HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-08-06 Park Board MinutesRIVERSIDE PARK BOARD MEETING
MINUTES
August 6, 2007
6:00 p.m.
The Riverside Park Board held their regularly scheduled meeting at the City Hall in Riverside,
Missouri, on Monday, August 6, 2007. Those in attendance were: Julie Rule, Cathy Mousel,
Alderman Mike Fuller, Brent Miles, Director of Planning and Economic Development, Mayor
Kathy Rose, Jeff Rupp, Director of Public Works, and Sarah Thompson, Administrative Clerk. lVot
in attendance were: Jerry Hackenberg, Ron Carlson, and Sara Thatcher, Lori Rardeen and Jim
Frakes.
Jeff Rupp, Director of Public Works, began the meeting by following up with the Board's request
for more information about the cost of lighting the baseball field at E.H. Young Park. The Boa~•d
requested that City staff find out how much the lighting system would be without the control and
monitoring system. By not having that the City would only be saving $6,000. The board also
wanted to know about how much the geo technical study would cost. For six borings at least 20
feet, deep due to the 70 foot light poles, the estimated cost is about $6,000. Rupp also explained
that due to the soil conditions in E.H. Young Park the price could go up if they encountered any
sand. The total estimated cost for lighting the baseball field is $197,800 to $205,000 with the
monitoring system or $192,000 to 198,000 without the monitoring system.
Julie Rule asked if there could still be additional costs on top of what was estimated.
Brent Miles, Director of Planning and Economic Development explained that there would most
likely be some additional costs, but it is hard to say how much until the project is underway.
Rule asked about the possibility ofbreak-away panels for the lighting if it were done for floodi~ig
purposes.
Miles explained that Capital Electric was still looking into what can be done.
Rule commented that this should probably be moved to low priority while the Board focuses on
getting some sort of facility long term.
Miles explained that the City has held land in the Horizons development for the construction of a
sports complex. It is about 30 acres that will be able to hold 4 soccer fields, 4 to 7 baseball fielels
and a few football fields.
Alderman Mike Fuller asked if Platte County would consider partnering with the City to run th:_s
complex.
Miles replied that Platte County partnered with SPCAA for the sports complex in Tiffany Springs,
so it may be a possibility.
Rule commented that she had a note form 2005 about Platte County's interest in partnering with the
City for baseball fields.
Fuller asked what the size of Happy Rock Park was.
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Miles replied that Happy Rock Park is about 40 acres in Gladstone.
Rule asked about how many people lived in Gladstone.
Miles replied that Gladstone is about the same size as Riverside with 26,000 people compared to
Riverside's 3,000.
Rule asked that the Board wait until Jim Frakes is in attendance to officially rule on the lighting.
Miles replied that City staff will give Frakes the same information that has been presented at thc; last
two meetings and, hopefully, he will agree that it should be moved to low priority and the Boarci
should limit investment into it until it is time to construct a sports complex.
Rule commented that if the lights were put up at E.H. Young there would be go guarantee because
that park is not protected by the levee.
Cathy Mousel asked how far out a sports complex was.
Miles replied that it will be about two to three years before the new road into Argosy Casino is
constructed, and that will provide the access and infrastructure for the complex, which will be about
five years out. The City will also have to do a study and hire a consultant to help determine the
possibility of tournaments and how to run things.
Rule commented that she would check into how it is done at the county level.
Next, Miles explained to the Board that Rule had sent him information on the positive effects trails
have on neighborhoods. He wanted all members to have a copy for the information as question;,
arise with the Jumping Branch Trail Connector.
Next, Miles gave the Board members some catalogues and print out f possible park benches for
Renner Brenner Park. He pointed out that some of the benches were made from a recycled plastic
and were suppose to be very durable.
Rule commented that at the last meeting they had discussed whether or not the parks should all have
their own themes or a connecting theme. The board thought they would wait and see what came out
of the streetscape committee for the Linear Park.
Miles commented that the Board should stay away from wood benches. They do not last long.
Rupp expressed that he had mixed emotions about the all plastic benches because they don't fe<;1
very comfortable to sit in, but they are durable.
Miles commented that the recycled plastic benches are what the KCATA Metro Buses use at al l of
there bus stops and those get a lot of use and are out in all types of weather conditions.
Rule asked what the style of the signs were for Renner Brenner Park.
Miles replied that it would be easier to choose the benches first and then find the signs to matcr..
Fuller commented that the plastic benches maybe more susceptible to vandalism than metal.
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Rupp replied that the metal ones would be easier to maintain. He suggested that the Board narrow
down their choices and then actually test out the prospective benches.
Mayor Rose commented that she likes the benches that aze in English Landing Pazk in Parkville.
Next, Miles commented on the new water feature for the swimming pool. The Boazd of Aldenmen
budgeted $35,000 to add a spray feature to the pool for young children. Dave Schwartz, from
Water's Edge will be at the next meeting to give examples and cost figures.
Mayor Rose commented that she knows it will be more expensive than budgeted. The spray pa~~k
features at the YMCA and North Kansas City Community Center were between $150,000 and
$200,000. The City is not looking for something as big or elaborate. The key will be if the same
drain and filter system can be used for this feature as the pool.
Next, Rupp updated the Boazd on the condition of the soil on the baseball field. City staff had
found several lazge rocks and other debris in the soil that was trucked in from Gametime Turf Care.
Blake Siler, a representative from Gametime Turf Caze came out to inspect the field and concluded
that some how the delivery trucks got mixed up. The have since came out and removes all the
unsuitable rock and re-graded the field. Gametime Turf Caze has also offered to donate 24 tons of
Redfield Infield conditioner as a good faith offering. It should be delivered in the next two weeks.
Next, Rupp showed the Board a draft of a Parks Event Application. He explained that when he was
in Pazkville they went through this process, so he adapted Pazkville's format to fit Riverside. Tlie
first part of the application applies to most events. The second part is more detailed for larger
events. Rupp asked the board to take the draft home, look it over and bring any comments or
suggestions they have to the next meeting.
Next, Miles explained that at the last Board of Aldermen meeting the Board approved a partner:,hip
with the YMCA to provide a fall and winter basketball league at the Riverside Community Center.
Mayor Rose commented that the City needs to promote that there is financial assistance to help
cover the cost of the league for those families who need it.
Miles commented that it is a lot of money from some residents, but the YMCA is doing it for a
reasonable price.
Mayor Rose suggested that the basketball league be presented to the apartment manages at their
monthly meeting with Chief Greg Mills.
Next, Rupp commented that he will bring a list of more completed pazk maintenance items to the
next meeting.
Next, Rule informed members that Platte County Parks is looking for input on their Platte County
Profile Vision Plan for 2020. It is a focus group and if anyone has any input they can go the their
website.
Miles commented about the Missouri Riverfront Trail. The City received the technical comments
today.
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Rule commented that the County and Corps of Engineers want to meet face to face to discuss this
trail.
Finally, Rule informed the Board that she had gathered some information on dog parks because it
was discussed at the last meeting. There are both pros and cons to having a dog park. She
explained that from what she read most people like dog parks and they seem to work well when the
park partners with some animal agency. What most people don't think about is how much the clogs
tear up the grass and the possibility of dog on dog attacks. They are also expensive. The dog park
in Blue Springs cost the City around $50,000.
Rupp commented that he has seen dog parks where they are divided into two sections, one for t'ze
big dogs and one for little dogs.
There was no other discussion and the meeting was adjourned.
~ _~
ah Thompson, A imstrative Clerk
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