Board of Parks Commissioners Meeting

Norman Board of Parks Commissioners May 4, 2023 The Norman Board of Parks Commissioners of the City of Norman, Cleveland County, State of Oklahoma, met. on I.he 4th day of May 2023 at 5:30 p.m., and notice and agenda of the meeting were posted at 201 West Gray Street - 24 hours prior tot.he beginning of the meeting. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Wright and Commissioners Davison, Isacksen, Moxley, Ross, Sallee, Salmond and Sheriff Absent: Commissioners May City Officials Presenl: Jason Olsen, Director of Parks and Recreation James Briggs, Park Development Manager Mitchell Richardson, Recreation Supervisor Wade Thompson, Facility and Park Manager Veronica 'l'racy, Recreation Manager Karla Sitton, Administrative Technician IV ITEM 1, being: APPROVAL OF THE MARCH 2, 2023, PARK BOARD MINUT.!!;S Commissioner Davison made the motion, and Commissioner Isacksen seconded to approve the March 2, 2023, Park Board minutes. The vote was taken with the following results; YEAH: Chair Wright and Commissioners Davison, Isacksen, Moxley, Ross, Sallee, Salmond and Sheriff NAY: None [TEM 2, being: NORMAN FORWARD UPDATE ~ir. ,Tason Olsen, Director of Parks and Recreation, gave an update on the Norman Forward Projects. ieaves Park vlr. Olsen said a ribbon-cutting ceremony was h eld on March 25, 2023. He said Flintco has a couple of items to wrap LP on the project, and Staff is also completing some fence work outside the project scope. This $10.2 million ~orman •'orward project includes constructing four new fields, r estrooms, and concessions for 5-8U teams, a new park loop oad and parking lots, a pond, and upgrades to 11 other baseball and softball fields. The project was designed by Ialff AssociaLHs, INC. Project ~fanagement was provided by Flintco, LLC. kiffin Park 1r. Olsen said Phase 6 work continues at Griffin Park, including a road off of High Meadows Avenue to the two new arking lots being constructed, two restroom/concession buildings, and earth/grade work, to include sprigging, on ight new fields. A ribbon cutting is tentatively scheduled for September 16, 2023. 1ulti-Sport/Indoor Aquatic Facility - YFAC 1r. Olsen said work C<>ntinues at the Young Family Athletic Center (YFAC) and highlighted the milestone dates to 1clude the completion of building interiors by October 2023 and site finishes (paving, sidewalks, and east side run- ut turf) completed by August 2023. Boring work began for the new street (Trae Young Drive) and is estimated to be )mpleted in ,July. The art piece/sculpture is being designed and will be installed by September 2023. Punch list alk-th,oughs will begin August 18, 2023, and be completed by October 13, 2023. Final inspections are scheduled i'o, 1 Park Board Meeting Page 2 of 3 May 4 2023 be completed by October 20, 2023. A 1-ibbon cutting is expected for January 2024, before the beginning of the winter basketball league. Adult Wellness and Education Center Mr. Olsen said work continued at the Adult Wellness and 1£ducation Center, and curb/gutter and electrical work are being done. He said the project should be completed by late sum.mer, and Staff will work with the operator for approximately 30 days lo get the facility up and running. A ribbon cutting is expected in mid to late October. Cherry Creek Park Mr. Olsen said a new accessible playground, site furnishings, landscape enhancements, and sod work were completed at Cherry Creek Park, and a playground dedication/ribbon cutting was held on May 3, 2023, at 5:30 pm. ITEM 3, being: DMSIONAL UPDATES Mr. James Briggs, Park Development Manager, said bids were received, and work began at Bentley Park, which will include a play area, tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts, a perimeter walking trail with fitness stations, a la1·ge picnic shelter, and large areas of native prairie plantings. He said the park is scheduled to open later this year. Mr. Briggs said Staff anticipates the construct.i(ln at Sutton Wilderness to be done later this summer, and the project, designed by Parkhill Engineer ing, includes a 12-car parking lot addition and improvements to the south walking trail spur at George M. Sutton Urban Wilderness. Funding for the project is a combination of Community Park l<'unds and a Recreational Trails Grant from the State of Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation, which will pay 80% of the design and construction. Site analysis is underway for the new park at the corner of Alameda Street and Carter Avenue. Mr. Briggs said green infrastructure aimed at slowing, detaining, and t reating storm.water runoff will be the main cohesive feature of this park. Staff selected Davey Resource Group to update the ordinance and urban right-of-way tree inventory. Mr. Briggs said this inventory will help the City determine areas over-populated wi_th trees and/or a specific tree species. Ms. Veronica Tracy, Recr eation Manager, said a Sutton Wilderness cleanup is scheduled for this Saturday morning, May 6th, and the Mom Prom will be h eld later at the NOUN Hotel. She told participants attending the Mom Prom can choose from three separ ate event times, with the last dance at 7:30 p.m. reserved for moms and guests 21 years or older. Ms. Tracy said a @Legacy Park free concert is scheduled for May 19, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. at Legacy P ark and will feature live music from Beau Jennings and The Tigers + Kyle Reid and The Low Swingin' Chariots. She said the Outdoor Movie Series (OMS) will begin on May 26, 2023, at Lions Park and feature Top Gun: Maverick! Ms. 'J'racy said Westwood Family Aquatic Center opens up on Memorial Day weekend for the season, and season passes are still available. Mr. Wade Thompson, :Facility and Parks Manager, said the Staff has been busy mowing City Parks and Facilities. He said Staff Staff continues making repairs io water fountains and irrigation systems. i\tfr. Thompson noted P ark Maintenance Staff also assists with the various events at City Parks. MISCBLLANEOUS DISCUSSION Chair Wright asked for a n update on the light repairs along Le·gacy Trail, and Staff said OGE continues to replace the lights with LED lights. Commissioner Moxley asked when Legacy 'I'rail will be extended at J ames Garner to thE south, and Staff said it is still under design and construction is a couple of years out. Commissioner Sheriff congratulated Staff for a su ccessful 2023 Earth Day. Staff said Commissioner May resigned from the Park Board, and Staff has requested a replacement for the vacancy. [ Park Board Meeting Page 3 of 3 Mav 4, 2023 ADJOURNMENT 2023 PARK TOUR The Park Board took a park tour beginning with the Young Family Athletic Facility (YFAC), the Adult Wellness and Educational Center, Griffin Park, Reaves Park, and finished at the site for the future Nature Park located at Alameda Street and Carter Avenue.