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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-11-10 Minutes, Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Bozeman Recreation & Parks Advisory Board P.O. Box 1230 ·Bozeman, MT·59771 Minutes of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board March 11, 2010 Present: Board: Terry Baldus,Sue Henning, David Cook, Betty Stroock, Sandy Dodge, Julie Zickovich, Bill VandenBos, Bob Wade, Jared Nelson, Chris Guy City: Carole Brennan, Ron Dingman, Thom White, Sean Becker Minutes: The minutes of the February 11, 2010 meeting were approved as written. Public Comment: No public comment was given. A Special Presentation - Citizens for Leash-free South Side Dog Parks declared off-leash. Their proposal included Tuckerman, McLeod, and Gardner Parks. Eight members of the public spoke in favor of the proposal. Various approaches to handling the proposal were discussed by the Board. A committee consisting of Bill VandenBos, Bob Wade, Julie Zickovich, David Cook, Chris Guy, Betty Stroock, and Jared Nelson was formed to work with the group. There was general consensus that a further, more detailed proposal be put forth by the group. Gallatin County Recreation Initiative: no report was given. Committee Reports: Subdivision Review: Dave Skelton from the Planning Department came to help explain some ongoing issues with several developments that have been experiencing financial difficulties. The Meadow Creek Subdivision on S19th has splintered into four different ownership groups. A bank now owns the section that was the original phase 1. Their parks are complete and sufficient for their dedication requirement. Development of the remaining three phases has been difficult. Dave explained that a critical component of the original plan was the main park area called Miller Park. It would be calamitous if the three remaining phases were replatted, each with their own smaller parks, and the main park was lost. He stressed that the new ownership groups must cooperatively contribute to development and maintenance of the main park. Laurel Glen subdivision in the northwest quadrant has been an ongoing concern for more than ten years. Phases 1 and 2 are nearly built out but are far short of their required parkland. The commission has required that they complete the proposed park in an area west of Baxter Creek before they can start work on phase 3. Their park plan has been approved and some work has been done on the park. Their preliminary plat approval will expire in April. Dave explained that they would need to provide a financial guarantee that this work be completed by the end of this summer in order to get an extension. Discussion ensued on the advisability of considering parkland as infrastructure, where park development must be completed before building permits will be issued. Liaison Reports: Bob Wade reported that Bike to Work Week is set for May 17-21. The Bike Swap is set for April 16-17 at the fairgrounds. Terry Baldus, Chairperson of the Park Improvement Grant committee, reported that the deadline for the current grants is March 26. She will scan in the proposed grants and send them to committee members. The committee will have a report at the next Board meeting. Julie, Chris, Betty, Thom, Jared and Terry will review the applications and bring back a recommendation. This group will make sure there are no conflicts with applications. Gallatin Valley Land Trust Updates Sandy Dodge reported that the GVLT executive director Stephen Johnson has resigned to pursue other interests. Recreation Division Report - Carole Brennan presented the Recreation report. Carole reported that  Jamie, Recreation Manager is back from her leave. She said at the Swim Center they have just finished lifeguarding classes, put in new doors on the West side, put in new lane lines, installed window coverings to reduce glare on pool surface, and remodeled the office area. In regards to Summer Programming, she said that the first draft of the brochure has been received from the Chronicle. It will th be published March 29 and 18,000 will be sent out, 2,000 given out to the Recreation Department, and that the Recreation Department will purchase an additional 2,000. Adult Programming will include Bird Watching, Kickball, Kayaking, and Pre & Post Natal Water Fitness. Carole then reported that T-Ball Sign-ups will be occurring soon and that the Recreation Department will be sponsoring the Summer Camp Round-up this year that will have 40 providers who will be present to allow one stop shopping for summer activities for parents who need activities for their children in the summer. Next she reported that there will be music and movement classes for preschool children and an Easter Egg Hunt on April 3 with 9,000 eggs. Parks Division Report Thom White Ice rinks are done for t Bogert went fairly well, yet BAHA has indicated they will not be back next year- they will try and put them up at the Haynes Pavilion. At present time, we do not have the $20,000 they want for the boards. Crews are busy with snow removal, shop projects (garbage racks, totems, benches and picnic tables) prepping equipment for the spring and summer and continue to see an increase in dog station maintenance and garbage collection. The deadline for PIG applications has been extended to March 26. With the commission and staff formalizing the program through a resolution, we had too small of a window to advertise (less than a month) - so we logically extended the deadline because we were into February before the commission approved the program. I presented the tentative FY 11 budget to Chris, Anna and Chuck, along with a few commissioners. In a nutshell, we kept the operating budget the same as last year- even though, we are expanding to take on a more active role at Rose Park, Story Mansion and the East Gallatin. It was also noted that we, in Parks, Just as a point of reference, the operating budget (no capital or personnel) has shrank by over $94,000 since 2007. User group agreements are being worked on for spring and summer- some of the groups we negotiate the YMCA. Ron Dingman Ron Dingman did a budget presentation to board. Recently he has been working on CTEP $160,000 that will be used in Bozeman. For Your Information Bill VandenBos requested that board members read the RPAB report on dogs written by David Cook, Bob Wade and others a couple of years ago. Additionally, he requested that Board members read the Gardner, Tuckerman, and McLeod Park Master Plan document, with particular attention to the dog issue brought forward by the off-leash proponents. There was also a discussion of public recognition for volunteers in many areas that help make our parks successful. Thom White will put together a thank you for publication. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm.