HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark Board Minutes 04.03.2008 MINUTES
CITY OF LAUREL
PARK BOARD
April 3, 2008
5:30 P.M.
Members Present:
Chairwoman Kate Hart
Bill Haldaman
Kirk Linse
Norm Stamper
Mark Mace
Amy Pollock
Staff Present:
Public Works Director Bill Sheridan
Kurt Markegard
Public Citizens Present: Howard Rickard representing the Laurel Jaycee's
(Public comment period was stated.)
Chairwoman Hart called the meeting, to order, at 5:31 PM. Norman Stamper moved to adopt the
Park Board minutes of March 3ra 2008. Amy Pollock 2nd the motion. (Unanimous)
The committee began discussion on the literature on a survey sent out to members from Peaks to
Prairie design that deals with contracting this firm to contract with them for a Parks Master plan. The
question was whether to look at a master plan for all parks or just Riverside development. The second
issue discussed was whether to do a survey by mail.
Bill Sheridan, Public Works Director, suggested that the survey is going to be tailored to Laurel
and that the information packet was too high in cost for Riverside Park. It worked out to $19,000. The
master plan design was discussed as to what the committee would want to set guidelines for a RFP
(Request for Proposal).
Chairwoman Hart said she would contact Jolene of Peaks to Prairie design regarding the
contents of the pamphlet she provided the committee.
In new business, Chairwoman Hart informed the committee that the Laurel Chamber of
Commeme requested by letter to change the site of the Farmers Market from the Fireman Park where it
is now located to the new state fireman memorial park, west of city hall. There is a great concern of the
traffic on Main St. and the underpass during busy hours like the end of the workday. It was mentioned
that the memorial park could soon have beginning of construction and that would be a problem for any
use of that space in the future. (Bill Haldaman had to leave the meeting at 6:30PM)
Kurt Markegard of Public Works brought up Russell Park and an update on the installation of
the new restroom facility and the remaining work that must be done to make it ADA compliant and the
costs associated with that. Kurt mentioned the city Tree Board would have their Arbor Day events at
Russell Park this year. Children from the schools will help plant trees where needed to fill in spots
where trees have died or have been removed. Kindergarteners will also help staff and the Tree Board
plant lilacs. Kurt brought up the right-of-way issue for discussion. He feels that before trees or bushes
are planted that he informs the committee why he chose the sites he did. The Tree Board thought that
they should fill in the platted right-of-way area between Russell Park and the only home constructed on
that same block. The owners have used this area for parking motor homes in the past and he has tried to
keep it free of use. If the right-of-way is filled in, it will be difficult to put in service mains to the 5 lots
that remain platted between the house and the freeway. If the City of Laurel ever wanted to sell or use
those lots for any type of program, they would be isolated. Mr. Markegaard thinks the Park Board
should recommend to the council to make that right-of-way a permanent access to those lots. This will
eliminate the alley from having to be used for access or for underground utilities and/or services.
Kurt mentioned that he did travel to get his certification renewed for playground safety
inspector. He also discussed how difficult the test was. He had some suggestions to the committee for a
fence on both parks that are scheduled for playground structures. He used a diagram for Nutting Park
and for Lions Park to show the need for fence that should be installed to eliminate children from leaving
the playground areas as both have open water in ditches and streets or roads on either side and children
could end up playing near these dangerous areas without adult supervision. Kurt passed out a rating
sheet that illustrated the dangers that border areas near parks that a city should consider and make
improvements to those areas for safety. Kurt plans on having a written safety program in place for all
the parks that are developed, in the city limits.
Kurt suggested that the committee consider not spending the money for a master plan yet until
some of the safety issues and the obvious issues have been fixed and suggested using the funds in the
professional services to be used for this budget year. Then consider the master plan next season when
more variables have been eliminated.
The Chair adjourned the meeting at 6:48 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Mace