Lawrence Parks and Recreation

Advisory Board Meeting Minutes

July 9, 2013

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  

Chair; Andy Clayton, Jana Dawson, Joe Caldwell

 

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:  

Vice Chair; Kevin Loos, LaRisa Chambers-Lochner

 

 

STAFF PRESENT: 

Ernie Shaw, Mark Hecker, Roger Steinbrock, Tim Laurent, Jimmy Gibbs

GUESTS:

Chad Lawhorn

 

 

I.             Meeting called to order by Chair Clayton

 

II.           Approval of May 14th and June 11th, 2013 minutes - Approval of the May 14 minutes— Motion to approve May 2013 minutes by Loos, and seconded by Dawson.  Motion to approve June 2013 minutes by Dawson, and seconded by Loos.

 

III.         Concerns of Board – Loos inquired about an update from Mike Hill regarding the scheduling of the Sunflower League games.  Gibbs had nothing to report.

 

IV.         Rock Chalk Park/Recreation Center – Development agreement delayed at Commission meeting 7-2-2013 until later date in July – proposed closing also delayed – Shaw reviewed where the process was at the present time.  He said Commission would have it on the agenda for a vote at the July 16 meeting. Shaw said this would be the final approval of the project, which would give the green light to construction.

 

V.           RCP trails update –Mark/LaRisa – Hecker said a committee has been formed to develop the route(s) and options for trails at the site of the new recreation center on the city owned land behind the facility. Hecker said the committee had recently met at the site and walked along the land to get a better idea of the lay of the land. They are also discussing the surface types, including Ag. lime, asphalt and concrete. Hecker said it’s important to create a trail head that can accommodate a large group of people for races and fun runs.

 

 

VI.         Discussion of Not Allowing Dogs in Cemeteries – Shaw wanted to get the opinion of the board as to creating a policy to not allow dogs in the cemeteries.  There have been inquiries from the public about the policy because animal waste being found by graves. Shaw said if we had a policy, it wouldn’t be something we could readily enforce besides posting signs.  Plus, there wouldn’t be any control over stray animals entering the park. Loos asked about signage. Hecker said you’d have to put it in a lot of places to be effective.  Dawson said she didn’t feel comfortable supporting a policy that couldn’t be enforced.  The general consensus of the board was to continue to abide by the general dog ordinance of the City.

 

VII.       Report on LPRD/Self Golf Tournament – Tim – Laurent reported that the golf tournament brought in more than $8,000.

 

 

VIII.     New hires---Ashlee Roll-Gregory, Admin. II Community Building ----Andrea Woody Naturalist Prairie Park Nature Center…..Justin Ukena Horticulturist Parks Landscape Div. – Shaw went through recent hires that have been made by the department.  He also mentioned that Tony Barron, as people may have been aware, had been hired by the school district.

 

IX.        Decision of Board not to meet in August – Usually the board prefers not to meet in August do to vacations of staff and board members before school starts. – It was decided there wouldn’t be a meeting in August.

 

X.            Staff reports

                                     i.    Recreation/Golf Revenue/Expense Report – Revenue projections funding slightly under projections –mainly due to cool start to swimming season and continued decline of Adult softball entries.

  

                                    ii.    Parks/Projects Report – Hecker reported that the Parks department is in full swing into summer with numerous projects and maintenance duties.

 

                                   iii.    Marketing Report – Steinbrock reported a matching grant application was just submitted for a new playground at Edgewood Park. If successful, the grant would bring in $20K for a new playground.  He also mentioned an application for a governor’s wellness award was also submitted recently. Steinbrock also mentioned we’d be having a KU intern this fall, which would begin Aug. 26.

 

Meeting adjourned.  Next Advisory Board meeting scheduled for noon, Tuesday, Aug. 13th or Sept. 10, 2013, Parks and Recreation Conference Room located at South Park Administration Office.

 

Board Decision: Not to meet in August unless decisions need to be             made before Sept. 10th meeting.