HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark Board Minutes 03.06.2008 MINUTES
CITY OF LAUREL
PARK BOARD COMMITTEE
March 6, 2008
5:30 P.M.
Meanbers Present
Chairwoman Kate Hart
Kirk Lime (arrived 5:40)
Norm Stamper
Mark Mace
Amy Pollock
StaffPresent: Public Works Director Bill Sheridan, Kurt Markegard
Public Citizensgresent: Roger Perkins, Ed George, Kelly Stevenson, Ken Younger, all were
representing the Lions Club.
Chairwoman Kate Hart called the meeting to order at 5:31 PM. The February 7, 2008 minutes
were approved as written. Motion made by Amy and seconded by Norm.
Chairwoman Hart brought up the first order of business, which was to ask for public comment.
Roger Perkins came to the podium to give the history of how the park was developed and what the
group bas done. Roger discussed the excavation of the bottom of the pond to help with the habitat for
fish survival. Then a 60' diameter shelter was eop~tructed for picnics. They need to finish the shelter
access with a ramp up to the shelter for wheelchair access to satisfy ADA requirements. Roger then
discussed the MDT highway grant that they received to build the jetties to help the fishing for smaller
kids and people with disabilities. The group constructed a pathway around the west and south side of
the pond for people to use for walks and access to the other side oftha pond. With the aid of an aerial
map of park area, he demonstrated where the playground toy could be built with 3 optional locations.
The remaining projects that needed to be completed were picnic shelter needed to be completed with a
method of keeping the pigeons out of the inside area with some sort of net affair in the roof structure.
The Lions also would like to put in three benches around the pathway that Max Miller built as an Eagle
Scout project. They would also like to plant trees m~d install a drip irrigation system around the pathway
with the city's help. Roger explained the group is making table tops that are cast in place concrete table
tops that have mementos in them sucl~ as pins or badges or items for groups or individuals to bring to
them to have a mosaic of items cast in the tops that the public can look at as they enjoy the picnic
shelter. They also would like to make a time capsule some day soon. Mark Mace suggested th. at they do
it during the Laurel Centennial weekend in August the 86 end 9th. The Lions also need to build a storage
shed on the land to store tables and items that aid in the maintenance of the park and shelter. They also
need to extend the water spigot that is located in the NE comer of the property.
Kelly Stevenson then approached the committee with his dissatisfaction of the amount of dogs
that are left to mare and use the park all the time. He sees up to 8 or 10 dogs at once in the water or
using the perk. The owners do not clean up after them and the dog feces are everywhere for small
children to get into. Norm suggested that a container system he installed and a dispenser with bags is
available with signs for them to use. Kate reminded the Lions that everything that is done needs to he
done through the Public Works depa~haent and that the city would need to have the MMIA make any
decisions on public improvements.
Chairwoman Hart brought up Riverside Park and the issues that the city bas with use and
liability. The city staff has fielded complaints of large cah~oer rifles or pistols using the shooting range.
Local residents have called to complain and some feel their safety is in jeopardy. The committee wes
reminded that shooting outside of buildings would be stopped soon, due to an agreement with the city
and the groups that use this range now. A three-year time limit was imposed to stop the outside shooting
on the city's grounds. The chairwoman then discussed the problem of no police protection can be
summoned as the city police would be out the limits of the city. Annexation would need to happen in
order to allow them to patrol and respond to complaints or calls. Now the Yellowstone County Sheriffs
office has to send a deputy out to Riverside Park to assist the Laurel authorities in the event of an
emergency. Amy Pollock then motioned to recommend to the city council that they start annexation
proceedings to have the Riverside Park annexed as soon as it can. The motion was seconded by Kirk
Linse. Motion was unanimous. Kate Hart mentioned the concert in Riverside Park which is scheduled
for the 9~ of August at 7 PM. The Chairwoman explained that groups that use the park for events and
have buildings there would be able to schedule to sell concessions with the use of their buildings during
the event. Kurt Markegard reminded the conaaittee of the parks reservation procedure and how that
works when the public is able to use any park of the park and that no group can exclude other public
from certain areas.
(Kirk Lime apologized that he had to leave the meeting at 6:15 PM)
Bill Sheridan director of PW explained a problem of Iron Horse Station has requested an
easement through a city right-of-way for irrigation purposes of park land within the Iron Horse
subdivision. He wanted to let the committee know that this would be an issue that the parks board
should be aware ot~
Kurt Markegard told the committee of his certification of Playground inspector will
expire soon and if the city wants to keep that ability in the city staff; he would like to ask the board to
recommend to the council to bear the costs of the application fee and the test ($100.00) and travel to the
test site. Norm Stamper motioned to recommend to the council to approve Kurts request. Amy Pollock
motioned to reconnnend to the council to allow PW departraent to use fund t~om the CIP to install the
large toys that were purchased to be installed, in Lions Park and Nutting Park with city personnel to
ADA and MlVIIA standards.
Director Bill Sheridan informed the committee that he did recently received a bid from a
company to pave an 8 ' wide section of Riverside Park t}om the entrance to the boat launch ramp. Mr.
Sheridan also asked the members of the Lions if his department and members of the Lions club could
get together to work on the playground sites and get this done in time fnr children to use them as soon
as the weather will allow.
Chairwoman Hart adjourned the meeting at 6:41 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Mace