Park and Recreation Commission
November 6, 2017
Meeting Minutes
Present: Kevin Jones (Chair), Scott Palmer, Kate Schwartz, Rob Blick, Mary Lou Carlson, Sam Dorenbosch, Ronna Brier
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Jones called the meeting to order at 7:33pm
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Rob Blick gave an update of the following:
-Playing fields are in good condition. The new hire, Mr. Paradise is working well.
-The middle school field has had issues with mowing. A PAR employee mowed the field the previous week. This continues to be a bandwidth issue.
-The pump had issues two weeks ago; it was being fixed and will be operational as of this evening.
-There was a grub issue on the fields, evidenced by skunks, this was treated and rectified.
-Basketball clinics have begun with great success and participation numbers.
-A tree stump grinder will be rented to remove various stumps at Topstone.
-Due to budget cuts, the Topstone Playground project was cut. Mr. Blick would like to refocus efforts to help continue to move the project forward.
-Travel camp had low numbers this year; commission will be looking into ways to increase numbers.
LETTER OF CORRESPONDENCE
-The Redding Hive requested an event date. Mr. Blick has been in contact to set a date.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM September 11, 2017
Motion Palmer, Schwartz, Brier Abstain. Motion approved.
PREVIOUS BUSINESS
-Scott Palmer will continue to work on the PAR Policy & Procedure document.
DISCUSSION OF REDDING DOG PARK
-Kevin Jones updated the commission on the dog park situation. The leaders of the dog park project have stepped down from the project. Kevin Jones explained the family dynamic issue and where the project has been left off.
-Commission agreed that a lot of work has gone into this project and it should continue. In order for the project to continue a new leader to spearhead efforts needs to step up.
-Scott Palmer raised the question of putting this project into the long-term capital improvement plan.
-Kevin Jones suggested giving the people involved in the project to converse, and revisit the project in a month.
-The commission is in full support of the project, but agrees fundraising efforts need to be taking place with a new leader.
DISCUSSION OF LONG-TERM PLANNING PROJECTS
-Rob Blick stated the Pavilion/Shelter project for the fields is still a priority for Long-Term Planning. This project would be of great value for families, campers, ad sport teams who utilize the fields.
DISCUSSION OF NEW OR INCREASED PROGRAMMING
-Kate Schwartz led discussion of revenue increasing ideas.
*Having a teen concert, open microphone event.
*Potluck dinner in February or March.
*Including more outdoor movie nights into the programming.
*Implementing more activities with Senior Center.
*Redding Ice Skating Rink timeline
*Promoting Coffeehouse events
Investment Ideas
*Hanging white lights in community room
*Installing a larger backboard inside the tennis courts.
*Looking into healthy options vending machines for Topstone.
SUPPLEMENTAL PUBLIC COMMENT
-Two members from Planning and Zoning Commission (Claire Matzke and Anda Cummings) attended meeting to receive about Dog Park. They expressed support for continuing to move the project forward and expressed feelings that a lot of work went into making this project a possibility. Discussion followed
ADJOURNMENT
Motion Dorenbosch, Coleman, unanimous. Adjourned at 9:18 pm
Submitted: Kim Keil