Recreation & Parks Commission

RUSSELLVILLE RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION Minutes from Monthly Meeting February 14, 2012 Present: Marvin Collier, Mayor Bill Eaton, Andy Hatley, Theresa Herrick, Mack Hollis, Mike Johnston, J.W. Stratton, Terry Thomas Absent: Chloe Lieblong, Mark Tripp Person Recording: Kelli Nealy Guests: Adam Sweeney-The Courier The meeting was called to order at 12:05pm. Mike Johnston made a motion to accept the minutes from the January meeting. Marvin Collier seconded the motion, and the motion passed. New Business A. ADA Required Pool Lift at M.J. Hickey Pool-Recent ADA regulations require that public pools have a self operating pool lift. Two lifts will be needed at M.J. Hickey Pool due to its size. There are in-ground and portable lifts available. An in-ground lift would cost $3,200 - $3,800 with an additional expense of approximately $1,500 for installation because the lifts must be ground to the pool’s main power source. A portable lift would cost $6,000 with a possible price break given if more than one is purchased. A recommendation was made to purchase portable lifts due to the possibility of constructing an aquatic center in Russellville in the near future. Marvin Collier made a motion in favor of purchasing two portable lifts. Andy Hatley seconded the motion, and the motion passed. The recommendation will be presented to the city council during the February meeting. B. M.J. Hickey Pool Schedule-2012-Information is currently being gathered from various user groups in order to develop a schedule for the use of Hickey Pool that will accommodate the needs of each group. Prior to its closing, the pool at Arkansas Tech University offered aerobics classes, lap swim, and therapeutic classes. A request was made to continue these classes at Hickey Pool. Red Cross recently restructured their organization and would like the parks department to oversee swim lessons. In addition, Pope County Office of Emergency Management would like to use the pool for training purposes. A schedule will be presented to the commission when it is finalized. C. Fourth of July Community Fireworks Display-In 2010, the department joined efforts with The Journey to present a Community Fireworks Display on July 4. In 2011, the event was moved to Pleasant View Park and was offered at no charge to the community. Last year’s display cost approximately $9,000. In 2011, The Journey donated $2,500, and Russellville Advertising & Promotion Commission contributed $6,000. The remaining balance was paid by donations collected in previous years. The current balance in the event account is approximately $1,600. Beginning in 2012, A & P will no longer fund the event because as was stated “it does not put heads in beds”. Collecting from the public is not an option at Pleasant View Park because of potential traffic problems on Highway 7, and if the display is moved back to Old Post Park, The Journey will not participate due to vendor restrictions. A suggestion was made to communicate the issue to the public via The Courier to get input or suggestions then bring it back to the commission in April. D. Addition of Dwight Mission to the City Park System-The Corps of Engineers will be meeting on 2-14-12 to discuss closing some of their parks and campgrounds. One of the properties being considered for closing is Dwight Mission which is located directly across from Illinois Bayou Park. Park usage would increase at Illinois Bayou Park if Dwight Mission is closed. This would result in an increase in maintenance cost. After reviewing the property at Dwight Mission, the department’s maintenance foreman feels that maintenance would be minimal at the park. A suggestion was made to add Dwight Mission to our park inventory. Marvin Collier made a motion in favor of the addition to our park system. J.W. Stratton seconded the motion, and the motion passed. The request to add the property to our existing lease will be presented to the city council for approval after a public hearing on March 12. E. Proposed Capital Improvements at M.J. Hickey Park-This agenda item was tabled due to lack of information. General Update A. Illinois Bayou Park-Clearing work is almost complete at Illinois Bayou Park. Culverts will be installed soon. B. Splash Pad-The splash pad project is currently on hold. The mayor sent a letter to Junior Auxiliary of Russellville requesting a letter of commitment. No response has been received. C. Monthly Report-The commissioners received a copy of the department’s monthly report. D. Upcoming Events-A schedule of upcoming events was given to the commissioners. E. Future Agenda Items- Indoor Swimming Pool/Aquatic Center Policy on Firearms in City Parks The meeting adjourned at 12.40pm.