Time Speaker Note
5:08:57 PM Chairman Finnegan Call to Order. Commissioners in attendance: Chairman Patrick Finnegan, Carol Collins (via telephone), Rick Fink, Jill Wilkinson, Jack Clarkson, Kelli Stanley, and Deb Kane. Guests in attendance: Elwood Bakken, Bob Farrington and Stan Wagner. Staff in attendance: Mike Harris and Glenda Howze.
5:09:13 PM Chairman Finnegan I. Public comment There was no public comment on matters not on the agenda.
5:09:17 PM Chairman Finnegan Welcome to new members and guests.
5:09:37 PM Introductions.
5:10:03 PM Chairman Finnegan II. Approval of Minutes from June 18, 2008 and Special Meeting Minutes of July 17, 2008
5:10:20 PM Rick Finnegan Requested a correction to minutes of June 18th to time stamp 6:13:04 "facilities" versus "facility."
5:11:43 PM Carol Collins Requested additional minutes and clarification on time stamp 6:27 in the June 18th minutes.
5:12:35 PM The Board asked for further clarification and possible modification to this area of the minutes. Ms. Howze will relisten and modify as needed for this clarification.
5:14:13 PM Chairman Finnegan The approval of minutes from the June 18, 2008 meeting is postponed until the September meeting pending clarification and revision where necessary.
5:14:19 PM Chairman Finnegan Special meeting minutes of July 17, 2008.
5:14:27 PM Carol Collins I move approval [of the minutes of July 17, 2008] as presented.
5:14:32 PM Rick Fink Second.
5:14:42 PM All voted aye. Motion carried unanimously.
5:14:48 PM Chairman Finnegan III. Action Items
5:15:07 PM Mike Harris, Coordinator Requested that the first action item be moved to the end of the action item agenda items to wait for FORParks President Stan Wagner arrival.
5:15:34 PM Chairman Finnegan Hearing and Decision on Preliminary Site Plan for the Dinosaur Playground and Approval to Move Forward the City of Bozeman for Permitting
5:16:12 PM Bob Farrington, Chair of Construction Committee, FORParks Presentation.
5:19:03 PM Questions and discussion regarding the access to the restroom via the playground.
5:20:34 PM Mike Harris clarified regarding the original Land Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant.
5:21:45 PM Board questions and discussion with Bob Farrington regarding sewer service connection and where it runs beneath the property. Discussion on rerouting sewer lines and the additional cost. Bob Farrington continued his presentation. Mr. Farrington stated that he met with the City Manager and was told that he may be able to "donate" people to help them get work done. Another option is to consider a vault-type facility that would be pumped out on a regular basis. Discussion regarding impact fees.
5:39:01 PM Chairman Finnegan Clarified the action necessary for this item: Approval of the preliminary site plan and move forward with the City of Bozeman permitting.
5:39:27 PM Jack Clarkson I move that we approve the preliminary site plans for the dinosaur playground as it was presented.
5:39:38 PM Rick Fink Second.
5:39:46 PM All voted aye. Motion carried unanimously.
5:40:03 PM Jack Clarkson I move that this Board approve the FORParks move forward and apply for permitting from the City of Bozeman.
5:40:47 PM Jill Wilkinson Second.
5:41:04 PM All voted aye. Motion carried unanimously.
5:41:09 PM Chairman Finnegan Public Hearing and Decision to Establish Priority Projects for the LWCF Grant to the Gallatin County Regional Park
5:41:27 PM Mike Harris, Coordinator Request for an agenda item on the next meeting to explain the new small purchase policy and its affects on the Boards ability to approve contracts and move forward more expeditiously.
5:43:34 PM Stan Wagner, President FORParks Presentation and request for input on grant.
5:52:36 PM Questions and discussion regarding bathroom(s) location. Need to have a single entry and exit into the bathroom. Comments regarding preference of visual access, but have the unit outside of the actual playground. Diaper changing station and a place to dispose of them, with signage about not disposing of them in the toilet. Discussion regarding no running water, diaper changing areas and best way to handle odor and disposal.
6:00:22 PM Question on intended ages for the dinosaur playground. Toddler to about twelve years old. There is a separate toddler area (which will be fenced), but even the "older" area is safe for younger ages as well.
6:01:57 PM Board question and discussion with Mike Harris regarding the parameters for the grant itself. State has been very helpful. We would have to complete what we propose. Everything has to fit within the original scope of the grant. The state understands that plans do not always work out, but that is the goal; they are fairly flexible. Original scope was for wetlands trail, bathroom, landscaping irrigation and a bridge. Wetlands portion has been done and the majority of the trail work has been completed. Total amount in the grant was $145,000. This is a matching grant. As you complete the work, the County will be reimbursed.
6:05:22 PM Stan Wagner, President FORParks Discussion regarding wells. The original scope did not include a contractor, which generally cost 20% (maybe less) of the well cost. Mr. Wagner stated that Larry Watson suggested they have a general contractor to manage the construction, and he agrees. Mike Harris added that they did not use a general for the trails work.
6:06:31 PM Chairman Finnegan asked what amount of money is needed to complete the trails. Mr Wagner answered that we need to complete the trail from the main loop across some improvements on existing culvert and connect to the east side: maybe $30,000.
6:08:45 PM Chairman Finnegan Clarified the tally for monies needed (roughly): $12,000 for two wells, $60,000 for a four stall bathroom, $15,000 for a general contractor, $15,000 for the swim beach, electricity and pumps for the wells are needed as well (no cost estimate). $145,000 should still be adequate for all these needs, even with a four stall bathroom (two men; two women stalls). He likes the idea of having the two separate pieces of access so that the dinosaur park remains secure.
6:11:09 PM Jack Clarkson Commented that the park will be an "oasis in the sea of humanity." Having worked with the National Parks Service regarding pit toilets, why are we looking at pit toilets in the middle of an urban area? Water and sewer are available and nearby. If the reason we are still looking at pit toilets because we don't have enough money, I'll understand that but I consider this an archaic methodology. There are an array of available types.
6:13:27 PM Mike Harris, Coordinator Reason for the vault toilets is to promote the levy. The design of vault systems are so that they could be hooked in eventually, but yes we are considering pit toilets due to cost.
6:14:45 PM Bob Farrington, Chair of Construction Committee, FORParks Believes this was the first phase because we couldn't afford the initial costs for normal water and sewer. The fact that this system can be converted to municipal water and sewer is a positive for us. We don't currently have a maintenance department and will have to have a service company.
6:16:16 PM Chairman Finnegan Clarified that we could convert the toilets within two or three years, when we have the means.
6:16:40 PM Jack Clarkson commented on disposable diapers and changing stations. Discussion on diaper genies. Rick Fink wanted to clear up what items have not been met: restroom, irrigation and swim beach. Discussion regarding prioritization. Mr. Wagner commented that impact fees will most likely not be able to be paid with the grant money.
6:19:48 PM Jack Clarkson I would like to make a motion that this board approve the proposed priority as presented by FORParks for the Water Conservation Fund Grant.
6:20:07 PM Rick Fink Second.
6:20:18 PM All voted aye. Motion carried unanimously.
6:20:23 PM Discussion regarding pumping "outhouse" type restrooms and the Fire Station sewer. Comments regarding enough space in the future for all these buildings, etc...
6:24:54 PM Stan Wagner mentioned that they will be putting signs up on Saturday at Oak and Davis, including some landscaping. Need volunteers if anyone can come by. Starts at 9AM.
6:25:19 PM Chairman Finnegan Approval of County Parks Logo
6:25:29 PM Discussion on when this item was sent to the board.
6:26:01 PM Chairman Finnegan Requested to table this item until next meeting. If anyone has suggestions, please send them to Patrick.
6:26:33 PM Carol Collins signed off.
6:26:42 PM Mike Harris, Coordinator Asked for any other ideas with the suggested logo.
6:28:01 PM Chairman Finnegan IV. Discussion Items Update on Gallatin Valley Interconnect Committee
6:28:06 PM Mike Harris, Coordinator Visited Manhattan; they are excited. They did a survey from the City-County Planning Board. We just completed our Interconnect meeting at 5pm. Next steps after the data collection is to pull a township, review all platted trail easements, and mark them out to complete the inventory. September 2nd in West Yellowstone, September 8 in Big Sky. So far the input is very supportive. City of Bozeman is excited that the County is even talking about his stuff. All data collection should be done by mid-September. Then we'll have two people out mapping.
6:30:27 PM Chairman Finnegan Update on Regional Park
6:31:20 PM Mike Harris, Coordinator (Jack Clarkson questioned who owns the picnic tables in the Regional Park.) One reason we want to get a well in is that in parking lot, the front strip of grass east of the amphitheater, we are proposing that Bob or one of Bill Pond's students to create a picnic area. Then we would move the tables over there.
6:32:47 PM Discussion regarding wells and drawing water from the pond. Mike Harris said that we'll probably want to tap as many wells as we plan to this summer before the next legislative session. Discussion regarding standard and solar pumps, which wouldn't cost as much.
6:35:21 PM Mike Harris, Coordinator Continued Update on Regional Park - Mutt mitt station is filling up often (Mike empties the bin at least once a week). Lots of fishing takes place everyday. Weeds - pretty good job controlling; jail crew came in and hand-pulled noxious weeds. Dirt was moved to install signs. Bridge abutments are in; need to finish the bridge -they are under construction now, hopefully to be installed in Septebmer. Road shop re-worked the parking lot to level it and regraded it. It is set up and ready for asphalt. Vandalism has been low. Some minor problems with heavy storms: trails blowing out; couple places have to go back in with culverts.
6:38:45 PM Chairman Finnegan Skate Park Update
6:38:48 PM Elwood Bakken, Skateboarding Association Board has decided to build the park in three stages, so that builds will be in roughly $200,000 increments. Grants are very specific about where money can be spent. Once construction breakdown is received from Greenland, we will have more grant opportunities. Very excited about the park. We have the sign ready to be installed and will be out there on Saturday to dig the holes.
6:41:10 PM Mike Harris, Coordinator Reitterated the Skate Park process will be the same as FORParks: no County money is used. You can move to the next step of site plan approval.
6:41:43 PM Mr. Bakken continued that the Skateboarding Association would like to try and be as close to the Dinosaur Park opening as possible.
6:44:18 PM Chairman Finnegan Alternate Locations for Board Meetings
6:44:28 PM Glenda Howze At the last meeting, Carol Collins mentioned holding the meetings around the County, as done in the past.
6:45:39 PM Chairman Finnegan stated that they need to discuss that more in executive committee meetings, keeping the option open, but thinking about fuel economy. Comments by board members.
6:46:26 PM Chairman Finnegan V. Financial Reports - FY 08 Overall and FY 09 to date
6:46:45 PM Board discussion: one item questioned (Jorgensen's--which was used for the training session).
6:52:01 PM Chairman Finnegan VI. Other: General Park/Subdivision Updates
6:52:09 PM Mike Harris, Coordinator Looked at two subdivisions: one in Churchill and another off of Huffine (small commercial piece). The neighborhood did a sub-district inside the Bozeman "Donut" called the Gooch Hill Plan.
6:52:56 PM Chairman Finnegan VII. Set Agenda, Meeting Time and Location
6:52:57 PM Next agenda items: Explanation of new purchase policy, and the Park logo. Executive Committee Meeting on September 4th.
6:53:29 PM Mike Harris, Coordinator Send an email request to purchase tools ($590) for the park.
6:54:07 PM Chairman Finnegan Questioned how the County handles assets such as tools. Mike Harris answered that it would get a County inventory tag. It is not a disposable item. Mike stated that he will use cash-in-lieu to purchase the tools.
6:55:56 PM Chairman Finnegan Stated there seems to be a consensus for approval of the purchase.
6:56:16 PM Jack Clarkson Informed the board that he will not be able to attend the September 17th meeting.
6:57:36 PM Jack Clarkson I would like to make a motion to adjourn.
6:57:39 PM Chairman Finnegan Since there are no objections, the meeting is adjourned.
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