Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes

City Hall, 475 SE Main Street

Wednesday, December 28, 2005 – 7:00 pm

1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm.

2. Roll Call

Present: Dianna Turk, Chair; Steve Guilliams, Vice Chair; Tracie Lougheed; Dennis Dahrens; Lisa Homan; Mike Uhlig; Zoe Miller; Phil Lingelbach, staff.

3. Approve November 15, 2005 Minutes

Lisa moved the minutes be approved as transcribed, Zoe seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

4. Citizen’s Concerns & Comments

No citizens appeared

5. City Council Liaison Report

No Councilors were present

6. Commission Business

The commission welcomed Dennis Dahrens as a new commissioner. Steve reviewed the commission’s current projects and Dennis described his interest in the commissions work.

The commission reviewed city manager and project manager reports attached.

Wade Creek Park update – Phil reviewed the RFQ process and indicated the City had received three proposals. A committee will review and evaluate the proposals at 6PM on January 11^th. The committee may take additional time or include interviews in the process. The committee will consist of two commissioners and other stakeholders. Their recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council who will make the final decision. Steve and Zoe were selected as commission representatives on the committee with Mike an alternate.

Design Funding - Phil reported that we have about $4,500 in park system development charges and that these funds will likely not increase over the winter. The donation fund is now over $2,000. Randy has indicated the city can re-allocate up to $5,000 from general fund monies if necessary. Phil is requesting donations from foundations to make up the additional amount to get us to the $20,000 that will probably be needed.

Park Funding - Phil reviewed the grants that we have applied for and those we are working on applying for. The Community Development Block grant appears promising and may provide up to $355,000 of the parks funds. We should know after the site visit at the end of January whether our proposal will be approved and when the funds will be available.

Festival of Lights – About $300 was received from sales of donated items at the Festival of Lights and Holiday Bazaar.

The commission discussed the valentine in the park fund raiser scheduled in February. Valentines will be distributed to businesses who will have them available at check out stands. The valentines will sell for $1 and it is hoped that 2,000 can be distributed. Lisa and Tracie will work on the valentines.

The commission also discussed the possibility of a “walk for the park” later in the spring, a murder mystery dinner with an old west gunfight, a dodge ball fundraiser and an educational workshop fundraiser.

7. Citizen’s Concerns & Comments

There was none.

8. Commission Report & Comments

A round table discussion elicited the following comments: Dianna said she appreciated everyones hard work and wanted to thank them for their enthusiasm. Zoe indicated she would like more emphasis on recreation and activities. Members would like better signs at the park site. Mike said fundraising is showing a lot of results in just 3 months. Lisa suggested we consider inside activities. Steve indicated he liked the “Murder in the Park” idea. Tracie said she was amazed that people still have questions about the WOW money. She also said although this was her last meeting as a commissioner she was enthused about the commissions work and is interested in helping them as a ‘citizen’.

9. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm. The next meeting is at 7PM on 1/25/06.