HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark Board Minutes 02.07.2008 MINUTES
CITY OF LAUREL
PARK BOARD
FEBRUARY 7, 2008
5:30 P.M.
Members Present:
Chai~-woman Kate Hart
Kirk Linse
Amy Pollock
Norm Stamper
Mark Mate
Sta~.
Public Works Director Bill Sheridan
Ther~ were no public citizens present.
Chairwoman Kate Hart called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.n~ The November 1, 2007 minutes were
approved as written. (Motion by Amy Pollock, seconded by Mark Mace)
Chairwoman HItrt brought up the first order of business, which was to introduce the Director of PW to
the Park Board. Kate started the discussion by bringing Mr. Sheridan up-to-date on the issues of
Riverside Park and most recently the President of the "Peaks to Prairie" trlathlon organization
president Robin Culver. During the past many years' events, the final exchange that takes place
during the race is the bicycles to boats at the park entrance offthe highway. At the base of the
approach at the bottom of the hill, the driveway turns to gravel for the remainder of the access to the
riverboat launch area. Many participants have fallen or tripped on the gravel during this race, which
makes this venue somewhat dangerous for bikers to hand offthe baton to the next team member.
President Culver asked the Chairman during a phone discussion about the group donating a sum of
money to have some of the gravel area constructed into a paved section to the riverbank near the boat
launch area. Chairwoman Hart asked DPW Sheridan if the city would allow this and who would need
to be notified. Some discussion resulted in Director Sheridan telling the committee that he would
look into this and consult with his staffinto the feasibility. Kate Hart mentioned that the
Budget/Finance Committee has been notified that an appropriation has been marked for funds to lead
to "master plan" for the Riverside Park. Norm Stamper mentioned that the Cemetery Commission
had an architectural firm (Peaks to Plains) do a master plan for the cemetery. It was a great success
and will help them get construction started as well as write for grant matching funds to keep costs
down to the public and ratepayers. Norm moved to have the staffreview an option for a possible RFP
for the design of a master plan for all the improvements that need to be done.
Discussion turned to Thomson Park, which dominated the remainder of the meeting. Chairwoman
Hart introduced the constant problems with the different organizations playing baseball on the fields
in Thomson Park. There was discussion regarding the misuse of the lights during practice and field
maintenance. Kirk Linse did inform the board that he discussed the issues with the groups and that he
felt that a stronger effort would be made to curb the tnmecessary use and abuse. He did mention that
most of the people responsible were not aware of any problems or overuse of the lights and the high
costs to operate them. Kirk thought that this would work ltseffto a satisfactory conclusion. Kirk is
busy within the Little League trying to pass bylaws that will help the park in all the areas that seem to
be lacking from the standpoint of the city. Kirk did mention that he feels that the city hns a larger
problem in electricity use in the restrooms in the concession stand building. He feels the heaters are
on full time and on high during hot days and cold and that the th~,mostats are not working properly.
Mr. Sheridan will have staff`look into this when the park restrooms are opened in the spring.
A brief discussion followed on the poss~ility of the Riverside Park becoming funded through an
"enterprise fund". Kate Hart told the committee that the city clerk/treasurer informed the
Budget/Finan~ce Committee that the recent audit looked at this and the auditors found that the parks
income could not waintain its own expenditures enough to self fund the entire operation.
Bill Sheridan asked if his staff should author leases for the groups who use the parks. The
chairwoman explained that the city attorney has leases in place that will be used when the groups are
required to sign with the city.
Kate Hart reminded the committee that the park reserve is in place for improvements. The meeting
was adjourned at 6:34 p.m.
R~s~)ect fully submitted,
Mark Mace