Park Board

Park Board Meeting Minutes January 7, 2020 Park Board Members Present: Ron Brunk, Jim DeHerrera and Susan Schnee Park Board Members Absent: Frank Sweeney, Terri Dunn and Ray Boksich City Staff Present: Maria Butts and Mary Blubaugh No Quorum Discussions were held, but no actionable items. A. Call to Order: Discussions began at 7:09 p.m. B. Approval of the January 7, 2020 Agenda – no action able to be taken. C. Approval of the November 12, 2019 Meeting Minutes – no action able to be taken. D. Public Comments – E. Committee Reports a. Bicycle/Pedestrian Committee – Vice President DeHerrera said there weren’t any major changes or issues discussed. b. Tree Advisory Committee – Will not meet again until March. c. WSFF Board – President Brunk reported as a result of an issue WAHA experienced, the WSFF Board decided to establish a policy on how grievances are handled d. WAG Board – Member Boksich was not in attendance. F. Presentations G. Public Hearings - H. Old Business – Continuation of discussion of future allocations of Verizon funds. No action able to be taken. Discussions centered around options such as making no changes this year but phasing it out or commit a set amount to the Twins and the 4% yearly increase stays with the Parks and Recreation Department. Director Butts mentioned staff is looking to irrigate several of our parks with well water. There is currently a well at Memorial Park which the Glacier Twins use to irrigate the ball field. One option is to connect future irrigation systems in that park to the well. The Glacier Twins said if it doesn’t adversely affect them, they don’t see any problem with sharing the well. When it comes to the Verizon monies, if they were to lose that funding, they would be in dire straits. I. New Business – Consideration of Tree Advisory Committee recommendation to remove fruit-bearing trees from public spaces. No action able to be taken. Director Butts reviewed her memo which was in the Park Board packet. In a meeting with City staff Fish, Wildlife and Parks expressed concern with the increase in the number of bear/human interactions. The greatest attractants are garbage and fruit- bearing trees. FWP strongly recommends removing all fruit-bearing trees on public property within city limits. President Brunk said it doesn’t seem like there are that many trees on public property. Director Butts said there may be 20 trees in total. President Brunk feels it’s more of a garbage problem. Director Butts said Public Works is dealing with the garbage side of this issue. The present Park Board members were hesitant to removing the trees. J. Other Items – None K. Items from Parks and Recreation Department a. Administrative Report – Director Butts informed the Park Board Frank Sweeney will be the City Council Representative for the Bike/Ped Committee. Melissa Hartman will remain on the Tree Advisory Committee. Frank Sweeney will remain on the Park Board and Ryan Hennen will remain as the Alternate. There are still TIF funds to be allocated. The Armory roof needs to be replaced. The City Council is interested in seeing that be done. As well City Council wants to purchase the Char Rygg property for a park. Negotiations have started. WGM was awarded the contract for design consultants for the Baker Underpass project. Northwestern Energy is asking for a 10-foot-wide easement for an underground pipe on the eastern boundary of Armory Park. They will pay $13,000 for the easement. Director Butts reported looking West on the North side of Skye Park Bridge is a tract of land that has been revealed to be City property. Maria will get it surveyed to verify. It appears to be an old road right of way. Doug Adams approached our City Manager regarding the monument in front of the Armory building. He stated when the City purchased the building the remodel was put out to bid. Doug said there were to be 4 plaques representing the armed services on that monument. Maria did research and found this monument/plaque project was spearheaded by former City Council member, Tom Murray and not part of the remodel project specs. Director Butts asked President Brunk if he could provide any information as he was on the Park Board at that time. Ron said he didn’t believe it went through a public process. Mr. Murray drew and designed the plaque placement on the monument. President Brunk said it’s possible the project fizzled after Tom left City Council. b. Recreation Coordinator Report- Reviewed with no questions. c. Maintenance Report – Reviewed with no questions. d. Community Service Coordinator Report – Reviewed with no questions L. Correspondence - None M. Items from Park Board: Jim DeHerrera – None Susan Schnee – None Ron Brunk – The Char Rygg property and the City’s desire to put in a bike path was the reason he first got on the Park Board many years ago. N. Adjourn: Discussions ended at 8:20 p.m.