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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParkRec.Minutes.05-11-2020 Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Minutes Monday, May 11, 2020 The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board held their regular meeting on March 9, 2020, at 5:30p.m. at the Osage Centre. Board Members Present: Staff Present: Kevin Noel, Chairman Julia Jones, Parks & Recreation Director Roger Hudson, Vice Chairman Brock Davis, Parks Division Manager Kenneth Stilson, Secretary Scott Williams, Recreation Division Manager Dan Presson, Councilman Liaison Penny Williams, Recreation Division Manager Tracey Glenn, Board Member Lisa Seyer, Administrative Coordinator Anne Dohogne, Board Member Pete Frazier, Board Member David Cantrell, Board Member Brad Labruyere, Board Member Nicholas Snyder, Board Member Absent: Gunnar Knudtson, Beverly Evans 1. WELCOME / INTRODUCTIONS Chairman, Kevin Noel welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order. Parks & Recreation Director Julia Jones introduced Lisa Seyer as the new Administrative Coordinator. 2. OLD BUSINESS A. Approval Of Minutes Kevin Noel asked for a motion to approve the March 9, 2020 minutes. Tracey Glenn made a motion, seconded by Pete Frazier. All approved. B. Aquatics Committee Update Division Manager Penny Williams reviewed the presentation that was given to the City Council on May 16th for both Central Municipal Pool and the Jefferson Leisure Pool. The School District is moving forward with the Jefferson Leisure Pool and has awarded a contract to Councilman Hunsaker/Incite Design to design the new Jefferson facility. A recommendation from the City Council is expected at their May 18th meeting. The geotechnical exam for Central Municipal Pool is scheduled for May 19-20 to evaluate the infrastructure to see what if anything needs to be done before putting up the new structure once the painting of the pool is done. For now, Central Municipal Pool will be closed for maintenance and repairs until the first of June. C. Splash Pad Opening and Operations Update Parks Division Manager Brock Davis reported that the Splash Pad is complete. He and staff has completed test runs and training; ready to open when Cape Splash opens. Signage for the Splash Pad is on its way as well as gates. There will be no rentals this first year; it will be a come and go, play at your own risk center with no staffing. Capacity will be 50 people. So far, no issues with geese as they do not like the fenced in area. Since Friends of the Park Day was cancelled, planting at Capaha is being done by interested groups who are scheduled and provided the flowers/plants to do the plantings on site. If you know of any groups interested, please have them contact Parks Division Manager Brock Davis. 3. NEW BUSINESS A. COVID Update “Operation Resume Play” Parks & Recreation Director Julia Jones reported that over the past two months, parks and recreations staff was busy cleaning facilities and equipment, planning and reorganizing events and leagues, rentals, etc. From a program standpoint, we think we can still schedule most of ours in if we are allowed to start in early June, but we won’t the answer to that until Phase II guidelines are released. As of now we are not policing any play going on in or outside of facilities; it is play at your own risk. Currently, the city has a hiring freeze. Recreation Division Manager Penny Williams reported a slow start when the Osage Centre opened May 4th. All staff are cleaning down high traffic areas regularly, hand sanitizer is provided at entrances/exits, fitness equipment is being cleaned after each use, protective plexi-glass screens have been installed, no sharing of equipment and no competitive play. Restrooms are open but showers are closed for now. There is no exact date to open Cape Splash as of yet until Phase II guidelines are released. Cape Splash will likely open late, but the season will be extended since school will not open in August. Recreation Division Manager Scott Williams reported the same for the Shawnee Park Center and the SportsPlex. Jr. High and High School leagues will be delayed until later this summer; softball and baseball are ready to go once we get the go-ahead; several tournaments were lost this year due to COVID19; we are tracking lost revenue at all facilities to turn in to FEMA in the hopes of getting some sort of reimbursement. Parks Division Manager Brock Davis reported that all outdoor facilities are open except playgrounds and no basketball goals are up in an effort to discourage competitive play. There will be no shelter rentals through May, but we are taking them for July and August right now. B. Liberty Corner Renovation Parks & Recreation Director reported that the American Legion, through Pete Poe, would like to renovate Liberty Corner by painting the brick a beige color. This was initially installed by the American Legion, but is Parks & Recreation property. If no objections, Julia will let Pete know it is ok. 4. REPORTS A. Parks and Recreation Project Updates i. Capaha Park / Pond, Fort D, Indian Park, Downtown Restroom , River Heritage Museum Parks Division Manager Brock Davis reported that sod has been laid at the Splash Pad; design and engineering work is being completed for Cherry Hill; the roof is being replaced on the Dan Cotner Amphitheatre; the old playground and pavilion have been demolished and staff are working with the Garden Clubs on the renovation of the Old Rose Garden; Parks & Recreation Director Julia Jones reported on the delay of the MDC Grant funding for the pond renovation. It could possibly be two years because of COVID financial issues, so we are trying to work on Plan B. B. Golf Course Advisory Board i. No report . C. Tree Advisory Board i. No report. D. Red House Interpretive Center Committee i. Director Julia Jones reported they hired PT Coordinator, Augusta Welsh to help organize events. She will be paid out of the Foundation Red House account. E. Parks and Recreation Foundation i. Membership Program - Recreation Division Manager Scott Williams reported we are ramping up the membership drive and forms are attached to all the board members’ packets. F. Council Report i. Councilman Liaison Dan Presson thanked the Parks & Recreation staff for doing a great job on shaving the costs of the new aquatic center, the Jefferson Leisure Pool. He commended everyone involved on a job well done. The city’s budget is up in the air right now because of the COVID crisis. Fortunately, we are conservative and are holding our own right now. He asked the group if anyone is aware of any issues with homeless people in Cape. Parks & Recreation Director spoke up and reported that we are having issues with our permanent restrooms with homeless sleeping in them or taking up occupancy in them making staff that cleans them or the general public using them nervous about approaching them. All agreed that the problem seems to be on the rise. Dan is starting the conversation with different agencies to come up with some solutions to the problem. G. Monthly Staff Report/Calendar Update i. Staff briefs were handed out to board members informing them of the upcoming events and projects in the Parks & Recreation Department. H. Other Items Secretary Kenneth Stilson reported that the River Campus is planning to host their Arts Festival, but it will be later in the summer and modified. They are planning on doing all their events, but they will all be pushed back. 5. OTHER BUSINESS A. Next Board Meeting The next board meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 8, 2020, at the Osage Centre. 6. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned with a motion from Pete Frazier and seconded by Tracey Glenn. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned. Submitted by: Kenneth Stilson, Secretary