CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Hofstadt called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

ROLL CALL: Present were Chair Eileen Hofstadt, Vice Chair Ernie Rodrigues and Commissioners Lanny Brown and Blythe Lind, Commissioner Sandra Myers was excused. Staff members present were Roger Stromgren, Landscape/Facilities Manager, Edie Keller, Administrative Secretary, and Linda Stadlbauer, Administrative Assistant II.

PRESENTATION(S): NONE

CITIZEN COMMENTS: NONE

CONSENT CALENDAR:
1. Approve minutes of regular meeting of April 23, 2009.
2. Accept Recreation Manager project status report and Recreation Division quarterly reports. (P. Scherff)
3. Accept Parks Division monthly report. (B. Margesson)

 Motion to approve items 2-3 of Consent calendar.
Motioned: Rodrigues
Second: Blythe Lind
Ayes: 4
Noes: 0

 Motion to approve items 1 of Consent calendar.
Motioned: Rodrigues
Second: Blythe Lind
Ayes: 3
Noes: 0
Abstained: 1

SCHEDULED MATTERS:
4. DISCUSSION ITEM: Discussion on moving a summer meeting to one of our parks.
(R. Stromgren)
Roger Stromgren presented his staff report on the moving of one of the Parks and Recreation Commission summer meetings to convene in one of our parks. Some of the parks suggested by the Commission and staff were Orchard Park, Balfour-Guthrie Park, or Blue Goose Park. Discussion included having the meeting in October, so as to miss the heat of the Summer, and calling it our “Fall Meeting”. It was agreed that this would also allow us to advertise this meeting in the Fall Activities Guide, as it is a meeting to which the public is invited. Edie Keller, Administrative Secretary, also advised the Commission that she would send out an invitation through a directed mailing to the surrounding neighborhood. Commissioners were unanimous that they would like to have the pre-meeting be a pot luck dinner.

5. DISCUSSION ITEM: Discussion on closure of Balfour Guthrie Tennis Courts for certain hours to combat vandalism. (R. Stromgren)
Roger Stromgren presented his staff report on proposing a trial run of closing the tennis courts to see if the vandalism can be reduced. The hours that are of most concern occur Monday through Friday, between the hours of 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM, and the hours of 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM. This is when the Heritage High School students are walking through the park in route to and from school. The suggestion that had the most interest was to lock the gates to the tennis courts during these hours. If approved, a sign will be posted stating the hours of closure, and a number to call for any witnessed vandalism. PD has increased the patrols of the area as well. Commissioner Brown suggested putting an article in the local newspapers announcing the cost of vandalism to the Brentwood residents as a way to make them more aware of the situation. Commissioners were interested in the repercussions to the kids and parents of those caught vandalizing. Edie Keller advised the Commission that the Police Department does arrest the culprits and conditions them to complete a juevenile rehabilitation program, and charges the parents with the cost of damages. Other discussion included possibly organizing tennis groups to utilize the courts, thereby circumventing the opportunities of a vacant court for vandalism. Also, the possibility of using a key check-out system and more security cameras used successfully in other cities was suggested by Commissioner Brown. Staff replied that a key system would be investigated, but that budget restraints would prohibit us from installing more cameras at this time. Other concerns included the inconvenience to dedicated tennis players that closing the courts during the Summer morning hours would cause. The high-schoolers, who have been the supposed vandals, will not be in school and so will not have the before-school and after-school opportunities to vandalize.

STAFF COMMENTS

Edie Keller asked the Commissioners who are in need of business cards. At this time, only Commissioners Rodrigues and Lynd need cards. Ms. Keller also requested that the subcommittee for Veterans Park convene to discuss the memorial element of the park, and present the information to the local newspaper for a series of articles. She suggests that they talk to Rick Lemyre of the Brentwood Press. Subcommittee members Hofstadt and Rodrigues agreed to meet soon.

Roger Stromgren advised the Commission that he will be meeting with the Brentwood Police Department in August regarding the status of the vandalism at the tennis courts. He also advised the Commission that the sign advertising the availability of the Veterans tiles for purchase has been installed in Veterans Park. Included in the “advertising campaign” for the tiles will be to take the sample tiles and sales materials to all possible venues, including the Corn Fest. The Parks Department would like to see the 3rd element for the park put in by Veterans Day of 2011. Regarding inquiries about the City’s three new contracted landscape companies, they are still adjusting to our City Standards, and are doing well. We anticipate awarding the tree contract by July 1, 2009. In conjunction with awarding the new contract, we will be establishing a hazardous tree plan to identify those trees that need attention or removal.

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS

Commissioner Lind inquired as to whether we need volunteers at the Cornfest, to which Edie Keller responded “yes”. Volunteers at “Info Alley” are always welcome.

Commissioner Hofstadt inquired whether we had a new “Trails Map”, to which Roger Stromgren responded “no, not at this time and that when the budget allows, it will be updated”.

Commissioner Rodrigues suggested that the Commission meet for workshops prior to the upcoming meetings to discuss the City’s Standards and Specifications for parks. Chair Hofstadt replied that she would like to see how busy the upcoming agendas are, and decide, along with the assistance of Edie Keller, whether there will be sufficient time during the regular meetings to discuss this subject. Commissioner Rodrigues stated that he would like to stay involved in anything having to do with Veterans Park and future plans, which the Commission agreed on.

Commissioner Lind informed the Commission that Toni Hay will be having the dedication of the plaque at Orchard Park on Thursday, June 25th, and would like suggestions for inviting staff. Edie Keller replied that she will get back to Commissioner Lind about that, but believes that just an email would be sufficient and not against protocol. Commissioner Lind also inquired about Mallard Park, to which Roger Stromgren replied that it still belongs to the developer, Signature Homes, so she will contact them directly.

Chair Hofstadt reminded all that the Concerts in the Park start June 12th.

REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
None

ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.