Board of Parks Commissioners Meeting

Norman Board of Parks Commissioners February 6, 2020 The Norman Board of Parks Commissioners of the City of Norman, Cleveland County, State of Oklahoma, met in Council Chambers on the 6th day of February, 2020 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: Chair Wright and Commissioners Dolan, Favors, Isacksen, May, Moxley, Ross, Sallee, and Salmond Absent: None City Officials Present: Jud Foster, Director of Parks and Recreation Jason Olsen, Recreation Superintendent Wade Thompson, Parks Superintendent Karla Sitton, Administrative Technician IV ITEM 2, being: APPROVAL OF THE DECEMBER 5, 2019 MINUTES Commissioner Salmond made the motion and Commissioner Dolan seconded to approve the minutes. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Chair Wright and Commissioners Dolan, Favors, Isacksen, May, Moxley, Ross, Sallee, and Salmond NAY: None ITEM 3, being: APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Commissioner Dolan made the motion and Commissioner Sallee seconded to approve the agenda. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Chair Wright and Commissioners Dolan, Favors, Isacksen, May, Moxley, Ross, Sallee, and Salmond NAY: None _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Park Board Regular Meeting Page 2 of 7 February 6, 2020 ITEM 4, being NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF PARKS COMMISSIONERS Chair Wright 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: Chair Wright and Commissioners Dolan, Favors, Isacksen, May, Moxley, Ross, Sallee, and Salmond NAY: None _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ITEM 5, being NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF VICE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF PARKS COMMISSIONERS Chair Wright asked for nominations and Chris Moxely was nominated as the Vice-Chair of the Board of Park Commissioners. The vote was taken with the following results YEAH: Chair Wright and Commissioners Dolan, Favors, Isacksen, Moxley, Ross, Sallee, Salmond, and May NAY: None ITEM 6, being CONSIDERATION OF BOARD OF PARKS COMMISSIONERS SUB-COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS The Board discussed the following sub-committees and appointments: Naming and Recognition of Parks and Recreational Facilities Kristi Wright Kristi Isacksen Allison May Advisory Committee for Urban Wilderness Parks Chris Moxley Liz Ross Mary Sallee Legacy Park Activity Committee Allison May Noman Forward Adult Softball and Football Ad Hoc Ex-Officio Jeff Salmond Noman Forward Griffin Park Ad Hoc Ex-Officio Jeff Salmond Park Board Regular Meeting Page 3 of 7 February 6, 2020 Norman Forward Indoor Aquatic and Multi-Sport Facility Ex-Officio Kristi Isacksen Sue Favors Norman Forward Reaves Park Ad Hoc Ex-Officio Jeff Salmond Norman Forward Ruby Grant Park Ad Hoc Ex-Officio Sue Favors Chris Moxley Norman Forward Senior Center Ad Hoc Ex-Officio Liz Ross Kristi Wright The motion was made by Commissioner Dolan and seconded by Commissioner Sallee to accept the new sub-committee appointments. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Chair Wright and Commissioners Dolan, Favors, Isacksen, May, Moxley, Ross, Sallee, and Salmond NAY: None ITEM 7, being ANNUAL PRESENTATION FROM NORMAN ADULT SPORTS ASSOCIATION, FORMERLY REAVES PARK ADULT SPORTS Mr. Bill Mounger, President/Director of Norman Adult Sports Association (NASA), said his bookkeeper had surgery recently; however, he will get the Board his financials soon. He said he has been a part of the adult softball league at Reaves Park for a long time - first playing, then umpiring, to presently running the softball league as well as the football league since 2019. He said he has prepared many ball fields and when it rains, he gets on the fields as soon as it quits raining to get any standing water off of them in order to minimize rescheduling games. Mr. Mounger said he has hired help with re-grading the fields and will continue to use them as needed. He said very few games/tournaments were cancelled due to rainouts. He said since the fields were being maintained better he expects more teams in the future. Mr. Mounger said six (6) tournaments were held during the season and one of the tournaments had 30+ teams. He said he is also trying to get more local teams interested in the 4th of July Tournament. Mr. Mounger said the University of Oklahoma (OU) has contacted NASA about running tournaments at Reaves Park and upcoming tournaments include the 8 and under regional tournament and a Men’s Church League tournament even though there are only five (5) Men’s teams. Commissioner Sallee asked why there is a decline in the Mens League and Mr. Mounger said they are declining all over, not just in Norman, and felt it was due to more parents going to their children’s activities. The Board acknowledged the report. Park Board Regular Meeting Page 4 of 7 February 6, 2020 ITEM 8, being ANNUAL PRESENTATION FROM THE TENNIS ASSOCIATOIN Mr. Marc Claude, Tennis Professional, said Westwood Tennis Center is one of the busiest tennis centers in the state and had a great 2019. He said Westwood Tennis has hosted 11 tournaments this year including 2 USA national events; 42 USTA Oklahoma league matches; 6 social events; and weekly pickleball leagues. Mr. Claude said It was estimated by the Norman Visitors Bureau that the economic impact brought in was $692,509 of local business sales during the tournaments that were held. He said he plans to bid more tournaments to be held in the Indoor Tennis Facility during November – February, expecting 14-15 events in 2020. Mr. Claude said the participation count for 2019 was 29,840, a 30% increase from 2018 and said this number does not include the pickleball group. He said the fees collected from court fees and court passes totaled $8,364, also an increase from 2018. Mr. Claude said a few of Westwood’s programs include Junior Clinics, Junior Team Tennis, Cardio Tennis, Pickleball, Adult (and Senior) local leagues, social events, and weekly adult drills. He said the Tennis Center has on average 50-60- kids and 60-70 adults, from ages 3 to 87, each week. Mr. Claude said the Tennis Center accommodates all ages and skill levels as well as constantly trying to think of new ideas. Mr. Claude said during his time at Westwood he has been very passionate to never turn away a customer due to financial reasons. He said the Tennis Center will provide rackets and instruction at discounted rates or for free. In 2019, many scholarships were provided for junior players which allows them to continue training and play tournament throughout the year. Mr. Claude said through a program called Net Generation, he has partnered with many different elementary schools in Norman whereas the school P.E. teachers receive free rackets, balls, and lesson plans to teach their students. He said Westwood Tennis Staff also offers to assist in the training. Mr. Claude felt introducing the game to kids at elementary age(s) is critical to Westwood staying active for decades to come. Mr. Claude distributed a letter from Nick Whitson, who is the Norman Ambassador for the Greater Pickleball Club of OKC. He said he has partnered with Mr. Whitson who has had some great things to say about the partnership and facility. Mr. Claude said embracing this group has been a huge positive for Westwood Tennis and the City of Norman as they look to build on hosting tournaments and impacting our economy. Mr. Jud Foster, Director of Parks and Recreation said two courts will be transformed into six pickleball courts at the 12th Avenue Recreation Center to accommodate the pickleball community. Commissioner Dolan asked if the financials reflected Pickleball numbers and Mr. Claude said no. The Board acknowledged the report. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ITEM 9, being NORMAN FORWARD PROJECT UPDATE Mr. Jud Foster, Director of Parks and Recreation gave a Norman Forward Update to the Board. He said all the Norman Forward Ad Hoc Groups to include the Adult Softball and Football, Griffin Park, Indoor Aquatic and Multi-Sports, Reaves Park, Ruby Grant Park, and Senior Wellness Center, will meet or have already met to look at and discuss the overall master plans and projects. Mr. Foster Park Board Regular Meeting Page 5 of 7 February 6, 2020 said each Ad Hoc Group will have the opportunity to discuss how to get their projects fully funded and whether or not they would like to request Council to find additional funding. He said this process started with the Indoor Aquatic and Multi-Sports Facility which has a $22 million budget; however, in order to build a facility to accommodate the community swim teams and host swim events, the facility could be a $58 million project. Mr. Foster said City Staff will make a Norman Forward presentation to Council at the February 25, 2020, Council Conference at 5:00 p.m. He said Staff will show all the Norman forward projects and explain the deltas for each. Mr. Foster said Council could decide to extend the Norman Forward Tax or have a General Obligation (GO) Bond issue, and either would need to be taken to a vote. Commissioner Sallee felt it might be bad timing to request additional funding for Norman Forward since the City has a budget shortfall. Ruby Grant Work continues at the park to pour footings for the memorial pavilion, cut-in the parking areas at the memorial (off Franklin Road), the inclusive playground and restroom area (off 36th Avenue NW), and the dog park area (off the I-35 service road). The cross-country trail has been mowed and is ready for review by the Norman Public School cross-country coaches to approve the final alignment and allow construction to proceed. A similar review of the disc golf course layout will be scheduled once the location of all tee pads and baskets is finalized in February. Also, old sections of perimeter barb-wire fencing are being removed and temporary gates at all construction entrances are being ordered to help with site security and safety. Staff also met with three finalists who are candidates for producing the park's artwork; and the fundraising for the community-supported part of the Inclusive Playground kicked off in January, which will be used to complete the construction of that feature of the park. The project is scheduled for completion in the fall. Mr. Foster said the Norman Forward Ad Hoc Group will meet February 12, 2020 to discuss their project and the possibility of asking Council for additional funding. Andrews Skate Park American Ramp Company (ARC) is working on the final document/design and met today with a local engineer. Mr. Foster said construction will begin soon with the demolition of the old water storage tank; the utility work; and the construction of the concrete bowl & plaza park. He said a Grand Opening is planned for Summer 2020. Griffin Park and Reaves Park Reviews have been completed on the 90% plans from Halff Associates for the first round of construction. Staff from ADG, Flintco, and various departments of the City of Norman gave their review comments to Halff, which they will incorporate into the final design plan set. This will allow Flintco to bid the work as the Construction Manager at Risk. We have also coordinated with the project team and the Ball Clubs of Norman (who operate the youth baseball programs at Griffin Park) to take part of the field upgrade work at the Southeast ballfield complex out of the Flintco/Halff scope and hire the OKC Dodgers field maintenance contractor to work on those four fields and get them ready for play this spring and throughout the season. This will allow the youth baseball program to operate some of their league at Reaves instead of the north fields at Griffin Park. That will allow us to continue the soccer field conversion work at Griffin Park. Mr. Foster said the Griffin Park Ad Hoc Group met earlier today, February 6th and decided to request Council find additional funding in order to construct a full build for the project. He said the Reaves Park Ad Hoc Group will meet on February 13th to discuss the full project and decide whether or not to request Council find additional funding. Adult Softball and Flag Football The Norman Forward Adult Softball and Flag Football Ad Hoc Group will meet on February 10th to review revisions of the site plan and discuss their options regarding requesting Council to find additional funding for a full design project. Park Board Regular Meeting Page 6 of 7 February 6, 2020 Senior Wellness Center The Norman Forward Senior Wellness Center Ad Hoc Group will meet February 19th and an item on the agenda will be whether or not the facility should move from Reaves Park location to the Norman Regional Hospital (NRH) Porter Campus. Mr. Foster said NRH is proposing to build a Health Village at the Porter Campus and has offered to partner with the City to help construct a portion of the Senior Wellness Center. He said from what he has heard; the community is in favor of this move. The Ad Hoc Group will discuss the full design and can request Council to find additional funding. Indoor Aquatic and Multi-Sports Facility The Norman Forward Indoor Aquatic and Multi-Sports Facility Ad Hoc Group met January 22nd to look at conceptual floor and site plans and to review the budget. Mr. Foster said the Ad Hoc Group discussed and voted to request Council find additional funding for a full design project. Commissioner Moxley felt it would be difficult to ask for additional funding when none of the (Norman Forward) projects have been built yet and Commissioner May agreed. Mr. Foster reminded the Board that the Indoor Tennis Facility, New Central Library and Westwood Family Aquatic Center were all Norman Forward projects and have been wonderful additions to the community. Commissioner Favors said she is the Ex-Officio on the Indoor Aquatic and Multi-Sports Facility and the funding available will not even cover the project that is needed. Commissioner Isacksen said she is also an Ex-Officio for the Indoor Aquatic and Multi-Sports Facility and agreed. Mr. Foster said the original Norman Forward funding proposal brought to Council in 2014-15 was $200 million and the Mayor felt that figure was too high to win a vote. He said the proposal was reduced to $150 million and that was the proposal voted on and approved. Chair Wright asked if the City is in year three of the 15 year NF tax and Mr. Foster said we are in year five. He felt if the Council approves additional funding, interest groups, i.e., baseball, basketball, volleyball, swim, etc., will need to participate and support the election/vote for it to be successful. Mr. Foster said Oklahoma City’s MAPS 1 Project is a great example; whereas additional money was requested, voted upon, and the MAPs project(s) have been a huge success for Oklahoma City. Commissioner Favors said it will be less expensive to construct the NF projects correctly in the beginning versus coming back later and adding amenities. Commissioner Isacksen said a lot of the multi-sport comparisons (from various communities) are not apples to apples. Mr. Foster said the Basketball/Volleyball and Swim Groups would like a facility that can host events. He said the current budget will not support a facility that could attract events or even be able to assist local kids. Rotary Park Crews will be planning demolition of the restroom and old playground in Rotary Park to make way for the new structures in that park this spring. Mr. Foster said the Rotary House Building will also be re-roofed as part of the project. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Commissioner Salmond left the meeting at 6:22 p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ITEM 10, being MISCELLANEOUS Commissioner Ross thanked Wade Thompson, Parks Superintendent, and his Staff for helping cleanup Sutton Wilderness. Mr. Jud Foster, Director of Parks and Recreation, said the homeless in Park Board Regular Meeting Page 7 of 7 February 6, 2020 the park were contacted and given options to include going to the warming station at the old Norman central library. He said the warming station has been assisting approximately 30 people each night. Mr. Foster said the Sutton Wilderness Group plans to visit the park more often in order to keep it clean and Commissioner Ross said keeping the park clean(er) is good, stating better begets better. Commissioner Dolan asked whether the City could outsource/contract with someone in order to keep the homeless camps cleaned up and Mr. Foster said yes, but funding would need to be found within the budget. Chair Wright asked whether that could be done with Norman Forward funding and Staff said possibly. Commissioner Moxley thanked Staff for all their hard work. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ITEM 11, being ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Moxley made the motion and Commissioner May seconded to adjourn. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Chair Wright and Commissioners Dolan, Favors, Isacksen, May, Moxley, Ross, Sallee, and Salmond NAY: None Passed and approved this ____________of ________________________ 2020 Kristi Wright, Chairperson