Administrative Brief
COMMISSION INFORMATION MEMORANDUM
VOL. 25, NO. 12
April 18, 2003
ADMINISTRATIVE BRIEF FROM STEVE SNYDER
Tree City USA Award
Salina was awarded the title of Tree City U.S.A. for the 13th consecutive year on April 2nd.
The award ceremony was held in Manhattan with 98 Kansas Communities receiving this
award.
Four criteria must be met to qualify for Tree City USA; each community must:
1. Have a Tree Advisory Board, which assists in administering a comprehensive
tree management program.
2. Establish a tree ordinance, which identifies guidelines for tree care and
responsibility.
3. Be supported by an annual budget of at least $2 per capita,
4. Have a proclamation and observe an Arbor Day Celebration.
2003 Arbor Day Celebration
Arbor Day will be celebrated on April 25 this year with tree planting ceremonies held at
Stewart and Sunset Schools, Students will assist in planting trees on their schools
grounds,
The main ceremony will be held at Kenwood Park at 12:45 p.m. The Central High Biology
class will help plant a tree in this park.
Memorial Hall Restoration
The masonry restoration work on the exterior of Memorial Hall is satisfactorily completed.
The exterior has been cleaned, tuck-pointed, patched and sealed. The completion was
delayed due to a contractor's accident, when a section of the Portico balustrade above
the front entranceway was damaged. New replacement units for the balustrade were cast
and installed as well as several other new pieces spelled out in the original contract. Total
cost of the project was $124,000.
First Tee
The First Tee of Salina has received confirmation of a $7,500 grant from the USGA for
the summer of 2003 for our youth golf programs. This makes a total of $100,000 in
capital grants (course construction) and $37,500 in program grants the First Tee has
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received over the past four years from this organization. The grant helps pay for
instructors, participant fees, course and driving range access and transportation.
In addition, Golf Course Manager Steve Hardesty recently spoke at the first Junior Golf
Summit in Colorado Springs, His topic was "How to Effectively Run an Alien",c,"' -
Facility", Over 285 attendees from 185 different youth programs attended the conference
put on by the United States Golf Association.
Golden Years Sprina Festival
On April 3, the Parks & Recreation Department and Golden Years Club hosted the annual
Golden Years Spring Festival at the Bicentennial Center. This all-day event was open to
senior citizens from Salina and surrounding areas. The schedule of activities included a
variety of entertainment, awards and recognition, talent show, games and contests, two
dances, meals and refreshments. Attendance at this year's event totaled over 1,000
persons, representing more than 30 communities.
Easter Eaa Hunt
The Parks & Recreation Department is sponsoring the second annual community-wide
Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 19 at Lakewood Park. Over 6,000 eggs with treats
and prizes will be distributed to three different age categories: 2-4,5-7, and 8-10 years
of age, Other sponsors for this event include the Saline County Optimist Club, Food 4
Less, Wal-Mart and Sam's Club. Response to last year's Easter Egg Hunt was
overwhelming, with approximately 1,000 parents and youngsters in attendance.
3 on 3 Basketball
With adult 3 on 3 Basketball and adult Volleyball leagues wrapping up, adult Spring
Softball leagues have started with a total of 26 teams, Leagues will last five weeks,
playing double headers Monday through Friday, Summer League sign-up;) ;0; un
Softball are due on April 28, Those Leagues will consist of a 10 game season, starting
on May 19th. Youth baseball and softball seasons will begin week of June 2nd.
National Youth Sports Coaches Association
The Parks and Recreation Department certifies youth baseball and softball coaches
through the National Youth Sports Coaches Association. On April 8th and 10th, a youth
baseball and softball organizational meeting was held with over 120 youth coaches in
attendance. The main topics this year were NYSCA meeting dates, rule changes in
leagues, addition of safety first bases at Bill Burke Park and new policies and procedures
through our Youth Sportsmanship Initiative.
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Soccer
Youth Spring Soccer for grades 6-8 began on April 12 and will run for 6 weeks. A skills
evaluation session was held on May 26th with 80 youth participating. Five teams were
formed with all those trying out placed on a team. Soccer fields at Bill Burke, Oxbow,
Kennedy and Ivey Parks are fully utilized this time of year for practices and games with
teams from the high schools, Parks and Recreation Leagues, soccer club, traveling teams
and YMCA participating.
MONDAY'S MEETING
1. Enclosed are other items on the agenda. If any Commissioner has any questions or
cannot attend the meeting, please contact me.
2. Let's begin the study session at 2:30 p.m. An agenda is attached.
Dennis M. Kissinger
City Manager