Parks & Recreation Commission
Regular MeetingRoswell, NM · January 14, 2019
Minutes
MINUTES OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Parks & Recreation Office
1101 W. Fourth Street
January 14, 2019
5:30 PM
Call to Order
Chair JaneAnn Oldrup called the January 14, 2019 meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
The following were present:
Members: JaneAnn Oldrup, Becky Joyce, Hannah Robertson and Kim Elliott. The following
were absent: James Edwards, Barry Mathison and Maegan Sanders.
Staff present: Elizabeth Gilbert, Director of Administrative Services, Jim Burress, Director of
Parks and Recreation, Laurie Dudek, Recreation Superintendent, Damian Cheatem,
Recreation Supervisor and Gina Montague, Marketing Coordinator/Senior Administrative
Assistant
Public present: Councilor Judy Stubbs, Allison Penn, Roswell Daily Record and Larry
Connolly.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Member Elliott motioned to approve the agenda with the recommendation to remove Non-
action item #2 as the presenters decided not to do a presentation; member Joyce
seconded, a voice vote was unanimous, the motion passed with members Edwards,
Mathison and Sanders being absent.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Member Robertson motioned to approve the minutes of the October 15, 2018
meeting, member Joyce seconded. A voice vote was unanimous and the motion
passed with members Edwards, Mathison and Sanders being absent.
NON-ACTION ITEMS
2. Ms. Sonia Phillips and Ms. Becky Roberson presentation on Pickleball
3. Discuss Resolutions 18-60 and 18-61 regarding the Rocket Play Structure at
Spring River Park and Zoo
Jim Burress, Director discussed Resolutions 18-60 and 18-61 that were
approved by the City Council on December 13, 2018.
4. Discussion of Race Pricing
Jim Burress, Director explained the reason for the increase in price for the last
race was due to renting a chip timing system in order for the Recreation
department to test. The department has now purchased their own chip timing
system and the price of the races is likely to decrease. However, it will be
determined based on expenses and cost recovery. At the higher rate it is still
competitive with what other communities charge for their races and runs.
ACTION ITEMS
5. Discuss and consider proposal to amend the budget to allocate funding to create
a new park at South Virginia and East Keith Street
Director Jim Burress provided a CES contract quote from AK Sales on the cost of
a new playground unit at the proposed park site. The total is $91,763.44. Mr.
Burress provided a memo stating the cost of the irrigation, supplies, materials,
trees and landscaping for this park would be an additional $85,000. In total, the
cost of the new park would be approximately $177,000. Mr. Burress explained
that even though the City is above the national average for acres of greenspace
versus population per capita; this area of town is underserved. The children in
this particular neighborhood are landlocked by highways on the East and West,
the Cemetery to the South. To reach the nearest park, they have to cross a
highway. The proposed park site is City-owned property. Member Elliott
motioned to make a recommendation to City Council to consider developing this
new park at South Virginia and East Keith Street, member Joyce seconded. A
voice vote was unanimous and the motion passed with members Edwards,
Mathison and Sanders being absent.
OTHER BUSINESS
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Roswell citizen Larry Connolly asked what is Pickleball? Jim Burress, Director
described it as a game between tennis and ping pong. It is a smaller court than
tennis, uses a different paddle, and a whiffle-type ball. It is becoming an
extremely popular sport across the United States.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 6:22 p.m.
Next Commission meeting: February 11, 2019 at 5:30 p.m.
Agenda
ROSWELL PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Monday, January 14, 2019 at 5:30 pm
Conference Room at Parks and Recreation
Commission Chair: JaneAnn Oldrup
Commission Members: James Edwards,
Barry Mathison, Maegan Sanders, Becky Joyce,
Kim Elliott, and Hannah Robertson
Staff Coordinator: Jim Burress, Director of Parks and Recreation
A. Call to Order
B. Roll Call
C. Approval of the Agenda
D. Approval of the Minutes
1. Consider approval of the October 20, 2018 meeting minutes.
E. Non-Action Items
2. Ms. Sonia Phillips and Ms. Becky Robertson presentation on Pickleball.
3. Discuss Resolutions 18-60 and 18-61 regarding the Rocket Play Structure at Spring
River Park and Zoo
4. Discussion of Race Pricing
F. Regular Items (Action Items)
5. Discuss and consider proposal to amend the budget to allocate funding to create a
new park at South Virginia Street and East Keith Street.
G. Other Business
6. Public Comments
H. Adjourn
Next meeting February 11, 2019
Notice of this meeting has been given to the public in compliance with Sections 10-15-1 through 10-15-4 NMSA 1978 and Resolution 18-55.
NOTICE OF POTENTIAL QUORUM – A quorum of the City Council may or may not attend, but there will not be debate by the City Council.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or
service to attend or participate in the hearing or meeting, please contact Human Resources at 575-624-6700 at least one week prior to the meeting or
as soon as possible. Public documents including the agenda and minutes can be provided in various accessible formats. Please contact the City Clerk
at 575-624-6700 if a summary or other type of accessible format is needed.
Printed and posted: January 9, 2019
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.
Get email alerts for Roswell
A daily email when new agendas and minutes are posted.