Board of Park Commissioners

BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING AGENDA City Hall, 11th Floor Park Conference Room 455N. Main Wichita, KS 67202 May 9, 2016 3:00pm PUBLIC AGENDA REGULAR AGENDA Present: Hoyt Hillman, Cindy Claycomb, Tori Deatherage, Chris Clark Absent: Troy Palmer, Ron Allen, Chris Highfill Also present: Troy Houtman (Director of Park and Recreation), Elizabeth Harlenske (City Assistant Attorney), Penny. Garding (Clerk), Larry Hoetmer, Troy Hendricks, Greg Olmer, David McGuire (Staff), Scot Rigby (Development Services Director/Assistant City Manager), Tim Goodpasture (Economic Development Analyst), Mark Elder (Development Analyst), Scott Knebel (Downtown Revitalization Manager), Jim Martinson, Terry Fry (citizens) Deatherage called the meeting to order at approximately 3:00 p.m. Item 1: Approval of Minutes Motion by Claycomb, second by Hillman, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to approve, sign and.file the minutes of April 11, 2016, Board of Parfc Commissioners Regular meeting. Item 2A: Downtown Properties - Scot Rigby Rigby stated he is hereto talk about the Delano area and particularly about the opportunity to seek input from the Development Committee.as well as the Park Board on the potential to move some propertyfor development, There was a Downtown Master Plan done in 2010. We are talking about next to the Advance Learning Library and then there is property to the south.of that which is about four acres. Then there is the triangle piece (Sycamore & Mclean). We have seen a lot of interest in this area and development in the downtown area is starting to spread outward. Delano is an area that has a lot of interest and potential. The master plan calls for hotel, greenspace and office possibilities. River Vista is a conceptual idea that may be conducive to that area. There is talk about continuing'.the Delano multi-use path through the area. Site A is about four acres and Site B is about.2.5 acres. The idea is going.out to the public and to the development community to see what the interest is for one and/or both sites for development. We have $60-70.million of improvements goi_ng into area. Now is a good time to see what the development community is thinking about this. River Vista will bring more people down to the riverfront for activities. It is exciting to see opportunity for activity on the riverfront. Where is the greenspace? A map was presented showing across from CII, along the frontage at River Vista, Exploration Place has a big playground area and then the Advance Learning Library will have children and playground areas. And additionally there will be the Delano multi-use path concept. We'll call an RFU-Request for Qualification proposal. We have received interest,in both sites. Our thought process is to go to Council in l\/lay to request authorization to draft and issue an RFP. If approved, that would go out about the end of May and be on the street for quite a bit of time to getthe development BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING May 9, 2016 Page 1 ofB community the opportunity to respond. We are not obligated to accept any and all proposals. Until we go out though we don't really know the opportunities. Houtman stated we have talked about this property quite a bit. One of the things talked about is not just greenspace, but something more interactive, an iconic gathering place. We put in a grant for development and design, but we did not get that. We currently don't have funding for doing any major development on this location. Hiliman stated we just gave up fourplus acres of the West Bank Stage for River Vista and got nothing in exchange. It would be nice if we could get the two acre square as a trade, ltwas the center of a lot of events for River Festival and as a public gathering place for downtown. The triangle is a good focal point between the apartments, Delano, the library and al_l that. After City benefits from the development in the West Bank Stage area they should give thatto the Park Department. Claycomb stated we did get the Delano improvements which was part of the deal. She asked Houtman if Triangle Park is where WDDC interns did some design work for the grant application, Houtman responded that yes, and we could definitely pursue it again. We did set some playground money aside that we could use to leverage some things. We wanted to get the interest of some of the other playground manufacturers. There are opportunities for them to help us out with grants. His vision is·more than just a pa·rk, but more like a social gathering place. More of an over-the-top themed location where people can come.in for coffee, meals, bring your kids to play, and bring your dogs. These are the kinds of things the Knight Foundation wants to see. Not just a greenspace, something more interactive and innovative. Claycomb stated development is very important. We need to_ make a deliberate _decision. The triangle piece is a part of many plans. If we get the RFP out on the street we lose the opportunity to say we would like it to be part of our greenspace, open space plan. Rigby replied the RFQ/RFP process shows.what interest is out there for this site. We can then weigh everything for value and benefit to go forward. Hopefully it would generate discussion asto what we really want to do with the space. Is there a concern with the safety issue of a park with busy streets on two sides, it's a challenging a piece. Currently there is no discussion regarding the site. Claycomb asked who the review committee is. Rigby responded Scott Knebel, Scot Rigby, two private sector representatives appointed by City Manager, a lender appointed by City Manager, two representatives from WDDC, and non-voting members appointed by City Manager that provide resources from Public Works, Engineering, Finance, Law, and there is no.reason we could not have someonefrom Park. Hillman asked about the area being outside the WDDC area. Rigby replied it is outside their:SSMID, but within the boundaries of the project downtown master plan. Claycomb asked if there is a way to go forward if we want to say as part of the RfP we would like this to be considered to be developed as park space. Rigby replied the RFP has been drafted and that the respondents have to.be consistent with what is envisionedfor the downtown master plan. How do you create a cohesive development that plays off one another? It might not be greenspace, but more of a plaza or gathering space. BOARD OF_PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING May 9,:2016 Page 2 ors Claycomb would like City Council to know there is concern. Clark stated Site B is much more appealing as developed land, activated by Mclean. Would like RFP to include language about a certain percentage is to be publicly accessible area. Similarto what River Vista did to include some compromise to where the public can still access this valuable area. Hillman stated Clark is right on the visibility part. lfwe. were to hid community space in Site A and develop Site B, no one would know it was there. Site B would have much more visibility. Hillman. supports Claycomb that this should be set aside. Claycomb asked how would other members of the community be able to provide input into this. Rigby stated they are going to the Delano Neighborhood Association on the 17th then to DAB on the 18th. It has to go to Council on the 17th for approval in order to issue and draft an RFP before DAB. He stated that they are not approving the RFP or selection, but just authorizing staff to move forward. Houtman wanted to clarify, the RFP will go to Council regardless if they get support from the Board. He asked what the Library Board's position was. Rigby responded it was split mixed. Some supported ramadas and grills, some.supported meeting/ gathering space, etc. They realize that to have it just sitting there as it is, it is not activated. Deatherage asked if you receive a proposal you would wanno move forward with, would it come back to Park Board. Rigby responded it would go to the Review Committee and they would make a recommendation. We would have to work with product development on the confidentiality of it. During the public.process is the opportunity to explore what has been proposed. We may not even have anything to bring back or we may have two or three that warrant review. Hillman asked what would be the guidelines for the sale of the property, how much would you get for it? Rigby responded we want to get development going. We won't accept a proposal just to getthe money. We want the land developed, part of the process will have plans attached, and that development will begin. We will look at when development would begin and what is the value added. Jim Martinson, 156 N Vine, President, Delano United. The Community Development Corporation is formed from the neighborhood, the businesses, the clergy and anyone with an interest in Delano. Our mission is to implement the Delano Neighborhood Revitalization Plan which was adopted by the City in 2001. We take issue when you say there are· no plans for that property. It is specifically mentioned on Page 28 of the document, which is available on the City website. Delano intends for that to be open space, not necessarily greenspace but a meeting plaza. Our concern is that this space is key to the pathway Delano's opinion is asking for a resolution to not include the property in any RFP. Clark asked if their plan includes both Site A and Site B. Martinson replied at the time the plan was written Site A was still Watkins Steel. It does address the triangle as a gathering spot. We are no longer able to have events as were previously held on the West Bank Stage. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEfTl�G, May 9, 2016 Page 3 of8 Deatherage asked what happens when the committee receives a proposal they like. Rigby replied the Counc.il would be asked for recommendations and approvai. It would be a two-step process: here is our top selected site and.get their feedback, then engage in final contract negotiations. Hillman asked if a motion could be made suggesting support of a gathering place in Site B that would be under Park Department control. Clark asked if the motion would be in lieu of the RFP. Hillman stated the motion would be lettingthe RFP go forward, but the Park Board recommends a gathering place be created and the use of and scheduling of be handled through the Park Department. Hillman made motion, Deatherage second. Rigby inquired if that was stating the space would be public space under public ownership. Hillman and Deatherage replied, yes, at least part of it, with the idea of it being a gathering space. Claycomb indicated that would be a great thing and she would really like that, an RFP will not go out with that in rt. Unless they take that site off the RFP. Rigby respondedthe way they have it structured right.now in the RFP is what are you doing to address the downtown master plan that talks about a public gathering space. We do not say is it private or public, just are you addressing that. Clark stated what we are all on board with the RFQ, we would recommend there be.some green/open space included. Hillman stated we as the Park Board would like to maintain some control over the green space. Deatherage stated the motion on the floor as we approve the RFP and we suggest it be public space for Site B. Rigby asked for clarification on the motion. He asked that the recommendation for Site B is to public space, not be developed. Clark recommends the RFP include a portion of the space be public plaza/greenspace, not necessarily the entire site. Hillman stated it would be most of the parcel. What has been done across the street was promised a restaurant.and all sorts of stuff and itturns outwe got nothing but apartment.complexes. If you wanted to, put in a Dunkin Donuts, a little restaurant, or something to bring people in. This is a destination and if it is developed any other way it will mess it up. Rigby asked for additional clarification. Are you wanting Site B off the table for development or just reserve an acre, a quarter-acre, trying to find a balance? Clark recommends that it include a public plaza or greenspace. Not.to say the whole site needs to be greenspace. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING May 9, 2016 Page 4 ors Harlenske asked if Hillman wanted it to accommodate a certain number of people. Hillman responded that would be good to accommodate 1,000 people. This would be a perfect placeJor a farmer's market .. Claycomb needs clarification on.motion. Hillman recommend the motion be amended to include at least two-thirds of Site B be used for community open space and let the developer develop whatever amenities around it as they so choose. Deatherage asked if instead of putting a number on it we can say we support the idea of the RFP as long as one of the priorities is some public space. Claycomb will second that. Hillman will withdraw his motion and support Deatherage. Clark added this way they will know what our recommendation is and if none of the proposals include an open space or plaza of any significant size they you could come back and.say would you be willing to enlarge.this. Rigby asked to have the motion restated for clarification and understanding. Deatherage restated we are in support of moving forward with it as long as Site B m.aintains public space as a priority in development. Claycomb added we are not putting any numbers on it or saying it has to be this or that. Rigby inquired when you say public space are you saying private or publicly owned? Asking to clarify. Houtman replied privately owned. Rigby added so as long as they provide public space whether it be publicly or privately owned. Claycomb responded yes, but we would take it publicly owned. Deatherage stated we have the motion and Claycomb seconded it. Motion carries unanimously. Houtman suggest when it is time to reviewthe proposals, that it includes someone from Parks be involved as well. Rigby will make that recommendation. Claycomb requested that it be brought back to the Par.k Board with updates when possible. Deatherage asked about community involvement in the decision process. Rigby replied that they will.be meeting with the Delano group and the DAB group. When they are ready to bring something forward to recommendation to Council that will go through the public comment process. It will be a two-step process. The first time they see it, it will be here are our BOARD OF PARK.COMMISSIONERS MEETING May9,.2016 Page 5 ofB recommendations. Then we would come back eventually with final product. Item 2B: Pawnee Prairie Park-Terry Fry Terry Fry, 1902 N Frederick. Want to extend an invitation to_ all to a ride at Pawnee Prairie Park this coming Saturday. There may be as many as 100 horses out there. Peoplewill be coming in all day. Lunch is being provided by Emerson Biggins, free'. There are 12-15 miles of trails. Happy to work with others-if they can't.make it. Item 3A: PROS Plan � Troy Houtman Houtman stated we have gone through several improvements. We took it to-the Planning Council and incorporated some of their feedback-items. We met with Park Board about two weeks ago and incorporated those tweaks as well. We are ready to move forward and get it adopted through Park Board today. Then we will take it_to Council in June and for final adoption through the Planning Commission as well. We halie made great improvements to the plan. We removed a lot of old information that.is no longer relevant. I would like to move forward with adoption of plan. Claycomb was unable to make the workshop, She was involv_ed on the original plan. One concern with the Mission, has that stayed sayingworld class amenities? Houtman responded that was discussed at the workshop. The Mission is the Park Department's mission, not necessariiy the PROS Plan mission. The Park Department's mission is _to really reach far and that is why that is somewhat of an objective type of mission statement. World class amenities is something that we are trying to get to. The PROS Plan has opportunities for us to look at those, This is what the staff has put together and what theywant the Department's mission statement to state. Claycomb responded she has an issue with that because we will never have a Highline Park, a Millennium Park. I don't think we can get there. Hillman added we discussed her concerns at the meeUng. We appreciate the concern, Claycomb is impressed with what_has been done on the PROS Plan. Hillman made a motion_that the PROS Plan be adopted, Deatherage second. Motion carries unanimous. Motion by Hillman, second by Deatherage, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to adopt the PROS Plan and to present.to Council. Item 4A: Recreation Update - Greg Olmer We have lots of pictures and lots of events in April. On Saturday; April 29, at Watson Park we had OK Kids Day, an annual event for ages 5-12. It was a cold day, some people braved canoes and kayaks. Home Depot came out and did helicopter project. SNAG (Starting New at Golf) brought out Golfopotamus. Fishing was provided and the inflatables were up. Great Plains Nature Center brought an owl for display. Staff served free hotdogs. ltwas a little wet the day before but a good crowd came out. A grant was applied for and received to develop six Pickleball courts at Edgemoor. The first tournament was this past weekend. The Heartland Golden Games was this past Saturday with over 40 players registered. Watson Park Ribbon cutting was at Noon on April 30 after OK Kids day. Free train rides were available until midafternoon. The last_event we had_ was the April 16 Spring Cycle Spectacular at Lawrence Dumont Stadium. The.9:00 session had over 100 participants and the 11:00 session had about 60. We received great feedback, they want more ofthese events. Our.next one will be in July, BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING May 9, 2016 Page 6of8 Hot Yoga at Central Riverside Park. Recreation strategic plan is broken down into three phases. Phase 1 is 2016-17, Phase 2 is 2018-19 and then Phase 3 is 2020-21. The firstonewe are looking at is community education programming. Goal #2 will be Phase 3. We_are looking at increasing our cost recovery rate of 2.5% per year. Need to get back up to 53% by 2020. Goal #3 .is phase 2. We are looking at more marketing options. One is Constant Contact which gives us the ability to do unl_imited emails blasts. Hillman stated social media and web can be utilized more. Olmer said we have several strategies going now, including Summer Selfies for the next couple months. Goal #4 touches on_the limi_tations we have as far as programmable space. Rec Centers are getting up there in age and have limitations. We are looking at revitalizing and expanding space. Something to entice people back to us. Goal #5 is phase 2._ Looking for the long term benefits of those recreation centers. Working with some of the Master plans to come up with a 5-10-15 years plan to replace some of these recreation centers. We will.be working on that pretty quick. Goal #6 is phase 3. We are looking at upgrades to technology, including software programming and building security. It will also be looking for sponsorships and grants. A lot of what the public is requesting and wanting is technology based programs. With the. implementation of the new cameras, we are looking to bring back computers for programming classes and maybe smartphones for seniors. Enhanced security wiUallow _these programsto come back. Overall, the plan took in a lot of feedback from internal staff. The information we gathered was implemented and adopted. We've included our marketing plan, looked at_our partnerships and how to increase those. We need the collaborations to survive in the competitive market. Competitive and low priced programming is a challenge, This is the official document submitted with CAPRA. Houtman stated our CAPRA self-assessment is complete and has been submitted. We have received feedback and recommendations from NRPA. We incorporated their adjustments and they have now accepted self-evaluation. Finalizing the. preparations for an end of June visit from reviewers. Then there is one more step: They will compile report to the nation board and then submit for final accreditation. Item 4B: Golf Update - Troy Hendricks Hendricks stated that last Friday we started working on the bridge at Clapp. They hope to pour the· _abutment on Wednesday. Rounds VTD are even with last year. We were down a little bit in April. We had 6.23" of rain, last year we had 2.62". Rounds were down only 826 rounds. Average high and low are the same as last year. 13 days rain, same as last year, just more rain. Revenue up 2% for the year,_ encumbrances and expenses up 10%. Net income is down by 1%. Good weather will bring that up. Some interesting things happened in the last couple weeks with the mobile app. Shana was contacted by Gallus Golf, who developed our mobile app. They are working on a rewards/loyalty program _and asked us to be their test market. We have had 3,141 downloads since implementation of the mobile app. The loyalty program is _called Tap the App, the pro shop attendant will "tap" the app, mark the star and then input their POS code. Since Friday 341 participants in loyalty program, with 132 apps tapped. Since we started our web store we've had sales of $24k. We've sold 196 player's cards. Marketing is moving along with what we had planned on. Hendricks added that fivesomes had been eliminated. We received feedback from customers. After checking with staff on impact we found no effect. At the end of last.month notified the golf sub­ committee of what was being seen and received. All voted to rescind decision on fivesomes. BOA.RD OF_ PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING May 9, 2016 Page 7 of8 Item 4E: OJ Watson Park Committee Update - Hoyt Hillman Hillman stated there was a good turnout last weekend for a kayak/paddling group. He noticed the Watson Park Facebook page did not mention it recently. Have another class on June 18. A reminder has been sent to the Facebook page that it needs to be posted. They did a great job on OK Kids day. Almost 2000 kids were there for that event. The park looks great and is in good condition. There is Talk about adding another 9 holes for golf, we are looking at an ADA putting process. The current one is not ADA accessible. Item 4F: Aquatics Committee Update - Tori Deatherage Houtman stated there was a meeting last month at Edgemoor. Still waiting on the green light to take to Council. Hopefully we will make our presentation in June and move forward with the plan. Item 5: Adjourn There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 4:26 pm. Tori� BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MEETING May 9, 2016 Page 8 of 8