2000-01-24_-
FEB 2 3 201)
Meridian Parks and Recreation Commission January 24, 2000
The regular meeting of The Parks and Recreation Commission was called to
order by Chairman David Moe at 7:34 p.m.
Present were David Moe, Sheri Baker, Ed Fong, Tammy deWeerd, Trace
Leighton, Kristin Smagula, Joe Da Rosa and Tom Kuntz.
Agenda: Sheri Baker made motion to adopt the agenda, seconded by Kristin
Smagula. All ayes, motion passed.
Minutes: Sheri Baker made a motion to pass the December minutes, seconded
by Kristin Smagula. All ayes, motion passed.
Public Introductions/Comments: David welcomed the new Commissioner Ed
Fong, Angie Bilbow from Idaho Athletic Club was also present.
Correspondence/Announcements: Tom pointed out a letter that was sent
regarding the survey in the activity guide. The letter stated that we need to
get more parks for Meridian and save some of the farmland that was being
tilled under. Tammy asked if we could draft a note on the status of the 56
acre-Chateau park comp plan to those who came to the last meeting at
North Park Church.
Due to another holiday, we will be holding our next meeting on the 28`" .
New Business•
5-Mile Creek Path Project: Gary Smith with Public Works has been working on
this project for the last 3 years, and we would like to try to move with this during
the summer. We have a tentative amount of funding through Idaho
Transportation of approximately $140,000 with a %20 match of that, which is less
than anticipated. The hold up is not having right away to the Siminich property.
Plan B is that we stay on the south side until we clear the Siminich property and
then cross there, or continue up and cross at 8`" Street. Tammy de Weerd
suggested that we have asub-committee from the Commission working with
Tom on this. Sheri said that she would be interested to hear what Mr. Siminich
had to say.
2000 Goals & Objectives: The Commission received a list of Parks and
Recreations informal draft goals and objectives for next year, this list is in no way
complete. Tom wants input from the Commission and Council about what they
think our goals should be. David Moe suggested that each Commissioner pick a
park and work with the department to get things done. David said that one of his
main goals is that the Commission get more involved and taking on a larger role.
Old Business
Generations Plaza Phase II: Tom reminded the Commission that Gary Benoit
discussed a patio attached to the building at the east side of the park. Tom and
Gary met with the City Attomey to see what the options were. There is a
possibility for a land swap for a portion of the alley, but our Attorney is suggesting
that we do a year to year contract for the land that the patio is on. Gary's
company is drilling wells to find out the status of the ground, under the building,
to the north of the Plaza. There was same concern about renting this out on a
year to year basis, because we don't know who will be there in 15 years. Tammy
said that in the conditional use permit, any change of ownership would need to
go through the same permitting process.
L.W.C.F. Land-Storey Park: The city owns approximately 5 acres of land to the
east of the speedway, which has been leased to the speedway and the lease
expired in December 1999. That area was suppose to be a park constructed
with fees from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. This was never done.
Two things have come to light.
1. We can allow the Speedway to use the property through this year through a
permitting process (the resolution that was in your packet marked "draft")
2. If we are going to keep that property under LCWF guidelines, we need to
develop it into parkland.
The only way around that is to go through a conversion process. This means
that we need to find 5 acres of land that meets the criteria that the LCWF sets up,
and that 5 acres then becomes the LCWF land to follow guidelines. This needs
to be done by the end of 2000. David asked if the Commission would be
reviewing the resolution, and Tom said that this could be on the next agenda.
Comprehensive plan: David explained to Ed Fong that the Commission felt that
this is a fairly general plan, and that it could represent most cities in the country
instead of being specific to Meridian. We are now in the process of trying to get
Norm Landerman-Moore to work with us to get the plan to fit Meridian. Tom said
that the more he reads the plan, the more frustrated he gets. Tom has reviewed
the Salem Comp Plan and it has so much detail and there is such a big
difference. David said that we are at a point where we need to find out how
wilting Norm is to work with us to clean it up and put in the information that we
need for our final draft. David said that it is his intention to take what ever is left
out of the $15,000 and pay someone to clean up Norm's work. Tom said that the
City Attorney says that he feels we have ground to stand on by stating the plan is
deficient and he has not completed the scope of work, and that it might be in our
best interest to part ways without any further financial obligations.
Donation Recognition: Tabled until next meeting.
Directors Informational Items-
Sunnybrook Farm Homeowners Property: The 2.1 acre property next to
Chateau Park we are in the process of moving on the deeding process with the
homeowner association to take over that area and making it part of the park. We
are working with Nampa Meridian Irrigation District on an agreement for that
drain that was tiled. Dave asked if we were going to start on Chateau Park
without having the Comp Plan in place. Tom said that he thinks we should have
a master plan in place for all of our parks. Tom has contacted Don Beltz, who
was at the meeting with Bob Droll, to see if he could get us a cost of what it
would take to finish the master plan, come up with design specifications, and go
to bid on phase 1. Phase 1 is something like a parking lot, utilities, sprinkling
system and grass, a pathway around the park and restrooms. Phase 2 would be
a shelter, playground equipment, basketball courts and restrooms if they don't
make into phase 1.
25 Acres off Cloverdale: A farmer with 25 acres called and wanted to know if
we were interested in renting some of his land. He said that he would sell it for
$20,000 an acre and a good portion of it is in the Boise impact area. The
Commission said that they are not interested.
Other Business David Moe asked where we sit on the plaque for March for
Parks and the Jay Bell Property. The property is land that Jay Bell is considering
donating the use of their land for P.A.L. who did not jump at the offer so CYSA
got involved and now there is talk about splitting it down the middle. David Mae
said that he would like to see 2 things happen. One is to get a lease agreement
with them and we can take over as far as coordinating use. Tom said with St.
Lukes, he was always in the middle of the maintenance people, who were mad at
PAL, and PAL was mad at them. David said that J Bell would maintain it, and
maybe we could use it for other things too. David just wants the City to set the
schedule there because we need as much green space as we can get. Tammy
de Weerd said that if the City were to schedule all of the green space in Meridian,
there would be only one place that people needed to worry about contacting.
Which would be better for the kids and the fields. Trace asked about the land at
the new police dept. are we going to be running it? Tom said that he had not
been contacted about it.
Adjournment Trace Leighton made motion to adjourn, seconded by Sheri Baker
at 9:20.