said the presentation for the Reaves Park Plan has been delayed to November 28th so the consultant could provide a written report. Mr. Foster said the City Attorney continues to work on negotiations regarding lease/purchase land for other Norman Forward projects. Mr. Foster said the Parks and Recreation Department recently held the 2017 Mummy and Son Masquerade Ball at the 12th Avenue Recreation Center and both dances were sold out for a total of 600 attending the event. He said the United Way Golf Tournament was held Sunday, October 29th, had 17 teams and 26 sponsors, and $4,000 was raised. Mr. Foster said the 2017 Veterans Day Ceremony will be held on Sunday, November 12th, at Reaves Park and invited the Board to come out to this wonderful community event. Commissioner Wright asked about the new path at Saxon Park and Mr. Foster said it is a half-mile path/paved walkway, which includes three (3) stations of exercise equipment. Chairman Hoover asked about the delay of the presentation of Reaves Park Plan to Council and felt Council wanted more amenities in the plan. Mr. Foster said the Reaves Park Ad Hoc Committee worked through the process; however, the proposed plan is much more than the funds available at this time. He said the base bid will now include bleacher shades and an accessible playground will be added to the alternate bid list. Mr. Foster said the Reaves Park Plan will be ADA compliant and accessible. He said the Ruby Grant Project (design) is scheduled to begin in 2018 and the intent is that the project would be entirely ADA accessible. Mr. Foster said this particular project will be something the City will be extremely proud of. Commissioner Salmond said he knew the NYSA representatives have already left the meeting; however, he had additional questions regarding their annual report. He said their annual costs are half of their annual budget. Commissioner Rogers agreed and felt NYSA should include bullets to explain more clearly their budget numbers. He requested NYSA resubmit financials for clarification and Mr. Foster said he would obtain a more detailed report. __________________________________________________________________________________ ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Dolan made the motion and Commissioner Salmond seconded to adjourn. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Chairman Hoover and Commissioners Dolan, Favors, Rogers, Sallee Salmond and Wright NAY: None Passed and approved this ____________of ________________________ 2017 Jeffery Salmond, Vice-Chairperson