2. Approval of January 13, 2009 Minutes
LEISURE SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
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January 13, 2009 7:00 PM
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1 FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM
Members Present: Jeff Clark, Kevin Reilly, Terry Thompson, Steve Ellis,
Lorie Markus, Doug Derby, Kevin Reilly, Sandy Hendricks,
and Jayme Roth
Staff Present: Rebecca Smith and Tom Presny
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM in the Leisure Services Conference Room
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by Chairperson Terry Thompson. The minutes of the November 11, 2008 meeting
were approved unanimously on a motion by Doug Derby and a second by Lorie Markus.
Tom Presny provided a staff update. Leisure Services Director Mike Williams retired on
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January 9 after 35 ½ years of city service. Mike was the Leisure Services Director the
past 25 years. Mike’s position will not be filled for an undetermined period of time. Park
Supervisor Cliff Englert will retire on January 16 after 30 years of city service. Cliff has
been the park supervisor for the past 20 years.
Tom Presny introduced Rebecca Smith to the committee. Becca is the Management
Assistant in the City Manager’s office and will be serving as interim representative of the
Parks Division to the administration. In a similar fashion Jennifer Petruzzello who is the
Director of Neighborhood Services will be interim representative of the Recreation
Division to the administration. The committee then introduced themselves to Becca
sharing their related park and recreation interests.
Tom Presny provided a winter outdoor recreation update. Outdoor skating is taking
place at Traxler Park. Park staff maintains the ice and The Friends of Traxler Park
provide operation of the Warming House along with skate rental and concessions. The
friends have provided this service since 2001. Cross County Skiing is provided at
Rockport Park by the Friends of Rockport Park. Volunteers groom several miles of ski
trails with a snowmobile and grooming equipment formerly owned by the city. They
likewise have provided this free service to the committee since 2001. Sledding hills are
provided at Ardon Park, Palmer Park, Riverside Park, Lustig Park, NE Regional Park
and behind Jackson Elementary School. Ice Fishing takes place on Lions and Kiwanis
Ponds.
Tom Presny provided an update on the 2008 Flood. Becca Smith was instrumental in
obtaining a state grant to provide for 10 Work Force Development Employees for 3.5
months of flood clean up and repair in the parks. 55,000 sandbags were placed and
later removed. Park staff spent 9 weeks dedicated to flood clean up. Over 200
volunteers were utilized. Parks that remain damaged and require further clean up and
repair in 2009 include Monterey Park and Softball Fields, Riverside Park Wading Pool
and playground, Rock Aqua Jays stage and waterfront, Veteran Memorial Walkway, the
East River Walkway, and several sections of the bike trail and trail bridges. Becca
reported that 12 or more homes in the Mole Sadler Subdivision are damaged beyond
repair and an application has been made to the State for grant funds to purchase level
those damaged structures to create public open space. Only homeowners interested in
selling their property would be considered for purchase.
Tom Presny provided an update on repair of the Riverside Wading Pool and the
construction of 8 new softball and baseball fields taking place at the Youth Sports
Complex. Project schedules where handed out to the committee for each area which
were prepared by City Engineer Matt McGrath. The Riverside Wading Pool is slated for
opening on June 12, 2009 and many of the ball fields at the Youth Sports Complex are
planned for use in the spring of 2010.
Matters Not on the Agenda - Steve Ellis shared detail on the fund raising efforts both
present and future for the Youth Sports Complex fields. Sandy Hendricks provided an
update on several projects the Friends of Riverside Park are undertaking. Questions
were asked about the status of the North American Hockey League team which was
discussed at the November meeting. Becca Smith stated that this item will be placed on
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the March 10 meeting agenda.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM. Next meeting is
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scheduled for Tuesday, March 10th, 2009 in the 1 Floor Conference Room.
Respectfully submitted,
Tom Presny
Parks Director