Board of Parks Commissioners Meeting

Norman Board of Parks Commissioners Regular Meeting February 1, 2018 The Norman Board of Parks Commissioners of the City of Norman, Cleveland County, State of Oklahoma, met in Council Chambers on the 1st day of February, 2018 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 Dolan and Commissioners Favors, Hoover, Isacksen, Moxley, Rogers, Sallee, and Salmond Absent: Commissioner Wright City Officials Present: Jud Foster, Director of Parks and Recreation Matt Hendren, Parks Superintendent Jason Olsen, Interim Recreation Superintendent Karla Chapman, Administrative Technician IV ITEM 2, being: APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY 4, 2018 MEETING MINUTES Commissioner Salmond made the motion and Commissioner Hoover seconded to approve the minutes. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Chairman Dolan and Commissioners Favors, Hoover, Isacksen, Moxley, Rogers, Sallee, and Salmond NAY: None ITEM 3, being: APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Commissioner Salmond made the motion and Commissioner Rogers seconded to approve the agenda. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Chairman Dolan and Commissioners Favors, Hoover, Isacksen, Moxley, Rogers, Sallee, and Salmond NAY: None ____________________________________________________________________________________ Park Board Page 2 of 6 February 1, 2018 ITEM 4, being CONSIDERATION OF PARKLAND DEDICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE GARDEN PUD ADDITION The Garden Planned Unit Development (PUD) Addition is located in Section 1 of Township 8 North, Range 2 West of the Indian Meridian. It is located on the east side of 48th Avenue S.E. at State Highway 9 and this site includes a mix of single lots, office and commercial properties. The plat shows a total of 191 R-1 type residential lots in the PUD requiring 1.2511 acres of park land. The other four non-residential lots are exempt from the park land dedication ordinance. This development could yield $14,325 in Neighborhood Park Development Fees, and the same amount in Community Park Development fees once all building permits have been issued. The developer has requested a Private Park decision for this project; and they have provided a drawing of how such a concept would be developed for the addition. The amount of open space shown in the development is over 25 acres, with approximately 8 acres being the type of land that can be used for recreational development, i.e., not the acreage of the ponds and clubhouse shown in the design. By providing a private park area, the Neighborhood Park Development Fees will be waived at the time of construction; however, the Community Park Development Fees will still be collected and used for improvement projects of any of those parks in Norman in the future. The developer has also pledged in a letter to make park-like improvements to the open space(s) at The Gardens PUD at a valuation equal to the amount that would be collected for the neighborhood park development if there were a public park in the addition. There are no other residential neighborhoods projected for this section of land, as it is bordered on the south by State Highway 9 and on the west by 48th Avenue S.E.; and the rest of the land north and east of The Gardens PUD was platted and developed as residential estates many years ago. Because of this, there would not be any additional fees collected or land available to make a larger public park or pay for its continued development. This is another reason that the approval of a Private Park decision makes good sense for this project. Staff recommends that the Board of Park Commissioners make a Private Park Land decision for The Gardens PUD Addition. Mr. James Briggs, Park Planner, presented a power point showing the area and said there will be some office and commercial parcels entering The Gardens PUD Addition from 48 th Avenue S.E. Commissioner Moxley said the development plan reflects two (2) ponds/lakes and asked whether they are for detention. Staff said yes; however, one of the ponds/lakes will be constructed so that the entire addition will drain into it, rather than both. Commissioner Hoover asked what type of amenities will be included and Mr. Briggs said mostly trails, but the clubhouse area will include a play area, gazebo, and some green space. Chairman Dolan wondered whether soccer and/or football goals should be included since families will live in The Gardens PUD and Mr. Briggs said the City cannot require them to be added. Commissioner Isacksen asked whether the park would be private use only for the addition or would it be open to the public and Mr. Briggs said it would depend on whether it has public access, as well as how the neighborhood would prefer to handle. He said his experience has been that these types of parks would be open to the general public as long as the general public is not causing any problems. Mr. Briggs said neighborhoods could enforce but typically they do not. Park Board Page 3 of 6 February 1, 2018 Commissioner Salmond made the motion and Commissioner Sallee seconded to recommend a Private Park Land decision for The Gardens PUD. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Chairman Dolan and Commissioners Favors, Hoover, Isacksen, Moxley, Rogers, Sallee, and Salmond NAY: None _____________________________________________________________________________________ ITEM 5, being DISCUSSION OF DESIGN CONCEPTS FOR THE RELOCATION OF THE BLAKE BALDWIN SKATEPARK COMPONENTS As a part of the Norman Forward initiative, the Public Works Department is working on a project to extend James Garner Avenue/Front Street north of Acres Street across Robinson Street to Lexington Avenue. A major part of this project is the reconstruction of the Acres/Front Street intersection at the northeast corner of Andrews Park. The intersection will move to the west to create a better situation for the railroad crossing just east of the intersection. To accomplish this, the new street alignment will redefine that portion of Andrews Park, which is where the Blake Baldwin Skatepark was built in the early 2000’s. Another project being funded from the Norman Forward initiative is to make improvements at Andrews Park. The major part of that project is to construct a new Skatepark in the southeast part of the park. This will be a totally new build that will combine street course obstacles (like those at the current park) with concrete “drop-in” bowls and other features. That project will soon begin design work to construct in 2018. In the meantime, the City would like to move the existing Skatepark features to other parks around town to create “Skate Spots” in four (4) different neighborhoods and greatly increase our distribution of skateboard/bike/rollerblade features. Staff has contacted American Ramp Company (ARC), the company who built the skatepark, and the City is prepared to have them do the work of moving the skatepark feature to the different locations. After reviewing the parking, location, size and orientation of the City’s neighborhood parks, Staff has selected Adkin’s Crossing, Lions Memorial, Oak Tree South and Colonial Commons Parks to each receive some of the Skatepark features from Andrews Park. ARC has proposed which pieces would work well together in groups and the amount of concrete needed around each new Skate Spot to provide room to gain speed and properly finish any of the tricks done on the ramps, rails, quarter pipe sections and other obstacles. The Front Street project will begin road construction next month, which means the City needs to start working as the weather allows to pour the concrete at each neighborhood park and be ready to move the skate park before it impedes that construction. Mr. Briggs said Staff has also been contacted by the artist in charge of the annual paint project that has been done at the Blake Baldwin Skate Park to add graffiti art to the feature. The artist has offered to come up with new artwork for the different pieces that would be in- context with the parks where the Skate Spots are being proposed. Park Board Page 4 of 6 February 1, 2018 Commissioner Salmond asked whether the skate park components/parts could be moved successfully and Mr. James Briggs said yes, the pads will be constructed first and then the skate spots will be transferred to each park. Commissioner Isacksen asked whether costs for pouring of the concrete as well as moving of the skate park components were going to be part of the overall Norman Forward New Skate Park budget and Mr. Briggs said yes. Commissioner Sallee asked if private funding was done for the initial Blake Baldwin Skate Park and if so, will private funding be considered again. Mr. Briggs said yes, Rhonda Baldwin, the skate park is named after her son, coordinated private funding; however, the City will not be seeking private funding for the skate spots. Commissioner Sallee said the sound from the skate spots might be an issue and requested they be placed away from residential property. Mr. Briggs said most of the skate spots include sound baffles and it should not be a noise issue. Commissioner Moxley made the motion and Commissioner Hoover seconded to recommend the design concepts for the relocation of the Blake Baldwin Skate Park components. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Chairman Dolan and Commissioners Favors, Hoover, Isacksen, Moxley, Rogers, Sallee, and Salmond NAY: None Commissioner Moxley left the meeting at 6:04 p.m. ____________________________________________________________________________________ ITEM 6, being PRESENTATION OF RECREATION SPECIAL EVENTS Mr. Jason Olsen, Interim Recreational Superintendent, highlighted the recreation special events to the Board, beginning with the upcoming Daddy Daughter Dance scheduled for Saturday, February 3, 2018 at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center. Mr. Olsen said participants can attend a 2:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m., or 7:00 p.m.; the activities at each will be the same to include, music with a DJ, refreshments, and a photographer. He said one of the three dances has already sold out and he expected the other two to do the same. The next special event highlighted was the annual Norman’s Best Easter Egg Hunt that is held at Andrews Park and has had over 1,000 people in attendance the last couple of years. Mr. Olsen said the event is scheduled for Friday, March 30, 2018; Norman Fire and Police will have vehicles set up and food venders will be set up as well. The Mummy Son Dance was held on October 27, 2017, at the 12th Avenue Recreational Center and participants dressed up in their best Halloween outfits in order to win 1st, 2nd, or 3rd places. Mr. Olsen said there were two dances, one at 6:00 p.m. and another at 7:30 p.m., and both sold out. He said The Mummy Son Dance event will transition into a family dance event in 2018 and will be held at 12th Avenue Recreation Center. The Mother and Son Formal Dance will be held on April 28, 2018, at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center. Mr. Olsen said the Mother and Son Formal will compare to the Daddy Daughter Dance and will include two dances, one at 3:30 p.m. and the other at 6:00 p.m. Park Board Page 5 of 6 February 1, 2018 Mr. Olsen said Earth Day will be held at Reaves Park on Sunday, April 22, 2018. The Parks and Recreation Department, as well as Environmental Services and Stormwater Divisions, works closely with the Cleveland County Conservation District, University of Oklahoma, Park Board, and Tree Board, to hold this annual event. Earth Day is worldwide and the various events are held to demonstrate support for environmental protection. The George Hulsey Memorial Trout Derby and Kids Trout Fishing Clinic is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, April 6th and 7th, 2018 at Griffin Community Park. Mr. Olsen said the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife will stock the lake a few days before the derby. The Outdoor Movie Series was held from May 2017 to October 2017. Mr. Olsen said the series was originally held at Andrews Park and moved to Lions Park in 2016. He said the park adjustment was a good change because Lions Park provides more shade area for the movie screen as well as those attending the movie, which has been 700 – 1,000 per movie. A theme for the evening coincides with the movie that will play, i.e., Polynesian dancers performed at the movie “Moana”. Independence Day Celebration or commonly referred to as “Norman Day” is held every 4th of July at Reaves Park. Mr. Olsen said there are a lot of fun activities held every year to include the baby crawl, tot walk, nickel find, corn hole, etc., as well as food truck venders, live bands and a firework show at the end of the evening. He said plans are to have KGOU broadcast the 2018 Independence Day Celebration and play music (when bands are not performing). The 2nd Annual Zombie Escape was held on September 30, 2017, at Griffin Park Disc Golf Course and had approximately 200 participants and 30 volunteers. The 3rd Annual Zombie Escape is scheduled for October 13, 2018. Participants run through an obstacle type course while zombies (Staff and volunteers) attempt to “infect them” by pulling flags off of their flag belt before they make it to the finish line. The 2nd year doubled in participant size and the 3rd year is expected to be a success as well. The Annual Norman Winterfest Celebration was held December 1, 2017, at Legacy Park with over 1,000 in attendance. Mr. Olsen said seven (7) children groups sang on stage, Staff passed out hot chocolate and cookies, and there was a gift wrapping contest. Santa was escorted into the park by Norman Police and children had the opportunity to tell him what was on their Christmas list and get a picture taken. A Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony was held December 8, 2017, at Andrews Park. Staff passed out hot chocolate and cookies while students from the Sooner Theatre sang on stage. Santa made an appearance and gave the countdown for the tree lighting. A great time was had by all. Mr. Olsen finished his presentation by stating some of the 2018 newly planned special events include a Catfish Derby at Griffin Pond in early June; a Flashlight Candy Hunt at Lions Park around Halloween, and different neighborhood special events at the recreation centers, i.e., 12th Avenue, Irving, Little Axe, and Whittier Recreational Centers. Chairman Dolan asked if there is a date set for most of the 2018 events and Staff said most are scheduled, but are flexible if need to be changed. Commissioner Sallee asked if the City plans to have another Winterfest at Legacy Park and Staff said yes. Mr. Olsen said Winterfest and the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony are historically close to or on the same weekend as the Norman Christmas Parade and 2nd Friday Art Walk. Park Board Page 6 of 6 February 1, 2018 The Board acknowledged the presentation. ITEM 7, being MISCELLANEOUS Mr. Jud Foster, Director of Parks and Recreation, provided an update for the Norman Forward (NF) projects, stating the Westwood Family Aquatic Center (WWFAC) continues to make great progress. He said the contractor is working on a punch list and the parking lot is nearly complete. Mr. Foster said April 1st is the tentative date the contractor plans to fill the pools and do testing in order to get ready for a Memorial Day opening. The Indoor Tennis Project was previously on hold pending the completion of the WWFAC, but should go out to bid in Mid-April. Mr. Foster said the Ruby Grant Park Master Plan was adopted by Council approximately ten years ago. He said a consultant is ready to start the design Phase I, in a month or two. Commissioner Sallee asked about the Phase I timeline and Mr. Foster said the design phase generally takes six (6) to nine (9) months and the construction phase generally takes one (1) year. He said he would have a better answer regarding the timeline when the contractor/consultant gets the construction documents. The first two (2) NF Neighborhood Park Projects, Oakhurst and Sonoma Parks, are mostly completed except for surfacing that is about to start on the walking perimeter trails. Commissioner Salmond asked when the NF Griffin and Reaves Parks Projects will begin and Mr. Foster said the respective consultants are working on design documents. __________________________________________________________________________________ ITEM 8, being ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Salmond made the motion and Commissioner Wright seconded to adjourn. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Chairman Dolan and Commissioners Favors, Hoover, Isacksen, Moxley, Rogers, Sallee, and Salmond NAY: None Passed and approved this ____________of ________________________ 2018 Bud Dolan, Chairperson