2022-01-12
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
City Hall Council Chambers, 33 East Broadway Avenue, Meridian, Idaho
Wednesday, January 12, 2022 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/83317902104
Webinar ID: 833 1790 2104
ROLL-CALL ATTENDANCE
____ Jo Greer, President ____ Keith Bevan, Vice President
____ Dom Gelsomino ____ John Nesmith
____ Jennifer Bobo ____ Mandi Roberts
____ Camden Hyde ____ Luke Cavener, City Council Ex-Officio
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
1. December 8, 2021 Regular Meeting
Jo Greer, MPRC President ~ 2 minutes
ANNOUNCEMENTS
2. Upcoming Events
Shelly Houston, MPR Marketing Coordinator ~ 5 minutes
NEW BUSINESS
3. MPR Department Adults Sports Update
Maggie Combs, MPR Recreation Coordinator & Skyler Cook, MPR Recreation
Coordinator 1 (Sports) ~ 20 minutes
4. Bear Creek Park Playground Discussion
Mike Barton, MPR Parks Superintendent ~ 30 minutes
OLD BUSINESS
5. MPR Department Master Plan Update Status
Steve Siddoway, MPR Director ~ 10 minutes
WORKSHOP ~ NONE
STAFF REPORTS
6. MPR Staff ~ 20 minutes
ADJOURNMENT
NEXT MEETING ~ February 9, 2022 at 5:30 PM
2022 All-Commission Goals:
1. Support the construction of Discovery Park Phase 2.
2. Support development of a connected pathway system across the City of Meridian,
with a focus on developing projects for future construction.
3. Participate in the design and programming of a new Community Center.
4. Support the development of the Comprehensive Park System Master Plan Update.
5. Participate in the partnership with the Meridian Arts Commission to add theming
and identity reinforcing art in Meridian parks and along pathways.
6. Support future improvements at Lakeview Golf Course.
7. Pursue improved tools and opportunities to engage citizens and stakeholders.
8. Host and participate in a strategic workshop with the Urban Land Institute
regarding pathway improvements.
9. Provide feedback on the design for new playgrounds at Chateau Park and Bear
Creek Park.
10. Discuss and provide input on efforts to assess and take over operations of the
Meridian Pool.
11. Engage other task forces, commissions, entities, and agencies through workshops
and other outreach for partnership opportunities.
12. Continue to foster greater Commission involvement/presence in community events
whenever appropriate.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
City Hall Council Chambers, 33 East Broadway Avenue, Meridian, Idaho
Wednesday, January 12, 2022 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/83317902104
Webinar ID: 833 1790 2104
ROLL-CALL ATTENDANCE
____ Jo Greer, President ____ Keith Bevan, Vice President
____ Dom Gelsomino ____ John Nesmith
____ Jennifer Bobo ____ Mandi Roberts
____ Camden Hyde ____ Luke Cavener, City Council Ex-Officio
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
1. December 8, 2021 Regular Meeting
Jo Greer, MPRC President ~ 2 minutes
ANNOUNCEMENTS
2. Upcoming Events
Shelly Houston, MPR Marketing Coordinator ~ 5 minutes
NEW BUSINESS
Page 1
3. MPR Department Adults Sports Update
Maggie Combs, MPR Recreation Coordinator & Skyler Cook, MPR Recreation
Coordinator 1 (Sports) ~ 20 minutes
4. Bear Creek Park Playground Discussion
Mike Barton, MPR Parks Superintendent ~ 30 minutes
OLD BUSINESS
5. MPR Department Master Plan Update Status
Steve Siddoway, MPR Director ~ 10 minutes
WORKSHOP ~ NONE
STAFF REPORTS
6. MPR Staff ~ 20 minutes
ADJOURNMENT
NEXT MEETING ~ February 9, 2022 at 5:30 PM
2022 All-Commission Goals:
1. Support the construction of Discovery Park Phase 2.
2. Support development of a connected pathway system across the City of Meridian,
with a focus on developing projects for future construction.
3. Participate in the design and programming of a new Community Center.
4. Support the development of the Comprehensive Park System Master Plan Update.
5. Participate in the partnership with the Meridian Arts Commission to add theming
and identity reinforcing art in Meridian parks and along pathways.
6. Support future improvements at Lakeview Golf Course.
7. Pursue improved tools and opportunities to engage citizens and stakeholders.
8. Host and participate in a strategic workshop with the Urban Land Institute
regarding pathway improvements.
9. Provide feedback on the design for new playgrounds at Chateau Park and Bear
Creek Park.
10. Discuss and provide input on efforts to assess and take over operations of the
Meridian Pool.
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11. Engage other task forces, commissions, entities, and agencies through workshops
and other outreach for partnership opportunities.
12. Continue to foster greater Commission involvement/presence in community events
whenever appropriate.
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Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports ~ January 12, 2022 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.
PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORTS
January 12, 2022
Administration Division
Director’s Report:
STEVE SIDDOWAY
(Please note, a verbal report will be provided at the January 12, 2022 MPR Commission
Meeting.)
Parks Division
Parks Superintendent Report:
MIKE BARTON
(Please note, a verbal report will be provided at the January 12, 2022 MPR Commission
Meeting.)
Pathways Project Manager’s Report:
KIM WARREN
(Please note, a verbal report will be provided at the January 12, 2022 MPR Commission
Meeting.)
City Arborist’s Report:
MATTHEW PERKINS
1. Tree Pruning – I will work throughout the winter on contract pruning work orders
for this fiscal year and update tree inventory as I go along.
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Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports ~ January 12, 2022 Page 2 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.
2. IPM (Integrated Pest Management) – I am working on putting together treatment
plans and maps for pest and disease management in all of the Meridian trees,
including the Lakeview Golf Course, for 2022.
3. Tree Planting – I will make a big push to get all vacant tree planting locations
replaced with new trees this year. Over the last couple years, I have worked on
removing dead, diseased trees and stumps and can finally focus on replacing and
planting new trees. I am currently putting together maps of all planting locations
and putting together an order for trees from the nurseries based on species
availability.
4. Christmas Tree – The 2021 Christmas Tree will be removed from Generations
Plaza, and the hunt for the 2022 tree will begin.
5. Downtown Tree Well Work – Plans for the contract work on pavers and tree wells
in downtown are in place and moving forward.
Recreation Division
Recreation Manager’s Report:
GARRETT WHITE
1. WARD Pool Transfer Logistics - Within the past two months, the Meridian Pool
has been inspected by Idaho Pool Remodeling, Superior Pools, and Deep Kleen Pools
to determine any necessary repairs that they deemed were critical to the operations
of the pool. During the inspection process, I also invited the YMCA pool
maintenance staff, the Nampa Recreation Aquatics Manager, and our Parks
Maintenance Manager to walk through the facility. After all inspections were done, I
compiled a list of all critical pool repairs and recommended repairs and items that
can help with efficiencies. Please note that not all items found were items that can
be repaired by the three pool inspection companies. Some repairs are more
specialized, such as concrete work, basic building maintenance, and painting. Those
specialty repairs should be bid separate from the pool repairs.
2. External Event Scheduling for 2022 – I have been working with event organizers
to confirm dates and event schedules for all events happening in our parks.
3. Concessions RFP Release – I have been working with our Purchasing Department
to release the Park Concessions RFPs for Discovery Park, Settlers Park, Storey Park,
Tully Park, and Bear Creek Park. All submittals are in, and we will need to complete
the review process.
4. Arts & Culture Coordinator Hiring – We have completed the hiring of our new
Arts & Culture Coordinator! Her name is Cassandra Schiffler! We are excited to
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Item 6.
Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports ~ January 12, 2022 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.
have her as our newest team member. She is fortunate enough to have one week
with Audrey Belnap to review all processes and to get all the information needed to
hit the ground running!
Homecourt Facility Manager’s Report:
JAKE GARRO
1. Facility Operations – Hours are Monday – Friday 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.; weekend
hours, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
MPR adult Basketball will resume Monday, January 3. MPR adult Basketball
games were not scheduled during Christmas Break.
MPR Fall Coed Volleyball will be played at Homecourt on Monday and Thursday
evenings beginning the week of January 3.
2. Facility Rentals –
The Holiday Classic Volleyball Tournament was held at Meridian Homecourt on
Saturday, November 6.
Future Special Events:
Flash Basketball Tournament – February 11 & 12
Legacy Martial Arts Tournament – March 11 & 12
L2KSports Basketball Tournament – March 18-20 NOT CONFIRMED
USA Wrestling Tournament – March 25 & 26
College Coaches Skills Camp – April 9
3. 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.
4. Community Athletic Groups – I am scheduling practice times for local AAU groups
for the months of January, February, and March. Practices typically take place each
evening Monday – Friday, from 4:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. It is our goal to keep all
practices on 3 courts.
Recreation Coordinators’ Report:
RENEE WHITE
1. Special Events 2022 – We are in the planning stages for the 2022 special events.
That includes updating the website, recruiting sponsors and strategizing for Unplug
& Be Outside, Sparklight Movie Nights, Gene Kleiner Day, and the Independence Day
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Item 6.
Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports ~ January 12, 2022 Page 4 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.
Festival. We are looking forward to returning these events to their pre-Covid
festiveness.
JENNA FLETCHER
1. 2021 Fall Classes – Fall classes have wrapped up. We had 1,245 people participate
in classes this past fall.
2. 2022 Winter/Spring Classes – Classes started January 2nd. We are offering 242
classes this winter/spring. Classes will run through the end of May.
3. Summer 2022 – I am starting the process to hire the Summer Camp Coordinator. I
have booked all shelters that we will use for summer 2022.
MAGGIE COMBS
1. 2021 Fall Volleyball League – We completed the season at the beginning of the
month.
2. 2022 Winter Volleyball League – We registered 130 Coed and Women’s Volleyball
teams this season. Play began January 3, 2022. We have grown in size and are using
more Friday nights than in past seasons.
3. 2021 11th Annual Holiday Classic Volleyball Tournament – We went shopping
on December 7th for 51 kids this season and were able to purchase over 800 items.
Each kid received socks, underwear, a blanket, clothes, a book, toothbrush,
toothpaste, bath soap, toy, and outfit.
Recreation Coordinator 1 (Sports) Report:
SKYLER COOK
1. Field Reservations –
2022 field permits have been issued to all groups and organizations that
submitted an application. Adjustments are being made.
The ball field prep schedule and light schedule has been created and updated.
I am working on collecting liability insurance and payment from all user groups.
I am working with MYB on the Fuller Park Agreement.
2. Sports Leagues & Tournaments –
The 5v5 Winter Basketball League is playing games Monday-Thursday at
Homecourt and Meridian Middle School.
I hired on a new scorekeeper: Ash Dunham.
I am working through reschedule requests.
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Item 6.
Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports ~ January 12, 2022 Page 5 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.
Volunteer Program Coordinator’s Report:
CHELSEA CANTRELL
1. December 2021 Volunteer Hours - December was a very busy month! We had
volunteers assist us in many of our holiday services. We could not do everything we
do for the community without them. In December, volunteers gave 640.5 hours of
service.
2. Letters to Santa - We had several volunteers respond to 1,072 letters to Santa.
3. Winterland in the Bag – With hundreds of children coming out to pick up their
festive holiday bag, it was a blessing to have 9 volunteers donate 18 hours to help
keep the flow of traffic running smoothly!
4. Christmas Shopping & Wrapping for the Gifts to the Children at Head Start -
We had several volunteers help us with the shopping and wrapping of the gifts for
the children at the Head Start Program. Over 800 gifts were purchased and
wrapped. There were 65 hours of volunteer time donated to this cause.
5. Meridian City Winter Lights Parade - This event would not be possible without
volunteers helping with road closures and along the parade route. This year we had
95 volunteers contributing 237.5 hours of service.
6. Ambassador Program - The month of January will be filled with recruiting for the
spring/fall Ambassador programs!
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Item 6.