HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 8/17/1997 - Parks and Recreation Committee �
PARKS AND RECREATION CONIIriITTEE
MINUTES
August 27, 1997
Parks Comm:�ttee Members : Bill Baird, Chairman; Andy Glab and
Steven Mur<�atroyd arrived at 7 : 14p.m.
Others Present : Mayor Steven Cuda, City Administrator Lobaito,
City Clerk Althoff, Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel, and
Alderman Bolger arrived at 7 : 13p.m.
Parks and Recreation Chairman Alderman Baird called the meeting
to order at_ 7 : 07p.m.
Chairman Baird stated the first agenda item was to continue the
discussion on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, specifically
the feasibility of constructing and operating a
Recreation/Community Center. Chairman Baird also noted the need
for public input and ideas . He suggested a committee of
interested city residents be created.
Director Merkel noted the Parks and Recreation Master Plan can be
divided into two distinct categories; Indoor Facilities and
� Outdoor Facilities . He stated existing outdoor facilities also
needed to be evaluated for repair and/or renovation.
Mayor Cuda suggested the architectural firms previously
interviewed in 1994 and 1995 be contacted again. Intrviews could
be scheduled with two or three of these firms and the committee
could become better educated with regard to financing options,
public input procedures as well as standard recreational center
designs .
Alderman Bill Bolger arrived at 7 : 13 p.m.
Alderman Steven Murgatroyd arrived at 7 : 14 p.m.
Discussion continued. City Administrator Lobaito concurred with
Mayor Cuda' s suggestion noting public input might be better
coordinated after the committee had a stronger concept of
financing and design options.
Alderman Baird suggested the next newsletter solicite preliminary
input, asking the community at large what types of activities and
amenities might be desirable . The committee concurred and
directed City Clerk Althoff to include such an article in the
October newsletter. Director Merkel referenced the attitude and
interest survey conducted in 1990 . He noted the results of this
study were still valid. These results supported the need and
�- desire for a recreational center.
Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes
August 27, 1997 '�
Page Two
Alderman Murgatroyd stated any recreational plans should account
for existing programs and services . He stated currently park
programs are conducted in numerous locations throughout the city.
Alderman Glab opined a recreational center should serve the whole
community with a family orientation.
It was the consensus of the committee to direct staff to schedule
interviews with two architectural firms, one prior to September
22, 1997 and one the first week of October. Chairman Baird
suggested additional time be scheduled at the end of the second
interview session in October providing the committee with an
opportunity to discuss the next step.
Alderman Glab noted expertise from the community should be
solicited. Alderman Bolger expressed concerns with the
operational costs of such a facility and suggested a percentage
of the city' s retail sales tax dollars be allocated for the Parks
and Recreation Department .
Some discussion occurred regarding the offer by the Cunat
Brothers to construct a recreational facility and lease it back .,.�
to the city on a lease/purchase basis .
In response to committee inquiry City Administrator Lobaito noted
site selection would most likely be a separate process as
consideration of access points, utilities, and numerous other
issues need to be reviewed and analyzed. Director Merkel also
noted the necessity and desirability of choosing a location near
existing outdoor facilities in the event of inclement weather,
staffing, etc.
Discussion followed regarding obtaining community input . The
committee recommended the next city newsletter be utilized to
solicite preliminary ideas and volunteers for any possible
committees. Director Merkel suggested open commu:�ity meetings be
considered as well .
Chairman Baird stated the need to bind the recreational center
with the Parks and Recreation Master/Capital Development Plan to
permit the implementation of the balance of the Master/Capital
Development Plan if determination is made by the committee not to
pursue the development of a recreational facility. Chairman
Baird also opined binding the recreational facility and the
Master/Capital Development Plan to each other permits the
opportunity to inform the community of future plans for the
city' s parks . '
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Parks and Recreation Committee Minutes
August 27, 1997
�- Page Three
Chairman B��ird recognized city resident, Mrs . Valerie Hobson.
Mrs . Hobsori addressed the committee expressing her interest in
developing a recreational center for the community. She informed
council hei� idea of a recreational center would be to provide
activities for everyone in the family including seniors .
Alderman Bc�lger suggested other facilities be contacted for input
and suggest:ions . Alderman Glab suggested consideration be given
to leasing space to commercial entities .
Director Merkel drew the committee' s attention to the article
attached to the agenda supplement regarding recreational centers
and recommended the committee peruse its contents .
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Knox Park Handicap Accessibility
Director Merkel reported a letter had been received regarding the
absence of a handicapped access to Knox Pool . Director Merkel
noted the difficulty of installing a permanent access because of
the pool' s current construction and activities . The purchase of
� equipment faciliting handicap access is recommended. Some
discussion followed. City Administrator Lobaito informed the
committee this item will be included in the 1997-98 budget for
council approval . The committee stated approval of this action.
Proposal for Engineering Services
Director Merkel referred the committee to the copies of the
engineering service proposals from Smith Engineering for the
North Oak Park and Pebble Creek playground. The proposals
include services for final engineering and bid specifications for
the projects . Some discussion followed with regard to street
parking and the apparent overflow of cars in these neighborhoods,
specifically North Oak Park. City Administrator Lobaito noted
the absence of a parking lot at these park locations was due in
fact to the idea that the parks were to be neighborhood parks .
He suggested this issue be addressed when park land is donated to
the city, perhaps parking should be provided by the developer.
In response to Alderman Murgatroyd' s inquiry regarding the
difference in budgeted price per park for development yet the
same cost for the engineering services, City Administrator
Lobaito noted the scope of the design, engineering and bid
specifications were the same regardless of the size of the
project .
�
Parks and Recreation Committee Minutes
August 27, 1997 �
Page Four
Motion by Murgatroyd, seconded by Glab, to recommend to full
council the approval of the engineering service proposals by
Smith Engineering for the engineering, design and bid
specification development for the North Oak Park and Pebble Creek
Park in the amount of $4 , 060 .
Voting Aye : Baird, Glab, Murgatroyd
�'oting Nay: None
Absent : None
Motion carried.
Director Merkel noted the playground equipment desired for
purchase for these parks is manufactured by several entities with
a wide discrepency of material type and durability. He suggested
the committee recommend to full council the waiving of the bid
process and approval for a Request for Proposal purchase approach
for this playground equipment . Director Merkel stressed the need
for commercial quality equipment as oppose to the retail backyard
variety equipment .
Project Update
Director Merkel provided an update on the following projects : ..�
Fort McHenry Washrooms-the brick work is completed, roof
framing and shingling will be completed next week. All
materials are now in and completion is anticipated within
the next 30 days .
Brookside Park Turf Establisment-the grading has been
completed and seeding will be done on Friday and Saturday,
August 29th and 30th. The grant has been submitted and
hearings are scheduled for mid-October. Director Merkel
is hopeful the City will be successful this year.
Bleacher and Picnic Table Installation-picnic tables and
bleachers have been delivered and installed. The older
equi�ment was moved to Knox Park for continued use .
Roofing of the three Picnic Shelters-the two shelters
located at Petersen Park will be reroofed with fiber
glass shingles . Every effort will be made to match the
reroofing at Veteran' s Park with the gazebo roofing to
maintain symmetry and consist aesthics . It was noted if the
project cost is over the 1997-98 budgeted figure, the
project will be rebudgeted for the 1998-99 fiscal year.
Parking Lot Resurfacing at Lakeland and Petersen Park-
this project is tentatively scheduled for late fall, 1997 or
early spring, 1998 . '�,
Parks and Recreation Meeting Minutes
August 27, 1997
`— Page Five
Green Street Park-work began Monday, August 25 and the brick
paver sidewalk is completed. Planting will be done in the
fall �ahen the weather is more appropriate . City
Admin=_strator Lobaito also noted the city had contacted the
propei�ty owner to the east and attempts will be made to
coordwnate this project with his property. Director Merkel
inforned the committee that Mark Justen of Justen Funeral
Home has pledged a donation of four trees, the Polish Legion
has pledged the purchase of a memorial bench.
City Clerk Althoff was directed to send a letter of thanks to
landscaper pon Heinz for his donation at Hickory Creek Farm and
Green Street Park.
PARK CON�IITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE
Director Merkel recommended the committee establish regular
meeting dates for the balance of the fiscal year. Some
discussion followed. The committee instructed Director Merkel
and Chairman Baird to develop a schedule for the committee' s
future review.
� Motion by Murgatroyd, seconded by Glab to adjourn the meeting at
8 :35 p.m.
Voting Aye : Baird, Glab, Murgatroyd
Voting Nay: None
Absent : None
Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 8 :35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
��--�_ �
Chairman William Baird
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