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Parks, Recreation & Forestry Advisory Board

Regular Meeting

Spearfish, SD · October 20, 2022

AgendaMinutes

Minutes

Parks, Recreation, & Forestry Advisory Board – MINUTES Thursday, October 20th, 2022, Council Chambers 7:30 A.M. The meeting was held in the Council Chambers and is available on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/cVqqbLTo7Dlw1pTmUnckw2CaQqC2DJ84is945ZeeKm3cxRgqUa 4qHuJHuOS6nO0J.uW3xjFK7NT3vmUo_?startTime=1666272679000 CALL TO ORDER 7:31 A.M. ROLL CALL In attendance: Caldwell, Coburn, Dardis, Griffith, Holden, Neilson, Reth, Running, and Weigel. Also in attendance were City Administrator McFarland, P&R Director Ehnes, SRAC Facility Superintendent Rauterkus, Parks Maintenance Superintendent McDonald, City Attorney McDonald, Recreation and Campground Coordinator Wetz, and Administrative Assistant Heiting. Absent: Clark. DECLARATION OF ANY POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST No conflicts of interest were declared. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Weigel moved, Dardis second, and all voted to approve the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Neilson moved, Reth second, and all voted to approve the minutes of the September 15th, 2022, meeting. PUBLIC COMMENT Public comment was opened at 7:33 A.M. with no comments being received. OLD BUSINESS Board Items  Make a recommendation on the playground equipment at Evans Park. o McFarland made an opening statement expressing his appreciation for the involvement of the community as well as requesting that the community understands that the end goal is to provide safe equipment for the children. McFarland encouraged the community members wanting to stay involved to attend the city council meeting where this topic will be discussed. o Ehnes spoke about the history of the Rocketship as well as a summary of the requirements to get the Rocketship compliant with the current safety standards. Ehnes stated a law was passed in 2010 mandating that any playground equipment renovated or refurbished after the year 2012 is required to meet the ADA standards. o Ehnes explained that he met with Ainsworth-Benning as well as Mid-States Welding to evaluate the repairs needed, as well as obtain quotes for renovations. Weigel Next Meeting – November 17th, 2022, 7:30 A.M. Council Chambers Parks, Recreation, & Forestry Advisory Board – MINUTES Thursday, October 20th, 2022, Council Chambers 7:30 A.M. questioned when the information on the cost of renovation will be available. Ehnes stated that quotes are expected to be available within the next couple of weeks. o Ehnes showcased renderings of replacement equipment. o A member of the audience questioned why the swings currently attached to the Rocketship equipment need to be removed. Ehnes replied that according to the new safety standards, swings cannot be attached to a composite structure; therefore, the current swings no longer meet safety standards. o Public Comment:  Lynn Ensor, 504 Fruitdale Dr, Spearfish expressed that she has two goals in mind at the beginning of the discussion about the removal of the Rocketship from Evans Park. The goals are to show appreciation to the Parker family for the donation of the equipment and to bring awareness of how the removal of the Rocketship will impact the surrounding neighborhood and the overall community. Lynn stated that she has conducted in-depth research and has talked to local individuals and businesses willing to assist in the renovations.  Lou Bell, 1521 Third Street, Spearfish expressed that she has made memories playing at the Rocketship and feels that Evans Park is a safe park.  Rodney Ross, 2152 Tumble Weed Trail, Spearfish owner of Mid-States Welding voiced that after placing the Rocketship removal project on social media, interest in the project has received a significant amount of feedback and feels as though there is enough community support to help get the Rocketship to meet current safety standards.  Patricia Partridge 119 Yukon place, Spearfish expressed that she takes her grandchildren to the park daily and believes nostalgia is very important. She believes that the longevity of the metal playground will outlast a plastic variation, as our harsh weather conditions age materials at a faster rate.  Kerri Gray-Wood, 114 Vermont Street, Spearfish spoke about the uniqueness that the Rocketship offers and what the structure means to the community. Ms. Gray-Wood believes the Rocketship is a cultural landmark and would like it to be taken into consideration that removing the equipment is a serious matter. Ms. Gray-Wood questioned if there is a possibility to renovate the Rocketship and further develop new opportunities surrounding Evans Park. She feels that the community is working hard on finding clever and creative ways to keep the existing park equipment. However, if there is no solution and Next Meeting – November 17th, 2022, 7:30 A.M. Council Chambers Parks, Recreation, & Forestry Advisory Board – MINUTES Thursday, October 20th, 2022, Council Chambers 7:30 A.M. the Rocketship must be taken down, she requests that the new equipment be purchased locally.  Jeff Parker,19941 Crow Peak Road, Spearfish expressed that the potential removal of the Rocketship has created emotional distress for his family as the Rocketship was donated as a memorial for his son who passed away at an early age. Dr. Parker expressed appreciation for all the support and has requested that if the removal is necessary, the family would like the structure returned.  Randy Diebert, 1715 Scott Ave, Spearfish shared that Spearfish has a history of family and community involvement with the donation of property. Mr. Diebert requested more time to explore further options and potentially see if any charitable groups would provide monetary donations to this project to fund the necessary upgrades to the Rocketship, create pods, and provide new equipment in the park.  Joe Powell, 111 DuBois Lane, Spearfish stated that she is very pleased with our parks and what Spearfish has to offer. As a former art teacher, Powell expressed that by keeping the Rocketship we value our sense of community. She thanked Dr. Parker for sharing his son’s sense of joy with our city.  Amber Ginter, 106 West Main, Chambers, NE attended via zoom. She is a former resident of Spearfish and she felt that the Rocketship is a staple of Spearfish. When she returns to visit family, Ginter makes it a point to take loved ones to Evans Park to play on the Rocketship.  Elizabeth Mattson, 159 Aurora Street, Spearfish attended via zoom and shared that she would like to see the repairs be done due to the sustainability and the nostalgia that the park provides to local community members.  A member of the audience questioned the cost of repairs for the Rocketship in Spencer, Iowa. Ms. Ensor replied that she was not able to receive that information.  Griffth expressed that at this time we are not aware of the renovation cost. Once the cost is determined the board will be able to determine the following steps.  Reth expressed appreciation for the comments from the community members.  Weigel expressed her appreciation for the community feedback as well as the suggestion to utilize local contractors.  Dardis reassured the community members that all ideas will be researched and considered before making a recommendation. Next Meeting – November 17th, 2022, 7:30 A.M. Council Chambers Parks, Recreation, & Forestry Advisory Board – MINUTES Thursday, October 20th, 2022, Council Chambers 7:30 A.M. o Reth moved, Caldwell second, and all voted to postpone the recommendation on the playground equipment at Evans Park.  Question and answer session on the September staff update. o No questions were received on the staff update. NEW BUSINESS Rec and Aquatics Center  Adjust the 2023 fees at the Spearfish Rec and Aquatics Center. o Recreation Facility Superintendent Brett Rauterkus presented the new proposed indoor recreation fees for the year 2023. o Caldwell questioned the price increase for Senior Games participants. Rauterkus explained that due to a lack of volunteers the Rec Center employees have been responsible to plan and operate this event. The fee also helps offset payroll and provides shirts and medals. o Neilson questioned how the scholarship process works. Rauterkus explained the process and expressed his appreciation for the community’s assistance in funding. o Rauterkus presented the idea of hosting a one-time event (day or weekend) during the open house to purchase indoor memberships at a discount. o Neilson questioned how long the new fee structure will be in effect. Rauterkus replied that the Rec Center will be operating on a 2-year rotation where the indoor facility and the outdoor waterpark will be on alternating years. o Weigel moved, Running seconded, and all voted to recommend the fees as presented to the full city council. FYI ITEMS  No FYI items. ADJOURNMENT Reth moved, Weigel seconded, and all voted to adjourn at 8:42 A.M. Next Meeting – November 17th, 2022, 7:30 A.M. Council Chambers

Agenda

Parks, Recreation, & Forestry Advisory Board – AGENDA Thursday, October 20th, 2022, Council Chambers 7:30 A.M. City Spearfish is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: Parks, Recreation, & Forestry Advisory Board Time: Oct 20, 2022, 07:30 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84899289804 Meeting ID: 848 9928 9804 One tap mobile +13462487799,,84899289804# US (Houston) +16694449171,,84899289804# US Dial by your location +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 444 9171 US +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) +1 719 359 4580 US +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 309 205 3325 US +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 386 347 5053 US +1 564 217 2000 US +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 646 931 3860 US Meeting ID: 848 9928 9804 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kmYFKRxen CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL Next Meeting – November 17th, 2022, 7:30 A.M. Council Chambers Parks, Recreation, & Forestry Advisory Board – AGENDA Thursday, October 20th, 2022, Council Chambers 7:30 A.M. DECLARATION OF ANY POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST APPROVAL OF AGENDA APPROVAL OF MINUTES PUBLIC COMMENT OLD BUSINESS Board Items • Make a recommendation on the playground equipment at Evans Park. • Question and answer session on the September staff update. NEW BUSINESS Rec and Aquatics Center • Adjust the 2023 fees at the Spearfish Rec and Aquatics Center. FYI ITEMS • None ADJOURNMENT Next Meeting – November 17th, 2022, 7:30 A.M. Council Chambers Parks, Recreation, & Forestry Advisory Board – Minutes Thursday, September 15th, 2022, Council Chambers 7:30 A.M. The meeting was held in the Council Chambers and is available on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/xKlu3ozUyEdtLWSzWR4hZeoWR6NsiPaYmwAnHY5BuX1-HaPk4- lKTPw-bmUiwtWu.4ACGbtDz-tvW6ehO CALL TO ORDER 7:30 A.M. ROLL CALL In attendance were Caldwell, Coburn, Dardis, Griffith, Holden, Neilson, Reth, Running, Weigel, and Clark. P & R Director Ehnes, SRAC Facility Superintendent Rauterkus, Parks Maintenance Superintendent McDonald, City Administrator McFarland, Public Safety Director Rotert, and Administrative Assistant Heiting. DECLARATION OF ANY POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST No conflicts of interest were declared. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Caldwell moved, Dardis seconded, and all voted to approve the agenda as presented. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Coburn moved, Reth seconded, and all voted to approve the minutes of the August 18th, 2022, meeting. PUBLIC COMMENT Public comment was open at 7:34 A.M with no public comments received. OLD BUSINESS Board Items • Recommend approval of the plan for the funding and construction of a new skate park. o Tom Deis who resides at 425 East Elgin St. in Spearfish presented his concern about the proposed location of the potential skate park. Mr. Deis expressed that he is concerned about the distance between the skate park and his house. He also expressed he would like clarification on if the skatepark would be lit at night, and if there would be a curfew due to the noise. Mr. Deis stated that he is in favor of the skate park but expressed that he would like to see the park relocated to a different area and has requested that the board table the approval until more information can be obtained. o Griffith questioned if the approval that is being requested today was for the park location, or if the vote was for the exact location for the skate park to be placed. Next Meeting – October 20th, 2022, 7:30 A.M. Council Chambers Parks, Recreation, & Forestry Advisory Board – Minutes Thursday, September 15th, 2022, Council Chambers 7:30 A.M. o Ehnes stated that the vote at this meeting would be to approve the timeline, general location, and funding to start the grant process. The exact location of the skate park can be decided later. o Dardis stated that before the meeting, he went and looked at the proposed location and stated that it is very close to Mr. Deis’ residence. He questioned if it would be possible to move the location back to avoid being so close to the residences. Ehnes stated that the location was agreed upon due to the architectural design and the need for stormwater drainage, moving the proposed location of the park would just place it closer to another citizen’s residence. o Griffith stated that the committee has spent a lot of time finding and analyzing locations, and a lot of research and consideration has been done prior to proposing this location. o Mr. Deis questioned if the park would need to be exactly square or could the park be reconfigured so that there is more space between the park and homes, as well as during the design stage if a tree line could be planted to form a sound barrier. Ehnes stated that the design presented is not the exact dimensions of the skatepark. o Rotert explained that he has had all these concerns in the past with the current skate park and there have been very limited issues. o Dardis questioned the next step in the approval process, Ehnes stated that this is part of the first step in the approval process which will allow the City to apply for the grants. o Caldwell asked if this approval is for location and not design and that the board would be allowed feedback for design. o Ehnes said that this is the initial approval to get the process started and there would be future conversations about the final design.  Wegiel moved, Neilson seconded, and all voted to recommend to City Council the approval of the skate park plan as presented. • Question and answer session on the September staff update. o Neilson questioned the response from Spread the Tunes regarding the bandshell commitment being postponed to the year 2024. Ehnes stated that Zac was understanding of why it has been delayed. o Neilson questioned if there was a way to avoid disrupting the current events that happen in the summer while events are going on. Ehnes explained that while the future bandshell will be replacing the current bandshell, the locations will slightly Next Meeting – October 20th, 2022, 7:30 A.M. Council Chambers Parks, Recreation, & Forestry Advisory Board – Minutes Thursday, September 15th, 2022, Council Chambers 7:30 A.M. differ. Therefore, the current events may continue to go on, and that area of the park will be considered an active construction site. o Caldwell questioned the financial commitment from Spread the Tunes, Ehnes stated that $100,00.00, was the initial proposal. o Ehnes explained that Phase 1 of the Rec Path is scheduled to be completed in late September, or early October. o Clark questioned when the art walk would be completed. Ehnes stated that the art walk project will be completed after the construction is finished. The Matthews Opera house is leading the art project. o Weigel questioned the location of the rec path and if it branches off. Ehnes stated that it does branch off into the baseball complex. o Ehnes advised the board that indoor fees at the rec center will be under review for this next year. o Rex discussed the Rec Path project and working with the AARP. There will be a kiosk located at Brady Park along the rec path that will display a map to allow an easy view of the rec path system. o Clark questioned if the Adopt-A-Park program was still active. McDonald stated that the program is still active. There has been one additional adopter this year, Beautify Spearfish. o Caldwell questioned if the rec path maps are up to date. McDonald explained that at this point the maps are out of date, when more of the rec path gets completed, a new path map will be designed. o Griffith questioned if the signage near the creek could be improved due to confusion on that area of the path. McDonald stated that yes, the plan is to add more signs as part of this project to help clarify the route. o Neilson questioned the bathroom vandalism and time restrictions that are in place.  Rex stated that due to vandalism, the restrooms are on a timer to be locked at 8:00 P.M. unless a special event is scheduled.  Neilson questioned when the restrooms would be closed for the season. McDonald explained that the weather plays a role in when the restrooms will close for the season. There is no exact time of closure as they will stay open if possible. The restroom located near the Fish Hatchery on the south end of the City Park is open year-round. NEW BUSINESS • No new business. Next Meeting – October 20th, 2022, 7:30 A.M. Council Chambers Parks, Recreation, & Forestry Advisory Board – Minutes Thursday, September 15th, 2022, Council Chambers 7:30 A.M. FYI ITEMS • Rec Center parking lot construction o Rauterkus discussed the SRAC parking lot is actively under construction. Ehnes stated the parking lot will be under construction for 3-6 weeks. ADJOURNMENT • Caldwell moved, Coburn seconded, and all voted to adjourn at 8:11 A.M. Next Meeting – October 20th, 2022, 7:30 A.M. Council Chambers AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Board Items-Old Business DEPARTMENT: ___________________________________________________________ REQUEST: Make a recommendation on the playground equipment at Evans Park. JUSTIFICATION: (attach any additional justification and/or documentation) Staff have requested and been approved for $350,000 in the 2023 budget to make improvements to the playground equipment at Evans Park. Local citizens and staff have been gathering information for the board to consider and the staff have came up with two options for the board to consider. Evans Park has another playground structure that is scheduled for replacement in 2023. That equipment is not part of this discussion and its replacement will occur regardless of the decision made about the rocketship. The two options regarding the rocketship are: 1. Renovate the current rocketship. 2. Remove the current equipment and replace it with new equipment. See attached staff report for more detailed information. General Fund 2023 FUNDING:___________________________________________________________ RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends option 2 ________________________________________________________ MEETING DATE PRFAB:_________________________ 10/20/22 Deadline: Friday 12:00 PM prior to board meeting, send electronically to the SRAC Admin Assistant. PARKS, RECREATION, AND FORESTRY ADVISORY BOARD To: Spearfish PRF Advisory Board From: Spearfish Parks and Recreation Director Date: 20 October 2022 RE: Staff Report for Rocketship Playground at Evans Park Staff, along with several members of the PRF Advisory Board, have met several times to discuss potential options for the rocketship playground equipment located in Evans Park. The equipment was donated thirty years ago by the Parker family in memory of their son. Because of the circumstances around its donation and the amount of time it has been in our community, we all understand it is a fixture that holds meaning and significance. Like all infrastructure, playground equipment has a life span. Over time, constant exposure to the elements and evolving safety standards render playground equipment unsafe. On average, playground equipment lasts twenty to thirty years depending on material quality, maintenance, weather exposure, and other factors. The Rocketship is 30 years old. The equipment is showing its age with rust, cracked pipes, dented slides, and a general overall deteriorating condition. In addition to its physical state, the equipment does not meet current playground safety standards under the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Public Playground Safety Handbook. Due to these issues, staff found it prudent to budget for replacement equipment in 2023. The City Council has authorized $350,000 in 2023 to replace the playground equipment in Evans Park with new, updated equipment. Some citizens approached the staff with the idea of renovating and refurbishing the Rocketship rather than replacing it with new equipment. These citizens have done the research and found that other communities have renovated playground equipment. Please note, Evans Park has another playground structure that is scheduled for replacement in 2023. That equipment is not part of this discussion and its replacement will occur regardless of the decision made about the Rocketship. This report aims to lay out the options before the Board so it can make a recommendation to the City Council. Option 1: Renovate and refurbish An inspection on October 18th, 2022 conducted by Safety Benefits Inc. a third-party company representing the City’s insurance company revealed the following issues. This is not a comprehensive list of the findings. A detailed report will be provided to the City, but will not be available by the time of the October PRF Advisory Board meeting. • Remove the swings. o Page 39 of the handbook states, “swings should not be attached to a composite structure.” A “composite structure” is defined as two or more play structures attached or functionally linked, to create one integral unit that provides more than one play activity. The Rocketship is a composite structure. o Page 40 of the handbook states that there needs to be a minimum clearance of six lateral feet between use zones. The swings do not meet that minimum clearance requirement. o Swings must also be 30” from an existing structure, the swings are currently at 20” o Swing bracket bolts are upside down. • Issues with the large slide. o A hood or other means needs to be placed over the slide to channel users into the sitting position. o There is too large of a gap on the rails that connect to the large slide. o There is a space at the front end of the slide where users would enter. This gap needs to be closed up. o The discharge angle of the slide is currently at 20 degrees. The discharge angle cannot be more than 4 degrees. The discharge must be 11” long and the discharge may only be 7”- 15” above the ground. o Reset the slide in concrete and replace and seal metal posts. The slide is not set straight in the concrete so there are 3 metal posts with small splits. • Issues with the small slide. o A smooth transition must be created. Currently, the transition is elevated and must be flush with the surface. o A hood or other means needs to be placed over the slide to channel the users into the sitting position. o There are sharp edges underneath the slide caused by a protruding mounting bracket. o The discharge angle of the slide is currently at 20 degrees. The discharge angle cannot be more than 4 degrees and the discharge may only be 7”- 15” above the ground. o Install a shade structure over the small slide. • Nearly all bolts on the structure will need to be replaced so no more than two threads are showing. • Entrapment Issues. o The vertical bars need to be extended so there isn’t a gap greater than 3.5” as this is an entrapment danger. o Multiple entrapment issues on the structure would allow a child to get their body through the opening, but not the head resulting in an entrapment issue. • The main center post that supports the structure is loose and needs to be resecured. • Cosmetic touchups. o Painting and fiberglass repair. • Install signage indicating the appropriate age for users of the structure. • Replace rusted structural sections. o It is unknown whether this is possible and, if so, the cost or utility of such replacement. In addition, the ADA requires that any playground equipment that is altered must comply with the then-current guidelines. The Rocketship does not currently comply with ADA standards. Thus, if the Rocketship is renovated or altered, it would need to meet ADA standards. According to the ADA, an accessible playground is one that offers a range of play experiences to children of varying abilities. There must be: • Once a child is in the play area, they must be able to access the play equipment by either moving out of their mobility device onto the playground structure (such as a transfer station) or by direct play structure access in their mobility device (such as a ramp). • The number of accessible play features would need to be upgraded to meet the ratio set by the ADA. • There are additional requirements, but a consultant would be required to ensure compliance. Option 2: Remove current equipment and replace it with new equipment. New equipment purchased from a commercial playground company would be designed and constructed to meet all handbook and ADA requirements. The end product would be brand-new equipment guaranteed to meet standards and last another 20-plus years. See attached renderings of conceptual playgrounds. Conclusion and Recommendation While the staff certainly understands the community’s attachment to the current equipment, it is the responsibility of the staff to ensure the safety of the public and children that are using the equipment. The staff also have the responsibility of ensuring that the City is following all guidelines, rules, regulations, laws, etc. Therefore, staff recommends option 2 as the best path forward for Evans Park. In the event this is the chosen option, the current equipment could be surplused and returned to the Parker Family, or a small portion of the Rocketship could be kept and maintained for its historical value. Whichever option is chosen, staff would like to ensure the Parker family is still recognized for their donation to the City by erecting a plaque or informational signage detailing the history of the park. Regards, Tyler Ehnes Parks and Recreation Director City of Spearfish AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY DEPAR TMENT: Board Items-Old Business REQUEST: Question and answer session on the October staff update. JUSTIFICATION: (attach anv additional justification and/or documentation) This is our standing Q & A session for board members to have their questions answered regarding the monthly staff update and any other questions they may have for the staff. '---/-'-A=----------------------- FUNDING:--'N RECOMMENDATION: -'-N"-/A :..:____________________ MEETING DATE PRFAB: 10/20/22 Deadline: Friday 12:00 PM prior to board meeting, send electronically to the SRAC Admin Assistant. October Park, Rec, and Forestry Advisory Board Update Director Update: Exit 8 Rec Path Expansion: Construction of Phase 1 is nearly complete. There is some fencing and seeding left to do, but the majority of the project is complete. The City hosted a grand opening and naming ceremony on Friday, October 14th at 1:00 PM to commemorate the opening of the path and thank those who helped make the new path possible The low bid for Phase 2 came in over 30% higher than the engineer’s estimate. Due to that cost, the City Council along with the SDDOT rejected the bid. This project will be rebid next year. The cost estimate for that phase is expected to be over $800,000 and includes the work on the Exit 8 underpass. We are requesting $600,000 in grants for this phase. The grant application requesting $600,000 for Phase 3 has been submitted and accepted. I must present to the selection committee in November as a final step in the grant process. We should find out around the end of January if we are selected for the grant. Phases 2 and 3 will then be bid out next spring/summer and hopefully, the project will be complete by the fall of 2023 or spring of 2024. Sports Complex Phase 1 of the sports complex is wrapping up. The seeding has been done on some of the fields and the turf has begun to establish. Buildings are being erected and the final completion has been set for November We put out a bid for Phase 2 and received no bids for the project. We are now able to negotiate with a contractor to try and get Phase 2 complete. We have received a proposal from a contractor that the staff are reviewing. If the proposal is accepted, this phase would be completed around the end of next summer. Phase 2 of the sports complex will include a playground, a small restroom, wayfinding, shade structures, and an additional picnic shelter. We anticipate the complex will be open for play in the spring of 2024. Bandshell The bandshell preliminary design has been completed and an initial cost estimate of $648,065.29. I have met with Zach Eixenberger with Spread the Tunes to discuss the path forward. This project will be a partnership between STT and the City, and I plan on applying for grant funds to help fund the project. Zach presented last month to the PRF Board and presented to the City Council. He would like it to be put in the 2023 budget. After working through the budgeting process, it was decided to leave this out of the 2023 budget due to the large number of capital projects already taking place in the department in 2023. I will apply for grants next year and place it in the 2024 budget. October Park, Rec, and Forestry Advisory Board Update Skate Park With the PRF Board approving the recommendation brought forth by the skate park committee, the recommendation will be presented to City Council for a final decision on October 17th. If City Council approves the recommendation, I will begin working with the American Ramp Company on an initial concept design and cost estimate that will allow the committee to apply for grants in the spring of 2023. If we are not selected in 2023 for grants, we would then reapply in 2024 for funding. If we are not selected in 2024, we would then need to figure out another funding source for the project. If we are selected for funding in 2023 or 2024, the construction design would be complete in 2024 and the construction of the park would take place in 2025. Rocketship Park Staff and citizens are still researching and compiling information on options for the board to consider for the rocketship playground feature. I have a meeting scheduled for October 18th with Safety Benefits Inc. to inspect the playground and get their recommendations on improvements for compliance. There is $350,000 budgeted in next year’s budget to replace/refurbish the playground equipment at Evans Park. Staff will need a recommendation from the board at the October meeting so we can move forward with plans for the playground. Time is of the essence as playground pricing is scheduled to go up at the end of November and if staff can get an order placed before then, we will save funds on a new playground if that is the direction that the board wants to go. I have included a full staff report on this issue in this packet. AARP Grant This project is nearly complete. The Parks staff have been busy installing the signage, while our contractors have completed the necessary curb and concrete work. Due to the success of this grant, the Spearfish Community Foundation donated $10,319 to the City to complete the rest of the project. The signs have been ordered and constructed and if weather permits, the rest of the project should be finished by winter. I will need to send in an after-action report to AARP that shows the results of the project and prove we spent the money on the project we applied for. 2023 Projects The department has a great deal of projects in the 2023 budget that were approved by the City Council. I, along with my staff are already busy lining up the 2023 projects. Projects to note are new fitness equipment at the rec center, new sod in the water park phases 2 and 3 of the rec path, phase 2 of the sports complex, recreation path repairs, a new gate configuration on Lookout Mountain, landscaping at the pickleball court, playground improvements at Evans Park, a new October Park, Rec, and Forestry Advisory Board Update playground at Sky Ridge, tennis court resurfacing, new office at the campground as well as many other smaller projects. Parks Maintenance Superintendent Update 1. Rec Path Wayfinding project a. AARP Grant funding i. New sidewalk and curb poured at Rotary Park ii. New ADA curb ramp installed at Brady Park iii. New “yield to pedestrian” signs put in at Nash Street bridge and Grant Street bridge iv. New informational kiosk installed at Brady Park v. New Rec Path signs are being installed between the south end of City Park and the corner of 3rd Street and Rushmore Street by November 1, 2022 b. Spearfish Community Foundation Grant funding i. 31 Rec Path signs assembled during a community volunteer event in September ii. New Rec Path signs will be installed between Spearfish City Campground to the Canyon parking lot, along Colorado Boulevard to Exit 14, along Sandstone Hills Drive, and from Lookout Park north to Evans Park before December 1 2. Campground update a. Off-season rates began on October 1, 2022 b. All campsites will be closed from November 1, 2022 – January 1, 2022, for Winter Wonderland 3. New bench was installed at the Pollinator Habitat at Sue Bertsch Memorial Gardens 4. Winterizing in Parks began on October 1, 2022 a. All park restrooms are currently open and will remain open as the weather allows b. The restroom in City Park nearest to the fish hatchery parking lot will remain open year-round 5. Community Gardens clean-up day set for October 15 a. Organized by the Northern Hills Master Gardeners 6. Thoen Stone monument field trip with BHSU General Biology II class a. Parks staff were invited to attend a field trip by Dr. Tara Ramsey that highlighted the biodiversity of plant species around the Theon Stone monument b. A partnership between the Parks Department and BHSU was discussed that to implement land management practices that would preserve and protect the biodiversity in that area including informational signage and prescribed burns to control undesirable vegetation October Park, Rec, and Forestry Advisory Board Update Rec Center Facility Superintendent Update Indoor Memberships: • Our membership on 10-11-22 was 2,075. This is an increase of 34 members since the last report. • Our membership for the October board report in 2021 was 1,782. We have increased 293 members in one year. that is a 16% increase. • We have 137 24-hour memberships. This number is not included in the above number since you must have an active regular membership to be eligible for the 24-hour membership. This is an increase of 13 since the last report. Indoor Day Passes: • Between September 9th, and Oct 11th we sold 250 adult day passes, 368 youth day passes, and 5 walking day passes. Averaging 19 per day, this is a decrease of 2.5 per day since the last report. • Year to date we have sold 2,841 adult day passes, 4,576 youth day passes, and 400 walking passes totaling 7,817 day passes for an average of 27.70 passes a day. Last year at this time we had sold 2,865 adult passes, 3,119 youth passes, and 295 walking passes totaling 6,279 for an average of 22.25 passes a day. We have sold 1,538 more day passes in 2022. Waterpark: • Most of the waterpark is winterized. We have drained all the pools, blown out the lines, capped off the pipes, and refilled the pools. • The covers have been installed and all shade structures have been removed. We will continue to work on some things in the pump house throughout the winter. • We have been working to locate a leak in one of the pools. Staffing: • Our part-time Maintenance position is open. We have interviewed a few candidates and are hoping to have the position filled in the next few weeks. October Park, Rec, and Forestry Advisory Board Update Programming • Youth football: o There are 24 kids registered for Flag Football. Their last game was on October 11th. We will be having a pizza party for them next week. • 5 on 5 Adult basketball League: o We have 7 teams. The season will be from September 22nd through November 15th. Most games are played on Thursdays. • Date Night Daycare: o We provide daycare from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on select nights so parents can plan a date night. The event scheduled for October 15th is full. o This is limited to 9 kids. o The dates for this event are October 15th, November 12th, December 10th, January 14th, and February 11th. • Skate Nights: o The first several dates are October 7th, November 4th, December 2nd, January 6th, and February 3rd. o We had 134 skaters on October 7th. • Holiday events: o Our holiday light contest is from November 26th -December 17th. Community members that decorate their homes or business for the holidays can register for the contest. This puts their address on our map, and community members can then go to each location and vote on their favorites. o Craft fair and Santa and the Rec Center. On December 10th Santa will be at the Rec Center during our Craft Fair. Spaces for the Craft Fair are limited to 35 and they are $25 per space. We will also have a professional photographer here that day to take photos with Santa. o We have filled 24 of the 35 available spaces. October Park, Rec, and Forestry Advisory Board Update • Daycare/Preschool PE classes o We offer PE classes to many daycares and preschools in spearfish. We are teaching 3 classes a week for October and November and will be teaching 4 classes a week in December. Maintenance: • The contractor is estimating at least 3 more weeks before the parking lot is complete. • We added additional power outlets in the current training room in anticipation of moving the cardio equipment into that room and moving the weights into the Lookout room. Fitness • We are waiting for 3 new pieces of fitness equipment to be delivered. Once those are in place we will work to finish the transition for the cardio equipment into the current training room. • We are offering Silver Sneakers classes Monday through Friday at 9:00 am. • We offer a HITT class Monday Wednesday Friday at 12:15 pm. • We will be adding a youth fitness class starting in November. Recommendations from the Recreation Committee Memberships Comparisons Sturgis (24‐hour BHSU Young Spearfish Gillette (one‐month Last included for a one‐ Deadwood Belle Center DT gym Anytime Crossfit Strength Sale) time fee of $15) (Combo) and Fitness Type Current Recommendation Changed Annual adult $330 $147 $318 $347 / $408 $315 / $405 membership $228 increase 20% $274 3/26/2021 $600 $600 $1,260 $588 Annual couple $432 $404 $525 / $611 membership $336 increase 20% $403 3/26/2021 $1,068 Annual family membership (up $504 $270 $462 $693 / $815 $495 / $585 to 5) $552 do not adjust $552 3/26/2021 $1,200 $1,788 Annual senior All Senior over 62 are $230 $100 $202 $225 / $315 membership $180 increase 10% $198 3/26/2021 free $900 Annual senior All Senior over 62 are $318 $260 Couple $264 increase 10% $291 3/26/2021 free youth = $192 / $226, $230 $100 $145 Jr./Sr. High = $252 / $225 / $315 Annual Youth $180 increase 20% $216 3/26/2021 $296 $900 Annual Youth $318 $260 Couple $264 increase 20% $317 3/26/2021 24‐hour add‐on per month $12 do not adjust $12 3/26/2021 an extra child with a family membership $132 do not adjust $132 12/4/2019 Monthly Walking $10 $12 membership $27 do not adjust $27 4/15/2015 membership cancelation fee before the end of the first year $30 increase $50 4/15/2015 BHSU Young Day Passes Sturgis Deadwood Belle Gillette Center Adult $5 increase $6 4/15/2015 $5 $8 $5 $6 $5 Youth $3 increase $4 4/15/2015 $3 $4 $3.25 $4 $5 Walking $3 increase $4 4/15/2015 $3.25 Activity and programs Last Type Current Recommendation Changed Senior Games $25 increase $75 2/4/2016 Baby Sitting Class $60 increase $70 3/12/2020 Event Table/Table Rental $25 increase $35 1/3/2019 3‐on‐3 basketball $150 do not adjust $150 12/4/2019 5‐on‐5 basketball $250 do not adjust $250 12/4/2019 5‐week league $120 do not adjust $120 12/4/2019 youth flag football $25 do not adjust $25 1/1/2015 youth tackle football $50 do not adjust $50 1/1/2015 Skate Night increase ( Fall of Admission $8 2023) $10 9/20/2018 Skills Camp $12 increase $15 12/4/2019 change to $25 $1 per After 30 minutes Late Pick up min late $25 1/1/2015 Summer Rec field trips $25 increase $35 3/26/2021 Daycare/Presch $4 per ool PE classes child do not adjust $4 1/1/2015 Equipment Rental Last Type Current Recommendation Changed Movie inflatable screen $150 increase $200 2/4/2016 portable speaker $25 increase $30 4/15/2015 $5 per $5 per Short Locker month do not adjust month 4/15/2015 $10 per $10 per Tall Locker month do not adjust month 4/15/2015 Room Rentals Last Type Current Recommendation Changed skate party up to 25 people ‐ 2 hours $150 increase $175 12/4/2019 Skate Party 26‐ 75 people ‐ 2 hours New increase $300 Large Skate Party 76‐250 ‐ 2 hours $400 increase $425 12/4/2019 Large Skate Party non‐profit ‐ 2 hours $350 increase $375 12/4/2019 Lookout Room full ‐ 8 hours $400 increase $450 3/26/2021 Lookout Room full ‐ 8 hours (Non‐Profit) $387 increase $425 12/4/2019 Lookout Room full ‐ 4 hours $200 increase $250 3/26/2021 Lookout Room full ‐ 4 hours (Non‐Profit) $193 increase $225 12/4/2019 Lookout Room 1/4 ‐ per hour one court $50 do not adjust $50 3/26/2021 Lookout Room 1/4 ‐ per hour (Non‐Profit) $48 do not adjust $48 12/4/2019 Batting Cage = Sturgis Deadwood Belle Gillette Studio 621 per hour $25 do not adjust $25 12/4/2019 Gym = both $160 up courts per hour to 2 (Non‐Profit) $50 do not adjust $50 4/15/2015 hours Gym = south $80 up court per hour to 2 (Non‐Profit) $25 increase $30 4/15/2015 hours $225 up Gym = both $200 up to 4 hours to 2 courts per hour $60 increase $75 4/15/2015 hours $112.50 Gym = south $100 4 hours up to 2 hours court per hour $30 increase $35 4/15/2015 Multipurpose $200 up to 5 room all ‐ per $50 $80 per hour hours, $300 all‐ hour $50 increase $70 3/26/2021 day Multipurpose room 1/2 ‐ per $40 hour $30 increase $40 3/26/2021 Party Room ‐ $40 per hour $30 increase $40 3/26/2021 Party Room ‐ per hour (Non‐ $30 Profit) $25 increase $35 1/1/2015 Group Fitness $50 per $40 Room ‐ per hour $30 increase $40 3/23/2021 Group Fitness Room ‐ per hour $30 (non Profit) $25 increase $35 1/1/2015 Fitness Type Current Recommendation Class Pass member $3 increase $4 4/15/2015 Class Pass non‐ member $6 increase $8 4/15/2015 5K Series $70 increase $120 4/15/2015 5K individual Race $15 increase $25 4/15/2015 Personal Training 30 minutes $25 increase $30 4/15/2015 personal training 60 minutes $50 increase $55 4/15/2015 Kids Triathlon $25 do not adjust $25 2/4/2016

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