2000-10-16~ t i ~/ ~, g
JAN - 8 2001
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Meridian Parks and Recreation Commission October 16, 2000
The regular meeting of The Parks and Recreation Commission was called to
order by David Moe at 7:34.
Present were David Moe, Sheri Baker, Ed Fong, Tammy De weerd, Debbie
Watkins, Jim Keller and Tom Kuntz
Agenda: Jim Keller made a motion to adopt the October Agenda, Ed Fong
seconded, all ayes motion carried.
Approval of Minutes: Jim Keller made a motion to approve September's
minutes seconded by Debbie Watkins, all ayes, motion carried
Public Introductions/Comments: Present was John Wardle of the Idaho
Athletic Club.
Correspondence/Announcements:
Tom addressed the letters from the Herb Fair and thank you notes from Parks
employee Brad Day, who's brother passed away last month. He also went over
some articles that were in the paper regarding Generations Plaza. David Moe
asked when the Plaza would be done. Tom said end of November.
Old Business:
Update on recycling commodity revenue: Tammy spoke to Ron Anderson,
who is on the on the committee that is overseeing the revenue and giving their
recommendation of where the commodity is going. Ron says that they have not
designated where the commodity will go. The Committee discussed designating
a certain project and that they would like to do a number of visible things, for
instance, Christmas lights, a playground and other highly visibly projects that will
let citizens know what their money is going to. Tammy felt that it is appropriate
that the Commission write a letter and designate projects that might be viable
and prioritize them. Ed asked if there was.a projection on how much money we
were talking about. Tammy said approximately $20,000 a year. David asked
that this be carried over to next meeting.
Storey restroom costs- Tom went over the cost projection and floor plan. The
cost is $58,000 and Tom was not sure what the original cost was or how much
they expect the City to pay. David asked if Tom had anticipated this cost in this
year's budget. Tom said that he was not aware of this cost and would probably
go to Council and ask to move funds from the pathway project.
Update on Bear Creek, 56 Acres and Chateau-
Bear Creek- the developer has asked for a rough grading and parking lot plan, so
that we can sit down and figure how much we will be able to build with $100,000.
Tom has a meeting with them on Wednesday. Tom has also met with CTA, who
is doing the work on the rough grading and parking lot Tom also met with the
Bear Creek developers and Nampa Meridian Irrigation to discuss the irrigation
system. They still want to move dirt this fall.
Chateau- we completed the fencing along the north border of the park and we
helped 2 homeowners get the green slats. Tom said that there is also a drainage
problem so we need a seepage bed under ground and then a pipe that will go to
a canal and there will be a small retention bed, which will hopefully take care of
the problem.
56 Acres- The landscaping around the water tower has been awarded to A to Z.
Tom met with the farmer to discuss drainage. He gave Tom ideas on where to
place the pump stations. Tom will speak to Jim and David regarding RFQ's.
David suggested looking for someone local and it was suggested that we
advertise locally as well as sending packets for RFP's to local businesses.
Commission seats- David spoke to the Mayor who said that he would give
David 4 names. David has not received those names. David would like for the
entire commission to review them instead of a sub committee. Tom mentioned
putting a high school student on the Commission. The Commission felt that it
would be a good idea, but we need to check and see if a commission member
must be of voting age. Tom asked if Joe da Rosa had officially resigned. David
said he had not sent a letter, but yes he us officially off the Commission.
New Business•
Agreement on action plan- To date, we have paid Jerry Dragoo $1,700 and we
will owe him $7,000 to $8,000. Tom said that Jerry has a refreshing attitude and
would like direction from the Commission. Tom was asked if this was going to be
a lot of duplications to the Comp Plan. Tom said it would be more clarification
than duplication. The Action Plan will be the first item in the Comprehensive Plan.
It will make the Comp Plan a working document for Meridian instead of any city.
Debbie Watkins said Norm gave us a tool and the Commission should be doing
the work. Jim said that businesses do three to four year updates to their master
plans all the time. That is what an addendum is. David said that Norm didn't
listen to us. The Commission told Norm what they wanted, and Norm went back
to his books and started plugging in numbers without Meridian in mind. Debbie
asked if the master plan could be referred to as a reference guide. Sheri said
that is what it is. Sheri Baker asked what the time frame was to getting this done.
Tom said hopefully end of November. Jim made a motion to approve the action
plan, this was seconded by Debbie Watkins, all ayes motion carried. Jerry would
like feedback from the Commission regarding suggestions of what we want and
an approach on overall design, Tom then went over the letter that was sent out in
the packets. Tom went over the 4 options Jerry gave. #1 place the priority:
Community parks Vs neighborhood parks, community parks would be more
spread out than smaller neighborhood parks. A community park is anything over
18 acres. #2 Priority on larger parks, with several neighborhood parks as well.
The commission has said that they set a limit on the size of parks with the
smallest being 5 acres. #3 build two to three very large multi use parks only. #4
Build oversize neighborhood parks and not community parks, this would mean
the need for 8 to 10 of these parks. Tom says that a combination of community
and neighborhood parks would be best with neighborhood parks having a
walking distance of 1 mile. The trend over the last 6 months has been that we
have gotten land provided in exchange for impact fees. Tammy feels that people
will be more inclined to move into an area if there is a park in the neighborhood.
Tom feels that all 3 types of parks are necessary. Tom says that 5% of all
development should be set aside for green space for neighborhood parks. Jim
feels that we can't accomplish much with a 5-acre park, Tammy said that most of
the developments would be massive, so most won't be 5 acres. Tom suggested
tabling this until Jerry Dragoo is here. Ed asked about maintenance of
neighborhood parks after they are built. Tom said if they are not big enough, we
won't take them on.
Generations Patio Lease Agreement-David asked where the conditions
regarding the construction that they will be doing. Tom said they are in the
findings of fact under conditions. Tom said that there is an issue for the
developers on how the lease should be written. The attorney feels that it should
be from Oct.1 to Sept. 30, following our fiscal year. The developer feels that it
should be Jan.1 to Dec.31 because they want the lease to be as long as
possible. Bill Nichols feels that it is in the City's best interest to follow our fiscal
year. David questioned where it talks about a gate in the fence around the patio.
Tom said that he requested a gate incase the lease is not renewed down the
road, we will have access to the patio for the public. Tom also said that we are
granting them a permanent easement along the edge of their building and along
the patio for a drainpipe that will connect their drain to their drain pit in their
parking lot. The Commission felt that they could run their drain out the back of
their roof and have it drain directly into their parking lot. Jim Keller moved that
the Commission authorize Tom to move forward with the exception of changing
the drain and removal of the gate. Sheri Baker seconded, all ayes motion
carried.
Storey Park irrigation bids- We will re-bid for the irrigation system this spring,
trying for a lower bid, this will possibly delay the baseball season. Sheri asked if
there was any other way to bid differently. If the City could trust and hire
someone based on time and materials, it would save a lot of money. Tom said
that with Tully Park, we bought the material, and hired out for the labor. Tom is
not sure that we have the staff to oversee and manage that type of project.
Directors Informational Items:
Master pathway agreement with Nampa Meridian- Tom met with Boise Parks
Ada County and the Boise city attorney. They went through the master pathway
agreement page by page and made some revisions. The Boise attorney then
met with Dan Steenson, who is the attorney for Nampa Meridian Irrigation.
Those changes will be voted on at the Nampa Meridian Irrigation District board
meeting. We will then get it back for review.
Ed will be meeting with the pathway committee this month.
Tom met with PAL to see if they were interested in partnering up on the 56 acres.
They seemed receptive to the idea. David said that we should talk to other
groups who might be interested in partnering up. Tom said he felt that PAL is a
Meridian organization and that is whom we should be working with. Jim said that
it is dangerous to look that way. Tom will look into other organizations..
Tom asked for a skateboard representative from the Commission. Sheri Baker
volunteered and Debbie Watkins said she would help. David asked how soon we
would be getting the skate park committee under way. Tom said he would like to
get things started in November. The middle school is one of a couple of sites
that we could use. Sheri asked when we could break ground. Tom said in the
spring.
Tami Smith has been working on a flier to go out for the brick sales at
Generations Plaza. We will begin selling them on the 1ST of November.
The Tennis courts are done. David asked if we got a thank you note. Tom said
no.
Other Business:
Debbie Watkins said that the new shelter at Tully Park looks great. Tom said the
slats are in.
The Commission stated they would like minutes and agendas e-mailed instead of
mailed to them.
Adjournment
Jim Keller made a motion to adjourn at 9:45. This was seconded by Sheri Baker.