HomeMy WebLinkAboutDraft Minutes - Recreation and Parks Committee - 07/12/2021
Recreation and Parks Committee
Monday July 12 5:00-6:30
Veteran’s Memorial Park Pavilion
Meeting Minutes
Present: Katie Langrock, Mike Simoneau, William Sudbay, Lauren Wedam, Jon Pence, Christy Pilsucki
Staff: Holly Rees
Absent: Caroline Henne, Bill Barber, Libby Daghlin
Guests: none
Meeting called to order at 5:05pm by Katie Langrock.
Changes or additions to the agenda
None
Comments from the public not related to the agenda
none
Approval of minutes from May 10, 2021 meeting
Will defer until next meeting
How to honor Jennifer Kochman
Holly wondered if there were opportunities as they develop city parks? Maybe Underwood? Mike
thinks we should wait and be mindful about what we are going to do. Mike said it might be good to
include Frank as well as he might have some thoughts. Holly said Phase 1 is path connection and viewing
pavilion, although community would like it to remain untouched without viewing pavilion. Might be
better to wait until there is a clear plan there or another opportunity arises. Discussed importance of
appropriate committees being involved before moving forward with anything.
Welcome New members
Introduced Libby to committee members and their roles.
Leadership transition and restructure
Katie gave her notice as Chair. What are next steps and what can the transition look like? Currently,
Vice Chair and Secretary do not have capacity to step up into Chair position. Leadership has reached out
to member Bill Barber and conversations are still ongoing. In the near future, the big push will be the
IRF. If R&P can get funding from various sources, they may be able to put a ballot item together.
Discussed concerns that pursuing the IRF without outside funding amidst the pandemic, reassessments
and new city manager could put people off. The new School Board Rep is asking for a teen center as
well.
Discussed attendance challenges for some committee members? Change the day? The time? In person
meetings are required but can have Zoom as well. Hybrid could be a solution to increase attendance of
those with childcare issues.
Lauren agreed to Chair the next meeting with a plan to pass a slate of leadership for the committee.
Katie asked the group what do we want the committee to be going forward? Jon reiterated a big part of
the committee’s role is to support Holly in her job – Jon sees this as including volunteer positions and to
help with events as needed. Jon said he would be interested in that, and others agreed. Holly asked
how that would be communicated? Through Director’s Report? Sending out emails? Discussed that it
would be helpful to get a sense of committee members interests. Jon said it would be helpful to have
info about projects as well so that we can function as ambassadors of R&P. Could committee be
structured in a way which each member has a role – like PR role? Budget role? Holly will send out a
survey of interests, needs and opportunities.
Committee member expectation
These matters were covered in the above discussion and notes.
Work plan Review
Decision to defer this discussion until we have the leadership/roles in place and are in a physical space
with a screen.
Committee Assignments to Work Plan
Deferred to next meeting.
Director Report Follow Up
Highlights:
New staff (Lauren Drasler –Recreation Specialist and Rebecca Isham, Adult/Senior Rec Specialist).
Overtime hours will continue for next week or two until the new staff get onboarded.
New registration program started; it’s been a slow transition.
New building – all city hall staff are remote except for R&P. R&P is moving into their new office space
on Monday which will be on the third floor with City Hall. Grand Opening event is 7/23, be there if you
can!
SoBu Nite Out – only had one so far as the second was rained out but very good attendance.
Red Rocks – police have been patrolling parks with former SROs positions. As a result, there have been
less complaints about dogs off leash, poop everywhere. R&P has had a few poop clean up days, will be
an option as part of an upcoming service day for R&P.
Hubbard Park – working on trail connectivity, firming up trails.
Wheeler Park -- signs are up. Putting in an accessible boardwalk to a viewing pavilion. Will asked how to
reach out if he wants to help or get involved as he uses/appreciates the park. Holly said reach out to her
directly.
Wheeler Dog Park – plan is in front of DRB, but there is a concern about class 3 wetlands. DRB is asking
some questions, Justin from Public Works will respond. Unfortunately, looks like construction won’t
happen now until next Spring.
Szymanski – tennis and basketball courts to be redone, no date yet.
Veterans – park is slated to have two upgrades this season: 1) New basketball resurfacing 2) New
Bathroom Facility next Spring.
Overlook – met with Wayne Racine (guest at May meeting) and had some ideas of how to improve the
view situation. Holly believes we can make it better than what it is currently and will discuss this with
the new City Manager. No agreement yet among potential solutions. They will continue to work on
this.
South Village – Holly met with developers about the soccer field at South Village and they said it is going
to be a youth soccer field so it will not be used by community. Holly talked with the City Manager and
suggested maybe a pickleball facility there as it would better serve that community (mostly retired, not
a lot of kids). Mike said pickleball is a noisy game, could get some complaints. Holly thinks it might be
isolated enough that noise won’t be a problem.
Next Meeting Agenda Setting
August 9th- Recreation and Parks Staff Introductions and Goals
10 minutes each (Brett, Lauren, Travis and Becca)
NRPA analysis (work group report)
Capital Item List (work group report)
Indoor Rec Center Timeline
Review Fiscal Calendar Deadlines
Revisit time/day versus hybrid meetings
Work plan and committee assignments
Motion to adjourn by Will, seconded by Lauren. All approved. Adjourned at 6:13pm.
Next meeting 8/9 from 5-6:30pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Christy Pilsucki