Board of Park Commissioners

BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES City Hall, 11th Floor Park Conference Room 455 N. Main Wichita, KS 67202 March 16, 2015 12:30pm Present: Hoyt Hillman, Chris Highfill, Tom Roth, Ron Allen Absent: Bryan Frye, Tori Deatherage, Cindy Claycomb Also Present: Troy Houtman (Director of Park and Recreation), Elizabeth Harlenske (City Assistant Attorney), Christina Butler (Clerk), David McGuire, John Philbrick (Staff). The meeting was called to order by Roth at 12:30pm. REGULAR AGENDA Item 1: Westar Request for Dr. Glen Dey Park (John Philbrick) Philbrick stated that this is a follow up from previous Park Board discussions since September 2014, where there was a request from Westar to rebuild a transmission line along their existing easement on I- 135 and widening it through Dr. Glen Dey Park. When the Park Board had discussed this it was suggested to ask for money for trees. It was negotiated and Westar increased the original offer from $75,000 to $150,000. The Park Department was advised to enter into a contract with Westar and to pay $150,000 for the easement allocate the funds for the Forestry Division for trees. Upon drawing up the contract and asking for signatures, it was discovered that there was no formal action taken by the Park Board to accept the $150,000 for the easement. The subject had been discussed and updated several times, but no formal action had been taken. Thus they called the meeting today. Harlenske asked if the entire $150,000 being offered for the easement in park property is going to trees. Philbrick responded yes. However, the total amount of the MOU with Westar is much larger because there is other City property involved as well as the Park property. The Park Board is concerned with the easement through the park. Hillman asked if staff would be able to pick the trees by going through the Forestry Department. Houtman responded they are working with the locations and will choose species for specific locations. They will have input on which tree and what location. Highfill asked if there is another amount for other property, since the $150,000 is just for trees for park property. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING March 16, 2015 Page 1 of 2 Houtman responded the contract involves funding for other parts of the agreement that do not deal with the parks and the Park Board. Staff feels this is a great opportunity for the Department and the Park Board. It will also be good for Westar because of the easement they need. It will be less intrusive and will not impact any activities in the park. Roth asked about the timeline. Houtman responded that it is to go to City Council tomorrow (Tuesday). Philbrick added that the timeline was tight because they must remove trees due to the pending issue with the long-eared bat. Houtman stated they have to trim the trees to have access to the easement. Roth noted there was no one from the public present. Motion by Highfill, second by Allen, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to accept the Westar offer as presented (4-0). Philbrick thanked the Park Board members for attending this meeting. Item 2: Adjourn There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 12:42pm. ______________________________________ Bryan Frye, President _____________________________________ Christina Butler, Clerk BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING March 16, 2015 Page 2 of 2