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BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS

REGULAR MEETING

Monday, May 10, 1999

Present:	June Bailey, Lucy Burtnett, Joe McLeland, M.S. Mitchell, Leon Robinson, William 
		Sanders

Absent:	Pat Consolver 

Also Present:	Blaise Plummer, Law Department; and Larry Hoetmer, Tim Martz and Maryann 	
		Crockett (Staff)

AGENDA

President Burtnett called the meeting to order at approximately 3:30 p.m.  The minutes of the regular 
meeting of April 12, 1999,  were reviewed and approved. 

1. Discussion of Request from Delano Business Association and Delano Neighborhood 
Association to Name Park Area.  Acting Director Martz briefly reviewed the item.  He said the 
alternate proposal by City staff was to name only the area directly around the Ben F. McLean 
Memorial Fountain “Delano Park”. 

Mary Lou Rivers said she had spoken to both the Delano Business Association and Delano 
Neighborhood Association about the alternate proposal.  She said they did not see why the whole 
area, from the Second Street bridge south to the Douglas Street bridge, from McLean Street east 
to the Arkansas River, couldn’t be named Delano Park even if the amphitheater was named 
something else.  She said the whole area relates to the historic Delano district.  Staff reported 
that the City Downtown Coordinator suggested that too many signs in the area might confuse 
people, especially with development of Exploration Place and the amphitheater. 

On motion by Mitchell, second by Robinson, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO 
recommend that the City Council designate the area from the Second Street bridge south 
to the Douglas Street bridge, from McLean Street east to the Arkansas River “Delano 
Park”.  

Rivers also requested that the abandoned railroad right-of-way from McLean Street south to 
Seneca Street be designated a greenway.

2. Discussion of Zone Change from “LC” Limited Commercial to “GC” General 
Commercial.  Area Generally located North of Central and East of Edgemoor (Z-3321).   
Martz referred board members to correspondence from the Metropolitan Area Planning 
Department (MAPD) dated April 20 and May 3, 1999, concerning public hearing dates for the 
proposed zoning change to permit construction of a 120’ communication tower.


Bailey commented that the consensus among citizens and neighborhood groups was that the City 
needed to come up with some general guidelines regarding placement of these communication 
towers.  Mitchell suggested the possibility of the City or Park Department leasing land for 
construction of the towers.  He mentioned that USD #259 had leased School Board property for 
tower construction and that the terms of the lease agreements were generous.  

There was discussion concerning visual impact on park property, loss of open space, tower 
maintenance, citizen complaints versus industry needs, and changing the City Ordinance that 
regulates zoning variances.  Bailey suggested that the board stay neutral on this issue. 

On motion by Mitchell, second by Bailey, IT WAS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY to take no 
position on the request for zone change (Z-3321). 

3. Discussion of Capital Improvement Program (CIP) 2000-2009.   Martz referred board 
members to the proposed Capital Improvement Program (CIP) 2000-2009.  Board members 
reviewed the proposed CIP and made the following comments:  Mitchell recommended paving 
the parking lot and entrances/exits at South Lakes Sports Complex; he also said he felt 
development of Chapin and Garvey Parks should have a higher priority than development of 
Brooks (Tract) Park.  Burtnett expressed concern about replacement of monies allocated for the 
“Riverside Park System Master Plan” in 2001.  She said originally $3.3 million was allocated, but 
now that figure was down to $1.4 million.  Bailey asked about the status of Garvey Park and 
suggested that it be included in the CIP.  She also expressed concern as to whether $40,000 for 
playground equipment and $50,000 for park lighting (annually) was sufficient funding.  

There was also general discussion concerning the following projects and priorities:  Naftzger 
Park; Hellers Park; N.E. Sports Complex; tennis center; park lighting; playground rehabilitation 
and the Cowskin Greenway.  

4. Discussion of vacant land located at Tyler and Maple.   McLeland referred board members to 
a map of approximately 3.44 acres located at Tyler Road and Maple Road.  He said the property 
was owned by Mennonite Housing who planned to build an independent living facility on 1.91 
acres of the land.  He said that would leave 1.53 acres undeveloped.  He suggested the possibility 
that the area be developed for park purposes.

There was discussion concerning size of the lot, operation and maintenance issues and the 
possibility of using the matching playground equipment fund.

On motion by Mitchell, second by Bailey, IT WAS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY to defer the item 
one month.

OTHER ITEMS DISCUSSED     

? Martz reported that the Facility Consultant’s presentation to the City Council had been 
postponed until sometime in June.  He said he would notify board members as soon as a date for 
the presentation had been established.

? Martz reported that Phillips Pipeline had developed a plan for staff review for repair and 
stabilization of the stream bank at Swanson Park.  Mitchell asked how stream clean up was 
progressing at the park.  Staff responded that clean up efforts have been temporarily delayed due 
to inclement weather.

? Martz passed out board appointment forms to be filled out by those members who wished to be 
reappointed.  

? Mitchell reported that Bobbie Harris of the Wichita community tennis group had resigned and 
that the new point of contact for the group was Sue Schlapp.  He asked staff if they were aware 
of or had any information on the group using the Fairmount tennis courts for private lessons.  
Staff reported that they had been working with a not-for-profit group at the park to provide free 
tennis lessons.  It was also reported that staff was developing a policy for court use at the park, 
similar to a “non-exclusive use agreement” for the group.  

? Burtnett asked about park hours.  Staff responded that parks were closed from 12:00 Midnight 
until 6:00 a.m., unless otherwise posted.  Burtnett commented that she was concerned about 
illegal activities occurring at Central Riverside Park after hours.

? Burtnett requested a point of contact for golf.  Staff referred her to Pete Frandsen, Golf Course 
Manager.  Burtnett said she had received complaints from several season pass holders regarding 
league play, tee times and other golf issues.  She said one suggestion made was to reinstate the 
marshall program. 

? Bailey announced that the Grove Park Development Plan was scheduled to go to the City 
Council tomorrow, Tuesday, May 1, 1999. 

? Bailey also requested that she be provided a list of soccer practice sites.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 5:10 p.m.



							___________________________________
							Lucy Burtnett, President  




ATTEST:


_____________________________
Maryann Crockett, Clerk
	                    Park Board 5/10/99 (Contd.)

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