Recreation & Parks Commission

RUSSELLVILLE RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION Minutes from Monthly Meeting March 11, 2014 Present: Marvin Collier, Mayor Bill Eaton, Andy Hatley, Theresa Herrick, Mack Hollis, Chloe Lieblong, Spence Roberts, J.W. Stratton, Terry Thomas Absent: Mike Johnston Person Recording: Kelli Nealy Guests: Perry Carr & Mizan Rahman-ETC Engineers & Architects, Dave Brown-River Valley Leader, Whitney Snipes-The Courier, Glen Bishop, Bob Burris, Tina Chronister, Bucky Croom, Bert Fleck, Freddie Harris, Gary Knudsen, Jim Lynch, Dan Nicholson, Carol Shoptaw, Nancy Smith, Richard Smith, Chad Weisler, Wesley Zulfer The meeting was called to order at 12:05pm. Marvin Collier made a motion to accept the minutes from the February meeting. Andy Hatley seconded the motion, and the motion passed. Old Business A. Aquatics Center (ETC)-During the January commission meeting, the list of potential sites for the Russellville th Aquatic Center was narrowed to three. The three sites selected were Vick Field, the Boys & Girls Club property on 19 Street, and North Phoenix Avenue. ETC Project Manager Mizan Rahman distributed copies of a detailed qualitative analysis on the three sites. Each site was analyzed and scored based on 23 parameters such as accessibility/parking, visibility, land cost, flooding potential, and property size/future expansion. The maximum score for each location was 230 points. Vick Field received a score of 186, the property on Phoenix Avenue scored 184, and the Boys & Girls property th scored 139. The land would have to be purchased on 19 Street which contributed to the lower score for that site. Mayor Eaton said Bert Fleck gave him a price of $100,000 for the land owned by the Boys & Girls Club. The city already owns the property for the other two proposed locations. Ease and cost of construction was one of the reasons Vick Field scored higher. Connecting water and sewer services to the North Phoenix property would cost approximately $80,000. There are 4.5 acres above the flood plain on North Phoenix, Vick Field is 3 acres, and between 11 and 12 acres are available from the Boys & Girls Club. Commissioners appeared skeptical of the Vick Field location because of space limitations. Alderman Spence Roberts said it would be easy to put the facility at Vick Field, but it’s not the answer. ETC Vice President Perry Carr told the commissioners that ETC is ultimately a pool designer, and the location of the Aquatic Center would be decided by the city. He said not to let expansion be the determining factor in choosing a site. He cited examples of other cities that have expanded their aquatic facilities by building in a different location. He explained that a new outdoor facility would not necessarily have to be built at the same site as the indoor facility. Boys & Girls Club Board Member Bert Fleck stated that 150 children attend their club daily and would benefit from the facility. Marvin Collier made a motion to select the North Phoenix property as the site for the aquatic facility. There was no second, therefore the th motion died. Commissioner Lieblong likes the property on Phoenix Avenue and 19 Street; but she is concerned because th the property on 19 Street would have to be purchased. Boys & Girls Club Board Member Chad Weisler said they are eager to present a firm quote for their property once the amount of acreage is determined. Mr. Rahman explained that the ability to expand the facility at the North Phoenix site would depend on the size of the expansion. Gary Knudsen said he prefers the Phoenix Avenue site because of its proximity to the interstate and Russellville Junior High School. He explained that he has a problem purchasing land when the city owns property that is available. Commissioner Hatley suggested that the commissioners meet with select groups to obtain information that is needed to make a decision. He said there are too many questions that need to be answered before a decision can be made. Chloe Lieblong made a motion to schedule a special commission meeting to obtain additional information. Andy Hatley seconded the motion, and the motion passed. The meeting was scheduled for Thursday, March 27 at 6:00pm at the Hughes Center. Updates A. Monthly Report-The commissioners received a copy of the department’s monthly report. B. Upcoming Events-A schedule of upcoming events was given to the commissioners. The meeting adjourned at 1:10pm.