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05-07-86 Parks Comm Minutes-V 0:. May 7, 1986 PARKS COMMITTEE 4:00 P.M. • Chairman Manning and Councilmen Palmer and Nystul present. Mayor Kennedy, Parks Director Drent, Richard Kuhl (Friends of Lawrence Park), Nick Haren and Shelley Borden (Chamber of Commerce), Robert Monk, Janice Sommers (Scout Leader of Eagle Patrol, Troop 73 along with Calvin Hill, Elliot Isakson, Richard Jenkins, John Briskin), Cathe Mortensen (Bruckhauser Pool Manager), Clyde Sparks (KATS Swim Team Manager), and Roger Hopkins of the Daily Inter Lake also in attendance. LAWRENCE PARK - Dick Kuhl announced that a meeting had been arranged with the Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and the State Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks and will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday, May 12, and will begin at the gravel pit in Lawrence Park. The purpose of the meeting is to attempt to determine what is officially wetlands and what is not and secondly, to get a general concept of what might be allowed in the wetlands of Lawrence Park. He invited the Committee to attend and asked for suggestions of others who should be invited. C. Manning said he would ask several from the planning board (Golf Association) to attend. He and the Mayor will also attend. DEPOT PARK - C. Manning stated that a recommendation needed to be made to the Council concerning the dispersion of the $30,000 grant from Burlington Northern. Those items needing funds are the Veterans monument ($5,000), Flathead Homebuilders for the gazebo ($3,000), the decorative lights (approximately $15,000, which includes two additional lights to be placed by the Veterans • monument), and the Parks Department for a sprinkler system and landscaping ($7,000). Parks Director Drent shared his plans for Depot Park and suggested waiting until the monument is in before putting in the sidewalk that has been requested by the Chamber and others. He said by then there should be a good indication of where the traffic patterns are. He also suggested using round concrete slabs set in the ground rather than the traditional sidewalk. Putting a walk along the drive to the east side of the park was also met with approval as soon as funds can be found. The Committee agreed to recommend to Council that the funds be set aside for the Veterans monument but not paid out until completion of the project, for the Flathead Homebuilders ($3,000), and a minimum of $5,000 for the Parks Department so they can use the money to get started with the sprinkler system and landscaping. C. Palmer wanted to check on the final figure needed for the lights before making a motion on that. C. Nystul stated that the funding to the Veterans should be made contingent upon them raising the remainder needed for the monument, and that the funds should not be released until the job was contracted out. C. Palmer indicated he still had a problem with the apparent change in the policy to allow funds to be given to a private group (Vets). It is BN grant money but the City is administering it. The question of the value of the monument ($15,000) and whether the City would be required by law to go out on bids was raised and Attorney Neier came in to discuss that. He said the City should bid it out because it was administering public funds. If the materials were • provided and the labor did not amount to more than $10,000 then the City might not have to bid it, but at this point it is the understanding of the Committee that it will be bid as a complete project, materials and labor. Parks Director Drent will check with the Veterans on this and have an answer before the Council meeting. C. Palmer clarified his motion to allocate the minimum of $5,000 to the Parks Department, the $3,000 to the Homebuilders, PARKS COMMITTEE • May 7, 1986 Page 2 but to hold the remainder until the issues were clarified. The Committee agreed. VISITOR CENTER RESTROOMS - Parks Director Drent presented a letter from the Chamber concerning the condition of the restrooms, which are in desperate need of repair. The Parks Director is concerned about the cost of the repairs but is looking for funds. New fixtures and other things are needed and Parks Director Drent indicated they could run from $400 to $2,000. The Parks Department cannot do the installation. C. Palmer said he knew several plumbers who might do it reasonably and he will contact them. The installation of handicap access was discussed and the Committee agreed that although it would mean remodeling the City should do for itself what it requires others to do (even though being a pre-existing structure this building would be excluded from the requirements). It was agreed that bids would be solicited so that they could tell if the project was feasible. In the meantime the restrooms will be opened as is and the work can be done during the summer. The question of whether additional lighting was raised (after a short discussion on vandelism of the restrooms) and Parks Director Drent indicated it would be good to have more light year around. There is an existing pole and PP&L will be instructed to put a light on that pole. • Shelley Borden asked about a proposal for putting a billboard type sign up to provide maps and directional information to tourists stopping at the center after hours. They proposed to raise the funds for the sign by selling advertising space to local businesses. They had in mind a sign approximately 8' x 12', lighted. There was discussion of the problem of allowing advertising in a park, the idea of a three -sided sign in the area of the proposed light, using the back side of the restrooms for the sign, the advertising allowed at Griffin Field, the suggestion that this was no different than the Golf Association and the City should lease the area to the Chamber for $1.00, which would allow them to be more commercial. It was the general consensus of the Committee to allow something tasteful without the paperwork of a lease. They asked the Chamber to get approval for their final plans before spending alot of money but in general the Committee had no problem with the proposal. Patching of the pavement in front of the Visitor's Center was raised and the Mayor indicated that he and DPW Hammer will check it out and see what can be done. BOB MONK LAND SWAP PROPOSAL - Mr. Monk explained first that he was interested in the old City dump site on Willow Glen (approximately 10 acres) for his son-in-law who owns Kalispell Wrecking and would use it to park cars. It could be fenced to hide the cars. C. Manning is to get back with the soccer people to see if they are still interested as it is being filled and leveled with them in mind. The Committee asked for a letter from Kalispell Wrecking stating their purpose and making a request. . Mr. Monk said he had been approached by Jay Billmayer and other pilots wishing to obtain an overrun area on the south end of the runway. He proposed that through trading and easements a 600 - 700 foot area could be added to the end of the runway. He proposed trading his portion of that area for 135' - 150' to the north of the road going into the SRS building, which would 4 rZ PARKS COMMITTEE • May 7, 1986 Page 3 give him enough frontage on the highway to do something with it. He is only interested in trading (no exchange of funds), not selling. C. Manning stated that the Committee needed to wait until the problems at the airport were solved and they could see who would be running the ship before taking on anything new concerning the airport. Mr. Monk left a copy of his plans with Parks Director Drent. AIRPORT FACT FINDING COMMITTEE - Mayor Kennedy asked about appointing an ad hoc commission to seek out problems and make recommendations for solving them. The Committee was in complete agreement. There are three options for dealing with the airport: 1) Cancel the lease and assume operation, 2) Find another lessor, or 3) Sell the property and close the airport. After some additional discussion C. Palmer said the City needs to run with the ball - this is the City's problem and we need to do something about it. The City Attorney had been asked about paying a commission to a realtor to sell the airport but he said the City could not do that. C. Palmer said that he would be willing to take this job without a commission and put it on multiple listing if some way could be found to pay a fee if it was sold on a referral. He asked why a realtor could not be engaged just as we do an engineer. The Mayor will ask the City Attorney. • C. Palmer suggested that the fact finding committee be made up of C. Nystul, himself (members of the Parks Committee), Kerry Wyrick of the Montana Pilots Association, and Jim Fleming (a pilot who leases airport property). The Mayor will write letters to these individuals to formalize this committee and will notify Lee Tower of the creation of the committee. It was stressed that this committee was being created to find out the facts and solve the problems. BRUCKHAUSER POOL - The new pool manager, Cathe Mortensen, presented her proposed schedule, fees and philosophy. C. Palmer suggested sending schedules home with the children with a statement added saying that donations are welcome - fees do not cover the costs of operating the pool. The reasoning was that many of the persons using the pool were county residents who are not helping to support the pool through taxes. It was pointed out that the original county participation in the pool had been on the condition that that City would not charge any additional fees to county residents for use of the pool. In discussing fees it was also stated that the philosophy governing fees was that the amount charges be something that would not preclude anyone. Whether or not to keep the pool open during bad weather was settled by Parks Director Drent stating that if the workers were not busy they could choose to go home or to do extra cleaning around the building. No overtime is to be allowed unless it is a dire emergency. When the schedule is printed it should include a statement that the City reserves the right to altar times and fees. Discussion of whether to allow reservations for private parties and what to charge, etc., was decided by leaving it up to the discretion of the manager. She is to not to tryot o do everything, but to do several • things well. She was given wide latitude for innovation. The City Attorney will be consulted about putting disclaimers on the notices. Cathe thanked the Committee for approval for training. PARKS COMMITTEE • May 7, 1986 Page 4 KATS SWIM TEAM - Clyde Stearns, president of the KATS said he had two concerns: 1) A scheduled time for practice, which seems to be taken care of on the schedule presented today, and 2) the operation of the concession stand. He indicated that before making a firm commitment to operate the concession stand he wanted some additional information. The following questions were raised and the responses are indicated: 1. Products to be sold - Parks Director Drent indicated he had no problem with food and candy items but questioned clothing sales (such as T-shirts) because of the competition with downtown businesses. Mr. Stearns pointed out that it could double the profit made during the summer if T-shirts were sold. 2. An adult always present - this was agreed to by both parties. 3. Hours of operation - this would be left up to the KATS with the suggestion that they be consistent. 4. Pop and candy bar machines - this would be allowable as long as they were inside the gates. The profits could go to the KATS. 5. Health Department inspections and permits required. 6. Liability insurance - Parks Director Drent will check with • Attorney Neier and the City insurance agent to see what kind and how much is required. 7. The area around the stand must be kept clean at all times. S. Parking for workers and lifeguards must be at the back of the park - NOT on the loop road. Mr. STearns said that the swim team needs floating lane lines for the meet to be held at the pool. Sanctioned lines cost about $1,600 and the team will purchase them but would ask that the City provide reels for storage of the lines. The City could use the lines whenever they needed without charge. He was asked to gather information about the reels and the expense and give it to Parks Director Drent. O'NEIL LAND SWAP - Parks Director Drent got the papers together, Surveyor Zavodny is checking the legals. Attorney Neier did not think than an appraisal was needed. SCHOOL DISTRICT LAND SWAP - A meeting is needed between Attorney Neier, the County attorney, and the Parks Committee to discuss the relocation of the ball field and other issues. The Mayor is to set up this meeting. BUFFALO HEAD PARK WETLANDS - Parks Director Drent indicated that the conditions for the 404 permit for Ashley Creek listed this park as trade for the loss of the wetlands and gave stipulations: that the permittee within 30 days of permit issuance shall install a vehicle restriction barrier at the tract of land known as Buffalo Head Park, and that the permittee shall provide for the maintenance of all existing fences which immediately border the tract of land known as Buffalo Head Park. Within 30 days the a mitigation plan giving perpetuity to the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks for this park must be submitted to the District Engineer. C. Manning said PARKS COMMITTEE May 7, 1986 46 Page 5 he would discuss this with the gentlemen present at Monday's meeting at Lawrence Park for clarification. He would also discuss with them the possibility of using a portion of the wetlands at Lawrence Park instead of the Buffalo Head parcel. ajg is