MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2007
KIRKWOOD COMMUNITY CENTER, 111 S. GEYER ROAD, ROOM 202
7:05 P.M.

In attendance:  Gerry Biedenstein, Bob Sears, Jerry Grunzinger, Linda Fenton, Boyd Wietecter, Nick Ohlman, Katie Burckhalter, Betsy Wendell, Murray Pounds

Excused:  Rich Etzkorn, Curt Carron

I.                   CITIZEN COMMENTS 

None 

1I.        APPROVAL OF AUGUST 20, 2007 BOARD MINUTES

A motion made by Bob Sears to approve the August 20, 2007 minutes, seconded by Nick Ohlman. All approved. Motion passed.

III.             OLD BUSINESS

A    SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

1.        Implementation Committee

The Implementation Committee met and reviewed the bids for Phase 2 on August 30, 2007.  A meeting is planned for October 3, 2007 at 7:30 am and Phase 3 of the Central Ridge project, and the Monfort Park construction documents will be discussed.

2.        Dog Park Committee

There was a presentation to the City Council on September 13, 2007 concerning transferring unused water plant property to the Park Board. The Council is looking at the issue and considering the request.

3.    Quinette Cemetery

Murray Pounds had an Archaeological Test Pit Report on Quinette Cemetery which was prepared by Dr. Michael Fuller, Professor of Anthropology, St. Louis Community College at Meramec for all board members as well as a letter from Keith Rawlings proposing wording for a bronze plaque to be mounted on the fence as a way of honoring veterans in place of the proposed ground monument. 

In this letter he suggested that Youth in Action and the park board split the cost of the plaque in half.  Nick Ohlman said we should go back to the group of people who will have their relatives’ names on the plaque and get their input. Gerry Biedenstein said he had some concerns about the park board splitting the cost since the Youth in Action Group had held fundraisers raising $2,000.00 towards the memorial stone. Keith Rawlings reported that since the donations were for a monument stone Youth In Action would be unable to contribute any money from those funds for a plaque. He would like to split the cost which should be between $400.00 and $900.00 with engraving.  He said he would like for this to be approved at this meeting so there will be enough time to engrave and place the plaque by Veteran’s Day.

The wording on the plaque was discussed. Katie Burckhalter said the names would have to be checked thoroughly for the correct spelling and information.  Katie also said she would like to see the wording at the top of the plaque changed.

After some discussion the board decided they would like the wording to read “A memorial to those, known and unknown, who have served our country and are laid to rest here.”

Gerry Biedenstein said to reflect in the minutes that a monument stone has never been approved at any Park Board meeting. Jerry Grunzinger then read the motion from last month’s meeting on

August 20,2007 regarding the memorial stone.  A motion was made at the August 20, 2007 meeting to: 1.Get an actual drawing of the Veteran Service Memorial Stone 2. Testing of Site B be completed as recommended, 3. Establish a Park Board Subcommittee and work with the American Legion, Landmarks Commission in order to obtain needed specific further details.

Bob Sears and Jerry Grunzinger said they would like to see a plaque by Veteran’s Day.

They could see no conflict with design of the park.

Bob Sears made a motion to approve a 15 x 15 plaque subject to recommended language changes with the names on the list after they are checked for spelling and any corrections made and with the Park Board funding 100% of the amount and having a ceremony for the families to participate in by Veterans Day if it can be completed.  Linda Fenton seconded the motion.

All approved.  Motion passed.

Katie Burckhalter said a letter should be sent to each family informing them of the plans for the plaque, names should be put in alpha order, the correct protocol should be checked with the American Legion and all the names and ranks should be carefully checked.  The straight line was chosen for the plaque. 

The subcommittee will do a town meeting when we have a plan developed.

Motion was made by Bob Sears for the subcommittee to pursue development of a plan for the future of the park.  Nick Ohman seconded.  All approved.  Motion passed.

4.  Trail Committee

There will be a meeting one week from today, October 1 at 4:00 pm at which a number of issues will be discussed.  Both Leffingwell and Holmes Avenues are being investigated as a possible option in connecting Grant’s Trail to Kirkwood Park.

B. GAYLORD FOUNDATION CONCEPTUAL PLAN APPROVAL

The Gaylord Foundation entry project was discussed. There is a $100,000.00 maximum donation proposed by the foundation.  Murray Pounds said based on the cost estimate for the project, which was included in the packet, the board should plan to contribute some funding towards the project in order to allow for the Gaylord Foundation leadership’s desire that some money be retained for future maintenance.

A motion was made by Bob Sears to approve the Conceptual Plan for the Gaylord Foundation project subject to revisions necessary to meet the desires of the Hoester family. Betsy Wendell seconded the motion.  All approved.  Motion passed with one abstention. (Jerry Grunzinger was out of the room and did not vote).

IV.   NEW BUSINESS

A.   CENTRAL RIDGE PHASE 2 RECOMMENDATION

Murray Pounds went over the Central Ridge Phase 2 Bids.

Betsy Wendell made a motion to make a recommendation to council to take the following actions:

Approve the base bid of the Harlan Company for $454,000

Accept the alternate for provision and installation of landscape materials for $25,300

Approve the bid from Cunningham and Associates for $104,334 for provision of the playground equipment for the project.  This equipment is being purchased under the US Communities purchasing program and does not require a bid.

Request an additional $40,000 in funding be added from the ½ cent parks and recreation sales tax fund to cover these costs ($619,634 total) plus allow for $31,665 contingency fund.  Boyd Wietecter seconded the motion.  All approved.  Motion passed.

Motion made by Nick Ohlman to appropriate $46,400 from the Park Fund reserve to cover the following costs:

Construction Management and Observation Services to be provided by PDS at a not to exceed cost of $32,500.

Provision of geotechnical services such as material and compaction testing for $2,500.

Purchase of site amenities to be installed by the contractor, including benches ($9,100) and trash cans ($2,500) to be allocated to account 201-5101-452-7504.

Katie Burckhalter seconded.  All approved.  Motion passed.

B   APPROVAL OF CONSTRUCTION OBSERVATION AGREEMENT WITH PLANNING DESIGN STUDIO

Betsy Wendell made a motion to approve the proposal from PDS, for a not to exceed an amount of $32,500 for construction period services, with this additional cost to be appropriated from reserves to account 201-5101-452-7509.  Jerry Grunzinger seconded the motion.  All approved. Motion passed.         

Gerry Biedenstein asked Murray if Planning Design had enough personnel for the work.

Murray said that Planning Design is a growing company and he feels comfortable with them.

C.  RECOMMENDATION FOR SUBMISSION OF GRANT FOR DEVELOPMENT OF MONFORT PARK

Motion made by Katie Burckhalter to approve the submission of a grant application for the development of Monfort Park through the Municipal Park Grant Commission of St. Louis County.  Linda Fenton seconded the motion.  All approved.  Motion passed.

D.  RANGER VEHICLE PURCHASE APPROVAL

A memo from Curt Carron with a recommendation for a truck purchase for the ranger was included in the Park Board packet.

A motion was made by Gerry Biedenstein to purchase the truck from Don Brown for $20,836.  Boyd Wietecter seconded the motion.  All approved.  Motion passed.

Murray Pounds stated the current ranger vehicle will be auctioned at a future date.

E.  SCOUT SHELTER DEDICATION

Murray Pounds said the Scout Shelter dedication will be on the first Sunday in November. Both local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will be invited. 

F.  DRAFT TREE CODE

The Draft Tree Code, revised 04-23-07, was included in the Park Board Packet.  

A motion was made by Bob Sears that public lands under control of the Park Board should not be included in this ordinance.  Katie Burckhalter seconded the motion.  All approved.  Motion passed.

G.   MAINTENANCE UPDATE

Murray did the report for Curt who is on vacation.  The Greentree Festival was a busy time for the Parks crew.  It was the 1^st Greentree Festival without Skip Barthelmass, and some additional duties were assumed by the crew in his absence. 

Watering is still taking up a large amount of time due to the heat and drought.  Park Department staff is getting caught up with maintenance in the outlying parks such as weeding.

The department is now fully staffed.  Fall athletic field set up has been completed

Due to the prices of used aerial trucks the Parks Department is looking into sharing the cost with the Electric Department for purchase of a demo truck. 

H.  OTHER MATTERS

Motion made by Bob Sears to approve the special August 30, 2007 minutes.  Katie Burckhalter seconded the motion. Approved.  Motion passed.

Linda Fenton        abstained

Nick Ohlman        abstained

Boyd Wietecter    abstained

V.  DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Murray reported on the gathering of ICMA Performance Standards data.  This information will be useful in assessing the performance of the department in the future.  Murray had a letter from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints requesting the pavilion at Meacham Park for their annual Halloween party on Saturday, October 27, 2007.  The request will be approved and the request to have restrooms available will be honored if weather conditions allow.  They will be charged a fee for the usage.

The last day for the current concession operator, Nour Incorporated, will be on November 7, 2007.  The Parks and Recreation Department is currently examining several options for replacing Nour.

Murray distributed literature on the upcoming Trail Summit.  The Trail Summit will be having their social event at the Kirkwood Community Center on October 25, 2007.

The recreation division budget is completed.

Included in the packet were two letters supporting a dog park.

VI.  ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Nick Ohlman to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m., seconded by Jerry Grunzinger.

All approved.  Motion passed.