03-18-86 Parks Comm MinutesMarch 18, 1986 PARKS COMMITTEE 4:00 P.M.
Chairman Manning and Councilmen Palmer and Nystul present. Mayor Kennedy,
Parks Director Drent, Dennis Carver and Roger Hopkins of the Daily Inter
Lake also in attendance.
BEGG PARK - Dennis Carver explained that there are now 14 agencies,
in and out of state, involved. Three of those wrote adverse letters to the
Corps of Engineers concerning the 404 permit. The others have been satisfied.
Those three agencies are: 1) U.S. Fish and Wildlife - they have a nationwide
policy; 2) EPA - they felt it was a "fairly small thing" and they would sign
off if the U.S. Fish and Wildlife was satisfied; and 3) FEMA (Federal Emergency
Management Agency) - they deal with the flood plain. Their position is that
anytime a culvert is installed anywhere, if it changes the elevation or in
the arrangement of the flood plain, it must be remapped. Dennis did not
feel that this would hold up the 404 permit.
The U.S.Fish and Wildlife feels that 2 acres of wildlife habitat will
be removed by the changes made in Begg Park. They would like a conservation
easement on another property to take the place of the loss at Begg Park,
or the land deeded to the State Fish , Wildlife and Parks. Parks Director
Drent offered to them Lawrence Park, Dry Bridge Park, and the park off Grandview.
They were most interested in the Grandview location. The restrictions they
would place on the land would allow for very little development but could
include provisions for trails. The State at this point is willling to do
whatever is necessary to get this matter settled.
C. Manning questioned the future growth of the Grandview area and the
possible corridor along the Stillwater. There was some discussion of the
possibility of trading later but Dennis Carver questioned whether that would
be possible. There was some interest in using Lawrence Park wetlands for
this but time is off the essence and dealing with the Golf Association and
Lawrence Park would take time.
C. Nystul moved that the Committee recommend to Council the granting
of a conservation easement to the State Fish, Wildlife, and Parks for the
land off Parkview Terrace (Grandview). The Committee agreed.
Dennis Carver felt that after settling this issue the Corps 404 permit
should be here in about two weeks.
DEPOT PARK - C. Manning presented the requests for monies from the $30,000
grant:
$18,000 Parks Department for landscaping, irrigation, sodding, etc.
12,159 Decorative Street Lights and Installation
5,000 Veterans Memorial
3,000 Flathead Homebuilders Association
$38,159
C. Palmer pointed out that the Parks Department's work is the basis
for everything else in the park and should not be shorted. C. Manning listed
the breakdown of the Parks Department's needs. Lengthly discussion followed
about how to divide the available monies, the idea of "donation" and the
City being asked to donate, credit for gazebo or monument, conditions of
approval originally given (No cost to the City), whether or not additional
funds would be available from Tax Increment, and the feeling that the City
PARKS DEPARTMENT
• March 18, 1986
Page 2
should participate
original location.
to any organization
taxpayer funds.
in the Veterans Memorial because it was moved from the
C. Palmer questioned the policy of the City giving funds
It was pointed out that this was grant money, not
C. Nystul made a motion that the Parks Department receive at least
$15,000 and the remainder of the grant be disbursed after additional discussion
with the Veterans. The remainder would be divided between the lights, Vets,
and the Homebuilders. The Committee also requested that a breakdown of the
Tax Increment funds for Depot Park be provided.
TENNIS COURTS - Parks Director Drent has an offer for resurfacing 2
courts for $5,125. There are revenue sharing funds set aside ($33,000) for
funding this. Some of these funds will be used for Begg Park. DPW Hammer
has the costs for Begg down to about $6,000. C. Palmer asked for an
assurance in writing. from Begg if the City doesn't make the deadline.
Parks Director Drent said this piece of property is not involved in the
Hamilton/Begg lawsuit and there'would be no problem. The Committee needs
to reappropriate the tennis court funds for next year.
FHS CROSS COUNTRY MEET - (Gene Boyle) Parks Director Drent said he had
received a request for September and he didn't want to cancel the meet but
• needed rules and regulations governing this type of activity to cover parking,
ingress and egress for fire and ambulance, number of users, policing, need
for extra restroom facilities, etc. This would be the same conditions set
down for the Montana Youth Classic.
REMOVAL OF TREES IN FRONT OF CITY HALL - Parks Director Drent asked
for permission to remove the trees in front of City hall because of the mess
and the problem of damage to the planters as they grow larger. He will put
them in a park. The Committee agreed.
SWIMMING POOL MANAGEMENT POSITION - Parks Director Drent presented his
recommendations for salaries for pool employees:
Basket person
Teacher/Lifeguard(WSI)
Shift Managers (3)
$ 3.40 (Minimum Wage)
4.00
4.20
Season Manager (Totally
Responsible) 3,000.00/season
Parks Director Drent received 9 applications, shared these with the
Committee and said his choices were made based on meeting the qualifications
and stability.
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