Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-14-06 Rec & Park Minutes " .. . Bozeman Recreation & Pub Advisory Board ~r:1~" ~r-" -----' ~ ~.~ I: ~)! . .' ~ . ~ i. P.O. Box 1230 . Bozeman, MT . S9771 Brit Fontenot Clerk of Commission City Hall IIlDutea of the Recreation aDd Parb AdvIaory Board Decem.ber 14, 2006 PreMDt: Board: Teny Baldus, Anne Banks, Gene Brooks, David Cook, Sandy Dodge, Adam Frob, Chris Guy, Cindy Mernin, Bob Wade City: Ron Dingman, Jeff Krauss, Sue Harkin, Thorn White Other: Alex Phillips and Chris Budeski, Affordable Housing Task Force; Matt Ekstrom and Broce Klein, Legends at Bridger Creek; Judy Blackmore MiDut..: The minutes of the November meeting were approved as written. There was no public comment. . Ron introduced Thom White, the new city parks manager. Rick Miller is now the permanent lead parks worker. Afrordable Soaame: Bob, the liaison to the task force, introduced Alex Phillips and Chris Budeski, task force members. Alex explained that the purpose of the task force is to identify ways to make it possible for people mAking 80 to 100010 of the annual median income to buy 8. house in Bozeman. She noted that affordable housing is not the same as low- income housing, and presented infonnation on average salaries of teachers, firefighters and law enforcement officers and others, and a table showing gross annUlil and monthly incomes and maximum mortgage payments possible for people of various income levels. She noted that Bozeman is a difficult place for middle income people even to get bank financing. . eluis, an engineer and developer, explained that developers seillots, builders sell houses. To make a dwelling affordable" lot costs must be lowered. He presented a formula developed by the task force that would reduce parkland dedication by 11%; a number that would essentially split the burden of providing affordable lots between the developer and parks. In addition to smaller lots, smaller units would be necessary, with units dispersed throughout a subdivision. Other offsets for developers and builders, such as reduced impact and filing fees, were mentioned briefly . , The board had numerous questions, including homeowner's fees for park . maintenance, determination for eligibility for affordable housing, and more specific information. Ron emphasized the desirability of consolidating parkland within the development. Sandy stated that Jody Sanford's study shows that using the .03 acres per dwelling unit dedication requirement will cause the city to fall farther and farther behind in amount of parkland per person even without a further reduction for affordable housing and recommended a bond issue to buy parkland. The task force members will appear again before the board in Janwuy with more information. David will substitute for Bob as liaison at the task force's January meetings. NomtnatiDC committee for 2007 offtcen: Terry and Gene will serve again. Sandy noted that his, David's, and Sue Henning's terms expire; all will reapply for board positions. Because Kate Gardner has resigned, one additional position remains to be filled. llayor'a report: Jeff reported that the commission has adopted the Mayors' Proclamation on Global Warming. A major project for the city will be the planting of many more trees. Jeff noted that he had voted against the Peet's Hill parking lot because he believes the trail is on the wrong side of the creek, inhibiting potential building on the west side. He also . feels that the park does not need lights, reflecting neighbors' concerns. The commission is now engaged in goal-setting. They want to split public safety out from the general fund. They met with three local legislators and discussed priority items for the city, including city control over speed limits and a local option sales tax. Sandy congra,tulated the commission on the tone and conduct of Monday night's meeting regarding the placement of the Ten Commandments monument. 8ubcUvlalon review: . Legends II at Bridger Creek: Matt Ekstrom and Bruce Klein presented plans showing park and open space areas and trails. They are dedicating more than the required amount of parkland for this phase. The final plan was approved unanimously by the board. . Story Mill: Ron recommended enlarging the park area adjacent to the Boys and Girls Club by moving a road to the east. Pocket parks at points along the trail system would be preferable to isolated spots. The utility of the wetland park areas was discussed briefly, as was the desirability of the steep hillside east of Story Mill Road. No board action is necessary at this time. . . Mandeville: see comments on reverse of agenda. . '\ .... . . . Adam asked that a large city map be posted at meetings so park locations and connections would be clearer. Anne suggested that a brief session for the entire board explaining subdivision review requirements would be helpful. She and Sandy will put something together after the new year. There were no other committee reports. Park and Recreation Superintendent'. Report: Ron reported that landscape architect Shelley Engler wants to use Scotch pines instead of spruce or a deciduous species around a climbing boulder discussed earlier. There was no objection. Because of well-drilling problems, the Knolls at Hillcrest wants to use city water to inigate. Ron is opposed to this and recommended using drought-tolerant grass species rather than bluegrass. Because of problems with the size of a pump station, the Knolls wanted to have one unisex restroom at the southwest corner of Burke Park instead of two separate restrooms. Anne inquired about the possibility of compo sting toilets. Ron is also interested in the possibility and suggested that the Tuckerman Park trailhead off Goldenstein would be a good test location. Ron is meeting with Doug Chandler of Sunrise Rotary and a contractor to look at plans for the East Gallatin. Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks will require an Environmental Assessment because of the extensive nature of the plans, including installation of restrooms. New polyurethane water pipe can be used there instead of copper. Thom is working on plans for a parking lot on Tschache Lane for Rose Park. A nearby development needs a place to use cash-in-lieu and this seems appropriate. The County Fairgrounds is creating a master plan, including an additional hockey pavilion, an indoor arena with artificial turf, and a swimming pooll Recreation Department Report: Sue gave a brief history of the acquisition and development of Beall Park and the city recreation building there. Interior remodeling is about to begin. Sue, Jamie and Doreen will have offices there. The second year, the exterior and decks will be repaired and the third year windows will be replaced. The recreation and sports contact list has been revised and is now available. ~. Jamie will be holding a fun recreation Christmas party for preschoolers . and parents on December 15. Letters and phone calls from Santa will be made again by the High School Honor Society. The Swim Center pool bottom is coming up, as reported last month, and being patched as needed. The contractor will redo it free next summer. An International Synchronized Swimming clinic will be held at the pool this weekend. On February 10 and 11 a water aerobics instructor certification class will be held. Parka Department Report: Thorn reported that the city ice rinks are "on life support." Revival is dependent on weather. Rinks are closed until conditions permit re-flooding. A daily report on their condition, complete with photos, is available on the city website, www.bozeman.net. Sandy will establish a link from the activities website. Eye hooks have been installed at Bogert for hanging a curtain at the south end. Meanwhile, sod is being repacked after plowing, restrooms and dog stations are being maintained, etc. Thorn is revamping the shop for more efficiency and space. He is also retooling user group agreements to make them more consistent. Respectfully submitted, . Anne Banks . '"