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#2 Meeting Minutes 06-26-12 LEISURE SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES JUNE 26, 2012 7:00 PM MUNICIPAL BUILDING FOURTH FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM #416 Members Present: Betty Schwarz, Benjamin Dobson, Sandra Hendricks, Steve Knox, Lorie Markus, Dave Schollmeier, Melody Shanahan, and Bob Barry, Councilmember Jim Ferrell Absent Members: Dean Paynter, Christine Courtney Guests: Jody Roberts, Sharon Terry Staff Present: Shelley Slapak The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM. Roll call was completed by sign-in sheet. APPROVAL OF THE MAY 8, 2012 MEETING MINUTES A motion was made by Dave Schollmeier and seconded by Sandy Hendricks to approve the minutes of the May 8, 2012 meeting. This motion was approved unanimously. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS Jody Roberts representing Pickleball and Sharon Terry representing the Janesville Tennis Association (J.T.A.) were introduced. PICKLEBALL/QUICK START LINES AT PALMER PARK TENNIS COURTS Jody Roberts explained the sport of Pickleball to the group. He explained that currently there are five courts at Marshall Middle School that are lined for play. The primary issue related to play at Marshall Middle School is wind. The group struggles with playing outside in the early Spring due to high winds and the difficulty of getting the wind screen up. Jody shared that the school lined some of the courts, and the City paid for some lining at Marshall. However, when the courts at Marshall were resurfaced by the School District they re-lined all 5 courts and included pickleball lines. Also the Riverside Park Friends resurfaced the tennis courts and included pickleball lines on a court. Sandy Hendricks mentioned that the Riverside Friends Group may be willing to line more courts for pickleball. Jody stated that Riverside Park is farther away to travel to. Jim Farrell stated that the Janesville Athletic Club also has pickleball lines in their gym. Jody Roberts explained that he would like to see one court (#6) be lined for pickleball play at Palmer. He emphasized the reasons to be primarily less wind and more exposure to the public. Sharon Terry from J.T.A. gave her support of pickleball lines at Palmer. It was shared with the Committee that the City has always maintained the Palmer Park tennis courts for tournament play. Additionally, it was stated that while it is accurate that tournaments and W.I.A.A high school matches can be played on tennis courts with additional lines, it will still make them less desirable for tournament play. A comment was also made that some high school coaches have concerns with extra lines on the courts due to the players already having to call the lines themselves as there are typically no line judges. Extra lines could cause problems for these players. The courts are already heavily used and creating these additional lines will create more users concentrated in this area. Sharon Terry explained Quick Start as a beginner youth program through the U.S.T.A. that utilized smaller court sizes. Sharon requested that courts 7, 8, & 9 be lined for Quick Start. She indicated she wishes that these lines would be put in at the time the courts are resurfaced. It was shared with the Committee that courts 7, 8, and 9 were scheduled for resurfacing in the C.I.P. (Capital Improvement Projects) for 2012, but has not been brought to the City Council for approval. Bob Barry made a motion to support lining court 6 for pickleball play and courts 7, 8 and 9 for Quick Start pending available funding. Jim Farrell seconded the motion for recommendation. This motion passed unanimously with Dave Schollmeier abstaining from the vote. CASH CONTROL/SECURITY AT RECREATION FACILITIES Jim Farrell explained that in light of the recent vandalism and burglaries experienced at various recreation facilities he hoped to get some feedback on ways to improve security at our facilities. It was commented that the Police Department has access to cameras and outside cameras at facilities could be fed in and recorded at a central location. The topic of Rotary Gardens was brought up regarding their purchase of a security system after vandalism took place at their facility. Bob Barry commented that UW-Whitewater had a camera system that worked well for them and offered to forward contact information. It was recommended by the Committee to gather information from various entities regarding usage, feasibility, and costs for camera systems at specific recreation facilities. The information should be gathered and brought to the Committee at the next meeting for recommendation for future budgets and capital improvement projects. ALCOHOL SALES AT SPECIFIC PARKS/RECREATION PROGRAMS The idea of allowing alcohol in parks with a permit was introduced to the Committee. Steve Knox indicated that the subject was brought up before, but the concept of policing the permit was an issue. It was mentioned that a previous Committee supported beer in parks, but it was never brought to the City Council for support. Jim Farrell stated that he would be in support of the concept of permits but not sales. Sandy Hendricks commented that she gets questioned about alcohol by individuals wishing to hold wedding receptions or reunions in Riverside Park. Dave Schollmeier commented that it should be noted that glass would not be allowed. Melody Shanahan suggested that the permit fee should be substantial, possibly $50. It was also suggested that a deposit be charged for potential clean up. Bob Barry recommended that if beer in parks was allowed by permit, there should be a time limit of 9PM. Melody Shanahan questioned other areas such as sand volleyball having a beer permit. It was suggested to the Committee that we look into other areas including Dawson Softball Complex as having beer. A comment was made that sponsors, which are typically bars, may have concerns with alcohol sales at Dawson as it could affect players patronizing their establishments. Bob Barry indicated that he liked the City of Waukesha’s policy where another group sold the beer and it was under their control, not the cities. This topic concluded with a request by the Committee to receive a list of all pavilions and the amount/type of pavilion rentals currently taking place and for a recommendation by the Committee at the next meeting. MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA Sandy Hendricks requested we provide the Committee with a list of park water fountains including which ones were turned off and the cost savings. Lori Markus mentioned that some fountains were gifts to the City. Bob Barry suggested that shutting off water fountains encouraged people to buy more plastic. Bob Barry requested an explanation of swimming facility use costs at the school as it relates to the new Tru-Up agreement between the City and the School District. Melody Shanahan commented on her involvement with the South Central Swim Team and the frustration of having to pay high fees to the School District for their pool use. Bob Barry mentioned that with the rise in baby boomers, the need for recreation facility use may not be met due to other groups being given priority to reserve facilities. Steve Knox mentioned that he has received several complaints regarding the fact that nets are not up at Dawson this year. It was shared that the nets were put up for fast pitch purposes and have received much wear and tear over the years. It was decided to not put the nets back up this year, but due to requests the Recreation Division has asked the Parks Division to put the current nets back up through a new method. Steve also shared information about the Aquathon Series. th Sandy Hendricks shared information regarding the Riverside Park 90 Birthday Party on th Saturday, July 14. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:40PM with a motion by Dave Schollmeier and seconded by Betty Schwarz. This motion passed unanimously. The next Leisure Services Advisory Committee meeting will need to be decided by sending out an email to the committee to find out their availability. The meeting date that th the City is requesting is July 24. Submitted by: Shelley Slapak Acting Recreation Director