HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark Board Minutes 02.07.2013 MINUTES
City of Laurel
Park Board
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Members Present: Chairman Mark Mace
Gretchen Paulson
Hazel Storck
Amy Pollock
Chuck Dickerson
Staff Present: Kurt Markegard, Public Works Director.
1. No Public Comments
2. Parks Budget for 2013 —Kurt Markegard shared some of the items needed for the
Parks in 2013. One request came from the Laurel Fire Department. They
requested a boat in case a rescue is needed on South Pond. They currently have
no boat to use in case someone is stranded on South Pond in the winter. Kurt has
found one for approximately $1,300. The boat will be kept at the fire station.
Kurt also informed Board Members that the prices on ADA accessible seats,
which are now required by law by all pools in the state, have dropped. We had
put this in the budget for last year so the funds are available. The lowered cost
will be about $3,300, taking the lowest bid.
3. Elena —Great Western Engineering is putting together bid documents for
advertising improvements in Elena Subdivision. It should be out for bid in 3 -4
weeks.
4. Water tank for tree watering — Fortunately we have been receiving moisture
through the recent snow. However, the tank will be out to water the trees as soon
as the temperature allows it.
5. Other Items
Kurt and Chris, both Park Safety Certified, went through all of the parks and
evaluated them for safety and fixed any problems they found.
For years it has been difficult keeping the pool fully staffed and managed.
YMCA has offered to take care of Pool Management for the price of $44,000 for
the summer. After reading through the contract and much discussion, Chuck
Dickerson motioned to accept YMCA's contract with a few changes which gives
the City a few more opportunities to check on the management and make sure it is
running properly. Amy Pollock seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Sam Painter, City Attorney, gave us the proper steps of how we could go about
changing the funds left by Billie Riddle to reflect current needs. Because the
amount of money will never cover a swimming pool, if we held a public forum
informing the public what is intended, we could legally change the intent to
reflect our needs of a spray park. Kurt indicated that the funds received from
Exxon combined with Billie Riddle's funds could possibly help us reach our goal.
Kurt also mentioned that we may need to have an attendant at the spray park for
safety.
Next, the Park Board discussed the need for a Master Plan. Chairman Mace asked
Kurt to present a Master Plan which includes all of the parks and their deficiencies
with the cost of each. This will help us know what improvements need to be
made and what it will cost.
Kurt informed us that he is applying for a Safe Route to Schools grant in order to
put in handicap accessible crosswalks.
The Park Board meeting adjourned at 6:52 p.m.
Submitted by
Amy Pollock, Park Board Member.