MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2008

KIRKWOOD COMMUNITY CENTER, 111 S. GEYER ROAD, ROOM 202

7:05 P.M.

In attendance:  Gerry Biedenstein,  Rich Etzkorn, Bob Sears, Boyd Wietecter, Jerry Grunzinger, Linda Fenton, Katie Burckhalter, Murray Pounds, Curt Carron

Excused:  Nick Ohlman, Betsy Wendell

I.                   CITIZEN COMMENTS 

Hilliard Goldman, 321Way Ave, Kirkwood, MO

Mr. Goldman discussed the exercise trail and benefits. He would like to keep the existing equipment and course in place. Mr. Goldman said he did not like the idea of putting all the equipment in a cluster setting. 

Gerry Biedenstein said Mr. Goldman’s concerns and issues will be discussed under Old Business.

1I.        APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 25, 2008 BOARD MINUTES

Motion made by Bob Sears and seconded by Katie Burckhalter to approve the February 25, 2008 Park Board minutes.

Roll call as follows:

Gerry Biedenstein-aye               

Bob Sears-aye                

Boyd Wietecter-aye

Jerry Grunzinger-aye                   

Katie Burckhalter–aye            

Linda Fenton-abstained

Rich Etzkorn-abstained

Motion passed. 5-0

III.             OLD BUSINESS

A    SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

1.        Implementation Committee

Murray Pounds reported on the current construction progress.  Phase II – Little progress due to weather. Murray will be meeting with Benz Parks regarding closing out Phase I.  Murray stated he is continually monitoring their progress.  Construction on Monfort Park will probably not start until the week of March 31. Harlan Company is doing the construction and the work is scheduled to be completed by September 1.  The construction date may be advanced with the cooperation of the weather.  Murray is sending out a press release tomorrow notifying the public Monfort Park construction is about to begin.

2.        Trail Committee

Trail Committee met on March 3, 2008.at the community center. A proposal to develop back-in parking along Argonne Avenue which is part of the trail study was discussed.  The committee is waiting to hear back on alternate solutions being researched by GRG engineers.

A discussion followed on the fitness equipment and course in Kirkwood Park in response to Mr. Goldman’s comments at the beginning of the Park Board meeting. Murray Pounds said some and possibly all of the equipment has to be ADA compliant. This could influence placement. Katie Burckhalter and Linda Fenton said they would like to have some pathway involved. Murray said he would go over the issues related to accessibility requirements with Terri Johnson, the Executive Director of Municipal Partners for Inclusive Recreation. 

3.  Finance Committee

No report

B.  EMMENEGGER PARK BOUNDARY ISSUES

Murray Pounds reported he had made contact with the local MODOT office regarding posting of a directional sign at the intersection of Cragwold and Stoneywood. It is possible to have a sign posted at that intersection at a cost of $350.00 if the request came from Powder Valley Nature Center and the Missouri Department of Conservation and not the Parks and Recreation Department. Murray explained this would reduce the cost and eliminate the need to demonstrate an annual attendance of 25,000 at the facility. The downside is that the logo on the sign would feature only the Department of Conservation logo and would not identify the park as belonging to Kirkwood.

Bob Sears said if a sign is put up at the intersection it needs to be properly identified as a City of Kirkwood park.  Murray said we would have to get permission from the Highway Department to get our own sign and the process involved is not an easy project.

Murray said he had looked at the deed for the sale of the Emmenegger Park property and the deed restrictions expired in 2000.

After discussion the park board members agreed to try signs to keep the public from trespassing on Matush’s property. Curt Carron said it might help if the signage were friendlier and instead of just putting “Keep Out” on a sign use something like “Please be courteous to our neighbors and do not encroach on private property.”  Murray Pounds said we would check with owners about the mowing.  The board decided to try the following:

1.  Leave an unmowed strip around the property-revisit in a year

2.  Put up signs with user friendly wording

3.  Add sign stating “Leash Law in Effect”

C.  CENTRAL RIDGE PHASE 3 DESIGN SERVICES FEE INCREASE

Motion made by Jerry Grunzinger and seconded by Boyd Wietecter to approve the additional amount for design work not to exceed $9,375 proposed by PDS and OWH in FY 2008-09 and to continue to pursue reducing this amount.  All approved.  Motion passed.

D.  ESTABLISHMENT OF MEMORIAL COMMITTEE

Bob Sears, Katie Burckhalter, Gerry Biedenstein and Linda Fenton volunteered to be on the Memorial Committee.  Murray Pounds indicated Claire Budd, Public Information Officer would be interested in serving on the committee and said she would get some additional volunteers from the Kirkwood Police Department.  A meeting will be scheduled for next month.

IV.   NEW BUSINESS

A.  APPROVAL OF FISCAL YEAR 2008-09 PARK FUND

      OPERATING BUDGET AND RE-APPROPRIATIONS

Motion made by Bob Sears to approve the revised Fiscal Year 2008-09 Park Fund Budget Revenues ($1,328,575.00) and Expenditures ($1,630,474.00), and approve the re-appropriations  ($139,764.00) of capital projects, seconded by Katie Burckhalter.  All approved. Motion passed.

B   APPROVAL OF GAYLORD FOUNDATION PARK ENTRY PROJECT BID

Murray Pounds went over the bid from Concrete Design with a revised cost for the Park Entry Project which is closer to the original budget. A copy of the revised bid was included in the Park Board packet.

Motion made by Boyd Wietecter to authorize accepting the bid given by Concrete Design, Inc. for $106,442.00 which would allow for the deducts and adds in the proposal, along with alternate adds for a rock liner, engineered sealed drawings and engineered footings, seconded by Bob Sears.  All approved.  Motion passed.

C. APPROVAL OF 2008-09 MOWING CONTRACT

A copy of the contract from Outdoor Solutions was included in the Park Board Packet.

The proposed increase for the contract is less than $600.00.

Motion made by Bob Sears to renew the mowing contract with Outdoor Solutions for $27,547.24 for 2008 for the period of one year beginning April 1, 2008 and ending March 31, 2009, seconded by Boyd Wietecter .All approved.  Motion passed.

D.  EARTH DAY TREE PLANTING EVENT

Curt Carron has applied for, and received, a grant from Forest Releaf. The grant is in the form of about 65 trees of indigenous species which are to be planted in the Greentree Park wetlands area on April 12. Linda Fenton reported this event is being supported by volunteers from the OWLS and Missouri Master Naturalists with the Department of Conservation. Curt Carron said if the “Earth Day” event has to be canceled due to weather it will be rescheduled for a future date.

E.  MAINTENANCE REPORT

Curt had a combined report for the last two months included in the Park Board packet.

Curt reported on the flooding conditions at Greentree Park.  Gateway Goose contract for 2008 was discussed. 

Motion made by Bob Sears to approve the contract with Gateway Goose not to exceed $7,800.00 for 2008, seconded by Katie Burckhalter.  All approved.  Motion passed.

F.  OTHER MATTERS

Linda Fenton inquired about the turkey calling event and was told there were six people that participated.

V.  DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Murray reported an agreement with a representative from Pekin Duck Society was reached to move the Pekin ducks out of the Kirkwood Park area.  The Chautauqua event will be held June 5-8 and will be titled “That’s Entertainment.”  The Chautauqua will feature representations of historical figures. Chautauqua will be using the Lions Amphitheater for the performances.   Murray reported John Hessel, Kirkwood City Attorney saw no problem with the revised agreement language from Robinson School PTO for the playground project.  Gerry Biedenstein will sign the proposal confirming the Park Board’s financial commitment to the project.

The house at 571 Monroe is almost completely down.  Fire training was done at the house and Chief Openlander was thankful for the opportunity to conduct the training.

Application forms have been received for requesting assistance from Missouri National Guard units to assist with grading for the prairie area in Greentree Park.  Plans for the Kirkwood July 4^th celebration are moving forward.

Murray discussed some of the fundraising efforts for the February 7^th victims that were being considered.

VI.  ADJOURNMENT

Motion made by Bob Sears and seconded by Rich Etzkorn to adjourn at 8:40 pm.

All approved.  Motion passed.