2019 05-08(�E IDIAIZN,=-
PARKS Et RECREATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING • MINUTES
Meridian City Hall Council Chambers
33 E. Broadway Avenue, Meridian, Idaho
Wednesday, May 8, 2019 • 5:30 p.m.
The Meridian Parks 8 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.
1. Roll -Call Attendance
Commission President Jessica West called the meeting to order at approximately 5:35
p.m. MPR Administrative Assistant II Rachel Myers took roll -call attendance as
follows:
X Jessica West, President X Michelle Jensen
X Dom Gelsomino, Vice President 7 John Nesmith"
X Keith Bevan 0 Mike Pepin
0 Jo Greer X Creg Steele
0 Abbey Hutchins
'arrived at approximately 5:36 p.m.
Others present were: City Council Liaison Genesis Milam; MPR Department staff—Parks
Superintendent Mike Barton, Recreation Manager Colin Moss, Pathways Project
Manager Kim Warren, Et Marketing Coordinator Shelly Houston; Deputy City Attorney
Ted Baird; Meridian Co-op Gardeners President Juli Bokenkamp; Et citizens Carol
Menten, Pam Koch, Et Sue Ferguson.
2. Adoption of the Agenda
Commission President Jessica west entertained a motion to approve the agenda as
presented. Commissioner Creg Steele moved to approve the agenda. Commission
Vice President Dom Gelsomino seconded. All were in favor of the motion.
3. Approval of the April 17, 2019 Special Meeting Minutes
Commission President Jessica West entertained a motion to adopt the minutes as
presented. Commission Vice President Dom Gelsomino moved to approve the minutes.
Commissioner Creg Steele seconded. All were in favor of the motion.
Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - May 8, 2019 Page 1 of 5
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.
4. Announcements
a. Welcome New Commissioner Abbey Hutchins - Jessica West
This announcement was not presented.
Commission President Jessica West entertained a motion to table this
announcement for the next regular meeting. Commissioner Creg Steele moved to
table this item for the next regular meeting. Commission Vice President Dom
Gelsomino seconded. All were in favor of the motion.
b. Upcoming Events - Shelly Houston
MPR Marketing Coordinator Shelly Houston highlighted some upcoming events. A
copy of the schedule and flyer she referred to are attached to these meeting
minutes.
c. June Team -Building Activity - Mike Barton
On behalf of Director Siddoway, MPR Parks Superintendent Mike Barton explained
every summer, the MPR Commission does a team -building activity usually in one of
the parks. This year, there was general consensus to hold a barbecue in Discovery
Park and get a first-hand look at phase 1 construction progress before the park
opens to the general public in late July. This activity is scheduled for June 12,
2019 and will replace the regularly -scheduled meeting. Rachel Myers will
disseminate invitation flyers with more details to come.
5. Old Business -NONE
6. New Business
a. Kleiner Park Community Garden Update - Juli Bokenkamp
Meridian Co -Op Gardeners President Juli Bokenkamp presented an update in the
form of a PowerPoint about the Meridian Co-op Gardeners Club and the Community
Garden in Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park. Copies of her slides are attached to
these meeting minutes.
Commission Feedback:
• Vice President Gelsomino - He thanked Juli and her team for making a
difference in the community with the garden by educating current and next
generations about farming, continuing the tradition of agriculture, growing and
harvesting their own produce, and conserving our environment. He believes
having more community gardens throughout Idaho could help with mental
health issues as well.
• Commissioner Bevan - It's really a great thing what the gardeners accomplish.
Having a pollinator garden is a great idea to help attract bees.
• President West - She thanked Juli for all of her hard work.
• Commissioner Steele - He and his wife worked the community garden a couple
of years ago. The group gives so much effort to the garden. There are
truckloads of vegetables that go to the food bank—at least one or two a week
when they are harvesting. Juli puts in a ton of work getting everything
organized. He thanked Juli for her leadership and efforts.
b. Spring Pathways Tour Debrief - Kim Warren
Parks R Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - May 8, 2019 Page 2 of 5
Persons desiring accommodation for disabilities related to documents ondlor hearings:
Please contact the City Clerk's Office at 888-4433 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
MPR Pathways Project Manager Kim Warren reported that last month the
Commissioners attended a pathways tour via bicycles and a van. They were in the
northwest part of town. They started at Sawtooth Middle School, then went
through Bridgetower Subdivision, the Oaks Subdivision, and then viewed the area
by the future Owyhee High School. She asked for any general comments about the
tour and ideas about future ones.
Commission Feedback:
• Commissioner Steele - He thought the tour was great in seeing some new
pathways that are being constructed or segments to be developed. Keep up the
good work.
• Commissioner Jensen - She concurred. It was a great opportunity. The tour
really highlighted the challenge the City will have in front of it as Meridian
grows toward the west. She did not realize the number of homes Meridian has
with the new Owyhee School to be built and what it is going to do with the
population to be able to get from Point A to Point B with their children.
• Vice President Gelsomino - He concurred with his fellow Commissioners; it was
a wonderful experience. He is still relatively new to Idaho but is very impressed
by what is going on with Meridian's pathways and seeing how the City is
outpacing its neighboring cities; when they claim to be the best and brightest,
Meridian has the results that prove otherwise. Thank you for the hard work.
• President West - She loved the experience of getting on the pathways and
seeing exactly where the City plans to add more, change existing ones, and
pursue new opportunities. Thank you for organizing the tour.
c. MPR Department Strategic Presentation - Steve Siddoway
This agenda topic was not presented.
Commission President Jessica West entertained a motion to table this agenda
topic for the next regular meeting. Commissioner Creg Steele moved to table this
item for the next regular meeting. Commission Vice President Dom Gelsomino
seconded. All were in favor of the motion.
d. FY2020 MPR Department Budget Enhancements Overview - Mike Barton
On behalf of Steve Siddoway, MPR Parks Superintendent Mike Barton presented the
Department's FY2020 Budget Enhancement/ Replacement proposed requests.
Copies of the slides are attached to these meeting minutes.
Commission Feedback:
• President West - Regarding the Five Mile Creek Pathway Fairview Avenue
Connection request, would it be during this design phase to determine if there
will be a barrier/wall? Yes, there will be something more than an extruded
curb to make it as safe as possible for pedestrians and bicyclists.
• Commissioner Bevan - Is the Parks Et Recreation Intern request a paid
internship? Yes. if funded/ approved, the position would be available during
the 2020 summer season.
• Commissioner Steele - He saw the basketball court complex as a huge asset
going away regarding the Heroes Park Parking Expansion Design request. Just
recently, he visited the park and noticed three of the basketball courts being
Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - May 8, 2019 Page 3 of 5
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.
used. He was in favor of the flexible design option rather than losing the space
for basketball league utilization for three months.
Commissioner Nesmith - Regarding the Ten Mile Road Cost Share - Round Rock
request, how does one keep the weeds from growing up in these areas? Weed
barrier is not used because when a car goes through this area, the weed
barrier pushes up in the air, which cannot be tucked back in, and forever looks
like a piece of trash in the strip. Therefore, weed control would primarily be
done with ACHD's right of way spray program.
Vice President Gelsomino - Regarding the Ten Mile Road Cost Share - Round
Rock request, he prefers the round rock just because it avoids the proliferation
of goat -heads concerning the Ten Mile Road Cost Share request.
Regarding Phase 2 of Discovery Park and future phases, will there be any
educational models/amenities as there are in Phase 1, such as the rock-
climbing wall, the sand/water log, etc. to inspire and motivate kids to be more
inventive? Yes. MPR staff members have created the backbone for these types
of elements in Phase 1 and will expand this theme throughout the rest of the
park.
7. Workshop -NONE
8. Staff Reports
MPR Parks Superintendent Mike Barton reported on the following:
• Kleiner Park Bandshell Shade - He encouraged everyone to take a look at the
newly -installed shade structure for the stage performers, which looks great!
• Fuller Park - There have been a lot of ADA concrete improvements. An audit was
conducted which revealed some items that need repair. Fuller is an older park and
has not been worked on for quite some time. Staff is in the process of correcting
this.
• Discovery Park - Now that phase 1 construction is in the final stages, everything is
coming together with the playground and other amenities.
MPR Recreation Manager Colin Moss reported on the following:
• Homecourt Renovations - This project kicked off earlier this week. Staff is really
excited to see the improvements. Crews started tearing out some of the walls. The
sports office and the main office are torn out and is one big room now. The
restrooms and other renovations will start soon.
• Summer Camp -The 2019 Summer Activity Guide was published on April 12. The
Department had a great first day of summer registration and shows just how well
the online reservation system is doing and how well staff is doing in getting the
word out. In 2017 on the first day alone when the guide was released, there was
approximately $2,500 of revenue for classes and camps. In 2018, there was roughly
$6,600 in revenue in one day. This year on the first day, there was roughly $28,000
in revenue. Jake Garro will have his hands full with the three summer camp sites
(Siena, Discovery, and Willow Creek Elementary Schools). The proposed budget for
FY2020 will include a fourth summer camp site (tentatively at Ponderosa
Elementary) where staff members are working with the school district.
Parks rt Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - May 8, 2019 Page 4 of S
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.
• Concessions - Concession stands are getting ramped up. Staff made the selections
for all of the concession stands and are in the process of adding another snow cone
stand at Fuller Park. Colin sent out a request for proposals for a vendor to occupy
the concession stand at Discovery Park. Staff hopes a concessionaire will sell out of
the building on the ribbon -cutting date later in July.
• CableONE Movie Nieht - Before the Commission meets next month, Movie Night will
kick off on June 7—held each Friday over the summertime.
• Gene Kleiner Day - This celebration will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2019 which
will be a wonderful evening with the Meridian Symphony Orchestra.
• Sports The Summer Fun Kickoff Tournament is one of the bigger tournaments in
the region where staff runs seven fields—four at Heritage Middle School and three
at Settlers Park for IOU, 12U, 14U, and 16U fastpitch softball teams. Staff has
upwards of 40-45 teams in this tournament ran by Tyler Roberds over Memorial Day
weekend.
• Check Presentation - On May 21, 2019, Idaho Power will present a check to the
MPR Department for donating new batteries for the Park Ambassador electric
vehicle. Barbara Hatch reached out to Idaho Power, and they were generous
enough to donate the $1,400 to purchase new batteries. All are invited to attend
at 11 a.m.
9. Adjourn
Commission President Jessica West entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Commissioner Cres Steele moved to adjourn. Commission Vice President Dom
Gelsomino seconded. The vote was unanimous and in favor of the motion.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 7:17 p.m.
(AUDIO Et VIDEO ON FILE OF THESE PROCEEDINGS)
D / 10 / 2019
DATE
Attachments:
1) Upcoming Events 6t Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park Fishing Dock Dedication Flyer
(2 pages)
2) PowerPoint: Meridian Co-op Gardeners 2018 Annual Report (14 pages)
3) PowerPoint: FY2020 Budget Enhancements/ Replacements Overview (7 pages)
Parks Cc Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - May 8, 2019 Page 5 of 5
Persons desiring accommodation for disabilities related to documents andlor hearings:
Please contact the City Clerk's Office at 888.4433 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting_
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Ongoing V. -W
Meridian Main Street Market
Meridian's outdoor market will run each Saturday from 9:00 am -2:00 pm, through October 12th
Located in Meridian City Hall's Outdoor Plaza and Surrounding Areas
The Meridian Library makes a special stop at Meridian City Hall every Wednesday from 2:00-4:00 pm.
Visit them in the lobby to check out books and DVDs, renew library items, or get a library card.
May
Take Me Fishing Trailer
Thursday, May 9, 4:00-8:00 pm, Settlers Park Pond, Free, Give Fishing a Try — Equipment Provided
Wednesday, May 29, 4:00-8:00 pm, Kleiner Park Pond, Free, Give Fishing a Try — Equipment Provided
Trash or Treasure Neighborhood Exchange
May 4 & 5, Find details and how to register online at: www.meridiancity.org/trashtalk
This event is followed by Unlimited Trash Week from May 6-11. For large items, call 208-345-1265
Indigo Arts Festival
Saturday, May 4,10:00 am -7:00 pm and Sunday, May 5,10:00 am --4:00 pm, Storey Park
Unplug and Be Outside Week — Free Events All Week May 4-11
Find the schedule of events and locations online at www.merldiancity.org/unplug
Food Truck Frenzy Fundraiser— Food Truck Rally!
Thursday, May 9, 5:00-8:00 pm, Settlers Park, To benefit the Care Enough to Share Scholarship Program
Pointe of Hope Suicide Prevention Run/Walk & Resource Fair
Saturday, May 11,10:00 am --Noon, Kleiner Park, $10, Register at www.eventbrite.com
Do the Right Kindness Project: Thank You Note Thursday
Take time on this day to write some words of gratitude to someone you appreciate!
Used Book Sale at the Silverstone Branch of the Meridian Library
Saturday, May 18,10:00 am -2:00 pm, Silverstone Branch Parking Lot (3531 E. Overland Road in Meridian)
Romp in the Swamp Children's Event
Saturday, May 18, 3:00-5:00 pm, The Village at Meridian, To benefit Treasure Valley Children's Theater
Memorial Day Ceremony
Monday, May 27, 11:00 am, Rock of Honor Veterans Memorial in Kleiner Park, All Welcome
Dedication of the Fishing Dock at Kleiner Park Pond
Thursday, May 30,11:00 am, Kleiner Park's South Pond, All Welcome
Meridian Library's Summer Reading Kick -Off
Friday, May 31, 5:00-9:00 pm, Settlers Park, Food Trucks, Games, Booths and More
MADC's Family Night at the Meridian Speedway
Friday, May 31, 5:00-10:00 pm, Meridian Speedway, Details at www.meridianspeedway.com
Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park"
Fishing Dock Dedication
May 30 11:00 am South Pond
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21 flower entries: 11 ribbons
44 vegetable entries: 29
ribbons
Weed burning continues
to be very successful in
the garden.
5/8/2019
Eagle Scout
Project
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4 potato boxes, 4
cucumber trellises,
2 tomato cages
and shed repairs.
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Meridian Food Bank
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we support.
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= Idaho Botanical Garden's Lunaria Grant
Lunaria Grant program was established to encourage
and cultivate horticulture and related
Program educational projects. The Lunaria Grant
Program funds horticulture projects within
the State of Idaho.
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We have been awarded $979.00 to help
create the fruit tree and pollinator garden
projects.
We had nearly $2000 In in-kind donations
(City of Meridian, Five Mile Farm and
Greenhouses, The Nature Company, and
IDAHO DOiANtCAL
Haneke Naturally).
GARDEN
- $500 promised donation from Girl Scout
Troop #232.
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HOPES for 2019
tr 1. Grow fresh and organic
food.
2. Amend the soil. (Recent soil
testing was very helpful)
3. Improved success with our
potato boxes
4. Grow competition carrots
5. Share our knowledge and
teach others how to use the
produce in the garden.
Hopes for 2019
6. Improve participation for food
bank delivery.
7. Form Western Idaho Fair
committee.
8. Plant fruit trees (2 peach, 2
nectarine trees are already
planted). 2 apple trees to be
planted soon.
9. Plant a pollinator garden