BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING Park and Recreation Department 11th Floor City Hall Monday, March 10, 2008 3:30 p.m. Present: Glen Dey, Bryan Frye, Janet Miller and Tom Roth, Absent: Doug Leeper, Andy Solter and John Stevens Also Present: Doug Kupper, Director, Park and Recreation; Karen Walker, Assistant Director, Park and Recreation; Larry Foos, Superintendent of Recreation; Scott Knebel, Planning Department; Larry Ross, M.S. Mitchell, and Myca Bunch, staff. President Miller called the meeting to order at approximately 3:30 p.m. PUBLIC AGENDA Patricia Ardissone, 541 W. 26th St. South Ms. Ardissone said that she originally approached the Board October 8, 2007, to ask that they consider placing a walk-in gate at Watson Park near McLean and 27th St. South. She said that she has since received a letter from the Park Department denying her request due to the traffic study which showed that the area was deemed not safe for either a crosswalk or gate. She showed the Board several maps of the place where she would like to have a walk-in gate placed and photographs of the area. Ardissone said that the letter she received indicated that a new bike path is supposed to be constructed around this area and that this would help as they often walk through thick or tall grass. She said that she feels the area is unsafe without a crosswalk as many pedestrians cross through heavy traffic to get to Watson Park. Ardissone said that the majority of the individuals in the area are senior citizens and most of them used the old walk-in gate located where the new drive-in gate was recently built. She said that another option is to build another drive-in gate for access to the park by the Kingston Cove residents to allow pedestrians to utilize this entry. Ardissone said she feels that most pedestrians will not cross the road where the current crosswalks are located and that they will most likely cross the street where the new drive-in gate is located. Kupper said that the reason for the Board’s decision to deny the request was that Public Works did a traffic count study on the area and they did not support a cross-walk being placed in that area. Ms. Ardissone said that she understood the reasoning but would like the Board to consider the other options that she presented. REGULAR AGENDA Item 1: Approval of Meeting Minutes Motion 1: On motion by Frye, second by Dey, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED that the Board approve the February 11, 2008, Park Board minutes with the proposed changes by Frye and Dey. Item 2: New Issues for Consideration No Items Item 3A: Naming of Old Riverview Site Miller said this item was originally presented to the Board in January 2007, but a decision on naming the Park was postponed to allow for further citizen input. Miller said that the land was acquired through a trade between Earhart Elementary School and that the Park Board would like to one day create access points to the Arkansas River from this site. She said that the original naming recommendation they had was “Riverview Park” and that no other recommendations were ever provided. Motion 2: On Motion by Miller, second by Dey, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to recommend to the City Council that the land be named “Riverview Park.” Item 3B: Naming of New Park Land at 159th St. East and Pawnee Miller referenced the letter from Larry Means that was sent to the Park Board on November 25, 2007, asking the Park Board to consider naming the property purchased from his family by the City the “Means Prairie Park” and the Picnic Area “Irma’s Place.” The Board asked that Mr. Means provide additional background information on the Means Family. On January 15, 2008, Park staff received a letter with the requested information. Kupper said that the appraised value of the property came back just barely under the price at which the City purchased the land. Miller said that if the Board was not inclined to name the entire park after the Means family, one alternative could be to name the picnic area as requested. Frye said he did not see any compelling reason to name the entire park after the Means Family. He would like the Board to hold onto the Park and consider naming rights in the future. Kupper said that once the Park becomes a part of the next CIP 10-year plan, then they can begin to develop the land and do more with the Park giving them additional naming options. Roth said that he agreed and felt that if they could gain a corporate sponsor who would provide money to make enhancements to the park, then they should consider that route, too, before making naming decisions. Dey said that the Board should send some sort of appreciation letter to the Means family providing them feedback and letting them know that their request is not being dismissed at this time. Kupper said that staff would draft a letter and present to the Board for approval. Roth said he couldn’t say for sure that his City Council representative would approve this naming request just because they were the original land owners. He said that he also didn’t think she would be offended if they delayed any naming of the park at this time. Motion 3: On motion by Frye second by Dey, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to take the naming of the Means Property under consideration until funding and other conditions are right for development and opening as a City park. Item 3C. Revised Report on Cell Towers on Park Property Larry Foos presented a revised list of parks that staff recommends being removed from the map that designates where cell towers could be administratively approved. This new list also shows athletic fields that have light poles which could be co-used as a cell tower if requested. Dey asked where in Grove Park the cell tower request had been located. Foos said he originally thought the request was to place the tower at the far north end of the Park. Kupper thought that it was near the K-96 lake area. Dey said that that field is only lit for two months of the year and that there is a bench-top there to develop prairie and wildflowers and below there is a barrier of trees that seals off the view. He said he would hate to see a cell tower sticking up behind that area. Kupper said the Board could make a motion to remove Grove Park from the Cell Tower site list to prevent this from happening. Frye said he did not understand why the Board does not take advantage of light towers where they are available. He said if there needs to be a light tower in Grove Park he does not understand why the City shouldn’t allow the cell tower to be placed there and allow the City to earn the revenue. Frye said that he did not see the difference between not allowing a tower in Grove Park and allowing them in other similar parks. Dey said that they could place the tower closer to K96 and I-135 rather than placing it on park property. Miller said that she understands what Dey was saying in that he wants to keep all poles of any type close together instead of placing them alone in the middle of a park. She said the strategic master plan for Grove Park is to recreate the prairie environment and she can understand why they would not want to add the additional footage to the top of any poles already located in the park. Frye said that he is not advocating the placement of cell towers in the parks but that he does not understand why they do not make use of poles that are already located in the park and turn them into cell towers to capitalize on the revenue. Kupper said that there is already background clutter along K-96 with all of the light poles and drop down lighting. He said that placing a 120ft cell tower in a park would be very noticeable if it were the only tall structure in the area. Roth said that just because these parks are on the cell tower consideration list does not necessarily mean that they are approving towers to be placed in those parks. Frye suggested that the Board also consider adding all undeveloped parcels or parks to the list and Kupper agreed that it was probably a good idea to do this. Motion 4: On motion by Dey, second by Miller, the Board voted to add Grove Park to the eliminated cell tower site list. Motion failed 2-2. Frye and Roth – No. Motion 5:  On motion by Miller, second by Frye, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to recommend to the City Council and the MAPC that the listed park sites (see Attachment 1) be eliminated from the map as properties eligible for administrative approval of a wireless communication facility. Miller said that the Planning Director is awaiting the Park Board’s decision on this matter before they take their recommendations to the City Council. She asked if they wanted a member of the Board to address the City Council during the meeting and that she would be happy to do so. Motion 6: On motion by Dey, second by Frye, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED that the Park Board Chairperson (Miller) make the presentation to the City Council as requested. Item 4. Review of Pending Items. BMX at Emery Park – Results to be presented to the Board in April. 13th St Project – Engineering staff working on new drawings and will stake the area as requested. Off-Road Motorsports Venue – In April, staff will provide the Board with any alternate site recommendations and any official action that staff will be presenting to City Council. El Zocolo – The MOU was never signed by the El Zocolo organization. Miller reported that she thought the coalition was no longer together. Dey asked what action needed to be taken and Kupper replied nothing. Kupper said that Vice Mayor Fearey was aware of the situation. Vietnamese Memorial – The Design Council gave tentative approval to the Vietnamese Organization to move ahead and refine their design. Miller said that they are also meeting with each City Council member to determine whether or not they would approve such a memorial before they started spending money on the design development. Golf Course Overview – Frye requested that a presentation be made to the Board concerning Golf Course functions and how they are funded. Miller asked that the item be added to the tracking sheet and be presented at the May Park Board meeting. Botanica Overview – Miller suggested that the Board also be briefed on the operations at Botanica during the June Park Board meeting. Item 5. Updates from the Director and President Chisholm Creek Picnic Shelter – Kupper said that due to complications with the secondary insurance company to replace the picnic shelter, which was set on fire last year, the project will not be completed until mid-June. Chapin Park – Kupper said there were issues with the sanitary sewer line that runs through the middle of the park. There were no records of the size and dimensions of this pipe and for the past 50 years, noxious gasses have weakened the concrete. The pipe is now pressurized to keep it from further deterioration. For these reasons, they are not allowing the area to be filled over the 60” line where a crossing was supposed to be placed. Kupper said that they are going back to the consultants to make all of the appropriate changes to work around these developments. Kingsbury – Kupper said that a recommendation to select a consultant will be made soon. Miller said that she would like for the Board to have an update on the project. Kupper said that he can do so at the April meeting. Cell Tower at Linwood – The design for the cell tower exchange at Linwood was given to Mr. Ferris. Kupper said he thought Ferris was going to speak Councilmember Longwell about the site at Millbrook. ARCAP – The plan is scheduled for presentation to the DABs pending Law Department and County approval. Miller said she spoke to individuals interested in the plan and informed them that they can make comments at the DAB meetings. Built Environment and the Outdoors Summit - Miller said in September 2007 there was a conference held in Topeka to encourage communities to foster thinking about walking and other exercise and physical activities. The next conference will be held October 6-7 at the Hyatt and Century II. She said that the Park Department is hosting the 2008 conference which draws involvement from many different organizations. Mile Markers for Pathways - Kupper said they were contacted by a citizen who has offered to place mile markers on all of the pathways. He said that the citizen believes he can get funding for the project which will have apositive impact on the paths. Visoneering Recreation Alliance – Miller said that their recreation website project is still alive and that they are close to having a template complete for graphic design. She said that this site would have information on every recreation opportunity available as well as maps and blog opportunities. She said she hoped that someday citizens would be able to input any problems they find in the parks onto the website for staff to view. Item 6. Issues on the Horizon No Items. Item 7. Adjourn Miller adjourned at approximately 5 p.m. ___________________________________ Janet L. Miller, President ATTEST: _______________________________ Myca J. Bunch, Recording Secretary Cell Towers on Park Property Action Team Members: Tim Martz, Bob Gress, Larry Hoetmer, Jim Mason and Larry Foos Meeting was held on 1/10/08 at the Great Plains Nature Center. All team members were present. The first list consists of parks that are eliminated from consideration for cell tower placement and the second list consists of parks within which staff has identified one or more sites that may possibly be suitable for a cell tower.   Staff would be available to consult with cell providers on those sites. Eliminated Sites: Considered with Staff Input: Aley Park Brooks Tract Auburn Hills G.C. Cessna Park West Boston Park Heller’s Park Brownthrush Park Pawnee Prairie Park Buffalo Park South Lakes Park* Chisholm Creek Park Cessna Park East* Chisholm Greenway Grove Park * LW Clapp G. C. Evergreen Park* College Hill Park Orchard Park* Columbine Park Osage Park* Cottonwood Park West Douglas Park* Cypress Park Woodland Park North* District II Land Eastview Park *Parks that contain lighted athletic fields Edgemoor Park where consideration can be given to replacing Fairmount Park existing light poles with a cell tower. Harvest Park Claude Lambe Park Meadows Park Meridian Park Murdock Park Riverside Park System Schell Park Sim Park S. Arkansas River Greenway Southview Park Swanson Park Sycamore Park Wildwood Park Lynette Woodard Park Woodland Park South O.J. Watson Park Oak Park Board of Park Commissioners March 10, 2008 1