HomeMy WebLinkAbout8-10-06 Rec. and Parks Advisory Board Minutes
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Bozeman Recreation & Parks Advisory Board
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P.O. Box 1230 ' Bozeman, MT 5(}~
Brit Fontenot
Clerk of Commission
City Hall
Minutes of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board
August 10,2006
Present:
Board: Anne Banks, Gene Brooks, David Cook, Sandy Dodge, Chris Guy,
Sue Henning, Joanne Jennings, Cindy Mernin, Bob Wade
City: Ron Dingman, Jeff Krauss, Rick Miller
Other: Harley?, Mark Meisner, Baxter Meadows 6 and 3A; Kelly Taylor
and Catherine Kuenen, Creekwood; Judy Blackmore
The July minutes were approved as written.
There was no public comment.
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Dog Committee report and August 7 City Commission hearing
update: David reported that the commission had decided that Burke
Park will remain leash-free, verified by Jeff. Because of the length of the
affordable housing hearing, the dog committee report will be considered
on August 21. David said that it will be boiled down to three points: the
need for more enforcement, the use of the "Snowfill," and "infrastructure"
to deal with day-to-day issues. Chris stated that the MSU group will
continue to monitor use and vegetation states in Burke Park as time
permits. The graduate student monitoring transects observed 755 people
cross a transect; only one was off-trail. 60 to 70% of dogs were on-trail,
but all dogs typically remained within 5 meters of trails. There is some
impact, particularly on more fragile species, from use. Adaptations such
as fences will be recommended, as well as more leash-free areas to
spread out use.
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Mayor's report: Jeff noted the commission's unanimous approval for
keeping Burke Park's status quo. He also noted that the public comment
period is now held at the beginning of each commission meeting, with 3
minutes allotted to each speaker on any subject, whether or not it is on
the agenda. TV coverage of commission meetings, besides appearing live,
will be replayed Wednesday and Friday evenings at 5 p.m. Because of the
pressure of public items, the commission will now conduct public
hearings at all four monthly meetings, with work sessions scheduled only
as needed.
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Kenyon Drive: Jeff stated that he may reconsider his vote to make
Kenyon a through street because of neighbors' objections. Sandy asked
whether the board would have the opportunity to review development
plans if this happens: the board and PC Development went through
considerable work to provide a suitable buffer between the development
and Burke Park while still allowing a feasible lot arrangement.
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Jeff further commented on final easements in the Three Parks plan (see
Ron's report). Jeff had also visited city officials in Bend, Oregon, which
has undergone rapid development similar to Bozeman's; he would like
Bozeman and Bend (and perhaps another similar city or two) to become
sister cities. Development problems in Oregon were discussed briefly.
Sandy cited Ray Ring's recent article on 1-154 in the High Country News.
There was DO assistant city manager's report.
Committee reports:
Activities committee: Bob reported that the list of activities and
organizations had been pared down from 14 pages to 12. The website
continues to get increasing numbers of daily hits. The Bozeman Classic
race was a great success, with approximately 1200 runners participating.
500 classic T-shirts have been sent to Baghdad for an armed services 5K .
"classic" to be held on September 2. The Wind Drinkers will hold their
weekly fun run at 6:30 p.m. on Friday night, September 1, to coincide
with the Baghdad race.
Subdivision review committee:
. Diamond Estates has been postponed until September.
. Baxter Meadows phase 6: various conditions requested by the
committee had been met, mostly involving connector strips to
parks. A landscaping question remains regarding the number of
trees to be planted in the park areas and the strips. Planning staff
will determine the number for parks; the board agreed to the
proposed number in the strips. Ron stated that a well will be
required in the phase 6 park. The board approved the plan
contingent on Ron's approval of the well.
. Baxter Meadows phase 3A: About 80 trees have been added to the
open space landscaping at the committee's request. Ron stated
that an irrigation plan and well locations must be provided before
his sign-off. The board recommended approval contingent on Ron's
acceptance of these.
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. Creekwood: The park plan includes $86,000 worth of
improvements, including all required improvements plus two
pedestrian bridges, additional trees, picnic tables, benches, trash
receptacles, lighting, parking lot, signage and park pavilion. The
plan must be amended to include 4' fencing and landscaping
separating lots from dedicated parklands and open space.
Approved contingent on this amendment.
. Laurel Glen: Extension of their existing preliminaxy plat was
denied. They requested conditional approval of the park plan for
phases 2, 3 and 4 so that they can apply for preliminary plat
approval for phases 3 and 4. They agreed to commence work on
the main park to satisfy park needs for phase 2. There was some
discussion of what "conditional approval" involved, since they
apparently felt the plan might change with additional phases.
Construction waste dumping in the park has continued. The board
viewed this proposal with some skepticism. Ron will monitor action
there.
. Edgewood Townhomes: Small development short on park acreage.
Because this is a critical trail connection in the Transportation and
2020 Plans, we are exploring the possibility of a bridge over
Bozeman Creek in lieu of parkland dedication.
. Story Mill: a large, extremely dense development proposed south of
Bridger Drive between North Rouse and Story Mill roads. Jeff
stated that there are major transportation route problems that
must be solved before any plans can be considered.
. Allison: Sandy noted that this development includes important trail
connections and park location and that the developers had been
excellent to work with.
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Sandy further noted that we solved the problem of whether master plans
for parks should include only what the developer will install or possible
future amenities as well by requiring two plans, one showing the
developer's responsibilities and the other including the future amenities.
There were DO GVL T or library land task force reports.
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FOR Parks: Joanne reported that the FOR Parks group has been trying
to work with the County Parks Board but that because of its composition
(two members-at-large,the other five from the county's communities) the
Regional Park is not a major county concern. FOR Parks wants to move
the proposed dinosaur playground 300 feet for infrastructure reasons.
The buy-sell agreement for the park is still not completed. Because of
this, FOR Parks cannot spend the money they have raised for the
playground, and they stand to lose the money if the project can't be built
on schedule.
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David inquired whether the Rec Board should meet with the County
Parks Board. Joanne gave a brief history of the respective boards'
original connection, suggesting that the joint meeting is probably a good
idea but not at this point. Anne asked whether there is still a County
Trails Committee; no one seemed certain. Anne will contact Laurita
Green to find out.
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Parks Department Report: Rick had talked with JoAnn Brekhus about
Sweet Pea. She said that it had been very successful but that attendance
was down from recent years. The Park Department continues to lose
seasonal help as employees return to school or take better-paying jobs or
vacations. He and Ron want help from Human Resources to hire at least
one longer-term employee. They remain very busy, both with routine
maintenance and with problems like vandalism and graffiti. The big ugly
dirt pile at the BMX track has been graded and reseeded. Trail repair on
Hunter's Way has taken place and weed spraying has started.
Parks and Recreation Superintendent report: Ron reported that the
four kids who set the Bogert Pavilion on fire, apparently not on purpose,
have been caught. City insurance will cover the restoration of the
pavilion, although a fire sprinkler system must be installed at an
additional cost of $130,000. The city can't afford to tear the pavilion
down and construct a new one. However, if repairs aren't done
immediately on the current structure, it will almost certainly collapse
under the weight of rain and I or snow. Moved by David, approved, that
the board recommend repairing the existing pavilion. Sandy will write a
letter to that effect (attached).
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Sue expressed appreciation for the irrigation at the memorial garden.
Rick said that irrigation there and the rest of Westlake Park will soon be
automated.
The easement for a trail on the west side of Nash Spring Creek adjacent
to Sundance Springs has been completed and resolution of the deed
restriction on the Gardner Park area lot has been resolved, allowing for
the construction of a small parking lot on Gardner Park Drive.
Marwyn-Lindley letter (sent out with agenda). Sandy stated that it
would be treated as open public comment rather than an action item,
and that specific concerns were staff issues. Ron has been working with
the BSF and found them very cooperative. He added that BSF wants to
erect a sign recognizing several BSF skiers who have been Olympic team
members, national and junior national team members, etc. He suggested
placing it near the well at the south corner of the cemetery land. This .
was approved by Tim Murphy but will be brought up before the cemetery