Parks & Recreation Commission

MINUTES OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Parks & Recreation Office 1101 W. Fourth Street October 15, 2018 5:30 PM Call to Order Chair JaneAnn Oldrup called the October 15, 2018 meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. In Attendance The following were present: Members: JaneAnn Oldrup, Barry Mathison, Becky Joyce, Maegan Sanders and Hannah Robertson. The following were absent: James Edwards and Kim Elliott. Staff present included Jim Burress, Director of Parks and Recreation and Gina Montague, Marketing Coordinator/Senior Administrative Assistant Guests present included Councilor Jacob Roebuck; Carlton Blewett, Nancy Lopez Golf Course Pro; Alex Ross, Roswell Daily Record Reporter; Jim and Donna Lanfair. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Member Mathison motioned to approve the agenda as presented; member Sanders seconded, a voice vote was unanimous, the motion passed with members Edwards and Elliott being absent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Member Joyce motioned to approve the minutes of the September 20, 2018 meeting, member Mathison seconded. A voice vote was unanimous and the motion passed with members Edwards and Elliott being absent. NON-ACTION ITEMS 2. Discussion of potential new park Director, Jim Burress and Councilor Jacob Roebuck explained that the old Chisum School property on the southeast side of town has been identified as a suitable location for a new park. Burress explained that the children in this neighborhood are landlocked on both sides by major highways and would have to cross one in order to reach a park. This property is City-owned and basically a blank-slate. Burress went on to explain that the parks staff could provide the equipment and manpower needed to transform the property into a park, however the Parks Department would need additional funding to purchase the playground equipment and other amenities such as backstops, benches, tables and trash cans. 3. Discussion of trail etiquette, bike and pedestrian guidelines  Director, Jim Burress explained that several concerned citizens have approached him regarding the lack of trail etiquette by trail users in Roswell. To address the issue, Burress stated that perhaps signage on the trail with guidelines of proper etiquette might help with the problem. Parks staff have researched what other cities use for their trail etiquette guidelines and came up with a list. This was presented to the Commission for comment and/or additional suggestions. ACTION ITEMS 4. Resolution 18-60 – Discuss and consider recommendation of Resolution 18-60 to amend the budget to allocate funding to replace the rocket play structure currently located at the Spring River Park and Zoo. The Rocket play structure at the Zoo is over 50 years old and unsafe for public use. Councilor Roebuck spoke to the Commission to the importance of honoring the legacy of the Rocket play structure as it has been an iconic and memorable fixture for several generations of children in Roswell. Two examples of what kind of play structures could be purchased to replace the Rocket were presented to the Commission. Member Mathison motioned to recommend Resolution 18-60 to amend the budget to allocate funding to replace the rocket play structure currently located at Spring River Park and Zoo. Member Joyce seconded, a voice vote was unanimous, and the motion passed with members Edwards and Elliott being absent. 5. Resolution 18-61 – Discuss and consider recommendation of Resolution 18-61 to amend the budget to relocate and improve the rocket play structure currently located at the Spring River Park and Zoo. Councilor Roebuck informed the Commission of a plan to remove the Rocket play structure from the Zoo, transport it to an artists’ warehouse where it will be improved with additions, paint and lights. Once complete, it will relocated to an area yet to be determined, perhaps somewhere downtown. This is to preserve the history of the Rocket and to create an attraction with signage as to the history of the Rocket and a tool to direct visitors to the Spring River Park and Zoo. Commission members have received feedback from other members of the community whom feel that the Rocket should remain at the Zoo. Chair, JaneAnn Oldrup read aloud an email from Councilor Elliott in which he advocated for the Rocket to remain at the Zoo. Member Mathison motioned to recommend Resolution 18-61 to amend the budget to relocate and improve the rocket play structure currently located at the Spring River Park and Zoo, noting that if the Rocket is relocated adequate signage be erected to provide the history of the Rocket and direct tourists to visit the Spring River Park and Zoo. Member Sanders seconded, a voice vote was unanimous, and the motion passed with members Edwards and Elliott being absent. 6. Discuss and consider recommendation to increase the senior membership rate at the golf course to include weekends and holidays. Nancy Lopez Golf Pro, Carlton Blewett explained to the Commission that currently the senior golf membership rate is $420 annually, but does not include weekends and holidays. He proposed adding a new senior membership rate of $475 annually that would include weekends and holidays. After review of other local golf courses, this rate would remain competitive. He also stated that after  talking this through with the Commission, it occurred to him the lack of a couples’ senior rate to include weekends and holidays, which he proposed to be $600. It was clarified that the new rates would not be eliminating the previous rates. If they preferred, seniors could still choose the current rate of $420 annually for singles, and $580 annually for couples’, excluding the weekends and holidays. That would remain the same. This would just be an additional option to increase senior memberships. Member Robertson motioned to recommend to add a senior single membership and couples’ membership rate at the golf course to include weekends and holidays. Member Joyce seconded, a voice vote was unanimous, and the motion passed with members Edwards and Elliott being absent. OTHER BUSINESS 7. PUBLIC COMMENTS Roswell citizens Jim and Donna Lanfair spoke to the Commission stating that they enjoy pickelball, one of the fastest growing sports nationally. However at this time, they have no courts to play. Director Jim Burress stated that he has seen and heard of the growing interest in pickleball and would be willing to paint the lines in court #6 of the Cahoon Park tennis courts and anything the department could do to increase the usage of Parks & Recreation facilities was to be encouraged. ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 6:47 p.m. Next Commission Meeting: November 19, 2018 at 5:30 p.m.