Board of Parks Commissioners Meeting

Norman Board of Parks Commissioners Regular Meeting February 7, 2019 The Norman Board of Parks Commissioners of the City of Norman, Cleveland County, State of Oklahoma, met in Council Chambers on the 7th day of February, 2019 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: Vice-Chair Salmond and Commissioners Favors, Isacksen, Moxley, Sallee and Wright Absent: Chair Dolan and Commissioners Cooper and Starke City Officials Present: Jud Foster, Director of Parks and Recreation Jason Olsen, Recreation Superintendent Karla Sitton, Administrative Technician IV ITEM 2, being: APPROVAL OF THE DECEMBER 6, 2018 MEETING MINUTES Commissioner Sallee made the motion and Commissioner Wright seconded to approve the minutes. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Vice-Chair Salmond and Commissioners Favors, Isacksen, Moxley, Sallee and Wright NAY: None ITEM 3, being: APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Commissioner Moxley made the motion and Commissioner Isacksen seconded to approve the agenda. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Vice-Chair Salmond and Commissioners Favors, Isacksen, Moxley, Sallee and Wright NAY: None ____________________________________________________________________________________ ITEM 4, being NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF PARKS COMMISSIONERS Vice-Chair Salmond asked for nominations and Kristi Wright was nominated as the Chair of the Board of Park Commissioners. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Vice-Chair Salmond and Commissioners Favors, Isacksen, Moxley, Sallee and Wright NAY: None Park Board Regular Meeting Page 2 of 6 February 7, 2019 ITEM 5, being NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF VICE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF PARKS COMMISSIONERS Vice-Chair Salmond asked for nominations and Jeff Salmond was nominated as the Vice-Chair of the Board of Park Commissioners. The vote was taken with the following results YEAH: Vice-Chair Salmond and Commissioners Favors, Isacksen, Moxley, Sallee and Wright NAY: None ITEM 6, being DISCUSSION REGARDING REAVES PARK ADULT SPORTS Mr. Jud Foster, Director of Parks and Recreation said this agenda item was discussed at the Park Board Study Session agenda just previous to this meeting. He highlighted the presentation, stating in 2015, Council approved a contract with the Norman Amateur Softball Foundation (NASF) for the operation of adult softball programs at Reaves Park. NASF opted to terminate their agreement and disband their organization at the end of that contract term in 2018. At that time, the Norman Parks and the Parks and Recreation Department assumed operation of those programs. Also in 2015, Council approved a contract with the Football Academy Inc., for the operation of adult flag football program at Griffin Park. That group opted to terminate their agreement and disband their organization following the 2016 season. At that time, the Norman Parks and Recreation Department assumed operation of those programs. In September 2018, the Parks and Recreation Department submitted Request for Proposals (RFP) for the operation of the adult softball program at Reaves Park. He said the Norman Adult Sports Association (NASA) has responded with a proposal to operate the adult softball leagues at Reaves Park as well as the adult flag football programs that had previously been played at Griffin Park. Mr. Foster said Staff has met with the representatives for NASA to discuss the terms and conditions that have been included in the proposed agreement which provides for a one year lease which will automatically renew annually unless either party opts to terminate or amend the lease. He highlighted the proposed contract and maintenance operations and said NASA will begin team registrations in March and proceed with games starting in late spring. Mr. Foster said NASA will not affect other leagues that currently play at Reaves Park. He said when the NF Reaves Park Plan is underway, three adult softball fields will be taken out; however, the furthest east fields will remain until such time the City can acquire land to move the adult softball leagues and NASA is aware of this term. Mr. Foster said Bill Mounger, President/Director of NASA Operations, was at the Study Session meeting and is still in the audience to answer any questions. He said Staff is familiar with all of the NASA board members from previous sports association contracts and is confident in their experience and abilities to operate these programs. Park Board Regular Meeting Page 3 of 6 February 7, 2019 Mr. Foster said Mr. Mounger mentioned has been a part of the adult softball league at Reaves Park for a long time - first playing, then umpiring, to hopefully running the league. Maintenance operations were discussed and NASA will do most of the raking/dragging the fields and has several players who have offered their assistance to help as some are licensed electricians and plumbers; however, contractors will be hired to help as needed. Mr. Foster said NASA could choose to run the concessions or sublet to another party and Mr. Mounger said NASA will sublet the concessions to another party who will keep 50% of the profits and pay NASA 50% of the profits at the end of the season. Mr. Foster said NASA can construct storage building(s) at Reaves Park; however, if it is a permanent structure it will stay and become property of the City. He said if there is any equipment the City has acquired over the years, the City will pass it along to NASA; however, there is not any major equipment such as tractors to pass along at this time. Mr. Foster said NASA will turn the lights on and/or off and any repairs will be done by a qualified contractor that the City will hire and pay. Regarding rain and/or rainouts, Mr. Mounger said he has prepared many ball fields and plans to get on the fields as soon as it quits raining to get any standing water off of them in order to minimize rescheduling games. He said at this time he plans to hire someone to help with re-grading the fields. Mr. Foster was asked to clarify Section 8 (C) of the proposed contract and said all proceeds go through NASA and not another group, i.e., NASA cannot let a third party have a tournament and take revenues from the use of a City facility. NASA said softball games will be played six nights a week with Saturdays open for tournaments and the football league will begin in the Fall/Winter and run through January. Mr. Foster said NASA will give presentations to the Board annually and asked if anyone had any questions. The Board discussed and agreed they are excited about these adult programs are being offered again. The Park Board recommends proposed contract with NASA go forward as an agenda item for Council consideration and approval. Member Moxley made of motion to recommend the proposed contract with NASA and Member Wright seconded the motion. The vote was taken with the following results YEAH: Vice-Chair Salmond and Commissioners Favors, Isacksen, Moxley, Sallee and Wright NAY: None ITEM 7, being ANNUAL PRESENTATION FROM THE RECREATION DIVISION Mr. Jason Olsen, Recreation Superintendent, provided a recreation update to the Board stating the Recreation Division operates five recreation and community centers to include the 12th Avenue Recreation Center, Irving Recreation Center, Little Axe Community Center; Whittier Recreational Center; and Senior Center. He said the division also oversees the Westwood Family Aquatic Center, Westwood Tennis Center, Westwood Golf Grill, several sporting contracts and Special Events. The Recreation Division has nine full-time employees to include one superintendent, six recreation supervisors, one recreation coordinator, and one food and beverage coordinator. There are also 16 permanent part-time employees and 100+ seasonal temporary employees. Park Board Regular Meeting Page 4 of 6 February 7, 2019 Mr. Olsen highlighted each recreation/community center and programs as follows: 12th Avenue Recreation Center offers child care; pickleball; martial arts; adult basketball and various dance classes. Pickleball is a very fast growing sport and a capital request will be prepared to turn half of the outside courts into pickleball courts. Member Sallee asked for Staff to explain pickleball and Mr. Olsen said it is a table tennis type of sport, the court is smaller than a regular tennis court and smaller paddles are used versus tennis rackets. Member Moxley as if a pickleball court is being constructed at the new Indoor Tennis facility and Mr. Foster said not at this time; however one may be constructed at the future Multi- Sport Facility. Irving Recreation Center offers child care; winter, summer and after school camps; youth sports; cooking classes; and “lego robotics” classes which focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) through the use of legos. Irving also partners with the J.D. McCarty Center for a trunk or treat event around Halloween. Whittier Recreation Center is the hub of sports for Junior Jammers basketball and annual sports camps with the University of Oklahoma. Whittier also offers weekly open gym for volleyball, child care and clogging, ballet, tap, and jazz classes. For the first time in 10 years, Whittier will begin offering a summer camp in 2019. Senior Center offers cardio, creative writing and ceramics classes; daily dominos and/or card games; annual tax aide; monthly field and/or lunch trips; and a yearly health fair. Aging Services leases a space in the Senior Center and cooks/serves meals to seniors daily. Member Moxley asked if Aging Services planned to continue cooking/serving meals to seniors at the future (new) Senior Center and Mr. Foster said yes. Mr. Foster said Aging Services could remain at the current location and deliver meals to the new Senior Center or a kitchen could be constructed at the new Senior Center facility where Aging Services could prepare and serve food there to the seniors. Little Axe Community Center offers a Head Start Program; partners with Pioneer Library Services (PLS) through the Book Place Activity which offers literacy programs and book rentals; offers a weekly food distribution; and is the meal site for Little Axe Public School during the summer. Westwood Family Aquatic Center (WWFAC) offers water fitness classes such as water aerobics and water walking before the facility opens at noon; offers swim lessons; offers swim meets; and open swim. The WWFAC has many special events to include movie night; glow party; and an end of the year member appreciation party. Over 114,000 people visited the WWFAC in 2018. Westwood Golf Course Grill was taken over by the City in October, 2018. It is a new cost center and combined with the current pool concession and grill. The new name of the grill is The Turn Grill at Westwood Golf Course and is scheduled for a more modern update/refreshing in the near future with new televisions, paint, etc. A new menu will be available before summer 2019. Vice-Chair Salmond asked if the grill was open and Mr. Olsen said yes. He said the City was fortunate to hire the same person who ran the pool concession and grill last summer. Special Events: Mr. Olsen said the Parks and Recreation Department offers many annual special events to include: Daddy Daughter Dance which is our biggest one day event and over 4,000 daddies and daughters attended in 2018 with more expected in 2019. Earth Day at Park Board Regular Meeting Page 5 of 6 February 7, 2019 Reaves Park; Mother Son Dance – first one held in 2018 with 1,000 mothers and sons in attendance; Easter Egg Hunt at Andrews Park; @Legacy Event Series at Legacy Park; Independence Day Celebration at Reaves Park; Outdoor Movie Series at Lions Park; Zombie Escape at Griffin Park; Midnight Masquerade Dance at 12th Avenue Recreation Center; Andrews Park Tree Lighting and Winterfest at Legacy Park. Mr. Olsen said a Senior Dance and DJ will be held on February 14th at the Senior Center. Member Moxley asked if additional parking is planned at University North Park and Mr. Foster said it is currently under design. Sports Contracts: Mr. Olsen said the City currently has sports contracts with Norman Youth Soccer Association (NYSA), Little Axe Youth Sports (LAYS), The Ball Clubs of Norman, and hopefully soon with Norman Adult Sports Association (NASA). The Board acknowledged the presentation. ______________________________________________________________________________________ ITEM 8, being MISCELLANEOUS winters Mr. Jud Foster updated the Board on the Norman Forward projects stating the Indoor Tennis Facility is moving along. He said contractor is currently prepping the court surface and an expected ribbon cutting should be the first week of April. Mr. Foster said the University of Oklahoma (OU) approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the land acquisition at North Base. He said this property could possibly be the location for the future Senior Center, Indoor Aquatic Facility, and Multi- Sports Facility. Mr. Foster said the NF Senior Center Ad Hoc met on January 31 and has started planning for a Senior Vision Session in March to gain community input. He said he will have more information at the next meeting. The Andrews Park Skate Park is on the horizon and will hopefully be installed by this summer. Mr. Foster said the Ruby Grant Park design is near completion. He said it should be wrapped up in another 30-60 days and Staff will have it ready to bid. Member Moxley asked the estimated construction for Ruby Grant Park Plan and Mr. Foster said the construction budget is $5 million. Mr. Foster said the City plans to advertise for a Construction Manager tomorrow, February 8th, and will go out to bid soon thereafter. He said the Ruby Grant Park will be an amazing facility with an all-inclusive playground area; a cross county running facility; disc golf course; and a dog park which will also have all-inclusive element(s). Mr. Foster said a main focal point for this future park is to make the park more accessible to anyone with any type disability - not just someone in a wheelchair. He said the playground area will be $600,000 and there will be private fundraisers to help raise $200,000. Staff has met with the design team and attended public meetings in order to gain as much knowledge as possible to design this very special park. Member Moxley asked when construction will begin and Mr. Foster said it will be another 60-90 days before it goes out to bid and another year to construct. The Bike Skills Course is being manufactured at the northwest corner of Lindsey Street and 24th Avenue NE. Mr. Foster said is should be complete by Summer 2019. Park Board Regular Meeting Page 6 of 6 February 7, 2019 ITEM 9, being ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Isacksen made the motion and Commissioner Moxley seconded to adjourn. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Vice-Chair Salmond and Commissioners Favors, Isacksen, Moxley, Sallee and Wright NAY: None Passed and approved this ____________of ________________________ 2019 Kristi Wright, Chairperson