HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark Board Minutes 12.01.2016 City of Laurel
Park Board Minutes
December 1, 2016
City Hall
Attending: LuAnne Engh, Chuck Dickerson, Iry Wilke,Amy Pollock, Kurt Markegard
Absent: Gretchen Paulson, Scot Stokes
• Public Comment—none
• Minutes—approved as written
• Lease Negotiations—
• Kurt talked to Heidi today and has nothing new to report—no time frame
• Riverside Park Priorities for improvement
• Two sources of funds for the park improvement
1. Exxon payment directly to the city for the loss of use—approximately$300K
> About $200K was borrowed from the account to get matching funds for
the FEMA grant to finish the banks.
> FEMA had not closed out this account...they recently hired a new
contractor to do this but those funds are gone until replaced by FEMA
> This is to be used for the vault toilets—and master plan
2. New 12 million dollar damage assessment paid by Exxon to the state
Department of Natural Resources to be used to improve areas hurt by the oil
spill —all money administered by the state. Laurel is listed to receive part of
2.4 million for:
> Installing vault toilets
> Develop and implement projects of Riverside Master Plan—this was
clarified that only natural improvements - no playground equipment
> Laurel Pond—dredge and improve habitat,develop handicapped fishing
Access
• Conflict as to how these two entities will work together. Maybe we would be
reimbursed from the state for the master plan we are currently working on with Big
Sky Trust. Our grant was submitted two weeks ago by Great West Engineering.
Laurel's share would be $25K and $25K would come from Big Sky Trust. We feel we
need to move forward with this important of the process to get an overall plan for
Riverside.
• Kurt will contact Alicia Stickney again about attending a meeting—He will also
contact Matt Wolcott (DNRC)who will be on the state board that will decide how
the state will manage this payment from Exxon. We need to vocal about what
Laurel needs. Another contact is Ken Frazer
5. Combined committees—
• Cemetery and Tree board need to give us their opinions either by attending a
meeting or letter so we can move on with this subject.
6. Other
• Laurel Tree Board - planning Arbor Day, May 2nd (Tuesday) in Murray Park using
the 4th graders. Learning centers will be set up with 5-6 organizations like the
zoo, Yellowstone River Association, Riverstone Health, State Nursery
Association, Master Gardeners and possibly Fish Wildlife and Parks. It would be
in conjunction with planting 5 trees and improving the playground area. It will
volunteers.
• City Shortfall - $70K less income due to NEW reassessment - Kurt said all
departments are cutting back and every purchase has to be authorized. Funds
for the pool painting will be drastically cut back—Tim Reiter is looking into the
liner or other options for the pool maintenance.
• Recreation —We need to keep this on the agenda and look for someone to
organize recreation activities or music and movies
• Board members terms -4 year terms
Gretchen Paulson 2016 Indicated she is not renewing
Scot Stokes 2016
Bruce McGee 2016
Amy Pollock 2018
LuAnne Engh 2018 will be gone Jan —April 2017
Chuck Dickerson 2018
Iry Wilke 2018
1-5-17 Agenda
Lease Negotiations
• Gifting the Laurel Rod and Gun Club—waiting on attorney
• Lease for LRC
Riverside Park
• Grant progress
• Permitting process—update?
• FEMA inspection
• Visit from Alicia Stickney or Matt Wolcott—Kurt to contact
Combining board
• Contact from Tree board or Cemetery
Board membership
• Kurt sent the board the Billings Park board website that explains how their committees
work. We'll discuss this at length to figure out how to get members on our board.
South Pond
• Working with Lions club—let's keep this on the agenda—encourage Lion's members to
attend as they formulate their projects
Meeting adjourned 6:20
Next meeting : January 5, 2017
LuAnne Engh
Park Board Member