Zionsville Board of Park and Recreation

Summary Minutes of the Meeting of the Zionsville Park and Recreation Board May 9, 2012 The Zionsville Board of Park and Recreation met Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at 7:30 PM. Phil Howard, Steven Mueller, Steve Bullington, Manda Clevenger, and Neil Clements were present. Matt Dickey, Superintendent, and Roger Burrus, Park Board Attorney were also present. Minutes Mr. Burrus noted a correction to the April minutes (a later park consultant was noted in the minutes as connection with the wrong park mention). Steve Mueller made a motion to approve the April 24, 2012 regular board meeting minutes as amended. Neal Clements seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Public Comments/Presentations Phil Howard acknowledged the presence of Ms. Ellen Butz, former president of the Parks Board. The Park Board had specifically invited her to attend. Mr. Howard then introduced and read Resolution 2012-2 recognizing Ms. Butz’s years of dedicated service and immeasurable benefits to the parks and recreation cause and to the citizens of the Town of Zionsville. Steve Bullington made a motion to approve Resolution 2012-2. Manda Clevenger seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Having been officially moved an signed, one of the signed originals will be mounted on plaque and given to Ms. Butz. There were several “you go girls” and “woo hoos” from 10-12 supportive audience members who had attended to surprise and support Ms. Butz as she received the Park Board's heartfelt gratitude. Mr. Art Harris, formerly a Town Council member, next came forward to compliment the Board on the completion of the Laurel Avenue/ Rail Trail connection. Not only was he happy to see it completed but he also mentioned that the design treatments of the access on both sides were top notch. Mr. Glen Doyle stepped forward and seconded Mr. Harris’ comments on the Rail Trail Laurel Avenue connection. Staff Reports The reports from the Superintendent of Parks & Recreation, the Assistant Superintendent for Maintenance Services, and the Naturalist were all part of the Park Board packet and available for review. Mr. Dickey began his verbal report by informing the Board that the recent Zionsville Anti Mini Marathon race had 150 starters and 144 official finishers. This continues to be a 1 successful event and is run entirely with the park system (with parking/event staging at Town Hall). Mr. Dickey also reported the new golf carts will be delivered Monday. Roger Burrus began his report with an update on the recent historical designation for Maple Lawn Farms. He has been discussing insurance issues with their agent, having found that the historical designation had created a bit of insurance complications. Mr. Howard asked about the potential purchase of the existing grain bin. Mr. Burrus noted he is still researching that issue and will be able to report soon on his findings. New Business Mr. Howard began by discussing the earlier walk by the Board members along the Eagle Creek corridor (tentatively being identified as the Canterbury Corridor of the Eagle Creek Trail). He noted the following items that were determined from this 5:30pm walk (just before that night's Board meeting): Finding It appears that currently, the corridor will best work as a relatively unimproved nature trail. Phil encouraged Facilities committee and also the Town Councils Pathways committee to go walk the corridor as well (within the next 30 days or so) and provide feedback. Challenges *Steep "cliff" (severe grade changes at a few points) *Low areas *Moving creek bank potential *Concrete and earthen "dumping" mounds *Fence crossings *Narrow area (6-8') at Compton property, susceptible to flooding damage (may need some reinforcement) *Connection at Zionsville Road. How best to come up from the creek to make that connection to existing sidewalk Steve Mueller stated the corridor shows obvious signs of use and wondered about the Board’s liability. Mr. Burrus stated that for most of the length the Board does not own the property, so any liability is very limited at this point. When they start improving the site and inviting the public to use it, that will provide a benchmark for liability. It has also been discussed that sites in a more or less natural condition (like Starkey Park or as this site is envisioned as well), may need to have an increased assumption of risk by their users because the surfaces and grades are closer to a more natural state. Mr. Howard suggested the next steps should include receiving comments and suggestions from the Pathways and Facilities committee members; flagging the trail after the leaves have dropped in order to have visibility (for general routing location and areas of concern); then as much as feasible, minimizing concerns via design; getting a bids or quotes request out for corridor clearing. Timing is slated to flag the trail in September nor 2 October (based on leaf drop). Then the interested contractors can walk the trail in October and bids can be collected in by November. Mr. Dickey noted there would be a few areas that might need general design work (stairways, bridge abutments, etc.). Mr. Dickey also noted that permits from the Department of Natural Resources will be required and stated these could take up to six months to receive. It is likely construction will not begin until next spring. Old Business None identified Citizen Advisory Committee Reports Land Resources – Phil Howard. The next scheduled committee meeting is May 23rd at 7PM. They will be reviewing comments received on the Land Resources guidelines. Finance/ Funding – Neal Clements. No Report. Communications – Steve Mueller. Mr. Mueller noted the committee has prepared the announcement for the park naming request to the public and availability of recreation grants. He also noted Parks received a bit of free publicity from the Boone County Solid Waste District. Representatives from that agency attended the recent Z’Green Fest and took photos of the composting project and recycling project and put them in their recent newsletter. Mr. Mueller also stated Zionsville recently received recertification from Tree City for the eleventh year in a row. Friends of the Nature Center have stated their interest in continuing Z’Green Fest, which serves as the Town’s Arbor Day celebration. Recreation –Steve Bullington. Mr. Bullington noted the upcoming committee meeting for May 23rd at 7PM. The scheduled topic will be to discuss a communication program for event planners to advertise park facilities for use. This will come back to Board in June or July. Communications have gone out to grant recipients. A Bicycle Rodeo is scheduled for May 19th as part of Bike to Work/School Week. Facilities– Manda Clevenger. Ms. Clevenger noted the next committee meeting will be May 23rd at 7PM. Committee members will be discussing prioritizing walk-throughs at various parks and considering the committees recommendations for design directions for the open areas at Carter Station and Creekside Parks. Other Board Related Items None identified. Claims Neal Clements made a motion to approve the claims. Steve Mueller seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The meeting was then adjourned with a motion made by Steve Mueller and seconded by Neal Clements at ~8:00 PM. The next regular Park Board meeting is scheduled for June 13th at 7PM. ______________________________ ____________________________ Steve Bullington, Secretary Phil Howard, President 3