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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-14-13 Recreation and Parks MinutesBozeman Recreation & Parks Advisory Board P.O. Box 1230 · Bozeman, MT · 59771 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: David Cook, Chairperson Sandy Dodge Alan Engelbart Bob Wade Matthew Parsons Richard Shanahan John Soderberg Beth Thorsen Absent: Liz O’Donnell Steve Roderick Salal Huber McGee Julie Zickovich Lee Poole Carson Taylor, Commission Liaison Gary Vodenhal/Kelly Pohl, GVLT Liais CITY STAFF PRESENT: Mitch Overton, Director of Parks & Recreation Thom White, Parks & Cemetery Supt. Dan McCarthy, Aquatics Manager Item #1 – Approve February 12, 2013 meeting minutes:  Changes had been previously submitted, no further changes were requested Motion: Board member Dodge motioned to approve the February 12, 2013 minutes as presented. Board member Wade seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. General Comments: Welcome back to Beth – Isaac is now 2 months old. Chairperson Cook cancelled Maddy Pope’s presentation due to absences related to Spring break. It will be moved to the April meeting since there is no time pressure on this issue at this time. Committee Reports:  Subdivision Review – Sandy Dodge:  provided background information on Annie Cottages subdivision  hard to see a benefit to any small incremental increase to the small park there at the expense of already small adjacent lots.  recommend cash in lieu, which could be put toward Oak Spring park in the neighboring subs  no vote is needed now – Chairperson Cook reinforced that we don’t want tiny parks, especially with the Parks & Trails Bond money – Sandy agrees – Mitch Overton clarified the cash in lieu policy for the board  the park currently recommended for Annie Cottages is the existing .6 acres in the middle of the subdivision  Laurel Glen subdivision – sold land north of Durston and east of Laurel Pkwy. now called “Westbrook”  Laurel Glen has not followed the city’s recommendation on parkland – the last communication with developers was “see you in court”  The current Laurel Glen park is North of Annie St and the proposed Westbrook park would be south of Annie, creating a potentially dangerous crossing for kids between the two parks – also talk of a trail that follows Baxter Creek  Park Improvement Grants – Thom White:  $75,000 in grants, 9 applications submitted on time, $136,000 requested  Thom made his recommendations and discussion and questions followed.  The following grants were approved:  Bozeman Sunrise Rotary Club-$25,000 for beach expansion and renovation of the existing irrigation system around the buildings and the volleyball courts at the East Gallatin Recreation Area  GVLT-$6,900 for Bozeman Pond trail projects which include 900 feet of new trail, resurfacing 600 feet of trail East of the pond  Gallatin Valley Skate Assoc/Optimists Club-$13,000 for improvements and expansion of the existing skateboard park at Kirk Park  Bozeman Baseball-$6,000 to replace existing infield dirt with crushed granite  Girls Fastpitch and Stealers Softball-$4,000 to replace existing infield dirt with crushed granite  SLAM and Friends of the Park-$8,000 for design and installation of a water fountain for Beale Park  Two requests were denied at this time after discussion:  Bozeman Creek Enhancement Committee had requested $20,000. This was denied to lack of specifics regarding what the money would be spent for, as well as concerns regarding timely use of the money within the generally one year time. There were other concerns regarding the uncertainly of Bogart Pool activity in the near future. It was recommended that perhaps this request should be placed with the Park and Trails Bond requests.  Baxter Meadows HOA requested $11,780 for improvements and landscaping in their park. It was felt that Park Improvement Grant money is not to be used to pay for parks, which have not been built by developers as required. Motion: Board member Wade motioned to approve the 2013 Park Improvement Grant recommendations presented by Superintendent White. Board member Engelbart seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Interchange Festival Update  Thom White – Tate Chamberlain was supposed to speak tonight but is a “no-show”  Clarifications on Chamberlain’s company – he is a private promoter  Chamberlain has addressed everything but the issue of noise in the adjacent neighborhoods  Superintendent White expressed his disappointment that Chamberlain did not show Adopt-A-Park Program Chairperson Cook spoke about a partnership with the Beautification board to help facilitate an Adopt-A-Park program that would help communities surrounding parks to organize cleanups, beautification, etc. No action required right now – we will discuss at a future board meeting. Aquatics Facilities PUBLIC COMMENT Two speakers in support of the need for more aquatics facilities for all kinds of activities, especially competitive swimming. Mention of a great partnership with Dan McCarthy but there is only so much we can do with existing facilities. There needs to be two pools so there is a place for warm up and cool down. Chairperson Cook recommends that the swim clubs attempt to raise matching funds for facilities and there is mention that the swim clubs have a proven track record of raising funds in excess of $10,000 in just a couple months. BOGERT POOL  Chairperson Cook emphasizes we should not be concerned with the funding or politics of the aquatic facilities; rather we should be focused on what the community needs in terms of facilities.  Dan McCarthy presented architectural drawings of a new splash pad to replace the existing Bogert Pool. Demolition of existing pool, new parking, landscaping, splash pad would cost approximately $1.15 million and would be a free park amenity. NEW OUTDOOR POOL  32,000 sq ft. total with 10,000 sq ft. of water area.  Concession stand would help turn a profit  Two projections – Sub Committee through local contractors - $1.33 million & $2.22 million for Associated Pools out of North Dakota  Includes two pools – deep and a shallow pool with a beach-like entry for young children to learn how to swim and a lazy river  Lazy rivers become a regional draw – this is what communities want in an outdoor facility  Where will this go? A few options, but only the County Fairgrounds is viable right now – we should talk to community members about what they think of a pool at the Fairgrounds NEW INDOOR FACILITY  2 options – Large and Small  Large facility would include 4,500 sq ft. lap pool (8 lane x 25 yd) and a leisure pool for warm up/cool down or concurrent activities, deck area of 4,215 sq ft. and total building of 23,400 sq ft. at a cost of $5.27 million (Subcommittee) or $3.93 million (Associated Pools)  Small Facility would include 3,375 sq ft. lap pool (6 lane x 25 yd) and leisure pool with a total building area of 20,475 sq ft. at a cost of $4.6 million (Subcommittee) and $3.4 million (Associated Pools)  For both indoor and outdoor facilities, the costs were comparable both between the subcommittee and Associated Pool projections and between the large and small indoor facilities – anywhere from $5.6 million to $6.6 million.  Considerations – indoor/outdoor pool would have a glass wall that separated them, better efficiency technology for heating/cooling, will continue to make small improvements at the existing Swim Center in the city budget, like making the restrooms ADA accessible, the YMCA’s plans should have no bearing on what we’re doing. John Soderberg is on the Y’s board as well and he says that the Y will continue to look to the city for partnerships. SWIM CENTER Dan reported that the Swim Center will not require major infrastructure costs at this time but will be maintained and improved with standard budgeting and operational management. Parks & Recreation Department  Director Overton submitted FY14 operating budgets to the city  The City of Bozeman passed an ordinance to organize a committee for the Parks & Trails Bond funding – should be appointed by April 15th  Parks Department added 1 FTE to manage the bond funding issues  Several new recreation activities planned and the Summer Activity Guide will be out next Sunday Parks & Trails Bond Committee Member Director Overton and Chairperson Cook discuss recommending one person from the Recreation and Parks Board to serve on the Parks & Trails bond committee. This person needs to be respected and known by the community and dedicated to the cause. Sandy Dodge is recommended. Motion: Board member Shanahan motioned to approve Sandy Dodge as the Parks & Recreation representative on the Parks & Trails bond committee. Board member Engelbart seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. FYIs Chairperson Cook - Special thanks to Dan McCarthy and Thom White for all their hard work in preparing for the meeting. Sandy Dodge – board members should look at the Parks & Recreation website (infobozeman.com) and verify contact information Director Overton – Monday begins this year’s cost share program for boulevard trees – must be 1.5” thick or greater - $50 cost per tree for residents – 125 trees total for the year Meeting Adjourned at 9:30something.