BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING Park and Recreation Department 11th Floor City Hall Monday, December 10, 2007 3:30 p.m. Present: Janet Miller, Andy Solter, Bryan Frye, John Stevens, Doug Leeper and Tom Roth Absent: Glen Dey Also Present: Doug Kupper, Director, Park and Recreation, Karen Walker, Assistant Director, Park and Recreation, Dale Miller, Planning Department, and Myca Bunch, staff. President Miller called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. PUBLIC AGENDA No Items. REGULAR AGENDA Item 1: Approval of Meeting Minutes Motion 1: On motion by Miller, second by Leeper, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED that the Board approve the November 19, 2007, Park Board minutes. Item 2A: Request for Specific Naming Rights of Means Property Kupper said about two years ago he was offered property at 159th St. East and Pawnee. The Means family owns the land and they are asking the City to consider naming the park “Means Prairie Park” and to name the picnic area “Erma’s Place” if the City buys the land. Kupper said that the City is in the process of finalizing the contract to purchase the land and it is at the discretion of the Board to decide if they want to recommend to the City Council the requested naming ideas. Frye said that the proposed name sounded a lot like Pawnee Prairie Park and that it may become confusing to citizens. Kupper said the City is buying the land for $6000 per acre but was told by Mr. Means that the market price was higher. He said that 40 acres of the land has remained unplowed and that the total acreage they are purchasing is 148.8 acres. Stevens asked about the economic value and Kupper replied that there was not much, but that the seller said he had been offered more money then what the City was paying him. Frye asked what type of background the Means family had and if they were a reputable family. Miller said that perhaps the Board should ask for more background information the family and they also need to ensure that that their request meets the City’s guidelines for naming facilities after individuals. Kupper said he could go back to Mr. Means and ask for more family background. He also reminded the Board that in the original letter from Mr. Means he offered the City the land at no cost, but later changed his mind. Leeper asked if once the park facility was named, if it could be changed at a later date. Kupper replied that yes it could be. Kupper then said that he doubted if the Trust for Public Land ever did an appraisal on the land, but that he would find out the real value of the property. On Motion by Roth, second by Miller, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to table the request regarding the naming of the park, to allow time for further research on the Means family name and to check listings with historical preservation records. Motion passed 6-0. Item 3A. Gate Request at Watson Park. Miller said that in October a request was presented to the Board to construct a walk-in gate in the area of McLean and 27th St. At that time, the Board asked that staff do research on the site to determine if the request was feasible. Kupper said that they surveyed the area and found that there were approximately 1,300 cars through the area during morning rush hour traffic and 1,450 during evening rush hour traffic. He said that the speed limit was 40mph and that there is no marked crosswalk close to that area. Kupper said that the individuals who spoke to the Board in October indicated that there used to be an entrance into the Park at this location. Kupper said that he wasn’t sure where they were entering because there has never been an entry gate there. He said that they could look at possibly putting a gate in a different, safer location as the requested site would be difficult for pedestrians to cross and expensive to construct. He said they would also have to fund the cost of moving the fence and path. Kupper said that another idea would be to move up the construction of the Bike Park south of 27th on the Pathways Priorities Plan. On motion by Leeper, second by Solter, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to compose a letter to the original requester informing them that the Park Board does not agree with their request and that the construction of the Bike Park South of 27th St. be moved up on the Pathways Priorities. Motion passed 6-0. Item 3B. Replat of Riverbank Property – Mt. Carmel River Addition Miller reviewed the details of this issue which appeared before the Board in April 2006. At that time, a private property owner wished to plat for private property what had been designated as “reserve” along the riverbank. At issue was who owned the “reserve” – the City or the property owner. The Park Board at that time requested a moratorium on these kinds of requests until the ownership issue could be settled through a new ordinance. M.S. Mitchell, 1215 Forrest Mitchell recently brought the issue back to the Park Board as the moratorium had expired and the property owner had returned to the MAPC asking to plat an even large piece of “reserve,” this time encroaching down the slope of the riverbank. Miller explained that while a new proposed ordinance had been drafted to address the problem, it didn’t clarify the ownership issue as desired and so had been tabled. Mitchell said that he feels that another new ordinance should go to the Legal department for clarification of the “high water mark” or “high bank.” He said that nothing below the “high bank” should be considered private property. Mitchell provided a handout showing all areas that were now part of the new reserve. He said he counted 17 plats where property should stop at the “high line” and not extend further. Mitchell will be working with the law department to draft another ordinance. Kupper said that the bike path occupies parts of the land as well. Mitchell said there are several encroachments, but none are within the slope of the river. Miller said that no action on this subject was needed, but that she wanted to inform the Board of these developments. Item 4. Review of Pending Issues Wireless Amendment – Miller said that she attended the MAPC meeting to voice the Board’s opinion on building cell towers on park land, but that she could not convince them to remove any land from the map designating park land as “eligible” for administrative approval. However, she said that the MAPC did not have enough members present to approve the proposed amendments. Miller provided a map showing where cell phone towers can be administratively approved on park property and said she has reviewed the map with Vice Mayor Fearey. Ms. Fearey asked that Park staff take the issue to the City Council members individually and brief them. Miller said that this is their opportunity to recommend that certain parks be removed from the map. Miller asked that staff report to the Board in February with a recommendation of parks that need to be removed and why. She also requested that visuals of the parks and possible other uses be provided. Park Board Goals – Each Board member selected a goal that they will lead during the next year. Frye – Goal #3 Miller Goals #1 and #6 Roth – Goal #4 Solter – Goal #5 Stevens – Goal #2 Leeper – Goal undecided Dey – Goal undecided Process of Memorials in Park – The Board asked that staff present this issue at the January meeting. El Zocolo – Kupper said that he has not heard back from the El Zocolo group and that their agreement will end in April 2008. Item 5. Updates from the Director and President Off-Road Motorsports Park – Kupper said that the proposal was presented to all of the DABs, but that they will re-present to DAB II on Jan 7, as the first time there was not quorum to vote. Executive Session - Kupper asked that the Board enter into Executive Session for 5 minutes. On motion by Miller, second by Leeper, IT WAS UNANAMOUSLY VOTED to enter into Executive Session for 5 minutes. Motion passed 6-0. On Motion by Frye, second by Miller, IT WAS UNANAMOUSLY VOTED to end the Executive Session. Motion passed 6-0. 6. Issues on the Horizon No items. 7. Adjourn Miller adjourned at approximately 5 p.m. ___________________________________ Janet L. Miller, President ATTEST: _______________________________ Myca J. Bunch, Recording Secretary Board of Park Commissioners December 10, 2007 1