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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParkRec.Minutes.06-08-2020 Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Minutes Monday, June 8, 2020 The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board held their regular meeting on June 8, 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 Beverly Evans, Board Member Penny Williams, Recreation Division Manager Pete Frazier, Board Member Lisa Seyer, Administrative Coordinator Tracey Glenn, Board Member Gunnar Knudtson, Board Member Brad Labruyere, Board Member Nicholas Snyder, Board Member Absent: David Cantrell, Anne Dohogne, Dan Presson 1. WELCOME / INTRODUCTIONS Chairman, Kevin Noel welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order. 2. OLD BUSINESS A. Approval Of Minutes Kevin Noel asked for a motion to approve the May 11, 2020 minutes. Tracey Glenn made a motion, seconded by Ken Stilson. All approved. B. Aquatics Committee Update Division Manager Penny Williams updated the Board on Cape Splash. Cape Splash opened up for River Walking/Preschool Playtime on June 1; they will open to the public on June 8. The facility will operate and 50% capacity (600 max) and will run two shifts daily through June with an hour for cleaning/sanitizing in between the shifts. A ticket system was implemented as cars pull into Osage so that when 500 tickets have been given out; those entering already know if the waterpark is at capacity without waiting in line. People seem to be cooperative and patient. The geo-tech assessment was completed May 19 at Central Pool. The full report is expected back this week of June 8. Some concerns were already shared regarding the walls, but the foundation was found to be in great shape. The pool is being painted now. RCA is using Cape Splash for team training. The goal is to open up Central Pool by the end of June. C. Splash Pad Opening Update Parks Division Manager Brock Davis reported the grand opening for the splash pad at Capaha Park is scheduled for Monday, June 15 at Noon. We will roast hot dogs; serve chips and drinks as a social after the ribbon cutting. The public is excited for it to open. Brock noted that the area is under surveillance cameras, which have already paid off from some earlier vandalism where the perpetrators were identified via the cameras. 3. NEW BUSINESS A. COVID Update “Operation Resume Play” Parks & Recreation Director Julia Jones reported that we are waiting further details on Phase II. So far, the feedback from the public has been 90% or better positive on reopening procedures. We are still waiting on the impacts from our busiest weekend this past June 6-7. Division Manager Scott Williams reported on all the activities the weekend of June 6-7. Aside from starting adult softball and travel league, there were 86 tournaments played at Shawnee and Arena Parks. The Sportsplex will be starting basketball and volleyball leagues this weekend of June 13-14. They also will be the host site for 86 tournaments from four states this weekend. Temperature checks will be done at the door before admittance into the building and arrangements are being made for as much spacing between games as possible. Grandparents are encouraged to stay away, and we are encouraging limited spectators. Players will be hand sanitizing before and after coming on and off the court. There will also be 91 three-on-three soccer teams and 57 fast-pitch teams at Shawnee the same weekend. Local hotels are thrilled to be at capacity again this past weekend of June 6-7—the first time prior to COVID. Julia added that everything we have done and put into place has been vetted through the Cape Girardeau County Health Department. B. Rose Garden Renovation Parks & Recreation Director Julia Jones and Parks Division Manager Brock Davis met with the garden club and Bowen Engineering recently regarding the garden renovations and ADA options. Both said this meeting, and the information and ideas exchanged, were received much better by the club. Things are moving along to make the gardens more accessible and manageable. 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 the Capaha Park Project is nearly done— still working on Dan Cotner Amphitheatre and the Cherry Hill Parking Lot. The pond will have to wait for the MDC grants which are on hold for at least two years. Fort D roof should be done by the end of June and ready for 4th of July activities. There were some areas of repair to the walls as they worked on the roof, but it’s going well. The Downtown Restrooms are in progress and should be installed by the end of June. They may not be turned on as they wait for Nip Kelley to finish the lines, but the structures will be installed. The River Heritage Museum is badly in need of roof repairs. Plans are underway. The Community Gardens look great. The fruit trees recently planted at Washington Park are already producing fruit. The renovations for Arena Park are being discussed and surveys are being planned. Nothing can be started yet, but we are moving ahead with plans. All the park areas are open now. The basketball goals are not up yet, but will be soon as we were catching up with mowing. B. Golf Course Advisory Board i. Parks Division Manager Brock Davis and Division Manger Penny Williams reported that the course looks fantastic. It has been packed all the time. The new electric carts are working out great. Lots of good feedback on the course. Board Member Ken Stilson commented how impressed he was with the sanitizing procedures put in place. C. Tree Advisory Board i. Board Member Beverly Evans reported they have applied for the TRIM Grant and should know something by August or early September. D. Red House Interpretive Center Committee i. Director Julia Jones reported they opened June 5-6 with a soft opening for the season. With COVID, there can only be a max of 6 people in the building, so Augusta is reworking the interpretive plan to utilize the front porch and outside more. The speaker series will kick off with Steve Belko from the Humanities Council on June 13 at 11:00 am on Missouri Statehood. E. Parks and Recreation Foundation i. Membership Program - Recreation Division Manager Scott Williams reported we are ramping up the membership drive to meet the goal set for $13,000. The Membership Sub- Committee will meet June 11 to work on final assignments. The Sponsorship Sub- Committee will be meeting June 25, and Finance will meet July 9. There is a new Planned Giving Sub-Committee that will focus on monetary donations, stocks, life insurance, real estate and memorials. The hope is to get some kind of memorial brochure into all the local funeral homes soon. F. Council Report i. Councilman Liaison Dan Presson was unable to attend the meeting but asked to thank all Parks Advisory Board members for voting. We are fortunate to live in a community that is interested in improving our streets via the new Transportation Trust Fund. 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 Parks & Recreation Director Julia Jones reminded everyone that July is Parks and Recreation Month. July 6 is Parks and Recreation Recognition Day at City Hall with the City Council Proclamation. Scott Blank will be conducting a Give-Back June 27 through August 4. Division Manager Scott Williams reported that he, Kaed Horrell, and Tony Weatherby worked with the Jefferson Elementary Principal to get a team of fourteen 7-9 year olds from South Cape into the summer league after the registration deadline. Arrangements are being made to bus them to the games. This was a joint effort with the Recreation Staff, Volunteer Coaches, and the players to make this happen and give them this opportunity to play. 5. OTHER BUSINESS A. Next Board Meeting The next board meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 13, 2020, at the Osage Centre. 6. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned with a motion from Tracey Glenn and seconded by Beverly Evans. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned. Submitted by: Kenneth Stilson, Secretary