#12 BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING Monday, September 17, 2001 Present: June Bailey, Glen Dey, *Janet Miller, M.S. Mitchell, Trix Niernberger, and Joe Todd Also Present: Kathy Dittmer - Riverside Citizens Association; and Doug Kupper and Maryann Crockett (staff) 1. Annual Elections. After brief discussion Todd, seconded by Dey, nominated the following slate of officers: Mitch Mitchell - President; June Bailey - 1st Vice President; and Trix Niernberger - 2nd Vice President. There were no further nominations. On motion by Todd, second by Niernberger, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to elect the slate of officers by acclamation. *Janet Miller present. 2. Discussion of Cell Tower at Herman Hill Park. President Mitchell referred board members to the minutes of the 8/7/01 District III Advisory Board meeting where the item was discussed. Dey remarked that the City Council had approved placement of the tower at Herman Hill Park at the 9/11/01 Council Meeting. President Mitchell suggested that the Board come to a general consensus on a policy to address future applications to build cell towers on City parkland. Director Kupper explained that the City's policy was to allow cell towers to be built on City owned property, subject to staff review and recommendation from the applicable advisory body. He added that a request was pending to install a tower at the softball diamonds at South Linwood Park. He said the proposal was to remove a light pole at the ball field, install the cell tower and reattach the light fixtures to the tower. Miller asked for information regarding the "cell tower master plan". She expressed concern that eventually the Park Board may be asked for permission to install a cell tower in every park. She said she felt it was imperative that the Board develop a strategy to address the issue. Director Kupper briefly reviewed the policy stating that placement of 90 foot towers was pretty much unrestricted (as long as they were mono poles not lattices), whereas towers over 90 feet tall had to be built to accommodate multiple users. Dey mentioned that part of the initial discussion on the issue was that the poles would be disguised or screened where feasible. Director Kupper also mentioned the need to disguise the pillboxes at ground level. Dey asked about the possibility of revenues from any towers on parkland being distributed to the Park Department. Director Kupper explained that tower fees/rentals would go into the General Fund. He added that while he was in Tampa, they negotiated free cell phones for park staff as part of the tower lease and said that may be an option. There was also discussion about working with the School Board to use towers already constructed on school property. Niernberger commented that most towers located on school property were lower than the developers required. She suggested that the Board deal with tower requests on a "case-by-case" basis as opposed to creating a blanket policy, which the City had already done. Mitchell requested that staff provide the Board a copy of the City's Cell Tower Policy. 3. U.S. Tennis Association Adopt-a-Court Grant Program. Requested by President Mitchell. Director Kupper commented that staff was still researching the program and would report to the Board at a later date. He stated that the departments grant coordinator was reviewing various grant opportunities for athletic programs including tennis, soccer, golf, and others. 4. Discussion of the 2002 Park Budget. Requested by President Mitchell. President Mitchell requested that staff provide board members a copy of the Park and Recreation Department budget. Director Kupper stated that the 2001 Revised was being loaded into the Performance System and once that was completed, the 2001 Revised and 2002 Proposed budgets would be available for board member review, probably by the October board meeting. Director Kupper commented that two maintenance crews (six people with corresponding trucks and other equipment) have been added to the budget for 2002. He briefly reviewed the maintenance function citywide including medians, right-of-way and parks. He added that scheduling has also been changed from workdays to calendar days. He concluded by stating that staff has been working with the Personnel Division to develop a procedure to hire seasonal personnel earlier next year. He also mentioned the request to increase the athletic field maintenance budget to $2.3 million. Todd asked if Director Kupper felt there were enough employees, machinery and equipment sheds to accomplish required maintenance tasks. Director Kupper commented that regional maintenance shops needed to be established throughout the City to cut down on staff "windshield time" (moving from one job site to another). He said that issue was being addressed along with reconfiguration of Water and Public Works Department facilities. He briefly reviewed the plan to establish multi-department substations at various locations citywide. He reviewed the mowing rotation schedule and commented that park staff would complete an evaluation of service levels after the current season. Mitchell mentioned the possibility of using the property adjacent to I-235 south of Central. There was brief discussion concerning building maintenance. 5. Request for Phillip Mellor to appear at the October Meeting - re: Oak Park Stonework. Requested by President Mitchell. President Mitchell stated that Phillip Mellor's father worked for the park superintendent at the time much of the stonework was done in Oak Park. He said he thought it might be interesting to hear what he had to say about the stonework. It was the general consensus of the board to invite Mr. Mellor to the next Board meeting. OFF-THE AGENDA ITEM On motion by Niernberger, second by Todd, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to take up an off-the-agenda item regarding soccer fees. Director Kupper provided board members copies of the proposed agreements with American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) Regions 49 and 105 and Sedgwick County Soccer Association (SCSA). He commented that SCSA played at South Lakes, AYSO Region 49 played at Stryker (formerly they played at Planeview) and AYSO 105 played at Southview. He briefly reviewed fee negotiations to date, which he said started at $10 per player. He said AYSO has agreed to a $4 per player fee. He commented that the per player fee benefits both the organizations and the City because if there is a drop in participation, the organizations pay less. If there is an increase in participation, fees go up relative to the increased maintenance costs funded by the City. He also mentioned that he had notified the leagues over one year ago, that fees would be increasing. Director Kupper commented that none of the organizations wanted to provide the City an official roster. He explained that the City had requested player's names only - no addresses, social security numbers or birth dates. He said the City would like the rosters to verify participation numbers and to address any future potential liability issues. He commented that tournaments would be negotiated separately with each organization. He concluded by stating that negotiations were still on going with SCSA. The Board briefly discussed the negative media surrounding negotiations and ways to be more pro-active. 6. Director's Update. * Niernberger requested that the Board meet at the Great Plains Nature Center sometime in the near future. Staff said they would schedule a meeting there within the next few months. * Dey mentioned the Anti-Litter and Environmental Education Marketing Agency campaign. He requested that focus be placed on stopping littering in parks. * Linwood Park. Director Kupper reported that the School Board was continuing negotiations with the Schweiter heirs. He added that the "Save the Linwood Park" organization was selling trees at the Farm and Art Market to support the cause. He also mentioned that he has asked the City Arborist to report on the age and condition of the trees in both North and South Linwood Parks. * Wesley Medical Center Expansion Project. Director Kupper reported that staff was moving forward with the request to get the area surrounding the hospital declared a tax increment district. He added that there had also been discussion concerning moving the Sleepy Hollow playground to MacDonald Golf Course. * Riverside Park System. Director Kupper reported that approximately 90 people attended the meeting. He said the general consensus of the group was to allow Wilson Darnell Mann to proceed with the design and specification phase so that bids can be let on the project. He added that staff has contacted a well company to get an analysis and estimate on repairs to the Oak Park well system. Miller asked if the plan had been presented to the Historic Preservation Board. Director Kupper said that was being arranged. In addition, he commented that he had asked John D'Angelo to develop a donor list for the major art work, which the Riverside group had requested be funded through private donations, grants or other funding sources. He also mentioned possible funding from the Riverside Citizens Association. * November Meeting Date. Staff reminded the Board that the November 2001 meeting date had been changed to November 5, 2001, due to the Veteran's Day Holiday. It was also the general consensus of the Board to move the November 2002 meeting date to November 4, 2002. * Property Acquisition. President Mitchell mentioned possible purchase of the Meyers Nursery property. There was also brief discussion concerning property located south of Minisa Shelter building along the Arkansas River. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 4:45 p.m. ____________________________ M.S. Mitchell, President ATTEST: _____________________________ Maryann Crockett, Clerk Recording Secretary Park Board 9/17/01 (Contd.) Page 4 of 4 1 4