HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-10-14
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
City Council Chambers, 33 East Broadway Avenue Meridian, Idaho
Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at 5:30 PM
Mission:
The Meridian Parks & Recreation Commission is a volunteer citizens' group that is created
and empowered to advise the City on issues relating to park facilities and recreation
programs of the City. Their mission is to gather input from staff and other qualified personnel
on issues relating to the creation and design of public parks and open spaces; to listen to
public input; and to provide advice and recommendations on parks and recreation related
matters to the Mayor and City Council.
All materials presented at public meetings become property of the City of Meridian. Anyone desiring accommodation
for disabilities should contact the City Clerk's Office at 208-888-4433 at least 48 hours prior to the public meeting.
Agenda
VIRTUAL MEETING INSTRUCTIONS
Limited seating is available at City Hall. Please consider joining the meeting virtually:
https://us02webzoom.us/j/86371163974
Or join by phone: 1-669-900-6833
Webinar ID: 863 7116 3974
ROLL-CALL ATTENDANCE
____ Dom Gelsomino, President ____ Jo Greer, Vice President
____ Michelle Jensen ____ John Nesmith
____ Keith Bevan ____ Creg Steele
____ Jennifer Bobo ____ Jessica West
____ Camden Hyde ____ Brad Hoaglun, City Council Ex-Officio
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
1. August 12, 2020 Regular Meeting
Dom Gelsomino, MPRC President ~ 2 minutes
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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2. Farwell to Commissioner Michelle Jensen
Dom Gelsomino, MPRC President ~ 3 minutes
3. Welcome New Youth Commissioner Camden Hyde
Dom Gelsomino, MPRC President ~ 3 minutes
4. Commissioner Reappointment/Appointments
Steve Siddoway, MPR Director ~ 5 minutes
5. November Meeting
Steve Siddoway, MPR Director ~ 5 minutes
6. Upcoming Events
Shelly Houston, MPR Marketing Coordinator ~ 5 minutes
OLD BUSINESS ~ NONE
NEW BUSINESS
7. MPR Commissioner Creg Steele Recognition
Steve Siddoway, MPR Director ~ 5 minutes
8. MPR Department Forestry Update
Matthew Perkins, City Arborist ~ 30 minutes
9. MPR Department Pathways Construction Update
Kim Warren, MPR Pathways Project Manager ~ 30 minutes
WORKSHOP ~ NONE
STAFF REPORTS
10. MPR Staff ~ 20 minutes
ADJOURNMENT
NEXT MEETING ~ TBD
2020 All-Commission Goals:
1. Support development of a connected pathway system across the City of Meridian, with the
Five Mile Creek Pathway and the Rail-With-Trail Pathway as the top priorities.
2. Encourage coordination with the City of Eagle to connect to the Boise River Greenbelt and
with neighboring communities for additional regional connections of our pathway systems.
3. Support design and construction of Discovery Park Phase 2.
4. Participate in the design and programming of a new Community Center on the Civic Block.
5. Engage other task forces, commissions, entities, and agencies through workshops and other
outreach for partnership opportunities.
6. Pursue improved tools and opportunities to engage citizens and stakeholders.
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7. Continue to foster greater Commission involvement/presence in community events.
8. Discuss progress on Goals and Objectives in the MPR Master Plan.
9. Hold workshops during Commission meetings to address current issues.
10. Participate in the partnership with the Meridian Arts Commission to add theming and
identity reinforcing art in Meridian parks and along pathways.
11. Participate in the design of a parking lot expansion at Heroes Park.
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Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports ~ October 14, 2020 Page 1 of 7
Persons desiring accommodation for disabilities related to documents and/or hearings:
Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 888‐4433 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORTS
October 14, 2020
Administration Division
Director’s Report:
STEVE SIDDOWAY
(Please note, a verbal report will be provided at the October 14, 2020 MPR Commission
Meeting.)
Parks Division
Parks Superintendent Report:
MIKE BARTON
(Please note, a verbal report will be provided at the October 14, 2020 MPR Commission
Meeting.)
Pathways Project Manager’s Report:
KIM WARREN
(Please note, a verbal report will be provided at the October 14, 2020 MPR Commission
Meeting.)
City Arborist’s Report:
MATTHEW PERKINS
(Please note, a verbal report will be provided at the October 14, 2020 MPR Commission
Meeting.)
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Item 10.
Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports ~ October 14, 2020 Page 2 of 7
Persons desiring accommodation for disabilities related to documents and/or hearings:
Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 888‐4433 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
Recreation Division
Recreation Manager’s Report:
GARRETT WHITE
1. Field/Event Scheduling – This is ongoing and weekly. Like last month, I have been
in contact with different youth sports organizations that use our parks for games or
practices. I have required them to work with CDH to gain approval for each specific
league. Once they get approval, I approve the field reservation.
2. AR Reports – With the help of Vicki and Jeannette, I have reached out to all
organizations that have not paid their reservation fees and/or those that have
cancelled this year to reschedule for next. If they have not paid, reservations will be
cancelled.
3. Community Center RFP – I have attended weekly and by-weekly meetings in
regards to the Community Center RFP. Progress is slow but seems to be gaining
momentum. We hope to begin the design phase soon.
4. Agreements – I have been working with Meridian Youth Baseball and updating
their Fuller Park Agreement. I sent them the final adjustments that I have and am
waiting for response. I have also reached out to them in regards to the agreement
we have at Settlers Park and possibly updating that agreement as well.
5. Covid‐19 Protocols – I am still working with park users and their protocols for
smaller events and/or reservations. We will continue to monitor all Covid-19
regulations and restrictions as they come.
6. Park Concessionaires - I have been working with the Storey Park Concessionaire
in regards to updating their RFP proposal. Due to some hardships around Covid-19,
they had to close early. I am also working with CDH to get all our parks concessions
buildings inspected.
7. Priority Based Budgeting (PBB) – I have been reviewing the Department’s
program budgets. Each coordinator has budgets for each program. As we get
deeper into PBB, each budget will be analyzed.
Homecourt Facility Manager’s Report:
JAKE GARRO
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Item 10.
Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports ~ October 14, 2020 Page 3 of 7
Persons desiring accommodation for disabilities related to documents and/or hearings:
Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 888‐4433 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
1. Community Athletic Group Practices – Local AAU community athletic groups
started basketball and volleyball practices on Monday, October 5. Due to Covid, we
are scheduling two teams during the following times for practice: 4:30 p.m., 5:45
p.m., 6:00 p.m.–7:15 p.m., and 7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m. Each team is allowed to bring 17
individuals into the facility during their practice time. This is in place, due to the
current health order.
2. Meridian Homecourt Open Pickleball Play – Monday, October 5 was the first day
of our open pickleball play program. For open pickleball play, we are requesting
that patrons reserve a spot in play period timeslots. Play period timeslots are as
follows: 7:00 a.m.–9:30a.m., 10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m., and 1:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m. We
have this in place to ensure social distancing measures are in place for pickleball
and we comply with the gathering order.
3. Homecourt Staff – We are currently in the process of hiring our 6th part-time
Homecourt Facility Specialist. Our new employee is scheduled to begin work
Monday, October 12.
4. Facility Schedule – I have received a number of requests from local community
athletic groups inquiring about running tournaments at out our facility. My message
to these local groups is we will entertain the thought of tournaments when the
current health order is modified and it is safe to gather individuals inside for
tournaments.
5. American Cleaning Services – I walked the facility with Max Jensen, Bill Young,
and representatives from American Cleaning Services. American Cleaning Services
is taking over cleaning responsibilities for Meridian Homecourt on November 1.
Recreation Coordinators’ Report:
RENEE WHITE
This year we will offer a colorful variety of activities that are no, or extremely low,
person-to-person contact to replace our typical fall/winter events.
1. Fall for Meridian – Door Decorating Contest - We are sponsoring a decorating
contest to encourage residents to ‘zhoosh’ up their neighborhood with festive fall
decorations. We are offering one first place prize in three different categories: Most
Elegant, Most Playful, and Best Halloween Theme. Photos will be sent in via email
through Friday, October 23 with the winners announced on Friday, October 30.
Thanks to Jo Greer and Dom Gelsomino for agreeing to help judge the contest.
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Item 10.
Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports ~ October 14, 2020 Page 4 of 7
Persons desiring accommodation for disabilities related to documents and/or hearings:
Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 888‐4433 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
2. Scavenger Hunt - We created a fun little scavenger hunt to get young kids outside
and make observations about their neighborhood. We are asking them to find fall
items, spot Halloween decorations, and do a few fun activities. Those who
participate will be entered into a drawing for a $50 pizza party package in the form
of an Idaho Pizza Company gift card.
3. Winterland – In a Bag - Collaborating with local businesses, we are creating a grab
bag of holiday crafts and activities to offer a little holiday festiveness for families to
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Item 10.
Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports ~ October 14, 2020 Page 5 of 7
Persons desiring accommodation for disabilities related to documents and/or hearings:
Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 888‐4433 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
do at home. This activity replaces our popular Children’s Winterland Festival. We
will make 500 bags to hand out at the Meridian Community Center – for free.
Sparklight has stepped up to offer drawstring bags, and All American Insurance has
stepped up to sponsor the activity. We are accepting individually packaged crafts
from local organizations.
4. Zoom with Santa - We are creating an opportunity for kids to meet face-to-face
with Santa – virtually in our Zoom with Santa program. We will decorate the video
lab in City Hall for a backdrop and offer kids 3 minutes to share their wish list with
Santa at no cost for the families.
5. Letters from Santa - The mailbox that delivers letters straight to Santa will once
again be set up in front of City Hall. We’ve made some adjustments to the backside
operations to replace the typical volunteer staff who help us send the replies. We
typically get around 1,000 letters, with nearly 400 coming from the Winterland
event. So, we are only expecting 600 or so this year. The recreation staff are all
pitching in to make sure this program runs smoothly.
JENNA FLETCHER
1. 2021 Winter Activity Guide – I am currently working on the new winter/spring
guide. We have decided to publish it digitally again and will not be printing it. The
Guide will be released on December 8, and registration will open on December 10.
2. Fall Classes – Fall classes are up and running. Numbers are looking great.
Instructors have been advised to follow Covid-19 protocols, such as cleaning and
disinfecting, practice physical distancing when able to with the class, and wearing a
mask when not engaged in physical activity.
MAGGIE COMBS
1. 2020 Spring Leagues –The Spring/Summer Softball League is wrapping up the
end-of-season tournaments the beginning of October, weather permitting.
2. 2020 Fall Leagues –Fall Volleyball League play is starting the week of September
14th and playing games in the local schools.
3. 2020 Winter Leagues – Registrations will open soon for Winter Volleyball, which
closes in December.
4. 2020 Holiday Classic - The Holiday Classic Volleyball Tournament that is hosted in
November to raise funds to buy Christmas gifts for the children at the Meridian
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Item 10.
Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports ~ October 14, 2020 Page 6 of 7
Persons desiring accommodation for disabilities related to documents and/or hearings:
Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 888‐4433 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
Head Start Program is looking at being modified this year to continue to practice
social distancing protocols in place, but still be able to host the tournament. This
tournament is scheduled to take place on the first Saturday in November. We are
also adding a Sunday Corn hole Tournament to take place at the Homecourt this
year.
Volunteer Program Coordinator’s Report:
CHELSEA CANTRELL
1. Volunteers – In September we had 181 volunteer hours. These hours were all
contributed to community service projects, including laying mulch in tree beds at
Kleiner Park, cleaning artwork, sweeping the gutters in downtown Meridian, and
cleaning playground equipment in the parks.
The majority of our volunteer service is still suspended, due to most of our
volunteers being in the high risk category.
Recreation Coordinator 1 (Sports) Report:
SKYLER COOK
1. Flag Football League – Fall Flag Football is underway with 14 teams playing games
at Storey and Discovery Park. The season will run until Thanksgiving.
2. Halloween Disc Golf Tournament – A Disc Golf Tournament will be held on
October 31st at Kleiner Memorial Park. We are partnering with the local association
to set up portable baskets on the back 9. Adult division is scheduled at 10:00 a.m.
followed by the youth division at 11:00 a.m. Costumes are encouraged!
3. Holiday Classic Cornhole Tournament – This will be the first annual tournament
in conjunction with the Holiday Classic Volleyball Tournament with all proceeds
going to Meridian Head Start Program. Cornhole will be played on November 8th at
the Meridian Homecourt.
4. Winter Basketball League – The registration deadline for Winter Basketball is
Wednesday, November 18th by 5:00 p.m. for an 8-week regular season plus playoffs.
Regular season play will begin the week of December 7th.
Arts & Culture Coordinator’s Report:
AUDREY BELNAP
1. Arts Commission
Ten (10) traffic boxes will be finished up and installed by the end of the week.
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Item 10.
Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports ~ October 14, 2020 Page 7 of 7
Persons desiring accommodation for disabilities related to documents and/or hearings:
Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 888‐4433 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
Our 6 month consulting process with Via Partnerships wrapped, up and we now
have a comprehensive report on our Public Art Program. This report will be the
ground on which the Public Art Subcommittee will build our Public Art Plan.
Final locations for the Meridian Mural Series will be announced on Friday,
October 9, and the RFQ for muralists will be released on October 16.
The Initial Point Gallery is currently exhibiting the Idaho Watercolor Society
with artwork from 40 local watercolorists.
We saw a lot of success at Art Week in the beginning of September. Many
residents participated in the Art Drop, and the free art classes went smoothly.
The Chalk Art Competition was also a hit with more than 30 entries.
2. Historic Preservation Commission
The Commission hired Hull Film to do a virtual tour of City Hall and the Meridian
Speedway. The tours are being finalized and should be publishable by the end of
the month.
The Commission formed a Subcommittee to formulate social media strategies
and content for their new Facebook Group.
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Item 10.