Board of Park Commission
Bozeman
August 19, 2009 5PM
Board Members Present: Chair Carol Collins, Jill Wilkinson, Deb Kane, Bill Walton and Kelli Stanley. Board Members Absent: Jack Clarkson and Rick Fink. Others Present: Mary Routhier representing the Pebble Brook Condo Homeowner’s Association (HOA), Stan Wagner representing FOR Parks, County Planner Ada Montague, Coordinator Mike Harris and Recording Secretary Crystal Turner.
I. There was no public comment on items that were not on the Board’s agenda.
II. Approval of Meeting Minutes from July 15, 2009
Carol Collins stated that Jon Ayers was also in attendance at the July 15th meeting and asked that he be added to those present in the minutes.
Deb Kane moved to approve the minutes as amended. Bill Walton seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
III. Action Items
Pebble Brook Request to Install Signage, Doggy Pickup Container and Improving Path
Mary Routhier thanked the Board for having this on the agenda and for coming out to the site. Their problem of trespassing from the Regional Park onto the Pebble Brook property occur because it’s hard to tell the property lines due to there not being parking and the poor condition of the trail, so people walk across their yards instead. The HOA would like a sign at the most trespassed spot saying “private property – keep on trail” or something along those lines, as well as maintenance of the trail so people can see/use it. Mike Harris told Mary that he was the only staff member for all the county parks and maintenance may be difficult to get to as there are limited funds and staff time to be spread around to all the parks. This is currently a foot/bike entrance only – Mary questioned if
it was planned for a parking lot someday. Carol Collins questioned if signs were planned to be installed. Mike answered yes, but that PC Development had taken them down. He will reinstall them when he gets time. Mary asked that he try to complete that before school started this year. Mike said he would try but that it may not happen. He added that there is Fall Clean Up planned sometime this fall, and he could install the signs then. Regarding the doggy pickup container: it is a possibility but he does not have one purchased. If the Park starts to see more traffic we can install one but right now it may not be emptied often enough for those living next to it. Bags, emptying and clean up is all part of maintenance that is currently not funded enough for all the requests of the Regional Park.
Mary said that the path needs more than just mowing. It has many potholes and its gravel runs over onto the sidewalks because it wasn’t built at the same height. Mike said that this is not on the Fall Clean Up schedule, but it is possible to fill it back up to the sidewalk so at least they would be level. Mary added that a lot of people use this walkway now.
Those present toured the property with Mary. She demonstrated where people trespass and showed their make-shift signs but the public ignores them and cuts through anyway. The HOA tried barricading this area as well but the barricades must be moved every time the HOA mows the lawns so they aren’t much of a deterrent either. Deb Kane commented that in Montana if you don’t want cattle on your property you must fence them out – she suggested that the HOA do the same. She also voiced concern that no access was available to the public in the northwest corner of the park, which is poor planning. A wetland obstructs the park that makes it very difficult and ridiculous to obtain access across this part. The existing entrance at the north central (or northeast) part of the park is marginal.
The maintenance lacks, a decent sign is needed, and the entrance should be more inviting and obvious – again, poor planning. Jill Wilkinson mentioned that she has the same issue of trespassing at the park area near her subdivision and they’ve all just had to deal with it because there isn’t anything the City can do. Bill Walton added that even if the Park Commission did provide signs the HOA would have to be responsible to enforce it as there isn’t a Park Ranger “patrolling” the area. Deb added that if the HOA wanted to access the park here, or allow the public to, it should plan that access/easement now for future development. Mary responded that they would be pleased to get the access process started. Bill warned that if the Park Commission were to approve signage, building a fence, etc… that they would be starting a precedent to allow anyone adjacent to a County park to ask this same thing and we would
have to pay for it. He added that the Board could try to help with signs but it really is the HOA’s responsibility and suggested they build and pay for the fence. There was discussion regarding a wetlands issue and the Army Corp of Engineers’ report. Mary stated that they must be 35-feet away from the stream before building a bridge – making for a long bridge over a few feet wide of water.
Mary added that they will work on the fence and signs and asked the Board to figure out the trail maintenance.
Decision to Authorize Conservation & Parks Director to Temporarily Close any Park Facility(ies) from the Public for the Purpose of Public Safety and Maintenance
Carol mentioned that she had suggested authorizing this duty to Mike so that one wouldn’t have to wait almost a month for a Board decision.
Bill Walton moved that the Board allow Mike to close parks for safety and maintenance purposes. Jill Wilkinson seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Decision for Reimbursement of Half the Irrigation Materials and Landscaping Costs, and Assume the Monthly Port-a-Potty and Well Generator Costs to Northwestern Energy from FOR Parks to the Board of Park Commissioners
Stan Wagner was present for FOR Parks. He did not have the monthly figures for the port-a-potty – he will get back to the Board after Bob Farrington gets back. Crystal Turner stated that she sent Bob an email questioning clarification on all the costs as well. Mike said he felt the “cart kind of got before the horse” with the Dinosaur Playground. He asked what the Board thought FOR Parks was giving them after construction was complete. The members all responded that they believed FOR Parks was giving them everything. Mike said the electricity will be installed on Thursday or Friday so the generator issue is now void. When the Dinosaur Playground was presented to the board it had landscaping drawn on the plan – but the Board wasn’t presented a landscaping plan so it
wouldn’t have known all the associated costs with what was actually installed. The Parks Department can take on the port-a-potty (and it actually should because our bathrooms aren’t installed yet). He is hopeful that the bathrooms will be installed the spring of 2010. Stan suggested when the weather is colder or darker that the Board could remove one or more of the port-a-potties as visitor numbers decreas.
Carol asked if the Board members were agreeable to a $3,000 reimbursement of the irrigation and landscaping costs. Deb said she would be if the Board had the extra money. She said, “We’ll help where we can.” She also questioned what was available. Neither Mike nor Crystal had a copy of the budget handy so no answer was provided. Stan will get the port-a-potty price to Mike Harris; all other decisions on this matter were tabled until the September meeting.
Decision to Dedicate the Dinosaur Playground to Bob Farrington for all his Enthusiasm and Commitment in Making it a Reality
Mike Harris said that he and Rick Fink came up with this idea. He will email the Board some definitive language for any plaque or sign if the Board agrees to dedicate the playground. There was discussion regarding the Naming Policy and adherence, but determined a “dedication” does not fall under the policy.
Deb Kane motioned to dedicate the Dinosaur Playground to Bob Farrington for all his enthusiasm and commitment in making it a reality. Jill Wilkinson seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Rules Adoption
Stan said that FOR Parks would like to see rules posted at the Dinosaur Playground such as “No hitting or fighting.” Kelli Stanley commented that she would like to see rules with a positive note rather than listing all the things you can’t do. She suggested, “Be considerate to others.” Stan will email the Board suggested rules and the Board can amend to be more positive as it sees fit. This item will be on the September agenda.
IV. Discussion Items
Interconnect Committee & Challenge Update
Ada Montague gave a brief update about how the Interconnect Challenge went. She said the first roundtable discussions took place last week with planners and the Department of Transportation, among others but was transportation geared. The next one is scheduled with health organizations from the County. These will be monthly meetings with various groups to discuss how to coexist on trails. Tradition is to get a trail next to a road, or right on it, but you have to get right-of-way easements which can be very difficult to obtain. They’ve learned that trails could be further off the road, or part of the road itself.
Blueprint America, one of the sponsors for the Interconnect Challenge, may have found additional money for them. Gallatin County is the only rural area looking into this “challenge” and they’d like to be able to help continue this effort.
Ada distributed a packet of the Challenge findings. At the end of all the roundtable discussions she will have an “end of season” party and introduce all the various groups’ participants and distribute the final report. She’ll keep the BOPC informed as to that date.
September Location
Since there will be items for discussion and decision regarding the Regional Park, Mike suggested holding the meeting at the Dinosaur Playground. Crystal will find an alternate location in case of inclement weather. We will try moving the meeting to Manhattan in October.
Review of BOPC Claims from 5/12-8/25/09
The Board reviewed all the claims that Wendy Wiedenmeyer had made copies of – most were gasoline for the tractor, the tractor purchase itself, and Allied Engineering contract invoices. There were no questions and no board action.
Review of July Credit Card Statement
There were no credit card purchases so nothing to review. No board action.
V. Other Updates
General Park/Subdivision Updates
Mike Harris said that next month the Board will need to consider a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Skate Park folks. The master plan approved the skate park but we don’t have an official tie to this group yet, saying we agree to “X” amount of years to complete, “X” design, etc.
Mike also said that the Regional Park Fall Clean Up will be the first weekend in October. He asked the BOPC members to participate.
Mike met with the Lion’s Club, who is considering not using the Fairgrounds for the Fourth of July fireworks show and is interested in hosting it at the Regional Park. Mike liked the idea and suggested that the Board not charge an event fee as the Lion’s Club makes the bulk of its budget on these fundraising events, and felt it was a good “marriage” with a civic group. He suggests the BOPC/County “sponsor” the event. Deb Kane asked what the Fairgrounds currently charge to hold an event. No one present knew. Mike thought the Lion’s Club may help chip in towards building the amphitheatre if they were given some slack in this department. (This should be a future agenda item as a reminder to the Board in January 2010.)
Update on Haying at the Regional Park
Mike had brought this to the board’s attention last month and shortly after speaking with the contractor, he just went out and cut and baled it already. Mike told him last time we received 20% of the gross sales and since he didn’t have a contract he would have to enter into the same agreement as last year. He baled it in round bales this time to prevent someone stealing it since they are much heavier. Good thing is we get some money on this but they do all the work.
Meeting Adjourned.
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