LAWRENCE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD

January 20, 2004

 

Board members present, Chair Tom Bracciano, Vice Chair Alice Ann Johnston and Richard Konzem.  Staff present, Fred DeVictor, Ernie Shaw, Mark Hecker, Roger Steinbrock and Marty Birrell.  Guest, Janet Lynn Good

 

Meeting brought to order by Chair Bracciano.  Minutes of the December 9th meeting approved on a motion by Konzem, 2nd by Johnston.

 

Board members brought up Mutt Run, Lawrence dog park and inquired about possible changes.  Staff reported the Clinton Lake long-range comprehensive plan showed it to eventually be relocated to the south but there were no plans to take it out of service.  Water currently is an issue since water lines are broken and turned off.  Several groups have made inquiries to help improve the dog park.

 

On a motion by Konzem, 2nd by Johnston, Alice Ann Johnston was selected Chair and Sharon Spratt, Vice-Chair for 2004.  DeVictor will contact Spratt to assure she will accept the position.

 

DeVictor handed out a letter explaining Lawrence will receive the National Recreation and Park Association “Excellence in Aquatics” award for 2003 and thanked Ernie, Jimmy Gibbs and park maintenance staff for providing these excellent city services.  Steinbrock was instrumental in putting the application together.  The award will be received February 29th.

 

The Board was told that Roger Steinbrock received the Tom Wilkerson Teamwork award for 2003 and the Police Department was recognized for their support for doing background checks for part-time employees and volunteers with youth programs.

 

Janet Lynn Good was introduced; she presented a proposal from ELIA to develop a mural for the walls of Municipal Stadium in Hobbs Park.  They are hoping for a Lawrence Sesquicentennial Commission grant to help fund it.  Their proposal would be presented to the Arts Commission and eventually to the City Commission.  LPRD staff would be involved in approval of the final design and local artists would be involved in the art.  After discussion, the Board voted to express support for the concept of a mural for Hobbs Park on a motion by Johnston, 2nd by Konzem.

 

DeVictor discussed a Journal World article where it was mentioned a 15-acre site between the vacant site of the Honeywell plant and Mary’s Lake may be developed into residential lots and expressed concern with the wooded natural area and how it currently enhances Prairie Park.  Staff will communicate these interests to the owners of the property.

 

DeVictor reported on a letter that was sent to the City Commission from the Planning Commission expressing interest in input on park and community facility acquisitions.  Staff welcomes all input however expressed concern that the process needs to be timely and not cumbersome.  Sometimes negotiations are sensitive and public scrutiny could be a deterrent to some possible donors.  The letter recommended 10 acres or more and the City Commission approved developing a policy including 5 acres or more and with a clear definition of community facilities.  The Board would have input on any proposed policy.

 

Shaw gave a revenue report showing $1,342,645 revenue in recreation programs in 2003, 99% of the projection of $1,362,117 revenue.  He congratulated his staff for coming so close to the estimate.

 

DeVictor indicated that a fall 2003 report on Eagle Bend Golf Course would be made at the next meeting but revenue was down to about $900,000 and rounds were down about 12% to less then 33,000 for the year.  Staff was brainstorming ways to get more patrons out in these hard economic times.

 

Steinbrock reported on work with the golf areas on marketing for 2004 and indicated on-line enrollment was up about 5% this winter over the fall enrollment period.  Winter enrollment for December was 32% and spring 2004 enrollment was a surprising 42%.

 

Hecker reported on on going projects with Brook Creek and Clinton Park.  In 2003 a total of approximately $990,000 was spent on infrastructure and capital improvement projects.

 

DeVictor thanked Bracciano for his leadership as Chair in 2003 and thanked the Board for their support in a year of transition with budget reductions.  All staff came through with flying colors to make it a good year of services.

 

            Meeting adjourned at 1:25P.M.  Next meeting February 10th.