Board of Park Commissioners

BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES City Hall, 11th Floor Park Conference Room 455 N. Main April 14, 2014 3pm Present: Bryan Frye, Hoyt Hillman, Cindy Claycomb, Tom Roth, Ron Allen, Chris Highfill, Steve Hieger Absent: None Also Present: Doug Kupper, Director of Park and Recreation, Elizabeth Harlenske, City Assistant Attorney, Michelle Haun, Clerk, David McGuire, Warren McCoskey, Karen Holmes, Alan Taber, Sally Buch, Eric Cale, Clark Bastian, Clay Bastian, Citizens. The meeting was called to order at approximately 3:00pm. PUBLIC AGENDA None. REGULAR AGENDA Item 1: Approval of Minutes Frye advised the Board that due to a death in the family, Christina Butler had not finalized the minutes of the March meeting. He introduced Michelle Haun who would take minutes for the April meeting. Motion by Frye, second by Claycomb, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to hold the action of approving the March minutes until the April meeting (7-0). Frye noted there was a correction where he referred to Columbine Park in the wrong location. Item 2A: Selection of Elections Committee Frye stated that elections were delayed since there was not a full board in place in September when elections are usually held. Now that Chris Highfill has been appointed by the Mayor, there is a full board so they can set an Elections Committee to present the slate of officers for the next meeting in May. Frye asked if anyone would volunteer to serve on the Elections Committee. Roth volunteered and Claycomb agreed to serve with Roth. Frye stated that Roth and Claycomb will present the slate of officers for the President and 1st and 2nd Vice President at the meeting in May. Those elected will serve until September when elections are held again per the by-laws provided there is still a full board. If you have any interest in serving in either of those capacities, let Roth and Claycomb know. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING April 14, 2014 Page 1 of 7 Item 2B: Buffalo Park Review Interactive Fountain Concept Frye stated that Larry Hoetmer would present the designs for Buffalo Park at Central and Maize. There were meetings with stakeholders, neighbors and businesses. The consultants were Ochsner, Hare and Hare. Hoetmer distributed a design of what the shelter could look like. It would be a simple structure with some stone work to include men’s and women’s restrooms and space for interactive fountain equipment. It would be a park shelter restroom building for picnic and special events. It has a more natural, playful design. It has symbols representing buffalo and sculptural pieces to represent Indian Grass having the water spray up over the children and also up through the ground that they could run through. It would be appropriate for multiple ages and different levels of play. On one side would be a quieter area with a shallow pond and stream. There would be native grass or prairie type grass with limestone and ballistic glass panels. There is a scene of buffaloes romping through the prairie on the panels. The designs show everything they want, but they are still working hard on the budget. Kupper stated that all the water will be chlorinated, filtered, treated and put back out again. The water quality will be at the same standard as the swimming pools. They didn’t want to have too much high spray to lead to evaporation. Hillman asked if the restrooms are safe rooms in case of storms. Kupper responded that they are not. Hoetmer noted that HydroDramatics is on the design team and they are working with Crystal Fountains so they can implement new technology so as not to lose as much water. Frye asked if they would work on the shelter at the same time as the fountain. Kupper responded yes. They are applying for a $250,000 Land and Water Conservation Grant from the Federal government to stretch the General Obligation Bonds further. Frye asked where it would be situated in the park. Kupper responded it would be near Maize Road, but it has not been finalized. It will not affect the practice areas and they would like to add a parking lot for the increased traffic at the park. They have worked out re-routing the golf course driveway to help with traffic and adding a turn lane. Frye asked what the next step will be and if they will go back to the stakeholders. Kupper responded yes, once they get clearer numbers. This will be the first major project west of the big ditch other than the golf course. Frye asked if there were any questions or comments and there were none. Kupper stated that they should hear back soon on the Land and Water Conservation Grant. Item 2C: Prescribed Burns and Property Encroachments Frye stated that Warren McCoskey had been in the press lately regarding the prescribed burns activity. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING April 14, 2014 Page 2 of 7 Kupper noted that McCoskey, LeeAnn Sack and Jim Mason are the prescribed burners. McCoskey stated that in 2012 they were asked if they were really managing the Wichita Wild areas. The goals were to maintain, reclaim, reintroduce fire in the maintenance of these areas, reduce wildfire dangers for the neighbors and reduce encroachment in the areas. There is a need to control red cedar and honey locust trees because they are not good park trees due to thorns. They purchased a tree shearer using capital dollar and can clip up to 2500 cedar trees in a day. However they end up with piles of dead trees which the fire department is not happy about. They need to explore what to do with the cut trees because they use a lot of manpower and fuel cutting them up and taking them to the landfill. They hired a contractor with a forestry mower which has proven to be very cost effective. This can clear about an acre a day. All of the burn crew has been through training and have personal protection equipment. They have purchased equipment to be safer and more effective. Prescribed burns help to keep wildfires from getting out of control. After the prescribed burns, the forestry mower is brought in the winter to clean up the dead brush and trees. The grass comes back even healthier. They also create a fire break at the wildland/urban interface areas to protect homes. They have encroachment challenges because many residents encroach upon park land. The department has installed non-removable boundary signs and also private property signs for the residents. They also added “no hunting” signs due to poaching. These have been put up at Swanson and Meadows Parks. Frye asked if they have only done this at Meadows and Swanson so far. Kupper responded yes. They still have problems when homes in these areas change hands. He has charged Mr. David McGuire and his division to bring the encroachment issues to the District Advisory Boards to get the word out. Residents get frustrated when the department removes trees for the fire break areas. Claycomb asked if they are taking care of the encroachments pictured. Kupper responded they are working on it at this time. They are educating District V Advisory Boards first. McCoskey added some of the challenge is ignorance. Kupper noted that some of the homeowner associations are giving out incorrect information to their residents. Hillman stated that there was a fence installed on the south side of Watson. He suggested they should revisit this issue due to the lack of a fire break. Kupper noted that Watson is maintained better so the level of fire risk is reduced. It is mowed regularly. He stated that it is a good point though. Frye asked if there were any questions and there were none. He thanked Kupper and McCoskey for the presentation and thought education is important. Harlenske noted that regarding the Riverside resident’s request to purchase park land, there is no adverse possession against a government agency. She stated they could go after these encroachments. Item 3A: Long-term Lease of Heritage Square Park to the Wichita Historical museum Association BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING April 14, 2014 Page 3 of 7 Frye stated that he and Kupper attended a luncheon at the Historical Museum hosted by the Junior League who was the donor of Heritage Square Park. Eric Cale stated that it seems to be the consensus that it is a good idea. Kupper stated that this was the Junior League’s first major capital campaign and they raised $80,000 for a gazebo, hard scape, landscaping, picnic tables, and benches. There is some concern that you cannot walk from one end to the other with the fencing that is being proposed. The majority of the seating will be on the outside of the fencing. This will lead to better control over the remaining park space for the negative uses of the space. They walked the area with the ladies that did the fundraising. They participated in the discussion about the south boundary fence location. Hillman asked about the daytime use opportunities for the park. Frye stated that control would be given to the historical museum regarding the opening and closing of the gate. Kupper stated that the museum would charge a nominal fee for museum admission which would allow persons into the closed off portion of the park. Frye stated they would control the programming, days and hours the park portion would be open. Kupper stated that there are portions of the park that have to remain open and public 24/7. Frye stated they have not received any negative feedback from the public yet. Harlenske asked if they are granting them the entire park and not just the portion they are fencing. There are requirements pertaining to the entire park. Frye – yes Harlenske asked the Board to review, in particular the “whereas” portion of the lease and provide any feedback. Hillman asked if the Historical Museum will maintain the benches and other park aspects. Kupper stated that the Museum Board of Trustees has not yet seen the draft of the agreement. Harlenske added that this is Park Board property and the Board has the authority to act on this without official City Council approval. This property was deeded to the Board of Park Commissioners in 1976. If there are any activities where the property makes a profit and becomes taxable that obligation will be assumed by the museum. This is done with most agreements. This was urban renewal property, but in 2010 all the restrictions were removed by the City Council. Frye thanked Harlenske for her research. Claycomb asked what 4.04.035 states about the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Harlenske responded that it states the only time alcohol can be consumed in the downtown parks is BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING April 14, 2014 Page 4 of 7 when there is a special event and when there is a license issued for the sale. It may need to be exempted like other open outdoor areas like the Farm and Art Market and Nomar where alcohol may be consumed at any time there is a special event. Claycomb asked if that would have to go before City Council. Harlenske said it would be an ordinance change and it would have to go before City Council. Frye asked what the next steps should be. Kupper stated he did not know if the terms would be acceptable to the Board. We want to let Eric’s attorneys work with the City’s attorneys to work through the “whereas” items. Frye encouraged the Board to review the agreement and provide feedback to Kupper. Motion by Frye, second by Hieger, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO release the proposal to the Historical Museum to begin negotiations (7-0). Kupper encouraged the Board to talk to their Councilperson. Item 3B: Golf Business Report Frye noted that this should be 4B in the Golf Update. Item 4A: Recreation Update (Karen Holmes/Alan Taber) Holmes stated that they had the Bunny Blast & Egg Hunt with an estimated 2500 in attendance. They charged $5 a carload and had approximately $1500 in revenue. This was the first time there was a charge. She introduced Alan Taber to present on Kids Konnection Camp. Taber discussed the Kids Konnection camp that is held on in-service days for USD 259. They average 31 children per day at $18 per child. Hillman asked if there are extra facility charges for these days. Taber responded no because the facility would be open at that time already. Claycomb asked what the children do for lunch. Taber responded that they provide their own, but that may be changing this year. He stated that they also offer Summer of Discovery Camps for $95 per week which includes two field trips each week. Kupper added that for $95 for five days of 11 hours of supervision, it is a great deal and there is no membership required. Allen asked what the capacity is. Taber responded 90. Taber added that they accept SRS agency funding and have various grant funding available. He introduced Van Williams and his son, Christian, who participate at Edgemoor. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING April 14, 2014 Page 5 of 7 Williams stated he would like to promote these programs because they provide a safe, secure and nurturing environment and are very affordable and convenient. Christian added that he knows many of his friends attend and he makes new friends. He stated they have fun activities and field trips. Frye asked Christian how old he is. Christian responded 11. Frye asked how closing the pool affected the program. Taber responded that they have to bus the children to the pool at Boston Park, but it did not affect enrollment. The only thing that was affected is that they were unable to offer swim lessons. He added that it is a KDHE licensed program and requires a lot of paperwork. Kupper added that it is a tax deductible, licensed daycare. Hillman asked how many attend at Linwood’s program. Taber responded approximately 60 children. Holmes stated that USD 259 is cutting some of their latch key programs this year. Kupper noted that Summer of Discovery has been so lucrative that they can afford to discount some of the other programs offered. Frye complimented Edgemoor for taking care of the Ryan Woodward skate park as well. Item 4B: Golf Update (Troy Hendricks) Frye stated that March is up compared to last year. Kupper noted that the first six days they only had two rounds played due to the weather. Frye noted that rounds and revenue are up. He added that City Council approved the rate increase request. And they are projecting $160,000 in revenue. Kupper stated they have had only one complaint regarding the season pass increase. Frye stated that a PGA member talked to the Golf Advisory Committee (GAC) regarding potential changes for Clapp Golf Course. He stated he asked staff to get more defined numbers to present the information back to the community with options of what can happen with revenue and expense options. Kupper stated they intend to have a plan laid out to go to the public first and then bring it back to Board. Frye asked if there was any other news. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING April 14, 2014 Page 6 of 7 Kupper stated that an offer has been made for the Golf Division Manager and they are waiting to hear if the offer has been accepted. Frye stated that the iron fence at MacDonald is looking very nice. Kupper stated that the fence line will be finished all around the property with money from the CIP as part of the deal of giving up the easement to widen 13th Street. Item 4C: Updates from Director and President Frye reminded the Board that the City is looking at a 20 year Community Plan and has four open houses scheduled to present what the steering committee has been working on. He encouraged the Board to attend and weigh in on the plan. Frye stated he would like to have as a future agenda item a review of the CIP. Kupper stated that in May there should be an update from the River Vista folks. There will also be a Golf Annual Report for endorsement. He thought it would be a good opportunity to review the CIP and collectively agree on what they should be asking for in the next 10 year CIP. He stated that the City puts together a 10 year CIP which is usually reviewed every two years. The last approved CIP was put together in 2010 and they are still working with that one. He asked the Board to think of projects in 10 year increments for planning purposes. Over the last couple of years, the department has averaged $1.2 to $1.8 million of the approximately $30 million a year CIP document. Frye stated that the community plan open houses will discuss other funding options. Hieger asked if there are any updates with the Riverside Zoo. Kupper stated they are planning public engagement meetings in May and would get the dates to the Board. Claycomb asked who had seen the presentation. Kupper responded that it was presented at the DAB breakfast, Audubon Society and Sierra Club meetings. Item 5: Adjourn There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:45pm. ______________________________________ Bryan Frye, President _____________________________________ Christina Butler, Clerk BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING April 14, 2014 Page 7 of 7