Parks, Recreation & Forestry Advisory Board

Parks, Recreation, & Forestry Advisory Board – Minutes Thursday, June 20th, 2019 I City Hall – Council Chambers I 7:30 am Meeting Called to Order: 7:32 am Attendance: Rauterkus, Hall, McDonald, Donat, Gefvert, Caldwell, Eisenbraun, Peters, Neilson, Coburn, Hansen APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Motion by Hall to amend the agenda by moving Concession stand on the upper field at Spartan Park to “Items for Visitors”. Second by Caldwell – Motion Carries APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion by Gefvert to approve minutes from June meeting; Coburn seconds – Motion carries ITEMS FROM VISITORS (Policy Note: Visitors are limited to 5 minutes of presentation followed by questions)  Concession Stand on the upper field at Spartan Park – Brian Lucas from Rams football talked about building a concession stand in a different location at Spartan Park Field. The new location would be by the scoreboard, making it a more neutral area for the other team. They are not requesting money, just permission. o Gefvert moves to support the plans to relocate the concession stand. Second by Neilson; Motion carries.  Al Block was present and presented some ideas on the outdoor pickleball project. Block has a background as a civil engineer; he gathered and presented different options and numbers for the project. INFORMATION ITEM: Grand Opening of Jorgensen Park will be August 24th. OLD BUSINESS Director Items  Board Items Park & Forestry  Emerald Ash Borer – Vote on acceptance of a plan to forward to City Council o McDonald presented on the plan, looking for a vote on 3 separate items. o 1. Cost-share program for removing and replanting trees in the Boulevard. Currently, the city allocates $25,000 per year. McDonald and Ehnes expect the number to increase to $94,500 - $200,000 a year when infestation hits. McDonald presented that Ehnes would like to keep the cost-share program. Peters asked if the department could put a cap on the dollar amount spent each year.  Coburn moves to support the continuation of the cost-share program with the addition of a cap. Second by Caldwell; motion carries. o 2. Preemptive Plan – Would like to start removing 5% of Ash trees each year which equals about 35 trees each year. Next Meeting – Aug 15, 2019 7:30 am Council Chambers  Parks, Recreation, & Forestry Advisory Board – Minutes Thursday, June 20th, 2019 I City Hall – Council Chambers I 7:30 am  Gefvert moves to support preemptive plan. Second by Hall; motion carries o 3. Choosing a management plan. 1. Remove all Ash trees. 2. Treat key trees for 2 years. 3. Combination thereof – most realistic option. Ehnes recommendation would be to support the combination plan  Gefvert moves to support the combination plan. Second by Eisenbraun; motion carries. o Other discussion includes outlawing outside firewood in local campgrounds. State campgrounds are more strict than small local campgrounds.  Soccer Complex Update – Report findings on covenants o City Attorney McDonald reported that the current covenant would not allow ball fields to be constructed out at the Atlas building. In order to amend covenants would have to get at least 75% of lot owners to agree. Donat will talk to the SCDC about their concerns. The conversation will be continued in future meetings.  Pickle Ball Update – Update on status of the outdoor pickleball courts o CVD construction came in with a bid $114,000 over engineers estimate. McDonald and Ehnes will reopen it for bids in early 2020 in hopes of receiving a bid within budget. To still be eligible for the grant we received the project must be completed by Dec 31, 2021. Coburn suggests talking to the pickleball group about different options.  Reserve Playground Update o Playground installed and woodchips have been placed. The woodchips were graciously donated by Neiman Enterprises. The project was a 50/50 cost share with the HOA at Reserve. o Rec & Aquatic Center  Fitness Equipment Update o 2 Star Trek Treadmills, 2 Life Fitness Treadmills, & 1 Airdyne bike ordered. NEW BUSINESS Director Items Board Items Park & Forestry  Adopt a Park – New idea for sourcing volunteers in our parks o Outside businesses or organizations get some volunteers to do some general maintenance on the parks. First come first serve basis – painting, staining, and garbage cleanup. Rapid City currently has a program similar to this. Board supports the idea, would like McDonald to explore the idea more. Next Meeting – Aug 15, 2019 7:30 am Council Chambers  Parks, Recreation, & Forestry Advisory Board – Minutes Thursday, June 20th, 2019 I City Hall – Council Chambers I 7:30 am Rec & Aquatic Center Any Further Public Comments: Next Meeting – Aug 15, 2019 7:30 am Council Chambers