HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-11-08 Minutes, Rec. & Parks Bozeman Recreation & Parks Advisor% Board
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P.O. Boa 1230 Bozeman. MT �9771
Minutes of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board
December 11, 2008
Present:
Board: Terry Baldus, Anne Banks, David Cook, Sandy Dodge, Sue Henning,
Joanne Jennings, Ted Koterwas, Bill
VandenBos
City: Ron Dingman, Sue Harkin, Kaaren Jacobson, Thom White
Other: Judy Blackmore; Mary Vant Hull; Gary Vodehnal, GVLT
Minutes: The November minutes were approved as written.
Public Comment:
Mary Vant Hull expressed her appreciation to Sue Harkin, Terry, Joanne and
Anne for their contributions. She also made a pitch for the Dinosaur
Playground to be constructed at the Regional Park in June; volunteers and
funds are needed. People can buy fence pickets for $45 each, to be inscribed
with names as desired.
Gary Vodehnal also expressed his thanks to Sue, Joanne and Anne, all of whom
are retiring at the end of December, Anne and Joanne as board members and
Sue as Recreation Superintendent.
Board member recognition: Sue also recognized outgoing board members Ted,
Joanne and Anne, with large plants and certificates of appreciation.
Committee reports:
• PROST amendments: Sandy presented a letter of support (attached) for
Marianne Amsden and the GallEP equestrian group's proposed
amendments to the PROST plan. It was approved by the PROST
committee.
• Subdivision Review: Sandy reported that the Meadow Creek developers
are still trying to get reorganized for an extension of their preliminary
plat; the subdivision review committee will probably meet next Friday to
look it over.
• The Rosa developers have not fulfilled their parkland improvement
requirements from 2005; Thom, Dave Skelton and an engineer for the
project made a site visit and reviewed the eight items that need to be
addressed.
• Park Improvement Grants: Thom is putting together a Power Point
presentation demonstrating how the grants have helped to improve the
city.
• FOR Parks: Joanne reported that the group will also make a Power Point
presentation to the board next month.
Liaison Report: Gary Vodehnal reported on GVLT projects: the Drinking Horse
Mountain trail and bridge and the Snowfill, which had a sledding fundraiser
recently.
Gary also presented maps of a proposed trail along the West College Ave. right-
of way between South Black and a branch of the Gallagator linear park. He
hopes to align the trail so as to overcome the objections of three of the four
neighboring condo owners. Moved by Terry, passed, that the board support
Gary's proposal.
Mayor's Report: Kaaren commented on several items:
Cowdrey Towers: Many objections to the development were raised at the
commission meeting. Its parkland dedication requirement is approximately six
acres. The board felt that the six acres should be all in one piece and that it is
desirable to install park improvements at the same time as project
infrastructure. No parkland was shown on the preliminary plat. Sandy will
discuss this with Brian Krueger, the planner in charge.
Cooper Park: The commission has received many aggrieved letters and emails
from dog owners who want the park to be leash-free. Board members had
divergent opinions on the subject. David reminded Kaaren of the extensive
report from the Dog Committee, which the commission has ignored.
Horse use of city trails: Kaaren felt this would be a "hard sell."
Swim Center: Some Park Improvement Grant funds were used to replace the
air handler.
Story Mansion: About one-third of financing for continued improvements must
be raised privately. Mandy Drysdale and an interested group are working to set
up a public charity for the purpose. It will be completely separate from the city.
Park and Recreation Director's Report: See attached report. Ron passed out
maps showing the location of land to be "declared" as parkland at the base of
Peet's Hill. There was considerable discussion of the legal ramifications of
"declaring" parkland vs. dedicating it.
Ron wants to meet with Sandy, local legislators JP Pomnichowski and Bob
Hawks, city attorney Bob Planalp and Kaaren about legislation to change the
state statutes determining how cash-in-lieu of parkland is valued.
Park Superintendent's Report: See attached report. Thom also noted that
there will be a telephone hotline for daily ice rink reports rather than website
information because the current city IT setup can't be updated daily. The
website will show the hotline number.
Recreation Department Report: Sue reminded the board of the holiday party
at Terry's on Monday, December 15. Swim Center holiday programs are set, and
pre-schoolers have been enjoying programs at Beall Park The Beall Park
building had its final inspection today. Sue noted that an oven and granite
countertop were installed instead of a very costly hood and stovetop. The
Lindley Center remodel is also complete. Sue will spend her last two weeks
covering for employees who must be elsewhere.
Other: Ted and Anne expressed their appreciation for their fellow board
members and city staff and opportunity to serve on the board.
Respectfully submitted,
Anne Banks
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