Lawrence Parks and Recreation

Advisory Board Meeting Minutes

February 11, 2014

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  

Vice Chair; Kevin Loos; LaRisa Chambers-Lochner, Andy Clayton

 

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:  

Sue Hack, Joe Caldwell

 

 

STAFF PRESENT: 

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

GUESTS:

Chad Lawhorn, Jana Dawson, Aundrea Shafer

 

 

Meeting called to order by Vice Chair Loos

 

Approval of January 14, 2014 minutes by Caldwell, and seconded by Chambers-Lochner. 

 

Concerns of Board –

Chambers-Lochner was approached by a citizen asking about and voicing support for the extension of the Burroughs Trail.  They asked for consideration of a soft surface alternative along the trail going both north and south bound.    

 

Loos expressed concern regarding the foul stench in the men’s restroom located at the Community Building.  Laurent indicated there has been some tests performed and no issues were found.  Odor is noticeably worst when the weather is cold, possibly a ventilation issue. 

 

Clayton inquired about a letter that was in the paper regarding dogs defecating on the levy.  Is there signage in the off leash area located in River Front park indicating the direction you are allowed to go along the levy?  Hecker responded there is signage on the levy indicating that dogs must be on a leash.  However there is not signage indicating the boundaries of where dogs can be off of their leash.  Hecker will look into this further. 

 

Loos also indicated that the public is anxiously waiting for information on programming that will be offered in the coming months.  Shaw indicated staff is working on this.  March 30 is the date set for the new activity book to be released. NOTE: After meeting was held it was determined the next activities guide would be released later in the month of April (April 23) due to the dates of programming that would be in the new activities guide.            

 

Rock Chalk Park/Recreation Center/Trail/Tennis  – Updates -

Shaw reported due to the inclement weather very little progress has been made.  Metal girders have been installed on part of the turf and gymnastics area.  Contract date of completion is July 15 weather permitting.  Trails are still a work in progress.    

 

Indoor Aquatic Center Crash area concerns -  

Gibbs reported in the past there have been issues acquiring crash areas for swim meets that are scheduled.  Previously the school gym at Free State has been used.  This year was impacted with the school district refurbishing their gym spaces.  Long term solution would be researching the possibility of repurposing some space within the aquatics facility or building on to our current facility to help elevate the issue.      

 

Sandra Shaw Nature Park and Outside for Better Inside trail update –

Rock Chalk Park/Recreation Center – Update –

Shaw shared a diagram of the trail.  It is now in the final stages of planning and platting.  Start date is schedule for March 1 with a completion date of April.  At which time, the city will make application for a Sunflower Grant to fund the next phase to include Constant and Burcham Trails.

 

Food vendor  RFP updates –

Laurent indicated there were 3 RFP’s that were submitted; Hy-vee; Wheat State Pizza and Famous Dave’s.  Laurent said he is currently in the process of meeting with each vendor.  A decision will be made by the end of next week. 

 

KRPA conference in Wichita January 27 – 31st. Commissioner Schumm and Dever award for Distinguished elected officials. 

Schumm and Dever received an award through the Kansas Recreation and Park Association.  The award was presented to them for their support of parks and recreation at the local level, especially for their work over the past few years for the new facility at Rock Chalk Park.

 

Staff reports

     i.                                    Recreation/Golf Revenue/Expense Report – Shaw reported indoor pool is up approximately $9,000 compared to last year.  Special Events and Youth Sports are now combined, class enrollments continue to rise.  Golf revenue for January was fair.  Due to the increment weather February revenue is down.  Yearend revenue for 2013 was very good.      

  

    ii.                                    Parks/Projects Report – Hecker shared the project list.  Staff has been assigned varies responsibilities to include bidding, purchasing and obtaining information for several projects within the parks and trails for this year.    

 

   iii.                                    Marketing Report – Public meetings to discuss the new playground at Edgewood Park have been set for February 19 and March 4.  Graduates of Leadership Lawrence will help facilitate the meeting.  Discussion will be focused on the location of the playground and the features desired as part of the structure.  Activity Guide is scheduled to be disbursed on March 30. NOTE: After meeting was held it was determined the next activities guide would be released later in the month of April (April 23) due to the dates of programming that would be in the new activities guide.           

 

Other – Ice arena at the Library Plaza, a feasibility study, a design change inquiring the architects to provide a cost to eliminate one of the three terraces.  This would provide a large enough space for a 60 x 80 ice skating facility that would allow the capacity of 100-125 ice skating.  Artificial ice would be utilized.  Skating could potentially be open between the months of November to February. 

 

Meeting adjourned.  Next Advisory Board meeting scheduled for 12:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 11th, 2014, Parks and Recreation Conference Room located at South Park Administration Office.