2010-03-03 P & R Minutes Approved

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Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 03-03-10 Mr. Statz stated he would ensure construction is worked around that area to eliminate any problems with the chicken dinner. Mr. Wilharber voiced one concern as a citizen; what does the big picture look like to the general public with the City borrowing $400,000 against future park dedication fees to use as the matching portion of this grant when we know what the future is looking like for development. Mayor Capra assured Mr. Wilharber that this has been discussed by City Council. She stated the $750,000 grant that was received has been applied for years and while this may not be the best time to do this project, if we lose these monies they will not be available to us again. The parks are only about 15% of the total project which will connect many trails throughout Centerville. Included in the packet was the latest Sidewalk & Trail Map prepared by Bonestroo and proofed by Public Works Staff. This includes the trail and park additions for 2010. A black & white version is going in the 2010 – 2011 Business Directory so the ‘future’ part of the trails was removed and the parks were named. City Council approved the naming of Trailside and Cornerstone Parks. Mr. Wilharber reported as he was picking up trash along the trail next to his property he noticed the trail is breaking up pretty badly from tree roots and was hoping this could be looked at and worked into our maintenance plan. Ms. Stephan will pass this on to Public Works. Mr. Tom Lee, 2010 Fete des Lacs Parade/8K Run and Music in the Parks Program Mr. Lee was unable to attend the meeting but relayed to the committee the following via speaker phone: Mr. Lee stated he needs to get feedback from Mayor Capra and City Council regarding the paid participants for the parade before making a decision as to whether he is organizing the parade this year or not. Historically, participants have been paid at step off, this guarantees a performance. Last year we didn't make it to step off because of the rain, but all of the participants wanted to be paid anyway. As that wasn't the agreement, Mr. Lee did not pay them. Now, to get them to commit, the agreement would have to be made in advance to get paid regardless of if they perform or not. Without the paid participants, the parade will be pretty small, but Mr. Lee would like City Council to make the decision as he would rather not decide to spend $5,000 of taxpayer money for what could be a short parade and the only event for the day. Mr. Lee feels the money would be much better spent by the Parks & Recreation Committee, spread out over maybe a dozen evenings through out June, July and August, rather than in 45 minutes on one Saturday morning. He also said we need to talk about volunteers for the 8K Run, even if we don't do the parade. He felt it would be so much easier to focus on one event. Mr. Keiselhorst and Mr. Johnson were present to talk about Fete des Lacs, what the Centerville Lions were doing this year and how that affects the 8K Run. Mr. Keiselhorst stated the City for many years funded the fireworks, free kids rides, advertising and a good portion of all rentals, big hockey rink tent, stage, lights, business expo tent, porta-pots, tables, chairs and sound for the Battle of the Teen Bands. With City funds unavailable, and years of declining business donations, the following events will not be hosted by the Lion’s Club this year: Business Expo/Craft Show, Fireworks, Free Battle of the Teen Bands, Medallion Hunt, Free Kids Rides on Saturday, Friday Night Street Dance, Free Lorenz Dance Show, Free USA Karate Demo Show, Lion’s Car Show, Free Big Band Music on 3 of 8