Park Board

Park Board Meeting Minutes February 8, 2022 Park Board Members Present: Ron Brunk, Carrielynn O’Reilly, Terri Dunn, Ray Boksich Park Board Members Absent: Frank Sweeney, Melissa Hartman, Jim DeHerrera Guests: Greg Harms (WSFF), Jess Cerra (Last Best Ride) City Staff Present: Maria Butts and Jennie Bradford A. Call to Order: 6:08 PM MST B. Approval of the February 8, 2022, Agenda: Member Dunn moved to accept the agenda as presented. Seconded by member O’Reilly. All ayes. C. Approval of the January 11, 2022, Meeting Minutes: Member Boksich moved to accept the minutes. Seconded by member O’Reilly. All ayes. D. Public Comment: Jess Cerra requested consideration of the Park Board to reconsider allowing the Last Best Ride to work in conjunction with the Whitefish Trail Hootenanny and Brewfest the weekend of Aug 19,20 and 21, 2022. There is a letter of support from the Whitefish Legacy Partners for the Last Best Ride in your park packet addendum. E. Committee Reports a) Bicycle/Pedestrian Committee: Director Butts shared the Public Works Dept has been working with a consultant on the Transportation Plan and have developed priorities for bike path connections throughout the community. The committee will be reviewing this and bringing their comments to the next meeting. Additionally, there was more conversation about the Riverbend condo and strategy to move forward from last council where staff was directed to work on 3 priority items: 1) secure easement at riverbend, 2) come up with design, 3) work with FWP on a 124 permit. Council has clarified that 1,2,3 can be worked on simultaneously, but 1 needs to be completed first. b) Tree Advisory Committee: No meeting c) WFSS Board: Meeting is tomorrow d) WAG Board: Member Boksich shared they have received bids for the kiosk building that was previously designed and approved. Aside from the minutes in the packet, WAG is requesting the Park Board approve a 1-month closure of WAG this spring to complete maintenance and allow the ground to dry. By consensus of the Park Board, WAG can move forward and work with staff to accomplish this. F. Presentations: NA G. Public Hearings: NA H. Old Business: a) Consideration of approval of the Whitefish Sports Facility Foundation sign at Mountain Trails Park. Director Butts confirmed the WSFF has worked with the planning department, and Director Dave Taylor has approved as the sign meets all city codes. This evening Greg Harms of the WFSS is here to seek approval from the board to move forward with officially applying for a sign permit. Member Dunn made a motion to approve the sign request. Seconded by member O’Reilly. All ayes. I. New Business: a) Consideration of recommendation of FY23 Capital Improvement Plan and list of park priorities. Director Butts states last year we purchased a new toolcat, worked on the complete design of all new park signs, purchased all pieces of equipment identified in the irrigation master plan, preordered these and have begun to install some of these components, and, we have moved to the design/development stage of the Armory Park master plan. It was budgeted in FY22 for Grouse Mountain parking lot to be reconstructed. PW anticipates completing this project this spring. For FY23, the CIP currently contemplates Armory Park master plan phase 3, a volleyball court renovation at Mountain Trails Park which has taken priority as we have received a grant and contributions, we are looking at replacing the swim lines, we need a new snowblower attachment for the toolcat as the current one has broken, and we require funds to begin the park sign printing and implementation. Director Butts is asking the Park Board to review the CIP and unscheduled priorities and provide direction for the budgeting process. Look at the prioritization more than anything. Also, there is the Resort Tax Budget, which is a separate CIP. Will also need the Resort Tax Advisory Committee’s approval on this, which will then go to Council as a recommendation from them. For both, Director Butts is looking for a recommendation from the Park Board to move that forward. Member Boksich made a motion to approve the CIP and Resort Tax budget as presented. Seconded by member O’Reilly. All ayes. J. Other Items  a) Consideration of cancellation of March Park Board meeting. Member O’Reilly made a motion to cancel the March meeting. Seconded by member Dunn. All ayes. K. Items from the Parks and Recreation Department a) Administrative Report: Correction to the draft Glacier Twins MOU. Accidently sent the Twins an old exhibit, which caused some confusion. This has been rectified, and we should be hearing back from them soon. b) Recreation Coordinator Report: no comment c) Community Services Report: no comment d) Maintenance Report: no comment L. Correspondence M. Items from the Park Board: a) Member Boksich asked Jess Cerra of the Last Best Ride for more detail on the park requirements of her event. Member Dunn discussed concern for the grass if the Last Best Ride was to be held after Brewfest. Member Brunk discussed his concern for the park when events take place two weekends in a row with minimal to no ability to irrigate in between events. The board told Jess Cerra she can submit a formal request to hold her event at Depot Park in collaboration with WT Hootenanny and Brewfest to Director Butts. It is to be received 2-weeks prior to April meeting to allow time to notify the public. b) Member Dunn requested staff reach out to the organizers of Huckleberry Days, WT Hootenanny, and Brewfest to discuss their events being held with one weekend in between to allow the Depot Park turf time to recover. c) President Brunk asked Director Butts if she would like the film he found of Riverside Park years ago. N. Adjourn: Member Dunn made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by O’Reilly. All Ayes. Adjourned at 7:09 PM MST.