Board of Park Commissioners

BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES City Hall, 11th Floor Park Conference Room 455 N. Main Wichita, KS 67202 February 9, 2015 3pm Present: Bryan Frye, Ron Allen, Chris Highfill Absent: Cindy Claycomb, Hoyt Hillman, Tori Deatherage, Tom Roth Also Present: Troy Houtman (Director of Park and Recreation), Elizabeth Harlenske (City Assistant Attorney), Christina Butler (Clerk), Mark Lowry, Stacey Hamm, Troy Hendricks, David McGuire (Staff), Connie Lowmiller, Caleb Hall (Citizens). The meeting was called to order at approximately 3:00pm. Frye noted the Board did not have a quorum therefore they could not vote on any items. PUBLIC AGENDA None. REGULAR AGENDA Item 1: Approval of Minutes Frye noted there was a correction on the minutes of the January 12, 2015, Board of Park Commissioners Regular Meeting regarding the League 42 fundraiser statement by Hillman. Butler noted this had been corrected. Frye stated since there was not a quorum they would vote to approve the minutes at the next meeting in March. Item 2A: Naming Recommendation of Central and Grove Park to Elm Neighborhood Park (David McGuire) McGuire met with the previous officers of the Elm Neighborhood Association and Councilwoman Lavonta Williams. They discussed naming the park at Central and Grove. Since Elm Street is the main street through the neighborhood, they recommended the name Elm Neighborhood Park. They discussed amenities they would like at the park such as a picnic table and bench. Frye asked if they had presented this name to the District Advisory Board (DAB) for District I yet. McGuire responded no because they wanted to bring it to the Park Board first for approval and then present it to the DAB. Allen stated he drove by the park and had a safety concern because of the busy intersection. He asked if staff had considered putting up a fence. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING February 9, 2015 Page 1 of 6 Houtman stated staff had measured off an area to install a fence and it should be done in a few weeks. Frye noted this had been a vacant lot and they are making the best use of the area. He was happy to hear staff had taken the lead on the fencing. He noted that the Board was comfortable with taking the name to the DAB I and advising them that the former officers of the Elm Neighborhood Association had recommended the name Elm Neighborhood Park. Houtman stated they would let DAB I know that they have presented the name to the Park Board and they have approved the name. McGuire noted there is no other Elm Park in Wichita. Frye asked if there were other parks with “neighborhood” in the name. McGuire responded no. Frye stated the Board was not able to vote on the name due to not having a quorum. He suggested discussing the possibility of removing “neighborhood” from the park name because there are no other parks with that distinction. McGuire noted that those who were present at the meeting were pretty adamant about having “neighborhood” as part of the park name. But it could be discussed. Houtman stated they will plan a dedication/ribbon cutting for the park in the spring. They will ensure the fence, bench and picnic table are in place. They will also set up a meeting with the DAB I to discuss the name for the park. Frye noted this item will carry over to the next Park Board meeting. Item 3A: Aquatics Master Plan Revisions Houtman noted that there has been more discussion regarding the Aquatics Master Plan. Although many citizens had stated they would like an aquatics center in their neighborhood, it is just not feasible. Currently they are going through steps to revise the Aquatics Master Plan and will take the next three to four months to gather more feedback from neighborhood stakeholders and DABs. They will bring the issue back to the Park Board in the summer. Staff will ensure Deatherage, who is the Park Board representative for the Aquatics Committee, is well-versed and knowledgeable of all the issues. He wanted to advise the Board that the master plan is still evolving. Frye thanked him for the information and asked when the pools are scheduled to open this season. Houtman responded they will open Memorial Day weekend. Frye asked if Edgemoor and Boston pools will still be closed. Houtman responded that Edgemoor will remain closed. Holmes added that Boston will open up this season. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING February 9, 2015 Page 2 of 6 Allen asked about McAdams pool. Holmes responded that McAdams will open as well. Item 4A: Recreation Update (Karen Holmes/Mark Lowry) Lowry stated he is the Recreation Director at Orchard Recreation Center and would discuss the success of the beekeeping classes. In the fall of 2013, Wes Wolken approached staff about teaching a beekeeping class. Initially they started with a workshop to see if there would be interest and they had five people register. Then they offered a class which quickly filled up, so they added a second class. These first two classes had a total of 30 participants. They offered three classes during another session and had 89 participants. They added an advanced class which is almost full and the beginner classes are almost full again. After a year of beekeeping classes, Orchard Recreation Center has received $6012 in revenue. Frye asked if people are able to raise their own bees after they take the class. Lowry responded yes. Frye noted it is nice to have different content in the classes offered and that they have an impact on the community. Holmes added if the Board knows anyone who would like to teach a class, direct them to apply on the City of Wichita Human Resources website. Staff will contact them to discuss their class. Frye asked Holmes about the last Recreation report that was sent and asked if the numbers were for 2014 end of year. Holmes responded yes and that next month they will have the January numbers to compare 2014 to 2015. Item 4B: Golf Update (Troy Hendricks) Hendricks stated that year to date rounds were up 35% over 2013. Clapp led the way with a 67% increase. Revenue was up 18% compared to 2013. Expenditures and encumbrances were down 5%. Frye asked if Hendricks if he knew why there was such an increase at Clapp. Hendricks responded they ran winter rates and had 22 rounds of footgolf there. Highfill asked if Clapp is the only course with footgolf. Hendricks responded yes. According to the PGA PerformanceTrak, four courses exceeded state rounds played in 2014. Two courses exceeded national rounds. He noted that footgolf will “kick-off” in March with a press release and a TV commercial. They did a photo shoot with several B-52s soccer players and will have an ad on the back cover of the Golf Guide. He showed the final copy of the Golf Guide which will go to print on Friday and will be distributed next week. He then discussed information and numbers regarding the scaled fees proposal. The Golf Advisory Committee (GAC) had discussed the scaled fees and suggested offering an Early Bird Special to get more golfers on the course before 7am. This was proposed because most tee times are booked starting after 7am. He noted that he put the numbers together if they moved opening time back an hour, they could save approximately $5400 a year. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING February 9, 2015 Page 3 of 6 However, if they offered Early Bird tee times and could sell half of those tee times, they could make an additional $45,000 a year. Frye noted this was discussed at the GAC. Houtman noted they evaluated the savings, but saw a loss in revenue. They would like to get golfers on the courses and this would be worthwhile to get people playing. Hendricks noted the GAC stated in order to get golfers to take earlier tee times, the savings would have to be significant. The numbers on the spreadsheet show half-price greens fees and they would still generate $45,000. This would possibly move people from the 7:30-10am time slots to the early time slots to save money and could then open up tee times for others. He think it is something to do this year. He then discussed the driving range with pond improvements at MacDonald and distributed maps and the potential revenue. They anticipate generating between $55-56,000 of new revenue for the golf courses. The driving range on the east side of town at Braeburn is out of business and this will give golfers an option. The estimated cost is $410,000 for the driving range and the pond improvements would be approx. $410,000. Taylor Zimmerman, course designer, estimates it could be done along with the short course for $800,000 at the most. Hendricks met with Stormwater and Public Works and they are willing to contribute to it and could commit to help with the bond payments. Frye asked what Stormwater committed. Hendricks noted they did not give a specific number. Alan King from Public Works would like to go to City Council in April or May of this year. Hendricks stated that Forestry staff can put in seedless male cottonwoods as a screen. He noted that the GAC voted to go forward t it. Houtman added they still need to figure out Stormwater’s contribution, but the concept has everyone on board. Frye noted it is an exciting opportunity. Hendricks stated there was discussion regarding the GAC minutes being posted on-line. Based on his discussion with Harlenske, this should be on the Park Board agenda to vote on. Frye stated they will put that on the March Park Board agenda. He asked if they discussed the short course at Clapp because they would be making use of space just sitting there. He asked when the next meeting date is scheduled for the GAC. Hendricks responded he thought the meeting is March 17. Frye stated the next Park Board meeting is scheduled for March 9 and it may be too early to get it together for City Council because the GAC might need to discuss it again. Item 4C: Update from Golf Advisory Committee (Bryan Frye) Frye noted there are no other updates. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING February 9, 2015 Page 4 of 6 Item 4D: Update from Wichita Parks Foundation (Chris Highfill) Highfill stated the Foundation is working on naming rights and sponsorship policy. It is with the Legal Department for review. ICTrees is moving along. Hamm stated that the Independence Day Block Party is scheduled for July 4, 2015. Slide the City has been confirmed starting at 1pm with ticket sales beginning the first of April. The slide will start at the peak of the Lewis Street bridge and end at Maple and Sycamore. It will end at 8pm. She is working with Lawrence Dumont Stadium for use of the parking lot and concession stand. American Ramp Company will bring in a pump track for demonstrations. She is also working with the skate shop in Delano to participate. The band, Lucky People, will take the stage about 7pm. She has asked the Wagonmasters to attend and provide boat rides on the river. The Watson Park inflatables will be set up at Lawrence Dumont. Kona Ice and Funky Monkey Munchies will have food trucks. They will need volunteers for the slide and various events for the day. Frye stated the evening will be capped off with fireworks by the Wichita Parks Foundation. Hamm then discussed the second fundraiser for the Foundation which will be a Poker Tournament on August 22, 2015, at Botanica in Lotus Hall. She also reported that the Foundation received a $100,000 donation for the Kansas Wildlife Exhibit (KWE). Frye asked what will be done with the money. Houtman noted that initially the money will maintain staff for the exhibit. Once the Friends of the KWE have momentum and donations they can start making improvements at the exhibit. They will work with Park staff on improvements. Hamm added they will have a kick-off for the KWE fundraising and check donation on May 2, 2015. Item 4E: Update from OJ Watson Park Committee (Hoyt Hillman) None. Item 4F: Update from Aquatics Committee (Tori Deatherage) None. Item 4G: Update from President Frye noted that the Buffalo Park capital request was approved by City Council last week. Houtman added that no construction date has been set yet. Item 4H: Update from Director Houtman stated the Department is in negotiations with FC Wichita to host games at the Stryker Complex. He hopes to have an update before the next Park Board meeting in March. Houtman noted the Arbor Day Event will take place on April 24 at Dr. Dey Park. The City will celebrate its 145th anniversary and the Department will plant 145 trees throughout the City. He will have more information at the next meeting. Frye noted that this event will be done in conjunction with ICTrees. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING February 9, 2015 Page 5 of 6 Frye noted that the next meeting will be March 9. Item 5: Adjourn There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:50pm. ______________________________________ Bryan Frye, President _____________________________________ Christina Butler, Clerk BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING February 9, 2015 Page 6 of 6