HomeMy WebLinkAboutDraft Minutes - Recreation and Parks Committee - 03/11/2019
RECREATION AND PARKS COMMITTEE
MONDAY March 11, 2019
5 PM-6:30 PM
Medium Conference Room, City Offices
Commi ee members present: Holly Rees, Jennifer Kochman, Mike Simoneau, Ka e Langrock, Jon Pence,
Rebecca Poque e
Absent with regrets: Glenn Sproul, Paul Steinman, Tami Zylka & Liz Robitaille
Staff: Ben McShane
Public Guests: Ted Selfridge, Judy Selfridge, Chris Carpenter, Sam Carlson, Dan Albrecht, Ken Boyd
Mee ng Notes
(5:00-5:15pm) Jennifer called the mee ng to order
Holly reviewed the safety procedures
There were no changes or addi ons to the agenda
Comments from the public not related to the agenda
· Sam Carlson brought up the concern that Overlook Park’s view of Lake Champlain is
currently blocked. There are tall pines that are on City property and other trees on the
property of a neighbor. Can the trees be topped so that are no high than house, or are
they even needed to shield the park from the house? Holly stated that work is planned
for Overlook park and this will be considered with the upcoming work.
· Dan Albrecht men oned the Farrell Park dog park has ice and snow blocking the gate
entrance, making it difficult for residents to use.
· Dan Albrecht men oned that we need signage and parking for all of the open spaces that
the city has purchased. He expressed the need to maintain the proper es that we have
purchased and that the community should benefit from these purchases. Jennifer
reported that there was a commi ee that priori zed the use of the 1/2 for parks
ameni es and that the concerns would be addressed over me.
Mike moved to approve the minutes from February 11 2018 mee ng, seconded by Rebecca, all in favor
(5:15-5:20) Introduc on of R and P staff member Ben Mcshane
(5:20 -6pm) Next steps for indoor recrea on facility: Kevin Dorn & Tom Hubbard
· Kevin presented that the City Council will review the vote on the proposed tax that was
defeated on 3/5. Recrea on & Parks Commi ee wants to move forward with an indoor
facility, and the City Council will discuss the possibility of seeking other funding
alterna ves. Discussion will guide whether design work should con nue. The $15-$20
million es mate was provided by the architect. It was calculated using a base cost per
square foot applied to the overall design.
· Discussion was held about visi ng the Middlebury Recrea on Facility and learning about
the cost to build.
· Jennifer encouraged those that support the concept of an indoor recrea on facility to
join the newly formed founda on.
· Discussion about current design and what is planned to be included. An outdoor pool
was requested to be considered. It was suggested that some research into the revenues
generated by the Maple Street pool in Essex could help to understand the finances of
building a pool. Further work is needed to understand if a pool is a priority for the city
and if there is a poten al for this to be a regional pool.
(6pm-6:40pm) Director’s Report and Budget: Holly
· Reviewed Holly’s monthly report
· Consensus from the group that the Recrea on department should have the ability to
update the R&P website.
(6:40) NRPA Sub-commi ee: Ka e will schedule a mee ng that includes Holly & Jennifer to clarify
ques ons from our last mee ng. Goal to have summary complete this spring.
(6:40-6:45pm) Liaison report from Dog Park Commi ee: Mike
· s ll considering poten al loca ons
· recommenda on to council expected by June
(6:45) Mike moved to adjourn, and Jon seconded the mo on, the mee ng was adjourned.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: April 8, 2019 5:00 P.M.
Commi ee work:
Use of open space and gap analysis: Glenn and Mike represent R and P Commi ee
2018 NRPA Review: Ka e, Jon, Paul, Tami
Dog Park liaison
Chair: City Council, Planning Commission, Library Board
Natural Resources
DRB
School Board
Bike & Ped: Rebecca
SB Land Trust: Jennifer (member)
BY Appointment to commi ees:
Founda on: Jennifer and Mike
Design Review/Public Art: Jennifer
Leadership: Jennifer and Mike
Affordable Housing: Mike
Wheeler: Jennifer and Mike
Winooski Valley Park District??
Energy??
Bike Rack:
Parks Management Plan
Central file of city-owned land