Board of Park Commissioners

Board of Park Commissioners Regular Meeting Minutes Monday, January 11, 2021 CITY OF 3:00 - 5:00 P.M. WICHITA https://youtu.be/mo48npZNAaM Members Present; Eddie Fahnestock, Alejo c.abral, Hoyt Hillman, Tori Deatherage, Dale Goter, Ty Tabing Members Absent: Troy Palmer City Staff: Troy Houtman (Director, Park & Recreation), Elizabeth Hartenske (Assistant City Attorney), Penny Garding (derk), Reggie Davidson, Gentry Thiesen, Emma Li-Wormington, Gary Farris, Paul Gunzelman ttl!!! Qesqiption Call to Order Eddie Fahnestock, President, called the meeting to order at approximately 3:03 p.m. Announcements Houtman stated agenda item #4 - Recreation Update needed to be move to the end of the Agenda due to scheduling conflicts, allowing Reggie Davidson time to get to the meeting. Public Comments There were no Public Comments. 1 Approve Minutes Goter recommended a change to the minutes to clarify a response made by Fahnestock regarding a statement made by Palmer. Garding will make that correction before publishing approved minutes. A. Recommended Action: Approve, sign and file minutes of the December 9, 2020, Board o1 Park Commissioners Retreat Meeting. Motion by Fahnestock, second by Hillman, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to approve, sign and file the mjnutes of the December 9, 2020, Board of Park Commissioners Retreat Meeting (6-0). Goter stated he had a question regarding Minutes from the Golf Advisory Committee website. The last three or four meetings minutes have not been posted. Garding responded they made some updates to the web page last week and those should be posted now. B. Recommended Action: Approve, sign and file minutes of the December 14, 2020, Board of Park Commissioners Regular Meeting. Motion by Fahnestock, second by Hillman, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to approve, sign and file the corrected minutes of the December 14, 2020, Board of Park , Commissioners Regular Meeting {6-0). 2A Policy for Sale and Purchase of Park Property Houtman stated we have a philosophy that is to try to avoid selling any kind of park land property unless it is absolutely needed. We also make sure we get market value or more. There have only been a few situations where we have done that. We want to make sure it is a win-win situation. This is the philosophy we follow for the Board of Park Commissioners property as well as the City of Wichita park land. Goter stated in the previous meeting he made reference to the differing circumstances regarding the sale, or potential sale of golf courses, noting that Clapp had been offered to Quik Trip without an RFP and when MacDonald was put up for sale. It is more than just a policy, it is described by Mayor 801\RO OF PAAk COMMISSIONERS REGULAA MEETING January 11, 2021 Page lof U  Longwell an'd the Ma:nageriat,tife'tiine;Jroin the b¢nch,:a,iega[requiremen!,tliat�henever an off�6s rece'iiied ifiey)re,re_qukect tQ l!,Osfari){fj>, ty1_ayo_r �9,:igy.,�ll;l_llad_�:a pig flOtQJof saying }lie City never, tried to sell MacDonald:i!afk, :rhey,were,corfipellei:t'fo:db,ah!RFP becius� they liad rec;i�d'an,offer.' TheManageYcoricufred•ahd'said!ai]ytime We'i\ave ah offer we have to dC>1an RF,P: 1Goterwas(�orif,llse}ta69ut the cJapp/Qdi�;TdP �itu_aJign: l;here• 'is cu_rr�rit)y,_a_n}2._��r, o n•!��•t_at,>ie,fo�l?,lly ?imth_a! m_ayt,>e1agdre��d'l_a!erc lf it<is•a firm,l)olicy ,bythe·counc:il i:toescit•aiJply fo,the1Par1< Boafa? Tne,Parli 1 BoaYd'oWns·:the·propertt ls.the :P,arli:Boifra;gblierned by,:City:Couficil:policies:regarding land.the,�arkiB.oard'.owns?, ·Houtman tt ' •• • · __·-�· ' .-, . · ..__ _ ,:- • .-. . . �-. . . . --• .. -·_ ,'.'" , _ . J..; ,.. ., _ : _ _ .re2ponge_g[h�rE!Ja(�'tw_o•�ifu_aJionf\\,'�:a_r<?'!a_lk{ng aj:l_�I!! �ga.rdlQg:iJarkJ�n,_g t_bat,is. o�n�d _b• ,the,City,and1Board.6f'.ParkCommissi6her's:property. 1n:b otti.cases-wnafwe,are1lookingiforis, • Wti'er\ thefe]is,an:actil!eliriterest'o(somethingthat is gqing to rieed[soine tfi!flfic:_ation tci mak� : :.sure everyone;fl�gJfie !)PR.OJ!l,l_n)!.¼tQ lili!!ohJt! There;ty'5l£ally b�sLb_ee1 ,,ariiff>•p1,1tiC>lltJor·a • piece of 'p.ropert'y; ,i:t\at1i�cludes othe r(Gity: i:>roper:ty, as.well.. Goter asked Houtfhan ,ifh-e • rec;i,id •tti�t ii isc�isi6n; trbrl\ ,t�e: binch, ia�t-;�arw�eri ,the.: MacDonaiii situation, was discussed fand the,way it,was'dt!scrlbed ,by thE! ryja_nage[ia rid;tl]_e ;!0ayor/it 'tJas: pa.rt. of tt}e b�dget_�e_a_r:ing: l;lo�tryiJl11.resf!Q11deg ti_e:�g�gl b�yE!fto1go'.b_ac�Jamr190,k•afif :Ggter stated forthe next meeting rouldWe.:g·erailarification, lt's'iiii odd situatiorf ffecaiise,tlie,Park Board o�ns - two.o_fthegol(toUrse_s,and - .- - has,the,�bsdiut_• eC.1uthorlty to seli' fr- , lst_ he;i>ark sa_\Tle Legalre_qll_lren:ignts , st�I�� by1J\'l.ay9fLgqgwell?, We _arE! <[�o ut to - ,- Boan:l p_O!Jlld by t ,bgse . ·. ; ,- - . . • • �, -- ,, , ·, . ·1" , . - see aipotentiai!transfer-of:the,golf.courses,to,a noi'l'jl'iofit, \vhicti again:raises the questioii"of. o ' ., , --=n wtiofhaft i1trolfc5t.tlie;two_,c()iirses.that'arf:ih.the P.ark Bo_ard's �anie\ He�w_ctulq .like to'see ,? -� , ; •• - • • ,,. - - - that �iari_fiea:�eJo_r�:.we g�f!o �:PQlrifwt_lE;re>� <!e_cjjfo n [�,req�ite.iL 8oufo,.��i_a_s�E!d - Harlens�e fo assistiwitli,that'c There.•are•two differeni:;things wemeed '.to::talk about. ·rhere:is a,diffe�ence,bJtween b\iyi�g a'jji€ce 6fpfo'perty and having a ttiircf'.par,ty:operate]it. Right now what,we;are;fookingat;,a� 'he]understan.as:it,tbe0_tv'.11a(k:_al'id�etreation i':i,E!p_ari_ii,.erji h_as the e�thCJ_r:[ty!o•.QpE!rafathE!l,BQarclr of l'�r�•G9mmisjione,rs properfy. lf,il:;is:goihg to be sole, that,is'sometning 1 ttiat has,toigo tothe:Boara:of;P,frk:,Ccim-riiissiciners,.anrexample:of,that Was MacQonald\Nhelithe'fe,was an bfflfr on the table for'it"and the·�ciard: offjark, -Commissioners·decided'noffo·take}he'offer, ·Harlenske stated•the RF�\was voted·on· by-the • •-··-•- ••··•• • • • ••• • C •••• __, ··••·••• -· ,--• ••� •� .• --= - ' ••~•·4 ��-- • � - • <e·- - - ••- .••• •·.· • •~- ·.--. • ••·• ·· •�·-· C••• �-• _.,... • --•- l!a rK: Boa rd, a rid'the:P.ii'rk, Boa rd:·said, ,the-re: is ·a ii ,offer, let' fsee; wtiafelse Js:out-tnere. Ttie Park:Boa_rd iloted,to �ave.a"ri:RF,P'dfafted. Stie Was n;tatthe,budgetheifring sq �o eS'not kno""(, vvh.;iftbe M_ay<lr and:lhe,:i'vliJ11ag�r;�aict TtiafLs ,h9�·tll_E! �Fl' ��s R.U.t'o�.tfe>r , MacD onala_,it, waswoted on and>aP,pro vecJ:b.Y. the Park-Board. Goter,stat'ed:the•puolk!heara , something'diff�feiit;i:lurihg,tlle!oucigefheafiffg, they:made,ifvei:y'ciear,iiFWas\theI�ityaoi_ng it, ThatJs.- par:t'of,·,··the confusion ·- . .,vvlien the· P.-¥tE\oard '.h;i_IJontrn) oyE!_'iSQhl_e,p_nJpertie,sJind ,,_ . ,.,_, �-� •- -- ,' ', the City has o!h_ers, ln:the c_a�e,:pfJliis_ non,p_re>fi!_,ifit1i.s going to,9e le�s�d �e>�s:ther,Park - Board have authcirity:cirireq·uifemenUo a~pifrove allease:6Uhe:propefties'tffatthe\i o-wn'. Harlenske, responded. ifit:is P,a_rk;Board_ P!OR�i:l.Y~ M r,;F)ih ne_stock,wiff;�ig11:theJei!seion:behaif 1: o_f th_e P�r!< B9a_rd_ if.yo_(! '{qte !O•�c-�epJ;[t, Goterst_a_te_q:th�y:"Y�re,�otJs.ure if the l'ark'Board ,,. _ • < • - ••, ••• • • I • '--,. r a •�- >• • · · · •• 7 would:lie•involve-d, .whetherthat,was'.a"r, admifiistfative,turictioh tnat;the;Managef'could - r--- -- ···· - ..... O execute on hls - -owii,wlfhout 1farl<iBoardJinterventln: •Goter -asl<ed'.fci ,clarificatfon·on;the ----- --·-�-, �-------- ·- 1 · · ·-- - 9ujk'Trip in�lanc�>why it was no�,an RFP.: Hi!rlenske,�tat�d,shelis not.sure:an:qff�r. was !!-:er •' - - - --·-- made o,n that 'pr-ope itV! •Gote r,state"d;tne re'was:an, offeff, - - from Qui k,:rri p ,to, buY:a, cornifr,of tne - - ,_., _ -- • - • . - - ·- - �l�;cJar[{Y at the ne�trne_:ej}ng,vvhat tho_s__e:ptjifi:i�t_ar!!, lfit iSJi!I} fro11°, : · golf;course, if.- y --- ou;co_ �' " "- - --- - . cj ppllfY h�wo�lij'like1t9:see it in•�rii:_ing,�nd �ee,what it is.so ,,we can1follow 0it: Hillman -- - - cla_ ·· · -- - stateaWe did.not recfuest-one�,.whicn'is,pfob-ably,thelsituation. Hillin-an['ii'sked.Wnen Botanica i�:rnovi11g ov_er a11d_•t�king;part_of,Covv�9vvn pjOP,E!.QY fiifil PJl[kl11gaot,;tliat,g\li !>_elongs to ,t)i!c!: Cii:y:so ttiereishoula,nofbe,a protilem•,ttiere,,correct?' Harlenske•stated stie!is,notfamiliar Withftti�t �grieii\enJ but th;re shoula)notbe:- ·si,e-iis ili:>t•awareotariY'restrictions on: go\Vto"','11;prClp_efty; l_t n�eds }o'b.e .!JnQ�!_sfo_qg'! h_<Jta�jf<![(ilS_�i,rl)':�i!r�;(jqlJC:oµrs__e·go_es;Jh_e: land,,Sim Park, was,donatei:l:many years,ago,by family.<with,restfictioi\s on,that.donation. We BOARD OE PARKCOMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING -• - ·-• � - � ·.ja_nu;ry 2021 'it Page2·cii2  were not able to build Botanica without finding all of the heirs and g_etting their approval to allow for Botanica to be built. She does not know if when we expanded if they got all approvals·again or if they got a blanket approval for all future expansions. There are restrictions on that deed thatif we sold that to a private entity we,may have to pay back the family for the value of that property; , ' • or they would have.a ., . right to come into court and stop it. Hillman stated on the no.rth en,d pf Sim Parkwhere the'C:hildren's I-tome was, there is a 1 development going in. They are workirigwith the City to create a contihuous'walkway along the park edge along the river. He asked Harlenske if she has been involved in any transfer of property with that. Harlenske responded no. Houtman stated tha_t was actually City property and not Board of Park Commissioners property that was swapped so we could get more acreage and we.also gained $1s;ooo to put toward the !railhead·. Geter stated in this instance he thinks there was discussion.of an.RFP in the minutes where there might be an REP for the property for which the $15,000 was obtained. The City got some_thing else in the !railhead part. Did it go thro·ugh a financial analysis to make•sure it was at market value? Houtman·responded yes we did, We measured the acreage and it was pretty much the same ,size of acreage.so the.swap - · -· was even, that'is why he asked •• • - for .- - the $15,000 - ·more. Geter - - .clarified that was•not.park:land but City-owned property arid ii.came to the· Park Board as a courtesy? Houtman.responded that is correct. Geter restated for next meeting if we can have,thatpolicy;,so we can:all,be on the same page. Geter. asked if.there is any update oh the golf course proposal that is floating around. Fahnestock stated we will get to that in the Golf Update. 3A 2021 l'ark Board Go11ls Fahnestock stated on Dei:erriber 9, 2020 we held a retreat.and had'a very positive and forward-thinking conversation. We came up with several initiatives we want to work on in 2021 and beyond. We are thinking about putting:a.couple_subcommittef!s together. We have a golf committee;•it would oe helpful to have a fiiiarice and budget com-mittee that meets once a quarter that takes a high level look at finances. Also a programming committee, that is important. They would work directly with 11.eggie and.the rest of the staff to talk about whafis going right and what"is going-wrong, what can.we improve and what are we hearing fron\.the,commtinity. Another.one we talked about is the Riverfront Legacy Master Plan and getting something going on that again. He,also has Park Maintenance and an overall view ofwhatwe;a_re seeing. Houtman stated we had eight bullet points, you covered several of.them: .1. Reenergiiing the Riverfront" LegacyMasterPlan; 2.'Provide monthly updates atthe regular board meetings - budget and ac_counting as well as Park Maintenance and Fore_stry; 3. Continue advocating and supporting a legacy project at Clapp Park, a) finalize the master plan, b) support fundraising and sponsorship opportunities and c) ensure community feeis represented; 4; Improve communication between Department, City Council, City Manager and the Board of Park Commissio_ners, a) develop·a_communication plan to provide general updates on department activities, b) written communication between Director and City MariageHo bring back to the Board; 5, Take ownership of the Parl Board name on one or two prnjeds;'6; Address golf, promote·an·affordable, sustainable public golf system; 7. Hold intentional meetings, make recommendations, focus on what we can do and address challenge·s.(within the.department and within the community); 8. Be aware of comparable.regional cities, like sized cities, sister cities. Hillman stated he would be interested in participating.on a subcommittee on Clapp and/or the Riverfront Legacy Master Plan. Houtman,responded tie does not think he has the authority-or-can direct.the.Board on who should go on what subcommittee, that comes from you as a group. Ca_bral stated he and Tabing had previously volunteered to be on the Riverfront Legacy' Ma-ster Plan subcommittee. You said you would rieed direction from us on certain things, what would you need direction on. Houtman responded regarding•subcommittees, you would need to BOARD OF PARK COMMlSSIONERS REGULAR MEETING January 11, 2021 Page 3 of 12  develop yoiJr:owh:siJ�ccimmittee·s"ahd address.wtio_will be, oMhose subcommittee·s. From that he.wouli:1,need direction:0_11.what,you need,orcwantJor those;subcommittees,, He would also need suppor'tonlt!!m #3, h_ow,do.you want to advo<cat_e for,t_he_lClapp project; and also Item #5, Taking:Ownership ofttie•Park Board Na·me.on cine or-tWo projects; he would.heed direction:there aswelL G_oter.stated:Rlverironthas,been on the agenda but"during his tenure it h_as not,be_en·discussed_. Vyhat'specificaUy is the Park Board re_sponsioility;,what is:our role? Houtman responiled,asthe plan,was,moving•forward, a:lot of this,is:on City park land, there was an effort and idea th·at.the:ParkBoard should be involved.With:some'cif the development or direction, giving,some feedback, Ttie project hasn't been moving forward, ·Taliing added he.has reached outto·a couple-members of the steering committee.to·indicate our desire to be more iriliolved in•this process·going forwara. There is a meeting of the steeririg- committee la_ter this,month,.after that he·s!iould have·an update on the process arid.what the tiry,eline migh!•be. Ne_l<! �o[lt_,h IA(e �h_o(!ld be able to talk a_boutthat and how we insert ourselves info thafprocess. Fahriestotl<-asked Ta bing if he.had heard anything backJrom Populous; the architects; they Wer�working on a'modified,concept. Tabing responded,he does not-kl}ow,. _H()ut n:i.af! adc:led,he has not;heard any updates. He;knows Doliintov.,n Wichita was spearh·eading,thatand working with the group to.get that information out. Cabral stated he spoke With·Evan Rosell'jllst before Christmas·and they'were re,engaging with the Populous gr_oup. H!! sh_oulg b_e ati)eJCJ;provide;answers to·those questions a't the February meeting.. There should also,be more•clariWon,,thetimeline and also.Populous and their. engagemeritatis:pertaiils:to:a rieW'cir, re\(amjleadesign·. Goter asked whefe1 the Century ii d·iscussion,fits:intg tJi!!:�E!ga�y pl.in, is'that'a_variable weihaveJo sign off.on as part of the re-energized pliln, Cabr�l' ilncl Ta�ingresponded no. Goter ilsked:if�e are only looking.at the tomponentsthat:invcilitejiark'iand. Fahnestock'respoildea'the master plannfng p�ocess was under_wa_y eariyJilst year,and)a_te,tiie,year before that -rhey,depicted th_e!e.,wotJld,��lil 5.Jgnificar[t,a_111ol!n.tC>f P<!r�_spa�er.ilo_ng ihe· eas�1ba_n� of thE! riv� fro�t, That:is hoW.,the: Pa rk:Bciard :got;involved: We,are, beneficiiries. to.this 'because, there. is.a, significant;a'nloun(of parkila'nd fri'the;initiai drawings,. He,has'not:heafci,ah_ythirig since·this dropped o('f eaJly:t_his.yeilJ w_her)fo�,p��<;le,mi(liit. 'Whef1,�omeone gives:a;ren.deripgiand says tliis is.pafk•s"pace,,you tiave,fo ihvolve;ttie,Park,Board, .which.is where we falLin .now. We-Want to stay 111:ccintact:With Po}iuloffs,,ifie:OoWhtoWn ·oevelopmeiltCorp, and the,restof the s!eering,cory,rn!tiee,io sha1e'.°\deas;whatwe are hear_ing and .�hat we think would do well. Taoing·added itis the whole:thing,the,master:plan for the site,,prograrrimingfor the .greenspate,.maintehance:plans. Ws getting it built an·d Whatisthe plan beyond'that. Fahnestock asked ifthere s_hould;be:a qiscyssion aboutwho,should head the committee today or behind close cf �gors. Cig_ter re_spondecl we:sho(!ld not•do ariyt�ing behind closed doors. If you idehtif>(the,subi:ciriliriitte·es ahifttie group-signs off on them then people cah submit.their. names to participate,· Jt wouia fall to Fahnestockto:appoiht. the chairs of those' subcommitiees, Harleris�e agr��cL F�ll_ries,toc!<, Dstecl,the,differe11t ;ubcomrnittee: Fi nil nee/Budget;. Progran:Yrri ing;, Riverfront Legacy·Master Pian; Parli,Maintenante/Fore·str:y; we,aJready hav_e Golf ls__tbere an��fr1g:else? HiUman stated Clapp Park. 'Houtman suggE!sted placing Clapp insi_de a'CIP su�committeE? that cm,ilcf include other major projects. Hillman ihquired,if.thatwould overlap with-the'.Firiaike'committee, Houtman responded the Finance commhtee woul� b� ITlore ��oyt budgeting_a_nd finan�iai' operations and .CIP _would be focusecf onCapiial lmJJrov�me,nt,Project�. 'cabr�l'aske_d if we ne.ed to put'terms on the subcommittees, like Riverfront:Legaty Master, Plan, Will that committee fold when that­ prpject is cC>mpiete, bo we neecf to spec[fy,thattoday? Tabing:_asked .if we will create r_ules of operations for these commitie�s withfreciuen�y of me�tings or willthey be-more �-d hoc as needed..He is not sure there r'\eei:ls to tie a,Golf'A"dilisoiy Committee·appfciach with minu�es:and all.that, lt\s more Qfari}nforrn�l,ge\together to'�tay,_�brea_st of v.,ha(is happeriing·so,we can:make:better,decisions;going,forward. Hillman amfFahnestock agreed. BOARD OF PARKCOMMISS10NERS REGULAR MEETING - ---"-->< · -· . • ·� - - • - - -·, .,J�nuarv 1(2921_' Page·4·of 12 Goter stated it would be useful if those subcommittees reported back on a regular basis. Fahnestock responded we can add that to our monthly meeting. He likes the ad hoc idea and on an as needed basis. Houtman stated the department would be happy to support them in the endeavor. We c·an host their meetings in one of our park facilities and have staff available to answer questions of needed. Tabing asked in regards to the Open Meetings Act, is it any gath�ring of four or more commissioners that triggers the Open Meetings Act? Harlenske stated she believesthat is correct. Some of these subcommittees you are going to have enough people to make it subject to KOMA, you need to be mindful of that. But you also can't have serial communication either. If you have a majority of a quorum you are subject to KOMA. Goter stated an appointed subcommittee would be a formal bo_dy and would have its own quorum•from within. Goter asked aboutthe,River Front project, is there decision .mak.ing for the0Park Board on an ongoing basis that requires the subcommittee to de work and then report back? He feels you are bound by KORA/KOMA requirements if you form a:subcoinmittee,;it should meet all the open meeting requirements, Fahnestock stated he feels the River Frohtlegacy rises to the form ofa subcommittee. ltis trarisformational for Wichit!J for.the.next·30°50 years and beyond. He wants representation froin.the Park Board, whetlier•it·be Cabral and(or ,Tabing,,ensuring our voice is heard. Goter asked if there are specific components that rise;to the level of needing our formal attention as a Park Board or are we delegating t_hat·au(hority to these folks on behalf of the Park.Board: It's a big deal but he isn't well versed on it. We wanuo be involved but should it stay as a regula_r report item to the f>ark Board as a whole. Cabral stated at some point we should decide what our role should be in this process, If we say we want to advocate for the River Front Legacy Master Plan, what does that look like. If we just want to be informed partners and'give our seal of approval on things, we need·to be able to spell those things out. Maybe that is something we figure out as a·subcommittee and bring as a recommendation to the next Park Board meeting. If we areworkingtogether it is his hope they bring some tangible solutions to the challenges we are facing. Goter responded since Cabral and Tabing are inyolved he hopes that.if there is a decision to be made they would bring that to the Board. Fatinestock stated let's stick with these for now and.everyone send him and Houtman their Hstof where they prefer to sitso they.can make the best decisions they can. Houtman:added you have six topics and seven board members, maybe each board memberccarries the responsibility for one of these topics, We can put these in our agenda as you see fit:and have.these reports. Fahnes_tock agreed. Goter stated this would not preclude us talking a.b.oui any of these issues as a Park Board at any given meeting. We are just expecting more in°depth background work would be,i!one,by the subcommittee members. Fahnestod< resporided yes. ,Houtman added he thinks each board:memberwould have a.specialty.or area;they.would·spend:some time on and be able to rep�rt back tothe board to be more efficient; b_utto also dil(e.deeper. Harlenske added she'.does riot think you can delegate any,decisioh inakirig authority to any 0 of these s_ubrnmmittees, the ordinance that createsthe, Park•Board doe_s not allow for.that. The Golf Advisory Committee was established by the City Council. Sh� doeS'[lOt see any 0 problem·having.these.subcommittees,butthey.are;going to.,fiaveto:bring:their.knowledge back.to the.Board and the.Board will have to vote. Goter"stated on the final item, he likes the language. He would like to see a more·substantive response where we look at other communities and find.out which are sister cities, which are comparable programs and whether we are.ahead or behind the curve. Houtman stated on item #5, take ownership and put the Park Board name on one or two projects, maybe the Bo.ard can come back next month with one or two projects you really wantt o get behind. There are a number of things, whether it is social equity or diversity; or if there are capital projects that you �ant to put your name on or programming items or areas you want to see gro�h in we c_an work with you on that. Cabralstated two things come to mind: the marketing of our parks; and would like,to see the !'ark.Board have an integral part in•future parks such as Giapp. Houtman BOARD OF PARK COMMlSSIONERS REGULAR MEETING January 11, 2021 Page 5 of U  added When We do-needs assess-ments'thh:iughout,tt\'e:aepaitment,andlaTI ofour parks, that could _be parrot a presentation we proyidewith)/<1fk_s .an_d �qrestry,; lde_ntifylngwb_at,spme o. those_neecjs:<1re,might;be sqmetl1i.!1KYO.u co�Iq:get,_1:>ehimJ. <oabral agreeg, it might as.well start-with .the challeriges:beirig:ta·ced ·already. Geter: stated'he·'raised ,a similar'pciiiitin previous meetings:aboutthe dog parks and whetlle� there,is:a wayto,engage:the pubiic ,more, He-suggested.a Fafel:>o_ok page,and receil!e.d pu�h_l:>a_c;..kJst�.tfogi,here;are,no �esour_ces to do that: Cabral responded he does notthirikwe:stiiiuld stait,ariottief Facebook page'for dog parks, we can;use-the assetsWe;already havecttirougt\th'e dtV'.ofWictlita:Park& Rec: social media pages:and,arT1plify those _a loi:'more.,: t-le,c,1oe.sn'ithi11kihe:fark)fo�rd.r1eed_s to be_co_me contentcreators f or the,City, butwe:have experts•here:that we carictap infottieii, knowledge. Hillman state-d he:agrees With Cabral, :Park has a marketing)ierson·arid they cah Work•With the marketing departm�hton.the)3 th 'floor:and ca11 work '!!'ith Visit Wichita, They dothat with Gowtown-and,Botanica. Cabral added'he doesn't know•how; but-feelsthe " ••a • • • -•• • "" • -•"'••• ""• • •• •• •••'• •~ ••--- "'-- • '-c• •• .•<, • •• �- - •s• • - • Board can be more,ofan assetfo the department.. Houtman stateifBotaiiica h·as.their oWn inarketing'person ahd market through.thliir own budget. He added;the•depar:tment·does not have.a de,dfcated' rT1arketing personiwJ! haye sev_er_aLsiilff th_at,h!IP.P..ento rea_lly gc:>C>d �t �e social media and work on that. Whatwe·are supposea to do is go through a centralized marketing·pe·rsbh in the City Mahager'.s Office. lt'.s'.Tieen a l:>itrilore,complii::ated tllatjust saying we shoulcl,promote niore o�•social media_. ViJ'E have,staff'tlJ.atjclo a_gC>9djoti,0Jgettiog social media ouuhere. There are two different:things: dowe,want public erigagerherit•oil different things of' do We want.to promote our programs. We have beerf.focusing,on trying to prnmote our programs·and get people.Jo our da§ses; visit•our par�s},a11d a�e_rid our special eve_nts. We.have the co_mmurijty:el)gagert1e_nt th_rC>llgh different'�venues: Goter stated the.one thing he tliirr�s is missing on the public'engagemerrtsiae,"we do)t ori a specific case by case.basis·buthe d_oes:notsense there_:is;much of a public:ove_rture"tll_at the Park Board mak_es to get regular input to t�is,body frol)l ihe_ pubHc, ','Ye <!,re the de�ign�t_ed appointees of our elected officials,but we·rarelyhave public comment, o\Jr,a'gefldasfafe,riot well.publicized. Hiilinan stated Stacey Hamm use-a',to 1 do that. Fahnestock asked Houtman'if. he has access to the sociaJ media analytjc_s_or do you,hi!v.e to go\htougl)'the_ rna_r� e_ijr1g person from the City Manager'.s·Office, Houtman-respond both oUhose. Some of.the.social' media we putout we run our owh analytics: On a,bfoai:ter seflsewhat.Wegedroin'the City Managers Office.is very he_lpflll asweli:, 1-ioutman,statefStacey Hamm.ls s11ecifi_c'}oJ:>v,1as;to buying ad_vertisements: She worked, wi!h (opp Media,and others-in bLJying.advertising, She also Wor�ed on.sorn·e special'eVents. She was not the social rriedia,jjersohii'nd did,not-create. the marketing plan:for us. In ourmarketing pian we have specifically add_e_d.things regarding reaching-out'fo:more diverse, IJei_ng _1!1ore)11i;lusiv_e,geiting:the1Afrlca_n7Amertc_an and u Hispanic communities involved. It is.a difficult process'when yo' :are,shor:t-handed'aha barely able to.maintain wtiat'we have:noW. It is ohe of our top:·priodties"and in our goals, Diversity, indusion and so_cial'justice;a_re a_� big topic_sy,1e ""or� on: Fa_hnesio_c_� sfaXe_cta]ong with Cabral,.if Houtman ever feels shoft·handed pleas·e reach outtb'.the Board,'there are young peopie on the board that.understand the-marketing stuf( there iteven a marketing professional on the board. • 5 Golf.Update·& First Tee (Troy Heriaricks) Houtman statec'(we)iave year-to-_date,y_ear'end. rounds}or 2020_, .For i!II four golfcoLJrseswe. ' _had 145;231,rounds wliich. js,_a_bo�P-1_8,000_ ro_t1nds more than li!stye�r. For the:month 9f' December, we·are roughly 2,soo more rounds tha'ii:we did last\iear. i�Dec:emoer, Goter'asked if there was an:update on .the first Jee.,proposaic He has:beentcild First'Tee personnelare,telling staff tha! it [s·a done d�aL Houtman ;esp�nd�d he is waiting�n.a pfoposal from them to share'with the:City'Manager-ana.evaluate with 6Ur•attlkneys.ana finance people, We had.to clarity some,things r_egi!rding,\Vatefrights:�.rrd some oJher. financial questions they had:and getihem some:more information which we are-proviaing, �q_�_�p-. O F.���l(Cp��I$_$_I.0_f.!_E�_,,R_E_�l,JLA�:�.E.EJJ..N§ .January 11, 2(?21 Pa&e 6 ·of 12  this week. Hopefully. we wm get a proposal we can share with the board next month. If nee_ded we could do a special meeting to make sure it is presented to the Park Board. Goter stated there has been.some.turnover in the division, is that related to the uncertainty about the future of the division? Houtman responded he knows we have one person moving on to a different job that,soun_ds like it was a .much better opportunity. He added just like anyone else they are looking for-certainty regarding their job anq t_hat possibly has an impact as well. He does not know that for,fact, the person that is'moving on has shared that he·is going to a bigger, better job and that is good for him. Goter asked a�out furloughs,there is some confusion on.that The Manager made a statement that furloughs would not be applied January and:Februar:y butJanuary furloughs Were imposed. Wasothere an ·explanation for that? Houtman responded when he had a discussion with the City Manager they discussed one week of the furloughs being relieved. That was shared with staff last week that the January furloughswere going to go through but the February furloughs had been halted. Goter stated the question of membership of the GAC; there are some members that have missed three meetings in a row, are we el)forcing our requirem_ents of participation. At the last Park Board meeting Goter Was en'i:ouraged to putthose to the GAC meeting, they did not have a quorum. It is difficult to.function Without engaged membership. Is there a policy, if someone misses that third meeting are they relieved. Hillma_n responded yes. Goter asked Houtman to execute that Houtinan·responded it-has to go to•a Board.vote to have this person relieved. Hiliman stated in the·past,:after three meeting misses they sent a letter to the person asking them to resign or provide a reason how they are going to return on a regular basis. After that we give their representative on the'Park Board a chance to appoint someone else. Goter-stated that can be discussed atthe next GAC meeting later this month. Goter stated there was a disagreement about the ending balance numbers. We are seeing too many different numbers for the same results. Can we get to \'/here we have a consensus number? You kind <if addressed that when you said Finance was goingfo play a role in determining the number. lsthat where we are now, where,we will have one,number that Hendrie.ks uses, Houtman uses and Finance uses and is the on_e closing balance that we all accept as.valid. Houtman responded that is the idea. behind.this. If there are.any questions we will need it in Writing and will provide it to Mr. Manning and he will give us the financial equation or outcome and ,we will bring it back to the GAC.or.the Park Board. In the past we have had two different people asking two different questions;, this way we can have it clarified exactly,what.the question is and can use the right parameters for what.the answer is. Mr. Manning looks at different programs and-different outcomes, so does staff. This way we have everyth_ing u_nder one umbrella and·take.it to rv'lr; Manning and he will provide the answers and We Will'bfing that back. Goter stated he has not seen a particular diversity strategy,.from the Golf Division reaching out to minorities and women. Growth opportunities lie in,tho_se af_eas but he has·never seen that addressed. He added Houtman has mentioned that diversity is a concern department- wide, at the next meeting or the next GAC meeting, could,We have identified what we are doing to reach out to minorities and women golfers to. broaden our base. Houtman responded he agrees, that is one thing that is lacking in golf,and,is something that he wants to work on, not only in golf but in some other areas in the de·partment. That is part of the reason why we are putting this diversity program together, so we can reach out to all areas of our community. 6 Park Maintenance & Forestry Update (Gary Farris) Gary Farris, City Arborist, shared information about the different groupswithin Park Maintenance and Forestry. Forestry: Main production types include tree inspections, pruning, removal and stump grinding. Additionally they provide support activities including safety for the division, BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING January 11, 2021 Page 7 of �2  administration, L�cit'i'maiiiten:anc:.e (wor_korde_r system), a,nd.farge,log management Fo�e,stiy;ge,_n_e_rate,5-..� i,clto.f i:re,e,ge,l,)[is th_! t:ha.s t 91�e qe_�l}l,Vi!h, •�Qn::!e of[t'ge(t�h!PJJed;a,nd. some.remains"'in:logs so there has•fo,oe'a way • ofdisposing ,• ofthat, 'lhafis a,major compoheritof'whatthey:do, Looking anhe future,:q(i;o�e-stry;,ft\ey ,ar,e i[ipJ�me_ritingJhe,;nE'� gr�JJJJJE!'Sal,V, truck,, ltffs,!l nelN. piece 9f fe�hncilogy inith_e_.,i,vor@ qf,u,r�anj.fore,�fry. - Ln th€' g_�Ji!a,yed pic'!ure, q_n'!,hE' l�ft; anhe.end oftlie tioomthere,is,a grapple'that afeffs'ui'> and nas,a chairisaw"cin affe end,cif,it in the picture on the right, that boom is;1.1p·abou(6(/,and:can cut tb�t l,)rancitafi'.�v re_niote con_trQi from:a,Q;QP�[atgr,Qrt•thE!:g�o.!!.nd_,, 1.,\/i!h a_s,many1tre,e cep9v!IJS'i'}1th_ey dq, tbl5-. • technology:caniinfprove efficiency ari'i:I, mostrcertaihly,safety: i Anott er aspect Qf thiffuture]ls'plariting'. Due to;_COVI o•budgetcuts;,ii,e_y:a1d afmost_,_no pla111ing;i11:2pi<t This y�adh_eyibl/!\!1 ,a Ml5-.S_OUii(G_�a,11el Be�· "Yitbthe i_!l!en,tofpl!!<:.��s!_hg: some!bare rootisa plihgs, and growing, them, out in.:'tlie: grave I 15eds;, wli icti, is. reg'ula rly,ifrigated: 0 f on a tinier, They wiffg ow,them:oV�r:tlie summe�,aridihai:vest:them in the fallias fiare-rciot trees, '-ftiis is �,ne111111entu_re;for them,: :T_hey 11.re corifi�en! thE!y,1111\li'.hE!fa!JJeto'geJ trE!�s in:t.he ground'and•��ey,will live; b_llt'�_re:,\l,n�yre,oft�e puglic response,. ln•the past:{hey,:have:h�a: problem-s'witli:vanaalism and,theft;when,smalFtreesiwere;planted, Forestry' s,vision,for.thefuture,is}to1have a' crew aJslghe�:to'each qgaifra11t of t��•city:,taRing a systern_aJiC'<!PProac]l to P!l,l!'il1g ',:'ibi�h 1111ou!g ge_tjtol�II st�e,et,trE!eI and1park,s irft�OSE! l tj iadr,fnts iri,aitimely,fasliion arid 1within,inaustr;v'standards:, Th~e·re wDuld:alfo;be:a fifthff:rew .uiil izing 'the, grapple: say;,working:Oil· tree' remo\iais;and handlihg: ' e!llerge ncy:respi;>n?'i!f ' - as nE!_ec!ect ' •• . Hillmari askea if- the big;lcigs•are1beingJaken,tfr, -- - -- . ' Farfis,resporided:a tne'City,dump:. - . ,� ·-· lot-�of times'tliat is'wh-at they:ha_ve to ilo, J1heYi:>refer,to'take;them'.t6 people,that=wm use,,tliem. -, •. ,_ ' Ther_e arE! sever.al saw 111j[I� a,ro�n_ci'iow�. "'flierE!:are;�e_ve_r:a,1;5.oi(�)} �rg,!n[zeftions,tb<!t have facilities thatare heated by,,wgod sfove� and we providethemwood, 'Whenwe:hav�:tpwe, take the logs to the·dump, wood,ctiips are proviaea•to wsu;,ch1frcnes:tliatirequest;them; BotanlcaiandJi\.rougn-P,ark,r&iaTntenari_ce af(;ity l)ilrks,, �;isjpdrnarytQJKe�p foe•debr[s•out of' the,d\!_,mp,,l)_utjh�re'isno,sJor�g�Jgr'.i!'sg th�eyfiaye tg:gerri.q.:of it Gote_riJsk_ecl if {here i� excess cliips.ttiatifould:be1made availab1e·for:the,j:iublicJo'pick ffp:afiscfrne location, ·Farris • responded· they,liave done,that in'the:past .biJt,ev.E! r,y.viiele' th_eyih�ve, do ne)ii,a;few'p�opie li.�.e.li(IJ!J,Hlle_[l vy_e:get ca�lthi!t i! ll!!S'lJ_e,cornE!"t_heic:,o_n:,�u.aj!y ciU!!)Jl, 'Tl)�n•tl)_E!Y'a.�e:t�e_re picking,u·p cbuches;mattresses,garbage,and:logs,arid itbeconies aimaintenance hig(ltniare, Geter asked if ther� is:<! managemehtsofutioh that)nigt\tmake:the1chips;ava;iabie in,a cont�ollec! !'!m(ir,ortmept, Fa(r[ii1respo11dec!'wirn:�l![[eQHadiiti�s�a,,nd�si�ffl11g �,.e.cl�E!S not see: one; but'is:open,to.suggestions,, Gofer statedionithe:saplin_gs,,one,,thing1he1hears•ahthe dog parks is' th-e ,a tiseilce raf:shade, • 1 sit: possible,to, get:o ri ,the. reqilest,I ist,to, have' trees plahted ''on the:ifog•park tog�t f!1Qre sh_a_c!e?, :F,arris respo�ct.ed'be�woU1ci'ha11�1!0:geJ,1111i!h ,tho.sithat: maintain the dog parkct'o,see if,that is•feasible, Houtman,siated Meridian DogJ'aik is over an i oid lan lfiii;tliatha� a . .tfiickruboefco:,,iii'r. The,!issue is we,canhotfper\etrate,of aistu�b',tiiat; • we co,ula ge_t foed if,1,Veipo. ijh�i�t�nclardfth�! as� p_u_t i[l pjac� 11_gw wou[d no..iil�!WJ,�o that, All of ournew dog:parks require snade and:opportunities to,put:in the ·right,plumbing and utilities, The reafon,this'dof • - park and,cine:otheYarie,,do,no.t ha\fe,trees,is,i5ecausethey• - . _ar_e:o_nJop oflan.cifl ls: .Goterstatediitiis his1understanding!Forestry·is:funded;through the franchise fee·ccillected by• .tlie\Citvfri;,m:wesufr. 'Houtman resp·onciedjfsut3'si8iiE!� the Dudg�t. 'Gotet'tiske&:ifitiwas'a d_esigna}ed .a..llClcal[crn•�yewv.e.ar,1 Hou,f!]li!n'r.e.spo_Qcleil y�s� <:;_'otEir,a,s�E!cl;_how,rriy,cti i§ Jhat,on an annual;basis, HoutmanTesponded,he,can't provide that,rightmow but can,get,that!if .wanted. Goter's.tated as,partof,the bu�get:8iscu�siongoingfcir:i,iia-@he'woul1flikelto:see }ha(broken;di:,wn and'.id�riiified:in its·to.talityland,hqw it:is'allocated11nto;ttie,forestrv, •BOARD -OF. - PARK -= COMMISSIONERS ·-- - - - - REGULAR MEETING Jan�uarv -iCiO}i P��/BoTii  department. Is that.their exclusive source of revenue? Houtman responded no, some of it comes from the General Fund as well. Farris stated the PowerPoint shows the main things Forestry does throughout the year. Some of the other things they do is put on the Arbor Day Celebration. They source, put up, decorate and take down the Christmas trees and Christmas tree lights at the Tennis Center, Century II, Old Town, Naftzger Park and they assist with some of the decorations Park Maintenance is responsible for. They place and take away the ticket booths at Botanica for Illuminations. They are on-<:all 24/7 emergency response for the Fire Department, Police Department, y,tater & S�wer and MABCD: They respond as,quickly as they can to Council Members. Tffey have responsibility to clean up creeks with tires, trees and trash. They do some.special event set.up assistance. They work With:MABCD,to inspect private nuisance .trees and provide reports on that. Tliis year, the Safety and Skills Coordinator is doing building,inspections for Park & Rec as p_art of the CAPRA requirements. Construction: Bret.Russell'is the leader of this group. A list.of some of the accomplishments in December includes instaliing theJ:arl Brewer Memorial Bench in Grandparents Park. They rnmph�ted 131 playg�ouQd _safety in5pections across.86 playgrounds. Performed annual athletic court condition assessments. Completed.annual fence and gate maintenance and retrofitted gates at dog parks. Picked up.salvaged pool equipment fro·m Phase II sites and pl_a_ced,into s_torage. And many.more. Additionally they performed parking lot snow removal at:Museums, Rei: Centers and Community Centers. They inspect,;clean and service basketbali goals in RecCeriters. Sidewalk maintenance and replacement at golf courses to eliminate trip _hazard_s, And, graffiti removal in various parks andfor public art. Some of the things·-theywill be doing in January include insta_lling football goal posts at South Lakes, performing · annual maintenance on rolling gates throughout the park system, repair and rebuild park signs,.continue playground safety inspections and respond to graffiti and vandalism. ParkMainteriarii:e:. In .December Park Maintenance worked on holiday lights along with Forestry, added shale and.regraded·.baseball and.softball fields; moWed firegua�ds in wildland areas;.col1lpleted sigriificantdocumentation for CAPRA recertification; treated medials, rights of,waYand guardrail areas.with herbicide to prevent weed growth; cleaned up homeless . encampments, illegal dumping and dumped tires along with daily trash collection; shrub pru_ningjllong river.c:orridor; irrigation valve box repair andieplacement; trapping of gophers and moles throughout the park sys(em and ice an� s_n()�,removal at rec centers, rec shelters, GPNC andWichita,Art'Museum. Goter asked.about the cleaning up of homeless encampment�, ls,that a growing problem of homelessJiving,in,our parks? Farris responded • the problem of,clea_rii_ng:up h.omeless encampments is pecoming such an issue that the time it takes:is so encompassing With whatthey have t o do and-the:time.they have to do it in that it is impeding other Work they should be doing. Houtman added.it is a growing problem. There a_re m_o_�e ho111el�ss coming, We are not just seeing the_m living outside, but living in cars in our parking:lots and using our facilities. It's been-a difficult•situation an� we are wor�ing'lland,in handwithith·e, Police Department to help"addre·ss it. Goter stated maybe we C()uld:haye an update,going forward, Houtman responded tfre,PoliceDepartment has a spedfit:teamthat addresses homelessness a_nd he can ask them to do a presen_tation. Goter stated,the moies thing is a huge problem at Meridian Park .. Is there something the neighborhood could get.engaged wi_thwhen they are adjacent to a park? Houtman stated he will.try to get some additional information. January scheduled activity.includes continued application of pre,emergent to preveritsandbur;, removal of invasive brush in wildlan·d areas; shrub and tre_e pruning in park_s; contract-renewal for Contracted,GroundsMaintenance:and continued response-to homeless encampments, 'illegal dumping and tire dumping. Houtmal) added·a couple big:projects they are going to be working on.that-people don't-realiie,they do 1 include controlled :burns and.contract mowing. About 80% of our parks are mowed· by a BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING January 11, 2021. Pa8e 9 of 12  contractor. There.. is a very intricate process of gettfng,the,work brders;to:them)nspeding and.then;making payment on tliis. We are som_ewbere in'the·neighborhoocl of doing-$3,$4 million:in contracted park maintenance. Hillman asked if.thefe,is a:de-partment'forhoxious weeds like poison ivy thatspraysfor those things. Houtman responded there is no department for noxious weeds.: We_,have one·person that does this.work, t�ey h_ave the training for spraying for poison ivy as well as other items, butwe tryto,look at other ways to get rid of poison ivy as well. It comes up'every,sprin·g; it is an issue in this'area. We have.to deal with it on a case by case basis and manage itwith the resources we.have, Hillmar, asked who the·contact,person is f or that. Houtman responded'thatwould be David McGuire. 7 Fin·ance Update (Emma.Li-Wormington) Emma Li-Wormington is the Park Accountant. She will go over the high·Jevel.numbers; if you have questiOflS yo·u can s_end them. to her. and_ she'can address them in the next meeting. Department Reveriue Overview: This yea' r is an odd year so she pulled 2019 numbers·:10· u·s·e for how a·regularyear would.look in comparison. Due to canceliations'of programs and activitienevenue has decrea_sed by about $1 million based on itie.nu_mbers provided, We anticipate a slow increase in 2021 butthatdepends on Covid,restrictions. Department Expense Overview: Again, comparing 2019 10·2020,,noting that we don't have December(Period 12) because it has not closed yet. She can provide an update,after the month closes. Actual expense decreased YOY,(year over year) by about $1·million, mainly due to personneleicperise decreases, Ttie original budget was increased by abbut$1 million due to anticipated.Cost of Living'iricreases, Which is•common practice: The revised.budget this year is due to Covid impacts. Overall.both years were wittiin_budget. Department Expense Detail: Personnel expense decreased due:.fo hirihg�ffeetes. Commodities decreased due to cancelled'programs,not needing supplies. tontractuals increased due to water charges _and a bac_k chaJge Jrom 2019. WithoLJtth_ese•ch_arges Contractuals would have been down,as well due to cancellatiohs,as.a result of Cmiid. Expenses'by Division' Expense·tor Recreation;has.de·creased, again; due·to canceilatioris resulting:from (ovid restrictio_ns. A�ministration'increased.due,to _cost,of living and;meri! pay increases.and software investments. Budget Process: Ttiere•are.four steps: Step 1- Collect,arid Review.'Data, this is.an internal function that:aliows us,to·have time. to review and put information,together to learn,and project, Step 2'" Budget Development; this is probably-the.step where youihave been or wanno be involved. Dllrihg this·Bu-dgetDev'elopr'nentiprocess the City Manag·er.afid'Budget Office review everything we:have·turned in, revise projections'and consider more·;efficient waysto provid_e'services, Th_efl there·are the:publjc engagementoppo_itunities•at1 [)istric! AdvisoryBoard,meetings, public hearings during City Council meetirigs·aiid a;Social.Media Town Hall. One:other cool'thing that is'cloneiis,theBudgetSimulatorwhere'the:public can look•a.t what is,important to tJiern. anc:j par-ticipate·an_d'te_U_us howfo speficl m_orey;,etc :S_tep 3 -,BudgetAdoption, this,is the'lcigistics of getting it,appfoved. The City Manager-presents fo City Coundi; there;is a formal'i:llicigethearing at the city Councii Mefeting, theh id�:scheduied for Adoption at th_e f ollov.-ing City €oun,cil rvleeti_ng, Generally-there iS'QO oppo_ctu.hJty,fo participate in'this pfocess since:it is.already beirig?iidoj:>ted. Step 4--BUc!get.lmplementatioh; this is wtiere:we carry i.t out the remainder of the-year,and'then'start.miei•agai� the hext year. Budget-CalendarforQl 2021: 'Tliis is,for:iiiternal.use. This is.hoW'the information is gathered and comn'lunicated betw_e_en the,department,"the City'Manage�;and}heiFinance · bepaitnJefll, f11Jl.�te;l'v1arch�lrdep11rfrnents;sched.uleil3udgett-.fE!�fing� with·t!le•Cijy, Manager's'Offii:e and'.talk'througti the struggles, accomj)lish·ments and:qtiesticins. Houtman state_d.h.e talked;with tbe,Budget.Offite1and they are wiiiirig·to do,a'presentation at an upcoming'meeting. 8 Wichita,P,frksFouhaation'Update,(Alejo Cabr'ai) BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING Jfn:u'.ary 11, 2021 Page 11:>'�f 12  Cabral stated the Parks Foundation is really focusing what they can do with the Plates for Parks money. There was a proposal presented to them to install some custom benches highlighting key figures in Wichita's history. They initially want to pick·lO parks to have benches installed. Houtman added it has changed a little and now there will be two benches in each district to make-sure there. is equal representation: CalJral stated•outside of that the focus is on the process'and share of responsibility,when a project-is:_brought to the Foundation. This is an opportunity for.the Park Board, if ttiere is a project we want to see brought to light. It is i_mpori:ant for us to look at the .Parks Foundation as a viable partner. Moving forward as we look•atdifferent·projects and initiatives w__e should consider working with them. Houtman added there,is a big effort to spend some of the money collected through the Plates for Parks program, there is about $200,000. We want to spend some of the money.so we can promote.it. 9 President's Update (Eddie Fahnestock) There is•no President's Update. 10 Director's Update (Troy. Houtman) Houtman stated the.Great Plains Nature Center (GPNC) director has retired and so there will be a change in leadershjp. Ri�htnow _ there is a strorig poss_ibility,that Amanda Alessi, our employee there, will becom_etheDirector. We wm be workingwith the State and Federal partners as well-as the Friends of the GPNC group going)h_ r_ough 'the•hiring process. Houtman stated at the.next meeting we will have'the Clapp presentation as well as Franchise Fees in the Forestry Budget. Hewili get with'the HOT team fforn the Police Department to do a presentation on homele_ssness. He will try to get some'ihformation about moles. And, if things are in line to give a·prese'i,tation.<in First Tee that will be on the schedule for next month as well. Houtman stated Paul Gunzelm_an-is going to give a presentation on the Delano area and the trail that is going through.there. Hillman'asked if i'n,the future they will be.incorporating any-historical plaques. Gunzelman responded they have:had discu_ssions on .that and.he beiieves'there are some. They will coritiriue that dialog. Gunzelman stated, on the slide displayed, in the upper left you can se� the project was split into different phases or different types of uses along the corridor. ro·day he will be talking about the orange section and _a Utt_ie into the magenta area, that is what is currently under construction. The TGC Hotel has been constructed and he believes they are opening tomorrow. The path has been built along the south side of the hotel. It was backfilled earlier today and will.be followed up with landscaping and tree planting, Sycamore Street is under construction at this tirrie as well. On the left side of the drawing displayed is where the trail crosses Sycamore Street. It willbe a raised crossing. Som!? conceptual drawings were displayed.showing street views, pat� views, plant life and sculptures. Hutton offices are completed and open. Once Sycamore Street is compleie_d theywil_l d_o the Oak Street cul-de- sac paving. At.afuture rneetihg Gu'nzelman will corne backtothe.Boardwiththe area in magenta, crossing Seneca Street to Exposition Street. Tabing asked about the aesthetic element that Kent Williams designed, is that still part of the project? Gunzelman responded'yes, thatis still iri the project. They have a couple locations of those and will probably carry them throughout the corridor. Once this path gets past Exti;�iiio'n it\:;'ili probably gii';o� street" and connect with the Prairie Travelers Trail at -Kellogg and Hoover. They are talking!about having some of those sporadically through the whole corridor. Tabing a·sked how big.it is, it looks like itWabout 30'. Gunzelman responded he thinks that is about<right, it will be a substantial aesthetic piece. 4 Recreation Update.(Reggie Davidson) - • ~- , ., ' Davidson shared December highlights, BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEfTING January 11, 2021 Page 11 of 12  Athletics is already starting to plan.for the 2021 season. Last year included, a lot of safety protocols and procedures for events. Leading into 2021 we are already planning for some of those events. We are also finalizing plans on an event we are looking at doing at Clapp Park called "Clapp for Margaritas 3-Mile Run". We are looking at an April date for that event. Evergreen Rec Center is following some of the same things we did for 2020 and expanding some of their onsite rentals. A lot of their programs were cancelled due to Covid protocol restrictions. During the month of December, the gym was rented every evening for basketball, soccer or volleyball. They are planning a flooring project as part of the CIP, replacing flooring and making improvements to the game room. Ralph Wulz Riverside Tennis (enter continues to be busy on the capital.improvement project. New courts 10-13 are·now playable. New lights have been iristafled. We are also doing new controls in .the clubhouse to be. able to control those as well. New picklE!ball courts have _been poured on the west,side.a_nd asihe weather warll1S't11ey will be a pie to do the overlay and striping. Tennis and pickleball drop.in play increased taking'aavantage of.the indoor space in the bubble. At the end of each quarter we put out suryeys to get feedback on our programming, He shared one comment that was received com_me_nding the staff on the new courts and programming. We are looking at ways to offer additioilaltournament play with the.school district, hosting statewide tournaments with the tennis association. Friends and Newman Universities are also looking at our site to host their games with the new expansion. That will �ring more _revenue into the Center as well. CommunityPartr\erships -we are always looking to grow programs and get more visibility in _tfie:community. One partnership is Youth Tech Inc, which is the computer. programming clas�es we offer. ·W,e are wor_kjng,,wit_h the Boy,Scouts working to.start Scouting in the Park and have·prograins at each of our rec centers. We are.starting at McAdams. Orie of the hot topics right,nowiis esports and programming with young people and.coll�ge age students. We are working with the Law [)epa-rt111ent on an agreement;irndo,som_e C>[lHn.� gaming where people in the community can compete.with each other. The.,partner,organization is incurring all of the set up cost:and ootaining all of the equipmentneeded. We,wfirhelp promote it and gain a portion of the revenue. We look to host so-me of those activities at our sites and gain .some additional.revenue from that as well. The Clapp for Margaritas 3-Mile Run is scheduled for April 17, 2021. We have some .community interest in sponsorships that we are looking at, hoping i:o h_ave a sponsor cover all of the expense so all registration� and onsite activ_itieswill all go b_ack into revenue for athletics and special events. Adjourn There being no further busine_ss/the meetingwas adjourned.at approximately 5:27 p.m. The next regularly scheduied meeting,will be·a virtualmeeting held on Monday; February 8, 2021. Isl Eddie Fahnestoc� Eddie Fahnestock, President BOARD OF PARK COMMlSSIONERS REGULAR MEETING January 11, 2021 Page 12 of 12