Board of Park Commissioners

w A Board of Park Commissioners Regular Meeting Minutes Monday, June 14, 2021 CITY OF 3:00-5:00 P.M. WICHITA City Hall, pt Floor City Board Room Wichita KS 67202 Members Present: Eddie Fahnestock, Alejo Cabral, Troy Palmer, Philip Simon, Tori Deatherage, Ty Tabing Members Absent: City Staff: Troy Houtman (Director, Park & Recreation), Penny Garding {Clerk), David McGuire, Reggie Davidson, Gentry Theisen, Elizabeth Harlenske Guests: Becky Middleton Item Descri�tion Call to Order Eddie Fahnestock, President, called the meeting to order at approximately 3:00 p.m. Announcements Fahnestock: Dale Goter has stepped down from his Board of Park Commissioners role. 1 Approve Minutes Recommended action: Approve, sign and file minutes of the May 10, 2021, Board of Park Commissioners regular meeting. MINUTES ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR APPROVAL AT THIS TIME. VIDEO RECORDING IS AVAILABLE HERE: httg_s:LLwww.:toutube.comL1iveLiNimeurmtiM?feature=share&t=1 Public Comment Becky Middleton: How can we improve Edgemoor Park for Pickleball courts? We need more courts. Last weekend over 250 participants were in a tournament at Riverside. This is a lifetime sport. It would be very beneficial for the City. Why do we want this? Pickleball is growing by leaps and bounds. Houtman: There is a huge need for courts. Plans are moving forward, just not fast enough. There is a demand, and a plan is being made. Troy Palmer: How many Pickleball courts and lighted compared to Tennis courts? Houtman: There are 18-20 lighted Tennis courts and 9 Pickleball courts which are all located at the Tennis Center. Cabral: Any idea if there are any underutilized Tennis courts? Houtman: Yes there is a list. Some Tennis courts are being transformed to Futsal courts and Pickleball courts, just not lit. Middleton: Edgemoor is key as there are currently 6 courts there, and 12 courts would help draw tournaments. Houtman: Looking at a Pickleplex near Southlakes. Maybe with 18 outdoor and some indoor courts. Palmer: Immediate need. Can we have a conversation to do something at Edgemoor, or Eastview? There are no facilities at Eastview. Houtman: What can we do for direction now? There is money for doing courts we just need to decide which area. Middleton: Edgemoor would be the best place, already has 6 of 12 courts. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING June 14, 2021 Page 1 of 3  Houtman: There will be some backlash from Tennis players if Edgemoor courts are taken over. I recommend utilizing Eastview. Alejo Cabral: Concerns expressed about Eastview Park? Middleton: People donated for Edgemoor. There are issues with no facilities and not being able to have a tournament at one location. Cabral: How many courts at Eastview? Are they all changed to Pickleball? Houtman: There are 2 courts and yes both are Pickleball. Fahnestock: There are a lot of high school Tennis players that use the park. Houtman: We don't and won't take from high school sports. Troy Palmer: Chicken-n-Pickle is the only private location, correct? Everyone is looking for city to provide. Fahnestock: Chicken-n-Pickle is other activities. Pickleball is huge and sustainable. Palmer: What would Pickleball people think about using Eastview and then tournaments at the Tennis Center? Houtman: Becky and other Pickleball players are set on Edgemoor, as it is feasible for public courts. Cabral: What will it take to do it right? Houtman: Pickleball courts in all of the city. There is a whole community that plays. Groups gather, socialize and play regularly. My idea would be a Pickleplex facility. Can and would be an economic drive. Recommendation to council. Motion by Fahnestock, second by Palmer, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to support transforming Eastview tennis courts to pickleball courts, provided Park Foundation support (6-0). 3 Continuation of Prior Business The Golf Advisory Committee has 2 open seats. Deatherage recommends Cameron Crisp for the District IV seat. Motion by Deatherage, second by Fahnestock, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to accept Cameron Crisp to the Golf Advisory Committee, District IV seat (6-0}. Simon will discuss the District Ill appointee at a later date 4 Recreation Update (Reggie Davidson) Aquatics: All 6 pools have had renovations done. Splash pads and pools will open May 31st • All pools have Wi-Fi to accept credit cards for admissions and concession sales. Evergreen: Offered food distribution and will offer pt Friday monthly. Flooring completed and has 6 middle school kids in Basketball league. Edgemoor: Summer of Discovery program full with 45 kids enrolled. Simmer class enrollment is good. Edgemoor splash pad had a ribbon cutting ceremony. Great Plains Nature Center: Amanda Alessi was named Director. Watson: Over 600 families participated in the Little Heroes Fishing, over 1,100 participants in the Gladiator Obstacle Course. Watson Lantern Festival is growing with over 2,200 lanterns. Volleyball had its largest spring session with 37 teams participating. Tennis Center: New courts are opening. 5 Golf & First Tee Update Houtman: Due to high COVID and open positions, there's about $600K in the black. List of $10M repairs and upgrades needed. Asking for $350K for pond repair and roof repairs. Will be asking Council tomorrow. Fahnestock: Hearing good things from people and community regarding staff. Houtman: Tee sheets are full unless the weather is a problem. Next GAC meeting will present draft of RFP. 6 Park Maintenance & Forestry (David McGuire) Over 3K inspections done, 958 pruned trees, 478 removals and over 180 stumps grinded. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING June 14, 2021 Page 2 of 3  June: Midwest ISA Tree Climbing competition held and CRP data collected for interactive tree map. Internal maintenance maintaining internal sites and athletic maintenance very busy. Hiring process will being next month. 8 Finance Update No update at this time 9 Wichita Parks Foundation Update Continued planning for Red, White & Boom 10 President's Update No update at this time 11 Director's Update Zero to 100. COVID numbers down, capacities are lifting and currently hiring for golf and recreation sides. Adjourn There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 4:38 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on Monday, July 12, 2021. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING June 14, 2021 Page 3 of 3