Board of Parks Commissioners Meeting

Norman Board of Parks Commissioners Regular Meeting March 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 March, 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, Isacksen, Moxley, Rogers, Sallee, Salmond, and Wright Absent: Commissioner Hoover City Officials Present: Ralph Cagigal, Golf Course Superintendent Jud Foster, Director of Parks and Recreation Matt Hendren, Parks Superintendent Jason Olsen, Interim Recreation Superintendent Rick Parish, Westwood Golf Professional Karla Chapman, Administrative Technician IV ITEM 2, being: APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 1, 2018 MEETING MINUTES Commissioner Wright made the motion and Commissioner Salmond seconded to approve the minutes. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Chairman Dolan and Commissioners Favors, Isacksen, Moxley, Rogers, Sallee, Salmond, and Wright NAY: None ITEM 3, being: APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Commissioner Wright made the motion and Commissioner Salmond seconded to approve the agenda. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Chairman Dolan and Commissioners Favors, Isacksen, Moxley, Rogers, Sallee, Salmond, and Wright NAY: None ____________________________________________________________________________________ Park Board Page 2 of 4 March 1, 2018 ITEM 4, being PRESENTATION OF WESTWOOD GOLF COURSE ACTIVITIES Mr. Ralph Cagigal, Golf Course Superintendent reported on the maintenance activities at the Golf Course. He said a challenge this season will be water; however, there are two large retaining ponds that store water. Mr. Cagigal said there is erosion around the concrete spillways into the pond that needs to be addressed. He said most of the soil at Westwood Golf Course is very tight clay soil but there are several areas that have decent soil. Mr. Cagigal said overall the course is in great shape. He said he owes a lot to his employees who are very experienced and are great to work with. Even though the equipment is old, Mike Winkler has refurbished and/or rebuilt a lot of the equipment so it is in good shape and has lasted longer. Mr. Rick Parish Head Golf Professional at Westwood Golf Course talked about the current golf memberships and participation at the course. He said the Men’s Golf Association will have a Three Man Scramble on March 3rd and the 2017 tourney consisted of 17 teams and 51 players. Mr. Parish said in total there will be 12 events scheduled concluding in August with the Westwood Club Championship. He reported the Thursday Night Men’s League will begin play March 30th, and ends October 6th. They continue with Ladies Play Days, the Birthday Club, Senior Play Days and the Couples Tournament. Men’s and Ladies Clinics will be held every Monday and Tuesday in May and September. Westwood Golf Course will host a First Tee Program again this year. This year will be the 43rd year for the Westwood Invitational scheduled on July 6th, 7th, & 8 th. Participation has increased steadily over the last few years having an average of 150 people. Mr. Parish said it’s been said the health of a golf course is in the youth; therefore, he feels Westwood Golf Course is very healthy. He highlighted the Junior Golf University, and said Westwood hosted First Tee as well as three U.S. Kids Tournaments since 2016/2017. Mr. Parish said Westwood has become one of the more popular sites according to the U.S. Kids Director and the entry numbers confirm that statement. He said the South Central Section, PGA Jr. Tour is held in June and had 81 players in 2016 and 95 players in 2017. Mr. Parish said four 4 foot targets have recently been installed on the driving range along with 6 short game targets from 40 to 90 yards. He hopes this will improve Westwood players as well as entice more people to buy tokens in order to hit the targets. Westwood hosted 47 outside tournaments and 34 internal tournaments (Men’s Association, Juniors, Couples, Seniors, and Invitational) in FY17. Westwood hosts Middle School Golf (Alcott/Irving/Longfellow, and Whittier) on Tuesdays; Norman High School on Mondays, and Norman North High School on Wednesdays. Mr. Parish said Westwood also hosts the 6A girls Sabercat JV 9 hole tournament March 13th and the 6A Sabercat Invitational on March 26 th. He said Westwood will host the Girls 3A State golf tournament on May 2 nd and 3rd along with a pre-state tournament to be held March 28th. In closing Mr. Parish stated the staff works hard and Ralph and his crew do a great job to prepare the course for play. He thanked Jud and the Parks and Recreation Administrative Staff for all their help. The Board acknowledged the presentation. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Park Board Page 3 of 4 March 1, 2018 ITEM 5, being PRESENTATION OF NORMAN ADULT SOFTBALL LEAGUE Mr. Jason Olsen, Recreation Superintendent, said the Norman Amateur Softball Association’s three year contract expired and the City sent out a Request for Proposal (RFP) December 22, 2017. The Norman Amateur Softball Association decided not to bid and ceased to operate at a February meeting. Mr. Olsen said the City did not receive any bids from other groups and the Parks and Recreation Department will take over the 2018 program. There will be Summer and Fall leagues, six nights a week, two leagues per night, using 4 fields at Reaves Park. Mr. Olsen said more programming for the Norman Adult Softball League will be available in the future. Commissioner Wright asked if participation has been down in the past and Mr. Olsen said yes, participation has been down approximately 30-40% the past three years. Mr. Jud Foster, Director of Parks and Recreation said adult softball participation is down nationwide. Chairman Dolan asked whether the City will send out a RFP next year and Mr. Olsen said Staff will re-evaluate after the first season to determine if the program was successful before making that decision. The Board acknowledged the presentation. Commissioner Rogers left the meeting at 6:05 p.m. ____________________________________________________________________________________ ITEM 6, being MISCELLANEOUS Mr. Jud Foster, Director of Parks and Recreation, updated the Park Board on the Norman Forward projects. He said the Westwood Family Aquatic Center (WWFAC) committee met on February 28th to look over the WWFAC Business Plan and tour the new facility. Mr. Foster said the WWFAC contractor has been working on a punch list to be completed by March 2nd, but due to recent rain, it has been extended a few more days. The goal is to begin filling the pool and begin testing the first week of April. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, May 12th and a Grand Opening is scheduled for Saturday, May 26 th. Mr. Foster said City Council agreed to look at the North Base property as a future site for the Senior Citizen Center. He said this is the same area/location for the future Indoor Aquatic and Multi-Sport Facility. The City is currently working with the University of Oklahoma for a land lease agreement. Mr. Foster said the future master plan will need to determine whether all three facilities will fit on the property and potential funding would be through the Tax Increment Finance (TIF) funding. Mr. Foster said the City is currently drawing up a contract for construction documents for the Indoor Aquatic and Multi-Sport Facility as well as for Ruby Grant Park. Commissioner Sallee asked which building on North Base is being proposed for the Senior Center and Indoor Aquatic and Multi-Sport Facility and Mr. Foster said it is the old hanger building the Optimist Club used for basketball. He said the building will be tested for asbestos to determine the demolition strategy. Park Board Page 4 of 4 March 1, 2018 Commissioner Moxley asked if the proposed new facilities will connect to the YMCA and Mr. Foster said no. Commissioner Moxley felt the proposed Senior Citizen Center should be named the Multi-Generational Center since it will be a facility for all ages, rather than just for seniors. Commissioner Wright asked about the East-side Library and Mr. Foster said it is making great progress. He said it should be finished this summer. Commissioner Moxley asked about the Ruby Grant Park schedule and Mr. Foster said the design phase is on schedule and felt the different phases of the project should follow accordingly. Commissioner Moxley asked whether or not concession stands would be placed in Ruby Grant Park and Mr. Foster said no, but once completed the park will include play spaces, splashpads, restrooms, and a site for a future recreation center. Mr. Foster said the City could eventually move away from the recreation centers at Irving and Whittier Schools. He said our Master Plan calls for renovation of the 12th Avenue Recreation Center and construct a new recreation center at Ruby Grant Park. __________________________________________________________________________________ ITEM 7, being ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Wright made the motion and Commissioner Salmond seconded to adjourn. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Chairman Dolan and Commissioners Favors, Isacksen, Moxley, Rogers, Sallee, Salmond, and Wright NAY: None Passed and approved this ____________of ________________________ 2018 Bud Dolan, Chairperson