#1 BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING Monday, January 11, 1999 Present: June Bailey, Bob Martz, M.S. Mitchell, Leon Robinson, William Sanders Absent: Pat Consolver and Lucy Burtnett Also Present: Cathy Holdeman and Sandra Wood, City Manager's Office; Blaise Plummer, Law Department; Dave Yearout, Wichita/Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Dept.; Fran Crowley, Chisholm Creek Neighborhood Association; and Janice McKinney, Tim Vanatta and Maryann Crockett (Staff) AGENDA First Vice President Mitchell called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. Bailey noted a correction on the December 14, 1998, minutes. She said James Ruane was President of CPO Council 2. The minutes of the regular meeting of December 14, 1998, were approved as corrected. 1. Presentation of Summer of Discovery. Cathy Holdeman and Sandra Wood, City Manager's Office. Cathy Holdeman began the presentation by providing a hand out summary of the ten week pilot recreation program called "Summer of Discovery". She explained that the program was an exciting new concept developed by City Manager and Park staff that combined both recreational and educational elements. She briefly reviewed program curriculum which included Water Safety and Boating; Sports and Fitness; Arts and Entertainment; Magic and Technology; and Science and Nature. She reviewed the ten proposed program locations and noted that the goal was to have 100 children participate at each location. She said staff is currently researching the issue associated with Day Care licensing and hopes to get this resolved shortly as a licensing requirement could severely curtail the number of participants at each location. She said there would be a significant marketing effort to promote the new program including advertisement on Channel 7, utility bill inserts, and distribution of information through USD #259. She concluded by asking for the Board's input and endorsement of the new program concept. Board members asked about program costs and how the curriculum was developed. Holdeman explained that the projected cost was $65.00 per week, per student; however, provisions would be made to accommodate those children who could not pay the full amount based on income guidelines used by USD #259's free and reduced lunch program. Staff reported that previous participants of the recreation Day Care/Day Camp program had been surveyed to assist with curriculum development. Holdeman made general comments concerning best case/worst case scenarios for subsidy levels and budget impact, but added that at this point the program was a general concept and that firm budget figures were not available. Board members asked if monies for program support would come from the Park Department budget or City general operating fund. Holdeman commented that the program concept needed to be reviewed by the Finance Department and that the City Council would make the determination on funding. She added that the program was tentatively scheduled to be presented to the Council January 26, 1999. The Board received and filed the report. 2. Discussion of Vietnam Memorial. Staff reported that Veteran's Memorial Park was becoming crowded due to the number and configuration of memorials located within the park. It was also noted that several other veteran's groups were opposed to the proposed memorial being located in the park. One suggestion was to expand the location of memorial placement sites to include an area on the east side of the Ralph Wulz Riverside Tennis Center. Staff requested the Board's input and suggestions on other possible sites that were centrally located. There was brief discussion. Mitchell suggested that the matter be referred to the Riverside Park Use Task Force and Riverside Citizens Association for additional input. On motion by Bailey, second by Martz, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to refer the matter to the Riverside Park Use Task Force, and Riverside Citizens Association, as appropriate, for input and suggestions. 3. Discussion of Phillips Pipe Line Easement - Swanson Park. Staff reviewed a map illustrating the location of the 60' Phillips Pipe Line easement in Swanson Park which it was noted predated acquisition of the land for park purposes. Staff reported that Phillips was required to periodically inspect the pipeline easement and that they had requested permission to clear right of way to assist them to visually inspect the pipeline from aircraft and to help them respond to any pipeline emergency. Staff said they have inspected the easement and that Phillips has agreed to chip, shred and mulch debris, remove several trees and coordinate reseeding of the area with Park staff. Additionally, it was reported that Phillips was investigating the repair of the eroded line along the Cowskin Creek and was developing plan for pipeline repair to be presented to Park staff at a later date. There was brief discussion concerning the State permits that were required before repair work could begin. It was further noted that this item was for Board information only and that no action was required. 4. Discussion of Waterman Street Vacation in College Hill Park. Dave Yearout, Wichita/Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Dept. As background information, Yearout referred board members to Park Board minutes dated 9/8/97. He reviewed the McDonough's request (306 Circle Drive) to vacate a portion of Waterman Street adjacent to College Hill Park. He briefly described the problems the McDonoughs were having with people parking along Waterman, which dead ended just beyond their driveway. Yearout said he wanted to confirm Park Board's support of the request and to request that the proposed vacation be extended further east to the end of Waterman. Yearout commented that if the Board agreed with the requests, he would ask the Law Department to develop a Quit Claim Deed. There was discussion concerning maintenance and repair of the sidewalk parallel to Waterman, adjacent to College Hill Park. Mitchell suggested that the City retain a construction easement in order for City staff to access the sidewalk for repair and maintenance. On motion by Martz, second by Sanders, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to extend the vacation east to the end of Waterman, provided that the City be allowed to maintain a construction easement for maintenance and repair of the sidewalk parallel to the road adjacent to College Hill Park. 6. Discussion of Kingsbury Tract. Staff reviewed a conceptual plan for development of the area surrounding Brooks Landfill, referred to as Kingsbury Tract. Several board members stated that the area has been mentioned as a possible site for location of the Northwest Sewer Treatment Plant. It was noted that this item was for Board information only and that no action was required at this time. OFF-THE-AGENDA ITEMS 1. Grove Park Plan. Fran Crowley, Chisholm Creek Neighborhood Association. Fran Crowley reviewed a five stage plan for further development of Grove Park. She said the District 1 Neighborhood Coalition has been working with various neighborhood and athletic groups to develop the proposed plan. She said the group has also received letters of support and pledges of materials, volunteers and funds from nine other local organizations to assist in project development. She added that the Coalition will also apply for additional funds from the City's "Matching Playground Equipment Fund Program". She briefly reviewed the five stages of the proposed development program which included construction of a road from Hillside and additional parking within the park by the National Guard and construction and enhancement of the K-96 bike path from Hillside through Grove Park to be funded by Intermodel Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) or TEA 2000 funds. She said the group was requesting several things from the City to move the project along including: 1) permission from the City to allow the National Guard to do the project; 2) donation of 1,000 tons of crushed concrete from Public Works; and 3) City funds in the amount of $75,000 to pay for paving the road once the National Guard has completed laying the road bed. Staff indicated that the group must secure engineering and survey services for the site prior to any commitment from the City. It was noted that the group was waiting to hear if engineering services would be donated. There was also further discussion on other funding options including the possibility of re-allocating Capital Improvement Program (CIP) funds; insurance liability, development of a landscaping plan; and appointment of a project manager from the Park Department. Crowley concluded by saying that she planned to present the plan to CPO 2 that evening. The Board took no action other than to receive and file the report. 2. Facility Consultant Workshop. The workshop was scheduled for Monday, February 8, 1999, at 1:30 p.m. Other items briefly discussed were resolution of the College Hill playground issue, formation of the committee to study park maintenance, soccer play at Schell Park, progress on the Ralph Wulz Riverside Tennis Center proposal and cleanup of dead falls in the Cowskin Creek between Swanson Park and Pawnee Prairie Park. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 5:45 p.m. ___________________________________ M.S. Mitchell, First Vice President ATTEST: _____________________________ Maryann Crockett, Clerk Park Board 1/11/99 (contd.) Park Board 1/11/99 (contd.)