Board of Park Commissioners

BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING . AGENDA City Hall, Uth Floor Park Conference Room 455 N. Main Wichita, KS 67202 December 14, 2015 3pm Present: Tori Deatherage, Ron Allen, Cindy Claycomb, Hoyt Hillman Absent: Patty Vizzini, Chris Highfill, Troy Palmer Also Present: Troy Houtman (Director of Park and Recreation), Elizabeth Harlenske (City Assistant Attorney), Michelle Haun (Clerk), Troy Hendricks, LeeAnn Sack, Warren Mccoskey, Stacey Hamm, Dav.id McGuire, Alan Taber, Ma.rk Lowry (staff), numerous citizens Deatherage called the meeting to order at 3:05pm. PUBLIC AGENDA None. REG.ULAR AGENDA Item 1: Approval of Minutes Motion by Deatherage, second by Claycomb, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to approve, sign and file the minutes of November 9, 2015, Board of Park Commissioners Regular meeting. (4-0) Motion by Deatherage, second by Allen, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to approve, sign and file the minutes of November 7, 2015, Board of Park Commissioners Retreat meeting. (4-0) Deatherage stated the Board will skip to the updates to allow Mr. Houtman time to arrive. Item 4A: Recreation Update (Greg Olmerl Olmer stated that Night with Santa has been running for13 years. It is a free community event. Although the numbers were down from last year partly due to the Garth Brooks concert, the turnout was good with 3,500. The event relies heavily on volunteers. Item 48: Golf Update (Troy Hendricks) Hendricks stated that rounds are up.4%, revenue is up 6% and net.income is 109% better than the end of November last year. Golf is doing very well. We are projecting to beat 2012 revenue with over $5 million in sales this year. Item 4H: Director (Troy Hendricks for Troy Houtman) Hendricks introduced Claire Willenberg with Fresh Air Baby Camp to give an update. Willenberg stated that Fresh Air Baby Camp has a long history iri Wichita. The property is located on BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING December 12, 2015 Page 1 of6  . ·, park department land, located in North Riv.erside Park. In 2011, residents formed the Friends of the Historic Fresh Air Baby Camp, They entered into a memorandum of understanding with the City, the group would raise money to repair and restore the building and upon completion, Park.and Recreation would return the building to public use. Most of the renovations are green renovations and are being done at no charge, or reduced cost by volunteers. Atthis time, the windows have all been restored to a functional stated. Fresh Air Baby,Camp is asking the board to determine if they should have storm windows or a type of security screen added. Hillman suggested that David McGuire should respondto the request. McGuire recommended that storm windows should be installed·to preventtheft and vandalism. Hammond asked if the City would allow the windows to open. McGuire stated that he would discuss this with public works. Willenberg asked about restoration ofthe stone. fireplace as well. She asked if it should.blocked off, or can it remain operable. McGuire recommended to have it blocked off. Willenberg stated that she will bring some options back to the board that will allow the barbeque on the outside ofthe fireplace to work while keeping the fireplace on the insideinoperable. Item 4C: Golf Advisory Committee Update·(Troy Hendricks) No.update at this time. ltem·ZA: Adoption of New River Ordinance {Mark Lowry} Houtman introduced Mark Lowry to discuss the new river ordinance. Lowry stated that there were a lot of updates made to terminology. The issue of inflatables still needs to be addressed. Harlenske stated that if they are navigable, then they are.. omitted. Hillman stated that canoes and kayaks are being lumped into the motorized category, but he feels they shouldn't be limited. Houtman stated that the intent is to allow non-motoriied watercraft to access the river more quickly and easily. Claycomb asked if inflatable boats and kayakswere included. Harlenske clarified thatthe definition of an inflatable, flotation device is referring to items such as inner tubes, air mattress, etc. that are non-navigable. This excludes canoes.and kayaks•because they are navigable. Lowry·stated that they·also changed the ordinance to say "approval of the director," not "the city." They added. a provision banning use of all motorized watercraft on the Big Arkansas except with BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING December 12, 2015 Page 2 of 6 permission of the director. There were multiple changes and deletions made to the ordinance due to prohibiting motorized watercraft, They added a buffer zone for safety near the Keeper of the Plains fire pots. Use of watercraft during special events, such as Riverfest, will be approved by the director_, There have been concerns voiced regarding usage of the river for various.events, thesewill be reviewed for safety and conflict with other events by the director. Harlenske stated that the event permit will specify the specific locations of the river being used. Houtman stated that most events will only be for certain .hours. Scheduling will be key. Harlenske stated that this also gives lis the ability to communicate better, via our communications department, helping avoid kayaks on the river during Jet Ski races, for example. Houtman stated thatwe will need to judge case by case. Lowry stated that language was added Umiting rentals and boats for hire with the director's permission. For groups, permission may be granted on a yearly basis. Language was added pertaining to intoxicated persons. Clarification was made that casting a fishing line is not throwing an object. Harlenske recomme_nded adding prohibiting jumping or diving from bridges, and also added an ordinance regarding abandoned watercraft. Lowry met with several entities regarding a change from "high water level" to "dangerous water conditions," and giving the director the authority to close the river. Added an.ordinance making it a violation to be on the river during dangerous water conditions. Added that fishing is prohibited from the bank area between Lincoln Street dam and the 2 nd Street Bridge and also prohibit bow fishing. Lowry stated that they are seeking the board's input on this. Allen stated that he is ok with it if folks are fishing with a license, but only in permitted areas. McGuire stated that the biggest problem is enforcement. Allen suggested posting signage. Harlenske stated that fishing has always.been allowed with a permit, but never from a boat. It has always been a violation with a fin_e, Park just did not have staff to enforce it._ Hillman stated that fishing from a watercraft should not be limited outside of restricted areas. Claycomb stated that she agrees that fishing should be allowed from a watercraft outside of restricted areas. Lowry stated that language was added to clarify how to obtain permission from the director. A two day notice for recreational use and a 30 day notice for special events. The new ordinance first heeds the Park Board's approval and then council approval. Once approved it will be sent to·the secretary of travel and tourism. Fred Graus, 328 N Florence, asked regarding fishing, if the fish ladder boat passage is same as the dam. Houtman stated yes. Graus asked, regarding solicitation, can the Ark River Coalition still float.on the river for donations. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS-MEETING December 12, 2015 Page·3 of 6 Houtman stated that we.will need to .work out a formal agreementwith them. Graus also asked if throwing a rope was acceptable. Houtman responded that it is since it is part of the operation of the kayak. James Johnson, 11725 W Alderny Ct. #35, stated that he wanted to suggest that during Riverfest, to define the area as 21st Street to the John Mac Bridge because ofthe recreational area atthe spillway that should be left open for recreational use during the week of the festival. He also suggestedjhat skilled kayakers should not be restricted from the river during dangerous water conditions as it isn't.as dangerous for them. He also stated that fishing kayaks are the largest selling type of kayak. Rick McMullen, 2625 S West . St, stated that he is part of a group that does river clean up around the Keeper and need to be closer than 50 feet. He ask.ed ifhe can be granted permission to continue to do cleanup and be near the Keeper. Houtman stated that he would grant permission if they submit a request. Carrie Vansickle, 721 W 9th St, asked if these ordinances are for the Big Arkansas only. Harlenske stated yes. Vansickle asked iffishing is ailowed from bridges. Houtman responded. no. Vansickle asked ifthe Rowing Association gets a permit to hold an event, who enforces the·permitwhen someone else is using the space. Houtman stated Wichita Police Department should be called to enforce. Vansickle stated that last year the river was closed during high water at the start of Riverfest,.but it was not specified if it was the Big Ark or Little Ark. Houtman stated that irithe future he would,clarify which river it is, when warnings are issued. Bob Symunds, 16619 Princeton Ln., stated that he is also with the Wichita Rowing Association. He stated thatthe water in the Little Arkansas River is quite controlled during most flooding events since the Little Arkansas is part of the Wichita flood control project. Water is not as dangerous for kayakers as itis for recreational boaters. _,.,.,,- Calvin Cupp, 1845 N Fairmount, stated that he has been coaching at WSU for 16 years and appreciates that these ordinances are being updated. He stated he is looking forward to seeing more water activities and working with the City. Tom Kneil, 6110 Edinburg, stated that a boat passage would be an amenity for the City. He is concerned that there may be too many regulations. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING December 12,-2015 Page4 of 6 Houtman stated that we are going through this ordinance to make it easier and safer to use the river. Hewants to continue seeing groups use the river and spread the word in the community. Hillman stated.that the portion of the ordinance about tying off and docking is important and will affect various groups, along with donations, charging of services and the permitting process itself. Houtman stated that we will make. some additional changes and come back'next month for a vote. Item 3A: Park Property Encroachment Polley {David McGuire/Warren McCoskeyl Mccoskey stated that they have come up with three conceptual options. The first is to use criminal trespass under existing ordinances, the second is to enact a new ordinance prohibiting all encroachments and third is to prohibitall encroachments, but allow a permitting process to allow some encroachments. The park maintenance staff favors option,two. Claycomb clarified that option two establishes a new ordinance prohibiting all encroachmentsc So we would go back to all those who are encroaching and ask them to remove the encroachments, or assess a fine. Mccoskey stated that is correct. He feels that option two treats all citizens the same. Once the Park Board makes a motion, we will work.with legal to draft the ordinance to take to council. Allen asked what timeframe will be set for violators. Mccoskey.stated thatviolators will receive a notice stating they have so many days to remove the encroachment and then another notice will be sent once thattime has passed. Hillman asked what Harlenske's recommendation is. Harlenske stated that legal preferred option two as well. She stated that permits are labor.intensive. The City may also lose recreational use immunity if an encroachment permit is issued and something happens. Motion by Hillman, second by Claycomb, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to approve and move forward with option two of the proposed encroachment policy. (4-o) Harlenske stated that this might bea good workshop for council. Mccoskey stated that park maintenance will need to work on.surveying the parks. Claycomb asked ifa hold harmless agreement could be attached. Harlenske stated that this would only work with option three. For example when a property changes handswe would need to keep track of the property and new ownership. McGuire stated that we only have until April 29th to have the ordinance ready. Item 40: Wichita Parks Foundation Update {Chris Highfill) Deatherage state there are no updates at this time. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING December 12, 2015 Page_S Of 6  . .... . . -- Item 4E: OJ Watson Park Committee Update (Hoyt Hillman) Hillmari stated there are no updates at this time. Item 4F: Aquatics Committee Update (Tori Deatherage) Houtman stated that we are meeting with the Wichita Swim Club. Item 4G: !'resident No update. Item 5: Adjourn Th• ��;,g�sadj®med a, •PP�''""''"' pm. :z::e::: j.{; � q£Q:iia�­ Tori Deatherage, President I '--- Michelle Haun, Clerk BOARD OF.PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING .Decei'nber �2, 2015 Page 6 of 6