Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 11/12/2020

Home

Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated that City Code states that parks are closed at 10 p.m. He commented that he believes that there will eventually be a transition to 24-hour parks because of the changing trends of when people are working and when they are taking walks or using things like the dog park. Chair Bennett commented that as he was on his way to the meeting tonight, he saw two people walking their dogs in The Draw area and fortunately there is lighting to assist with walking in the evening hours. He believed that lighting would be worth exploring. He stated that while dusk occurs much later in the evening during the summer, the winter hours bring darkness much earlier. Councilmember Musgrove recognized that more people are using the parks earlier in the morning or after 10 p.m. She stated that she better understands the need for lighting and that residents would find that helpful in the winter months. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood commented that lighting was previously the top request for the dog park, noting a light that was installed during an earlier project. Motion by Commissioner Leistico, seconded by Commissioner Guck to recommend City Council authorize $20,000 for the expansion -leash area to include aspects of solar lighting. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chair Bennett; Commissioners Leistico, Sis, Barten, Guck, and Loss. Voting No: None. Absent: None. 5.03: Note Draft Center Street Area Framework and Policy Plan Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood presented the draft Center Street area framework and policy plan. He stated that the detail is intended to update the existing framework and plan that was adopted in 2012. He stated that input would be gathered from all the Boards and Commissions prior to presentation to the City Council. He provided background on the creation through that public input process that pedestrian connection and connection from the downtown area, over the rail and highway, to the Mississippi Park were the most desired elements by residents along with a green corridor and water feature. He explained how the plans evolved over time and how the plans can be reactive to different types of development. He displayed a sketch from the 2012 Center Street area framework and policy plan and explained that additional detail is needed in order to provide developers with the necessary information. He reviewed the details of the proposed draft framework and plan including the pump house, pump house plaza, different streetscape project elements, irrigation, and future development site frontage. Chair Bennett recalled that there was a great deal of discussion related to Municipal Plaza and appreciated the creativity, sustainability elements, and stormwater reuse for irrigation. He stated that he also understands the need to revise the original plan to better plan for the Center Street projects. Park and Recreation Commission/November 12, 2020 Page 4 of 6