Minutes - 2/11/03
LAWRENCE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
February 11, 2003
Board Members present: Chair, Tom Bracciano, Vice Chair, Alice Ann Johnston, Bill Penny Richard Konzem, Sharon Spratt and LHS student member Elspeth Legler. Guest: Jean and Jim O'Toole, Patricia Sinclair, Danielle Hillix, KU Student. Staff Present: Fred DeVictor, Ernie Shaw, Mark Hecker, and Roger Steinbrock
Meeting called to order, Chair Bracciano. Minutes of January 14th approved on motion by Johnston, 2nd by Penny.
DeVictor reported Tom Bracciano would serve as a liaison to the Arts Commission. Tom indicated he will get minutes and agendas from the Arts Commission and bring up anything of interest to the Board. Also a committee was being formed to discuss the concept of a sculpture garden.
Staff presented an evaluation of the 19th and Learnard 11 acre area, which neighborhood representatives had asked the Board to review at the January meeting. Staff discussed a memo, which did not recommend the City purchase this location for a park. DeVictor indicated the area was zoned RS-2 and not industrial. Bracciano noted that good housing development helps neighborhoods by bringing families into neighborhoods. After considerable discussion, Patricia Sinclair asked the Board to delay any vote or recommendations to the City Commission until after the applicant for the property brought his revised plan for residential development back to the Planning Commission for consideration. Board concurred and did not vote on this matter.
Linda Finger, Planning Director and Sheila Stogsdill, Assistant Planning Director, were introduced and a general discussion of the planning process and procedures was held. They emphasized the need to work with developers and educate them about the value parks add to neighborhoods. They suggested more education or seminars of smart growth and model plans. An example presented was how the O'Connell Road area may become better with park and open space input.
DeVictor noted the neighborhood surrounding the Orchards Golf Course would make a proposal to the City Commission to form a benefit district to provide $280,000 beyond the $670,000 the City offered for the purchase of this 30.5 acres. If the City Commission is interested a public hearing would be the next step in this process.
Staff discussed a revised master plan for the Clinton Lake Regional Park and noted the plan would be presented to the Planning commission on February 12th. A final public meeting would be held February 20th at Holcom Park Recreation Center.
Shaw reported on recreation programs and indicated new bids for the concession operations had been taken. Hy-Vee will operate the pools concession and David Cesare will operate the ball diamonds concessions.
Hecker reported on park projects such as the Eagle cages at Prairie Park Nature Center, backstop at Holcom Sports Complex and indoor pool work. He discussed concerns with the new tree ordinance that is taking lots of staff time. We are overseeing 640 trees that were bid by a contractor for planting between January and May 1st.
Roger Steinbrock reported on finishing an annual report for 2002, work on a school flyer and summer brochure, which will get out earlier than ever before; by April 6th.
DeVictor asked Chair, Bracciano to present a report to the City Commission on March 4th.
A future item for general discussion will be cell towers in parks. Staff have had a request for one in Lyons Street Parks and invites Board input for the future.
Meeting adjourned at 1:30P.M. Next meeting March 11, 2003.
February 11, 2003
Board Members present: Chair, Tom Bracciano, Vice Chair, Alice Ann Johnston, Bill Penny Richard Konzem, Sharon Spratt and LHS student member Elspeth Legler. Guest: Jean and Jim O'Toole, Patricia Sinclair, Danielle Hillix, KU Student. Staff Present: Fred DeVictor, Ernie Shaw, Mark Hecker, and Roger Steinbrock
Meeting called to order, Chair Bracciano. Minutes of January 14th approved on motion by Johnston, 2nd by Penny.
DeVictor reported Tom Bracciano would serve as a liaison to the Arts Commission. Tom indicated he will get minutes and agendas from the Arts Commission and bring up anything of interest to the Board. Also a committee was being formed to discuss the concept of a sculpture garden.
Staff presented an evaluation of the 19th and Learnard 11 acre area, which neighborhood representatives had asked the Board to review at the January meeting. Staff discussed a memo, which did not recommend the City purchase this location for a park. DeVictor indicated the area was zoned RS-2 and not industrial. Bracciano noted that good housing development helps neighborhoods by bringing families into neighborhoods. After considerable discussion, Patricia Sinclair asked the Board to delay any vote or recommendations to the City Commission until after the applicant for the property brought his revised plan for residential development back to the Planning Commission for consideration. Board concurred and did not vote on this matter.
Linda Finger, Planning Director and Sheila Stogsdill, Assistant Planning Director, were introduced and a general discussion of the planning process and procedures was held. They emphasized the need to work with developers and educate them about the value parks add to neighborhoods. They suggested more education or seminars of smart growth and model plans. An example presented was how the O'Connell Road area may become better with park and open space input.
DeVictor noted the neighborhood surrounding the Orchards Golf Course would make a proposal to the City Commission to form a benefit district to provide $280,000 beyond the $670,000 the City offered for the purchase of this 30.5 acres. If the City Commission is interested a public hearing would be the next step in this process.
Staff discussed a revised master plan for the Clinton Lake Regional Park and noted the plan would be presented to the Planning commission on February 12th. A final public meeting would be held February 20th at Holcom Park Recreation Center.
Shaw reported on recreation programs and indicated new bids for the concession operations had been taken. Hy-Vee will operate the pools concession and David Cesare will operate the ball diamonds concessions.
Hecker reported on park projects such as the Eagle cages at Prairie Park Nature Center, backstop at Holcom Sports Complex and indoor pool work. He discussed concerns with the new tree ordinance that is taking lots of staff time. We are overseeing 640 trees that were bid by a contractor for planting between January and May 1st.
Roger Steinbrock reported on finishing an annual report for 2002, work on a school flyer and summer brochure, which will get out earlier than ever before; by April 6th.
DeVictor asked Chair, Bracciano to present a report to the City Commission on March 4th.
A future item for general discussion will be cell towers in parks. Staff have had a request for one in Lyons Street Parks and invites Board input for the future.
Meeting adjourned at 1:30P.M. Next meeting March 11, 2003.
