Recreation & Parks Commission

RUSSELLVILLE RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION Minutes from Monthly Meeting March 10, 2015 Present: Marvin Collier, Bryan Fisher, Matt Gray, Andy Hatley, Mack Hollis, Mayor Horton, J.W. Stratton, Terry Thomas Absent: Theresa Herrick, Tommy Hindsman, Spence Roberts Person Recording: Kelli Nealy Guests: Josh Carey-RV Bike Polo, Ken Harper, Bill Hefley-RV Veterans Coalition, Sean Ingram-The Courier, Allen Kimball, Liz Kimball, Gary Knudsen, Steve Newby, Bill Rowlett, Whitney Snipes-RV Leader J. W. Stratton called the meeting 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. River Valley Bicycle Polo Club Request-The River Valley Bicycle Polo Club presented a request to the commission in February to use the tennis courts at Shiloh Park to play bicycle polo. City Ordinance 1384 prohibits any person from riding a bicycle on property where signs are posted, however signs are not posted at Shiloh Park tennis courts. A recommendation was made to follow the current park policy which would allow the group to use the courts on a first come/first serve basis or by paying a reservation fee. Marvin Collier made a motion in favor of the recommendation. Bryan Fisher seconded the motion, and the motion passed. B. Park Utilities-No action was taken by the City Council after a request was presented for the city to pay the water bills at all athletic facilities. The recently approved turf plan does not include funds to pay the water bills, and the expense was not included in the 2015 budget. In the past, the bills have been paid by the various user groups. The commissioners were asked if they would like to have Alderman Roberts present the request to the Council again or look at an alternate funding source. Commissioner Stratton was in favor of speaking with Alderman Roberts. New Business A. Old Shorty Plans-The Corps of Engineers approved the request to add the “Old Shorty” area of Bona Dea Trail to the existing lease. The area has been added to the city park system. The department will be partnering with the River Valley Veterans Coalition to develop the park. Veterans Coalition Representative Allen Kimball addressed the commission and explained the park will be completed in phases primarily due to funding. Plans include movement of monuments from the Pope County Courthouse and from Veterans Park. The next phase includes development of the parking lot which will be handicapped accessible and large enough to accommodate RVs. Preliminary cost of the project is $66,643.50. Mr. Kimball explained during the January commission meeting that the work will be funded through grants, and the only cash outlay for the city would be for mowing and chemicals. B. Public Hearing-A public hearing needs to be scheduled to receive input about changing the name of the existing Veterans Park, naming the recently obtained “Old Shorty” area, and discussing the development plans for the new park. After a brief discussion, a recommendation was made to schedule the public meeting for Monday, March 30 at 6:00pm at the Hughes Center. The commissioners were in favor of the recommendation. Copies of the Public Park and Facility Naming Policy were given to the commissioners. C. Request to Add a Dock at Illinois Bayou Park-The commissioners were informed of a request submitted by the Russellville Rowing Club to add a dock at Illinois Bayou Park for rowing shells. Club representative Steve Newby explained that the sport is enjoyed by males and females of all ages. The club is in formation, and Wichita State has rented the club a shell at a nominal fee to start the program. The commissioners were in favor of the request, and Mack has already obtained approval from the Corps of Engineers. D. 2015 Christmas Parade Theme-Christmas around the World, Christmas Memories, Visions of Christmas, and Holiday Movies were considered as the theme for the 2015 Russellville Christmas Parade. A recommendation was made to select Holiday Movies as the theme this year. Andy Hatley made a motion in favor of the recommendation. Marvin Collier seconded the motion, and the motion passed. Updates A. Russellville Aquatic Center-The commissioners were invited to attend a meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, March 10 at 6:00pm regarding the Russellville Aquatic Center. A representative from ETC Engineering & Architects will be available to answer questions. B. Athletic Fields Turf Program-In addition to $5,000 included in the 2015 budget, the department received $7,000 from City Council and $21,000 from the Advertising & Promotion Commission to begin the turf program. Athletic Director Matt Gray passed the AR State Plant Board pest control examination. The sprayer and chemicals have been ordered. C. Hickey Park Construction Fields 1 & 6-Work continues on fields 1 and 6 at Hickey Park. The dugouts and backstops are finished, and the scoreboards have been installed. D. Monthly Report-The commissioners received a copy of the department’s monthly report. E. Upcoming Events-A schedule of upcoming events was given to the commissioners. The meeting adjourned at 12:45pm.