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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParkRec.Minutes.07-13-2026 draft PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD Minutes - Draft Monday, July 13, 2026 - 5:30 p.m. Osage Centre  Meeting Room 1A  Present: Percy Huston, Chair Mary-Ann Maloney, Board Member Phillip Moore, Vice Chair Jerry Dement, Board Member John Spear, Board Member Tamara Buck, Board Member Beverly Evans, Secretary David Cantrell- City Council Liaison Lewis Jackson Hill, Board Member Darrin Bruenderman, Board Member Missy Phegley, Board Member Absent: Mark Moore Parks and Recreation Staff Present: Doug Gannon, Parks & Recreation Director Kaed Horrell, Parks Division Manager Scott Williams, Recreation Div. Manager Sherry Friga, Administrative Coordinator Josh Meyer, Recreation Division Manager Brenda Newbern, Visit Cape Manager WELCOME/INTRODUCTIONS  Percy Huston, Chair, called the meeting to order at 5:34pm on Monday, July 11, 2026 at the Osage Centre. OLD BUSINESS  Approval of May 11, 2026 Minutes – Percy Huston asked for a review of the minutes. Phil Moore motioned to approve. Jerry Dement seconded. Minutes approved.  Cape LaCroix Recreation Trail Construction and Improvements- Kaed Horrell informed the board that the widening and overlay for the trail is nearly completed. Next will be asphalt repairs. Repairs are ahead of the September completion deadline. Weather pending, the trail could possibly open by end of July. Kaed also mentioned that the mud and dirt over the trail by the Lexington Bridge and Walden Park has been addressed and currently being repaired as well.  Kaed Horrell informed the board that eight signs addressing the use of motorized vehicles on the trail have been posted throughout the trail. Those witnessing citizens using motorized or electric vehicles on the trail are to report them to the police. Kaed also let everyone know that if they see dogs being walked through the trail with no leashes to report those findings to the Cape Police as well. NEW BUSINESS A. July is National Parks and Recreation Month- “The Power of Parks and Recreation”- Josh Meyer handed out a July Calendar of events to the board members. Josh also talked about the Proclamation that Mayor Robby Guard presented to Parks and Recreation on July 6th. Josh also talked about Parks and Recreation Day held at The Osage Centre on July 8th. B. Restaurant Tax Renewal- Doug Gannon addressed the Board with information on the Restaurant Tax. Currently, this tax is 1% and paying off the Sportsplex. A committee has been formed to lead a campaign to continue this tax and increase it to 1.5%. This would help with operational costs and future expansions. Percy Huston asked when the tax initiative would be on the ballot. Doug Gannon said the current proposed date is April 2027. David Cantrell informed the Board that this is a renewal and not a new tax. C. Summer Recreation Program Update- Josh Meyer went over some of the classes and camps that are currently being offered this summer. Cape Playmo is currently going on for the next three weeks at the Arena Building. Jackson Hill mentioned his child is really enjoying the camp this week. D. Visit Cape Staffing Re-Structure- Doug Gannon announced that there is a new position coming to Visit Cape. Jeanie Muckerman has been hired as the new Destination Strategy Manager. The current administrative coordinator is no longer with Visit Cape. This position will be filled at a later date. E. Riverfest Summary- Kaed Horrell talked about the 4th of July activities that took place down at the River Front. Danny Essner received the Spirit of America Award. After the rain stopped, the crowd grew large to watch the fireworks. The committee that hosts Riverfest wants to have it on the river front again next year.  Brenda Newbern talked of the kayak group that came through during Riverfest on the Mississippi. They started off at Trail of Tears State Park and kayaked down to the river front. REPORTS/PROJECTS UPDATES A. Parks and Recreation Project Updates 1. Youth Sports Complex Phase 2- Scott Williams gave an update on the new football/soccer fields going in across from Shawnee Sports Complex. Stork Landscaping is putting in the irrigation. The lighting was placed last week. The project is scheduled to be completed by late August. Doug Gannon said there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony after completion. 2. Kiwanis Park Disc Golf Course- Kaed Horrell met with Gateway Disc Club in June along with the Semo Disc Club. They discussed the layout of the future disc golf course at Kiwanis Park. Eighteen baskets have been ordered and are scheduled to arrive in August. Baskets will be placed so that the public can try them out first before pouring concrete tee pads. 3. A.C. Brase Arena Exterior Restrooms- Kaed Horrell announced that the Semo Fair Board donated funds to remodel the exterior restrooms of the Arena Building. The Park Maintenance crew is doing the labor. The restrooms are getting new fixtures, new lighting, a heating unit, and a new coat of paint. The project will be completed in time for the Semo Fair in September. There are a few flooding concerns yet to be discussed surrounding the bathrooms. 4. FY ’27 PRS2 Projects- Doug Gannon talked of two future projects. One was Phase 3 of the Shawnee Park Sports Complex with new LED lighting for fields 1-5. This will come at a cost of about $700,000. The 2nd project is the new golf cart shed at the Jaycee Municipal Golf Course. Both of these projects will span over fiscal years 2027 and 2028. B. Golf Course Advisory Board- Josh Meyer announced that Amy McDonald is the new Golf Board Member. Josh went on to discuss more on the new golf cart shed and overlaying the upper parking lot at the golf course. The Golf Course has made over $1 million to date for 2026. David Cantrell inquired about adding a cart path usage fee. Josh confirmed that this fee is active. Doug Gannon also mentioned upgrading the Golf Pro Shop in the future. C. Visit Cape Report- Brenda Newbern gave out a spreadsheet showing hotel and restaurant receipt totals from over the years. Brenda also said that Cape currently has 50 basketball players from Canada staying for two nights before heading to Memphis. Lastly, Brenda talked of a Mountain Bike Rider, Meaghan Hackinen starting her journey here in Cape to bike to Oregon on the Golden Gravel Trail. Missy Phegley added some of Meaghan’s accomplishments and more about her journey. D. Tree Advisory Board – Jackson Hill talked on some changes that are being made to landscaping ordinances surrounding where people can plant trees on their property. There needs to be a certain amount of spacing between trees and curbs, sidewalks, and sewer and water lines. Mary-Ann Maloney inquired of who is in charge of falling tree limbs along the LaCroix Trail. Kaed Horrell let her and the group know those issues are dealt with by the Missouri Department of Conservation. E. Red House Interpretive Center Committee – Kaed Horrell let the board know that they are having trouble getting volunteers to help with The Red House. They currently only have three volunteers. The Red House Board is also down from six members to four. They are looking for more volunteers with the help of social media. F. Parks & Recreation Foundation 1. One-Person Mulligan- Josh Meyer handed out a flyer to Board Members. The event is August 8th. 2. Doggy Swim Day- Josh Meyer handed out a flyer to everyone. The event is August 22nd. 3. Spaghetti Day- Scott Williams let everyone know that Spaghetti Day is Nov. 5th. Everyone that is available is needed to volunteer for a shift. G. City Council Report – David Cantrell informed everyone that MODot and Public Works are trying to address flooding areas from the recent flash floods. City Council is also working on how to deal with panhandlers in the City of Cape. David also briefly touched on Earl Norman wanting to bring the East and West corridor connection through Cape Girardeau. This would bring the median household income up and would help Proctor and Gamble expand their production. H. Monthly Staff Report/Calendar Update –The monthly Staff Briefs were handed out. 1. Program and Event Update- Josh Meyer talked about the SPARKS program hosting a free football camp. There is also a new Jr. Lifeguard program that will be starting soon. Younger kids will have a chance to shadow the lifeguards at Cape Splash. OTHER BUSINESS A. Next Board Meeting – Monday August 10th, 2026 at 5:30 pm at the Osage Centre Room 1AB. ADJOURNMENT A. A request for motion was made by Percy Huston to adjourn the meeting at 6:46pm. Phil Moore made the motion. Lewis Jackson Hill 2nd the motion. Motioned passed. Transcribed by: Sherry Friga, Administrative Coordinator The Park and Recreation Advisory Board of the City of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, may, as a part of the regular or special Park and Recreation Advisory Board meeting, hold a closed session to discuss legal action, causes of legal action of litigation, leasing, purchasing or sale of real estate, hiring, firing, disciplining, promotion of personnel or employee labor relations, or confidential or privileged communications with its attorneys..