City of Lawrence

Parks & Recreation Advisory Board               

November 8th, 2005

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Chair Sharon Spratt, Vice Chair, Bill Penny, and Kelly Barth

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Tom Bracciano and Chris Schumm

 

STAFF PRESENT:

Fred DeVictor, Mark Hecker, Ernie Shaw, Roger Steinbrock and Jimmy Gibbs

 

GUESTS

Jonathan Affalter, Baker University Student

 

         

 

          Meeting was called to order by Chair Sharon Spratt.  Minutes of the October 11th meeting were approved on a motion by Barth, 2nd by Penny.

 

          Under the “Concerns of Board” portion of the agenda, Penny inquired about the plans for a bike path along Kasold Drive from Bob Billings Parkway to 23rd Street.  Staff explained there were numerous options that Public Works presented to the City Commission and they were still deciding on which option to choose based on public input and costs.  Penny expressed concern that there should be a bike path and encouraged the City to approach KU about options to place a trail on the endowment property on the east side of Kasold Drive.

 

          Staff opened further discussion about the ECO2 report that RoxAnne Miller presented at the October 11th meeting.  The Board reinforced their comments from the last meeting that if there were projects that dovetail with parks and recreation needs, such as the Burroughs Creek Rail Trail, we should fully cooperate.  The Board encouraged not using the parks and recreation revenue source of the sales tax for ECO2 open space projects and we should keep promoting our list of needs for future development.

 

          Staff informed the Board that the update of Chapter 9, Parks and Recreation was referred by the City Commission back to the Planning Commission to “review the issue of quarter mile radius for neighborhood parks instead of the proposed half mile radius in the proposed amendment.”

 

          DeVictor presented some information comparing ¼ and ½ mile standards both within the city limits and in the urban growth area.  By using the ½ mile standard the city is pretty well covered with parks; more parks would be needed with a ¼ miles standard.  It would be most difficult to acquire more parks in the city limits since most land is already developed.  It would take a high number of parks in the urban growth area to reach this goal.  Penny did not feel this appeared to be very practical.  Spratt expressed support to keep the less stringent ½ mile standard and Barth said she could support the ¼ mile standard if the developers were required to provide the parks and maintain them instead of asking the City to budget for this.

 

          The Board expressed support for emphasizing neighborhood park standards  in Chapter 9, with the amendment which indicated “future or existing neighborhoods that are highly walkable residential situation (smaller single family lots and/or a mix of housing types) would be considered as candidates for mini-parks”, which have a ¼ mile service area and would continue to encourage greenbelts and trails to connect neighborhoods.

 

          DeVictor reported that the Sesquicentennial Commission would contribute up to $210,000 by the end of the year toward Sesquicentennial Point.  A proposal for engineering is being pursued to begin some development in 2006.  Fund raising would continue via parks and recreation, after the Sesquicentennial Commission efforts expire.

 

          DeVictor handed out the final grant application for the TE funds for the Burroughs Creek Rail Trail.  He indicated the request was for $1,562,182, with several options for K-DOT to consider.  The deadline was November 7th and the City expected to hear next summer for FY 2008 funding.

 

          Hecker reported on improvements to Ice Field, Holcom Park Recreation Center, Clinton Lake Softball Complex infields and Indoor Aquatic Center.

 

          Steinbrock indicated the winter/spring brochure would be out December 4th and LPRD would begin to celebrate our 60th year of organized recreation in Lawrence.  Over 18,000 folks have enrolled in activities so far this year, with 26% enrollments conducted on-line.

 

          Shaw presented a financial report through October and predicted we would exceed our revenue projects by $70-75,000, largely due to increased participation in programs and a good swimming pool summer season.

 

          Jimmy Gibbs discussed the idea of changing the discount ticket booklet system for swimming pool admission to a punch card system, which would save printing costs and allow the purchaser to have a numbered card.  Other methods of admission:  yearly passes, monthly passes and daily rates would continue.  The Board indicated this was a good system to implement.

 

          Meeting adjourned at 1:30P.M.