Board of Park Commissioners

BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING AGENDA City Hall, 11th Floor Park Conference Room 4 55N. Main Wichita, KS 67202 September 14, 2015 3pm Present: Hoyt Hillman, Chris Highfill, Tori Deatherage, Troy Palmer, Ron Allen Absent: Cindy Claycomb, Patty Vizzini Also Present: Michelle Haun {Clerk), Elizabeth Harlenske (City Assistant Attorney), Troy Hendricks, David McGuire, Greg Olmer, Angela Buckner {Staff), Herb Duncan, JoAnn Duncan, Eric Cale, John·Stevens (Citizens) Deatherage called the meeting to order at 3:02pm. PUBLIC AGENDA None. REGULAR.AGENDA Item1: Approval of Minutes Motion by Highfill, second by Hillman, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to approve, s_ign and file the minutes of August 10, 2015, Board of Park Commissioners Regular meeting. (5-0) Item 2: New Issues for Consideration None. Item 3A: Flag Replacement at Veteran's Memorial Park (Troy Hendricks) Hendricks spoke.about the Charleston shooting. He stated that, as a result, the confederate flag was removed from Veteran's·Memorial Park on July 2 °•. The City Manager asked Troy Houtman, Park Director, to convene a diverse group of stakeholders which included the Stevens family, who donated the park,.museum professionals: Eric Cale with the Sedgwick County Historical Museum and Mark McCormick with the Kansas African-American Museum. The goals are to honor our veterans, learn about Kansas' role in the Civil War and move forward in a way that respects.the entire community: The consensuswas to display the Kansas flag and install a new plaque that depicts the state's role in the conflict. Eric Cale {Wichita Sedgwick County Historical Museum) stated that he is advocating for the Kansas flag to take the place of the confederate flag at Veteran's Memorial Park. He stated it would be a very relevant choice. John Stevens (3125 E Boston) stated that Veteran's Memorial Park was named after his father, John S. Stevens. He provided a handout with descriptions of flags. He explained who John S. Stevens was. He BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING September.14�·201s· Pag'e 1 of 5 then asked to have the confederate flag taken down because John S. Stevens believed in helping those who couldn't help themselves and because the confederate flag.has·caused a lot of negative controversy. He asked that it be replaced with the Kansas state flag. The timing of history will not be distorted if the Kansas flag is added because it became the state flag in 1861. Herb Duncan (814 N Colorado) stated that he is a veteran that helps keep the memorial clean. He stated that the flag at Veteran's Memorial Park.is the confederate battle flag, not the confederate flag. Mr. Duncan has created a website called .battleflagwichita.com. to help explain the difference. He feels that the battle flag should remain on display and that the park is there to representthose that fought and died. He explained thatremoving the flagwould be a disser:vice to the next generation and feels we need to educate our youth. He stated thatthe flag represents veterans who lost their lives in combat, both black and white. He also stated that Congress passed a law that states confederate soldiers and sailors-are to be called veterans and he feels that education is power and we need to learn from the past. Hendricks stated _that there will be_a reconciliation memorial created to add to Veteran's Memorial Park. Hillman asked if there is enough space at the park. Hendricks replied that there is. The memorial is still in the design stage and will be discussed at future meetings. Allen stated that he is happy to be involved. Hendricks stated that the board should move forward and vote to replace the confederate battle flag and plaque at Veteran's Memorial Park with the State of Kansas flag and a plaque depicting its role during the conflict. Hillman made a motion.to discuss. Highfill stated that he would like more time to study the education. Palmer stated that he agrees. Allen second. Highfill stated that the board should wait to vote until the next meeting. Allen stated that the board should take the time to do it right. Hillman stated that he would like to postpone the vote 60-90 days to find a good replacement. Highfill asked if there is a timeframe on the reconciliation memorial. Hendricks replied that there is not. Hillman amended.his motion to postpone a vote for 60 days to allow for an evaluation period. Allen accepted the change. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING September 14, 2015 Page 2 ofS Motion by Hillman, second by Allen, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to postpone a vote on replacing the.confederate flag at Veteran's Memorial Park for 60 days. (S-0) Item 3B: Park Property Encroachment Policy Update (David McGuire) McGuire stated that he is providing a follow up on the encroachment policy. Law has reviewed the new encroachment policy and asked what the next step is. Harlenske stated that it would be new business for the council agenda, the second reading then becomes law upon publication. She recommended a workshop for the City Manager and council. Palmer asked who determined.the fees. McGuire replied that legaldetermined a comparable amount and that it is a one-time fee. Palmer stated that the fee should be higher, or should be for one year at a time. Hillman stated that the fee is cheap for a business using City property. Harlenske stated that usually an ordinance should include wording that every day following a violation incurs additional fees, etc..and it.should provide authority forParkto remove encroachments. McGuire stated that they will make changes to the fees and what will happen after continued violation and bring the changes back next month. Item 3C: Golf Division Business Plan Review (Troy Hendricks) Hendricks presented the newly updated business plan review. He stated after reviewing the proforma, we will basically break even. Mr. Palmer had previously asked about the values regarding cart replacement costs. Hendricks stated that these numbers include increasing the cart fleet at Tex Consolver, MacDonald and Sim. Page.53 lists discussion points that Finance and Golf needed to talk abo.ut. Mr. Ferris was on Council when Auburn Hills was built. Part of the funding was supposed to come from a TIF district that was never set up. Mr. Ferris suggests that we go to council to ask for the $2 million that was supposed to. be paid by theTIF district. Item 4D: Watson CIP Draft Plan (Brian Hill/Theresa Wells-Sjogren) Hill presented background information on OJ Watson. They recently completed a site assessment and community engagement to identify areas of improvement. Improvements in 2014 included the purchase of two inflatables, improvements to the mini golf course, cleanup of the island, start of a volunteer program and the addition of new programs and coupon books. There was no CIP funding for 2014, this was all done using Park budget. In 2015, we are looking at using CIP funds. We are going to council tomorrow. Items included in this request are the train engine and coach purchase, ADA restroom improvements.and ADA fishing dock, a train crossing, naming streets and a bench installation. In 2016, we will need to do irrigation improvements, plan to build a gazebo, turf maintenance and a new pony shelter. Over the next few years we would like to build a new community facility, do electrical upgrades to all outdoor shelters and add a new adventure course on the island. Hillman asked about the picnic pads. Hill stated that it is part of the timeline, it was just not in the presentation. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING September 14, 2015 Page 3 of 5 Allen asked what the ADA fishing dock is. Hill stated they will add a sidewalk going to the fishing dock for anyon.e with mobility issues. Wells stated that she will email the full CIP plan to the board. Item 4A: Recreation Update (Greg Dimer/Angela Buckner) Hendricks introduced Greg Olmer, the new recreation superintendent. Olmer stated that he is from Texas, but originally from Lincoln, NE. His focus right now is to work on customer service. Buckner stated that she is from Lynette Woodard Recreation Center. The Woodard Annex is the Atwater neighborhood City Hall. We have re purposed three rooms there for our classes. We.just finished the music room. Upcoming programs include math tutor_ing for college students, chef classes, ballet and tap. Tots in Training is for 1-2 year olds. It has really taken off and was just started in 2014. Based on a recent survey we extended classes. Folks comeJrom the westside as well. Revenue is already 86% for the year as of May. The. boxing program is doing great. We started private lessons for teams with their coach. We are adding an ADA lift to get downstairs. With additional revenue, we have been cleaning up the outside. Item 48: Golf Update (Troy Hendricks) Appelhanz stated thatYTD rounds are up 2%. Revenue is up 4%. Net income is 25% better than last year. Rainfall totals are. up, which hurts Auburn Hills the most. Four of the five courses are up in rounds. Footgolf has had a positive impact at LW Clapp. LW Clapp is now accredited with the National Footgolf League. Highfill asked if Footgolfis 9 holes. Hendricks stated no, it is 18 holes but only takes 9 holes on the golf course. He also stated that we need to look at bridge improvements at the course that _will cost $80-$100kto repair. Hillman asked if Stormwater can pay for part of that. Hendricks stated that we had asked for them to add that to their K96 project, but the proposal never came to fruition. There are. ten bridges at the course that need to be inspected as well. Item 4C: Golf Advisory Committee Update (Troy Hendricks) None. Item 4D: Wichita Parks Foundation Update (Chris Highfill} Highfill stated that the poker tournament was last week, but he did not have information about the turnout at this time. Item 4E: OJ Watson Park Committee Update (Hoyt Hillman) Hillman stated that we need to look at the concession area as well. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING Septembe_r 14, 2015 Page4 of.S Item 4F: Aquatics Committee Update (Tori Deatherage) None. Item 4G: President Deatherage stated that we will send out a reminder of the attendance policy. Palmer asked what is going on with Buffalo Park. Mcguire stated that we received a $250k grant. We will also use CIP funds from 2016. The project will go to bid shortly, Construction should start in.30-45days. Harlenske reminded the Board of KOMA. Serial communication is a violation of the open meeting act. So do not "reply all" to any questions via email. Item 4H: Director Hendricks stated that the retreat will be November 7th at Auburn Hills 8:30-12. Hillman stated that tie wants to discuss the Chisholm Trail at the November meeting. Item 5: Adjourn There being no further business,the meeting was adjourned atapproxirnately 4:18 pm . . /_£ :\ Tor�� s Michelle Haun, Clerk BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING September 14,-2015 Pages of 5