MINUTES FOR OCTOBER 17, 2023
PARKS COMMISSION MEETING
GREENWOOD CITY HALL ________________________________________________________
The meeting was called to order by Parks Commission Chair Joel Goldstein at 4:02 p.m. with members present as follows: Cinda Bell, Susan Fox, Kay Headley, Brandon Tate, and Otis Edwards; a quorum was present; Planning Advisor Hunter Mikles was present.
Approval of minutes
Motion to approve the 09-19-23 regular meeting minutes and the 08-29-23 special called meeting minutes was made by Mr. Tate and seconded by Mr. Edwards; motion passed unanimously.
Mayor Kinslow honored Commissioner Susan Fox with a Proclamation and Key to the City for her final meeting attended as it was the end of her term.
Committee Reports
- Freedom Fest Committee – None; Mr. Craig said that the next planned meeting will be in January
- Trails Committee – Mr. Tate said updated from a meeting held the previous Thursday; he said that the Committee would be looking to make some plans for the lake regarding trails
- Tree & Plant Board – Dead tree removal was discussed at the most recently held meeting Agenda items to be added:
- Mayor – Road to Splash Pad
BUSINESS ITEMS - Approval of Alternate Member Gwen Martin – Mrs. Martin let the Commission know a bit about herself and her background and that she is full of ideas. After discussion, motion was made by Mr. Edwards, seconded by Mr. Tate to approve Mrs. Martin as an alternate member on the Commission; motion passed unanimously.
- Adoption of Amendment to Bylaws to Allow Provision for Parks Director Leave Administration –
Mr. Goldstein pointed out the change in the bylaws for this and Ms. Derry stated that the bylaws require a presentation one month and then adoption the next month and she said she would place this on the next agenda. - Approval of Amendments to Pavilion Rental Packet – Mr. Craig stated that he felt numerous layers are being added to the packet; Mr. Goldstein stated he would like for the pavilion to be shown in person before being rented and Mr. Craig requested an office located in Bell Park, if that were to be implemented, to which there was no support noted. Mr. Craig then displayed/presented a virtual tour solution to the pavilion showings and added the challenge presented showing the pavilion on weekends due to it often being in use at those times; Mr. Craig also referenced packets that he distributed to each Commissioner containing examples of a complete rental packet that would be given to pavilion renters and there was no opposition noted as to the contents of the packet. Mr. Craig stated that the virtual tour company was already in process to build the walk-through for the website.
Mr. Tate and Ms. Bell voiced their opinion for the word “shall” in the packet regarding the pavilion showings requirement and requested that it remain the same as it currently is; after discussion, motion was made by Ms. Bell, seconded by Mrs. Fox to leave the Rental Packet Rules as-is; motion passed unanimously. - Approval of Pavilion Use for Inclusive Park Benefit Auction – Mr. Craig stated that this auction with Shawn Looper will benefit the Inclusive Park and was scheduled after the idea was pitched and the committee took the ball and ran with it, collecting approximately $10,000 worth of items currently donated to auction off. Motion was made by Mr. Edwards, seconded by Mr. Tate to approve the pavilion to be used for this at no cost; motion passed unanimously.
- Approval of Pavilion Use for City Employee Appreciation Lunch – Motion was made by Mr. Tate, seconded by Ms. Bell to approve use of the pavilion for this at no cost; motion passed unanimously.
- Approval for Online Booking Software – Mr. Craig stated that this could also function as a payment processor if needed in the future; he said this software takes approximately a 2% processing fee which could be passed onto the customer, with a cash discount being offered if they would like to pay cash for the rentals; Mr. Marsh urged that the City needs to implement a digital payment method, but nixed the option of using the “Square” system due to its fee structure that would be charged against the City for its use. Mr. Craig said that he currently keeps track of bookings on paper in a binder, organized by date; he said this software will prevent double bookings, allow more bookings, and also will perform automated administration of the bookings via emails and text alerts. It was suggested that this software be added to the 2024 budget; there were three companies presented to the Commissioners with varying prices for this type of service and it was made known that commissioners could visit the sites to familiarize themselves with the various types so that an amount could later be budgeted. No action was taken.
- Mayor – Road to Splash Pad – Mayor Kinslow distributed a map of the Bell Park Master Plan and proposed that the City could save considerable money to reposition the parking lot area of the splash pad in order to eliminate building a new road as the map depicts. He requested to abandon the idea of a new road, in favor of utilizing the existing Fox Run road as it relates to access to/from the splash pad and requested the Commission’s approval to allow him to check into this and possibly have MAHG reconsider the design for the access road; there were no objections noted to this request.
Foundation Report: None
Director’s Report – Mr. Craig reported on the following:
- Mr. Goldstein asked for completed items to be removed from the report and not listed on subsequent reports
- Splash Pad low bid came in at 1.475 million, with budget being just over a million dollars; architects going back to drawing board in an effort to obtain additional cost savings
- Trail lighting to be operational by Halloween
- Ben Bryan disc golf scout project update, new completion target date by end of year
- Park maintenance updates: tree removals, winterizing, etc.
Comments:
Mr. Marsh requested time for a budget study session and it was determined that a date be selected and then the Commission notified of that time and date.
Adjournment: Motion was made by Mr. Edwards, seconded by Mr. Tate to adjourn the meeting and the meeting adjourned at 5:39 p.m.
Joel Goldstein, Parks Commission Chair
Disclaimer: Minutes are only a summary of what occurred or was discussed during a meeting and should not be relied upon as the actual events which occurred during the meeting, as the actual events/conversations which occur during the meetings are too voluminous to reproduce in their entirety.
