#4 BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING Monday, March 8, 1999 Present: June Bailey, Pat Consolver, Bob Martz, M.S. Mitchell, Leon Robinson Absent: Lucy Burtnett and William Sanders Also Present: Mary Lou Rivers, Delano Business Association; Tim Martz, Janice McKinney, and Maryann Crockett (Staff) AGENDA First Vice President Mitchell called the meeting to order at approximately 3:35 p.m. The minutes of the regular meeting of February 8, 1999, were approved. 1. Review and Approval of the 1998 Annual Report. Board members reviewed the report including land acquisition, preservation and growth of the urban forest, recreation and leisure opportunities and member attendance. Mitchell asked for clarification on the 5.3 acres of land acquired at 135th St. West in conjunction with development of Auburn Hills Golf Course. He requested that staff provide a map of the parcel at the next board meeting. Bailey said she would like to see board member attendance at special meetings, public hearings and workshops. On motion by Martz, second by Bailey, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to approve the annual report for submission to the City Council. 2. Request from the Delano Business Association (DBA) and Delano Neighborhood Association (DNA) to name the Park Area at McLean Memorial Fountain Delano Park. Mary Lou Rivers, Treasurer, Delano Business Association. Rivers stated that the boundaries of the Delano Business Association and Delano Neighborhood Association were Kellogg on the south, Meridian on the west and along the Arkansas River up to Riverside Hospital on the north. She said the DBA has been involved in numerous civic activities the last few years including, but not limited to, cleanup projects; installation of Christmas banners; flower plantings along West Douglas; and purchase of two bicycles for the Wichita Police Department bicycle patrol. She said current projects were restoration of the Ben F. McLean Memorial fountain and cleaning of the Chisholm Trail Marker. She briefly reviewed the history of the West Douglas area stating that it was once the location of bars and brothels frequented by cowboys who stopped in Wichita as they drove cattle through the City along the Chisholm Creek Trail. Rivers said the DBA would like to see the area from the Second Street bridge south to the Douglas Street bridge, from McLean Street west to the Arkansas River named “Delano Park”. There was discussion concerning land ownership, number of acres and future development plans the City had for the area. It was the general consensus that the Board did not have enough information to make a recommendation to the City Council. Mitchell requested that Park staff gather the necessary information, coordinating with other City staff and report back to the Board at the April meeting. Rivers concluded by mentioning that there would be a meeting to discuss abandonment of the railroad right-of-way from McLean to Seneca Street and possible establishment of a greenway Tuesday, March 16, 1999, at 7:00 p.m. at the Masonic Home. She invited board members to attend. On motion by Mitchell, second by Bailey, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to defer action on this item until the April meeting. OTHER ITEMS DISCUSSED • Mitchell reported that Bailey had received a request to establish a walking path through the area known as “Schraft 3rd Addition”. He said he did not feel that would be appropriate since the board had assured the neighborhood and the developer who donated the acreage that the area would remain undeveloped and natural. • Bailey reported on a Southeast Neighborhood Association meeting she attended. She said the neighborhood is concerned about the lack of parks in the area. She said there was discussion concerning a pending rezoning case on property adjoining White Elementary School and possible development of a small park at the sewage treatment plant in a partnership with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. • Bailey requested information on the status of the Park Department/Public Works maintenance issue. There was brief discussion. • Staff distributed a copy of the final Facility Consultant Report. Board members agreed to review the report and notify staff of any changes/revisions. There was also brief discussion concerning the consultant survey. Bailey requested that staff verify that residents south of 47th Street had been included in the survey. On motion by Bailey, second by Consolver, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED that the report be presented to the City Council by March 23. • Bob Martz introduced discussion concerning use of the Wichita/Valley Center Flood Control Project (Big Ditch) for recreation. Mitchell briefly explained the history of recreational rights along the Big Ditch. There was also discussion concerning condemnation proceedings. Martz said he would like to pursue whatever legal steps were necessary to obtain the recreational rights. • Bob Martz introduced discussion concerning developers donating land for neighborhood parks before special taxes were assessed and respreading the specials to homeowners within the housing development. There was brief discussion concerning provisions in the park and open space plan for developer land donations and public/private partnerships. Mitchell commented that maintenance of neighborhood parks was another issue the Board had addressed. He said maintenance of small park areas was difficult and the City’s mowing schedule did not always coincide with what the surrounding neighbors wanted in terms of mowing frequency. • Mitchell asked for an update on the status of the Kingsbury Park Plan. Staff reported that no further action had been taken. Mitchell mentioned location of the sewage treatment plant and asked board members to monitor the discussion on that issue. • Mitchell asked for an update on the “Summer of Discovery Program”. He specifically asked for budget figures and whether funds would come out of the park budget or the City general fund. Staff reported that 81% program cost recovery was projected. There was discussion concerning number of children per site and day care licensing requirements. • Mitchell reported on the status of the cleanup efforts along the Cowskin Creek saying that the area through Pawnee Prairie Park had been completed with minimal impact. He said he was concerned about efforts at Swanson Park. • There was brief discussion concerning status of the Grove Park Plan. Bailey reported on a meeting with City Manager, Public Works and Park staff. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 4:45 p.m. ___________________________________ M.S. Mitchell, First Vice President ATTEST: _____________________________ Maryann Crockett, Clerk Park Board 3/8/99 (contd.) Park Board 3/8/99 (contd.)