HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark Board Minutes 08.04.2022CITY OF LAUREL
PARK BOARD
THURSDAY, AUGUST 04, 2022
5:30 PM
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MINUTES
Meeting called to order at 5:38 by Iry Wilke with Richard Herr, Richard Klose, Paul Kober, Phyllis Bromgard, Jon Rutt and Evan Bruce in
attendance. Mayor Dave Waggoner and Matt Wheeler also in attendance.
Public Input: Citizens may address the committee regarding any item of business that is not on the agenda. The duration
for an individual speaking under Public Input is limited to three minutes. While all comments are welcome, the committee
will not take action on any item not on the agenda.
No Public Input
General Items
1. Approval of Park Board Minutes of July 14th, 2022
Richard Herr made a motion; Phyllis 2"d and the motion was approved to approve the minutes from the July 14i1 meeting.
New Business
2. Software for the Renting of JC Hall and the Shelters in Lion's and Thompson
Gavin Williams demonstrated the program to rent the buildings on line. It works the same as the campground program and is already up
and running. We were happy with the results and promptness.
3. Storm Water Project using Russell Park
The project has been awarded to COP Construction and will begin in the fall. A playground will be added to Russell Park at the end of
the project.
4. South Pond water system
The sprinkler line for the trees around Lions Park were damaged during the construction of the walking path. They are showing stress
and need water. Evan made a motion to request quotes for repair or replacement; Richard Herr 2"d and the motion was approved.
5. Elizabeth Terrel with LARC (pool)
LARC passed around a "Wading Pool and Splashground Proposal'; LARC would like to volunteer to help raise funds, refurbish the
building at the old pool. Discussion on different ideas and research that has occurred to date ensued. Cami Nelson from the Laurel
Chamber of Commerce was also in attendance to offer support from the Chamber. Some money and grants are available and the Mayor
said the City Attorney will approach the Riddle Estate to see if the funds for a pool could be used. The City's engineering firm will have
someone at the next meeting to explain the process from now moving forward.
Old Business
6. Tennis Courts
Nothing New
7. Fir Field Bike Park
Looking for dirt, time to do it and cooler weather.
8. Splash Park at Thompson Park
See discussion under item 5.
9. Lighting and Electrical at Riverside Park
11
The lights have been ordered and the project is ongoing.
10. American Legion Building at Riverside Park
Richard Klose reported the building has been demo 'ed to the point of starting repairs. All repairs have been estimated at $85,000.00.
The amount of money to keep moving forward on plumbing and electrical is $25,000.00. Some sources of funding is being looked at.
11. Riverside Park Updates
Very busy on the weekends and the City has been cleaning out the squatters and confused renters of the campground. $6500.00 in
rentals so far. New signs are up for the "Day Use Only" sections. No damage from the flooding, although the boat ramp needed to have
rocks cleared and the City has done that. Jon motioned to request proposals for a sprinkler system at Riverside Park. Evan 2"d and the
motion was approved. Evan motioned for the City to look at the old Shower Building for possibilities. Paul 2"d and the motion was
approved. The Western Heritage Center advertised a "Hoof it with an Historian" at Riverside Park. Fee was $10.00 per person and no
permit was applied for from the City. Discussion followed as this was a complaint from a resident. Evan said it did not go as planned
and no fees were charged for the tour.
Other Items
Announcements
12. Next meeting September 1 st, 2022
The City makes reasonable accommodations for any known disability that may interfere with a person's ability to
participate in this meeting. Persons needing accommodation must notify the City Clerk's Office to make needed
arrangements. To make your request known, please call 406-628-7431, Ext. 2, or write to City Clerk, PO Box 10, Laurel,
MT 59044, or present your request at City Hall, 115 West First Street, Laurel, Montana.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Meeting was adjourned at 6:40
Jon Rutt
Wading Pool and Splashground Proposal
LARC Laurel Activities Recreation Complex is seeking to assist with the City
of Laurel in building of a wading pool and or splash park/splashground at
the existing city pool area at Thompson Park. With hopes to have this
project be the first phase of the LARC project. LARC would like to help
fundraise and initiate the process with the support of the City of Laurel.
We have been contacted by John Davidson and Lee VanLuchene of 5 Star
Pool and Spa they are a local pool company in Billings that would like to
donate/volunteer to help with a pool project in Laurel.
Laurel is in desperate need of more healthy activities for our community
and the children. LARC would also like to suggest that we fill the ice rink
this winter, Thompson.Park is a great place in our community to come
together and interact. It just needs a little love, and community
Involvement.
The closest Splash Parks and Wading Pools.are in Billings, that is a
hardship on some families to get to them.
In Billings there are two filtrated, chlorinated wading pools located within
the Billings City Park System. All wading pools are free for children and are
open daily Noon to 6:00pm. Parents are responsible for the supervision of
their children at all times. Pioneer Park and Hawthorne Park.
There are 5 Splashgrounds in Billings, Terry Park, Castlerock Park, Rose
Park, Highland, and North Park. All the wading pools and splash parks are
maintained by the parks and rec department of Billings. We propose that
the City of Laurel maintains the wadding pool and splash park.
We are hoping that the monies donated to build a pool for Laurel by Billie
Riddle and Elsie Johnston can help with this project.
https://www.the rip icer,org/sl2lash-pad-cost/ Says Commercial splash pads
can cost anywhere from $41 to as much as $61 per square foot. If you want a
DIY project, try purchasing one of the many pre-made kits online for
about $1,900-$3,000. These come with no installation included. The average
person would be spending about an extra $30 per month if they were to run
their splash pad six hours each day.
Splash pads are great for all ages. They require less maintenance than
swimming pools. They just need regular maintenance, like winterization in
October and start-up around April in some regions.