Recreation & Parks Commission

RUSSELLVILLE RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION Minutes from Monthly Meeting September 8, 2015 Present: Marvin Collier, Andy Hatley, Theresa Herrick, Mack Hollis, Spence Roberts, J.W. Stratton, Terry Thomas Absent: Bryan Fisher, Tommy Hindsman Person Recording: Kelli Nealy Guests: ATU students from a Recreation & Park Admin. Class J.W. Stratton called the meeting to order at 12:05pm. Marvin Collier made a motion to accept the minutes from the June meeting. Andy Hatley seconded the motion, and the motion passed. New Business A. Request for Shade Covers at M.J. Hickey Park Field 6-Russellville School District Athletic Director Johnny Johnson and R.H.S. Softball Coach Harley Sisson inquired about shade structures on field 6 at Hickey Park. This is one of the park capital projects to be funded by the one cent sales tax. The commissioners were reminded that according to a directive by the City Council, all capital park projects will be postponed until funds have been received to complete the soccer lighting project. In doing this, the shade structure project could be delayed two years. Estimated cost for the shade structures is $19,370.00. A recommendation was made to ask City Council if the project could be completed prior to receiving all the monies for soccer lighting. Marvin Collier made a motion in favor of the recommendation. Andy Hatley seconded the motion, and the motion passed. Note-Via one on one visits, Mack got approval for $25,000 based on an updated quote. B. Policy for Inflatables in City Parks-A policy is needed regarding the use of inflatables in city parks due to an increase in their use. Fayetteville Parks Department doesn’t allow them in their parks, and the Corps of Engineers requires renters complete a special event application when using inflatables. Inflatables that use water are not permitted in Corps parks. Alderman Roberts suggested the pavilion rental contracts require the renter to indicate if inflatables will be used. A recommendation was made to require all renters using inflatables complete a special event application and provide proof of $1M general liability insurance. Inflatables that use water will no longer be allowed in Russellville city parks due to the damage they cause, as well as the availability of water. Commissioner Collier made a motion to only allow inflatables without water, and require the renter to complete a special event application, as well as provide proof of $1M liability insurance. Commissioner Hatley seconded the motion, and the motion passed. C. Park Inspections-Playground safety inspections are done twice per year; however a more in depth inspection was completed recently of the parks. Commissioners were shown slides of some of the findings. A suggestion was made to use some of the funds from the one cent sales tax that is earmarked for park other projects to complete some of the repairs. Mack will try to have estimates at the October meeting. Updates A. Phoenix Avenue Trail-Slides were shown of work done on the Phoenix Avenue Trail. Cleaning and grubbing is about 80% complete. The trail will connect Bona Dea Trail to North Phoenix Avenue decreasing traffic on Lake Front Drive and Arkansas Avenue. B. Athletic Fields Turf Program-Assistant Director Terry Thomas explained to the commission that the turf plan is in its final phase. Plans include fertilizing Pleasant View Park, Hickey Park, and the Soccer Complex this week, and one more spray will be done in late October. Infields have been cut on fields 3, 4, 5, and 7 at Hickey Park, and sand has been delivered. Dirt will be stockpiled at Pleasant View Park, and the work will be completed thru the winter. C. Aquatic Center-The latest plans for the Russellville Aquatic Center were over budget. ETC Engineering & Architects are working on a “punch list” of things that could be eliminated to lower cost. Due to a reduction in the price of metal, plans may be changed back to an open air structure. The committee will meet to review the list when completed. D. LWCF Grant-Soccer Field Lights-The LWCF grant application for field lighting at the Soccer Complex was submitted in August. The amount requested on the grant is $230,000 with project cost estimated at $460,000. Notification should be received in March or April 2016. E. Upcoming Events-A schedule of upcoming events was given to the commissioners. F. Monthly Report-The commissioners received a copy of the department’s monthly report. Commissioners were invited to attend the groundbreaking for the new Veterans Memorial Park Tuesday, September 15 at 9:00am. The meeting adjourned at 12:40pm.