2021-08-11
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
Meridian City Hall, City Council Chambers, 33 East Broadway Avenue Meridian, Idaho
Wednesday, August 11, 2021 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
To join the meeting online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83474785939
Or join by phone: 1-669-900-6833
Webinar ID: 834 7478 5939
ROLL-CALL ATTENDANCE
____ Jo Greer, President ____ Keith Bevan, Vice President
____ Dom Gelsomino ____ John Nesmith
____ Autumn Short ____ Albert Kang
____ Jennifer Bobo ____ Jessica West
____ Camden Hyde ____ Jessica Perreault, City Council Ex-Officio
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
1. July 14, 2021 Regular Meeting
Jo Greer, MPRC President ~ 2 minutes
ANNOUNCEMENTS
2. Upcoming Events
Shelly Houston, MPR Marketing Coordinator ~ 5 minutes
3. Parks Tour Route
Steve Siddoway, MPR Director ~ 5 minutes
OLD BUSINESS [ACTION ITEM]
4. Urban Forestry Management Plan Update
Matthew Perkins, City Arborist ~ 15 minutes
NEW BUSINESS
5. MPR Department Volunteer Program Update
Chelsea Cantrell, MPR Volunteer Program Coordinator ~ 20 minutes
6. Settlers Park Tennis/Pickleball Conversion Update
Garrett White, MPR Recreation Manager ~ 15 minutes
PATHWAYS WORKSHOP
7. 6 Pathway Infill Projects Update
Kim Warren, MPR Pathways Project Manager ~ 10 minutes
8. ULI Partnership Update
Kim Warren, MPR Pathways Project Manager ~ 10 minutes
9. General Map & Missing Links Brainstorming
Kim Warren, MPR Pathways Project Manager ~ 40 minutes
STAFF REPORTS
10. MPR Staff ~ 20 minutes
ADJOURNMENT
NEXT MEETING ~ September 8, 2021 at 5:30 PM (MPR Facilities Tour)
2021 All-Commission Goals:
1. Support development of a connected pathway system across the City of Meridian, with a
focus on developing projects for future construction.
2. Support design and construction of Discovery Park Phase 2.
3. Participate in the design and programming of a new Community Center on the Civic Block.
4. Participate in the development of the Lakeview Golf Course Master Plan.
5. Pursue improved tools and opportunities to engage citizens and stakeholders.
6. Engage other task forces, commissions, entities, and agencies through workshops and other
outreach for partnership opportunities.
7. Participate in the partnership with the Meridian Arts Commission to add theming and
identity reinforcing art in Meridian parks and along pathways.
8. Continue to foster greater Commission involvement/presence in community events
whenever appropriate.
9. Discuss progress on Goals and Objectives in the MPR Master Plan.
10. Hold workshops during Commission meetings to address current issues.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
Meridian City Hall, City Council Chambers, 33 East Broadway Avenue Meridian, Idaho
Wednesday, August 11, 2021 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
To join the meeting online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83474785939
Or join by phone: 1-669-900-6833
Webinar ID: 834 7478 5939
ROLL-CALL ATTENDANCE
____ Jo Greer, President ____ Keith Bevan, Vice President
____ Dom Gelsomino ____ John Nesmith
____ Autumn Short ____ Albert Kang
____ Jennifer Bobo ____ Jessica West
____ Camden Hyde ____ Jessica Perreault, City Council Ex-Officio
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
1. July 14, 2021 Regular Meeting
Jo Greer, MPRC President ~ 2 minutes
ANNOUNCEMENTS
2. Upcoming Events
Page 1
Shelly Houston, MPR Marketing Coordinator ~ 5 minutes
3. Parks Tour Route
Steve Siddoway, MPR Director ~ 5 minutes
OLD BUSINESS [ACTION ITEM]
4. Urban Forestry Management Plan Update
Matthew Perkins, City Arborist ~ 15 minutes
NEW BUSINESS
5. MPR Department Volunteer Program Update
Chelsea Cantrell, MPR Volunteer Program Coordinator ~ 20 minutes
6. Settlers Park Tennis/Pickleball Conversion Update
Garrett White, MPR Recreation Manager ~ 15 minutes
PATHWAYS WORKSHOP
7. 6 Pathway Infill Projects Update
Kim Warren, MPR Pathways Project Manager ~ 10 minutes
8. ULI Partnership Update
Kim Warren, MPR Pathways Project Manager ~ 10 minutes
9. General Map & Missing Links Brainstorming
Kim Warren, MPR Pathways Project Manager ~ 40 minutes
STAFF REPORTS
10. MPR Staff ~ 20 minutes
ADJOURNMENT
NEXT MEETING ~ September 8, 2021 at 5:30 PM (MPR Facilities Tour)
2021 All-Commission Goals:
1. Support development of a connected pathway system across the City of Meridian, with a
focus on developing projects for future construction.
2. Support design and construction of Discovery Park Phase 2.
3. Participate in the design and programming of a new Community Center on the Civic Block.
4. Participate in the development of the Lakeview Golf Course Master Plan.
5. Pursue improved tools and opportunities to engage citizens and stakeholders.
6. Engage other task forces, commissions, entities, and agencies through workshops and other
outreach for partnership opportunities.
7. Participate in the partnership with the Meridian Arts Commission to add theming and
identity reinforcing art in Meridian parks and along pathways.
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8. Continue to foster greater Commission involvement/presence in community events
whenever appropriate.
9. Discuss progress on Goals and Objectives in the MPR Master Plan.
10. Hold workshops during Commission meetings to address current issues.
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Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports ~ August 11, 2021 Page 1 of 6
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
August 11, 2021
Administration Division
Director’s Report:
STEVE SIDDOWAY
(Please note, a verbal report will be provided at the August 11, 2021 MPR Commission
Meeting.)
Parks Division
Parks Superintendent Report:
MIKE BARTON
(Please note, a verbal report will be provided at the August 11, 2021 MPR Commission
Meeting.)
Pathways Project Manager’s Report:
KIM WARREN
(Please note, a verbal report will be provided at the August 11, 2021 MPR Commission
Meeting.)
City Arborist’s Report:
MATTHEW PERKINS
1. Tree Pruning – I continue to respond to special requests for various pruning
and/or removal needs throughout the parks, downtown, and other City-owned
facilities.
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Item 10.
Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports ~ August 11, 2021 Page 2 of 6
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. Downtown Trees – Tree pruning, as well as weed and sucker/sprout removal, have
been contracted out in the downtown tree boxes. Some miscellaneous paver repairs
are being arranged, and two tree boxes on Pine Street near Meridian Road are being
retired and paved over with one being replaced by another flower pot. Some trees in
poor condition will be replaced, as well as a few that were run over during traffic
incidents.
3. Tree Planting – Locations where trees will be replaced have been mapped out. A
work order has been built with specifications. Trees have been selected for the
planting and assigned to parks. I will place an order with local tree nurseries and
have trees delivered to the Kleiner Park Shop near the bins where they will be
stored as they get planted.
4. Christmas Tree – The 2021 Christmas tree has been selected. It will be a bit smaller
and narrower than the one from 2020. This is necessary in order to avoid problems
with transportation that were experienced last year.
Recreation Division
Recreation Manager’s Report:
GARRETT WHITE
1. Fee Data Collection/Priority Based Budgeting– We feel we are getting closer to
exploring all fees associated with our parks facilities and recreation programs. We
continue to work with Finance to determine our “actual costs” for the services we
provide.
2. External Event/Mobile Sales Unit (MSU) – I am continuously working with all
event organizers who want to host their events in our parks. Through the
Temporary Use Permit process, I submit conditions for each event organizer to
follow depending on the size and location of the event. Depending on the event, I
also meet with Parks staff onsite with the event organizer to go over any last-minute
changes. I also review all MSU applications that are submitted to the Clerk’s Office.
The next external events to be hosted in our parks in August are the Soul Food
Festival, Hit & Run Softball Tournament, a Vendor Fair, the Arthritis Walk, and the
Treasure Valley Art Festival.
3. Homecourt Staffing – I have been working with Jake Garro on the hiring process of
the second Homecourt Site Supervisor position that was approved by Council. We
are happy to announce that Renee McFarlane has excepted the position and will
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Item 10.
Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports ~ August 11, 2021 Page 3 of 6
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.
begin August 9th. We are also in the process of hiring an additional part-time staff to
work Thursday through Sunday.
4. Administrative Assistant Position – As stated in last month’s update, Vicki
Wagner has retired, and we now have her Administrative Assistant position open.
We have gone through the hiring process with phone interviews and then to in-
person interviews. We have had over 100 applicants for this position. We are again
happy to announce that Kaela Hopkins has excepted the position and is tentatively
scheduled to begin August 23rd.
5. Department Policy Review – With the help of Jeannette Sanchez and Legal, we
continue to review all our parks policies. We plan to meet again in September to
discuss all department policies.
6. Dairy Days – I attended the Dairy Board meeting a few weeks ago to debrief on the
event. The event was ultimately a success. The only issue on the Parks & Recreation
side was the timing of the parade and when the cleanup crew was to be there. Our
Parks staff went above and beyond to get the route cleaned and the roads back open
before the cleanup crew arrived. I addressed this concern with the Dairy Board and
they acknowledged that it needs to be better next year.
7. Park Concessionaires/Main Street Market– Thanks to our Parks staff, a new air
conditioning unit was installed in the Settlers and Discovery Parks concessions
buildings. Both units are smaller “over-the-counter” units that have helped
dramatically with the heat we have had in the past few weeks. Like last month, I
have been working with each park concessionaire to determine their operational
schedule. I am also preparing the RFPs for the four concessions contracts that
expire this year. This winter, I will be putting out an RFP for Discovery Park,
Settlers Park, Storey Park, and Tully Park.
Homecourt Facility Manager’s Report:
JAKE GARRO
1. Facility Operations – Hours are Monday – Friday 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.; weekend
hours 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
2. Facility Schedule - Pickleball play in the morning has remained consistent
throughout the summer. We are seeing a high volume of noon basketball players
use the facility on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. A number of basketball players
also use the facility on Tuesday and Thursday during the noon hour/early afternoon
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Item 10.
Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports ~ August 11, 2021 Page 4 of 6
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.
hours as well. Facility usage on the weekend remains consistent with a number of
patrons using the courts for basketball and volleyball.
3. Facility Rentals -
a. The 3 v 3 Basketball League will conclude its first season at the Meridian
Homecourt August 11. This league began in July. Games were played on
Wednesday evenings on two courts from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
b. I am currently working with local AAU groups to solidify our fall evening
schedule at the facility. Beginning in late September and/or early October, AAU
groups kick off their seasons. Practices take place Monday – Friday beginning at
4:30 p.m. and concluding at 9:00 p.m. Typically, 3 courts are used for these
practices.
c. The YMCA Youth Summer Basketball League will conclude August 12. This
league began in June with games being played on Tuesday and Thursday
evenings from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. Two courts were used for this basketball league.
d. Idaho Senior Games will be hosting their basketball competition at the
Homecourt on Saturday August 7, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
e. YMCA Tryouts will be held here at Homecourt on August 14 and 21, 10:00 a.m. –
8:00 p.m. Two courts will be used for these tryouts.
4. Homecourt Staff Addition - We are excited to announce the hiring of Renee
McFarlane. Renee will work as a Homecourt Site Supervisor Monday – Friday, 6:30
a.m. – 3:30 p.m. She will open the facility each morning and work special events
when needed. Previously, Renee worked for Boise Parks & Recreation at Idaho Ice
World doing special events, reserving ice time for community members, and other
administrative duties as assigned.
5. Homecourt Floors – All basketball floors will be sanded and resurfaced.
Homecourt will be closed beginning August 30 and re-opening September 9 as this
project will be taking place. We are moving away from the water base finish and
will be applying a polyurethane finish. It is our goal this finish will provide a harder
finish to ease with cleaning and removal of black marks that may be left behind from
some court shoes.
6. Community Education/Court 5 - Court 5 is consistently scheduled throughout the
week each day for community education classes. Classes include gymnastics,
tumbling, cheerleading, pickleball, and martials arts. Classes take place during the
weekend hours in Court 5 as well, typically during the afternoon hours on Sunday.
Recreation Coordinators’ Report:
RENEE WHITE
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Item 10.
Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports ~ August 11, 2021 Page 5 of 6
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. Sparklight Movie Night in Meridian – The popular outdoor movie night continues
with 11 nights of family friendly movies June 11- August 20, 2021. Attendance has
been strong by both families and local teens.
2. Teen Night: August 6, 13, & 20 – Our test run of a teen night starts on Friday,
August 6. We have games, free pizza, and virtual reality all available for free in
Meridian’s Homecourt from 7 – 10 p.m.
We are planning for the Community Art Party, Trunk or Treat, and Christmas in
Meridian with the hopes that we can proceed as normal without any adjustments, due
to Covid.
MAGGIE COMBS
1. 2021 Summer/Fall Softball League – We are currently in season for the
Summer/Fall Softball Leagues.
2. 2021 Fall Volleyball League – Registration is currently open until August 25th. Play
is scheduled to start the week of September 13th, playing at Homecourt and the local
schools.
3. Staffing – We are still taking applications and hiring scorekeepers for the Softball
season and Winter Basketball season.
Recreation Coordinator 1 (Sports) Report:
SKYLER COOK
1. Staff Update – We hired Britten Stephenson and Heather Hiemstra as Scorekeepers
for adult softball.
2. Field Reservations – I am working with tournament, camp, and league directors on
their final reservation adjustments. I am sending out unpaid invoices and collecting
insurance.
3. Leagues, Tournaments, & Camps –
8/7: PAL begins fall league at Heroes Park on Saturdays all day and weekdays
4:00-9:00 p.m.
8/7: Little Leapers begin fall season at Jabil on Saturdays 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
8/9-8/13, 8/16-8/20: YMCA Summer Camps at Hillsdale Park 9:00 a.m.-1:00
p.m.
8/14: PAL begins fall league at Settlers Park on Saturdays 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
8/14: Meridian Ultimate Disk league begins on Saturdays at Gordon Harris, 9:00
a.m.-12:00 p.m.
8/19-8/21: Idaho Junior Open Tennis Tournament at Settlers Park.
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Item 10.
Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports ~ August 11, 2021 Page 6 of 6
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.
8/20-8/22: Idaho Senior Games Tennis Tournament at Settlers Park.
8/21-8/22: Baseball & Softball Tournament at Bear Creek & Storey Park
(Calkins).
8/26: Real Meridian Soccer Club begins fall league at Hillsdale Park on
Tues/Thurs/Sat for 1 hour slots.
8/26-8/29: Idaho Senior Games Pickleball Tournament at Settlers Park.
Idaho International FC playing fall season on Saturdays & Sundays at Jabil for the
month of August.
4. Sports Leagues –
Sumer Cornhole League registration deadline 8/4. Games played Wednesdays
and Thursdays at Bear Creek Park beginning 8/11. Tournament played on
Saturday, September 11th.
6v6 Flag Football registration deadline is Wednesday, August 18th at 5:00 p.m.
Games played at Storey or Discovery Park Monday-Thursday.
Volunteer Program Coordinator’s Report:
CHELSEA CANTRELL
1. Volunteer Hours – In July, we had 754 volunteer hours. This included hours served
at the front desk at City Hall, Park Ambassadors, Golf Course Ambassadors, softball
scorekeepers, movie night volunteers, and community service projects.
2. City Hall – We are fully staffed at the City Hall front desk Monday- Friday, 8 a.m.-5
p.m.
3. Golf Course Ambassadors – The Golf Course Ambassador is a new position we
added since the City now owns Lakeview Golf Club. This position assists with the
pace of the game, golf course etiquette, course maintenance, and player assistance.
We currently have 8 ambassadors and are presently recruiting for more. My goal is
to have 14 ambassadors by the end of summer.
4. Appreciation Lunch – I am currently planning a Volunteer Appreciation Lunch for
September.
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Item 10.