HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark Board Minutes 09.05.2013 City of Laurel
Park Board Minutes
From Thursday, September 5, 2013
In attendance were Mark Mace, Chuck Dickerson, LuAnne Engh, Amy Pollock and Gretchen Paulson.
Kurt Markegard from Public Works and Jolene Rieck from Peaks to Plains Design also attended. Called
to order at 5:37pm.
1. Public comment:
No public participation
2. Review Survey questions prior to mailing - Jolene Rieck, Peaks to Plains
Question V, we are currently at $35 per person per year in the current budget. Question V is
asking should $100 /family be enough? We should clarify that $100 per family is not a guaranteed
amount to the parks each year, that is just the budgeted amount. But this can be reduced based on city
general fund needs, such as ambulance, etc.
Question IV. - Separate out question for Indoor pool or spray park. These should not be in the
same line. We need to make sure we are asking for what the public wants. Must add spray park to the
question page, and there are no real trails for running in town
We reviewed the Mayor letter drafted by Peaks to Plains, it was approved by the Mayor. He
wanted the Park Board to approve it before mailing. We agreed to send it out as it was dated 9/9/2013.
Then the surveys will come out soon after. Jolene will continue to do additional research on special
districts and report back to us.
Jolene provided a memorandum on other cities. Laurel is not underspending at $36.61 /person,
it is a true figure. Example Whitefish or other towns without pool included is more like $200 /person.
HB314 is the current state law - it was passed after what Billings did to get their Parks District.
$90,000 - developed parks per acre
Kurt asked Jolene, can we generate income for the Park District by charging for summer camps,
fun runs, or other fund raisers? Jolene: Yes - that is a great way to establish a reason to include citizens
outside the city limits.
4. LuAnne and Gretchen met with the Mayor and Heidi Jenson about the 13 acre county Park.
The Mayor wants to meet with key groups to talk in a round table to see what interest there is to give
hours to clean up and design the park.
Chuck asked that we wait on items 3, 4 & 5 until next month when Amy and Gretchen are here.
LuAnne asked what can we do to get more members or members at large? Chuck said boards
have exact membership, no At -Large members are allowed, but committees can have them.
LuAnne said she was going to be out of town January, February, and March and she asked if she
could have a substitute? The answer is No.
Helen Storck has resigned from the Park Board.
The Park Board meeting adjourned at 6:35pm.
Submitted by
Gretchen Paulson, Park Board member.