#6 BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING Park and Recreation Department Conference Room, 11th Floor, City Hall Monday, June 12, 2006 3:30 p.m. Present: Glen Dey, Doug Leeper, Janet Miller, Andy Solter and Mick Tranbarger Absent: Cherylane Adams and Dennis Brunner Also Present: Martin Libhart - U.S.D. 259; Tim Richards - Kansas Gas Service; Leslie Hicks and Gary Janzen - Public Works; Kathy Dittmer - Riverside Citizens Association; Mike North - Law Department; Scott Wadle - Planning Department; and Doug Kupper, Karen Walker, Tim Martz and Maryann Crockett (staff) President Miller called the meeting to order at 3:35 p.m. PUBLIC AGENDA No items. REGULAR AGENDA On motion by Dey, second by Leeper, the Minutes of the April 10 and May 13, 2006 Regular Meetings were reviewed and approved unanimously as submitted. 1. Land Exchange with U.S.D. 259. Martin Libhart, U.S.D. 259, provided board members a handout, which was a "modified" proposal of the trade of real property between U.S.D. 259 and the City of Wichita/Board of Park Commissioners approved at the April 10, 2006 Park Board Meeting. He commented that the Riverview site was acquired by Riverview #170 County and Township, prior to the school district's state unification. He said it was discovered that the parcel east of Sullivan had a reversionary clause if the property was not used for school purposes. He briefly reviewed the land trade previously approved at the April meeting. He said U.S.D. 259 had revised the proposal and would not offer the approximately 2.75 acres of the Riverview site east of Sullivan, but would add acreage west of Sullivan to the mid-point of the Little Arkansas River. He said U.S.D. 259 was requesting the 5.50 acres at Heller's Park for 4.75 acres west of Sullivan Street. Solter asked if the Little Arkansas River was platted to the center. North commented that the river might not necessarily have to be platted. There was brief discussion concerning the center point of the river and the high water mark. North noted that under common law, ownership on a "navigable waterway" was measured by the high water mark. However, because the Little Arkansas was not considered a "navigable waterway", ownership was to the center point. Dey asked if "use" was defined in the reversionary clause. Libhart responded that the property must be used for "school purposes". Director Kupper commented that staff had also researched the possibility of leasing the property, similar to the lease the City has at Leon Robinson Park; however, that was not possible. Leeper stated that because of the river access, he felt the trade should still be considered. Leeper moved, second by Tranbarger, that the prior land exchange approved at the April meeting between U.S.D. 259 and the City of Wichita be changed to reflect the revised trade presented by U.S.D. 259 at today's meeting. 2. Discussion of Agreement with U.S.D. 259 for a Pre-K Program at Evergreen Park. Director Kupper briefly reviewed the item stating that this was an opportunity to both diversify the recreation division and partner with the School District. He said the K-5 grades at Cloud Elementary School needed additional classroom space. He said the proposal was to lease two classrooms at Evergreen Recreation Center to the School District and move the Pre-K Program to Evergreen. He commented that the City had similar partnerships with the District at Aley and Colvin Recreation Centers. Tranbarger asked if the Recreation Center would have to eliminate any services currently offered to accommodate this request. Director Kupper responded that staff would need to shuffle some other programming around. Leeper asked about the length of the lease, and how it might affect the growth of Evergreen Recreation Center in the future. Director Kupper said the lease would probably be on a year-to-year basis similar to the Aley and Colvin leases, with a number of automatic renewals. He added offering the School District space at Evergreen might also be a way to recruit participants for the City's daytime, After School and Summer of Discovery (SOD) Programs. President Miller asked if the idea had been discussed with the neighborhood association in the area. Director Kupper said no. She also asked if the lease would impact the Library, the day-care program at Evergreen or the El Zocalo project. Director Kupper stated there would be no impact on the programs and project. Solter moved, second by Dey, to recommend that the City Council approve renting space at Evergreen Park Recreation Center to U.S.D. 259 for a Pre-K Program. 3. Easement request for Storm Water at Pawnee Prairie Park. John Philbrick, Director of Property Management, provided board members two handouts, which were a Tract Map and aerial of the proposed easement along Pawnee Avenue through Pawnee Prairie Park south to the Cowskin Creek. He said the drainage easement and covered underground structure were designed to minimize impact on the trees in the area. He said the easement included installation of an underground box and future maintenance of the structure and riprap around it. Philbrick said the project would capture the natural drainage from the west and contain it. President Miller asked if parks landscape staff had reviewed the easement site plan, riprap, and what impact the project would have on wildlife in the area. Director Kupper indicated that Park staff was working with Public Works and Storm Water staff to determine what would be appropriate to the habitat. Leeper asked how much more water the drainage easement would add to the Cowskin Creek. Philbrick responded not a substantial amount and added that the project would channelize run off and natural flow. President Miller asked if the project underwent any kind of environmental impact study. Gary Janzen, Public Works, commented that both the City and State conducted environmental studies prior to project approval. Leeper also asked about any changes to the walking path through the park. Director Kupper stated that there should be no impact visually above ground from the project. He said the sidewalk would be replaced and wildlife staff would be consulted on replacement vegetation. Leeper moved, second by Solter, to recommend to the City Council that staff move forward with the storm water easement request at Pawnee Prairie Park, with the provisions that the final outfall area be brought back to the Park Board for review and that staff from the Great Plains Nature Center be involved in the design. 4. Easement request for Herman Hill Park. Gary Janzen, Public Works, referred board members to the engineering drawing of the proposed sidewalk adjacent to Pawnee Avenue. He said Pawnee Avenue was going to be widened east of the River to Broadway. He commented that a portion of the area where they would like to construct the sidewalk was platted as park property. He said they were requesting a 15' easement to construct a 6' wide sidewalk that would be American's with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant. He said the easement would contain berms and a retaining wall between the sidewalk and the park. He further stated that they would reinstall any irrigation that needed to be moved as a result of the project. He said in order to save existing trees; they were requesting a 30' easement in one area. He also stated that they would like to locate existing utilities within the same easement. He said with the overlays, Kansas Gas Service would need an additional 5', or a 20' easement. Dey asked about the possibility of making the sidewalk a multi-use trail for both pedestrians and bikers. Director Kupper asked about making the trail 10' wide instead of 6'. Janzen commented that the project was partially funded with federal monies; however, he thought they could look at that possibility. He mentioned that a 10' wide path would have a substantial impact on the trees. Solter asked about the scope of the project. Janzen said it would include the area from the McLean Bridge East to Market, on the south side of Pawnee. Solter commented that the reason he asked the question was there was a central corridor project to connect the Arkansas River trail across Pawnee on the North side of the Pawnee. He asked if there was a way this project could be tied into that long-term plan. Janzen mentioned that if they did not initiate the project within two months, there was a possibility that they might lose the federal funding. There was discussion about various path widths and how they would affect tree removal, and construction of the berms and wall between the park and sidewalk. Tranbarger asked if the current plan accommodated all trees. Janzen responded that one tree would need to be removed with the current plan. Solter again mentioned the critical need for bike path access across or under Pawnee and asked if anything could be done with this project to facilitate that in the future. Janzen reiterated that staff could look at that; however, he again mentioned loss of trees, berms and increased "dirt work" on the project. Dey said the Board would appreciate it if staff could look at that. He said the Park Board was looking at ways to connect all segments of the park trail. Solter moved, second by Leeper, to recommend that the City Council agree to the proposed 15/30 foot easement on Herman Hill Park from just west of Market Street to the park drive exiting out on Pawnee. Such easement will be of a suitable size to facilitate construction of a six-foot wide multi-purpose paved surface, but will preserve and protect as many trees as possible; and Public Works, in exchange for said easement, agrees to extend a ten-foot wide paved surface from the park drive to the Pawnee Prairie Bridge. Janzen introduced Tim Richards, Manager of Community Relations with Kansas Gas Service (KGS). Mr. Richard commented that the KGS project was designed to minimize impact to the ground, trees and berms. He said materials used for the new line installation were the latest technology and KGS did not anticipate any on-going maintenance issues. He also added that there would be no above ground structures through the area. Solter moved, second by Dey, to recommend that the City Council approve the proposed Kansas Gas Service easement as requested. 5. WAMPO Presentation. Requested by President Miller. This item was deferred until the July meeting. 6. Report from Oak Park Task Force. Requested by President Miller. President Miller distributed a flyer designed by the Oak Park Task Force concerning the park. The flyer included comments on how to enjoy the park and activities that were prohibited such as biking, firearms, dogs off leashes, and pruning or removal of trees and shrubs. President Miller thanked park staff and all the groups that were involved in this project of educating the community about the park and its eco-system. Kathy Dittmer, Riverside Citizens Association (RCA), said educating the public on the park would be an on-going project. In addition, she said the RCA would insure that the flyer, explaining that bicycles were prohibited in the park, would be distributed to local bicycle shops. She concluded by saying that most people did not realize the effect of some activities on the wildlife in the park. 7. Discussion of Park, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan Components. * Report on Visioneering Park and Recreation Alliance. Dey briefly reviewed the "Plan Goal, Guiding Principles, and Process" provided with the agenda, which had been revised numerous times. * PROS Request for Proposal (RFP). President Miller referred board members to a copy of the "Draft " RFP included with the agenda. She said Purchasing staff worked with board members and staff do develop the RFP, which Purchasing felt was more appropriate to the project than a Request for Quote (RFQ). She explained that with an RFP, the consultant would be able to advise the City how much they can accomplish with the funding that is available for the project. It was noted that the submittal date of July 6 on page 8 would need to be changed. Dey moved, second by Solter, to accept the proposed draft RFP as submitted with the provision that the dates currently reflected in the document may change. * Invitation to Support PROS. President Miller briefly reviewed the "Invitation to support Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Wichita & Metro 2020. Dey moved, second by Leeper, to approve in concept the draft of the "Invitation to Support PROS" as presented. President Miller commented that meetings with Visioneering staff have gone well. She thanked Park and Planning staff for their input on the Leadership Team. 8. Director's Update. Director Kupper reported briefly on the following items: * Schweiter Park - bids for the first phase of park improvements - replacement of the tennis and basketball courts and installation of a parking lot to support those facilities were due back to the City on due Friday, June 16. * Naming of Park and Park Amenities - apologized to Board members for misleading them regarding naming of park facilities. Leeper requested that a letter be drafted to both families for President Miller's signature explaining that the Park Board supported the naming ideas and encouraging the families to bring the idea back to a future board. * Chapin Park- project design work initiated Tuesday, June 13. * Grove Park - Dey asked about status of this project. Director Kupper said the concession building and restrooms were almost complete, but that he would check on the status of the project and report back to the Board. * River Bank Replatting Moratorium. - President Miller asked about the status of the Board's recommendation to the City Council. Director Kupper said he would check on the status of the recommendation and report back to the Board. * July Park Board Meeting - due to staffing, it was the general consensus of the Board to move the July 10 regular Park Board Meeting to July 17. Miller moved, second by Leeper, to move the Monday, July 10 regular Park Board Meeting to Monday, July 17, 2005. * Board Attendance - there was brief discussion concerning attendance at Board meetings. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 5:40 p.m. ___________________________________ Janet Miller, President ATTEST: _____________________________________ Maryann Crockett Recording Secretary Park Board 6/12/06 (Contd.) Page 5 of 5 1 5