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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark Board Minutes 04.05.2012 City of Laurel Park Board Minutes Thursday, April 5, 2012 The Park Board meeting was brought to order at 5:31 pm at the new location of the Ambulance Meeting Room. In attendance were: Chairman, Mark Mace, and Park Board members Gretchen Paulson, Hazel Storck, Chuck Dickerson, and Bruce McGee. Also in attendance were Kat Stokes and Kurt Markegard. Public Comment: No public was in attendance to comment. #3 The Board then discussed the Citywide Park Maintenance District (PMD), including the cemetery. It was questioned if we should have a public vote on the PMD. In Billings, the citizens did not like that the city passed their PMD by protest of written letter or that it was based on property value. We agreed that our PMD should be a set amount per parcel in town, with the total amount of funds to be determined by the costs to maintain the current parks and public spaces. City Clerk Treasurer, Shirley, has information on how many taxable spaces are in town for use in calculating the PMD. It was also questioned if we should include the costs to irrigate the cemetery in the PMD, not determined at this time. Hazel moved to recommend that Public Works provide detailed costs/budget for the cemetery, parks and public spaces. Gretchen seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Action items: • Public Works Director will get the Park Board the base amount to maintain the parks and public spaces. • Cemetery Board to provide maintenance costs to be added to PMD. #4 Kurt Markegard discussed the Pool ADA requirements for lift extension. The implementation deadline was March 2012, but the Hotel/Motel Association was lobbing for an extension given the short amount of 3 months to implement. The new deadline for installation of ADA lifts is now September 15, 2012, which allows the city to hold off on installation until after the summer swim session is over. Kurt said this gives the city time to add the expected costs into that fiscal year budget process, the prices have dropped since it is government mandated to be installed. The estimated costs to cover building maintenance improvements are $9,000. Given new details brought to our attention, the city may also have to provide a water wheelchair and an extra lifeguard specific for the special needs citizen using the pool. Kurt will look into this further. The pool house bathrooms still need grab bars installed for toilets. #5 Skate Park - Mark Mace discussed the formation of steering committee, then one member would come to the Park Board to keep us updated. Mark suggested the former High School principal, a student at University of Montana in Dillon as possible members. Then the board discussed all the available parks in the city from paperwork that Kurt brought for everyone to review. The Parkland Standards paper lists park location, size, improvements, layout and what type of park it is. Kiwanis park is full with playground equip and we don't want any more bad press at Kid's Kingdom. Water is accessible at the road in Murray Heights park and Chuck agreed the skate park would be better there than a dog park. The city would need to add Park caution signs in the surrounding streets, since none are existing now. Kurt suggested looking into the skate park being in Thomson Park just south of the pool next to the 4 way stop sign. Kat is still concerned about current drug use in the area and water seeping from the pool to eat away at the skate park concrete. Kat will look into the Thomson park idea and try to get some excitement. #6 Citywide cleanup day is set for Saturday, May 5. The baseball team already cleaned up Thomson Park. Trash blows into the hedges along the railroad tracks and should be included in the cleanup. #7 Riverside Park cleanup: The DEQ wants to cleanup Riverside Park. The city would like to be able to use the old concrete in the old shooting range for levying up the river banks. Kurt will look into the lease at Riverside park for a pistol range. Bruce mentioned that the existing lease expired in 1997, but the Rod & Gun Club group continues to use the park and old range area on a yearly basis. Should an ordinance be set up stating there is no shooting in the parks? #8 Lions Park - Tree planting and drip irrigation project. The Lions Club has been donating signs and trees to the park without notice to the Park Board or City Council approval. The city should be notified ahead of time of these wonderful additions so they can be included in the overall city's worth. The Lions Club is currently planning on planting 100 trees and drip line with no permission granted from the city. Kurt is concerned over these additions for several reasons: water lines and installation added without the city knowing where they are located for future projects, water lines added over /under the walking trail could pose hazards, additional water costs the city has not budgeted, planned maintenance of such drip lines - if not maintained then would cost more to repair. Action item: City Mayor should contact the Lions president and notify them of proper city protocol for additions in the park. #9 Russell Park - How to use it better. Mark questioned how the city can use it better. It is currently used for annual class reunions or family gatherings. It has swings and a slide, it is irrigated and is great for sledding in the winter. There is a gravel road that is in the park plot lines but it is being used for parked cars by the neighboring residents. Another idea would be to turn it into the dog park. #10 Other. A Batting Cage is being donated by the Laurel Little League and American Legion. This fencing will be an added safety measure to keep the kids on deck safe from those walking around or game. Gretchen is keeping up with Monica Plecker, City Planner, on the Elena Subdivision parks. Per Monica, the status of the park remains unchanged. Monica has been in contact with Dorsey & Whitney from Missoula who is writing the bond to cover the costs of the improvements. No more estimates are needed for the work to be done, the city has to put the project to bid since the estimated cost is over $50K. Gretchen will continue to follow up with Monica on the park status. The Park Board Meeting adjourned at 6:43pm. Submitted by Gretchen Paulson, Park Board Member.