HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark Board Minutes 05.16.2013 City of Laurel
Park Board Minutes
Monday, May 16, 2013
The Park Board meeting was brought to order at 5:31pm. In attendance were: Chairman,
Mark Mace, and Park Board members LuAnn Engh, Gretchen Paulson, Amy Pollock,
and Chuck Dickerson. City employees in attendance was Kurt Markegard.
1. Public comment.
Citizen Richard Klose, Post Commander for the American Legion, spoke with us
about adding a power pole, meter and light on the flag and flag pole. This new power
pole would be located by the baseball fields at Thomson Park. Richard talked to Dean
with the Urban Renewal projects for help in funding the project. Dean mentioned
Richard should discuss it with the Park Board and then take it to City Council. The
project would cost approximately $2,500 for power pole, install and 2 outlets /meters.
One meter /outlet for the flag pole and the second meter /outlet for vendors to use during
4th of July celebrations. If a second outlet /meter is approved, then a lock would need to
be installed on it to ensure security and eliminate abuse.
This project is spurred on because the American flag is not being used during baseball
games and it is wanted.
Motion: LuAnn motioned to approve and send to City Council the American Legion's
install of electrical pole in Thomson Park. Amy Pollock seconded motion.
Mark Mace suggested the American Legion come back to the Park Board and keep us up
to date on the project, hopefully before the July 4th holiday.
2. Park Master Plan porposal
Jolene Rieck from Peaks to Plains Design did not yet get a proposal to the Park
Board for review as discussed at the April 29 Park Board meeting.
Action: LuAnn will follow up with Jolene and request the proposal be delivered to us
before the next meeting.
3. Splash Park
The Splash Park should be on the June 6 agenda meeting.
Mark Mace will ask the City Council to set and hold a public meeting regarding
the Billy Riddle funds. We want to see if there are any heirs in the area to discuss her
donation to Laurel. If they agree, the city would get a notice in papers at least 3 times
and hold a meeting. The City Attorney would provide wording for the announcements.
Mark received designs, pictures and brochure from another splash park company
called Water Splash, from visiting their website watersplashnet.com Mark also called a
third company from the east coast and mentioned our funding limit. They said it was
sufficient funding for a splash park for our needs and community size. Mark will contact
that company back for proposal and costs.
4. Other items
Should Riverside Park be annexed into the city? It is currently owned by the city
as the sole owner of all of the property. If it is annexed into the city, then it would be
treated like other parks in the city.
Advantages to annex: City laws regarding shooting guns in city limits would apply. It
would be patrolled by Laurel City Police. All Laurel City ordinances would take effect
on the property.
Disadvantages to annex: More park area to include in the parks maintenance planning, it
might flood again if river runoff is high. Bathrooms would need to be installed with a
better sewer /septic system. County Sheriffs must patrol and remove campers or others
performing illegal activity.
The riverbank would need to be improved or rebuilt before camping, power,
bathrooms and other services could be installed or reinstated.
We will add this discussion to the June 6 agenda meeting before we make a
decision or recommendation to City Council.
Next meeting Thursday, June 6, 2013 at 5:30pm in the FAB.
The Park Board Meeting adjourned at 6:21pm.
Submitted by
Gretchen Paulson, Park Board Member.