Board of Park Commissioners

BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES City Hall, 11th Floor Park Conference Room 455 N. Main Wichita, KS 67202 March 9, 2015 3pm Present: Bryan Frye, Hoyt Hillman, Chris Highfill, Tori Deatherage, Tom Roth, Ron Allen, Cindy Claycomb Absent: None Also Present: Troy Houtman (Director of Park and Recreation), Elizabeth Harlenske (City Assistant Attorney), Christina Butler (Clerk), David McGuire, Lisa Klaassen, Alan Taber, Troy Hendricks (Staff), John McDonald, Sandy McDonald, Josh Phillips (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 Roth, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to approve, sign, and file the minutes of the January 12, 2015, Board of Park Commissioners Regular Meeting (7-0). Motion by Frye, second by Allen, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to approve, sign, and file the minutes of the February 9, 2015, Board of Park Commissioners Regular Meeting (7-0). Item 2A: Golf Advisory Committee (GAC) Meeting Minutes Posted On-line (Troy Hendricks) Hendricks stated that at the Jan GAC meeting, a member asked if the minutes could be posted on line. The Park Board minutes and City Council minutes are posted. He stated he was not sure it is necessary to post the sub-committee GAC’s minutes. Frye stated it is not required, although he thinks it might be good public policy. Harlenske added there is no problem if they are not posted, but they can post them. Hillman asked if the Park Board could get a copy. Frye stated he did not realize the Board was not getting copies of the minutes. He suggested they get emailed too. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING March 9, 2015 Page 1 of 6 Motion by Frye, second by Claycomb, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to place Golf Advisory Committee minutes on line and send out to Park Board members (7-0). Item 3A: Naming Recommendation of Central and Grove Park to Elm Neighborhood Park (David McGuire) Frye stated there was a parcel of land that has a new playground at Central and Grove which has not been named. Houtman stated staff had attended the neighborhood association meeting and they wanted it to be named Elm Neighborhood Park. He stated staff will go back to the District Advisory Board (DAB) meeting on March 30 to get their approval. They are scheduling the ribbon cutting on April 17, Friday, at 10am. He asked the Board to put the date on their calendars. The next meeting Park Board meeting is April 13 and City Council meeting is April 14. Hillman asked when the park land was acquired and if it will be controlled by the City or the Park Board. Frye responded it is City owned. He noted that staff installed fencing on all four sides. Item 4A: Recreation Update (Lisa Klaassen) Klaassen noted she would provide an update on the new Fitness Center at Linwood Recreation Center. They had unused space that was used for storage and had some capital improvement money available. They engaged the community and they requested a fitness center or a place to work out. There were $300,000 in CIP funds for construction and $100,000 for equipment. Law Kingdon created the design. A security system was installed to monitor the fitness center. There is a keypad entrance for the facility locked into membership numbers. The equipment was selected for a diverse group of users and was purchased through Mid-States Equipment. There is cardio equipment, treadmills, ellipticals, resistance training, and free weights. The hours are Monday –Thursday 8am-8pm, Friday 8am-6pm, and Saturday 10am-12pm. There are monthly membership fees which are quite competitive. They are considering future programming with classes for circuit training, women on weights and team training for youth sports. They have had a soft opening and have already sold 10 memberships. The grand opening has yet to be scheduled. Frye asked how the personal trainers work. Klaassen responded that personal trainer time is purchased and the first month is included. Allen asked if there are locker rooms. Klaassen responded yes, there is a small locker room with 12-16 lockers, however there is no shower. Item 4B: Golf Update (Troy Hendricks) Hendricks reported that rounds are up for the first two months of the year over last year by 41%. Clapp is up 78% and MacDonald is up 47%. For the month of February they are up 48% over last year and revenue is up 44%. Net income is 22% better than last year. Frye asked if there were any anticipated encumbrances. Hendricks responded they still have chemical orders coming in. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING March 9, 2015 Page 2 of 6 Item 4C: Golf Advisory Committee Update (Bryan Frye) Frye noted that the last meeting was January 20, 2015. They Golf Advisory Committee (GAC) reviewed the attendance policy, marketing with radio, email blasts and surveys. The scaled fees proposal will be discussed at the next meeting. Hendricks stated that in appreciation of the season ticket holders, the Golf Division added a perk for season ticket holders. They will receive a one-time use golf cart for their birthday which is tied to their account. The Golf Division has implemented an e-club to sign up email addresses. They have also distributed the first Golf Guide and have been getting positive reaction from it. The Guide introduces staff, and gives information on season passes, lessons, leagues, programming, and tee sign advertising. Golfwichita.com is the Golf Division’s website with each course having a tab with info pertaining to it. They are launching Footgolf on March 21 at Clapp with free footgolf after 11am with the B52s Soccer Team. They will have radio ads and a coupon distributed to USD 259 students and staff for 1pay/2 plays Footgolf. This should have a positive impact on the Golf Division. Houtman stated that the Tennis Center was moved under Troy Hendricks’ umbrella of responsibility. Numbers and stats will be coming soon from the Tennis Center too and they will have the same methodology. Frye stated the GAC also discussed marshaling and improvements to Clapp and MacDonald. A copy of the expenses, start-up costs and map was distributed for reference. The GAC heard the recommendations and suggested adding mats and fencing. They unanimously approved to recommend the Park Board approve the installation of a driving range and short range at MacDonald. This would not add more cost to the course and the Golf Division would be able to pay for it. The payback could be done in 10 years. Hendricks stated regarding the retention pond, the dirt work would be approximately $800,000 and could be bonded for 10-15 years and make the debt service payment. Frye stated they are not ready to vote on it yet. The GAC simply wanted to bring it to the Park Board’s attention to see they can get support from Public Works because it would be best if Public Works will share the project with them. He asked the Park Board to talk to their City Council member about this retention pond as it will help with the water bill and will keep the course more challenging and more attractive. Hillman asked if they discussed the driving range at Clapp. Frye responded they talked about the short course. Hendricks added they will have two holes for a short course instead of a driving range. Frye stated the next meeting is scheduled on March 17 at Sim Golf Course. Item 4D: Wichita Parks Foundation Update (Chris Highfill) Highfill stated he did not make it to the last meeting. Frye noted that Slide the City was confirmed for the Independence Day Block Party (IDBP). BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING March 9, 2015 Page 3 of 6 Houtman stated that the IDBP had two major sponsorships sold with a couple more sponsorships still to be sold. Slide the City can sell a maximum of 6,000 tickets and had 500 sold so far. They are working to have a baseball game scheduled at Lawrence Dumont Stadium and possibly free ice time at the Ice Center. Frye stated it is shaping up to be a fun day. Houtman added that a band is signed for evening entertainment and radio promotion is starting. It is coming together well and Hamm and the Parks Foundation Board are working hard on this. Deatherage asked if there has been any criticism about the water usage for Slide the City. Houtman responded no. He noted that Austin is doing this also and there was concern about water restrictions. Slide the City uses recycled water with chemists available to maintain the levels. Houtman also noted that the Foundation has other fundraising functions and special events such as a Poker Tournament, ICTrees. And Clean Up Dates. They have two new Board Members Mike Padilla and Barney Barnhard. Item 4E: OJ Watson Park Committee Update (Hoyt Hillman) Hillman noted he is working with Brian Hill. They had discussed a spring fishing tournament, but moved it to October to try to get the City to help sponsor it. There are plans to enhance the railroad and mini golf and they are working on selling fishing licenses. There are tables on platforms that need to be stabilized and landscaping that needs to be updated. Houtman stated there is $300,000 in CIP for this year and the majority will go to the train locomotive. It is an average of $300,000 to facelift a park. They will review the master plan and add execution plans. Frye stated the Bunny Blast and Egg Hunt will be March 28. Item 4F: Aquatics Committee Update (Tori Deatherage) Deatherage stated she will get with Brian Hill for meeting dates for the Aquatics Committee. Houtman stated they had met with facility operators, YMCA, school districts, Derby Aquatics, and Swim Team Club leaders to discuss the challenges. They are bringing back the Aquatics Master Plan and will be going to DABs for input. They will re-do the master plan and hope to have it back to the Park Board by the beginning of the fall. Frye asked about the timeline for the Harvest Pool bathhouse. Houtman stated it should be ready for the summer. Frye asked if Boston Pool will re-open. Houtman responded yes. Frye asked if there is a start date yet for the Buffalo Park splash pad. Houtman noted they are waiting for the grant confirmation and do not have a date yet. He will notify BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING March 9, 2015 Page 4 of 6 the Park Board as soon as they get the confirmation. Frye stated they will be going to the DAB meetings and asked the Board to try to attend. Houtman noted he will send the meeting notices to the Park Board. Item 4G: President and Director Houtman noted that the County has given 90-day notice that they are dropping the lease of the Pawnee Prairie building. They are consolidating space to save money. He asked the Board for ideas for use. Deatherage asked what the capacity is for the building. Taber responded it is approximately 75 and had previously been used a lot for weddings. Frye asked Houtman to send the square footage to the Board. Houtman stated that staff is putting together a project management system for several projects assigned by the City Manager and for CAPRA accreditation. They will be reviewing the PROS Plan to evaluate if it is still viable, review the accomplishments and measurements and will update accordingly. Next month they will have a formal plan and let the Board know what support will be needed. The Kansas Wildlife Exhibit received a $100,000 donation and will create a master plan for the facility. The other projects include the OJ Watson Park Master Plan, Aquatics Master Plan, a status update on the Recreation Reorganization and the Golf Division Plan. Houtman stated that Alan Taber has accepted the position of Interim Recreation Superintendent while they search for a new one. Claycomb asked who had been in the position. Houtman responded Karen Holmes. He noted he would like volunteers from the Park Board for the panel interviews for the position. Houtman stated that the Arbor Day Celebration would be at Dr. Glen Dey Park on April 24. Houtman noted they had finalized the MOU for FC Wichita soccer team to use Stryker Field as their home field. They will have teams from all over playing there. Houtman noted they had developed a mascot for the department to improve exposure. The mascot is Buddy the Bison and will be unveiled for the Summer Activities Guide. They will have clipart for fliers and brochures for cross marketing and exposure. Houtman stated they will be activating Naftzger Park with activities on Saturdays and some evenings. The Department will rent a hand-me-down van from Fleet and will attach a magnet sign denoting it is with the Park and Recreation Department. It will be a mobile recreation center with games, jump ropes, hula hoops, balls, etc. There will be activities in the park along with food trucks. These activities will kick off Saturday, April 11, 2015. Frye noted that the next meeting will be April 13, 2015. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING March 9, 2015 Page 5 of 6 Item 5: Adjourn There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:10pm. ______________________________________ Bryan Frye, President _____________________________________ Christina Butler, Clerk BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING March 9, 2015 Page 6 of 6