HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark Board Minutes 08.02.2007MINUTES
PARK BOARD
AUGUST 2, 2007
5:30 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairwoman Kate Hart
Bill Haldaman
Kirk Linse
Norm Stamper
Mark Mace
NOT PRESENT:
Amy Pollock
STAFF PRESENT:
Maintenance Superintendent Kurt Markegard
OTHERS PRESENT:
Leo Duma, Laurel Jaycees President
There was no public input.
The meeting was called to order by Chairwoman Hart at 5:32 p.m. The discussion started with an
update on the Lions Park Big Toy that has been ordered. The City Public Works Director Klotz has
informed the board that his crews are too busy to start the site grading and installation anytime soon as
the summer part time help will be leaving soon.
The Nutting Park restroom is in progress. Kate asked Director Klotz about the Parks Master Plan,
which is something the Park Board has been relying on to help plan the development of all parks. The
primary goal is to develop Riverside Park as soon as possible. Director Klotz suggested that Riverside
Park could be split out of the rest of the parks plan and stand on its own enterprise fund, due to its use
and location. Riverside has its own funding source and could have a different use than all the rest of the
parks in the city's system. As the possible Riverside plan goes forward, the design of its use could
possibly go forward with that funding in place.
Kurt Markegard arrived at 5:45 p.m.
Kate asked Kurt to explain the use of Riverside Park and how many camping units and hookups were
available in the park. Eleven or twelve are available and there is additional space which could be
developed. Kate asked how much the spaces in the park are being used daily. Kurt informed the board
that all spaces were presently full. Kurt informed the board that additional work could be done to make
the park more efficient, such as hose spigots for watering or even sprinklers that work in the evening
hours only in places other than the camping area.
Several issues were discussed regarding the park leases and what would happen to all the groups after
the fourth year of the shooting range contract was up. Kate explained that all the groups would be
considered separately for their use and that all would have to sign their respective agreements with the
city so that each lease would be tailored to its respective lease. Leo Duran, representing the Jaycees,
was very concerned that his organization was being penalized for other groups who have problems in
the park system like Little League and Legion baseball. Leo felt that his organization did so many
things and donated so much money to civic groups that they are different from the sports groups. The
board did express that no one will be eliminated from using the park. The only thing that will change is
the city's ability to have shooting of guns in a public place after the five-year contract period is up. The
the city's ability to have shooting of guns in a public place after the five-year contract period is up. The
Little League and Laurel Rifle Club groups were also represented by Kirk Linse and Bill Haldaman.
Both men have concerns regarding water meters and sewer systems, which the board feels are needed
for the different groups to help pay for in the park.
Kate mentioned that Rosalie Richardson wishes to help the Park Board look for and write applications
for grants that may be available for ail park systems in the City of Laurel. Mark questioned if Rosaiie
would be willing to fill the final spot on the Park Board. Kate will check into that.
Some discussion happened regarding the new Wal-Mart store and whether overnight camping would be
allowed in the parking lot. Mark thought this might be something to consider when making more spots
for camping in Riverside Park.
Kate brought up the master plan again to Kart and asked him to check with Steve Klotz on what can be
done to facilitate the possibility of a study for Riverside Park and all the parks in general. Kurt recalls
severai plans that are on file in the office that should be looked at and considered before the board goes
much farther in paying for a plan that may be duplicated. Kate said that is what is needed as all of us
will be replaced in the future and some before and after us will be in this same place someday. Mark
suggested that the representatives of the respective organizations should not be afraid of what the city
might do in regards to their buildings and groups as it may the type of action that a lease will protect
them fi.om ever having to conform to action from a new group or council or city administration that may
want them to disband or leave the parks due to the group not having anything in writing or on a legal
lease to help protect them.
Kate asked Kurt to let her look at any of the plans that may be on file to see how they may affect what
the Park Board is looking at doing in the future and what could be presented to the council as a whole.
Kurt brought up the deficiencies in Thomson Park regarding work that was done to the sprinkler system
in the Little League field where a 2-inch PVC line was dug up and leaked and flooded the southern area
of the park. The lack of maintenance after the season of baseball is over was also discussed with the
groups present.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Mace