Board of Park Commissioners

BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING AGENDA City Hall, 11th Floor Park Conference Room 455N. Main Wichita, KS 67202 June 8, 2015 3pm Present: Cindy Claycomb, Ron Allen, Troy Palmer, Hoyt Hillman, Chris Highfill, Tori Deatherage, Patty Vizzini Absent: Also present: Troy Houtman (Director ofPark and Recreation), Michelle Haun (Clerk), Elizabeth Harlenske (City Assistant Attorney), Troy Hendricks, Jim Mason, Larry Hoetmer (Staff), Matt Freund (Citizen) Claycomb called the meeting to order at 3:00pm. PUBLIC AGENDA Hoetmer introduced Matt Freund with the Prairie Travelers. The Prairie Travelers are wanting to use an existing bridge at the north end of Pawnee Prairie Park. Currently the park is primarily forequestrian use, and bicycles not allowed. Hillman asked for a map ofthe area. Freund presented a document showing the bridge area and usage ofthe bridge by type. He explained that the Prairie Travelers are not asking for use of the entire park, only shared access to the pedestrian walk bridge on the far north end. Claycomb stated that the Park Board cannoftake action on thiHoday. This is just to introduce the discussion. Hillman asked ifthere was a grant given to the Prairie Travelers. Freund stated that this would be completely the City's responsibility. The Prairie Travelers are asking to make better use ofan existing structure and to change the boundary by 100-ft. They propose to add signage that says, "Pedestrians and bicycles all yield to horses." Claycomb stated that the Park Board members need to be allowed time to go and take a look at the bridge and also allow other park users to weigh in on·the matter. Freund stated that he has talked with equestrian representatives, and they are amenable. He also asked ifthere is a regulation that states there is only equestrian use allowed at Pawnee Prairie Park. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING June 8, 2015 Page lof& Harlenske stated that it is a park regulation that'was imposed.by Doug Kupper and his authority. Freund stated thaUf the Park Board is the appropriate entity he w.ould ask that they change the.rule. Houtman.stated that Mr. Freund should also provide a letter from the equestrian group. Freund stated that this proposal is just to allow bicycles to use the bridge. REGULAR AGENDA Claycomb introduced Troy Palmer. Palmer stated that he came over from the Library Board and that he served five years there. Item 1: Approval of Minutes Allen moved to approve. Deatherage stated that there was a misspelling of her last name. Motion by Claycomb, second by Allen, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to approve, sign and file the minutes of May 11, 2015, Board of Park Commissioners Regular meeting,,as amended. (7-0) Item 2A: Community Investments Draft Plan 2015-2035 (Dave Barber - MAPDI Barber stated that an 18 member steering committee has been working on the community investments plan for the last two years. He presented a video and an overview of the plan on a slide show. The presentation covered the 10 goals and 44. strategies of the plan. The City's existing comprehensive plan has been in place since 1993. This plan needs to be updated. There·are seven guiding principles tliat wiU look at growth over the next 20 years. The main goal is to improve the quality of life through premier arts, culture, library, recreation and open space facilities. We will need to review and update the Wichita Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan to·ensure that it strategically integrates with the County regional parks and open space plan. Vizzini asked if the growth map can be accessed online to zoom in further. Barber stated that there is a website link on the hand out. Hillman stated that he would be interested to hear what the builders have to say. Barber stated that there is a meeting planned tomorrow with multiple builders. Houtman stated that he has not given much thought to the County and wants to know what they have to say about parks. Barber stated thanhey don't.have much in the way ofa long range plan. They are currently looking at the old Furley Landfill site. Claycomb asked if they have a park"department. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS ME£TING June 8, 2015 Page 2 of 6 Barber responded that they do not. The current project cost is $13.5 billion. This plan will be reviewed and updated every year. The current timetable is to collect feedback from the community through June, go to the DABs in July and August and go to.the-City Council in September. The overall question is if this plan is going in the right direction. Item 28: Bank Stabilization Project.at Chisholm Creek Park !Jim Mason) Mason stated that Chisholm Creek Park has been selected as a test case for the use of coirs to stabilize bank erosion. Claycomb asked who is providing the funding. Mason stated that the Kansas Wildlife and. Park Department received a grant. The coir system should be in place by the end of the summer. Houtman.stated that the Park Board does not need to make a motion on this. Item 3A: Great Plains Nature Center Easement Request from Westar !John Philbrick) Philbrick stated that following last mo_nth's discussion, Westar is now offering $33,600 for the easement. Hillman asked where the money will go. Houtman stated that the money should go back to that park for maintenance. Palmer asked if the funds have to go to the general fund. Houtman·responded no, that since this sale is specific to this park, we can request that the money to go to that park, Motion by Hillman, second by Palmer, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to accept Westar's offer for the GPNC easement, as·amended with a designation that funds go to the park fund for maintenance of the park. (7-0) Item 3B: Sale of City Property to 1103 North Pearce !John Philbrick) Philbrick stated that this was pulled by CouncHand there has been no further action. Houtman stated that we have determined that this property is not park land, it is land adjacent to park land and.asked ifthe Park Board needs to vote on it. Harleliske confirmed with Philbrick that this property is City property. Philbrick stated that it was acquired by the City in 1900. Harlenske stated thatitwould not be the Park Board's issue.to deal with any encroachment. _A vote would not be needed, butmight be welcomed by Council. Claycomb informed the newer members that the Park Board was previously told that this land was park land. The board voted notto sell it at that time. At the last meeting we learned that itis not park land. Philbrick stated that the property owner's representatives were going to work with Council. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING' Junes; 2015 Page 3 of 6 Item 4A: Recreation Update (Alan Taber/Jim. Mason) Mason stated that Great Plains Nature Center {GPNC) is a free facility that accepts dona.tions. It is operated through a partnership between City of Wichita Park and Recreation.Department, Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks and Tourism and US Fish and Wildlife Service. Currently in the process of spending almost $1.million to completely rebuild the bi.cycle path through a Federal Lands Access Program grant, or FLAP grant. The "access" is that the Nature Center sits on seven acres of federal property. The City of Wichita will match 20%. Cornejo should take about two months from the time they start. Claycomb asked if the path would be shut down during construction. Mason responded yes, that part of the path will be rerouted. Hillman asked where the 20% match is coming from. Mason responded that he is not certain. He stated that.GPNC also received a.grant funded by Westar for a project c.alled a photovoltaic array. Once completed, GPNC will be providing educational presentations. GPNC is an educational facility and provides extensive print material including pocket guides. GPNC has been selected to be part of the Tallgrass Film Festival and will be showing.the Green Grass Environmental Films. In closing, Mason asked the board to consider the Westar easement situation as part of Chisholm Creek and not GPNC. Item 4B: Golf Update (Troy Hendricks) Hendricks stated that there were 20 days of rain in May. Although rounds were up in April, they are down in May. Overall, rounds are still up year-to-date. Vizzini asked if the rain caused any damage. Hendricks stated that there·is not really any damage, but the run-off from Kellogg and various roadways causes a lot of debris on several holes at Auburn Hills. Item 4C: Golf Advisory Committee Update.(Troy Hendricks) Hendricks stated that the next GolfCommittee meeting will be on June 30th . Claycomb explained to the new members that there has been a member of the Park Board on the committee and thatthe board needs to select a replacement for Bryan Frye. Vizzini stated that she would volunteer to replace Frye. Houtman stated that the importance of the position is to provide a connection between the committee, the Park Board and the City Council. Claycomb stated that the Golf Advisory Committee was formed in 2011 when LW Clapp was going to be closed. ltem4D: Wichita Parks Foundation Update. (Chris Highfill) Highfill stated that there is nothing new to report. The.foundation is working hard on Slide the City and recently gave away a couple scholarships for ·free swimming lessons. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS ME£TING June 8, 2015 Page4of6 Houtman stated that they need to set some goals and priorities for the group. Brett, the foundation chair, will be presenting to Council next.week. A big part of the foundation is the ICTrees program, scholarships and .the Kansas Wildlife exhibit, which ieceived_a $100,000 donation to work on a master plan. Item 4E: OJ Watson Park Committee Update (Hoyt Hillman) Hillman stated that the 50th anniversary party was attended by 500-600 people. The Watson Park committee launched two different adventure camps and a second volleyball league. The group suggested several ideas to utilizethe park, such as a Chisholm Trail cook-off.for 2017, basketball slam dunk contest, hotdog and pie eating contest, possibly starting a program for homeschool kids, Watson Park Mayhem day and various other ideas to bring-more people to the park. Houtman stated that the new fishing pier is going out to bid and might be in place this fall. Item 4F: Aquatics Committee Update (Tori DeatherageI Deatherage stated that the aquatics committee is still meeting with the public. Houtman stated that a question was added to Activate Wichita. It will probably be late fall or winter before the aquatics plan is taken to council. Item 4G: President Claycomb stated that at some point we will need to have elections, possibly during the retreat in September. Item 4H: Director Houtman stated that due to Riverfest and the high.water from all the rain we are having, there have been talks about the rules and regulations and how to use the river. The recreation camps and pools are doing well. Claycomb asked ifthey are updating the disc golf at Oak and Riverside Parks. Houtman stated yes, with funding from the Disc Golf Association, we were able to make some improvements and made the courses a little more difficult. We will be moving the old baskets to other parks, but have not decided where yet. Hillman asked if the Kansas Wildlife exhibit has been upgraded. Houtman stated that we received a $100,000 grant. Part of that is going to be spent on the master plan. The friends of wildlife are continuing to fund raise. At this time we do not know how the money will be spent. Claycomb asked about a timeline for updating the PROS plan. Houtman responded there is more of an administrative review being done at this time to update and improve it before it goes back out to the public. He added tha_t we will be presenting plaques to Councilman Bryan Frye and Mr. Tom Roth, at Council tomorrow. Item 5: Adjourn BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS.MEETING June 8, 2015 Past;? 5 of 6 , __ There being no funher business,.the meeting.was-adjourned atapproximately 4:50pm. Havn,Oert IIDAAD OFPARIC COMMISSIONERS IIJE�NG June 8, 2015 Pqelall