HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark Board Minutes 09.07.2017 City of Laurel
Park Board Minutes
Thursday, September 7, 2017
In attendance were Park Board Members: Scot Stokes, Phyllis Bromgard,Amy Pollock, LuAnne
Engh, &Iry Wilke; Public Works Director, Kurt Markegard; Ryan Smith, Pool Manager;
Natasha Tindall,Aquatics Director @ YMCA; &Citizens Curt Lord, Kat Stokes, Kathleen
Guilly, &Evan Bruce.
1. Public Comment: Curt Lord from Laurel Rod&Gun Club said he has a bid from Alpha&
Omega to remediate the Laurel Rod &Gun Club building for approximately$45,000. Also has
had Riverstone Health check sewer system and they said it was fine.
2. Minutes: Reviewed and approved minutes from August 20, 2017, meeting. Phyllis moved to
accept, Iry seconded, and it was unanimously approved.
3. Swimming Pool Update: Ryan Smith, Pool Manager, asked to go first so he and Natasha
from YMCA could leave. Ryan said that as far as he knows the attendance was average and the
pool stayed pretty warm overall since it was a hot summer.They had no resuscitations,but a
lifeguard had to jump in the pool seven times over the summer. Originally,there was a problem
with some of the summer camps coming in without notifying the pool,but that was worked out
early in the summer.
Some ideas Ryan gave to make the pool better for the future include:
1. Find a way to help retain the heat. He suggested looking into pool covers.
2. Increase in price to enter pool stating he had never seen a pool charge so little. He
was especially concerned with the day camp groups taking advantage of the "summer
pass" rates because they are really low.
3. Set up a way to schedule with the day camps and groups larger than 10,what days
they are coming in. Maybe have a master calendar where they sign-up or even
through email.
4. Consider having"pool parties" and rent out the pool.
5. Very few adults swim because of too many kids. Need to provide shade and benches
and possibly an adult swim. Maybe a Teen Swim time as well.
6. Stay open longer on Saturday&Sunday instead of shorter hours.Those were most
popular days.
7. The CPO from the city needs to be more readily available (within 3o min) in case
there is human waste in the pool. They are the only ones who can deal with it,but
sometimes weren't available making pool stay closed longer.
8. Sign contract earlier(March) so lifeguards can be hired earlier. They need more time
to advertise and certify. Lifeguard class is approximately 36 hours. (Very few local
applicants.)
4. Update on Funds from Dept. of Justice: Four abstracts were submitted on behalf of
our city/area. One was submitted for South Pond of trail improvements and adding a dock/pier
that is ADA compliant.The abstract for Buffalo Mirage (Sportsman Park) requested an
improved road and bridge.An abstract was submitted for the vault toilets in Riverside Park in
conjunction with the FW&P. Pictures were sent along with the estimated cost of the toilets.
Also requested they choose one that allows for outdoor maintenance so the city can maintain it.
The abstract submitted for Riverside Park addressed water, parking lot,lights, and camping.
The abstracts CAN change/improve when we present,but they felt like the water was most
important since without it,we will always be limited.They will also allow for public comment.
The committee will review the abstracts and rank per how it meets the criteria. Right now we
are waiting for them to let us know where we rank before we can move forward. Hope to get the
money by spring. We will keep on agenda to keep updated on where we are in the process.
5. Update on Riverside Park Master Plan: The advisory committee for the master plan
requested the Council and Mayor weigh in on whether after seeing the overwhelming support
of the shooting programs in Riverside Park, if allowing shooting was going to be reconsidered.
However, Mayor Mace provided a letter which addressed the shooting that basically said the
sunset is set so shooting won't be an option. He also addressed some of the buildings in
Riverside Park stating the condition they were in was too bad to invest money in, especially
when they could flood again. There was some confusion as to which building he was referring
to,because he called it the "club house"which seemed to describe some of the conditions of the
Laurel Rifle Club,but seemed like he was addressing the Laurel Gun Club building. The Park
Board requested clarification from the mayor as to which building he was speaking of. Scot said
he would bring it up during their next workshop.
6. Lease Negotiations: Iry Wilke, (I believe speaking on behalf of the Laurel Rod & Gun
Club), expressed frustration and said there is a report that there is no lead in the Laurel Rod &
Club building,they have provided the city with documentation and they want a lease. Sam, the
City Attorney has advised we can't give the building away or provide a lease in its current
condition. Iry said they are willing to fix the building to get it in habitable condition.
Board Members expressed concerns over legal issues since we can't lease it or give it away until
it's remediated and the Laurel Rod &Gun Club is not willing to give the money to the city to be
in charge of the remediation. Kurt also mentioned the City is leery to put a lot of money into a
building that could flood again since it is still in the flood plain. Furthermore, if the cost to
repair the building exceeds 5o% of the overall value, it is the Board's understanding that it
would have to be raised 2 feet due to flood plain. It was decided to wait for clarification as to
which building the Mayor was referring to in his letter.
7. Other Items: Phyllis mentioned Lions Park needs some large rocks or some type of barrier
to keep 4-wheelers from going through on the trail. She said someone had reported seeing tire
marks. Kurt Markegard said it may have been the City spraying weeds.They use a 4-wheeler
and used the trail to get to the weeds.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:o5pm.
Respectfully submitted by
Amy Pollock, Park Board Member