MONDAY, MAY 21, 2007

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

MEETING MINUTES

7:05 P.M.

In attendance:  Gerry Biedenstein, Bob Sears, Boyd Wietecter, Jerry Grunzinger, Nick Ohlman, Katie Burckhalter, Curt Carron, Murray Pounds

Excused:  Rich Etzkorn, Linda Fenton, Betsy Wendell

I.                   CITIZEN COMMENTS 

Lisa Short, President of the KDPA, 439 Burns.  Lisa discussed some of the comments the Kirkwood Dog Park Association has received.  A copy of the comments was handed out to all board members present.

Kellee Sikes, Vice President, KDPA, 606 Rosewood.  Kellee discussed the Creve Coeur and invited everyone in attendance to visit the Creve Coeur Dog Park.

1I.        APPROVAL OF APRIL 16, 2007 BOARD MINUTES

A motion made by Nick Ohlman to approve the amended April 16, 2007 minutes, seconded by Boyd Wietecter. All in favor, motion carried.

III.             OLD BUSINESS

            A    SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

                Implementation Committee

Murray Pounds provided an update on the construction progress for Central Ridge Project, Phase 1.

The Boy Scout Camp and the Girl Scout Camp are scheduled to use the Scout Shelter in June. The Girl Scouts will be using the Scout Shelter towards the end of June and the Scout Shelter should be available. The Boy Scout Camp is scheduled to use the Scout Shelter the week of June 11. Staff has met with the Boy Scout leaders to discuss issues related to completion of the Scout Shelter.

Murray discussed a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, which will include inviting the scouts for the new Scout Shelter opening. These events will be held at the end of June.

Gerry Biedenstein commented on how good the softball fields look thanks to Curt Carron and his crew.

Trail Committee

No report

Dog Park Committee

Murray reported he is waiting for the state report concerning land restrictions.

He should have this information available by early June.  A meeting was set up for Wednesday, June 6 at 4:30 pm. with Bob Sears, Linda Fenton, Katie Burckhalter, Gerry Biedenstein and Murray Pounds. The committee will have information regarding the KDPA proposal at the next Park Board meeting.

Greentree Park Restoration Committee   

No report

Finance Committee

No report  

B.     PROPOSAL FOR QUINETTE CEMETERY GARDEN AREA

Keith Rawlings discussed the Youth in Action proposal for a flower garden area in the Quinette Cemetery. Keith said the Youth in Action group would take care of the garden for 3-5 years. The group would do the maintenance and Keith would purchase the plants. There would be no disturbance of any graves.

The flower garden location would have an appropriate border around it and would be approved by the park staff.  A courtesy letter will be sent to the Landmark Commission by Keith with information detailing the Quinettte Cemetery Garden Area.

A motion was made by Bob Sears to approve the proposed Quinette Garden Area, seconded by Jerry Grunzinger.  All in favor, motion carried.

IV.              NEW BUSINESS

A.  APPROVAL OF CONTRACT WITH THE HARLAN COMPANY FOR PARKING LOT IMPROVEMENTS

A motion was made by Jerry Grunzinger to approve the contract with the Harlan Company for parking lot improvements for $212,000 and to authorize an additional contingency fund of $25,000, bringing the total project budget to $250,000 total, to be charged to Project PF0802, account 201-5101-452-7504. Seconded by Boyd Wietecter. All in favor, motion carried.

B.  GAYLORD FOUNDATION DONATION PROPOSAL

A motion was made by Bob Sears to appropriate $4900.00 to 201-5101-452-7509 for the purpose of hiring an architectural firm to design a welcoming/gathering area near the bridge from the community center to the park, seconded by Nick Ohlman.  All in favor, motion carried.

C.  APPROVAL OF CONTRACT FOR ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES FOR GAYLORD FOUNDATION DONATION

A motion was made by Boyd Wietecter to enter contract with SWT in the amount of $4900.00 for a design plan and rough cost estimate that can be presented to the Gaylord Foundation board with a description of what will be accomplished with the donation, seconded by Katie Burckhalter.  All in favor, motion carried.

D  ACCEPTANCE OF PICNIC TABLE BID FROM JAMESTOWN ADVANCED PRODUCTS CORPORATION

A motion was made by Boyd Wietecter to award a contract to the Jamestown Advanced Products Corporation in the amount of $9,338.40 against Project PF0806, account 201-5101-452-7505 for 40 regular picnic table frames and 20 accessible picnic table frames, seconded by Bob Sears.  All in favor, motion carried.

E.     TREE CITY USA GROWTH AWARD

For the 17^th consecutive year the City of Kirkwood has been accorded Tree City USA status.  In addition, the city has also been awarded a “Growth” award, which recognizes cities’ efforts to expand their commitment to forestry.  The growth award comes primarily from the large number of hours expended in the honeysuckle removal effort last year.

F.      MAINTENANCE UPDATE

Curt reported on the maintenance updates for the Park Department.

New split rail fencing was installed at Pit 1/Lions Pavilion

Provided a 70/30 soil mix as backfill to the new planting islands at the Community Center

Performed irrigation startup at Walker, Meacham and the Aquatic Center

Hosted the Meramec Womens Fastpitch spring tournament

Opened the Grants Trailhead restrooms

The broken slide equipment and swings seats at Kirkwood Park and McEntee

Park was replaced.

Park hours signage was installed at Walker, Meacham, Fillmore, Mitchell, Monfort, McEntee

Four donor benches were installed.

Windscreens were put in at the tennis courts.

Fields and rainouts required the park department to put in an additional 20 hours in restorative field preparation to keep leagues as on track as possible

Curt passed the ISA arborist exam

G.    OTHER MATTERS  

Michael Moore spoke to the board about “Advocates for Joseph”.

His group was originally requesting a memorial plaque in the form of a cast stone imitation log be put in the park in memory of Joseph Long.  Mr. Moore said his group now wants to get a tree and bench for Joseph Long through our Legacy Program.

V.        DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Murray reported we now have a Senior Park Ranger, Ron Hall, who will begin service on a full time basis June 11, 2007. 

The Recreation Department has posted a job opening for a full time maintenance man. 

Meacham Park Homecoming will be held on June 2^nd. 

The Dirtburners are going to have tents instead of trailers for their race event being held at the end of June.

America in Bloom judges will be in Kirkwood on June 27 and 28 to complete their judging responsibilities. They will be touring Greentree, Quinette, Wetlands, Walker and Kirkwood Park.

July 4^th preparations are moving forward.

The roof work at the community center should be completed by Thursday, May 24.

The Parks & Recreation department staff is in the process of getting the aquatic center ready for the Memorial Day weekend opening.

Stages St. Louis has moved in for their summer season.

VI.    ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS PERSONNEL MATTERS

A motion was made by Nick Ohlman to adjourn to closed session at 8:20 p.m., seconded by Boyd Wietecter.   Roll call as follows:

Gerry Biedenstein-yea                
Bob Sears-yea                  
Boyd Wietecter-yea
Nick Ohlman-yea                       
Katie Burckhalter-yea        
Jerry Grunzinger-yea

         Motion passed 6-0

A was motion made by Nick Ohlman to return to open session at 9:10 p.m., seconded by Boyd Wietecter .

Roll call as follows:

         Gerry Biedenstein-yea    
Bob Sears-yea                    
Boyd Wietecter-yea
         Nick Ohlman-yea                      
Katie Burckhalter-yea       
Jerry Grunzinger-yea
 

         Motion passed 6-0

VII.  ADJOURNMENT

          A motion made to adjourn at