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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark Board Minutes 02.02.2012 City of Laurel Park Board Minutes Thursday, February 2, 2012 The Park Board meeting was brought to order at 5:33 pm. In attendance were: Acting Chair, Mark Mace, and Park Board Members, Gretchen Paulson, Hazel Storck, Amy Pollock, and LuAnne Engh. Kurt Markegard, Public Works Director was also present. Corey Mcllvain, Kat Stokes, and Laurel Schools Superintendent, Tim Bronk, were also in attendance. Public Comment: Corey Mcllvain, (903 6 Ave, Laurel) represented the Laurel Little League discussing the possible development of more baseball fields in our current parks /park land. Some ideas he mentioned included north of the soccer field @ Fir or on West 9 St. Mark Mace advised him to talk to Kurt Markegard about the best possible location and bring it back to the Park Board and then we would make a recommendation to the City Council. Mcllvain stated that currently, all fields are being used and there is a big need for even more. He also mentioned working with the School District about possibly improving South School and West School fields. They are currently using fields @ South, West, and Nutting for the Minors, but need a Seniors and Juniors field similar to the size of Dodger's field, which is being used to the max currently. Superintendent, Tim Bronk, then discussed the possibility of the School District and the City working together to build tennis courts. Senate Bill 329/HB2 offers a grant for a one -time payment for public entities who work together as a cooperative. The location we discussed was between the soccer field and pavilion at Thomson Park. It was discussed that this location currently has very few sprinklers and is hard to water. We also talked about East Maryland, but Bronk felt that was too far away from the schools and couldn't be used during gym classes. Even though it would be nice to put 6 courts in so we could hold tournaments, this location will more likely fit 4 -5 courts. Bronk said it's preferred to have the courts sit north /south with the nets east and west. We would need to use asphalt. We would also need to add gravel. It was undecided at the meeting who would maintain the courts. This would have to be determined at a later time. Bronk also brought up the idea of using the current baseball fields to expand. Bronk has discussed the idea with the Fire Department, as the tennis courts would take up space currently used for the fireworks. Additional funds would be applied for through other grants, some which are matching that will accept in kind donations. There are currently very few details /restrictions on the grant. The Park Board decided to think about their decision and take a vote via e-mail so that it could move forward before the next meeting if possible. It will need to be submitted soon to be in by the deadline. Mark Mace then brought us up -to -date on where we are with the Park Maintenance District. The Board would like to have a Park Maintenance District by charging each property a flat rate. It is believed this would be more accepted than assessing based on the value of the house. It was also stated that we might be better not to do it at the same time as a mill levy for the School. The advantage of a PMD is that the money received would be dedicated to parks no matter what. Mark will check with Brett Rutherford, the Election Chairman, to see what the steps /timeline is for taking it to the public for a vote. Mark hopes to have a plan for next month's meeting on how to go forward with the PMD. No one knew if Heidi Jensen had heard from Sam Robertus concerning the Elena Subdivision parks. Gretchen will follow up with Heidi for our next meeting. Kurt Markegard updated us on Riverside Park. He first talked about rebuilding the levy. The City has hired GW Engineering to go forward with the permit to protect the levy and river intake. The project is estimated to cost $1.8million. Everyone was encouraged to send a letter or sign a petition stating they support the project and send it to the Army Corp of Engineers. The 21 -day comment period ends February 13 Peaks to Prairie also asked for a petition. If the funding isn't secured, Kurt will have to ask for $300,000 of Exxon money to provide a temporary fix. The FWP would like a boat ramp put back in. They said they would provide $36,000 toward a boat ramp. FWP also has the design for it. Not sure how much it will cost. We would also like year round bathrooms with vault toilets. FEMA called and said we will be receiving about $60,000 for the Rod & Gun Club and Caretaker's building. The old cabin was taken out of the funds so they could be released quicker. There was too much red tape because it may have been historical. The plan is to get the mold out of the R &G Club as soon as possible. The park is currently open — people can go there to recreate. There is no water. Kurt's not sure if pipe is good; may have frozen. Williston Basin is in the park and paying $200 /day. They already have an easement and the park is still open, so the cost isn't as high as for Exxon. It looks like Exxon will be fined $1.6 million for loss of recreational opportunities. We are hoping to get some of this money to put into Riverside Park/our parks. Finally, Kurt updated us on a donation of land along the canal on 12 St. from Joyce Richmond. The City would agree to pay for an appraisal and it would be called "Lois & Harold Bernhardt Parkway" if accepted. The land could be used as a possible walking trail. We would apply for a grant from Safe Routes to School The Park Board Meeting adjourned at 7:03pm. Respectfully submitted by Amy Pollock, Park Board Member.