HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark Board Minutes 06.15.2017 City of Laurel
Park Board Minutes
Thursday, June 15, 2017
In attendance were Park Board Members: Scot Stokes,Amy Pollock, LuAnne Engh, &Iry Wilke
and Public Works Director, Kurt Markegard.
Others in attendance: Howard Rickard, Evan Bruce, Richard Herr
1. Public Comment: Howard Rickard spoke about concerning people parking in the
crosswalks and driveways in front of Thomson Park.Also talked about possibly bringing
"Movies in the Park"to Laurel. Planned to attend in Billings and see what was working and
what maybe wasn't/wouldn't work as well in Laurel. Howard also talked about possibly having
a Laurel/Germany wrestling exchange at the old tennis courts in Thomson Park. Evan Bruce
asked about our goals for Riverside Park. Mentioned the Mayor said we needed to board up all
the buildings.
2. Reviewed and approved minutes from May 4, 2017, meeting. Iry moved to accept, Scot
seconded. Unanimously approved.
3. Combining Boards—No updates. Still waiting for Sam to advise on how to change the
ordinances to make it happen.
4. Update on Funds from Dept. of Justice — Ken Olson, appointed by the Mayor to
represent Laurel on the advisory committee, attended our meeting and gave direction as to the
upcoming process.There is a seven person panel who will make recommendations to how
funds are spent to compensate those who were affected by the damage. The committee looked
at the application and condensed it to make it more "doable" and came up with four key
components: 1. Match—Cash/in kind; 2. Cost/cost-effectiveness; 3. Project success rate; and 4.
Multiple resources benefitted.
He mentioned they will be looking at those directly affected and also consider those indirectly
affected (such as South Pond since more people fished there because Riverside was closed). He
thought it would be in our best interest to initiate an agreement with FWP to have a joint
project with the bathrooms. Their next meeting will be in September.They plan to have a
summer workshop on how best to fill out the applications. He wasn't sure where we would turn
the applications in,but said it would be advertised in the newspaper. He said it could take 11/2
years to get it done. He suggested a bond might be a way of possibly extending the life of the
money collected by earning interest.
It was mentioned that our Master Plan will be in time before the applications have to be
specific. Ken will let us know when the short apps are due and when the workshops will be
held.
5. Update on Riverside Park Master Plan: The advisory committee's first meeting will be
held July 10, 2017 @ 5:oopm in Council Chambers.
6. Lease Negotiations: Iry said the Laurel Rod &Gun Club sent an email on May 1, 2017,to
Heidi concerning the gifting of the rock building to the Club. City attorney, Sam Painter, wrote
a legal opinion stating the building is extensively contaminated with lead.The mayor said the
buildings need to be locked and boarded up and that could happen before the end of the week.
However,they would temporarily let them in on occasion to get items out. Iry said if they were
gifted the building,they would hire a professional to get rid of it and ensure proper ventilation
in order to avoid the effects of lead.
7. Swimming Pool Update: New manager, Ryan Smith,who is a Student from Rocky. City
painted the pool in order to save money. They were able to get it done with a lot of hard work
from all involved. LuAnne mentioned that Tom Maack State Farm had said they would donate
$1,000 toward shade at the pool.The board tried to brainstorm cheap but effective ways to
provide shade at the pool for spectators. No decision was reached.
Meeting was adjorned at 6:25Pm. Next meeting will be held July 13th due to the 4th of July
holiday.
Respectfully submitted by
Amy Pollock, Park Board Member