03-15-2000 MinutesPARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
Minutes - Regular Meeting
March 15, 2000
Members Present:
Others Present:
Richard Brake
Jim DuBois
Klm Kenison
Bill Mercer
John Reynolds
Kristen Seaton
Julie Quackenbush
Steve Snyder, Director
Randi Clifford, Recreation Superintendent
Tim Kerbs, Athletic Director
Corey Linton, Intern
Alan VonFange, RC Airplane Club
Don Apostolico, RC Airplane Club
Mickey Nicholson, RC Airplane Club
Don Moden, Don's Hobby Shop
Mike McCord, RC Airplane Club
Nate Jenkins, Salina Journal
The meeting was called to order at 4:04 p.m. by Chairman Jim DuBois.
I. REPORTS
A. Minutes
Jim asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes; there were none.
The minutes will be filed.
B. Citizens Forum
None
C. Financial Report
There were no questions about the financial reports.
D. Activity Reports
1. Participation Report
Randi Clifford reviewed the participation for February 2000 of 13,205 compared to 13,281
in 1999. All the numbers were very close to last year.
2. Recreation Report
Randi reported the final ski trip would be leaving Friday night and we do have more trips
planned for the future. We are now preparing for the summer season. The organizational
meetings for softball are scheduled for the end of March/beginning of April. Randi is going to be
interviewing summer applicants shortly. The Golden Years Spring Festival is Thursday, April 20,
at the Bicentennial Center. The second sessions of our spring programs begin next week. High
schools and colleges are practicing on our fields. We will sponsor the NYSCA clinics again this
year.
3. Park Report
Steve Snyder reported the new restroom at Bill Burke is now opened and the landscaping
around it will be finished shortly. Work has started on the two new neighborhood parks at
Kennedy and Schilling schools. This year's flowers (approximately 65,000) have been ordered.
We reorganized the Parks Division with a supervisor for constructions and projects, and a
supervisor for landscape and turf.
II.
PETITIONS and COMMUNICATIONS
A. Letters
1. Tom Mulhern, PATH Coalition
Tom Mulhern wrote to Janice Pankratz thanking her for helping with the PATH Coalition.
2. Jeff Boaz, South High School
Jeff Boaz thanked Randi Clifford for participation in their Career Day program.
II1. OLD BUSINESS
None
IV. NEW BUSINESS
A. 1999 Summer Program Survey
Randi introduced Corey Linton, our intern from Emporia State University. Randi reviewed
the program survey from 1999. 1100 surveys were sent out and 237 were returned.
B. Requested Model Airplane Restrictions at ECRA
Steve explained the history of the model airplane group at ECRA. Alan VonFange spoke
on behalf of the airplane club and explained that their club now leases a site on County property
and they have exclusive use of that property. Their club is asking the Parks & Recreation
Department to prohibit all drop-in flying at ECRA, except for the large scheduled events, because
the new site is 2.2 miles from the runway and there are frequency problems that are a safety
concern and a liability insurance issue. The airplane club wants this department to stop issuing
permits to fly the radio-controlled planes at ECRA. Alan thinks there are approximately 25 people
who are not members of their club. There was discussion on accidents and near-accidents that
have happened at ECRA. The club does not document accidents. There was discussion on
costs involved for the club. The club's insurance through AMA addresses the 3 and 5 mile rules
and with the leased site being 2.2 miles, they are requesting prohibiting flying at ECRA. The
insurance company says there will be no coverage if the planes are knowingly flown on both sites
within 3 miles when there is no sharing agreement on frequency. There was discussion on our
department issuing permits with the frequency number on it. The Radio Club is saying that flying
at ECRA is not safe anymore. The Board wants Steve to check on optional sites, insurance, and
possible rules, and present it to the Board at the May meeting.
There being no further business, a motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 5:29 p.m.