HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-20-14 PARCSPARCS February 20, 2014 4:00 P.M.
Committee Members Present: Dr. Fred Ferlic, Derek dieter, Henry Davis (AB), Tim Scott
Other Council Present: Valerie Schey (AB), David Varner, Oliver Davis, Gavin Ferlic (AB),
Karen White (AB)
Others Present: Phil St. Clair, Chris Chockley, Louella Webster, Larry Clifford,
Mathew Moyers
Agenda: Organizational Meeting
Dr. Fred Ferlic, Chair of the PARC Committee, with a quorum of the Committee present, opened the
meeting with introductions of the Park Commissioner Phil St. Clair and two representatives of a
company helping the City put together a five year parks plan.
Though billed as a committee organizational meeting the focus was clearly on the development of a five
year park plan. Before getting into the details of the planning process Phil St. Clair in a forum answered
a few questions from committee members.
Dr. Ferlic was informed by Phil that the City has 57 parks of all sizes and for all variety of activities.
Volunteers, whose efforts ebb and flow according to Phil, nonetheless contributed over 20,000
volunteer hours to help primarily with programming. Phil responded to questions about the East Bank
Area saying the original Howard Park Plan was too expensive. Further planning was put on hold until
the Transpo site plan took form. Regarding the Howard Park Ice Rink, Phil said in its current aging
repairs constant and losing $30,000 a year it should be scrapped. Preliminary costs estimates to replace
the rink are upwards of $1.5 million dollars. This amount necessitates putting it on a bond wish list.
Moving to dollar and-cents parameters, Phil said the Park Department ran on a $13 million annual
budget, $7.5 million coming from the general fund. Phil then shifted discussion to the ongoing planning
process to result in a five year master plan. To assist, the City contracted with Jones Petrie Rafinski, an
urban planning firm. Chris Chockley and Mathew Moyers from the firm were present to help Phil
describe their design of the planning process. The process will involve identifying current and future
funding sources to help quantify resources. The crucial need for input from all stakeholders was seen as
vital to develop a vision for the parks. To that end meetings in each Council district had been scheduled
for early March working toward completion of a strategic 5 year plan by July 14th. (Schedule Attached)
The Jones Petrie Rafinski representatives then described the guide for developing a visionary master
plan. Using a handout (attached) they said the process begins by asking:
1. Who we are?
2. What we want?
3. What we can do?
4. How to get it done?
Dr. Ferlic asked what the basic objective might be, to which Phil said was identifying capital and
programming levels.
Tim Scott reiterated his suggestion to cut mowing costs by planting wildflowers in some of the more
expansive parks.
Following a brief question and answer session Dr. Ferlic adjourned at 5:07 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dr. Fred Ferlic, Chairperson
PARC Committee