Board of Park Commission
Big Sky
July 15, 2009 5PM
Board Members Present: Chair Carol Collins, Jill Wilkinson, Rick Fink, and Deb Kane. Board Members Absent: Jack Clarkson and Kelli Stanley. Others Present: Clare Nixon, Steve Johnson, John Leeper and John Ayers all of Big Sky Community Corporation, 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 May 20, 2009 – Carol asked that Crystal re-listen to audio at 6:42:55 regarding $3,600 per toilet; it doesn’t seem correct. (Crystal re-listened on 7/28/09 and found that the $3,600 reference was in regards to the impact fee for each toilet – not the price of each toilet. She will update the 5/20/09 minutes before posting them on the website.) Carol stated she would entertain a motion to accept the minutes as presented (along with any necessary changes). Jill Wilkinson said, “So moved.” Rick Fink seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
III. Action Items
Letters of Support
Rick and Carol both said that they would prefer to do letters of support on a case by case basis rather than a generic one to be used at any time by any certain group. The group should come to the board and tell them about the grant they are applying to and the Board will then make a decision to support the grant and project or not. Carol questioned the last sentence in the first paragraph and said it should match the Board’s mission statement. Crystal will check and update if needed. The board questioned how much the grant is for. John Leeper replied that he did not know. Clare Nixon asked what the turnaround time would be for a group to come and ask for a letter of support. Carol explained the process and said it would be roughly 2-3 weeks. Deb Kane made a motion to approve the letter
to the Montana Department of Commerce with the change of deleting the words “to be used” (in the last sentence of the first paragraph). Rick Fink seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Discussion and Decision to allow Director to Enter into a Contract hay the Regional Park
Mike Harris explained that last year we did something similar with a 20% fee but most of the hay was stolen after bailing. Mike would call around and get quotes for the best price to have someone hay the property. Deb Kane said at her family ranch usually you split a 50/50 net. There was discussion regarding following the small purchase policy. Rick Fink questioned if there was a sunset clause. It was agreed that this contract, once established, would be annual, haying at least twice during the season and ending June 30, 2010. Rick moved that for FY2010 we allow Park Coordinator to enter into a contract to hay the Regional Park. Deb seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Appoint Board Member to Be on the Restroom Design Subcommittee
Mike Harris explained that the Kiwanis Club is designing a building and a pavilion. We approve this before but the design has now changed (from vault toilets to a city-served system). He and Kiwanis would like someone from the BoPC to be involved in the process. Deb Kane said she would be interested. The meeting times are not defined yet, but within a couple weeks Mike will set something up with Allied Engineering regarding the layout first and move to the structure business from there. Carol Collins would entertain a motion to appoint Deb (Kane) to be the representative of the Board of Park Commission to the bathroom design committee. Rick Fink said, “So moved.” Jill Wilkinson seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Resolution Prohibiting Dogs in the Dinosaur Playground at the Regional Park
Mike Harris said that dogs should be out of this kids’ learning area. He said that the “…and six months in jail,” portion of the sentence needs to be removed. The BoPC does not have the authority to assess criminal fines. The word “criminal” must also be removed. Carol asked for a motion to approve Resolution #BPC2009-003 with the deletion of “criminal” and “six months in jail.” Rick Fink stated, “So moved.” Deb Kane seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
IV. Discussion Items
Presentation by Big Sky Community Corporation Regarding Trails/Parks in Big Sky
John Leeper distributed the Big Sky Trails Map and Guide. They are in the process of trying to develop this (where the held our meeting) park land. We hope to install another softball field. They just completed Kircher Park. The group’s last fundraiser at the 320 Ranch raised about $41,000 and almost $200,000 is already set aside. BSCC relies heavily on Resort Tax.
Steve Johnson added that the trails map is targeted to visitors. He is a trails advocate – when you get folks outside something changes in them and they enjoy it. We want to create repeat visitors. We would like to link the trails in Big Sky to extensive Forest Service trails that Ada Montague helped feature in the Gallatin County Interconnect Challenge.
This park features a Frisbee golf course. Northwestern Energy needs to dramatically update its facilities here at the park (the equipment operates above standard temperatures). They will have to go through a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) process to building a new power substation to support the electricity in Big Sky due to the demands of growth. We want to continue the Spur Trail up to the mountain. This would require a lot of easements. We feel that the Spur Road trail has greatly increased safety along this road and it has become very popular - you always see someone on the trail. The downfall is that you still have to cross the Spur Road – moms with kids on bikes and kids in trailers. It can be very unsafe. Mr. Johnson has opened discussion with Montana Department of Transportation
for a crosswalk (push for crossing type) and a flashing light. BSCC has begun design for a tunnel (similar to Gallatin Gateway’s) for the school children to use instead of crossing the busy street. A bridge would be ok but we didn’t want to block the view of the mountains. Gallatin County Commissioners just approved a Rural Improvement District that will function in three zones: lower, middle and upper Big Sky for repaving and a signaled crosswalk on Ousel Falls Road.
Request from Mary Routhier for Signs near Regional Park Stating Private Property
Rick Fink explained that this is in the northwest corner of the Regional Park - the trail goes around the border. People at Oak Springs subdivision, and kids heading to Chief Joseph, are cutting through private property. Living next to a park is okay with the subdivision residents, and using the trails is okay. The residents just want people to stay on the trails and not cut through their property. They request signs be installed and a couple of fence posts installed with a rope barrier across with a sign as well. Rick has already spoke with Ms. Routhier and they would like to come to the August meeting and bring this up to the Board and further discuss it and possibly have the decision if the Board would put up and pay for signs.
Board Thoughts/Discussion regarding Maintenance Issues, Trespassing, etc.
On that note, Rick added that there should also be a sign telling the public how to get in contact with maintenance for the Regional Park. Many of the public think this is a city park since it’s inside Bozeman’s city limits so they get a lot of calls about it.
V. Other Updates
The Dinosaur Playground build went great. It was well organized and very impressive!
Interconnect Challenge kicks off on Monday. Those participating are looking for “how will this work for horses, bikes, and four-wheelers?” etc… There has been a ton of data collected so far and the participants hope to collect more about what needs maintenance, weed control, access, etc while out there. The Skyline bus system is also incorporated as another mode of transportation.
Crystal Turner updated the board that Rick Fink, Jack Clarkson and Kelli Stanley were just reappointed at the Commissioner’s meeting and a Three Forks representative (Bill Walton) is scheduled to be appointed at the Commissioners July 21, 2009 public hearing.
Meeting Adjourned.
| 
