Recreation & Parks Commission

RUSSELLVILLE RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION Minutes from Monthly Meeting June 10, 2014 Present: Marvin Collier, Theresa Herrick, Mack Hollis, Chloe Lieblong, Spence Roberts, J.W. Stratton Absent: Andy Hatley, Mike Johnston Person Recording: Kelli Nealy Guests: Jeanette Anderton-The Courier, Christy Austin, Randy Campbell-Russellville School Board, Johnny Johnson-Russellville School District, Matt Long-Russellville School District, Robert Prochazka, Whitney Snipes-RV Leader, Wesley White-Russellville School Board J. W. Stratton called the meeting to order at 12:10pm. Marvin Collier made a motion to accept the minutes from the April meeting. Chloe Lieblong seconded the motion, and the motion passed. Old Business A. Orbit Lane Trail Project/Arkansas Recreational Trails Program Grant-The department has been awarded an Arkansas Recreational Trails Grant through the AR Highway and Transportation Department. Funds will be used to complete the trail project on Orbit Lane. The original budget listed the project cost at $53,000 of which the grant would fund $42,400, and the city would match $10,600. The grant was awarded for $40,000, and the city’s portion is $13,000, however the original quote for the project left out a portion of the trail increasing the city’s portion to $41,000. A recommendation was made to use the funds that are already allocated for the trails system in the capital sales tax account in lieu of turning back the grant funds. Chloe Lieblong made a motion in favor of the recommendation. Marvin Collier seconded the motion, and the motion passed. B. Soccer Complex Field Repairs-The department received a complaint regarding the condition of the fields at the soccer complex. After examining the entire complex, the complaint appears to be valid. Maintenance is underway, and several fields remain playable. Plans are to close the complex during the week to allow maintenance to be done. Dirt and sand are being stockpiled, and goals are being removed from the fields. Sprinkler heads will be marked throughout the complex, low spots will be filled, and fields leveled. Masonry sand will be used to top dress the entire complex, then overcast with Bermuda grass seed and fertilize. Sod will be added where the goals are located. Maintenance costs can be absorbed thru the general grounds maintenance budget unless unexpected expenses are incurred the remainder of the year. Cost is estimated at $6200.00 excluding the cost of water. In 2013, the total turn back in the operations and maintenance portion of the budget equaled approximately $6200.00. If expenses are similar to last year, the cost of water could be covered under the current budget, however plans are to request $7,000.00 from the city council this month to cover the water bills at the complex. A suggestion was made to form a committee to discuss regulating the usage of the fields after maintenance is complete in order to keep them in good condition. Commissioner Lieblong suggested that a sign be posted on the gate informing the public that the park will be closed periodically for maintenance. Currently the budget for fertilizer and spray is $2000.00 annually; however in 2015, this amount will be increased to $4500.00. New Business A. RHS Request for M.J. Hickey Fields-Split Cost of New Backstops for Fields 1 & 6-Projects to be funded by the one cent sales tax include new backstops at Hickey Park. Russellville School District has offered to split the cost of new backstops on fields 1 and 6 with the city. Project cost for field 1 is $33,000 and field 6 is $30,000. Marvin Collier made a motion in favor of partnering with the school district and splitting the cost of the project. Chloe Lieblong seconded the motion, and the motion passed. Russellville School District Athletic Director Johnny Johnson explained that future plans include fundraisers to improve the dugouts on fields 1 and 6, as well as new scoreboards on both fields. B. New Mountain Bike Trail at Dike View Park-A nine mile bike trail, referred to by mountain bike enthusiasts, as Ouita Coal Company Mountain Bike Trail, begins at Illinois Bayou Park trail. The trail is very well maintained by bikers. The bikers have requested the park be included in the city park system as Ouita Coal Company Mountain Bike Trail. The group would also like to see signs posted listing the trail rules. The commissioners were shown a proposed sign that includes the park name and rules. Marvin Collier made a motion in favor of accepting the park, name, and rules. Chloe Lieblong seconded the motion, and the motion passed. C. 2015 Grants- 1. Last year the city applied for a 50/50 matching LWCF grant with funds to be used to light the soccer complex. The amount requested was $206,000 with a total project cost of $413,000. The department was turned down for this grant. After speaking with a lighting company representative, the cost given in 2013 should have an estimated five percent increase. The grants coordinator felt it would be a good idea to reapply for the grant to show interest in the project. A recommendation was made to have Commissioner Mike Johnston and AVSA President Richard Payne assist with the presentation to the grants committee. The commissioners agreed. 2. A recommendation was made to reapply for the Trails for Life grant to show interest in the project. Funds will be used for the trail at the Historic Tree Park. Chloe Lieblong made a motion in favor of reapplying. Marvin Collier seconded the motion, and the motion passed. Updates A. Parks Commission Ordinance-Questions have been raised regarding the ordinances that relate to the parks commission. None of the four ordinances supersede the other, and there were many contradictions. The commissioners were given a copy of new Ordinance No. 2174 which removed the other ordinances and removed the Junior Auxiliary member and the head of the Planning Commission from the commission. This new ordinance does not affect any of the current commissioners. B. Aquatics Center-The City Council did not approve the location selected by the commission for the Aquatic Center. The committee has come up with several new sites to consider. C. Balloons Over RussVegas-The first annual RussVegas Balloon Festival was held May 1 – 4 at the soccer complex. The event was a huge success, and plans are to schedule it annually. A suggestion for the 2015 event includes an improvement in lighting. D. M.J. Hickey Pool (2014)-The pool staff have been hired for the 2014 season with six lifeguards returning from last year. Nathan Ray has been hired as manager, and Craig Gunter is the assistant manager. E. Monthly Report-The commissioners received a copy of the department’s monthly report. F. Upcoming Events-A schedule of upcoming events was given to the commissioners. The meeting adjourned at 1:10pm. 2