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03-27-85 Parks Comm MinutesMarch 27, 1985 PARKS, AIRPORT AND GOLF COMMITTEE 4:00 P.M. • Chairman Springer and Councilmen Manning, Nystul, and Schindler present. Mayor McDowell, DPW Hammer, Golf Association President Marlin Hanson, Dave Downey, Gail Downey, and Roger Hopkins, Daily Interlake reporter, also in attendance. C.Springer called the meeting to order. C. Manning reported on Monday night's meeting of the Parks Advisory Committee including the Civic Center proposal and the fact that they definitely want to work with the city; baseball, and Lawrence Park. C. Springer passed out a proposal concerning the Lawrence Park property. His proposal was that a Resolution of Intention to Lease for the referenced property, excluding the area known as Old Lawrence Park, be made to the Kalispell Golf Association for the purposes of developing an additional nine (9) hole golf course, subject to a list of 9 terms and conditions. He indicated his intent to disseminate the proposal to the media. He stressed that the time has come to mike some decisions. C. Nystul expressed the need to discuss the Public Works concerns and an alternative to the present overcrowding of Woodland Park before a " decision is made. Reference was made to the March 22 report from the Parks Department (attached). C. Springer wanted to hear a reason not to go ahead. C. Manning indicated that IF an agreement was entered into with the Golf Association it should be a resolution of intent with conditions and considerations concerning the following areas: 1. Access to Old Lawrence Park 2. City dumping in close proximity to city 3. Flood plain/Corps of Engineers 4. Council decision vs. a vote of the people 5. Cooperation of the Association with environmental groups 6. Liability problem of downstream properties in case of flooding. 7. Commitment from the Association on more multiple -use of leased facilities including skiing, tennis, skating, etc. 8. Financing: if the city endorses an Association financial package is it then backed by tax dollars? 9. Encroachment on Old Lawrence Park or restoration? 10. Best use of Old Lawrence Park: a walk -bridge and acquisition of parking space for public access across the Stillwater. Access to the waterworks. 11. Association working with the city to acquire more land in the area to add to the Old Lawrence Park complex 12. Time limit in which to get started. 13. Up-to-date environmental statement and permission from the Corps of Engineers • Gail Downey indicated that permission of the Corps of Engineers for the development is a major concern of the environmental groups. March 27, 1985 PARKS, AIRPORT AND GOLF COMMITTEE Page 2 C. Springer pointed out that paragraph 1 (present desire and ability) of his proposal would take care of the above concerns. Items of concern and discussion followed: -Golf Association working with the city in looking for and/acquiring lands to replace dumping grounds lost to the city and the major financial hurdle that loss represents. -Pursual of acquisition of all lands on west side of Whitefish Stage to incorporate into Old Lawrence Park to help protect raparian area next to the ri er, so that integrity of the area may be protected from future development that would detract from the area more than a golf course. -Bottom line question: Who has the wherewithal to develop this area? City of Kalispell doesn't have budget for developing, BOR funding is minimal, longer time period and assistance from Land and Water Conservation Fund would make it possible. -Site specific decision that property will be used for golf purpose. Alternate decision is to not do anything: not worry about Lawrence Park for the time being, but upgrade Old Lawrence Park so that it is usable, then keep remainder of area undeveloped for possible need 5 - 10 years from now. Phase proposal from Downey covers this kind of plan. Once agreement is made with the golf course we have given up the option of multi -use oriented needs of a growing community. -Golf needs and the effect of competition. Golf has nowhere else • to go. Will have to raise money from membership for development. Have successfully done it in the past. City profits from ownership of the golf course. Advantage of additional 9 holes: capability of serving more people in the same amount of time on a very slightly enlarged area. -Replacement of land for city use: if city can't afford development of area how are they to replace land lost by lease to the Golf Association? Suggestion of area south and west of airport by the W.W.T.P. Who will buy? If city is giving up 15-30 acres they should have the Golf Association cooperation in obtaining something else. This needs to be included in the proposal. Dr. Downey restated his position that public lands be available for public use. He also discussed the addition to the quality of life in the area, the relief of Woddland Park overcrowding and the accessability of Lawrence Park to the growth areas of Kalispell. He indicated that if the Council decides to lease to the Golf Association that they would see about putting the issue on a ballot for a vote of the people. C. Nystul was in favor of taking the discussion to the floor of the Council but felt there should be a proposal from this committee. C. Springer indicated he would take the proposal he had presented to the committee and if someone wanted to draft another they could do that, or the committee could do nothing and he would take his proposal as a minority proposal. C. Manning proposed that the committee take a recommendation to the Council that we do enter into a Resolution of Intent to Lease the property to the Golf Association. A discussion of the Advisory Committee notes and March 27, 1985 PARKS, AIRPORT AND GOLF C011MITTEE • Page 3 the applicable points that should be added as conditions to the resolution of intent: -wilkin land not available unless it is part of the golf course. -Proposal that golf course take care of maintenance of Old Lawrence Park. Point was made that the Parks Dept. wants to maintain it. Need agreement of cooperation between the Parks Dept. and the Golf Asso, concerning the maintenance, restoration, and rehabilitation of Old Lawrence Park. -Golf Asso. must f necessity maintain access to Old Lawrence Park. Should be addressed before planning stage. -Maximize public use. Should associations be charged for use who are not now being charged? -Committee should recommend a maximum 3 year time limit for beginning this project. If it cannot be put together in that time the land should revert to city and the Wilkin land to original owner. -When developments are finally finished the city will be recipient of the profit making enterprise. -Cooperation in replacement of lads for city use. -Security problems need to be addressed. -Army Corps of Engineers is a Golf Association problem. -Should be consideration of additional available lands adjacent to Old Lawrence Park for public use. Difficult for Golf • Association to get funds for something not golf -related. Golf Asso. has no problem assisting city in finding funds for purchase of extra property but couldn't go to membership for funds. C. Manning indicated he would like to double area of Old Lawrence Park or at least see as much compatibility between public use and golf as possible. Security would be the biggest problem. Would like to see as many of the leased lands not definitely needed for the golf operation made available for use by the general public. If more lands could be acquired it should be done. Winter and summer use discussed. C. Manning indicated he would favor taking the proposal to the Council for discussion, allowing that those who wish to preserve this area and do not feel the lease is compatible would then get enough signatures on an initiative and get it to the people. C. Springer recommended a maximum of 3 years time to begin development. C. Manning seconded. C. Springer expressed desire to take his proposal to the Council as a majority position. C. Manning agreed. C. Nystul voiced a differing opinion. He would prefer multi -use of Lawrence Park. C. Nystul moved to take the issue to the Council for discussion and input April 1, 1985. C. Manning seconded. • C. Manning asked for a joint committee of Parks Department and Community Development to discuss the proposed outline for reviewing lands. C. Springer adjourned the meeting. • PROPOSAL RE LAWRENCE PARK PROPERTY WHEREAS, it is necessary to give recognition to the fact that the City of Kalispell owns Buffalo Hills Golf Course, while leasing the operation of Buffalo Hill Golf Course to the Kalispell Golf Association; and WHEREAS, it is a desireable objective to rehabilitate and restore that specific area known as Lawrence Park to its former use and purpose; and WHEREAS, the wishes and desires of the many and varied groups comprising the Parks Advisory Committee have been re- ceived, evaluated and appreciated; and WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the City of Kalispell to develop not only that area known as Lawrence Park, but also to develop the property directly south of Lawrence Park, and all of that property south of Buffalo Hill Golf Course; and WHEREAS, it is the highest and best use of the said property to develop it, together with certain private prop- erty, for additional and continuing golf and other recreation- al purposes; NOW THEREFORE, it is respectfully submitted that the City Council give consideration to the following in furtherance of the above stated facts: 1. That a Resolution of Intention to Lease the referenced property, excluding that area known as Lawrence Park, to the Kalispell Golf Association for the purposes of developing an additional nine (9) hole golf course to be integrated into the existing twenty seven (27) hole complex, SUBJECT TO the follow- ing terms and conditions: a) That the Kalispell Golf Association be required to evidence a present desire, and ability, to undertake the development of the subject property, and that the Kalispell Golf Association be given a specific time frame within which to present that evidence to the City Council, or its designat- ed committee(s). b) That the Kalispell Golf Association submit all design plans and engineering and achitectural drawings to the City Council, or its designated committee(s), for approval prior to the commencement of any development. • c) That any private property offerred and intended to be sold or gifted to the City of Kalispell as a part of this expansion program be deeded to the City of Kalispell in fee simple absolute, and designated for use as a part of the Buffalo Hill Golf Course complex. • is d) That the Kalispell Golf Association shall be respon- sible for the development and construction of proper and continuing access to the area known as Lawrence Park, and to the City of Kalispell waterworks. e) That there be prepared either 1) a metes and bounds description or 2) aerial maps or adequate drawn maps to define the total area of the presently existing golf complex and the new area to be included, which description or maps and drawing shall be attached to a new Lease Agreement covering all of that property owned by the City of Kalispell to be leased to the Kalispell Golf Association. f) That a new Lease Agreement be drawn following a complete review of the existing Lease Agreement, which docu- ment shall include the consideration to be paid, and the term for which the lease shall exist, which term should be for a five (S) year period, reviewable by the City Council on an annual basis. g) That there be developed a cooperative plan between the Kalispell Golf Association and the Parks Department of the City of Kalispell for the rehab ilitiation, restoration and maintenance of that area known as Lawrence Park, which plan shall consider the inclussion of that area into the water sprinkling, mowing and general maintenance program of the Kalispell Golf Association. h) That the City of Kalispell shall reserve the right to the following during the period prior to the commencement of development: 1) The access to the exisitng gravel pit for what- ever beneficial use the City of Kalispell may have for such product prior to, and during development of the property. 2) The use of the area below Buffalo Hill Golf Course by such Sports Associations as may have reason to develop and use the area on a temporary basis, such as the itag'hy—an ccer leagues, prior to the commencement of develop- ment. �espect ully,s Patrick M.Apt Chairman, ark March 27, 1985 tted, ,/Airport and Golf Committee LeRoy E. McDowell \\� Mayor Telephone (4o6) 755'5457 THE CITY OF K A L I S P E L L, TO: Mayor McDowell FROM: Pieter M. Drent Director of Parks & Recreation RE: Future of Lawrence Park DATE: March 22, 1985 Drawer 1997 Zip 599031997 M O N T A N A As you requested, following are some points that in my opinion should be considered in contemplating the future use of Lawrence Park: 1) Currently the City is in the process of locating areas for re- location of Griffin Park and other ballfields. So far the search has not been too successful, with most acreage in the $10,000 per acre price range, and not in close proximity to the City. The monetary value of Lawrence Park speaks for itself. 2) Even with the decision not to locate Griffin Park in Lawrence Park, the open area there could be used for sports fields for Pee Wee, youth soccer or girl's softball, which would have less impact on the neighborhood and eliminate the need to purchase more land. 3) The proposed development of B.N. property downtown will bring more visitors and shoppers to town. Woodland Park has shown to downtown merchants and visitors the benefits of a nearby park for day use. Woodland Park is currently overcrowded. Development of Lawrence Park would ease the strain on Woodland Park. The fact that it is used so extensively proves my point. 4) Presently, there are proposals for a new 18 hole golf course at Highway #93, an 18 hold course at Highway #40 and an executive course at Reserve Drive. With the already existing courses in the Flathead Valley, a saturation point must be somewhere near. If an additional 9 holes at Buffalo Hill will pay for itself or will become a burden remains to be seen. The need for additional areas for parks and ballfields seems to "Vacation City" • Mayor McDowell Page 2 March 22, 1985 me to be larger than the need for additional golf holes, es- pecially if the long range outlook is taken into consideration. 5) As currently proposed, the addition to Buffalo Hill golf course will eliminate Old Lawrence Park for all practical purposes. A steep access road crossing new golf holes and a green in the park itself will have that effect and the oldest park of Kalispell will no longer be available to the general public. If the rest of the area were leased to the Golf Association, a new access to old Lawrence Park should be provided across the river from the east, through the city -owned right-of-way. ms P. M. D. - • For all practical purposes, the available park land is divided into 3 distinct areas, old Lawrence Park - approximately 8 acres along the river and to the north; the Open Area in the middle - approximately 20 acres and Wilderness or Swamp Area to the • south - approximately 28 acres. For the purpose of clarity, the three areas will be discussed separately. History and Current Uses Old Lawrence Park was originally developed in the early 1900's as part of the pumping station. For many years it was kept up by station personnel and contained flower beds, manicured lawns and was inhabited by peacocks and pet deer. After the pump station was automated, the park fell into disrepair. In 1975 it was somewhat restored under the C.E.T.A. Program. All dead trees and ex- cess brush were removed, some leveling was done and the playground equipment was re- paired. In 1978 restrooms were installed by the Parks Department and since then, the park has been maintained in its current state. The upper part, approximately 6 acres, was included in the expansion of the Golf Course. Due to the poor access, the park has seen limited use. However, in 1983, 22 picnics and 8 weddings were held there, with an approximate attendance of 1,500 people. The area is also used as a fishing access to the Stillwater and as a starting point for river rafts. The Girl Scout Day Camp meets here for 14 days annu�tlly and a summer theater is also held at the Park. Noffsinger Springs and Water Department pump station are located in this area of the park. The Open Area was originally part of the swamp, with an arm of the Stillwater running through it. For many years it was used as a dump ground for street excavations, brush, • etc. by the Street Department and private citizens of Kalispell. This practice was halted in 1975 on request of the State Fish & Game Department and the Army corps of Engineers. During the last few years, considerable time has been spent by the Parks Department leveling the area and where possible, mowing has been done. A large stockpile of leaf mulch is stored there, as is a stockpile of street waste to be used in future development. A temporary road was built along the swamp in an effort to prevent people from driving over the grass; this has been met with limited success. The City's gravel pit is located in the northeast corner, but the amount of gravel to be taken is limited due to an agreement with the Golf Association. The Wilderness or Swamp Area has seen no use but as an overflow from the Stillwater River. In 1981 the City cooperated with the Flathead Conservation District in opening an old river channel of the Stillwater to prevent further erosion at the John Mueller property. All other channels are still clogged up with debris, mostly from the 1964 flood. The entire area falls under the jurisdiction of the Corps of Engineers, under the Clean Water Act. Its use is therefore limited and further filling might bring on legal action by downstream property owners who have put the blame on the City for their troubles when a dike was built along the Stillwater to prevent flooding of the Golf Course. 0 • 0 THE CITY OF KALISPELL MONTANA POLICE DEPARTMENT KALISPELL, MONTANA 59901 PHONE 406-755-2121 March 19, 1985 M E M O TO: MAYOR MCDOWEL�� FROM: POLICE CHIFP STEFANId SUBJECT: -LAWRENCE PARK MARTIN D. STEFANIC Chief of Police DONALD F. HELLMAN Asst. Chief of Police I am writing to express my department's concerns regarding present and future uses of Lawrence Park. This is an area of town that is a continuous problem to the police. The remote location of the improved portion of the park makes it difficult to patrol. The remoteness, layout and landscaping of the "gravel area" of this property makes it extremely difficult to patrol. Problems in the area include frequent beer parties by juveniles, large fights, vandalism and sex offenses. My input in this matter, then is to request that in deliberating uses for this park strong attention be given to security, perimeter control and crime prevention. If I can be of futher assistance please do not hesitate to let me know. f PW-0048 LeRoy E. McDowell Mayor Drawer 2997 Zip 59903-1997 Telephone (4a6) 755'5457 THE CITY OF K A L I S P E L L, M O N T A N A TO: Mayor McDowell FROM: Kenneth W. Hammer SUBJECT: Lawrence Park - Public Works Concerns DATE: March 27, 1985 The Public Works Department has reviewed the uses of Lawrence Park as it related to the operations of the Public Works Department. The following is such a list: 1. GRAVEL PIT - The city will lose the right to free gravel for street reconstruction and other needs. The city will not be able to remove gravel indefinitely, however, this concern also needs to be addressed. 2. The NORTH VALLEY SE14ER DISTRICT FORCE MAIN is located not far from the base of the bank. Additional coverage over this line may disguise future leaks. Since the area is gravel the raw sewage leaking into the gravel could go unchecked for long periods of time. 3. SNOW DISPOSAL - The bottom area has been and is currently being used as a snow disposal area. Benefits of this area versus other areas for city snow disposal are as follows: A. The snow piles are out of the view of the general public. B. The melting snow causes no one problems: it either infiltrates into the gravel or runs into the swamp. Other areas may not have these capabilities: i.e. melting snow run-off may run onto adjacent land owners property thereby inviting a lawsuit as the snow was deposited there by the city and not by natural means. C. The distance for trucks loaded with snow to travel is currently minimal, keeping costs down. 4. NOFFSINGER SPRINGS MAINTENANCE - The distance one way from the Water Warehouse to Noffinger Springs would be increased by 1/3 mile. This is based on the assumption that a bridge would be built across the Stillwater River on the city owned tract. City crews would also have to go outside the city limits to reach Noffsinger Springs. "Vacation City' Mayor McDowell • Lawrence Park - Public Works Concerns March 27, 1985 Page 2 5. LEAF PICK-UP - During the fall when leaves are picked up they are hauled into Lawrence Park where they decompose and are later used for tree planting. If the city is unable to use Lawrence Park, an alternate site would be needed. 6. The STREET DEPARTMENT presently uses Lawrence Park to dump soil, gravel, asphalt and other debris from street excavations. Beginning this summer, the Street Department will stockpile the old asphalt for future use of recycling and keep separate the soil, gravel and other debris. Therefore, as noted above, an alternate site for this operation would have to be found. ajg L J •