Parks, Recreation & Forestry Advisory Board

Parks, Recreation, & Forestry Advisory Board – MINUTES Thursday, May 16th, 2019 I City Hall – Council Chambers I 7:30 am MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: 7:31am ATTENDANCE: Ehnes, Rauterkus, Clark, Donat, McDonald, City Attorney McDonald, Hall, Gefvert, City Administrator Harmon, Peters, Neilson APPROVAL OF AGENDA – Motion by Gefvert, Second by Hall – Motion Carries APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Motion by Gefvert, Second by Hall – Motion Carries ITEMS FROM VISITORS (Policy Note: Visitors are limited to 5 minutes of presentation followed by questions)  Chris Olson-Dugout covers at Spearfish Forest Products Complex. o Chris is a board member of the youth softball/baseball association. They currently play at the Major and Minor Fields which are the only fields currently without dugout covers. Would like to start the project in July or Aug. There is a company willing to donate the materials needed. o Next step is to take it to engineering to get approval. o Motion by Gefvert to support dug out covers; second by Hall – Motion Carries  Elkhorn Ridge Playground o HOA plans to put in a playground in the Elkhorn Ridge development. The playground would have features for ages 2-5 & 5&12. They are requesting $108,000 from the City. They plan to contribute $160,500. To limit City involvement with maintenance, a MOU would be in place for mowing and irrigation. o Motion by Neilson to support and move forward with playground project; second by Gefvert – Motion Carries OLD BUSINESS Director Items  Special Event Policy Discussion o Ehnes looked into other communities – Each community had a different policy. Start looking into our procedure, policy & possibly and ordinance. Hall would like to start a low level policy, procedure, etc. o Ehnes will start to change/update handbook. Board Items  BylLaws update and vote o Motion by Hall to approve changes to by-laws; second by Gefvert – Motion carries Park & Forestry  Lookout Mountain Update o Park,Rec and Forestry Superintendent McDonald has been in contact with Black Hills Energy they would like to do some tree trimming for line clearance. Due to the restrictions we have from the Wildlife Foundation work is on hold until they approve of the work. o McDonald has been in contact with Paul Bosworth about trail maintenance, he has also reached out to the Wildlife Foundation about what can and cannot be done on the mountain. Trimming along current trails and surface maintenance are approved projects. Would Next Meeting – June 20, 2019 7:30 am Council Chambers  Parks, Recreation, & Forestry Advisory Board – MINUTES Thursday, May 16th, 2019 I City Hall – Council Chambers I 7:30 am be installing water bars to help erosion and mud sliding in the running. We are currently working on a MOU with Black Hills Trails who currently volunteer for trail maintenance. Paul would like to look at installing trail markers as well to help future users. o The grazing lease will go to a public hearing on June 3rd. The lease will be a 3 year lease with the option of a 2 year extension. The lease will run for June 15 – Sept 15. The Wildlife Foundation has approved the addition of a temporary water source to be added to the mountain. The lessee will be able to use the access road to fill the tank. Rec & Aquatic Center NEW BUSINESS Director Items Board Items Park & Forestry  Emerald Ash Borer Plan o EAB is currently not in Spearfish, but we would like to have a plan in place before it arrives. There are just over 3,000 Ash trees in Spearfish that will be affected. Ehnes and McDonald would like to start a tree inventory with GPS software and potentially get a BHSU intern to help. o Update firewood ordinance. o The board’s role is to give ideas, citizen perspective, and spread awareness. o Goal is to get this to City Council for approval in the fall of 2019. Rec & Aquatic Center  Waterpark Update o Opening May 25 – weather dependent. o Deep pool is filled. o Synthetic turf will be installed in the fall. o 1075 waterpark season passes were sold. Additional Discussion  Capital improvement plan. o Set up a side meeting – the board has a responsibility to help short and long term planning. Anything that is going to last more than 1 year and is more than $5,000 o Look at proposed dates, email out to board  Jorgensen Park Build this weekend. Ainsworth Benning has been a huge player, Schultz Construction, Kenadi Jean Weis Foundation; 100 volunteers going to show up to help with install. Next Meeting – June 20, 2019 7:30 am Council Chambers  Parks, Recreation, & Forestry Advisory Board – MINUTES Thursday, May 16th, 2019 I City Hall – Council Chambers I 7:30 am Any Further Public Comments: 8:46 am - Motion by Gefvert to adjourn; Second by Neilson – Motion carries Next Meeting – June 20, 2019 7:30 am Council Chambers