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BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS

REGULAR MEETING

Monday, March 13, 2000

Present:	June Bailey, James Johnston, M.S. Mitchell, Trix Niernberger, Leon Robinson, 
and William Sanders 

Absent:	Joe McLeland

Also Present:	Kristine Booze; Mike Rice - President, Jones Rice Foster, Landscape Architects 
Planners; Rick Baker – Vice President, Kansas Vietnam Veterans & Family 
Reunion; and Larry Hoetmer, Doug Kupper, Janice McKinney, and Maryann 
Crockett (Staff)

President Mitchell called the meeting to order at approximately 3:35 p.m.  The minutes of the 
Regular Meeting of February 14, 2000, were reviewed and approved.  

1. Discussion of Safety Awareness (Public Service Announcements) for area Parks.  Larry 
Hoetmer, Landscape Architect, briefly reviewed the item stating that Kristine Booze was the 
mother of Zachary DeVerger, an eight year old boy who was hit and killed by a car in 1998 
near Brownthrush Park.  He said a sculpture donated by Kristine was being installed at 
Brownthrush, but that was a separate project.  He said Kristine had been working with Davis 
Moore and Donrey Outdoor Advertising on a community-wide safety awareness campaign.  
He said Donrey was donating five billboards for the campaign and provided board members 
a copy of the advertisement, which included artwork drawn by Zachary and his siblings, a 
picture of Zachary and the safety message “Watch out for KIDS”. 

Hoetmer said the proposal was to expand the campaign to include installation of signs at 
various park locations.  He introduced Kristine Booze and commented that Ms. Booze had 
spent a tremendous amount of time and energy to make the campaign a success.  Ms. Booze 
stated that she had met with Mayor Knight who had endorsed the idea.  She said the size, 
number and location of the proposed signs was open for discussion and asked the board for 
their support of the concept.  She said several locations had been discussed for sign 
placement such as South Lakes and Brownthrush Parks.   

	Niernberger asked about costs associated with the proposal.  Hoetmer explained that there 
would be no cost to the City.  Mitchell asked about sign maintenance.  Director Kupper 
explained that once the campaign was completed, if signs were damaged they would be 
removed.  There was discussion regarding placing signs along park entrances and exits.  
Mitchell asked about names of sponsors being displayed on public property.  Director 
Kupper stated that staff would check with the City’s Public Information Office, but added 
that children’s safety was the most important issue.  Ms. Booze mentioned that the signs 
could be altered to show the City's support and sponsorship of the program.  

	Bailey asked about the size of the signs.  Director Kupper responded that several sizes were 
being discussed and that the signs should be large enough to be noticed, but not obstruct the 
view. 
 
	On motion by Johnston, second by Robinson, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to 
approve the concept, subject to City Administration and City Council approval.    	

2. Discussion of Needs Assessment Study.  Larry Hoetmer, Landscape Architect, gave a brief 
background on the item stating that the City developed a “Request for Proposal” for a needs 
assessment study on Brooks Landfill, Chapin Landfill and Garvey (YMCA) Park.  He said 
the idea was to develop the parks through grass roots planning methods and input from the 
community.  He introduced Mike Rice, President and Project Manager, Jones Rice Foster, 
Landscape Architects Planners, the company who had been awarded the contract.  

Mr. Rice provided board members with a copy of the “Project Process” which highlighted 
the steps the firm would take to complete the study.  Steps included identification of 
stakeholders, public meetings, establishment of a City staff resource committee to identify 
issues and collect planning data, establishment of an “oversight team” of community 
representatives to oversee the project and determine goals and objectives, development of 
concept alternatives for each park site and completion of a final report. 

Rice reported that strong emphasis would be placed on working with community groups, 
needs of the park and recreation system as identified in the Park and Open Space Plan and 
other planning documents, and evaluation of the park sites themselves.  He mentioned that 
two of the sites were former landfills, which limited development activities.  He briefly 
reviewed each park site commenting on current and former uses, issues/items particular to 
each site, and Capital Improvement Program (CIP) dollars allocated for development of each 
site.    

Board members asked several questions relative to how the sites were currently being used, 
future use and development of the Kingsbury site adjacent to Brooks Landfill, recreational 
rights and public access along the river, and requirements for tree plantings, monitoring 
systems and other issues related to development of the former landfill areas.  Niernberger 
expressed concern regarding development of the landfill sites with regard to environmental 
issues.  Rice commented that all Kansas Department of Health and Environmental (KDHE) 
standards and regulations would be met during the development process.  

Rice concluded by inviting board members to a public meeting on March 30, 2000, at 6:30 
p.m. at Hyde Park Shelter.  (The meeting has been rescheduled to April 10, 2000.)             

3. Grove Park – Updated Plan.  Larry Hoetmer, Landscape Architect, referred board members 
to an architectural rendering of the proposed park development.  He commented that staff 
had reviewed the earlier plan and pared down development costs.  He reviewed various park 
amenities including placement of additional football fields, the golf practice area which had 
been changed to several putting greens and eight to nine tees, the playground, the picnic area 
along Hillside, additional parking facilities and a possible tie-in with the K-96 bicycle path.  
Niernberger questioned the need for more golf facilities.  Hoetmer explained that the practice 
area was being developed for youth and junior golf.  He added that the entire park plan was 
developed with input from the surrounding community and that park development was 
geared towards youth sports.  He commented that CIP funds had been earmarked for park 
development in phases over the next three years.  He said staff would like to focus on the  
football fields, road, playground, parking area and restrooms first.        

Director Kupper mentioned the possibility of asking the National Guard to do the road 
grading, dirt work at the football fields and berms at the golf practice area.  Bailey asked if 
any of the volunteers or community organizations had been contacted recently regarding the 
status of the park plan.  Hoetmer said no, but added that the consultant (Savoy, Ruggles & 
Bohm, P.A.) was developing a “shopping list” for volunteers and organizations to choose 
from.  He said the proposed plan will be presented to the Development Coordinating 
Committee (DCC) next week.  Mitchell asked about location of the football fields.  There 
was brief discussion regarding expansion of the youth football program and location of fields 
throughout the City.                            

4. Discussion and Approval of the 1999 Annual Report.  Mitchell referred board members to 
the copy of the report provided with the agenda.  He stated that he spoke to Joe McLeland, 
who could not be present at the meeting, on the telephone.  He said McLeland objected to the 
language in the report regarding the price for the 1.5 acre parcel at Tyler and Maple Streets 
being too high and that the parcel would not be acquired unless it was donated.  McLeland 
said he did not think that was the Board’s position, and Mitchell commented that he agreed 
with him.  Mitchell said he thought the Board voted to recommend that the City negotiate for 
the property.  There was discussion regarding striking part of the statement.  The Board 
asked the Clerk to look up the minutes.  The Clerk read the minutes of several meetings and 
it was agreed that the Board had voted unanimously to recommend that the City enter into 
negotiations with Mennonite Housing for acquisition of the property for park purposes.  
Mitchell requested that the Annual Report be amended to indicate that action.        

On motion by Sanders, second by Johnston, IT WAS VOTED 5-0 to approve the report as 
amended.  (Niernberger abstained.)               

OFF THE AGENDA ITEM

1. West Bank Stage – Kansas Vietnam Veterans and Family Reunion.  Rick Baker – Vice 
President, Kansas Vietnam Veterans & Family Reunion.  Mr. Baker referred board members 
to correspondence from Ben Mitchell, President, Kansas Vietnam Veterans & Family 
Reunion, dated March 9, 2000.  Mr. Baker explained that the Kansas Vietnam Veterans & 
Family Reunion was a not-for-profit organization chartered under U.S. Internal Revenue 
Code 50l (c).  He said the group holds the Family Reunion once a year for three days at El 
Dorado State Park.  He said the Reunion has been taking place for the last twelve years and 
that it attracts Vietnam Veterans and their families from all over the country.  

Baker stated that in the past they have used four old flatbed trailers, donated by local oil 
companies, for a stage during the event.  He commented that performer safety was a concern 
due to the age and condition of the trailers.  He said they understood there were no plans to 
utilize the West Bank Stage, once the new amphitheater was built, and requested that the City 
grant the Stage to the group for installation at El Dorado State Park.  He said the group would 
remove the structure from its present location at no cost or liability to the City. 

There was discussion concerning the history of the stage and the organizations and 
volunteers that participated in its development and construction.  Robinson commented that 
KFDI, Star Lumber, KGE and others were involved in construction and donation of materials 
for the stage.  Mitchell said he did not believe the Board had the authority to donate the stage, 
just to make a recommendation to City Administration and the City Council.  Niernberger 
suggested that staff talk to the groups who participated in building the stage prior to making a 
decision on the issue.  Staff explained that once the stage was completed and donated to the 
City, it became City property.  Niernberger suggested that the City advertise the stage in 
order to get broader participation.  She added that she was concerned about how this item 
was being addressed and questioned the process, since the item was not on the agenda.                

On motion by Johnston, second by Sanders, IT WAS VOTED 5-1 to recommend that the 
City grant the stage to the Vietnam Veterans organization.  (Niernberger voted – No.)          

OTHER ITEMS

? Niernberger expressed concern regarding discussing Off Agenda items the day of the 
meeting.  She said she believed that prevented board members from being prepared and also 
prevented public participation in the discussion.  She commented that the By Laws indicate 
agenda items should be mailed to the Board prior to the meeting, and she requested that the 
Board follow that process.  She referred board members to Article 3 of Section 2 of the By 
Laws.  Staff agreed to eliminate Off Agenda items in the future.  Johnston suggested that if 
the Board wanted to address an item not on the agenda, it could be taken up under Other 
Business by a two-thirds majority vote of the Board.

? Burtnett asked about the status of the Request for Proposal for the design consultant for 
Riverside Park.  Staff said they would check on the RFP’s and report at the next meeting.  

? Robinson asked about the status of the Greiffenstein school site acquisition.  Bailey reported 
that the school board would be making a decision on that after the bond issue was decided.  

? Director Kupper commented that he had requested an agency membership for the Board with 
the Kansas Recreation and Park Association.  He also commented that he would be 
forwarding magazine/newspaper articles to the Board on various park and recreation issues in 
order to give them a more global view.  He referred board members to the article entitled 
“Parks and Recreation:  Adapting to Change” from the MIS REPORT.    

On motion by Johnston, second by Bailey, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to adjourn the 
meeting at approximately 5:30 p.m.


						____________________________________	
						M.S. Mitchell, President  

ATTEST:


_____________________________
Maryann Crockett, Clerk
		Park Board 03/13/00 (Contd.)	
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