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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks Commission Minutes 112119 CITY OF CENTRAL POINT PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 21, 2019 MEETING CALLED TO ORDER Mark Ludwiczak called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. II. ROLL CALL Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Patricia Alvarez Park Commissioner Present Dennis Browning Parks Commissioner Absent Fran Cordeiro-Settell Parks Commissioner Present Jennifer Horton Parks Commissioner Present Mark Ludwiczak Parks Chairperson Present Lee Orr Parks Commissioner Present Sharon Rogers Parks Commissioner Present III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Parks and Recreation Commission -Regular Meeting-Aug 15, 2019 12:00 AM Patricia Alvarez moved that the minutes for August 22, 2019 be approved. Lee Orr seconded the motion with was approved by all. RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Patricia Alvarez, Park Commissioner SECONDER: Lee Orr, Parks Commissioner AYES: Alvarez, Cordeiro-Settell, Horton, Ludwiczak, Orr, Rogers ABSENT: Dennis Browning IV. CHANGES TO AGENDA No Changes V. PUBLIC APPEARANCES No public appearances. VI. BUSINESS 1. Special Presentation-Al Workman Dave Jacob made a special presentation to Al Workman for his many years of volunteer service to the Central Point Parks and Recreation Department. Mr. Workman has been a tennis instructor with the city since 2006 and has had well over 200 students go through his program. In honor of his years of service,the City Council approved naming the tennis court at Robert Pfaff Park"The Al Workman Tennis Court at Robert Pfaff Park". 2. Community Center Ad Hoc Committee- Preliminary Designs Matt Samitore presented preliminary community center designs to the commission. City of Central Point Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes November 21, 2019 Page 2 Mr. Samitore said that there seems to be momentum to develop the facility.The city manager and the finance manager discussed the finances of the project with city council stating the city could pay off existing general obligation bonds which would provide room under the existing bonding capacity to provide for$8 to10 million community center without any additional costs to Central Point residents. Financial details related to the day to day management of the facility are still to be worked out but construction costs would be covered under the existing bonding authority. To move forward with the project the city hired Chris Brown as architect to develop conceptual designs for discussion purposes only. His company was responsible for Crater Works and will be working on the old Asante site for School District 6. Discussion with the architect had focused on a steel framed structure to hold down costs. Mr. Samitore reviewed two design options, both within the construction budget constraints and design features from other community centers. There is potential for public-private partnership with a portion of the facility which might defray some operation costs. A soccer field would be maintained on the site with the potential of replacing it in the future with a swimming pool as funding becomes available.As has been stated before,the city cannot afford both a community center and a pool, so it's one or the other at this time.Additionally,with the City of Medford potentially building an aquatic center,there may not be as great a need for a pool in Central Point.The schedule for the project would be to present the conceptual plans for approval to City Council in January and then move into the public review process.The first public meeting will be held at the February 20 at the Park Commission meeting.There will be additional meetings at a future Citizens Advisory Committee meeting and one at a City Council meeting. Following these meetings,the City Council will make a decision on moving forward with the project in June/July. If approved, we would go through a qualified base selection process to hire an architect. Once hired the design process would take up to a year.The earliest construction could begin would 2021. It would be roughly a 9 month build. Fran asked if the architect had looked into fire codes. Matt said no.This would take place when the actual design work for the facility was under way. 3. Community Center- Programming Discussion Dave Jacob discussed potential programming for the community center. The Multi- Generational Center would provide a place where different generations could come together to share experiences, knowledge and skills that would be mutually beneficial.This is not a new concept but a way to provide services to generational groups. Potentially,the Central Point Senior Center could relocate to the site but this would need to be worked out with that organization. Recreational programming would include expansion of existing offerings, summer programming, after-school programming, and working with community partners to develop needed programs for those who may be currently under served. Currently,there are very limited athletic programs offered by the parks and recreation department.The community center would provide the opportunity to offer expanded youth sports, adult sports City of Central Point Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes November 21, 2019 Page 3 leagues, open court play and tournament play. Because there is limited gymnasium space in Central Point, organizations such as such as Junior Comets,AAU, Club Volleyball and wrestling could be offered space in the community center.Another use for the facility would be for both city and private special events and conferences. There are very few venues available in the city for weddings, reunions, and other events.The multi-generational center would be available for these uses as well. Mr. Ludwiczak suggested that other community centers be contacted to better understand how the citizens view these facilities. 4. Don Jones Memorial Park- Discussion of Tennis and Basketball Court Lights Mr. Samitore reported that lighting policies for Don Jones Park had been set approximately 11 years ago when the park opened.At that time,tennis and basketball court lights were set to go on at dusk and turn off at 10 pm. Complaints had been received from the surrounding residents when the light remained on with no one using the courts. It doesn't make much sense to have the lights on even during the winter months when the courts aren't being used.The city has been looking into a push button system for the site. New lighting rules would provide for seasonal variation in use of the lights. Ms.Alvarez asked if there had been any additional noise complaints. Mr. Samitore said that there had not been any additional complaints due to expanded police patrols, etc. Lee Orr thought it would be a good idea and it would also save energy. It was suggested that lights could go off at 7 pm but the lights could be turned on with the button after that time.The members agreed that 8 pm would be a better time since the light setting would be for two-hour blocks of time.The commission did ask that signage be put up on site to explain how the lights worked.Jennifer Horton moved that the push button system be installed at Don Jones Park with lights going out at 8 pm. Mr. Orr seconded the motion which was approved by all. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Jennifer Horton, Parks Commissioner SECONDER: Lee Orr, Parks Commissioner AYES: Alvarez, Cordeiro-Settell, Horton, Ludwiczak, Orr, Rogers ABSENT: Dennis Browning VII. UPDATES Recreation: Elizabeth Blodgett reported that the remodeled Recreation A building had provided for expansion of recreation classes. Fall season was coming to a close and work on the winter/spring guide was underway which will be bigger than ever. City of Central Point Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes November 21, 2019 Page 4 Special Events: Nikki Petersen reported that five events had been held since the last commission meeting. A second Made in Southern Oregon event was held in August and Battle of the Food Truck in October. Both had been very successful.There had been 21 venders at the food truck event and an estimated 5000 people attended.There will be changes for both events next year. Battle of the Bones had been a success with 15 teams competing.Tickets had sold out on Saturday. Pumpkin Fest was held at Hanley Farm which had also sold out.This event may not be held in the future.Veterans Day had great turnout. Mr. Ludwiczak asked if there was still a farmers market in Central Point. Ms. Petersen said that the several organizations had tried but none had done well. Community Christmas was coming up on December 7th.The Parks Foundation had donated $900 to provide a gift card for each kids bag. Mr. Samitore invited commission members to the event to assist or ride in the parade. Parks. Dave reported that Don and Flo Bohnert Farm Park was near completion with a grand opening scheduled for January.The Flanagan Park parking area would be going out for bid shortly and the playground design was in process.The tennis courts had been closed due to surface damage but hoped to have them open by spring.The Dennis Richardson Memorial process was moving forward.A plan would be reviewed and approved by city council in January. Concerning the Skyrman House, demolition had been canceled and the house would continue to be used by the DIRT programs. Mr. Samitore reported that the City Council would have a study session focusing on the Central Point Little League Fields in January. Funding was limited for the work that needed to be done on the site particularly with the community center being the city's current focus. VIII. UPCOMING MEETING DATE Mr.Jacob reported that meeting dates for the year ahead would be February 20, May 21,August 20, and November 19. All meetings would start at 6 pm. IX. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 AM. The next scheduled meeting is February 20, 2020.