HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark Board Minutes 07.11.2013 City of Laurel
Park Board Minutes
From Thursday, July 11, 2013
In attendance were Mark Mace, LuAnn Engh, Hazel Storck, and Gretchen Paulson. Jennifer Ries from
the Outlook Newspaper also attended. Called to order at 5:39pm.
1. No public comment.
2. Process for Naming new parks - we should ask the public for historical names or possible
suggestions.
This started with the park next to the Chamber building, which is on BNSF railroad private property.
It is sometimes referred to as Old Fireman's Park. We as the city Park Board can not rename that
location since it is on private property. Another example is the Old Town Square, just east of
Yellowstone Bank. This is also private property and not given a proper name, or consistently
referred by the same name.
Mark Mace was contacted by a man from Las Vegas, NV, Jack LaFlesch, about making a donation to
the city for naming a city park after one of the first recorded Laurel residents /inhabitant. He wanted
to give the city /parks $4,000 for putting up a sign and naming a park for a resident. Two park sites
were discussed for this naming and will be looked into to see if they already have names or could be
named for the resident. Possible locations: Washington & 1st Street park or the park on Main Street
between Birch and Cottonwood Rd.
Action item: LuAnn agreed to look at the parks mentioned in the meeting and report back to us in
August on locations and if they already have recorded names.
Gretchen contacted Jack regarding the naming and donating of signage for a city park to be
named "George Herbert Park ", named for one of Laurel's first settlers. Jack is hoping for Historical
wooden signage similar to what is along the highway system showing Historical sights. He was hoping
the sign would include "Donated by LaFlesch family ". He really was hoping this sign would go into the
park next to the Chamber building, since this is the park he has fond memories of as a young boy.
Gretchen will share the Park minutes with Jack and keep in touch with him on this project.
3. Update on Peaks to Plains process
City Council voted yes to get the survey process going and approve the contract. Jolene is working
to get information to City Council. Mark will call Jolene and get an update from her on the process.
4. Splash park news
Mark contacted Vortex Aquatic Structures, from back east. They emailed a few theme pictures to
Mark that are amazing with using a locomotive theme. Gretchen asked when the process will get
going on public meetings to have a decision made on the Billy Riddle donation.
Action item: Mark agreed to call Sam Painter, city attorney, about getting the process started to
decide on the Billy Riddle donation funds, when to have the public meeting, put it on Council
workshops for discussion, and hold actual public meetings at the regularly scheduled Park Board
meetings.
5. Form a committee to look into County's offer for the land on East Maryland
Land north of the trailer park on East Maryland that is covered in cattails. County officials
mentioned it in passing to Mayor Ken Olson that the land could be donated to the City of Laurel.
The land is around 13 to 15 acres.
LuAnn and Gretchen agreed to look into this: East Maryland Potential Park. We will contact Ken Olson
then contact County Commissioners to see what is happening with the land.
6. Update on the work in the park in Elena Subdivision.
Report from Gretchen as what she is seeing happening within the parks. Activity started around
June 10. Mowing and scraping down the existing vegetation was completed first to all the areas in
the park. Removing of excess vegetation has also occurred. Trenching for irrigation started and
some piping and sprinkler heads have been installed behind the homes. Work on trenching and
irrigation piping installation is still ongoing around the water retention area. Bills from the City have
gone out to homeowners in the neighborhood to pay for the SID. The total due is $842.11 to be
paid in full or is can be paid over 10 years with a 4% interest amortized and placed on the tax rolls
yearly.
7. Other
Ask Amy Pollock if she has any further information on the Eagle Scout and his potential project.
The Park Board meeting adjourned at 6:18pm.
Submitted by
Gretchen Paulson, Park Board member.