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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-07-2008 Parks and Recreation Advisory Council Minutes PARK& RECREATION ADVISORY COUNCIL February 7, 2008 In attendance: Duane Taber, Chairman, Mike Mathews, Curt Shaw, Edmon Daniels, Rebecca Francik and Stacy Estes. Staff. Stan Strebel, Administrative and Community Services Director, Paul Whitemarsh, Recreation Services Manager and Dan Dotta, Facilities Services Manager. The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. and the minutes of the December 6 meeting were approved as presented. STAFF REPORTS Recreation Paul reported that things are busy at the King Center with indoor soccer and basketball. Cyberstop continues to be busy and Paul is pleased to report there have been no behavior problems whatsoever at the center. Youth basketball is underway with 40 teams participating (the most that we have ever had). Scheduling for the softball complex this year is brisk with a tournament scheduled every weekend from March through July, either softball or baseball. The Cable Bridge Run last December was the largest ever with more than 2,000 participants. The spring brochure will be published on February 19. Facilities Dan reported on a number of maintenance activities. The tree seminar was recently held in Richland. Several Groundsman have received pesticide or herbicide certification and/or training. The City is continuing to update its tree inventory and draft recommendations for amendments to the tree ordinance. PROJECT UPDATE Stan reported on ongoing projects. The seating and scoreboard improvements to the Baseball Stadium are underway with bids expected shortly for the seating improvements. The Chiawana Park lease has been approved and the Corps of Engineers is making progress on completing the dock repair. That should be done by the end of February. The Road 54 boat launch by Franklin County is also underway and should be completed possibly in March. The Corps has forwarded to the City a lease agreement for the Phase II section of the Sacajawea Heritage Trail. The lease document includes the approval of trail construction plans, so staff is busy trying to complete the plans to get them out for bid soon. The City will be undertaking some improvements at the Library this year; replacement of windows and possibly improving some of the wiring infrastructure to accommodate more computers. A new access road and an additional acre of the Cemetery will be developed in the coming year, as well as improvements to the Little League parking lot at Walters Field and Boothe Park. Staff anticipates adding additional trails and improving the parking lot at Volunteer Park with the possibility of adding a covered pavilion. Stan discussed the concept of credit card fees and internet business for the City. He indicated that currently the City is charging a convenience fee for the use of credit cards, which may be a deterrent to some users. There was a general discussion about the costs involved with the use of credit cards and the internet. The Advisory Council was asked to make a recommendation on whether alcohol should be allowed at the Senior Center for special, private events. Staff explained that in the event alcohol were to be approved, tenants would have to provide additional security, as well as a larger deposit and insurance, which can readily be purchased through WCIA, the City's insurance pool. The City of Richland allows alcohol use at their mutli-generational community center. Several other centers in the state allow use with adequate cautions. Problems seem to be few. The Center has experienced a decrease in revenues over the years as tenants (ALTC)previously renting at the Center are no longer there. Additionally, the Senior Center Association and the Golden Hour Club pay lower rent amounts making it more difficult for the senior fund to cover expenses associated with maintaining the Center. This could provide for a greater revenue source as the Center would likely be used more often for weddings, family gatherings and other private events. Following a brief discussion, a motion was made to recommend to the City Council that it allow limited alcohol use (beer and wine) at the Senior Center with appropriate protections for the City. Stan reported briefly that the Pool Committee has nearly completed its work and is expected that it will be forwarding a letter of recommendation to the City Council in the near future. Duane Taber briefly discussed with the committee whether they felt the community would support an increase in the level of activity at Memorial Park on the 4th of July with more activities for after the parade, in conjunction with the Pancake Breakfast. With there being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m.