Minutes - 10/14/03
LAWRENCE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT ADVISORY BOARD
October 14, 2003
October 14, 2003
Board Members present: Chair Tom Bracciano, Vice Chair, Alice Ann Johnston, Sharon Spratt, Richard Konzem and Bill Penny. Staff Present: Fred DeVictor, Ernie Shaw, Mark Hecker, Roger Steinbrock, Jimmy Gibbs and Free State High School students Nolan Randolf and Nathaniel Stannard.
Meeting called to order by Chair Bracciano. Minutes of the August 12th meeting were approved on a motion by Konzem, 2nd by Penny. No meeting held in September.
Board members commended staff on the landscape improvements in Centennial Park at 6th and Rockledge at a highly visible entryway to the community.
DeVictor reported a recommendation to enter into a contract with Landplan Engineering to develop final design of the Sesquicentennial Plaza would be presented by the Horizon Committee to the Sesquicentennial Commission on October 22nd, then forwarded for City Commission consideration.
Board members were invited to an unveiling of a bronze sculpture of Buford M. Watson Jr., at 2:00P.M. on October 19th in Watson Park. Also "Emergence" the art sculpture given to the City as a result of the fall 2002 Kansas Sculpture Association Stone Symposium held in Lawrence was installed in Watson Park. A dedication of this piece is expected next spring.
Staff brought up the recent decision by the USD 497 School Board to discontinue distribution of community flyers. Considerable discussion followed in regard to manpower issues in schools and alternatives for LPRD and other organizations to be able to reach youth with flyers and brochures for community programs and services.
Staff reported on a legislative hearing that was held in Topeka on September 24th to discuss day care licensing. LPRD presented written testimony at the hearing held by the Joint Committee on Children's Issues to encourage continued exemption of licensing for 6-8 week summer playground and day care programs.
Shaw reported that beverage contracts for most city-operated concessions would end this year and discussed a multi-year proposal being proposed to bid.
DeVictor reported that Eagle Bend Golf Course has continued to monitor its operations. Rounds through the 3rd quarter are down 9% from 2002 and due to the struggling economy, extreme weather conditions and competition of new golf course in the area, will for the first time, in this enterprise fund, lose money in 2003. Revenue is down about $100,000. Projections are a $30,000-$35,000 loss, which will need to be made up in 2004.
Hecker reported on park projects including UV system at the indoor pool, new backstop at Holcom Sports Complex, Rotary Arboretum and plans for renovation to Brook Creek and Clinton Parks with CDBG funding. Shaw reported on the revenue in recreation programs through September and estimates will come close to making their revenue budget projections of $1,362,117 in 2003.
Jimmy Gibbs presented a report on the cryptosporidium concerns at swimming pools. Reports were centered on public pools however day care centers had cases of this contagious disease. We did follow Douglas County Health Department's recommendations and super chlorinated LPRD pools. On October 9th the Douglas County Health Department confirmed that "No" cryptosporidium was found in City pools. The alarm appears to be over. Steinbrock reported he was working on the winter/spring brochure and with Eagle Bend to develop special reduced rates to encourage more golfers to play.
Staff indicated this fall the City Commission would decide on one of the nine proposals of the use of the Carnegie Building. LPRD submitted a proposal to move offices and programs from South Park Recreation Center. Since about $100,000 in repairs are needed to SPRC, this proposal recommended removal of the building and turn that space back to park use.
DeVictor told the Board of a supervisor retreat he was planning for October 17th to discuss Department strengths and weaknesses, budgets and review the reorganization and park district plan.
Meeting adjourned at 1:30P.M. Next meeting November 11th, 2003.
Meeting called to order by Chair Bracciano. Minutes of the August 12th meeting were approved on a motion by Konzem, 2nd by Penny. No meeting held in September.
Board members commended staff on the landscape improvements in Centennial Park at 6th and Rockledge at a highly visible entryway to the community.
DeVictor reported a recommendation to enter into a contract with Landplan Engineering to develop final design of the Sesquicentennial Plaza would be presented by the Horizon Committee to the Sesquicentennial Commission on October 22nd, then forwarded for City Commission consideration.
Board members were invited to an unveiling of a bronze sculpture of Buford M. Watson Jr., at 2:00P.M. on October 19th in Watson Park. Also "Emergence" the art sculpture given to the City as a result of the fall 2002 Kansas Sculpture Association Stone Symposium held in Lawrence was installed in Watson Park. A dedication of this piece is expected next spring.
Staff brought up the recent decision by the USD 497 School Board to discontinue distribution of community flyers. Considerable discussion followed in regard to manpower issues in schools and alternatives for LPRD and other organizations to be able to reach youth with flyers and brochures for community programs and services.
Staff reported on a legislative hearing that was held in Topeka on September 24th to discuss day care licensing. LPRD presented written testimony at the hearing held by the Joint Committee on Children's Issues to encourage continued exemption of licensing for 6-8 week summer playground and day care programs.
Shaw reported that beverage contracts for most city-operated concessions would end this year and discussed a multi-year proposal being proposed to bid.
DeVictor reported that Eagle Bend Golf Course has continued to monitor its operations. Rounds through the 3rd quarter are down 9% from 2002 and due to the struggling economy, extreme weather conditions and competition of new golf course in the area, will for the first time, in this enterprise fund, lose money in 2003. Revenue is down about $100,000. Projections are a $30,000-$35,000 loss, which will need to be made up in 2004.
Hecker reported on park projects including UV system at the indoor pool, new backstop at Holcom Sports Complex, Rotary Arboretum and plans for renovation to Brook Creek and Clinton Parks with CDBG funding. Shaw reported on the revenue in recreation programs through September and estimates will come close to making their revenue budget projections of $1,362,117 in 2003.
Jimmy Gibbs presented a report on the cryptosporidium concerns at swimming pools. Reports were centered on public pools however day care centers had cases of this contagious disease. We did follow Douglas County Health Department's recommendations and super chlorinated LPRD pools. On October 9th the Douglas County Health Department confirmed that "No" cryptosporidium was found in City pools. The alarm appears to be over. Steinbrock reported he was working on the winter/spring brochure and with Eagle Bend to develop special reduced rates to encourage more golfers to play.
Staff indicated this fall the City Commission would decide on one of the nine proposals of the use of the Carnegie Building. LPRD submitted a proposal to move offices and programs from South Park Recreation Center. Since about $100,000 in repairs are needed to SPRC, this proposal recommended removal of the building and turn that space back to park use.
DeVictor told the Board of a supervisor retreat he was planning for October 17th to discuss Department strengths and weaknesses, budgets and review the reorganization and park district plan.
Meeting adjourned at 1:30P.M. Next meeting November 11th, 2003.
