05-09-07 PRCITY OF OTSEGO
PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
MAY 9, 2007 7:00 PM
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at
7:00 PM.
Roll call: Commissioners: Mike Brumm, Aaron
Stritesky, Russ Langer, Rose Cassady, Kathy
Roberts, and Beverly Kumar. Peter Torresani arrived
at 7:45 PM.
Absent: Rob Miller.
Councilmembers: Jessica Stockamp and Mark Thorsted.
Staff: Public Works Director Brad Belair.
1. Tour of the Public Works Building.
Commissioners were given a tour of the new Public
Works Building by Public Works Director Brad
Belair. Commissioners were impressed with the new
building and thanked Brad for the informative tour.
2. Agenda Approval.
Motion by Commissioner Cassady, seconded by
Commissioner Brumm to approve the agenda. Motion
carried 6-0.
3. Approval of April 11, 2007 Minutes.
Motion by Commissioner Brumm, seconded by
Commissioner Langer. Motion carried 6-0.
4. Community Education Report.
Carol McNaughten-Commers from Community Education
reviewed the figures from the Recreation program.
They added new adult programs, along with a safety
summer event for children and "Otsego Friday
Knight" event for pre -teens and teenagers.
Commissioner Kumar mentioned that Beaudry Meadows
Park has two tennis courts that could also be used
for tennis lessons.
Community Education will have a booth at the Otsego
Festival to promote programs. They would be
willing to display park maps and Otsego Park and
Recreational pictures. They will have a staffed
climbing wall and charge $1.00 for the public to
climb. Carol mentioned that their online
registration for Otsego has increased by 60%.
Carole was not aware of the details for scheduling
the ball fields. She said that Community Education
meets just after the New Year to discuss it. She
will have Community Education (Pauline) e-mail Brad
a current schedule for usage on the fields. Brad
stated that this will help him with field
maintenance. Carole said she would like to post
information about Community Education programs on
the Prairie Park bulletin board. Commissioners
welcomed this idea. Commissioners thanked Carole
for her information and time.
5. Uses of the Old Skate Park Space.
Brad suggested Commissioners meet at the old skate
park in Prairie Park for their next meeting and
bring their suggestions. Commissioners agreed that
it would be a good idea. Commissioners will meet
at 7:00 PM for the June 13 Park and Recreational
meeting at the old skate park.
6. City Update.
Council Member Stockamp informed us about issues
concerning the scheduling of the ball fields. She
said that she spoke to coaches concerning
scheduling. She said that there seems to have been
a miscommunication about the fields. Stockamp
urged Community Education to come to speak with the
Park and Recreational Commission.
There are 9-10 teams made up of Otsego residents
that play baseball on the fields. Commissioners
feel that Otsego teams should have priority when
scheduling.
Commissioner Brumm suggested we have a master
schedule in place. Commissioner Langer suggested a
paper trail for requests and putting the
application for use of fields on the City website.
Commissioner Torresani suggested that we should be
able to look at baseball and softball statistics so
the majority occupies the most fields.
Commissioners agreed that any group or team that
wants to request use of the ball fields needs to
meet with the commission. The Park and
Recreational Commission will hold a meeting in
December for all perspective ball field inquiries.
In addition, one commissioner will be selected to
represent the Park and Recreational Commission at
the meeting next year in which Community Education
discusses plans for the ball fields.
Commissioner Kumar mentioned that there will be an
additional ball field at Beaudry Meadows, as stated
on the city website. Brad stated that there would
not be a ball field at Beaudry Meadows.
Commissioners were under the assumption that there
was to be a ball field there.
7. Any Other Business.
Commissioner Langer asked to table the survey
discussion until City Administrator Robertson is
present. Commissioner Langer shared his view that
the Park and Recreational Commission should
consider building new parks only where there is a
higher population of residents. He commented that
the City was pressured to build Kittredge Park and
there are not a lot of people that use that park.
Commissioner Roberts said that she agrees.
Councilmember Stockamp said that the developer had
funded Kittredge Park and requested that it be
built. Councilmember Thorsted started that at the
time of park construction, the housing market was
good and a large commercial area was also in the
plans across from Kittredge Park.
Commissioner Stritesky commented that we don't know
about the agreement that the development had with
the City for that park. Commissioner Cassady said
that Prairie Park is not by a lot of houses yet
gets a lot of use. Commissioner Langer expressed
that he would like to see a certain percentage of
homes built before we build new parks as there are
Otsego residents that don't have parks near them.
Commissioner Stritesky commented that it's a
planning issue and we are not the Planning
Commission.
Commissioner Kumar requested that a bulletin board
be placed in other Otsego parks, not just Prairie
Park, as this would promote programs, city events
and community. Brad asked what kind of bulletin
boards and Commissioner Kumar indicated something
simple where laminated flyers could be displayed.
Brad said he would get back to the commission with
a price.
Commissioner Roberts asked that the flag pole in
Prairie Park be discussed at the next meeting.
Adjournment:
Commissioner Cassady moved, seconded by
Commissioner Roberts, to adjourn at 9:09 p.m.
Motion carried 7-0.
Minutes by Commissioner Beverly Kumar