Lawrence Parks and Recreation

Advisory Board Meeting Minutes

June 9, 2015

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  

Vice Chair, Sue Hack, Kevin Loos, Joe Caldwell and Andy Clayton

 

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:  

Chair, LaRisa Chambers

 

 

STAFF PRESENT: 

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

GUESTS:

Charlie Bryan, Marilyn Hull, Tim Herndon, Chad Lawhorn

 

 

I.             Meeting called to order by Vice Chair Hack

 

II.           Approval of May 12th, 2015, minutes by Caldwell, and seconded by Clayton. 

 

III.         Concerns of Board – Caldwell was contacted by a member of the public and was asked to convey thanks to our staff for the outstanding job they did in working with him and giving direction on his interest of starting up a new flag football league for children.     

 

IV.         Mayor Farmer and Commissioner Herbert

Hack welcomed Commissioner Herbert and shared with him the opportunities, responsibilities and safety concerns Parks and Recreation offers to the public and the needs of the department.

 

V.           Trail updates --- Burroughs Creek (old rail trail section), Baldwin Creek, Burcham/Constant.

Hecker reported Burroughs Trail extension from 23rd street to 29th is close to being finished.  Once it is completed there will be a continuous trail from 11th street to 29th street. The next phase will be from 29th street to Haskell.  The vision is to create a continuous loop around the city with trails.  Several of the trails have been funded, in part, by grants. Charley Bryan, who was in attendance, shared some uncertainties and concerns primarily with exact location and gaps of the trail loop that will have to be worked out though continued development.      

 

VI.         All summer programs off to great start – Jimmy/Tim

Gibbs shared in speaking with Annette Deghand, who oversees the Unified Day Camp, she indicated this year’s enrollment there are equal number of youths with disabilities versus those without.  It creates the opportunity to break down those social barriers and seeing the youth interacting and having fun together.  Recreation summer fitness programs, currently the enrollment is up compared to last year.  All of the Aquatic classes are full and several have wait lists.  Gibbs also reported there was an overwhelming attendance for the Cicada Festival that was held at Prairie Park Nature Center.  Laurent stated Bill Self’s basketball camp is in progress this week.  Final negotiations have been completed with Ben McLemore and Mario Chalmers for their event.  Summer Playgrounds is also in full swing.  Currently there are 108 children registered in South Park.  Wednesday night band concert and Brown Bag concert series are currently going on also.  Adult Sports registration is up compared to last year along with Youth Sports.  Laurent indicated soon there could be a youth flag football league that may be added to our program.      

 

VII.       Staff reports

 

                                     i.    Recreation/ Expenses-Revenue/2015 financial updates 

Reports will be updated next meeting.

  

                                    ii.    Parks/Golf Course/Projects Report/2015 financial updates

Reports will be updated next meeting.

 

                                   iii.    Marketing Report

Enrollments are up 27% for the year.

 

X.       Other – Clayton requested a list of all the ADA playground upgrades. 

          

Meeting adjourned.  Next Advisory Board meeting scheduled for noon, Tuesday, July 14th, 2015, Parks and Recreation Conference Room located at South Park Administration Office.