#13 BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING Monday, December 11, 2000 Present: June Bailey, Joe McLeland, M.S. Mitchell, Trix Niernberger, Leon Robinson, William Sanders, and Joe Todd Absent: James Johnston Also Present: Matt Jordan, City Manager's Office; Doug Kupper, Leah Hoffman, Larry Hoetmer, Kirk Zoellner, and Maryann Crockett (staff) President Mitchell called the meeting to order at approximately 3:30 p.m. The minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 13, 2000, were reviewed and approved. 1. Discussion of Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and 2002 Budget process. Requested by M.S. Mitchell. Mitchell said he had received information that the District Advisory Boards (DAB) had been provided information on the CIP. He requested that each board member be furnished CIP information as it relates to their respective Districts or, if possible, a copy of the entire CIP budget. With regard to the Park and Recreation Department operating budget, he stated that he would like to see the Board be given an opportunity to make comments and recommendations as well as ask questions about the overall budget process. Director Kupper introduced Matt Jordan from the City Manager's Office, explaining that Jordan was the Chairman of the CIP Committee. He said the Committee reviewed the 2001 CIP, making changes and revisions to "fast track" several projects associated with the tourism initiative. He said the ten-year CIP will be reviewed next spring and at that time, the Board will be given an opportunity to provide input. Director Kupper then introduced Kirk Zoellner, Assistant to the Director of Park and Recreation, stating that Zoellner was in charge of the Park and Recreation Department budget and could answer questions regarding the budget. Director Kupper also introduced Larry Hoetmer, Park and Recreation Department Landscape Architect, stating that Hoetmer has also involved with the CIP and could answer questions regarding the status of specific projects. Zoellner provided board members a spreadsheet of the Proposed CIP Projects for 2001-2010, along with a copy of each specific project. Director Kupper stated that some of the projects were site specific and that some projects were generic; such as, tennis court renovation projects, park lighting projects, etc. He added that although River Corridor projects did not appear on the Park and Recreation CIP, the department would maintain those projects, once they are completed. He asked if board members had any questions. Board members asked questions concerning various projects including, but not limited to: swimming pools, playground rehabilitation, park facilities renovations, the Herman Hill demonstration project, and land acquisition. Zoellner explained that staff attempted to document on-going maintenance costs with each CIP project and how those costs would effect the operating budget. He said that information was provided to make the City Council aware that additional funds would be needed in future operating budgets to maintain projects. Jordan briefly explained that the CIP was a $1.7 billion dollar document over ten years. He said $250 million of that $1.7 billion came from property taxes. He $30 million of that $250 million was allocated to park and recreation. Mitchell briefly mentioned that during the update of the Comprehensive Plan, which was subsequently adopted by the City Council, it was recommended that additional sales tax funds be allocated for parks and recreation. He asked about the status of that plan. Jordan responded that the issue would be addressed next year. Responding to a question from Bailey, there was brief discussion concerning the public input portion of the budget process. 2. Discussion of Botanica expansion plan and effect on Sim Park Drive and access to the Arkansas River in Sim Park. Requested by M.S. Mitchell. Mitchell explained that he and Director Kupper were serving on several Botanica committees. He said one of the proposals of the Access and Streets Committee was to end Sim Park Drive somewhere near the entrance to the Cowtown parking lot. He said if that happened, the public would not have access to the open shelter and picnic area. He said an alternate route suggested by the consultant for the Botanica Expansion Project was to connect Amidon to the picnic area through a new road at the south edge of the Sim Golf Course. Mitchell said he did not want to lose the current access to the picnic area and then find out later on in the project that the connection to Amidon would not take place. He mentioned that another suggestion was to continue the current Sim Park Drive and make a loop, adding other picnic areas with vistas or views into the expanded portion of Botanica. He said another proposal being discussed was to continue the portion of Sim Park Drive that is now closed by the golf course, along the River on the west side of the old Salvation Army building and tie back into Amidon. He said there would have to be some major changes to the bike path to accomplish that plan; however, it would provide the public a way to drive through Sim Park and keep the sand hill/Arkansas River area, which he and others felt was a unique feature of the park. He commented that there were on-going meetings and that there would be further discussion of the various proposals. There was brief discussion concerning other expansion plans, which included glass conservatories for tropical plants and a restaurant, which could seat up to 1,000 people for receptions and special events. 3. Status of National Guard application for Grove Park Work. Requested by M.S. Mitchell. Staff reported that the application was submitted on October 27, 2000. Director Kupper and President Mitchell provided a brief background of the project for new board member Todd. 4. Discussion 2001 Kansas Recreation and Park Association (KRPA) Conference. Director Kupper provided board members a copy of the registration packet "2001 A Park and Recreation Odyssey" for the conference scheduled January 21-24, 2001, in Overland Park Kansas. Niernberger clarified that board member's were responsible for all conference expenses. Staff confirmed that was correct. Director Kupper reminded board members that the 2002 KRPA Conference would be held in Wichita. 5. Director's Update. Director Kupper briefly reviewed the following items: * Riverside Park System Master. Director Kupper stated that staff would be meeting with the design Consultant Wilson-Darnell-Mann later in the week to develop time lines and drawings and to discuss other items such as restrooms, the duck ponds, the Wichita Wild site, roadways, parking lots, Park Villa, public art and formal entrances into the park. He referred board members to correspondence from the Park Use Task Force (Item #1 under Informational Items). * Needs Assessment Studies - Chapin, Garvey and Brooks Sites. Responding to a question from Niernberger, Director Kupper briefly reviewed the recommendations for each site for new board member Todd. He stated that the final report should be available shortly. * Park and Recreation Superintendent Position. Responding to a question from Bailey, Director Kupper stated that the closing date for applications was this week and that staff hoped to schedule interviews after the first of the year. * Vacation of County Acres Fourth "B" Addition, Areas A and C. Director Kupper reminded board members that the vacation was scheduled to go to the City Council tomorrow. He said the neighborhood was attempting a compromise with both the developer and the builder to retain a portion of Area C (approximately 3/4 of an acre) as a park. He mentioned that 39,000 square feet was an extremely small area and stated that in addition, there were a number of encroachments that would need to be removed at the homeowner's expense. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS * Correspondence dated 11/29/00 from Kathy Dittmer - Chairman, Park Use Task Force, Riverside Citizens Association, re: Riverside Park System Master Plan. * Revised 2001 Meeting Schedule. * Updated Board member List. * President Mitchell thanked Joe McLeland for his service on the Board. OFF AGENDA ITEMS On motion by Bailey, second by Todd, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED that the rules be set aside and that an item be taken up off the agenda concerning possible land acquisition in District V. * Bailey commented that she had received information concerning the possibility of a donation of three acres of land west of I-235 and south of Central and Third Streets (at Gilda St.) adjacent to the Public Works yard. She said the current owner would like to see the land remain in either agricultural or park and recreation use. She commented that this might be the only opportunity for that area to obtain a park. There was brief discussion concerning access to the area and possible expansion onto the Wichita/Valley Center Floodway ("Big Ditch"). Niernberger suggested the possibility of developing the land into a community garden. Director Kupper commented that the area would be a tough spot to develop as a park. Mitchell suggested that board members examine the site and that the item be placed on the January agenda for further discussion. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 4:30 p.m. ____________________________ M.S. Mitchell, President ATTEST: _____________________________ Maryann Crockett, Clerk Page 4 of 4 Park Board 12/11/00 (Contd.) 1 4