Park
Board Minutes
MONDAY, JULY 16, 2007
KIRKWOOD COMMUNITY CENTER,
111 S. GEYER ROAD, ROOM 202
MEETING MINUTES
7:00 P.M.
In
attendance: Gerry Biedenstein, Bob Sears, Boyd Wietecter, Jerry
Grunzinger, Nick Ohlman, Betsy Wendell, Rich Etzkorn, Katie
Burckhalter, Curt Carron, Murray Pounds
Excused:
Linda Fenton
I.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Heidi Sherman, 516 S. Harrison,
in favor of the Dog Park
John Burns, 1891 Charmwood, some
concerns about the liabilities of a Dog Park..
James Loomis, 1988 Marshall Rd,
some concerns about leash laws, policies for a Dog Park.
Shirley Sostman, 1525 Marshall
Rd., lives on three acres surrounded by wildlife and they
co-exist with her dogs and in favor of a Dog Park..
Barry Dvoracek ,608 W.
Washington, lived in cities with Dog Parks and said they had no
problems and he is in favor of a Dog Park.
Jim Vykopel, 111 N. Ballas Rd,
has lived in Chicago near several dog parks and said they
promote human interaction and he is in favor of a Dog Park.
Joe Toenjes, 329 Rose Lane,
concerns regarding public land being used without offering to
others.
Jerry Mandell, 503 Taylor Young,
in favor of a Dog Park
Nelda Gray, 698 Trailcrest, Unit
2, can’t let her dog run and would welcome a Dog Park.
Jean Loemker, 983 Box Elder,
said the dog swim event held at the aquatic center is great and
the Dog Park is an opportunity to be progressive. She said this
is one of life’s simple pleasures.
Citizen Comments closed at 7:20
p.m.
1I. APPROVAL OF
JUNE 18, 2007 BOARD MINUTES
A
motion made by Bob Sears to approve the June 18, 2007 minutes,
seconded by Boyd Wietecter. All in favor, motion carried.
III.
OLD BUSINESS
A SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Implementation Committee
Jerry Grunzinger reported the
Scout Shelter, Concession Stand, and Comfort Stations are mostly
completed for the Central Ridge Project, Phase 1. A dedication
was held July 16 at the Concession Area at 6:00 p.m.
Phase 2 plans were discussed,
including the playground, fountain, sidewalk and the parking lot
by the Water Tower. Murray said he hopes to have the Phase 2
bid out by August 10, 2007 and approval by September or October.
Once the bidding and approval procedure is completed the Phase 2
work should get started by November 2007.
Monfort Park plans are finished.
Curt said the parking lot will
be about a five week process and he will be helping out with
this project since he is familiar with the area
Betsy Wendell questioned why the
burning bushes were put in the front of the bleachers. Curt
responded the height of the bleach necessitated that a barrier
be provided, and that the burning bush would provide the best
vegetative barrier to be used in lieu of fencing. Curt said the
parks department will keep the bushes trimmed.
Bob Sears thanked the
Implementation Committee for all their hard work.
Dog Park Committee
Bob Sears reported the committee
met on June 20th. The subcommittee approved a
motion to present to the Board which he will present under New
Business.
IV. NEW
BUSINESS
A. DOG PARK SUBCOMMITTEE
PROPOSAL
Bob Sears had a request to read
the Dog Park Subcommittee Proposal. The original proposal was
read as follows:
Motion before the
Kirkwood Park Board by
the
Dog Park Subcommittee to recommend that the Park Board Establish
a Dog Park in the City of Kirkwood to be owned and operated by
the Kirkwood Parks & Recreation Department for the benefit of
Kirkwood residents.
The Kirkwood Park
Board Dog Park Subcommittee recommends that the Park Board
establish a public dog park for the benefit of Kirkwood
residents under the following conditions:
a. The dog
park shall be located at the Water Plant site on property not
needed for the Meramec River Trail to Emmeneger Park should that
property be transferred into the park system by the City of
Kirkwood.
b. The dog
park shall be operated by the Kirkwood Parks & Recreation
Department which will consider methods of operation and
standards proposed by interested parties and utilized by other
public dog parks.
c. The
initial funding for the development of the dog park, including
any development or accommodations necessary to comply with all
regulations whether local, state or federal, shall come from
donations by interested private parties and shall not come from
tax revenue, the park fund or any other public source. Initial
development shall include but not be limited to sufficient
parking, fencing, ground surfacing, trash containers, pet waste
disposal containers, signage, culvert crossing, and other site
infrastructure to be agreed upon. Should sufficient funding
for development not be raised within one year of Park Board and
City Council action to establish the proposed site as park land,
the commitment of this site to a dog park shall lapse; said
commitment will only be extended at the discretion of the
Kirkwood Park Board.
d.
Membership fees shall be established and reviewed from
time–to-time to ensure that they are calculated to cover the
operating expenses and appropriate reserves of the dog park.
e. Users
of the dog park will be required to qualify for an annual
membership by paying the prescribed fee, demonstrating that the
dog’s required vaccinations are up to date at the time of
application, and promising to abide by the rules and regulations
to be established. Violation of any rule or regulation will be
grounds for revocation of membership. The Kirkwood Department
of Parks and Recreation shall have sole discretion in revocation
and issuance of a membership.
f.
Memberships will be available to residents of Kirkwood only.
If, and only if, there is capacity after Kirkwood residents have
had an opportunity to apply, will membership be open to
non-residents. Kirkwood
residents will be given first priority on any waiting list for
the facility
g. At the
two year anniversary from the date the Board establishes the dog
park, the Board shall consider whether to continue the program.
If the Board determines to close the dog park, it shall continue
the park until the expiration dates of any outstanding
memberships or, at the Board’s option, it shall refund the
membership fees on a pro-rata basis.
h. There
shall be no major structures other than appropriate fencing
built on the site for a period of two years from the date the
dog park is established by the Board. The intent of this
provision is to ensure
that if the Board determines that the site is no longer viable
or desired to continue in operation,
recovery of the site to an alternative use will require only
minimal demolition.
i. The
support of volunteers interested in establishing and maintaining
the dog park will be critical. If such support is not
available, it is unlikely that the dog park will be viable
long-term. The Parks Department will coordinate volunteer
efforts to maximize the benefit.
After reading the proposal, the
first paragraph was changed to read, “Motion before the Kirkwood
Park Board by the Dog park Subcommittee to recommend that
the Park Board Establish a Dog Park in the City of Kirkwood to
be owned and operated by the Kirkwood parks & Recreation
Department for the benefit of Kirkwood residents.”
The 2nd paragraph to
be eliminated.
Nick Ohlman said the word
only in the f. section should be taken out..
Katie Burckhalter said in the f.
section we should add Kirkwood residents will be given 1st
priority if there is a waiting list.
Bob Sears said in section h.,
the 2nd sentence should read:
The intent of this provision is
to ensure that if the Board determines the site is no
longer viable or desired to continue in operation, recovery
of the site to an alternative use will require only minimal
demolition.:
Nick Ohlman said he didn’t feel
the park board should be proposing the dog park
without having the land first.
A discussion followed.
A motion was made by Bob Sears
to approve the amended Dog Park Subcommittee Proposal, seconded
by Betsy Wendell.
Roll call as follows:
Gerry Biedenstein –
yea
Bob Searsl-yea
Betsy Wendell-yea
Boyd Wietecter-yea
Jerry Grunzinger-yea
Katie Burckhalter-yea
Rich Etzkorn-nay
Nick Ohlman-nay
There were six yeas and two
nays.
Motion passed.
A motion was made by Jerry
Grunzinger to send a letter to the City of Kirkwood making a
formal request that the water plant site be designated as park
land to be used as a dog park and to extend the Meramec River
Trail system, seconded by Katie Burckhalter. All approved.
Motion passed.
B.
YOUTH IN ACTION MONUMENT PROPOSAL
A letter was included in the
packet for the Park Board describing the memorial stone that is
proposed for purchase by Keith Rawlings and Youth In Action for
Quinette Cemetery. The stone will serve as a memorial for those
who are buried in the cemetery for the living relatives and
friends. There will also be space left on the stone for any
other people who are discovered in the cemetery so they may be
remembered as well. Keith Rawlings said the Youth in Action
group is asking the Park Board to decide along with the American
Legion Post #156 where to place the stone so it will be visible
and assessable to those wishing to pay their respects.
Discussion followed on obtaining
professional guidance on where to place the stone, getting two
or three alternative sites and having sketches with photos
before final approval. Everyone on the Board is in favor of the
memorial stone and wants to make sure the stone is placed in a
proper place where it would not disturb any remains. The board
would like to have several people who are experts in this field
look at the sites.
Motion was made by Rich Etzkorn
to approve the installation of the Monument
for the Quinette Cemetery to be
provided by the Youth In Action group subject to approval of the
location, wording, and approval by an archeological expert, and
subject to review by the Landmarks Commission and approval..
Betsy Wendell seconded the motion. All approved. Motion passed.
C. BACKHOE LEASE RENEWAL
A motion was made by Betsy
Wendell to approve the Backhoe Lease with Luby Equipment for
$6600 as recommended in the memo to Murray Pounds from Curt
Carron, seconded by Rich Etzkorn. All approved. Motion passed.
D.
2008 CHAUTAUQUA PROPOSAL
Murray reported Kirkwood Parks &
Recreation has been asked to host another Chautauqua event at
the Kirkwood Park the first week in June, 2008. The organizers
are willing to host the performances in the Lion’s Amphitheater
as opposed to setting up a tent for the five nights of
presentations. This would reduce the logistical commitment, but
would still have some impact on parking, etc.
Motion was made by Katie
Burckhalter to accept responsibility to host the 2008
Chautauqua Event, seconded by
Nick Ohlman. All approved. Motion passed.
E. MAINTENANCE UPDATE
The 4th of July went
off as planned without complications.
Crews clocked 53.5 hours
overtime at a cost just over $1300. Regular hours for set up and
cleanup amounted to 448 hours, which accounts for almost the
entire week. The contractor did a very professional job and
incidents of any nature were negligible.
Crews have been getting a chance
to uncrate, assemble and install equipment slated for areas
throughout the park. New litter receptacles have been installed
at the concession plaza and the Scout Shelter. Sixty steel
frame picnic benches are being installed and set out at
pavilions initially, and throughout the park. Deco concrete
tables have been assembled and placed in the concession plaza.
The Parks Department stock and
storage is returning to normal levels.
America in Bloom projects are
still being tended diligently. The amount of work the Parks
Department actually had to put into participation was far
greater than we were originally anticipating. Most of our parks
were visited by the judges, many as drive bys but also many with
walking inspection. Overall the project was a benefit and
enhanced many aesthetic opportunities. However any future
participation in this event should take into consideration the
huge amount of work and detail that it turned out to
incorporate..
Jim Wilkerson is still out with
a non-work back issue. His scheduled return is expected around
the first of August.
Interviews are taking place this
week for the hiring of a new crew member to fill a vacancy
created in May and the Parks Department would like to have the
new person on board by the first of August.
Construction completion has left
the Parks Department with a number of details to deal with.
Grounds need to be revitalized, vegetation, new and existing
must be watered, aerated and groomed to enhance their viability.
Punchlist items still remain inside and out. The next punchlist
will be addressed this Thursday.
The Parks Department has begun a
planning process for engineering repairs to a bank cut at
Greentree Park along the Meramec. The project will involve
engineering service by Horner and Shifrin, permits from the
USACE and possibly MODNR, and ultimately a bidding process for
the actual revetment. The project involves erosion of some
35-40 of RCP which drains the football field to the river. The
cut is deep and wide and will require significant fill
sanctioned by agencies involved.
Asbestos assessment is to be bid
for abatement at 571 W. Monroe (house by the lake). The
assessment will be performed independent of the demolition
contract. The advance assessment will be given to the demo
contractor of award and they will be responsible for any
abatement necessary prior to demo.
The Fleet director has contacted
Curt regarding plans to purchase a used aerial truck for tree
work. We will identify some local dealers, and decide how best
to write specifications for the purchase. The truck will have
between 30-50 K miles, have an articulated boom, and have
dielectric integrity for safety around electrical concerns.
The Assistant Director of Public
Works, Todd Rehg will be conducting mandatory EPA Phase II
Stormwater training for all City employees in August.
Compliance issues for the City include the training of employees
regarding protection of tributaries, sewers, and water quality.
E.
OTHER MATTERS
Gerry Biedenstein asked Curt if
he could have the amount and hours it took for the America In
Bloom project available for the Park Board to review. Curt said
he would have this information by the next Park Board meeting.
V. DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Murray reported the America In
Bloom competition, the tour of the parks and the breakfast went
very well. He reported the judges were very impressed with
Kirkwood.
Murray discussed Proposition C
and the anticipated revisions to the compensation levels for
park division employees.
Some of the neighbors at
Emmenegger met with Murray to discuss the amount of people going
through the meadow at the north end of the park. Murray is
going to do some research to find out if use of the meadow is
restricted by the deed that conveyed the property to the city.
Murray had a request to
memorialize one of the tennis courts. After some discussion the
Park Board recommended no further action be taken on this matter
at this time.
VI.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Rich
Etzkorn to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m., seconded by Nick
Ohlman. All in favor. Motion passed.
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