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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3-9-2022 Park Board PARK BOARD MINUTES Foster Community Center March 9, 2022 MEMBERS PRESENT: Zoe Ahlstrom; Kimberly Whitfield; Nate Scramlin; Mike Dombrowski, Rick Kibbey; Kristi James MEMBERS ABSENT: Two (2) vacancies OTHERS PRESENT: Brett Kaschinske, Parks and Recreation Director; Kellie Brown, Board Secretary; Donna Timm, Friends of Bancroft Park; Loretta Stanaway, Friends of Lansing’s Historic Cemeteries; Libby Rice; James Blair; Glenn Lopez, Friends of Bancroft Park; Kris Reader; Nancy Mahlow, ENO/Bancroft CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 p.m. ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA: Dombrowski added winter trail maintenance, citizen provided requests and Kibbey added North Lansing dam to new business BOARD MEETING MINUTES Kibbey approved the February minutes as submitted; Scramlin seconded. Motion carried 5-0 STATEMENTS OF CITIZENS Nancy Mahlow commented with spring approaching dumping at Bancroft Park will increase. There is a huge pile by the ridge and there is also a large amount of inappropriate graffiti. Kaschinske stated the department received notification of the trash through Lansing Connect, however there were no pictures attached. Staff addressed both the trash and graffiti to remove. The lights on the building were reported as being out; they were replaced but knocked out again. Looking at anti-vandalism lights. Mahlow stated Public Service has used fake signs indicating there are cameras in use and that has been helpful. Kaschinske stated there have been national cases where signs for fake cameras were installed and when an incident happened it resulted in lawsuits. Will discuss with LPD the possibility of a portable camera. Glenn Lopez stated he is the interim chairperson for Friends of Bancroft. He grew up in north Lansing, played on the playgrounds as a child, worked for 45 years for the Lansing School District, and was an activity leader with Lansing Parks and Recreation. The Friends of Bancroft had been a well-established group and they are working to re-establish the group. North Lansing is neglected, and he is working to revive the Northside Association, but it will all take time and cooperation. He is looking for the Parks Department and Park Board’s assistance to work together to make this work. Loretta Stanaway is the President of Friends of Lansing’s Historic Cemeteries (FOLHC). She stated Mr. Kaschinske came to them regarding the sale of the vacant parcel next to North Cemetery. The FOLHC board discussed it in great depth and came up with the following language to be associated to the sale of the parcel: The board of the Friends of Lansing's Historic Cemeteries has voted to support a ballot measure to sell the small piece of property on the southwestern border of North Cemetery providing all of the sale proceeds are dedicated to improvements in North Cemetery. Those improvements include a new sign at the Miller Road entrance, solar lighting, surveillance cameras, pillar foundations for the west entry arch, and funding a ground penetrating radar survey of the old section of the cemetery. FOHLC will support the sale of the parcel with this language included. Stanaway provided background information on the parcel and that it was intended for cremains, but it is not suited for such use. Kaschinske stated this has passed Park Board, the Planning Board, will need to go to committee and to Council for approval to be placed on the August ballot for citizen’s vote. The parcel to the west was sold by the Land Bank for $5,000. This parcel was appraised in 2003 at a highly inflated price of $33,000. Council will need to approve final sale if approved by the voters PARK BOARD MINUTES – MARCH 9, 2022 PAGE 2 NEW BUSINESS Public Meeting – MNRTF Grants Kaschinske stated the department is applying for three grants: one acquisition grant and 2 development grants. This meeting is to receive public input prior to committee and Council on March 14. Grants are due to the State of Michigan before April 1. Kaschinske reviewed a PowerPoint presentation of the three grant projects proposed: 1624 E. Cavanaugh – Acquisition The grant for the acquisition of 1624 E. Cavanaugh, Lansing price will be based on the appraised value with 75% State grant and 25% City of Lansing match funds. This property runs along the RiverTrail and is located in the 100-year flood plain. The intent is to not have structures on the property per the grant guidelines. There will not be any negotiation on the price, as the grant will only be for the appraised value. Jim Blair inquired if FEMA has looked at this property; Kaschinske stated not that he is aware of. Nancy Mahlow inquired if there are any plans for park amenities. Kaschinske stated no due the location in the flood plain. Dombrowski stated this aligns with the City removing properties from the flood plain. Clifford Pickleball Courts – Development Clifford Park is located near Mt. Hope and Cedar. The park currently has three (3) tennis courts that are in need of repair. This would be a $300,000 grant request with the City providing 26% match. The grant would be to keep one (1) tennis court and create six (6) dedicated pickleball courts, which may also be used for youth tennis. The project cost is for resurfacing and fencing. This park is located just east and north of Washington Park, which is considered the center of the city, and the location is very visible from Mt. Hope. Dombrowski inquired if there would be issues with various sports on one surface. Kaschinske reviewed the dimensions and stated the design is based on the standards of how to turn two (2) tennis courts into six (6) pickleball courts. Jim Blair inquired about lights. Kaschinske stated if lights were to be added, it would be phase II. Scramlin inquired if a divider was considered between the front and back of the pickleball courts. Burchard Park Brenke Fish Ladder – Development Kaschinske stated Buchard Park is on both the east and west sides of the river by the north Lansing dam. This area has been used as a venue in the past for Dam Jam concerts. This event erects seating, lighting and sound and is a connection to Old Town. If the dam is removed, the infrastructure for the project would remain. Schematics for the proposed project were reviewed to provide an idea of the project amenities. Ahlstrom inquired if the lighting would remain or be taken out when not in use for an event. Kaschinske stated it would be a combination of both. Approval of the grant is not dependent on removal of the dam. PARK BOARD MINUTES – MARCH 9, 2022 PAGE 3 Kibbey moved to approve the grant applications for Cavanaugh land acquisition and Clifford Pickleball Courts and Burchard Park/Brenke Fish ladder development. Seconded by Whitfield. Motion carried 6-0 STATEMENTS OF CITIZENS Jim Blair stated he has no issues with the grants, but is disappointed the River Trail is not lit. The River Trail is the most popular “park” and he would like to see a grant some year for lighting. Loretta Stanaway stated the city and board as a whole need to make informed decisions if you want people in parks after dark. Currently the ordinance states park hours as dawn to dusk. Kibbey would like the ordinance/park hours on the upcoming agenda. NEW BUSINESS (cont.) Georgette Sneed Memorial Bench A request has been submitted for a memorial bench at Fulton Park for Georgette Sneed. Background information on Ms. Sneed was provided by email. This process is similar to the process for the previous tree and bench memorials at Moores Park and Burchard Park. Kaschinske reviewed google earth to provide location. He has reached out to Lansing Eaton Neighborhood Organization, and they were not familiar with Ms. Sneed but did not have an objection to the request. James inquired what research goes into a memorial request. Kaschinske stated it depends on the size of the memorial request, such as if it is a bench or tree versus a building or park. Scramlin moved to approve the application for the memorial bench. Seconded by Whitfield. Motion carried. 6-0 Playground Input Kaschinske provided examples, prices and reviewed safety zone areas. Dombrowski inquired if the price included installation or just equipment. Kaschinske stated the price included installation. Ahlstrom inquired if the price included the safety surface. Kaschinske stated no, if replacing old equipment, would not need to replace the safety area. Scramlin inquired if there is a source for neighborhood input on type of equipment. Kaschinske stated there could be a meeting with each neighborhood or an all-call meeting. Kibbey inquired about the joint policy with LSD. Kaschinske stated there are 10-13 park/school sites with a park next to school playground equipment. Ahlstrom would like a map highlighting the 20 playgrounds needing replacement. Kaschinske he would look at it by ward to determine the 20 needed. Winter Trail Maintenance Dombrowski commented the trails have not been well maintained with plowing and it not safe. There was a missed opportunity with the various snow levels and using different equipment to perform better. Trails need to be safer, cleared better and markers to indicate width of trail for better snow removal. Kaschinske stated he would check on the equipment used and if there are options. Whitfield inquired if there is something different to use than salt. Kaschinske stated yes, but the costs increase. PARK BOARD MINUTES – MARCH 9, 2022 PAGE 4 Citizen Provided Requests Dombrowski inquired how many work orders are done that come in. Park work orders are addressed as they are received. UPDATES Kaschinske stated the sale of the parcel next to North Cemetery passed Park Board, passed Planning Board and next it goes to committee and Council. CIP list the backhoe was removed as it has been paid in full by Public Service and the naturalization plan was removed. New board members have not gone before Council. Dombrowski stated city ordinances were addressed by Council in 2021 to make changes. He would like to revisit using parks after dark and the board could assist by drafting a letter to parks after dark. Meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.