Centerville City Parks and Recreation Committee meeting held October 18, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Business Conference Room, 250 North Main, Centerville, Utah.

MEMBERS PRESENT:    Steven Blais
                                           William Duncan
                                          Gary Goff 
                                          Kevin Merrill
                                          Peyton Smith
                                         Stephanie Wheatley (arrived at approx. 6:45 p.m.)
     
STAFF PRESENT:         Bruce Cox, Parks and Recreation Director
                                        Kathy Streadbeck, Recording Secretary

VISITORS: 
                            Sherri Lindstrom, City Council Liaison

MINUTES REVIEW AND APPROVAL

The minutes of the Parks and Recreation Committee meeting held August 2, 2007 were reviewed. Gary Goff made a motion to accept the minutes as written. The motion was seconded by Kevin Merrill and passed by unanimous vote (5-0).

INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBER
 
Stephanie Wheatley took a moment to introduce herself. Committee members did the same and welcomed Ms. Wheatley to the Committee.

ENTERTAINMENT IN THE PARK – Ideas/Plans for Concerts and Movies in the Park in 2008

Peyton Smith reported he has received two phone calls from citizens interested in helping organize and coordinate some entertainment in the park. These volunteers came from an article that was run in the last City newsletter. Mr. Smith said he would like to run the article again in the November newsletter and see if any more interest is generated. The Committee agreed.

Mr. Smith discussed the many contacts he has made in researching possible talent for concerts in the park. He said it should not be a problem finding a couple of artists for next summer. He said there is also a grant offered by the Utah Arts Council to help fund such events, but the deadline for this year has already past. He said he would like to apply for this next year. The Committee agreed.

Mr. Smith explained several of these talents will perform at no cost; however, there may still be a need for some funding for this coming year (summer 2008). He asked if the City has any sound equipment and what it might cost to rent such equipment. He also asked the Committee if they would like to alternate movies and concerts throughout the summer. He said he feels they should start small and go forward from there. The Committee agreed that alternating movies and concerts would be a good idea. Bruce Cox, Parks and Recreation Director, said he would help Mr. Smith research the cost of sound equipment.

The Committee discussed several ideas for funding, including the RAP tax, soliciting sponsors, and having a donation box at each event. Mr. Cox said the Committee could ask the City Council for fiscal year 2008-2009.

The Committee discussed possible dates for the summer of 2008. They decided on June 12th and 26th, July 10th and 24th, and August 7th and 21st, alternating concerts and movies. Mr. Cox said he would black out these dates on the 2008 calendar. 

DESIGN PLAYGROUNDS FOR THREE PARKS: Freedom Hills, Porter-Walton, and Smoot

Steven Blais reported that he contacted surrounding residents of each park. They provided him with ideas, and in the case of Freedom Hills Park they picked a design from one of the catalogs provided them. He also distributed the information gathered from the playground display held during the Freedom Hills open house.

Bruce Cox, Parks and Recreation Director, reported that $50,000 has already been allocated for the playground in each park. This $150,000 can be used equally per park or distributed according to the relative need and conditions of each site.

The Committee agreed with the recommendation provided by the residents for the Freedom Hills Park. They also looked at several ideas for the Porter-Walton Park and Smoot Park and picked a design for each. Together the three playgrounds, including ground cover (rubberized surface), totaled about $151,000.  

Bruce Cox said he has spoken with some companies who informed him that there may be some significant cost savings if the equipment is ordered before January. He said he will take these three designs and get bids from a few different companies. This competitive process may also bring some savings. He said he will have two companies come to the next meeting to present their bids and ideas to the Committee.

The Committee agreed it would be beneficial to have some representatives come and present their bids and ideas. They also said any one company may be willing to provide a better deal given the amount of equipment being ordered.

The Committee also discussed the small size of the playground area in the Porter-Walton Park. Mr. Blais said he feels the playground should be moved to another location within the park so a bigger structure can be installed. The Committee discussed that this area is targeted more toward the toddler age group and a smaller structure is appropriate. The basketball courts have been installed for the purpose of older children. If a need for a larger playground structure presents itself in the future, this option can be discussed further.

PORTER-WALTON PARK – Open House/Ribbon Cutting

The Committee agreed that holding a ribbon cutting/open house for the Porter-Walton Park would be better in the spring. Stephanie Wheatley said the Trails Committee would also like to be a part of this open house. 
 
NEXT MEETING

The next regularly scheduled Parks and Recreation Committee meeting will be held on Thursday, November 15, 2007 at 6:30 p.m.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

 _  
 Stephanie Wheatley, Acting Chair   Date Approved

 Kathleen Streadbeck, Recording Secretary