Board of Park Commissioners

BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES City Hall, 11th Floor Park Conference Room 455 N. Main Wichita, KS 67202 October 13, 2014 3pm Present: Bryan Frye, Tom Roth, Chris Highfill, Hoyt Hillman, Ron Allen, Cindy Claycomb Absent: Steve Hieger Also Present: Marty Miller, Interim Director of Park and Recreation, Elizabeth Harlenske, City Assistant Attorney, Christina Butler, Clerk, John Philbrick, Jerry Sherwood, John Moore, Bill Paulson, Chris Dendurent, Zack Daniel, Bob Lavelle, Matt Freund, Barry Carroll, Citizens. The meeting was called to order at approximately 3:00pm. PUBLIC AGENDA None. REGULAR AGENDA Item 1: Approval of Minutes Motion by Frye, second by Claycomb, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to approve, sign, and file the minutes of the September 8, 2014 Board of Park Commissioners Regular Meeting (6-0). Item 2A: Air Capital Disc Golf Club (Jerry Sherwood) Jerry Sherwood (1944 George Washington Blvd.) is the President of the Air Capital Disc Golf Club (ACDGC). Since disc golf’s inception in 1971, it gained the reputation in the 90’s as the fastest growing sport in the world. Between 2004 and 2013, active members of the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) have doubled. Tournaments and sanctioned events have tripled. Expansion of disc golf courses worldwide has doubled every five years since 1992. There are over 4,000 disc golf courses worldwide. The first course was installed in 1988 at Central Riverside Park. There are now two 18-hole courses in Wichita; one at Herman Hill Park and another at Oak Park. Derby, Haysville, Clearwater, Mulvane, Valley Center and Camp Hiawatha now have disc golf courses for a total of nine courses locally. Kansas City and Tulsa have increased courses within the city limits, while Wichita’s growth has occurred more outside of the city limits. Oak Park is used often and on some days could use more parking during peak times. The club would like to host bigger and better PDGA events. They would like to have upgrades done to Herman Hill and Oak Park to bring them up to a championship level. They would like to look at future expansion and ask for assistance and funds to make this happen. Frye asked if Air Capital did the improvements or if the Park Department did them. Sherwood replied that the Park Department did add some things for the course and the cooperation BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING October 13, 2014 Page 1 of 10 from the Park Department the past couple of years has been good. He would like more communication. Harlenske added there is a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ACDGC. Frye asked Harlenske to send a copy of the MOU to the Board. Harlenske noted this. Frye asked if the ACDGC has looked at other parks. Sherwood responded yes, but they did not want to start rumors so they have kept that within their Board. Frye thanked Sherwood for the information. Item 2B: Prairie Travelers, Inc. Proposal for Developing Prairie Sunset Trail (Matt Freund) Matt Freund (10 Lakeridge Drive, Goddard, KS) stated that Prairie Travelers is an organization which owns the land for the Sunset Trail and maintains the 8 miles from 167th Street to 295th Street. The organization has 10 plus years developing and maintaining it. It has also partnered with the City of Goddard and has transitioned opponents to advocates of the trails. The Sunset Trail from 167th Street to 295th Street is former rail land that is deeded to Prairie Travelers. The land from 167th Street to Hoover Road belongs to the City of Wichita with the exception of 119th Street through 135th Street. They would like to partner with the City of Wichita to expand the trail eastward and are seeking an MOU with Prairie Travelers and the City similar to the Singletrack Society’s MOU. Hillman asked if the east end of the connection will tie into K-42. Freund replied it ties into the north side of the airport close to the interchange of I-235 south of Kellogg. Hillman asked if they had considered going to K-42 to bring it into the City. Freund responded it had been proposed to put the path along the Cowskin, then on to Maple to cross I- 235 there. Another idea is to build a pathway along the Big Ditch as a connector. Claycomb asked Freund if they had approached the County for their land from 119th Street to 135th Street. Freund responded that he has and the County Commissioners said to work it out with the City first and they would work with them. They are receptive to the idea and the County Park and Recreation Department has entertained the idea of transferring ownership of the land to Prairie Travelers. Frye asked if it is an old rail bed that the City owns. Philbrick responded that the ownership is subject to the Rails to Trails restrictions. The City, County and Prairie Travelers railbanked part of it. Hoetmer stated this is in the WAMPO document because there are some challenging things going on east of Tyler with property ownership of other companies in that area. Freund has the experience in changing adjacent land owners in Goddard from opponents to advocates. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING October 13, 2014 Page 2 of 10 Frye noted that it is a very specific request and the Board will need more staff direction on the request. Freund stated the request is for a recommendation for staff to work with Prairie Travelers to craft an MOU and if it is approved by the Park Director and Board of Park Commissioners, take it to the City Manager and Prairie Travelers. Frye stated he would like to have staff give more direction on the challenges and issues regarding the Sunset Trail and bring it back to the board for a clearer understanding of the request. And then the Board could give a recommendation. Hoetmer agreed and stated they wanted to get it in front of the Board to see if this is something the Board would be interested in before pursuing it further. Harlenske noted an MOU would require City Council approval and asked when the City acquired the railbank property. Philbrick responded the City railbanked it in 2000. Harlenske stated it would require City Council approval. Freund stated since this is in one District, they would like to have the DAB review the final plans and then go to City council. Frye agreed and added they should take it to the DAB after there is more discovery. He would also want to talk with Scott Wadle. He stated he would like to see the connection because it will be an asset to the City. Freund added that the plans are separable and any incremental additional miles would be an improvement. Frye asked if there was public comment. Barry Carroll (1134 N. Coolidge) stated he is a member of the City Bike Ped Advisory Board and they have many people asking when this trail will be done. They would like to be included and provide some input. He is also a member of the Bike/Walk Wichita Association and could offer some volunteer work and assist with cleanup. John Moore (5932 E 93rd Street North, Valley Center) stated he has been a member of Prairie Travelers since its inception. They would like to have the City grade the trail for them and they could get the gravel for it. Bob Lavelle (1809 Wyndham, Park City) stated that he is with the Singletrack Society and feels it would be nice to tie the trail back to Air Capital Park which gets a lot of use. Freund stated he has ridden a bicycle on this trail and they are seeking progressive improvement. Claycomb stated the Prairie Travelers organization has done an amazing job with the Goddard trail and it could be a nice partnership. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING October 13, 2014 Page 3 of 10 Frye stated it would be nice to take formerly abandoned property and turn it into assets with a public/private partnership. Item 2C: Slacklining in the Parks and Ordinance Section 9.08.110 Miller stated that staff had seen this news story on slacklining activity in College Hill Park and brought it to his attention. Miller wanted to bring it to the Board to see if they would want to consider allowing this activity. He showed the news clip that was on KWCH showing Frank Perez slacklining between two trees in College Hill Park. Frank Perez sent him information on slacklining and research that had been done in other states. Frye asked if he was already doing this activity in the park. Harlenske responded yes, but he was told he had to stop because it is against City ordinance. She read the ordinance: No person shall affix, fasten or tie any notice, advertisement, placard, wire, cable or anything to any tree growing wholly or in part in or on any public street rights- of-way or park, or public property without the consent of the Director. Harlenske stated she had discussed this with Karen Holmes who had experience with it in her previous position in Washington. Holmes wanted nothing to do with it because there had been tree damage and lines were left in the park where people ran into the lines and were “clotheslined”. She suggested they need to have more research done on the activity and liability. Claycomb asked if Washington had an understanding similar to what Perez was suggesting. Harlenske responded she was unsure. Miller stated there is concern for the long term effect on the trees. The arborist could not see any immediate damage, but they are not sure of the long term effect. There is a lot of pressure on the trees with the gear used. Harlenske stated that Holmes told her in Washington there was bark damage found due to stripping the outer layer of bark from the trees with the slacklining equipment. Miller noted the Forestry Division is not in favor of this activity. He suggested possibly doing this activity on private property where there would be no damage to City trees and would remove liability for the City. Harlenske noted she did not specifically research the liability for this. Frye asked if the activity has stopped and if Perez was aware of the ordinance. Miller responded yes. Frye asked if Perez suggested any other places to do this. He asked if this could be something the Recreation Division may want to pursue maybe in Watson. There had been talk about having zip lines in Watson and maybe it be worked into the master plan for Watson. He suggested looking at other cities to see if it is a trend. His main concern is that the activity is stopped right now due to the risk. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING October 13, 2014 Page 4 of 10 Hillman stated they are working on the Watson master plan and they are interested in doing some challenge courses on the island which would be a controlled area. Frye noted that Perez appears to have some expertise in this and should possibly be consulted as well. No programming has been done for the Watson island, but it could be something to consider. He suggested that Karen Holmes communicate with Perez to see if others want to participate in the activity in a secure area with less risk. He felt that staff has done what is necessary. Allen asked if Frye was suggesting to have Perez speak to the Board. Frye responded not at this point because staff could deal with it. However, if Perez continues to do it, then he would have to come in before the Board. He wants to make sure staff is policing it. Harlenske stated that nothing needs to be done with the ordinance because the ordinance allows it to be a policy decision if the Director consents to it. Frye stated staff should continue the dialog and see if it is something worth looking at for the future. Item 2D: Verizon Wireless Tower Proposal in Orchard Park (John Philbrick) Philbrick distributed an aerial view of Orchard Park. He stated that Verizon has requested to place a monopole wireless facility in Orchard Park to replace a light pole by the ball field similar to what they did in Linwood Park. The Park Board previously agreed to allow T Mobile to put a wireless facility in Orchard Park about 5 or 6 years ago, however T Mobile never went forward with the plan. The park is zoned SF5 and will require a conditional use agreement if they go higher than 65 feet. Since the PB owns the land, they have to approve it. Verizon would pay about $12,000 a year and pay extra for co-locate. Frye asked if the school district has a facility tower. Philbrick responded yes, but it is not compatible for wireless. Hillman asked where the funds would go: to maintain, promote and improve the park, into the Park Foundation with a 10% charge or somewhere else. Philbrick responded the funds would go into one of the Park Department’s accounts. The Herman Hill and MacDonald Park towers funds go into the Park accounts. Frye added that it is his understanding that it will go to the General Operating Fund and it is all part of the Park and Recreation budget. It does not increase the overall operating revenue. Hamm stated it offsets the current budget. They could choose to put it in the Park Foundation. Hillman so then they could get 90% of it instead of nothing. Hamm responded they could set up an MOU with the Park Board and the Park Foundation to dictate where the money would be spent. Hillman stated they need to be more careful about how they collect funds and where they put the funds. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING October 13, 2014 Page 5 of 10 Frye stated the Board has always tried to ensure it gets funneled back to Park Department. Claycomb added sometimes the Board does not always have the ability to do that. Frye agreed. He asked if all of the plans have been done for the Miracle Field. Hoetmer responded that the only thing lacking is lighting. It is an inoperable old system. The Miracle Field was configured so that they could use the poles if necessary. Frye asked what the cost would be. Hoetmer responded that if they go with a state of the art Musco system, it could easily be $75,000. Although, he also is not sure they have programming there that would need lighting. Frye asked if there is a scoreboard. Hoetmer responded yes, a small one. Hamm added that it is not programmed yet through Recreation. Frye asked how large of a tower they could put up. Philbrick responded that anything they use will need approval and will be between 65-100 feet high. Frye asked if the Board approved, would it have to go through MAPC. Philbrick responded yes. Claycomb asked how tall the current poles are. Frye responded 40 feet. Miller asked where the revenue goes now. Philbrick responded that Park gives them an OCA and they post it there. He thought the MacDonald funds went to the Golf Fund. Frye added that the funds for the tower at Linwood went to replace lights most recently. Claycomb stated it goes to offset the General Fund. Hillman stated it could be a nice way to help fix up the area. Philbrick stated it would be $12,000 a year and they normally put in an annual escalator of 3% and to co- locate will increase the rent. The first step is to agree to the lease and then go through governmental approval. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING October 13, 2014 Page 6 of 10 Hillman asked if someone would be able to help with placement so as not to interfere with programming. Frye stated they would need more than one light there if they decide to put in lights. Right now there is no lighting and they need to visit with Recreation staff to see what may be a good use of the funds or what they might need at the park or recreation center. Frye asked if the Board could have a month to visit with staff to see how the money could best be used. He asked Philbrick to let Verizon know the Board is receptive to the idea. They could possibly direct it through the Park Foundation. Philbrick stated there were no urgent time constraints. Frye suggested staff visit with Mark Lowry at Orchard and look for opportunities to leverage the revenue. He also suggested that Philbrick let Verizon know the Board is receptive to the idea and they are getting a counter proposal together for them. Philbrick stated Verizon was replicating what the Board had approved in Linwood Park. Item 2E: K-96 and Hoover Proposal (John Philbrick) Philbrick distributed an aerial view of the area. The City is working on a project for the interchange at K- 96 and Hoover and they need about a four acre strip off of Crystal Prairie Park property along highway right of way. He was bringing it to the Board because he was not sure if the Board had seen anything on it. Frye stated he knew nothing about it. He had heard staff talk about it and knew Kupper and Hoetmer had been involved in discussions about it, but this was the first map he had seen. Hoetmer gave some history on it and stated that before Kupper’s departure, they had worked with Public Works on the Crystal Prairie Lake Development. They came to Park with a cloverleaf configuration which was due to some miscommunication and the version brought before them today is in keeping with the original master plan. Philbrick added this is just right of way for the off-ramp at Hoover for west bound K-96 which will be a main entry point for Crystal Prairie Lake. Frye stated that seeing this design was better than the cloverleaf configuration because it takes up much less square footage and allows for the off ramp at the park. Philbrick stated it is a little over four acres along the intersection. Frye stated this is a request from Public Works and the Board needs to take staff’s recommendation to approve the right of way and controlled access. Highfill asked if the cloverleaf and the four acres are the only two options. Frye stated that the cloverleaf was not presented because staff worked really hard to make sure this design happened. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING October 13, 2014 Page 7 of 10 Motion by Frye, second by Highfill, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to accept the right of way and controlled access as presented and allow Public Works to proceed (6-0). Item 3A: Continuation of Prior Business Westar and Dr. Dye Park – Miller stated that at the previous Board meeting there was discussion regarding Westar possibly donating trees to Dr. Dye Park in exchange for an easement. The last communication was that Westar will approach their Board of Directors with the idea of donating trees or money. If Westar gives $150,000 at once, the logistics need to be worked out (i.e. Will the Department have the manpower to plant that many trees?) Philbrick noted Westar cannot do donations. He reminded Westar it is not a donation because they are getting an easement and the City wants to get something in return instead of dollars that will go to the General Fund. Miller stated it is bartering. Philbrick added they cannot phase in the money because it is tied into a one-time project fund. Their right of way people have to convince the engineers to move it forward. They would be entering into a $150,000 contract and the Department will tell them where to put the trees. Because it does involve some City owned land, it will go to City Council but it will be structured that they are giving the City trees instead of money. They increased their offer from $75,000 cash to $150,000 in goods/trees. He will advise the Board when he hears back from Westar. Item 4A: Golf Update (Troy Hendricks) Hendricks noted that rounds are up for September and YTD. Revenue is also up over 2013. Compared to PGA numbers, all courses are ahead of the PGA performance track for the state with the exception of LW Clapp. Overall the Golf Division is in good shape. It was recommended to purchase a new Point of Sale (POS) system in 2014. Club Prophet POS system is being installed and is ready to go with the exception of the general ledger information. Once that is done, it will be tested with a planned go live date next Monday. They continue to look at various marketing opportunities and hope to have a final plan in place for the next Golf Advisory Committee (GAC) meeting that will be in conjunction with the Park Board Retreat. He distributed a golf guide which was an idea from the Golf Pros. All pictures in the guide are local as requested by the GAC. He stated they may have to add some pages to have it print properly without increasing the price. Claycomb asked what the distribution will be. Hendricks responded it will be the same as used for the Recreation Activities Guide distribution. Hamm stated it will be a one-time distribution in early spring. She noted there would be some design changes and some articles added. It will be approximately $16-18,000 to print and distribute. Frye asked if there would be ads. Hamm not right now. Frye asked where the money to pay for this would be coming from. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING October 13, 2014 Page 8 of 10 Hendricks replied the advertising budget. Frye asked what advertising they would be displacing to do this. Hendricks responded they are moving away from electronic media. Frye asked if they were doing this rather than television and radio. Hendricks responded yes. They think people will pick them up at the grocery store and at the golf courses. They think they will attract people who are not getting the electronic advertising. Hamm noted they will have to add Dillon’s distribution costs, so it is now up to an estimated $21,000 for printing and distribution. She stated the return on investment may not be as good for this first time out. Hendricks stated the GAC feels that many do not understand what the golf courses have to offer. So this is a way to get people to understand what they do. Frye noted that he understands that, but wants to make sure that they are not cutting off their noses to do this. Hamm stated they need to look at the content because much of the information will be on the new website. Claycomb asked how many increased rounds of golf would cover the $20,000. Hendricks responded 1000 rounds. He added that many still do not know that Auburn Hills exists. Claycomb stated if it looks like a magazine rather than a newspaper, people will tend to keep it. Hamm noted they would the same paper as the Recreation Activities Guide. Hendricks added that once the new POS goes live, the new website will launch. Frye asked Hamm to show the Board the current website. Hamm noted that Golfwichita.com will still be the domain. They then reviewed the new website. There is a link to take golfers book a tee time through Club Prophet, the new POS system. Hendricks stated there will be two ways to book a tee time. They click and go to all five courses or the individual course. Hamm noted that each course has the same header and the course information. Tournaments will be posted and customers can print a registration form. Unfortunately customers will not be able to register on-line for tournaments. Hendricks noted there is a golf donation tab with the new policy and donation form. The Golf Division receives donation requests daily. Frye asked if there is a map. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING October 13, 2014 Page 9 of 10 Hamm responded currently there is not a map, but that can be added. Item 4B: Updates from Director and President Miller noted that several staff are attending the NRPA Conference so there will be no Recreation update. Frye suggested that the Golf Advisory Committee (GAC) may need a shared meeting with the Park Board. He would like to postpone the retreat until the new Park Director starts in November. The Board can wait to set the retreat date when he gets in. Frye asked the Board to get out to Orchard Park before next month’s meeting. Miller noted his staff is partnering with the Police Department’s HOT (Homeless Outreach Taskforce) Team regarding homeless in the park. It has been recommended by the ACLU to give 72 hours’ notice before they clean up and dispose of property. Harlenske stated there is an ordinance making it illegal to leave personal property in the park. The HOT team has worked with the homeless and needs to work with staff on the notification process. Miller noted that Botanica had its Bootanica event and had 3,000 in attendance. The next event is the Ghoulish Gala on October 24 which is a fundraiser for the Joyland merry-go-round building. There will be all kinds of memorabilia from Joyland at the event. Tickets are $40 for members and $50 for non- members. Miller stated that Botanica has raised more than enough funds to cover the cost of the Chinese Garden which has its grand opening in the spring. Construction should be done in the next few weeks. Plantings will be done and ready to go for the spring. Hillman noted there is an opportunity at Linwood Park. There are cars going over the curb and parking next to the recreation center with liquor and beer bottles discarded there. Frye stated he wants to visit with the new Director about this as well as other problems like the dumping problem at Dr. Dye Park. Item 5: Adjourn There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:15pm. ______________________________________ Bryan Frye, President _____________________________________ Christina Butler, Clerk BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING October 13, 2014 Page 10 of 10