Board of Park Commissioners

Board of Park Commissioners Regular Meeting Minutes Monday, August 12, 2019 3:00- 5:00 P.M. WI c·u IT A C IT Y o OF 455 N Main City Hall 11 Floor Park·Confere_nce·Room th Wii:hit a,.Kansas 67202 Mem_bers Present: ,Hoyt Hillman, Eddie Fahne_s_tock, Bill Ramsey, Ty Ta bing, Alejo Cabral, Tori Deatherage arrived at approximately 3:11), Troy Palmer Uoined via telephone at approximately 3:07) Memb_ers Absent: None City.Staff: Troy Houtman (Director, Park & Recreation), Penny Gardirigt(Clerk), Elizabeth Harlenske (Assistant City Attorney), Reggie.Davidson, Troy Hendricks, GentryThiesen, �hana Appelhanz • Guests: Councilmember Bryan.Frye, Calvin Cupp,.Dale Goter, Di6ri.Lefler (Wichita Eagle) item Descril!tion Call ,to Order Eddie Fahnestock, President, called the meeting to or�er•at approximately 3:04 p_m, Announcements Houtman stated the KRPA President is doing a listening_,tour in four locations across the state, including Wichita. lt,is a free event a.rd includes)unch. He would appreciate attendance from the board if possible. The date is October 1, 10:00 am at Botahica. On Friday last week we opened up.the dog park at Harrison Park. . . It is.not 100% complete, ' we are- still ..·,: waiting on the amenities like the agility course to be installed. All of the sigriage is in. This is what happens-when you work with a vcilunteergroup. We.are very thankful to be working with together Wichita, They donated close to $1s·o,ocio worth of materials and labor, ft has been:a big hiton social media, but it has been so hot it has not seen a lot of activity yet. Tomorrow i� the ratification of the budget It is pretty favorable compared to past years for Park. There is an extra.$250,000 in Park Maintenance. They are not really taking anything away. Capital wise, the.Aquatics Master Plan is in.there. We have money in there for the 0 master plan with golf;-the golf course at Clapp_ Orce pe,gets that they w·ill start asking for qualifications for companiesto help with the master.plan. Tabing inquired about the $250,001), is that n·ew.mciney'or does that continue the maintenance dollars that have been in place in the past. Houtman r_esponded every year the Budget department places shrinkage, or dollars that are savings regarding vacancies as we move from one person who might h'ave retired or m·oved on_ We have had close to $1M in salary savings that we have to make. A lot of times we don't fill those position. The positions are still there, just not filled, because we have the obligation to make close to $1M in.savings. They moved that back to roughly $750,000. That frees up some money he can use to fill some positions we have. It is notnew money or new positions, but it.relievesus of some.of the obligationswe have. Publif Comments There were no Public Comments. BQARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING August 12, 2019 Page 1 of 10 1 Appr9ve Minutes Recommended Action: Approve, sign .and file minutes.of. the Ju.ly 8, 2019, B.oard ofPark Commissioners Regular Meeting. Motion by Fahnestock, secon(by Ramsey, IT WAS VOTED to approve, sign and fiie the minut:es,of the July 8, 2019, Board of Park Commissioners•Regular Meeting (4:.0-1). 2A Policy.13-Criteria For Naming Of,Parks, Houtman stated;GentryThiesen i.s going,to'.rnake the,presf;!ntation. He received a,dire'ctiVe from·Cp_�11cil to·look aFsomf;! dLff�\ent,ways of ,viewing:PQlicy·13. Thieser\ stated slie is sharing,soifie potential·changes:that could be made to Poli�y 1;i o_n naming rights. Policy 13 currently states that public facilities i:ar\ be named or fehamed ih accordanc,e with their intended p1in:,ose or to recognize·a.n,individuaL A naming committee is.organized·to receive nominations·and to form·recommendations for City Council._ The Par� Board usually serves in that capacity.for park riamirig and renaming. The current criteria:are·:· • Cannot be duplicated • Distinguished pers6ii.,respohsible,for.well-b"eiiig of,fadlity • Child �ay be recogriized'ihhe,contribution by.their family to'the develol)menf:oflhe facility is d,eerl)ed,s(!)?st�ntiaJ • A recognized person·must be deceased These,criteria are very limiting,so'facifities:are not named or renamed without,the•pfoper justificatio11. The issue has)leen�rouglit to the depar-tment's attention that naming a park facilil{after-a person after they.have passed does not allow them to•celebrate, be<recognized and appreciated for theircontribution while.still alive. The,.recorrimend ch·arige to.Policy 13 is that the perso11 of recogniticm wiU'.not'haye to b� deceased,, The remainder of'the policy and process would remain the•same'., The. ParkiBoard•asthe n:3mfog•cor11mitfe_e1wCJul� st[l(be responsilJle-fur the.rigorous evaluation-of proposals and deeming'when:namirig rignts·are . eserved. Criteria would be that a person is.distinguished and responsibie for the weli-being d of theJacility,,they are �oted for\h.eir p_rominence in:the·corrimunjty as well as'their gopd dee·ds'ar\d service to the ccimmiinity. The excepticfns that currently exist are the Lynette Woodard Recreation Cent_er.and!he.Barry Sanders Field. The justification is that the pe·ople are to know they are recognjzeg 11thUe,aliye._ While Park:&cR�creation staff supports this change; itis notnecessarily.ohe:thathas to be made .. lt,was brought to the department:s a attention and staff supports,the;�ecjsior)'of, the:Park:Boara: Park 8cRecreatio� staffnfy:take t this item to the �ugus ciiy.'council i \,Kl_orkshop.where;it;ca_n_ be:discussed· or they may t�ke,it straigtit to CoUncil. Houtman·added - . . . . 'Council --- . . . would � . . . kind .. , - like,some --- - of. recommendation .-- - -· . --· from.the - . ·Park Board, . We have,always waited for someone to be deceased.before we gave them recognition. If we did o something while they are,;tili alive, nbt oniy would t'tiey,appredate,it but their family could appre�!ate i! vyitt, them. Ev�rythi_ng•�lse,as fa,r a,s crite_ria,r;;'garding something:substantial, something that tias really beeri'.i watershed mark within•the community,.those things all:st�y the samf For·park arnenities.the•P�fk B,oa·rd wciuld:Stfll be;tfie0ohe.to:make the ' recommen_�ati9�_s. _He•wo�ld, llk_e;t_o;;at(er you.discuss, get s_c,111_e!kin<:1 ofmo_iiof'), INh�ther you supp'o-rt it or not, that'he couli:Ltake forward to Council. Palmer,made,a motion to sul)j:>ort)t, Ramsey secondedc 1'.iarle1 ske stated·Gentry h-ad requested her assistance.in· prepa,ring a motion. Palmer witbdre\o'rhis rnotio.n, Ram_s_ey·r.e.ad'the prepared motion, Palmer'secorided. Motion by Ramsey, secon� �y Palf!ler, IT WAS UNANIMC>US!)'VOTED (7°0) thadhe P,ark Board present a;re·commendatiofi,fo the City Council,thatCity Coliricil.Policy #13;which BOARD OF,PARKCOMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING August 12, "?919 Page 2 of 10  sets forth the criteria for naming of Public Facilities and/or Land be changed to allow the recognition of persons who are not deceased. In support of this motion I would state the following observations: • This change would allow the Naming Advisory Committee to recognize persons who are deserving:of such a distinction during such person's lifetime, and without having to waitto ·bestow such an honor until the person has died; • There are currently public facilities within the City that are exceptions to this policy and are named for persons who are not deceased; • All other criteria set forth in Policy #13 would remain as currently written, providing necessary and·appropriate guidelines for. the development of appropriate recommendatfons'.by a.Naming Advisory·Committee. 3 Future of GoHAilvisory Committee Houtman stated at the last meeting we started a discussion regarding the role of the Golf Advisory Committee; how they could make changes to the format of how they do business. After some research, the first thought was since the Golf Advisory Committee reports to the Park Board that the·Park Board.had the authority to make sof!1e of those changes. It was actually created by Council·and;given to the Park Board to manage. If there are to be some major changes to how we use.the GAC it would have to go to Council. Some of the things we talked about was using th.em as a sub-committee to address particular issues or items. We would give them direction on what those are and put in a time frame regarding when those would be discussed or recommendations would come back to the Park Board. It could be very fluid with one issue over a long period of time or it'can be in steps. Whatever the situation is or issues thafhave arisen that the Park' Board·would deem the sub-committee being put together. l_t would be whoever you would chose to be on that committee to have those discussions. Hillman asked so it is not a standing committee? Houtman responded no, it is a sub-committee that would just address the issues in particular that the Park Board wanted t_o e_xplore·an_d discuss to get more research and feedback on. Ramsey clarified we would use,them as we need t_hem. Houtman responded yes, Ta bing asked if they are currently studying anything at the moment or are they not meeting. Houtman responded they are still meeting every six weeks. The biggest issue they discussed was the golf passes, which has passed and been implemented. They seem to be very successful, we have sold about 300 already. If something were to come up on a topic that the Park Board wanted research on; and you wanted to seled who would'be on that sub-committee, based on their expertise, knowledge and experience, it would be the Park Board's prerogative to do. Hillman askeifif each.Park Board,member have an opportunity to.appoint to a member to the committee. Houtman re·sponded that was the foundation we had talked about. Fahnestock stated it is a gr�at idea. He has sat·on the·GolfAdvisory Committee for almost a year. If we get a large topic that approaches over the next few months or years, we would have the ability to appointsomeone with the skillset necessary.to,tackle that issue and put a timeline on it to focus on that. We are not necessarily getting rid of the GAC, but they would be on a case by case basis. Hillman stated one of the issues before us, we have been working on the annual pass for two years, it is a matter of timing, the annual pass is a great deal. When we passed it, it was for $65 for people over 65; now it is at $55, for some people that might be a good deal, but down the road might be somewhat ofa loss. When we look at encouraging people to·go year round and then hear reports of furloughs of different facilities, what you have is a concern for attendance and promoting these things properly. There may be opportunities in the immediate future to try to bolster this annual pass process. It was brought to us as a financial savior for fourremaining golf courses. He hopes we keep that in mind as we move forward we have advice from golfers on the GAC that can help us solve those problems. Fahnestock responded if you worry about attendance at our golf courses BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING August 12, 2019 Page 3 of 10  wouldn't dropping the price of the membership•help \JOlster the atte11_dance, Hillman responded y��; dropping it to $65:."!a.s a,savings, As a.customer the,$55 Would be even better; but:not;sure how it would shake out as,productio'n ofJunds: Tliis.isia critical point;in shift-and ch�ng;in'the way we'jirorilote and do things for our golf'system that support,s the citizens of Wichita, All eyes should tie on it. This is:r19tthe time to turn,away froin the process, Fahnestock,responcJed we,are.not necessarily.turning away from the process; we have capable staff to take,a look at promotions and' marketing ideas,to:help bolster the attehdance,atgoif courses. The se_cond point to make, you said tliis took two years to do this memtiership.•prograrri;Jf,"!e hav_e �-seuimeline of-whether iU5e 30-cif60 aa'ys, we could.have had.that. two years ago. - . We,would already be seeing-the - benefits ohhe·se membership- passes. Hillman·responded in•agreement, stating it was held in finanfe;for review__. Ramsey added.the Board sa_w it a long trme ago. Ca_bral.a�kedwhat types of things would.we call in an·advisorycommittee•for. We haVe.gocid staff.that can address.a iot of the major issues. How quickly do we believe we cc>Uid bring this grp�p1together? ·�ahne_sfock.respo1 ded he would,feel conflcJent think'ing we' '!'J,OLild,be a_ble, tq 1}1il_ke something,work,within a·montli, between:meetings. Houtman added,staff.wantsto be:able to address a lot ofthese.•issues, that-is thiirjob:. We will keep the.Park Board appraised ofall the situations, as we _h_�ve done,whether it is.financial or other·major.issues. l'ha! iswh�t l\llr. Hendrkks does in:his gol report. If you evE!r want or n1:ed more, .we will provide,rilol'e,as.neeaed.and requested. If there-are,issues orc,-co·n·cerns that have been, brought.to.your attention;those are•issues_tliat wouldlake.an opportunity to convE!ne;a,committeeiogether, St_aff;w_o_uld be involved'in helpingwjth,thai:, we host meetings here,we provide the support, we�would be able-to schedulethos� riie�tings s�the. �ppointees could coordlnate.·anciwork with them to find opportunities to.·meet. We.would still wantsomeone from th_e l'ar.kBoard inv_ol_ved and help oversee_th1: S(!b·COITlmiitee a�d_rTl_!l�e sure that staff and the sub,com·mittee.are accomplishing-the,goalsthatthe 1Board•thoughfw6uld .be needed.. Rainsey:added.the advantage is that person'could also cliange on.a cas_e t>y case ,basis,,clepe�ding ih�. spedalties of the.Park Board member. 11,is,a_;much better sce��rio,,notonlya better-use-of our time and _the tirrie,of th_e IUb'_committee member. Being'able to.change ahd pufthe. rightspeciaiistin place each ti�·e".is a better scenario. Houtman'added it is·advisory. We.work with staff and .the professionals, and access'lo,9_ttier c_ommu_n_i_ti!!_s a11d;gE!tting facts and information .. staffs goai is to getJh� l!esi recommen�ations we can. Also from the.f!ark':Board as well. Sometimes we will'make tweaks, staff, takesthe:retoinmendations a·nd maximize,our potentials. Hillman.stated he fuiiy supports it andh�pes it.works: lt_dpes·r�ciuire close ,scrutiny, _How w__e rn_otiva_te t�e iJl!lyers to participate when we start closing some of their courses for:severaLmonths and we�just promised them·year-round service;that is marketing and .bolsterihg·attendance. Those-are all skii(sets•critical to our proces_s, Fa_hnestCJck. staied most of.the cus\omers_ervice'is�ues c�n .ye ta�en car� of by·staff. Ramsey. added one of the benefits.we've•seen,through·out tliis'process, like,ttierad,hoc committee..had much better input and greater i�eas than·we have seen:in th_e.:past Houtrna11 sfat�d'.i! you take a·motion on whether you support.or d_o noJsuppori it, he_ can,fake that:to.Council in the next'3,4 weeks. Fahnestock.motioned t6 a·mend the 'Golf Advisory Comrnittee'..to a case .by case,basis and.when a,ojg•issue is seen,the;l'ark Board would@ipoinfsqmeo.11e tCJ that commiheefor a -certain .timeline, Deatherage inquired,if. we could,say disscilved·ttie cilrrent:Golf,Ad\tisci'fy. Cor,;�itte� �hd·tfeate a .committee �s-rieeded•fbfspecificissues. Fa'hnestock,agreed to �dd that. Harfens�e,added it is make,a recommend�jio:n, it is the,Coun�Ws committee. ·Palmer s_econded, Fah_riestock asked fqr public comment. Dale Geter in:re_ference to the,ad hoc.cornrnitte�,J:iE!·_is,s_ick of it, clo�? not want anything to do with golfanymore. The incident at-Clapp Rarkds,just,the,cap;o'ri'it. What seems'<tci.,be, :BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGUui:R MEETING August 12, 2019 Page 4 of 10 missing in the process is a conduit of active social golfers. In absence of that communications model, we are not. being heard. We have identified some issues, some suggestions for how things might proceed; and have been largely ignored. We are not really part of the process. What you a�e doing now is stripping the one entity that had some potential to actually weigh in on golf issues. Now you are going to do it on a case by'case; which means the staff tells youwhat to do and we are out of the picture again. We will continue to function as some kind of... we are not, as the·Letter to the Editor described us, dissidents. We are just concerned we.are not making the right moves at the right time. It's a long process and not going to happen overnight. Does not see how this helps at all. He has not heard, the accountability seems.to.be a little questionable. We've sold 300 passes. We lost $200,000 on that deal. You are.going .to have to make it up by selling a lot more passes. What is the target number of passes that have to be sold to meet t.he,goal, when does it have to happen and how are you going to,handle thattransition. Those are functional question that this body shouh:l a_ddress. If not this body then perhaps the Golf Advisory Committee that does have some actual input and pays attention to what is going on. It is a difficult circumstance. We are going the wrong direction. The Manager made reference-to Austin, Texas, saying we are exactly the same as Austin, Texas. He.looked it up. Austin, Texas has five course, is going through a struggle, but what they did was hired the National Golf Foundation to do a study. That is what•we·have been suggesting from Day One and we.can't get any traction on that. The Goif Advisory Committeecrecommended it, you recommended it and it never got to Council. Council·members-say they never saw it. It indicates there is a communication problem, the Golf Advisory Committee was designed to help that. Not sure what you have done here is really the answer. Fahnestock stated some of the questions Goter posed can be answered via staff.' How many passes do we need to sell sounds like a break even, we can come up with that. Ramsey stated we have talked about that before. Houtman added that was part of the presentation. And, we.did take the questionabout having a third party review and.did get the PGA; per recommendation from the Park Board. That is what was voted on, . requested and did happen.. That is the staff direction on that. Ramsey stated he believes what we said•was we wanted to startwith that and see .what they came back with and.see what kind of difference those recommendations had on. the golf system before we would movefor;ward with spending any considerable amoi.mt of money for further things. We wanted to give thatthe opportunity to work. Hillman added that was free. Houtman stated we di°d not get any recommendation to move forward. Hillman stated he does not support ignoring the process of the transition. However we do it, whether it is in an interim committee process, he can support the motion. if we continue to look at the processes. The GAC update and the Golf update is still to come on our agenda. As these get presented and we look at the numbers _and what the profit break'is, hopefully it is not a break even number, right now break even is in the.hole. H·opefully it is a way out.. Staff has been put under a real crunch with.the system as it is now. The enterprisefund de_mands are a self-imposed problem by the City of Wichita on golf. We as a group and the GAC have all been struggling to find a way out for staff. We have been unsuccessful. Most .cities do not create those kinds of problems for golf. We hope in the future we would look to.budget some additional public funds to support our golf system and have successful four courses. Fahnestock stated we are not turning a blind eye to golf just by moving forward with this. We are still going to get staff reports every month at Park Board meetings. We are still going to be involved in the golf process because it does fall in .the park system. He does not see it as.turning a blind eye at a pivotal point. Ramsey stated what we are doing is recognizing the fact that there has been a lot of external input that has been far more valuable and we should be looking to other places to get that input. Maybewe need fresh, new eyes. That is what has been brought to light. There are BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING August 12, 2019 Page 5 of 10  other people olJt,ihereJhafhave great ideas: Those are the people'We:iieea to.find and when,we need something we need fo.bring,th'em. I1;is a disseritice'for us:notto:recognize that. Hillman agreed and added it is,up to· the members ofthe Bo_ard ·10 go fi11d those. p_eople and appoint thl!mon those.particular topics,. o·eatherage stated-the ad hoi:.brbughtfcirward a lot more information and stayed in cohtai;t:inorethan the GolfAdvisory Committee did. Her,appointee,hever cince,reached out, sent an:email, nothing, So why h�ve the structure of a certain.committee in pl_ace.whe_re w_e_have a,rn_�eting on everyone's calendar when we have· a n_other,gro_upthat.isvoluntarily, doing.this on•their own· a'nd:brihg,fcfrward1 these issues. Hillman resporided'.itis up to you.to:decide ifyci_u'have:made·a proper,;appointment. Fahnestock stated'itis'a matter offresh eyes, ·some.people don't TTke,io,go to._those meetings beca\ls_e there _is too many•politics involved. They.don't wannci show u·p!and argue with someone or make someone inad. With this process they-are'facused on'.one common goai, with certain attributes·they can bringJo th�table.that makes sens_e, lt:is.a g�eat:idea -and something,th#is needed, we always nee<:! fresh eyes. He is in,full support of.it moving forward. Fahnestock motioned that the Park Boaid recommend to.the,Council that we dissolve'the Goif·Advisory Committee and.on·a case.liy case basis have an:appointee,from each Park Board.me_mber for that specific c_�_s_e:, Tabir:ig inquired if we are really.talking about dissolving, isn't thatbeyond our·purviewofa Couhcil.created.committee.. Hillman added you can'L Tabing added we.are recommending,mcfre �bout process th'an:the·di_ssolution.of this, committee. ·Harlenske:responded move_ to re.commend to Counci_l 't�atthe,c_tJrrent commi_ttee,be 9(ssolved and then you revive itas needed, with each member of the Board having an appoirite"e as they see fit. Hciutinari'addecl'.for a sub-committee on a particular topic. Goter asked who;decides what cases come forward. Fahnestockresponded the Board.. ,HiUman:stIJ!ed if the com_mittee stjll belongs.to the City Counc:il-then,the·City Council decides what cases,.. Fahnestock'stated tnat is why we.are making o_ur recommendation to the City Counciltoday. H.illman responded'the c�mmittee still belongs !O:t�� City Council so if one,ofJhe;C[ty,'touncilmen deci_desthere'is a.n:issue it's in-effecti Harlenske,ag�eed,they can say to,the Park Board haveyo(ir,bciafc:l:do:tliis. Ram·sey,added,th'e'{cari'dothathow. Houtman added ifa'Park.Board inember.nas·an:lssue or comes;up y.,ith something,that'is a concern or question or some beher idea, they could make the stJgges!ion:to convene a sub­ committee. Hillman stated we have the,ability to.do that, we've c:re·atea sub-committees within ourselves. But, that'committee, right now, belongs to the City i::ounc:il; are you creating a separate committee? Houtmaf) re_sponded whatever Counfil directs:us to do, he will make the;presentation,.hopefully withthe:Park•Board presidEfnt: The'y'will share the informati6h,with Council. If they want to cbntinue:being the ones'to'seleet"and manage the Golf Advisory_Comrriittee, they can have,thatautl}ority, lfthey,waDt,to give'!hai authority to the Park Boar�,andihe,Board:designate� each,one•oftheir-appointees on'issues that:coine from 'Council, staff.or from the puolic,throUgh'tlie Park:Board, that can happen as well. You may:want.tom,ake part of your motion wl}ich,one you·think is mos(_'app[Opri3lte. 1-iiUm_an st_ated it could be a �ark,Board member issue, a public.issue or any.issue. Ramsey added that we think-wewo�ld need to.get that:committee back together'with;whatever specialists for that specificissue. Hmman added that go_es back io his original co_mrnent thatthere is a real issue now on th�>profitability of parks and the close moriitoiing:of,the gioWth.ofprofitability through this new.'piocess ofopasses. That is'a real issue,.if we d·on't get o_ut of the hole we'.11 do soniething:else,with th� land_. Fcahnestoc�_s_fateclwe have a,m-otion_t,and'a second, Tabing asR!c!d _what is th_e motion. Deatherage stated she,said,disscilve-the·Golf;Adviso'fy Cciinmittee ahd create:si.Jb-i:ommittees.based:on who they appoint per topic.as needed. BOARD_OF PARK c6MM1ss10NERS REGULAR MEf!ING August 12, 2019 Page 6�of 10  Motion by Ramsey, second by Fahne.stock, IT WAS VOTED to recommend the dissolution of the Golf Advisory Committee which would allow the Park Board to then create specialty sub-committees as necessary to further the golf program. (6-1 (Hillman)) Houtman stated he will put together the green sheet and find a date to make the recommendation to Council. It would be great if the Park Board President and anyone else that would be able to be there as well. Ramsey left meeting at approximately 3:49 Palmer left meeting at approximately 3:49 4 Recreation Update (Reggie Davidson) Davidson stated aquatics had an increase in attendance of over 7% over 2018. Part of that was with the resolution to the Aquatics Master Plan and knowing the direction on how things are going with that. The Swim league did well. Our lifeguard staff competed in the 4th annual Lifeguard Games. The Aley Pool team is the 2019 winner. Boston Recreation Center is a location where we implemented some technology courses. We brought in about $7,800 in revenue. We had a variety of different camps from Application Design, Video Game Design, to Animation and more. We partnered with Youth Tech out of Kansas City. They came in and provided all of the instructors, software and computers needed. We provided the location, marketing and community. We received a portion of the revenue without having to expend any cost for staff to run the programs. We also did some of our specialty camps that did really well. Our site director does a very good job of coming up with some creative opportunities for our youth to get involved. We generated about $12,500 in revenue. Our overall budget at Boston for generating revenue is right around $25,000, we almost did that with these two summer programs. Edgemoor Recreation Center had Summer Of Discovery camp and averaged 77 participants each week. From those, 30 were from the foster care system. They get scholarships to participate. We are continuing to grow pickleball. We are constantly getting requests for lighting for those courts. There is a community formed that is looking at options for some fundraising to help with that. The demand is growing and we are having to send some of those individuals to Seneca Park and the Tennis Center. Linwood Recreation Center Summer Of Discovery had 75 participants that came each week on a regular basis. They worked with the library for their reading program where the kids read for 15 minutes daily for 30 days to help improve and keep fresh their skills. We continue looking at how we can partner with other departments for these kinds of programs. The Golden Age dances did well. They average about 102 dancers every week. They have new bands and did some things with finger foods which has increased participation. Summer Of Discovery activities had good turnout and transition. This summer we had a new background check proces.s implemented. For every staff member that comes on board that works during the summer now does FBI fingerprint background checks for a national clearing not just Kansas. Hillman asked who pays for those background checks. Davidson responded we do. Hillman stated that will burn up your $250,000 pretty quick. Houtman responded that $250,000 goes to Park Maintenance. Davidson added because there are designated locations that can do the background checks, the Wichita Police Department, at their location at WSU, was able to do it and not have to pay the total cost. We also made some adjustments to our fees as well. We are still competitive and below with some area pricing. BOAR0 OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING August 12, 2019 Page 7of 10 Orchard Recreation Center is a Summer OfDiscoyer;y lo_cation_;!sweJL 'F.or the 15th year in a row they had no violations: 'This is,a tremendous achievement fo"f:the'progra"m. Evefy year each:of.,tlie'camp sites have to go•thrciugh,an inspection to makefs�re,they. are mlintaining what is required to be licensed.and receive funding for schoJa_rship�. ·This slimmer we had 350 Laps;as part of the programing again. The kii:ls are encouraged to walk'and track their lap·s, We liaa 111 kids-participate and 52 made·350·iapssfor a'totaf ot/32,937 laps, which equates to-aboutl,344 miles: They put out a map•with those-ste_ps to show how 'tar th_ey wou_ld h;;ive wal_ked from here in Wichita to other parts of the US. The Fall Winter Activities Guide is out today. Registration has.opened'.up.on. line. Our previo_us event name was Polar Express, we rec_eived_ oot[ficati_q(!:'!"e _cannot use that•name any longer because of a conflict with Disney. We-transitioned to North Pole Express and still get'a lot ofgoodJeedback with people already excited about parti�ipatin_g again this year. Tabing,ask_ed'ifit_is pqssible to share incremental costs related to-these programs because n you are sharing ihcrer ental revenue. Davidson responaed he'wffi start.doing that next monih.- Hciutrnan;added1 we have.some,expectation�.of,making_re_vE?nue;,bLJt some•of our progra111_s don'i,111_ak_e,revenue; tha_t;s·okay. Hillman'statedwe always have these discussion aboubhow to keep,the'funds,we'brir\g:in from going;back1ir\to.,thei;City'General Fund. Have, we made progress.in protecting them? Houtma_n:.�es8qnded 9:S% qf the furids that1co,me•in go back,to ttie'GeQ.eralJund, ·T�_ere is not_,a 111ec:hanism for ll_ s;t_o,do:t_hat unless'Council directs those•revenues,to go bai:k,to·a certain location. Ttie F.iriaii'ce group is always looking for ways to.make sure.we stay on,budget and that induges the �evenues from'our .programs. Hillman stated an example would be, SOl)'lething tha_t,y9u c:o_uld_:LJ�E!,WOU]ifbe an annual pass or membership to:Watson Park or some kind ofa Watson Pa/Ii' sUpport'.pro'cess:wh'ere you automatically get in free for the year. You contributed funds.o_r vofynteer time, so that you benefit.from it The cash or efforts stay in ihe Par� sy,ste,m. Houtmiln responded that w_ould have to be_ passed by Council. Davidson added,the way we,are turreritly set-tip now is that .,;,e have·revenue.... Hillman,stated Botanica does stuff iike,that. Houtman responded that is because they have. a third party tha(is opera_ting Botani�a,,we,dori't operate lt; Davidson adde-d t_he wa_y we are ctJrrently structured is thatwe have a budget for-each ofthose, we .have revenue and expehsesthatgo along·with'it,and cost re'rnile'ry aiong with what our ex·p·ectations are,to , make each year. A certain• portico ls sub}idize_d bec:aus_e of the services we provide_. Houtma_n staie�-ifthere is third,party non-profitthaf wants to operate OJ Watson hewould·talk.to them. Hillman fesporiaed he'was justusing,Watsori,as•an example. • Houtman addecho do thatthere,are a lot of positions to fili; utilities·to 1 pay for a,nd,capital irnprcivement� to maintain. It is not,an easy end_eilyClr,Jt:!b�ni i_s sqmeime interested in ·doing,that,,we are alwaysdookingJorpartnerships, l'lillrfain stated:,those,kinds'of things,. b'utside of asking c_itizens;for a halfcent sales,tax to go'to parks; ygu:n�eifto:figure,outways to • - create"'park .,- - , - ····· ..· cciin", ··--... - something'that,benefits -• - · ·- .. --·- the system. We tiave,trees,to.plant, areas · · ·•. J ·- --- � - - -,,.·- · - - · · · ' to maihtain,and we'.re behind. Houtman.responded a,goo'd exam-j:Jle,of wtiatyou·are talking about is setting up a conservancy, One,of the,biggest):>nes is in Ne1,vYork.CityforCentral Park, Wbo s.yppor:fs,i�ato11e is,all t_he surrou11ding businesses.9ecause they,geta huge f benefit fforri alFthe park visitors: we,are,always lookihg cr different partnerships, different l waVs to)elerage the dollars we do have, Hilima n askecUfttie com,ersancy has to,_sho_w a profit Houtman:responded no. They can use leverage from operating dollars that are set asiiJe fr6m the,�ity. Hillman stated Botanica still has icity paid dire'ctor and four employees .and.95 volunteers. He can see Clapp P.ark.with.a conservancy wit_h the busine�ses around it. If you h1 ve a,special unique area,Jhere oughfto be a way to create and keep.some funds. Houtman responaedwhen you create that kind'ofisituation you are'able,to.insulate and use BOARD oF PARK'CoMMiSs10NERS'REGUi.AR MEETING August 12, 2019 Page·s of 10  those funds because it isthe third party non-profit that is generating the funds, not the City. Botanica Inc. runs their own programs. They are the ones that develop their schedule, market and promote. They just happen to use some of our staff. If we could set something up like that then we are able to insulate those revenues . and go back into the programming. There are ways of doing itbut the way we are set up now we don't have that ability. No one has raised tneir hand saying that is something we wanuo do. 5 Golf Update (Troy Hendricks) Hendricks stated July showed a slightimprovement over last year in rounds by 4%, with a revenue increase of 1% over 2018. Rounds year-to-date are down 6% with revenue being down 7%. Expenditures are up 7% and net income is down 109%. Somethings to take into consideration are things we were not paying last year at this time. Last year we were not paying any dat_a, r:nqtor pool, public safety fee, admin fees or fuel. If you take that amount, $321,803 and add that back in, then we are $20,000 differendrom last year. Courses are doing ok, Tex Consolver is back even with last year's rounds; Sim is down 1%; MacDonald is down 5%; Auburn Hil!s is down 8% and Clapp ended up at the end of July being down 24% from last year. Of-the 7,800 rounds tha_t were played year to date at Clapp Golf Course, 33% were played in July, after we announced the golf·course was going to close. The reports from golf pros �nd superintendents are. in your handouts. The new membership program, sin·ce it started atthe first of the month, we have sold 271 passes. Forty of those a_re adults, 45,are couples, seven are juniors, 157 are .seniors and 22 are young adults. Of those, 65% have never had a pass; we.are attracting'pe·ople other than current pass holders. Mr. Goter asked the same question that Councilman Frye asked during the Council meeting: are we basing this off the same pass sales we had in 2018_and the-answer is yes. If we sold the same _number of passes we would still generate a little over $120,000 more in revenue. Hillman asked if you will cont_inue to report revenue per round a·s we go into this new system. Hendricks responded yes, that will not change. 6 Golf Advisory Committee Update.(Eddie Fahnestock) No report. 7 Wichita Parks Foundation Update (Troy Houtman) Houtman stated Plates for Parks is now over 1,000 plates. They are now into the letter "B" on the plates. We are at about 1,100 total. The Foundation is doing a fundraiser at the Wave. We wiUget th.at information out to everyone. We might have the Lt. Governor there to share the State's view on parks and recreation. There will be a band and Lacey Cruse is going to play. The date is September 27. Park.Foundation is bringing on some future board members. ___ . 8 OJ Watson Park Committee Update (Troy Houtman) Houtman stated there are some cool things we are doing there. They have Halloween events, they,are-doing a trick-or-treat thing and then the Haunted Island. They are looking at . maybe doing a.Jeep Jamboree there. 9 Aquatics Master Plan Update (Troy Houtman) Houtman stated we are working very diligently with our art component. It is behind schedule but hopefully it will be done in the next week or two. We owe a meeting back to the Council. With the Budget passing tomorrow, that has the $20.Sivl for the Aquatics Master Plan, if that passes, we can go out to bid and start finding contractors to do the first phase which is three splash pads and three swimming pools. The big thing is the push for McAdams, Edgemoor and Evergreen to done by ne·xt summer. The bonus would be the other three locations. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING August 12, 2019 Page 9 of 10  Hopefully by this time next year we will be swimming and playing in new water features and swimming pools. 10 President's Update (Eddie Fahnestock) No report. 11 Director's Update (Troy Houtman) Houtman stated Gentry and he are going to National Recreation and Parks Conference the day after Open Streets. He has been selected to be on the Academy of American Parks and Recreation Administrators. While there, he will be formally placed into the association. Tabing inquired about the Riverfront Legacy Master Plan, is Park staff involved. Is there an opportunity for this Board? Houtman stated this is a great opportunity for the Park Board to get more involved. His understanding is the location around Century II, whether it gets completely redeveloped and changed, it's looking at more green space opportunities. Not only for passive recreation but also setting up for special events; especially for the needs of Riverfest, but also for the day-to-day activities. He is on the technical committee which is some of the top level staff from Engineering, Planning. The role is small. We can put together a memo requesting that the Park Board have a presence in the design phases or some of the other fact finding opportunities. Populous is the group that was hired to do that by Downtown Wichita. We can draft a letter for the president's signature and make sure it gets to the right people so there is that representation. It is important for the Board of Park Commissioners to have some kind of opportunity to be represented at the table. Hillman stated the Ark River Coalition is trying to coordinate things. Coach calvin Cupp stated he has been in contact with several people on the committee and attended the first public forum. Motion by Tabing, second by Hillman, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED that the Board of Park Commissioners engage with the Riverfront Legacy Master Planning process and have a seat at the table In those planning discussions. (5-0) Houtman stated he will draft a letter tomorrow, get it signed by the board president and make sure it gets to WDDC as well as Populous. 12 Adjourn There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 4:16 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on Monday, September 9, 2019. Eddie Fahnestock, President BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING August 12, 2019 Page lOof 10