Park Board

Park Board Meeting Minutes March 9, 2021 Park Board Members Present: Ron Brunk, Jim DeHerrera, Terri Dunn, Frank Sweeney, Ray Boksich and Carrie O’Reilly Park Board Members Absent: Guests: Don Bestwick, Gloria Nelson and AJ Spear City Staff Present: Maria Butts and Mary Blubaugh A. Call to Order: 7:00 p.m. B. Approval of the March 9, 2021 Agenda – Member Dunn moved to accept the agenda as presented. Vice President DeHerrera seconded. A vote was taken with all ayes. C. Approval of the February 9, 2021 Meeting Minutes – Member Sweeney moved to accept the minutes as presented. Vice President DeHerrera seconded. A vote was taken with all ayes. D. Public Comments – Patty Zanto wanted to know if the Bike/Pedestrian Committee was presenting at this meeting. She wanted to hear their decision regarding the path at the River Bend Condos. Director Butts told her the issue is not on the agenda for this month. She informed her all agendas are posted on the City’s website. E. Committee Reports a. Bicycle/Pedestrian Committee – Member Sweeney said there was a long discussion over the location of the bike path at the River Bend Condos. The committee will put together a presentation for the Park Board. Member Sweeney believes it may be May before it comes before the Park Board. b. Tree Advisory Committee – Member Dunn said the committee went on a field trip to look at Phase II State Park Road. They like the idea of staying with the same trees and vegetation as Phase I. There will be another field trip on April 13th. c. WSFF Board – Member Sweeney reported there is a meeting tomorrow. He had nothing additional to report. d. WAG Board – Member Boksich reported there are several new board members and just one vacant spot. Ray is now the President of WAG. The board is working on projects for the Whitefish Challenge. The dog park may shut down for a month for maintenance and to help regenerate the grass. The possible dates are April 9 – May 16th. The south side of the dog park would remain open. F. Presentation – Request from Project Whitefish Kids to construct a restroom at Smith Fields. Gloria Nelson reviewed the drawings and specifications of the restroom with the Park Board. She told the Board it’s the same manufacturer the Parks and Recreation Department has used. It is similar in design to the restroom at Baker Park. Rotary International is fundraising for this project. Member Dunn asked if they could replace the water fountain with a water bottle dispenser. Gloria said she would check. Director Butts said she could give her information on the bottle filling station as the Parks and Recreation Department has replaced their water fountain with those stations. AJ Spear, who is the President of the Whitefish Rotary, told the Park Board they have raised $94,000 through the Great Fish Challenge. The estimated cost of this project is $104,000. Member Dunn made a motion to approve construction of a restroom at Smith Fields. Member Sweeney seconded. A vote was taken with all ayes. G. Public Hearings – None H. Old Business – None I. New Business – None J. Other Items - None K. Items from Parks and Recreation Department a. Administrative Report – Reviewed with no questions. 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: Frank Sweeney – The Bike/Pedestrian Committee is leaning toward the path at River Bend being along the river. Terri Dunn – None Carrie O’Reilly –None Jim DeHerera - None Ron Brunk – None  Ray Boksich – Ray asked if approval is required to shut down the dog park for maintenance. Director Butts would like the Park Board’s thoughts. She said closing the park down during the muddy period is a good idea. The Park Board had no opposition and thought it was a good idea. Director Butts said the south side would remain open. The Parks and Recreation Department will do a good social media announcement. N. Adjourn: Motion to Adjourn Made by: Member Sweeney Seconded by: Vice President DeHerrera A verbal vote was taken with all ayes. The meeting was adjourned at 7:38 pm.