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BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS

REGULAR MEETING

Monday, September 13, 1999

Present:	June Bailey, James Johnston, Joe McLeland, M.S. Mitchell, Leon Robinson, 
Andy Schlapp

Absent:	William Sanders

Also Present:	Jamsheed Mehta and Mark Klein, Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area 
Planning Department; Blaise Plummer, Law Department; and Tim Martz, Janice 
McKinney and Maryann Crockett (Staff)

AGENDA

First Vice President Mitchell called the meeting to order at approximately 3:35 p.m.  The 
minutes of the regular meeting of August 9, 1999, were reviewed and approved. 

1. Proposed KDOT Enhancement Program for 2001. Jamsheed Mehta, Wichita-Sedgwick 
County Metropolitan Area Planning Department, began the presentation by providing a 
handout of sixteen proposed projects for the 2001 KDOT Enhancement Program.  He 
explained that projects could be submitted under three categories; namely, Bicycle and 
Pedestrian Trails; Scenic and Environmental and Historical Preservation.  He commented 
that the City was requesting over $7 million dollars under Bicycle and Pedestrian Trials for 
fiscal year 2001 and that many of the projects would probably not be funded.  He reviewed 
previously approved projects including the crossing over the big ditch, which he explained 
was a joint City/County project; Zoo Blvd. along I-235 down to Central St.; the Central St. 
pedestrian bridge and the three pedestrian bridges along the 3rd St. floodway.  

Mehta briefly reviewed each of the proposed projects.  He said the City hired a consultant to 
provide engineering details for each of the proposed projects and that design costs were 
included in each proposal.  There was discussion on several of the projects.  

Bailey and Schlapp expressed concern regarding why two of the paths ran parallel to each 
other at Boeing.  Mehta explained that one of the paths was currently under construction and 
that the new path being proposed would connect to another section of the bicycle trail.  He 
added that he would check to see if it was possible to change the scope of the project 
currently in progress.  

Bailey asked why the K-96 bike path has not been constructed yet.  Mehta said he understood 
that there were some complications relating to access easements along the project.  He added 
that the Public Works Department handles project construction.  Mitchell requested that the 
Board be furnished a status report on the K-96 bike path at the October board meeting. 


Bailey expressed concern about development of an east/west bike path.  She also asked why 
there were no projects west of the big ditch.  Mehta explained that many of the east/west 
arterial streets were heavily developed and paths were not possible; however, he said staff 
was looking at possible railroad abandonments that might be applied for to develop an 
east/west connection.  He commented that one proposed project west of the big ditch had 
been turned down by KDOT previously, but that staff was looking for other projects to 
introduce in the future. 

Staff requested clarification on how the proposed Arkansas River path would cross the fence 
along Hydraulic.  Mehta briefly explained how the path looped underneath an overpass and 
traversed along the fence line on the East side of Hydraulic.

Staff asked how the local match would be funded and if the Park Department Capital 
Improvement Program (CIP) would be reduced if the proposed bike path projects were 
approved.  Mehta explained that the local share was covered by a specific line item in the 
CIP.  

Mehta concluded the presentation by stating that the Metropolitan Area Planning 
Commission would be meeting Thursday.  He requested that the Park Board provide a letter 
supporting the proposed projects.

On motion by Bailey, second by Robinson, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to request 
that staff prepare a letter stating that the Board supported the projects as presented for the 
bike path system.          

2. Annual Election of Officers.  First Vice President Mitchell requested that a slate of officers 
be nominated.   Bailey nominated M.S. Mitchell for President, Schlapp nominated June 
Bailey for First Vice President and Joe McLeland nominated Leon Robinson for Second Vice 
President.

On motion by Bailey, second by McLeland, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED that 
nominations cease.  The slate was unanimously elected.    

3. Request for Utility Easement – Pawnee Prairie Park.  Acting Director Martz referred 
board members to a copy of the proposed utility easement attached to the agenda. He said the 
easement consisted of approximately forty-one and one half square feet and was needed to 
connect to a sanitary sewer line.  He said staff recommended that the easement be granted, 
provided that park property was restored to its original condition.  He added that the 
Development Coordinating Committee, Water Department and Public Works Department 
had reviewed the easement. There was brief discussion.

On motion by Bailey, second by Robinson, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to grant the 
easement provided park property was fully restored to its original condition.    


     

OLD BUSINESS

? Pawnee Prairie Nature Center – Lease Agreement.  Acting Director Martz reported that 
Sedgwick County has agreed to allow the Citizen Participation Organization to use the 
County Extension building for their monthly meetings at no charge until the Community 
Center at Auburn Hills Golf Course is completed and operational.     

? Botanica Expansion.  Acting Director Martz reported that this item would be presented to 
the Development Coordinating Committee and City Council prior to coming back to the 
Board.  He said Botanica, Inc.’s Long Range Planning Committee was defining features they 
wanted included in the future expansion.  

Blaise Plummer clarified that Botanica has a twenty-five year management/use agreement 
with the City and that Botanica, Inc. did not own the land the garden was located on.  He also 
mentioned that the heirs of Arthur Sim would need to be contacted before any changes were 
made in Sim Park. 

There was discussion concerning the President attending meetings of Botanica’s Board of 
Trustees.  Staff stated that the Botanica Board meets on the third Wednesday of each month 
at 7:00 p.m.  Since the President and First Vice President had scheduling conflicts, it was 
agreed that Second Vice President Leon Robinson would attend the Botanica meeting on 
Wednesday.        

? Cowskin Channel Cleaning.  Acting Director Martz reported staff had cleared all creek 
blockages within Swanson and Pawnee Prairie Parks and were awaiting direction from Storm 
Water Management regarding removal of debris on private properties. 

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

? Status Report – Northeast Sports (Stryker Soccer) Complex.  Acting Director Martz 
reported that the City had entered into a contract with Ritchie for maintenance and 
establishment of turf at the twelve soccer fields.  He said Ritchie would be subcontracting the 
work with Tree Top Nursery.  He said after the first of the year, the project would be turned 
over to the Park Department.  He commented that additional staff and resources had been 
programmed to come on line at that time.  He concluded by reporting that Dan Grohn, Public 
Works, was project manager.  He said staff has initiated CIP dollars, were proceeding with 
plans for the entry road and were looking at an overall plan for the project.         

? Status Report – Schell Park.  Acting Director Martz referred board members to a copy of 
the plan concept for the park attached to the agenda prepared by Larry Hoetmer, Park 
Landscape Architect.  He commented that staff would be presenting the concept to the North 
River Bend Neighborhood Association that evening.  He briefly reviewed the plan noting the 
youth soccer field (for age’s fourteen years old and under), additional parking along 
Woodland, paved pathway system, two picnic shelters and additional landscaping.  He said a 
funding source and time line had not been established for the proposed project.  He 
mentioned that USD #259 had offered two additional sites for youth soccer at 33rd St. and 
Arkansas and the McLean School at 21st St. and Columbine.  In addition, he said three 
possible locations had been identified at Evergreen Park.  He said staff has received 
numerous telephone calls from neighbors of Evergreen Park and that they would be 
presenting the proposed plan to that neighborhood association in the future.  He also 
mentioned that another soccer group had approached staff about fields for next spring.

? Vacant lot at Tyler and Maple owned by Mennonite Housing.  Acting Director Martz said 
staff would be evaluating purchase of this property along with other planned land 
acquisitions and projected CIP funds.  He commented that several other possible acquisitions 
would require development funds including Kellogg & Bluff, the K-96 Lake and South 
Lakes Park.  

Bailey asked about the status of the Meyers Nursery property.  Robinson asked about the 
status of the Greiffenstein school site.   Martz mentioned that the City was exploring the 
possibility of acquiring a site that would accommodate a park, fire station and regional 
library in South Wichita.  He said he would be receiving further direction from the 
Manager’s Office on land acquisition in the future.   
      
OFF THE AGENDA ITEMS

? Bailey invited board members to the dedication of the Third Street Park being hosted by 
Wichita Independent Neighborhoods (WIN) Wednesday, September 15, 1999, at 6:00 p.m.

? Bailey asked about the status of the Park Board Retreat for new board members.  Staff said 
they wanted to poll board members on time preferences.  Staff said they would prefer an 
afternoon or evening meeting.  

? Mitchell requested a financial report.  Staff commented that since the Board was advisory, 
they didn’t think providing a financial report was necessary.  Mitchell specifically mentioned 
fees and requested that the Board be provided information on revenues and expenses.  

? Mitchell said the City Comprehensive Plan was currently being updated.  He provided board 
members a copy of his memo dated September 13, 1999, subject:  1999 Review of 
Comprehensive Plan.  He said the “Parks and Pathways, Park and Open Space Plan” 
approved by the City Council in 1996 recommended $53 million dollars be spent for new 
park facilities.  He said he felt the recently completed Park and Recreation Facility Study 
took precedence and requested that the Board be involved in the review of Comprehensive 
Plan.  Acting Director Martz mentioned that he had met with Planning Staff to review and 
update plan objectives regarding park and open spaces.  Mitchell requested that review of 
the Comprehensive Plan be place on the October agenda.  

? Bailey said she wanted to thank Larry Hoetmer for his work on the paved path at Kiwanis 
Park.  Acting Director Martz agreed that Hoetmer had done a good job overseeing the project 
and following-up with the contractor. 

? Bailey invited board members and staff to numerous events occurring during the week to 
celebrate the All-America City award from the National Civic League.  


There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 5:15 p.m.




						____________________________________	
						M.S. Mitchell, President  




ATTEST:


_____________________________
Maryann Crockett, Clerk

		Park Board 9/13/99 (Contd.)	
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