HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-13-11 Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Minutes Bozeman Recreation &Parks Advisory Board
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P.O. Box 1230 Bozeman, MT 59771
Minutes of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board (RPAB)
October 13, 2011
Meeting was called to order at 7:05pm by William VandenBos.
Present:
Sandy Dodge, Ron Dingman, Chuck Winn, David Cook, Sue Henning,Tawnya Storm, Sean Becker, Betty Stroock,
Dan McCarthy, William VandenBos,Thom White,Julie Zickovich, Bob Wade, Lucia Stewart,Jared Nelson,Jamie
Saitta.
Minutes: 8 September 2011 minutes were unanimously approved.
Public Comment: Tony Thatcher, Master Swim Team and Director of Swim Club, provided his support in the
Aquatic Center decision process and is acting as a soundboard for ideas.
Jade Sobek, Bozeman Barracudas, supports the aquatic facilities. Currently with 115 swimmers, they are at their
limit of what they can provide in skill and classes due to lack of adequate space to operate.
Committee Reports:
Subdivision Committee: (Sandy Dodge): No report.
Park Improvement Grants: (David Cook) It was expressed that there should be a full committee that is formed in
support of the$50k Parks Improvement Grant that is currently being discussed. Ron Dingman stated that this will
tie into the Parks and Recreation Department report to the City of Bozeman.The idea of a committee and Parks
Improvement Grant should be on the Jan/Feb agenda.
GLUT Report: (see attached report) David Cook presented for GVLT.
Noted: (Bob Wade)The GVLT Trails Committee is updating the Bozeman Trails Map; if anyone wants to proof or
review, they are welcome to.
Parks Department Report: (Thom White) (see attached report)
Parks& Recreation Director's Report: (Ron Dingman) Currently the Recreation Superintendent is a vacant
position, and the decision to not fill this position is based on the budget= "vacancy savings." Ron is
recommending they fill this position as soon as possible since there may be a gap in management when the
Director retires or leaves.
Regarding Recreation and Aquatics Facilities: In FY13 there was$382,000 assigned to fixing and maintaining the
current facilities. It was decided that rather than play"fix-it and catch-up," that a priority was to do a Needs
Assessment and get a true reading on the current facilities to know if the Parks and Recreation Department is
going in the right direction.
Conducted by a consulting firm, the Needs Assessment will take a look at the entire city's facilities, as well as,
private, public, schools, Montana State University; engage focus groups; and make use of surveys and interviews
with the public.The 2007 PROST Plan provided a basic assessment of the residents' desires, but the Needs
Assessment will drill down deeper into developing not only the facilities, but also the programming that supports,
and is supported by,the facilities.
This is vital in order to design the facility, collaborate with potential private/public partners and take a complete
set of plans to the voters to ask if they are willing to pay for this facility.
This is a $62,000 assessment. If everything goes smoothly, the needs assessment should be completed in 5—6
months. The Request for Proposals is currently out to find a consultant, with the hopes of completing the
assessment by June 2012.
City Commissioner Perspective: (Sean Becker) It was emphasized that the consultant should be sure to balance
discussion with focus group meetings, public forum meetings, as well as discussions with user groups. He also
noted that in order for this project to be financed, such as with a mill levy, this Needs Assessment is vital in order
find out what the community wants so we can go to the voters with the best facility for the least amount of
money that serves us for the next 30+years.
It was noted that there may need to be a committee from the Parks & Recreation Board when the consulting firm
arrives at the public input section of their assessment.
Update from the Bozeman Recreation Department: (Jamie Saitta)The Fall programs are in full swing. The staff
is working on fees for adult programs and exploring potential partner organizations. Adult program fees will be
brought to the Recreation & Parks Advisory Board for their review and input.
(Dan McCarthy)The gas line is currently scheduled to be replaced at the pool.The swim lessons for the Fall are
full. A new online registration, available for all programming should launch shortly.
FYI: Bridger Ski Swap is 1St weekend in November.
Ron Dingman reported there will be a deck installed at Lindley Center,thanks to a $25k CIP funding.
Meeting adjourned at 8:32p.m.