PARKS & RECREATION FEBRUARY 1, 2001 PAGE 2

CITY OF SHAWNEE

PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING

SHAWNEE CIVIC CENTRE

February 1, 2001

Committee members present: Elaine Copp, Donna Sawyer, Amy Murphy, Greg Springston, Claudia Vines and Tony Schroeder. Also present: Neil Holman, Parks and Recreation Director and Tonya Lecuru, Deputy Parks and Recreation Director. Guests from Baker University: Robert Maze, Carol Bales and Paula Zuzich.

1. APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 4, 2001 PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES.

Tony stated on page 1, Item 3, line 1, instead of “Neil past out” it should read “Neil passed out”, and on page 3, No. 5 under section a, instead of “Mayor Bowman” it should read “Lenexa’s Mayor Bowman”.

Claudia Vines, seconded by Amy Murphy, moved to approve the minutes as corrected. The motion carried 6-0.

2. WEST POOL RENOVATION UPDATE.

Neil said the Council approved the $3.2 million West pool renovation project. Neil said the lazy river was enlarged to about the size of a football field.

Tonya said the new bathhouse would include two changing rooms, two party rooms which will have glass windows to look out at the pool. The concession stand was flipped so it is closer to the pool for extra storage, plus an open pass way where everyone will come and go through the same doorway.

Elaine asked how the lazy river was expanded.

Neil said one of the lap lanes was removed and the slides pushed back. Neil said construction would start right after the pool closes for the season Sept 3rd.

Greg asked if any of the pool would be heated.

Tonya said none of the pool would be heated. She said staff and first aid would have separate rooms.

Neil said this would be a closed system for constant air movement. He said the office and concession area would be air conditioned.

Elaine asked the size of the party rooms.

Tonya said they would be 13’8” x 15’4” or they can be opened into one room. Tonya said the rooms would be nice for on-site lifeguard training.

Elaine asked if the party rooms would be available any other time of the year.

Tonya said they would not be heated.

Elaine asked if fans would cool the rooms and who would use the rooms.

Tonya said she has received requests to use the pool for a birthday party’s.

Claudia asked if the concession food would remain the same since some pools have more varieties.

Tonya said the concessions would remain the same because to increase the amount would not be cost effective. She said a lot of the pools are going to vending machines and eliminating staffed concession areas. Tonya said people would be able to bring food in for a party only.

Neil explained that there would be a wave looking roof on both sides and above the party rooms. He explained how they would look and said they should last about 8 to 10 years. Neil said all the lockers would be outside. He said they would be coined so when you return the key you get your coin back. Neil explained that equipment or items that the City can no longer use are stored in the shed behind the Civic Centre to be sold at an auction the City holds once a year. Neil said Debbie Kelly in the Finance Department is in charge of the auction.

Neil stated that the whole package including the walking trail and sand volleyball lot was approved for $3.2 million. He said that Yarger and Associates bid came in at $2.9 million, which the difference will allow for anything unexpected that might come up.

Tonya explained about the lazy river and what can and can not be done. She explained about what could be done there with water aerobic classes.

It was stated that Council had a unanimous vote for approval.

Neil said as far as the far west pool is concerned they have not met with Rodrock yet, but have heard that he has set 7 acres aside. Neil said he heard that he redid his plat for the neighborhood. Neil said there are still a lot of questions regarding the East pool. He said it has been discussed to double the size, take it out completely or doing something else at that location.

3. DISCUSSION OF SPECIAL EVENTS AND VOLUNTEER IN THE PARKS.

Tonya passed out information about the special events for Parks and Recreation in the City.

Claudia asked the difference between special event and regular classes.

Tonya said special events are a one time event that accommodates more than a regular class size or larger events. She explained the different programs and presented the current information on the pool and membership fees.

Greg asked if there were many non-resident memberships sold.

Tonya said this year there were more than in the past because the I.D. was included in the price and the fee was lowered $30.

Neil said most of the non-residents come from Wyandotte County. He said Merriam allows only 200 non-residents.

Elaine said that she appreciates the American Red Cross Blood Drive being held at Old Shawnee Town because it is hard for her to get to the main office to donate.

Donna asked if it is still possible for her group to purchase something for the Stump Park dedication, such as a bench or tree. She said it is her square dance group that Charles Stump use to belong to.

Neil said they need more trees.

Tonya went through the list of events and explained what was going to happen. She also gave a report on Cinderella’s Ball and how great it turned out. She said it originally started in Blue Valley and has expanded to surrounding cities. Tonya said the City is going to co-sponsor an Easter Egg Hunt with Hy-Vee in Gum Springs Park, on Saturday, April 14th. She said that they are hiding over 50,000 eggs. Tonya said they could use help stuffing the eggs, and she will let them know more when times have been selected. She said flyers will be sent to all the schools and St. Joseph will be included this time.

Tonya said on April 28th there would be a Shawnee Bike Rodeo. She said she’s working with the DARE officers to host a bike rodeo/bike safety event. Tonya said there would be an obstacle course set up, and after they complete the course they would receive a certificate. She said everyone who comes would receive a bike helmet. Tonya stated they are looking for sponsors and so far the Shawnee Optimist Club has donated $200. She said kids can ride their bikes to school in the third grade if they have a bike certificate.

Tonya went over the special events at the pools, such as Sundae Special, which some of the other cities are currently doing.

Tonya said she took some of the old information for Volunteers in the Park and put some job descriptions together and updated the information. She said that information would be available for their review at the next meeting.

Tonya mentioned that she is looking for volunteers during spring break Christmas break and summer break to help monitor the gym.

4. DIRECTORS’ MONTHLY REPORT.

a) Grants

Neil said he spoke to the Sylvan Group about the Quivira Glen trail, which would be going out for bid, and they were all excited. He said there would be a trail with no other amenities at this time. He said the trail would tie into the sidewalk off Summit. Neil said the trees would be planted after the trail is in. Neil said there is about 30 parking spaces available off 51st Terrace.

Neil said Gamblin Park bids would be going out for the Land and Water grant.

Neil said Old Shawnee Town is coming along. He said the speaker system is in, windows and French doors are being made and they are receiving bids for the tin ceiling.

Elaine asked if anything is being done about a skateboard park.

Neil said not at this time.

Elaine stated that at the KRPA conference on Sunday she attended a meeting where a lobbyist for Kansas said they need help to back some of the legislative items. She said they need as many people as possible to write and phone their representatives when different issues come up.

Neil said it does help when it comes to receiving grants.

Claudia said the Land and Water Grant is coming up again and there have been some objections so they could use our support.

Tonya said that last year KRPA went as a group to lobby, and would probably do the same this year.

Neil said that the Land and Water grant has been beneficial to Shawnee so it would be to our advantage to show support. Neil gave a brief report on the different grants available.

Elaine stated that the during the Mayor’s State of the City address he complimented the Parks Department very highly regarding what has been done or going to be done.

b) New Committee Chairperson

Donna Sawyer, seconded by Claudia Vines, moved to nominate Elaine Copp as the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Chairperson for 2001. The motion carried 5-0.

Tony Schroeder, seconded by Donna Sawyer, moved to nominate Amy Murphy as the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Vice-Chairperson for 2001. The motion carried 5-0.

c) Hunter Safety Course

Tonya said there would be a Hunter Safety Course on March 10 and 17, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., $5 per person, maximum of 30 people. He is going to offer a “How to Hunt White Tail Deer” class for $80. She said this class is for a new hunter and they will receive a hat, vest, binoculars, etc. Tonya said she has set up classes on manners and a CPR class.

5. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

a) Tennis Courts

Claudia said at the KRPA Conference she talked to the USA Tennis Team representative and she mentioned that there are programs available to help set up a team or league. She also said that there are grants to apply for that would help provide new tennis courts. Claudia said she would like us to look into one of these grants to help replace tennis courts lost in the City.

b) Splash Park

Claudia suggested a splash park if it is determined to eliminate the East Pool. She said a splash park would have a longer use time frame than a pool.

ADJOURNMENT

Donna Sawyer, seconded by Tony Schroeder, moved to adjourn. The motion carried 5-0.