Park Board

Park Board Work Session Minutes November 8, 2022 Park Board Members Present: Ron Brunk, Ray Boksich, Jim DeHerrera, Melissa Hartman, Park Board Alternate Giuseppe Caltabiano. Park Board Members Absent: Terri Dunn, Frank Sweeney City Staff Present: Maria Butts, Jennie Bradford Guests: Riley Polumbus A. Call to Order at 5:53 pm B. Interview with Riley Polumbus for Pedestrian & Bicycle Path Advisory Committee Vacancy C. Adjourned at 6:05 pm Park Board Meeting Minutes November 8, 2022 Park Board Members Present: Ron Brunk, Ray Boksich, Jim DeHerrera, Melissa Hartman, Park Board Alternate Giuseppe Caltabiano. Park Board Members Absent: Terri Dunn, Frank Sweeney City Staff Present: Maria Butts, Jennie Bradford Guests: Allison Linville of 30 Dakota Ave, Zach Churchill of 222 Dakota Ave. A. Call to order at 6:06 pm B. Approval of the November 8, 2022, Agenda. Amendments - Move “Correspondence a. Letter from James Cannava regarding fundraising for Skye Park River Access” to follow Public Comment. - Under “Correspondence” add consideration to appoint Riley Polumbus to the Pedestrian & Bicycle Path Advisory Committee. - Under “Correspondence” add “Letter of interest for the Pedestrian & Bicycle Path Advisory Committee from Casey Malmquist.” - Also included in the packet are minutes from the October 2022 WSFF meeting. Park Board Alternate Caltabiano moved to approve the agenda with amendments. Seconded by Member DeHerrera. All ayes. C. Approval of the October 11, 2022, Minutes. Member Boksich moved to approve. Seconded by Member DeHerrera. All ayes. D. Public Comment: NA L. Correspondences a) Letter from James Cannava requesting approval to plan, design and fundraise for improvements at Skype Park River Access in honor of Shane Foster. Allison Linville of 30 Dakota Avenue and Zach Churchill of 222 Dakota Avenue spoke to this request. Allison Linville shared a Go Fund Me was started on behalf of Shane that has now raised $20k, which would go towards this project. The Logan Health Whitefish Foundation is considering a gift to help with fundraising and creating an endowment to Shane Foster’s Memorial Fund. She mentioned James would like to adopt this park and assist with ongoing upkeep. Allison presented a list of neighboring residents who are supportive of a project of this nature, a photograph of Shane, and pictures of areas of the Skye Park Access point they would like to improve. Member DeHerrera asked Director Butts if there is any reason the City cannot do this. Director Butts shared there are no restrictions on deed. The area is considered ROW, and Public Works has transferred it to the Parks Department to maintain. President Brunk clarified the park would not be named after Shane, but a dedication plaque could be added. He further added this idea fits with the park plan. Resident Zach Churchill, 222 Dakota, commented the park does border private property and asked if the parks department could help with creating space where people can take their dogs to the river while also respecting the city leash ordinance. Director Butts shared the there is a park sign master plan and signs at river access points will state, “dogs must be leashed unless swimming”. Zach added, they would like to work this project into what is already there and build off existing facilities. He added they would like to make the slope down to the river ADA compatible, so it is more inclusive for all residents to enjoy. Member Boksich expressed some concern regarding ongoing maintenance of the park. Director Butts advised improvements to a park can make it easier to maintain. Member DeHerrera made a motion to approve the proposal to start fundraising. Seconded by Park Board Alternate Caltabiano. All ayes. E. Committee Reports: a. Bicycle/Pedestrian Committee: Member DeHerrera shared they selected Nia and Mary to co-chair the committee until June when the committee calls for a formal endorsement of a chair. Park Board Alternate Caltabiano shared council approved the features and elevations survey to begin to locate the Riverbend trail. b. Tree Advisory Committee: There is a meeting tomorrow, and they begin work on a plan for replacing trees at Depot Park as the board had recommended. The board will also be introduced to new committee member Celesta Collacchi. c. WSFF: President Brunk added he did not attend last meeting, but there is another meeting tomorrow that he will be attending.  d. WAG: Member Boksich said they did not have a meeting last month. Pavement is in on the southern park path, but it is not finished, so they will likely keep this closed until spring. The front-end project is far from completion, so it will be closed off until spring as well. F. Presentations: N/A G. Public Hearings: N/A H. Old Business: N/A I. New Business: a) Consideration of approval of Glacier Twins Maintenance Plan and transfer of Verizon funds. Vice President Hartman moved to approve request for financial funds as corrected. Seconded by Park Board Alternate Caltabiano. All ayes. b) Depot Park Policy i) Consideration of effectiveness of ground mesh protection for parking on grass at Depot Park and discussion of turf damage from Oktoberfest. At this time, the Park Board is hesitant to decide whether ground protection mesh was effective in protecting turf from vehicles parked in Depot during Oktoberfest. The board would like to wait and readdress this in June based on how the park recovers. Event organizers can still submit their dates for 2023, the only thing that remains undetermined is whether they can park on the turf. Director Butts shared turf rehabilitation measures were started this fall, and the Chamber has paid for costs associated with the eastern portion of the park. Seed did not arrive in time to put down. Parks staff will reassess the turf in spring and invoice the Chamber for any additional costs. ii) Consideration of a cap on events during weekdays. Vice President Hartman motioned to cap events in Depot Park on weekdays Memorial Day to Labor Day. Seconded by Boksich. All ayes. iii) Consideration of approval of Depot Park Maintenance Plan Director Butts shared the goal is to be proactive rather than reactive by protecting the turf and rehabilitating it as needed throughout summer. The plan is to schedule maintenance in January after historical events have submitted their event dates. Maintenance will not conflict with an event that is pre-approved. Vice President Hartman motioned to approve the Depot Park Maintenance Plan as presented. Seconded by Member DeHerrera. All ayes. J. Other Items: Consideration to cancel December meeting Vice President Hartman motioned to cancel the December Park Board meeting. Seconded by Member DeHerrera. All ayes. K. Items from the Parks and Recreation Department a. Administrative Report: Director Butts shared she met with the Whitefish Skatepark and representatives from Dreamland Skatepark, and they anticipate being able to start the project next summer. b. Recreation Coordinator Report: NA  c. Maintenance Report: NA d. Community Services Coordinator Report: NA L. Correspondences: b) Consideration of appointment of Riley Polumbus for Pedestrian & Bicycle Path Advisory Committee. Member DeHerrera motioned to appoint Riley Polumbus to the Pedestrian & Bicycle Path Advisory Committee. Seconded by Vice President Hartman. All ayes. c) Letter of interest from Casey Malmquist for the Pedestrian & Bicycle Path Advisory Committee As Riley Polumbus has been appointed there are no current vacancies on the committee. The board encourages Casey to continue to engage in committee meetings and if remains interested, apply in May when terms end. M. Items from the Park Board: Vice President Hartman shared she was excited to see Shady River Lane and the shared use path are now connected. Member DeHerrera thanked Director Butts and her staff. President Brunk thanked Member DeHerrera for seeking clarity on what we were deciding with Oktoberfest and helping clarify Ron’s misunderstanding. N. Vice President Hartman motioned to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by DeHerrera. All ayes. Adjourned at 8:29 pm