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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2-9-2022 Park BoardPARK BOARD MINUTES Foster Community Center February 9, 2022 MEMBERS PRESENT:Zoe Ahlstrom; Kimberly Whitfield; Nate Scramlin; Mike Dombrowski, Rick Kibbey MEMBERS ABSENT:Kristi James; two (2) vacancies OTHERS PRESENT:Brett Kaschinske, Parks and Recreation Director; Kellie Brown, Board Secretary; Ryan Kost (ENO), Don Dean (Friends of Bancroft), Pete Bosheff (Friends of Bancroft) CALL TO ORDER:6:30 p.m. ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA:Kaschinske add list serve email received 2/9 from Ryan Kost; additional documentation of proposed plans for the parcel next to North Cemetery. Kaschinske introduced Lucy Solis, Community Engagement Advocate from Mayor Schor’s office. BOARD MEETING MINUTES Whitfield approved the January minutes as submitted; Kibbey seconded. 5 yeas; 0 nay STATEMENTS OF CITIZENS Ryan Kost referenced his email of 2/9/22 regarding the light removal at Bancroft Park and the pictures he sent of trash and graffiti. He has spoken to Councilmember Wood and stated other parks throughout the State are open later, including Delta Township Sharp Park which he stated is open to 11 p.m. There needs to be cooperation between the City and residents. He has spent time fixing items in parks, at his own cost. The lights need to be replaced. Ahlstrom stated the board wanted to allow time for other meetings outside of the board to occur and for additional correspondence. This matter will not be solved this evening, but the matter will remain open. She confirmed with Kaschinske where there are lights at Bancroft; Kaschinske stated the parking lot and on the building. Don Dean stated there had been a campfire on site and talked about the sledding hill and safety concerns about the water. Would like to see activities scheduled at Bancroft Park and re-engage the neighborhood. Also mentioned the areas of the parking lot that are not plowed. Dombrowski inquired if skiing and sledding is allowed at Groesbeck; Kaschinske stated yes. Dombrowski stated it is a long walk to the hill and holes in the fence have been created for access. Access to the park needs to be modified. Kaschinske stated parking and access should be at the club house for security purposes. Dombrowski stated Bancroft parking lot is closer to the larger hill and why the need to park at the club house. Kaschinske reiterated security with staff in the building, cameras at the building and designated access to the course. Dombrowski inquired about summer activities and walking around the course. Kaschinske stated using the course in the summer as a walking path is dangerous, there may be golfers on the course even if you can’t see them. Pete Bosheff stated the Friends of Bancroft will be meeting every Thursday at 6 p.m. at the warming house. The Park Board will be advised of the agenda and all communication. He does not want to see complaints, but requests and to work with the Parks Department in a positive manner. Don Dean would like the gates opened eliminating the need to cut holes in the fence and people walking three blocks. Ahlstrom inquired where Angel Hill is located. Kaschinske explained it is in back of the green on hole 2 at tee 3 and hole 6. Kibbey provided information to the newer board members that the board and department have had a good relationship with the group, worked through issues with the drain commissioners project and the board’s goal is to work with residents. PARK BOARD MINUTES – FEBRUARY 9, 2022 PAGE 2 Pete Bosheff stated historically there is a precedence, and the hill system is iconic. People come from all over to ski at the course and he is hoping for communication. Ahlstrom stated the Friends have a plan to communicate with the board and the board will await recommendations and communication from the Friends. NEW BUSINESS 2022 Art Path Kaschinske stated the art projects will be presented at a later date, this request is to receiving recommendation from the board for 20 spaces along the trail to place art again this year. Dombrowski inquired if the art has to be downtown or if it could be spread out more along the trail. Kibbey moved to recommend Art Path for 2022; seconded by Dombrowski. 5 yeas; 0 nay Motion carried. North Cemetery Kaschinske reviewed the process for the sale of park land, which is request is presented to the board to approve recommendation to sell, Planning Board reviews and does an ACT33, it is presented to Council who will vote to put it on the election ballot or not and the public will vote to approve the sale or not. The recommendation would need to be to Council and approved by them prior to May 9 to be on the August ballot. Kaschinske stated the property was donated in 2004 and at the time the property was appraised high at over $30,000, however the developer just purchased a parcel on Orchard from the land bank for $5,000. This lot is 89’ x 188’ and the land bank parcel is 205’ x 115’. He clarified this parcel does not and should not ever contain graves. It was donated for the purpose of using it for cremains. This has been presented to Friends of Lansing Historic Cemeteries and they are receptive of the sale and asked for the proceeds to be used for North Cemetery. Kaschinske provided pictures and a map of the location showing the difference between the cemetery and this parcel, the proximity to Meijer and Miller Road, a busy street. Council approved the plans for the land bank parcel and the neighbors are aware of the plan. Kaschinske is aware and prepared for the news headlines to read “Parks selling cemetery”, yes, but again there are no graves and no plans to have graves or cremains. Ahlstrom inquired if the appraisal was done by a third party. Kibbey inquired if anyone has spoken to the donor. Kaschinske stated it was donated by a corporation. Ahlstrom did a Google search and discovered the company dissolved in 2007. Dombrowski inquired if there is any discussion to make this a park. Kaschinske stated no, there would be issues with the location on Miller Road and the traffic. Parks in the surrounding area were reviewed. Kibbey inquired if soil borings have been done; Kaschinske stated no. Kibbey clarified this is not disjointed from the cemetery, but adjacent. Kaschinske stated this is approximately ten feet lower than the cemetery, he is uncomfortable with putting another drive out on to Miller Road and there is plenty of burial space at the other cemeteries and there is still space at North. Dombrowski clarified not having this parcel would not stop the developer’s project. Kaschinske stated that is correct. Dombrowksi asked it at anytime this would be a park. Kaschinske stated to the north, but there is no master plan for a new park in the area. There was a proposal from a neighbor to make the community garden into a park, but they dropped the idea. Ahlstrom noted the narrowness of the parcel. Kaschinske stated with the project this would be similar to Reola Park, which is basically a private park for an apartment complex due to the location and access. PARK BOARD MINUTES – FEBRUARY 9, 2022 PAGE 3 Scramlin stated this most likely would not be conducive to being a park and moved to recommend the sale of the parcel; seconded by Whitfield. 5 yeas; 0 nay Motion carried. FY2023 CIP Projects Dombrowski inquired about the additional information regarding the playground parking lot at Riverfront Park and is this a new cost for the city. Kaschinske stated no, the city has always been responsible for the cost of the parking lot. Ahlstrom inquired if moving the pavilion at Washington Park would require the drive that is proposed in the list; Kaschinske stated a smaller walk would be required. Dombrowski inquired about design costs. Kaschinske stated design costs are necessary for projects and part of the project budget. Discussion took place on the various projects, the number of recommendations per project and the projects the board would like to recommend to meet the approximately $1.7 million dollars the department will receive. Board recommended the following projects: Grant Match Money $600,000 (to be reduced if necessary) Kids Camp $37,000 Parks Paving Projects $481,000 Replanting Trees $75,000 Fulton Park Overlook $25,000 Residential Tree Planting Program $75,000 Foster Park Placemaking/Drive $75,000 Playground installation and renovation $250,000 Cemetery backhoe $70,000 Cemetery Repairs $37,500 Washington Park Pavilion $100,000 Naturalization Plan $10,000 TOTAL $1,835,500 Kibbey moved to forward the above recommended projects totaling $1,835,500 to Mayor. Ahlstrom amended recommendation to add the board is interested in American Recovery Plan Act funds for additional projects. Scramlin seconded the motion including the additional recommendation. 5 yeas; 0 nay Motion carried. OLD BUSINESS Kaschinske stated a new draft of the tree planting program was provided which combined our document with information from Portland Oregon Kibbey asked for further explanation of the rules and an example site layout should be provided. UPDATES New gym floor will be going in at Letts Center. County millage meeting tomorrow and we did not score well for round 7. The city has received over $13 million dollars for projects. Summer camp will be offered to residents only. The board has two vacancies, at large and Ward 3. Two names are in the vetting process at this time. PARK BOARD MINUTES – FEBRUARY 9, 2022 PAGE 4 CORRESPONDENCE Ahlstrom stated she responded to all the emails. Dombrowski stated the graffiti on the building was there before the lights were removed. Also, there is a diversity of opinions, some residents are happy with the lights down and not shining into their homes. Meeting adjourned 9:30 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: Kellie Brown, Park Board Secretary Approved March 9, 2022