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Meeting Minutes 6-26-12 Approved LEISURE SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES JUNE 26, 2012 7:00 PM MUNICIPAL BUILDING FOURTH FLOORCONFERENCE ROOM #416 Members Present: Betty Schwarz, Benjamin Dobson, Sandra Hendricks, SteveKnox, 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 7:00PM. Roll call was completedby sign-in sheet. APPROVAL OF THE MAY 8,2012MEETING MINUTES A motion was made by Dave Schollmeierand seconded by Sandy Hendricksto approve the minutes of the May 8, 2012meeting.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 explainedthat 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 resurfacedby the School District they re-lined all 5 courts and included pickleball lines. Also theRiverside 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 thatthe Janesville Athletic Club also haspickleball 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 Committeethat the City has always maintained the Palmer Park tennis courts for tournament play. Additionally, it was stated that while it is accurate that tournamentsand 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 wasalso made that some high school coaches have concerns with extra lines on the courts due to the players already having to call the lines themselvesas there are typically no line judges. Extra lines could cause problems for these players. Thecourts are already heavilyusedand 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 thatthese lines would be put in at the time the courts are resurfaced. It was shared with the Committeethat 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 themotion 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 commentedthat UW-Whitewater had a camera system that worked well for them and offered to forward contact information. It was recommended by the Committeeto 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 forfuture budgets and capital improvement projects. ALCOHOL SALES AT SPECIFIC PARKS/RECREATION PROGRAMS The ideaof allowing alcohol in parks with a permit was introduced to the Committee. Steve Knox indicated that the subjectwas brought up before, but the concept of policingthe permit was an issue. It was mentioned that a previousCommittee 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 permitsbut not sales. Sandy Hendricks commentedthat she gets questioned about alcohol by individuals wishing to holdwedding receptions or reunions in RiversidePark. Dave Schollmeier commented that it should be noted that glass would notbe allowed.Melody Shanahan suggestedthat 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 areassuch as sand volleyball having abeer permit. It was suggestedto the Committee that we look into other areas including Dawson Softball Complex ashaving beer. A comment was madethat sponsors, which are typically bars,may have concerns with alcohol sales at Dawson as it could affect players patronizing theirestablishments. Bob Barry indicated that he liked the City of Waukesha’s policywhere 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 listof all pavilions and the amount/type of pavilion rentals currently taking place and for a recommendation by theCommitteeat the next meeting. MATTERS NOTON 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 onher 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,theneedfor 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 thenets 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 regardingthe Riverside Park 90Birthday Party on th Saturday, July 14. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:40PM with a motion byDave Schollmeierandseconded by Betty Schwarz.Thismotion passed unanimously. The next Leisure Services Advisory Committeemeeting 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 RecreationDirector