Parks & Recreation Board

CITY OF PIEDMONT – PARK & RECREATION BOARD George Fina Municipal Building 314 Edmond Road NW Monday, January 19, 2015 6:30 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Nick Kittredge, Barbara Groomis, Paul Francel, Lyn Land ABSENT: Melissa Ashford STAFF PRESENT: Secretary Mary Ramsey 1) CALL TO ORDER – Chairman Nick Kittredge called meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. 2) ROLL CALL – Secretary Mary Ramsey called roll. A quorum was present. Approximately 3 people in the audience. 3) CONSENT AGENDA – All items on the consent agenda are non-controversial and may be approved by one motion. a) Approval of Minutes of the Special Park & Recreation meeting on December 19, 2014. Minutes had several errors. Lyn Land attended the meeting at the very beginning of the meeting, read a personal statement opposing the installation of park location signage with walking and biking distances, she then excused herself from the room. The meeting minutes reflect that she stayed for the entirety of the meeting. The minutes also reflect that she voted on items discussed during the meeting. Lyn Land excused herself from the meeting room as soon as she read her statement. Minutes will be corrected and brought back to the board at the next meeting. 4) CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA – None 5) PUBLIC HEARING – Topics to include those items not listed in the agenda. None 6) BUSINESS ITEMS – a) DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION ON THE ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT FOR THE CITY OF PIEDMONT. Dr. States provided the Park and Recreation board with a recap of the Easter egg hunt event from the prior years and explained plans for 2015 Easter egg hunt. Park and Recreation Board January 19, 2015 1  The Easter egg hunt is scheduled for March 28, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. The activity is designed for children between the ages of 2 – 12. Dr. States exited the room at the end of her discussion. b) DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL USES FOR THE THREE (3) ACRES OF CITY OWNED LAND SOUTH OF CRAIG DRIVE AND TO THE WEST OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRACTICE FOOTBALL FIELD. Paul Francel explained the location of 3 acres and the land is currently being utilized by current residences of Craig Dr. Discussion of usages for the land was discussed among the Board. Ideas where:  Convert into a chipping green  Create walking paths  Connect the current walking trails to trails that could be created across the 3 acres.  Gardens  Add parking for ease of use and conveniences Neighbors of Craig Dr. have voiced their concerns about development of the area. The neighbors of Craig Dr. are strongly opposed to any development of the acres. Paul Francel asked for a plan to be created and item to be brought back to the Park and Recreation board. c) DISCUSSION, CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION OF ELECTING A VICE-CHAIRMAN FOR THE PARK AND RECREATION BOARD. Chairman Nick Kittredge made a motion to elect Paul Francel as Vice Chairman of Park and Recreation. The motion was seconded by Lyn Land. The Vote was: AYE: Chairman Nick Kittredge, Barbara Groomis, Lyn Land and Vice Chairman Paul Francel NAYE: None d) DISCUSSION, CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION OF APPROVING THE CURRENT PPP PARK FEATURES. Vice Chairman Paul Francel discussed the details of the PPP Park. He explained the location of the splash pad, zip line, play ground equipment, entrance location, safety features and sponsorship opportunities. Park and Recreation Board January 19, 2015 2  7) NEW BUSINESS – a) Unplanned Items. None 8) BOARD MEMBER’S COMMENTS – Paul Fancel- commented the Board needs to begin thinking about bike trails. Piedmont is already a biking destination. Chairman Nick Kittredge - still working on the Biggs land idea. Doing what he can on the project as time allows. Lyn Land - Discussed Biggs land, suggested discussing property in an executive session. The price of the land will continue to go up the more it is discussed openly in meetings and is placed on agendas. Lyn voiced her continued concerned about the Park signs being voted on. She suggested that Chairman Nick Kittredge and his oldest daughter bike the path of the signage. Accidents and injuries that have occurred on the path the signs encourage citizens to ride. An attorney needs to be consulted with before the signs are installed. The signs are encouragements for people to use the pathways for biking and walking. The roads are not appropriate for people to bike and walk on. The roads are too dangerous. The signage was purchase with Safe route to school program. The Safe route to School programs funding is specifically for children. 9) ADJOURN – Meeting adjourn by Chairman Nick Kittredge at 8:15 p.m. ______________________________ ____________________________ Chairman, Nick Kittredge Secretary, Mary Ramsey Park and Recreation Board January 19, 2015 3