2021-10-13
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
Meridian City Hall, Council Chambers, 33 East Broadway Avenue Meridian, Idaho
Wednesday, October 13, 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/84431837641
Or join by phone: 1-669-900-6833
Webinar ID: 844 3183 7641
ROLL-CALL ATTENDANCE
____ Jo Greer, President ____ Keith Bevan, Vice President
____ Dom Gelsomino ____ John Nesmith
____ Jennifer Bobo ____ Jessica West
____ Camden Hyde ____ Jessica Perreault, City Council Ex-Officio
____ Autumn Short
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
1. August 11, 2021 Regular Meeting
Jo Greer, MPRC President ~ 2 minutes
2. September 8, 2021 Special Meeting (MPR Facilities Tour)
Jo Greer, MPRC President ~ 2 minutes
ANNOUNCEMENTS
3. Welcome Returning MPR Commissioner Camden Hyde
Steve Siddoway, MPR Director ~ 1 minute
4. Farewell to MPR Commissioner Jessica West
Steve Siddoway, MPR Director ~ 3 minutes
5. Upcoming Events
Shelly Houston, MPR Marketing Coordinator ~ 5 minutes
NEW BUSINESS
6. MPR Master Plan/Community Center Needs Assessment Kickoff
Art Thatcher, GreenPlay, LLC Principal and Project Manager ~ 45 minutes
7. Meridian Homecourt Update
Jake Garro, MPR Homecourt Facility Manager ~ 30 minutes
8. MPR Facilities Tour Debrief
Steve Siddoway, MPR Director ~ 10 minutes
OLD BUSINESS ~ NONE
WORKSHOP ~NONE
STAFF REPORTS
9. MPR Staff ~ 20 minutes
ADJOURNMENT
NEXT MEETING ~ November 10, 2021 at 5:30 PM
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, Council Chambers, 33 East Broadway Avenue Meridian, Idaho
Wednesday, October 13, 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/84431837641
Or join by phone: 1-669-900-6833
Webinar ID: 844 3183 7641
ROLL-CALL ATTENDANCE
____ Jo Greer, President ____ Keith Bevan, Vice President
____ Dom Gelsomino ____ John Nesmith
____ Jennifer Bobo ____ Jessica West
____ Camden Hyde ____ Jessica Perreault, City Council Ex-Officio
____ Autumn Short
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
1. August 11, 2021 Regular Meeting
Jo Greer, MPRC President ~ 2 minutes
2. September 8, 2021 Special Meeting (MPR Facilities Tour)
Jo Greer, MPRC President ~ 2 minutes
Page 1
ANNOUNCEMENTS
3. Welcome Returning MPR Commissioner Camden Hyde
Steve Siddoway, MPR Director ~ 1 minute
4. Farewell to MPR Commissioner Jessica West
Steve Siddoway, MPR Director ~ 3 minutes
5. Upcoming Events
Shelly Houston, MPR Marketing Coordinator ~ 5 minutes
NEW BUSINESS
6. MPR Master Plan/Community Center Needs Assessment Kickoff
Art Thatcher, GreenPlay, LLC Principal and Project Manager ~ 45 minutes
7. Meridian Homecourt Update
Jake Garro, MPR Homecourt Facility Manager ~ 30 minutes
8. MPR Facilities Tour Debrief
Steve Siddoway, MPR Director ~ 10 minutes
OLD BUSINESS ~ NONE
WORKSHOP ~NONE
STAFF REPORTS
9. MPR Staff ~ 20 minutes
ADJOURNMENT
NEXT MEETING ~ November 10, 2021 at 5:30 PM
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.
Page 2
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 ~ October 13, 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
October 13, 2021
Administration Division
Director’s Report:
STEVE SIDDOWAY
(Please note, a verbal report will be provided at the October 13, 2021 MPR Commission
Meeting.)
Parks Division
Parks Superintendent Report:
MIKE BARTON
(Please note, a verbal report will be provided at the October 13, 2021 MPR Commission
Meeting.)
Pathways Project Manager’s Report:
KIM WARREN
(Please note, a verbal report will be provided at the October 13, 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 9.
Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports ~ October 13, 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. Tree City USA Qualifications – I have started to prepare the 2021 Application for
Tree City USA and the Growth Award. The process takes some time, so I thought it
best to get a head start with it this year so as not to be rushed.
3. Tree Planting – Tree replacement continues. Trees have been delivered to Kleiner
Park shop near the bins where they will be stored as they get planted. Work orders
have been created for their planting and have been awarded to contractors who will
get them put into their schedules. More trees will be ordered and planted as soon as
this batch has been completed.
4. Christmas Tree – Preparations have started for the 2021 Christmas tree, which 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. Done Rite will
harvest and move the tree into position the week of November 15th. I have been
working with the homeowner to make sure all necessary preparations are being
made.
5. Downtown Tree Well Work - I am beginning to work on the plans for some
downtown tree removal/replacements. Getting a head start on this will make it
much easier for contractors to fit the work into their timelines.
Recreation Division
Recreation Manager’s Report:
GARRETT WHITE
1. Civic Block RFP – I have been reviewing and involved in the Civic Block RFP. If one
of the three RFPs submitted comes to life, our current community center may be
removed and community education classroom space will be needed.
2. Pickleball Striping on Tennis Courts – Per the request of the Boise Area Pickleball
Association, we have been looking at converting or striping additional pickleball
court lines on the existing tennis courts at Settlers Park.
3. WARD Pool Operations – With the possible transfer of the WARD Pool to the City, I
have been working on gathering budget information and staffing information from
WARD to have a better understanding of the day-to-day operations.
4. External Event/Mobile Sales Unit (MSU) – This is the same as last month. The last
scheduled event is Saturday, October 16th. I am already working with event
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Item 9.
Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports ~ October 13, 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.
organizers in regards to next year’s schedule. I also review all MSU applications that
are submitted to the Clerk’s Office.
5. Homecourt Staffing – We have now hired two full-time Homecourt Site
Supervisors from the four part-time staff positions we converted. We are also in the
process of filling the part-time position we have open. We have made an offer to an
applicant and waiting for the pre-employment process to be completed.
6. Administrative Assistant Position – We have finalized the filling of our
Administrative Assistant position by hiring Kaela Hopkins! She has been a
welcomed addition to the team.
7. Commissions and Event Subcommittees – I have also been involved in the
Christmas in Meridian Subcommittee and the planning of events around the
holidays. I have also been available to Audrey Belnap for the Meridian Arts
Commission subcommittees to help determine roles and responsibility.
8. Park Concessionaires – I have been working with the park concessionaires in
regards to their end-of-season operations. There will be five RFPs sent out this
winter for Bear Creek Park, Tully Park, Discovery Park, Settlers Park, and Storey
Park concessions. I have also been working with CDH for all proper permits needed
to operate all concessions buildings.
Homecourt Facility Manager’s Report:
JAKE GARRO
1. Facility Operations - Hours are Monday – Friday from 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.;
weekend hours, currently closed due to staffing. Target re-open date for weekends
October 30.
2. Facility Schedule - As we move towards the fall season, we are seeing a slight
increase in Pickleball play Monday – Friday from 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. I fully
anticipate as we move into the middle of October, the Pickleball community will
move indoors. Noon basketball each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12:00
p.m. – 3:00 p.m. remains to be very well attended.
3. Facility Rentals -
a. Community athletic group practices are set to begin practice Monday,
October 4. As we move towards the month of November, more teams will
begin to use the facility during the evening hours.
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Item 9.
Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports ~ October 13, 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.
b. Iconic Volleyball has the facility rented Sunday, October 17 from 3:30 p.m. –
5:30 p.m. and Friday, October 22 from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. for volleyball
try-outs.
c. PGC Basketball will has rented all 4 courts Saturday, October 23 from 1:00
p.m. – 8:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 24 from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. for a
basketball camp. This is a highly regarded basketball camp that is offered in
several states around the country.
d. MPR adult volleyball league uses the facility each Monday and Thursday
evening. These matches take place on Court 1 from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
e. Holiday Classic Volleyball Tournament will be held at Meridian Homecourt
on Saturday, November 6.
f. Future Special Events:
Flash Basketball Tournament: November 19 and 20, January 21 and
22, February 11 and 12.
Bryan Dunn Basketball Tournament: December 31 and January 1.
USA Wrestling: March 5, 6 and/or March 25, 26 TBD.
4. Homecourt Staff Addition - We are excited to announce the addition of Michael
Riddle. Michael will be set to begin work on October 25. With the hiring of Michael,
Homecourt will be allowed to re-open on weekends.
5. 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 do take place during
the weekend hours in Court 5 as well, typically during the afternoon hours on
Sunday.
Recreation Coordinators’ Report:
JENNA FLETCHER
1. 2021 Fall Classes – Fall classes are currently up and running. Numbers are looking
good. We did put some COVID restrictions in place, so we did cancel a couple classes
but many of them are still running.
2. 2022 Winter/Spring Guide – I am currently working on the winter/spring 2022
activity guide. I am putting together the availability calendar and working with
Shelly Houston to create the guide. The guide will be released on December 8th, with
registration opening on December 10th.
MAGGIE COMBS
1. 2021 Summer/Fall Softball League – We completed the Summer/Fall Softball
Leagues.
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Item 9.
Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports ~ October 13, 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.
2. 2021 Fall Volleyball League – Play is scheduled to start the week of September
13th, playing at Homecourt and the local schools. We are up in the number of teams
with 116 coed and women’s teams registered and currently over 800 players
registered.
3. 2022 Winter Volleyball League – League registration is set to open October 11th
and close on December 8th, 2021. Play will begin after the beginning of January
2022.
4. 2021 11th Annual Holiday Classic Volleyball Tournament – Registration is
currently open and closes on October 20th. The Holiday Classic Volleyball
Tournament is hosted in November to raise funds to buy Christmas gifts for the
children at the Meridian Head Start Program.
5. Staffing – We are still taking applications and hiring scorekeepers for the Winter
Basketball season.
Recreation Coordinator 1 (Sports) Report:
SKYLER COOK
1. Field Reservations -
a. 2022 field reservation applications are being sent out to all groups or
organizations that reserved field space in 2021. Applications are due back
November 15th. I will then allocate space accordingly based on the priority
use policy.
b. Neighborhood park’s multi-use fields are now only reservable on weekends
Friday-Sunday. Neighborhood park multi-use fields are available to the
public week nights Monday-Thursday on a first come, first served basis.
2. Leagues, Tournaments, & Camps -
a. Bear Creek
Brayge Sports on Saturdays until 11/13
b. Gordon Harris
Ultimate Disk League on Saturdays until 10/16
c. Heroes
PAL Soccer Monday-Saturday until 10/30
d. Jabil
Idaho Internacional FC on Sundays until 10/31
e. Settlers
PAL flag football on Saturdays until 10/30
Pick 6 Sports on Sundays until 10/31
Idaho Storm on Saturday mornings until 10/23
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Item 9.
Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports ~ October 13, 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.
f. Tully
I9 Sports on Saturdays until 10/30
3. Sports Leagues & Tournaments -
a. 6v6 Flag Football league playing on Wednesday & Thursday nights at Storey
Park.
b. Halloween Disc Golf Tournament on Sunday, 10/31 at Kleiner Memorial
Park. Adult and youth divisions with costume contest.
c. 2nd Annual Holiday Classic Cornhole Tournament on Saturday, 11/6 at
Homecourt.
d. 5v5 Winter Basketball registration deadline is Wednesday, 11/17.
Volunteer Program Coordinator’s Report:
CHELSEA CANTRELL
1. Volunteer Projects - This summer we had 23 one-time volunteer projects that
totaled 929 hours. These projects included pulling weeds, laying bark, cleaning, and
painting.
2. Sparklight Movie Nights - This summer we had 26 kids help at movie nights
providing 228 hours of service to the City of Meridian. The National Honor Society
Students at Rocky Mountain High School did a fantastic job with ensuring that movie
nights ran smoothly and also assisting with setting up and taking down the
equipment used.
3. New Volunteers - So far this year we have 24 new volunteers serving the
community at least once a week. This includes volunteers at City Hall, Lakeview Golf
Course, and out at several parks serving as Park Ambassadors.
4. Special Projects - This year we have been able to use volunteers to help with staff
shortages at softball games and in the parks. I have also been able to have
volunteers do different projects including sewing cornhole bags and data tracking.
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Item 9.