Lawrence Parks and Recreation

Advisory Board Meeting Minutes

October 8, 2013

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  

Chair; Andy Clayton, Jana Dawson, LaRisa Chambers-Lochner, Joe Caldwell

 

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:  

Vice Chair; Kevin Loos

 

 

STAFF PRESENT: 

Mark Hecker, Roger Steinbrock, Tim Laurent, Jimmy Gibbs

GUESTS:

Chad Lawhorn

 

 

I.             Meeting called to order by Chair Clayton

 

II.           Approval of September 10, 2013 minutes - Motion to approve September 2013 minutes by Dawson, and seconded by Chambers-Lochner. 

 

III.         Concerns of Board – Dawson inquired if Hoopsters can be expanded into seventh grade.  Laurent responded it is currently being reviewed, once Rock Chalk Recreation Center is opened the possibility of expanding the program to 7th grade will be highly likely.  Dawson spoke to Nick Marshall who runs KAN Do Hoops, a non-profit organization that is involved with club teams in the Kansas City area who compete in tournaments.  Dawson suggested it may be good to contact him, as well as other teams who compete in weekend tournaments to receive feedback on what they like to have available when scheduling tournaments, as well as what resources they utilize that are already in place to network with club teams.  Chambers-Lochner was approached by a citizen who has some concerns regarding Eagle Bend Golf Course.  Hecker indicated that he would contact the citizen and look further into the issue.  Caldwell inquired if everyone had received email correspondence regarding the mobile stage for Sesquicentennial Point.  Steinbrock reported he will coordinate a response to the inquiry.        

 

IV.         Rock Chalk Park/Recreation Center – Update – Field trip Nov. 12 – Hecker indicated that several of the slabs have been poured for the first 6 gyms and concrete walls are being constructed.  Weather permitting roof and walls are expecting to be installed by January.  Parking lot is also being installed.  KU track is also almost completed.  Sod for the track area may be delivered sometime next week.

 

V.           RFP – Branding/Sponsorships –deadline was Oct. 2 – Hecker reported 5 companies submitted proposals.  Proposals were separated in 3 phases. 1st phase is Marketable Sponsorship;  2nd phase is Marketing/Branding phase, naming/branding of the facility, how do we sell it to the general public and the  3rd phase is Selling Sponsorships.  Next week four of the five companies will be interviewed. 

 

VI.         RFP – Beverage supplier out deadline Oct. 18 – Gibbs reported there have been no additional questions from any potential suppliers.  Once the RFP for beverage is completed the RFP Food Vendor will be sent out.

 

VII.       Facilities Operations Supervisor at RCP job notifications out –deadline Oct. 23 – Laurent reported 35 applications have been received to date.  Several have been from out of state.

 

VIII.     Carnegie Roof Project - Concerns – Delays – Hecker reported a second bid has been received.  Both bids are on the high end, at this time it has been decided to weather proof the roof as it is and in the summer of 2014 commence the 1st Phase.

 

IX.          KCMPRDA  Board appreciation Banquet – Friday November 8, 2013 –Starlight

Theatre in Swope Park, Courtyard of the Stars VIP Club -- Need decision from

board members on attending or not so reservations can be made.  All board members that were present will be able to attend.        

 

X.            Lawrence P & R Governor’s Health Award winner – Sept. 30th – Obesity Summit – Steinbrock, Shaw., Annette Deghand and Amanda Coufal were in attendance to accept the award.  Steinbrock and Coufal presented how LPRD was helping in the arena of health and wellness. Steinbrock will also be on the committee to select next year’s winner for the Health Champion awards for the Governor’s Counsel on Fitness.

 

XI.          New hires – Jon Zylstra will begin employment with Eagle Bend Oct. 21 – Zylstra has been the head golf pro at Lawrence Country Club for the past 21 years.  He has the experience and knowledge of the Lawrence market and he will be an excellent addition to the Eagle Bend team.  

 

XII.        Staff reports

                                     i.    Recreation/Golf Revenue/Expense Report – Hecker reported revenue is still lagging behind compared to last year.  Golf budget has recovered from the Spring. Hitting monthly averages.  $52,000 will need to be made for the rest of the year to break even. 

  

                                    ii.    Parks/Projects Report – Hecker reported there are several projects in the works right now.  Eagle Bend Golf Course’s hole number 18 is being re-grated and re-sodded.  It will take 15-20 people 3 days to re-sod the fairway.  Centennial Park playground mulch will be removed and replaced with rubber mulch.   

 

                                   iii.    Marketing Report – Steinbrock reported currently the Winter/Spring activity guide is being created and will go to press next week.  The focus of this activity guide will be wellness and nutrition and what we have accomplished over the past few years.   

 

Meeting adjourned.  Next Advisory Board meeting scheduled for 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, November 12, 2013, Parks and Recreation Conference Room located at South Park Administration Office.