Harvey County Parks Advisory Board. Meeting West Park. January 8, 2018

Transcription

1 Harvey County Parks Advisory Board Meeting West Park January 8, 2018 Members present: Bill Kiehl, Cynda Conrade, Jack Bender, Brittany Welch, Carolyn Schwab and Ron Hoffman, Carol Buller Member Absent: Pat Jackson, Zack Phillips Staff Present: Director, Kass Miller, Operations Supervisor, Derrick Richling Others Present: Anthony Swartzendruber, County Administrator, Chip Westfall, County Commissioner, Ron Kreibel, County Commissioner, Randy Hague, County Commissioner, Rick Piepho, County Clerk, Joe Owen, Darin Schmidt and Jerry McKinney, guests, Dan Harms, Citizen Minutes of the November Meeting were approved as amended. Carol moved, Cynda seconded Old Business: Special Guests Joe Owen, Darin Schmidt and Jerry McKinney came to answer further questions from the Parks Advisory Board and the Harvey County Commissioners in regards to the proposal for a Remote Control Vehicle park. The first question Joe addressed was the noise concerns. He said in a worst case scenario some of the larger planes would be as loud as a chainsaw. Most of the time the smaller planes are about as loud as a weed eater. Jack asked what time of day would they fly? It will mostly be day time going as late in the day as sunset, but there will be occasional night flies. The planes they fly at night are all electric and are much quieter. Kass asked what day of the week would they fly? It will mostly be weekends, but evenings and days would be open too. Ron H. asked if they would have a safety officer present and would someone be there to control who and how many fly planes at a time? He also asked if RC helicopters fly at the same time? Darin stated that radio frequencies have improved so many people can fly at one time, and that the flying community is respectful of others who are out flying. Joe stated that the club will appoint a safety officer, but that one would not be present at all times. Helicopters and Planes do fly at the same time, but it s usually 4 5 flying at the same time. Kass asked about the fuel cell and what the hazards might be if there is a crash? Darin stated he s seen many crashes and never a fire with a crash because the fuel amount is small and self contained and pumped. Kass asked what the number of events would be a year? They thought there would be events at least once a month in summer, and maybe 6 8 events per year would be planned (on the high side of the estimate). Jack asked Kass if he had checked with Gina Bell in zoning to see if special permitting was required for an RC airstrip? Kass had not yet checked.

2 Joe and Darin further discussed payment to Harvey County Parks. They stated there could be a variable payment based on membership and event attendance, or they would be open to an annual flat fee lease. They also addressed the question of if improvements are made to the field (i.e. pavilion, storage shed, etc.) who would own them? They assumed if the county built a shelter, pavilion, etc. that the county would own it, but if the club put up any structures, storage sheds, fencing, etc. they would own it and be responsible for it s removal should the club not continue leasing the RC airstrip. They addressed the barrier provided between the airstrip and the barrier between it and outside people. They will use a fencing 2 3 ft. high, or could even use tall grass. They addressed the question of how the RC airstrip and planes would affect the ecology and if there were studies in regards to this? All three men are involved in multiple clubs and had not hear complaints of planes hitting birds or other animals in flight and they didn t feel they typically bother animals. Some birds even circulate and check out the planes in flight. They were not aware of and had not done any studies on how the ecology might be effected by these planes. Ron K. asked if they would be responsible for mowing and keeping their area clean? They stated that the club would maintain the runway, pit area, parking area, and their storage area but that the whole 25 acre area would not be mowed. Randy asked what else currently occurs on the proposed site? At this time it is only a haying operation. Chip asked if there was a flight ceiling limit? There is no limit, only a recommendation. Chip asked if this is the best site in the Harvey County Parks system? Kass, Joe and Darin agreed that Camp Hawk wouldn t work due only having room and accessibility for a North West landing strip. The area chosen at East Park can be easily developed, have an East West landing strip (which is the standard), the hay field isn t great and won t be a huge loss to the county. If you go further south at east lake you d run into fishermen and trees, and further north would get you closer to residents and camping. Randy asked what the cost was to belong to the club? They have not yet set member fees. The AMA membership required to fly the RC planes is $75/year. Carol asked how many members they thought they d have the first year? They estimate 10. Randy asked how the grounds are policed? What happens if someone has an accident who isn t insured by AMA? If someone is flying without AMA membership they would be considered to be trespassing (signs will be posted at entry stating that AMA membership is required) and will be asked to leave the premises. The club will also have insurance through AMA that would cover the club and the county regardless of whether the individual carries AMA membership. The insurance the club will have provides 2.5 million dollars in coverage. Over the years AMA has had 35 incidents and paid out 5 million dollars to insurance holders. Jack asked if the insurance covers everyone (county staff, volunteers, parks board members, etc.). Anthony stated that the county would require that as part of their contract with the club.

3 Anthony asked for clarification was the group asking only for space to improve and create the airstrip, or were they also asking for the money to do the project? They are asking for both the space and the proposed $46,000 it would take to finish out the plans for the space. Jack asked if rocketry would be done in this space? They stated it could be potentially but that wasn t a part of their plan. Kass re iterated that we could do a variable or flat fee lease and that it could be set for a certain number of years and be re negotiated at that time. Anthony asked if any human flight airplanes would happen? They said the space would be big enough for it but they are okay with specifying no ultra light/human flight airplanes would be flown. Chip asked if they considered an airpark field instead of an airpark landing strip? They stated that no, a take off and landing strip gives more safety because it s a straight line in and out for flight formation and landing. They will not allow control line flying either. Randy asked Kass how much income we currently get for haying that field? Kass stated it s hard to pinpoint because that farmer hays multiple fields within Harvey County Parks but that it is estimated to be around $1,100/yr. The RC Club would not need the whole 25 acres, so some of that area could still be hayed. Cynda asked the club if the gate would keep the farmer from having access to hay? Joe and Darrin stated that there would be a walk way and gate to the parking lot that would be for club access only, and that the fencing would be around the airstrip only, not the entire 25 acres so the farmer would still have access. Joe, Darin and Jerry let us know we could contact them with additional questions and then left. Director s Report: Kass Miller Trapper s Rendezvous is coming up this weekend with 4,500 campers pre registered so far. The event will be larger this year since many had to miss due to the ice storm predictions and poor weather last year. o Parks staff had two meetings with emergency planning in preparation. Safety concerns have been handled including clearing up roads and taping off a brush pile that hadn t been burned yet. o People are already arriving and setting up. o The minimum fee is $3,500 to rent all buildings and pay for up to 1,000 campers, then $2/head after 1,000 campers. We still don t have an agreement set up with vendors and Coleman still comes in and sets up to sell goods without paying a fee to Harvey County. Kass stated there is new leadership in the Quivira Council and he plans to broach the subject after this year s Rendezvous. He also said that he was told that Coleman makes a donation to the Quivira Council to set up at the Trapper s Rendezvous. o West Road into park will be closed off Saturday. There are two disc golf events coming up at Camp Hawk. The first is in February, it is a KDGA fundraiser and food drive with all proceeds going to the New Hope Shelter in Newton that will be hosted by Lee Penner. In March is the KDGA kick off in March hosted by Chris Smith. The

4 KDGA Kickoff will have 95 players who will be eligible to win cash and merchandise prizes and the group will rent the shelter the day of the event. o Kass said that the question was raised of whether we should charge a fee for use of the disc golf course for tournaments? Brittany said she felt they definitely shouldn t charge for the fundraiser tournament since the tournament is not for profit and proceeds and food drive items are being donated directly into our community. She said she was unsure about charging for the other KDGA kick off tournament and was not aware of whether or not other parks charged for events like this. Randy asked what parks staff has to do before the tournaments and after the tournaments for clean up. Kass stated that parks staff doesn t do anything. The disc golfers prep for the tournaments and that the park is always cleaner after the tournament than it was before. Carolyn stated that we need to re address the user fees that we were asked to defer for a year last year. Randy was concerned we d have to add additional staff if we start charging user fees. Kass stated that it would be handled the same way as camping fees and that no additional staff would be needed for that purpose. Operations Report: Derrick Richling West Park: Dredged the water, pulled out sport fish prior to dredging and cleaning up. The water is filling back up and they will plan new grass in the spring. Stew built structures to place back in the water for the fish. They performed some updates to the bait shop to make it more inviting. They removed the old peg board and did a rock epoxy floor kit. Derrick invited everyone out to check it out when it opens back up in the spring. Camp Hawk: The dam overflow has been repaired and we re waiting on rain to fill the pond. EZ Dock came out to work on ideas for a dock at the pond. The shelter has had many updates including: o Remove and redo spackling on ceiling with a saw and scraper blade. o Got rid of divider in passthrough o Relocated and got new appliances o Added outlets at passthrough o Skirted plywood behin cabinets where the wood condition was deteriorating and will like plywood with plastic covering before re attaching lower cabinets. o Removed upper cabinets because there were not used to open up the kitchen space o They will make and laminate the cabinet tops, install new appliances and update some plumbing o Replaced hot water heater Chip asked Kass if we will start stocking the pond at Camp Hawk? Kass stated that there were still fish in the pond and people still fish there frequently. He d like to stock with bass and he will let the fish stockers know to plan to stock Camp Hawk going forward.

5 New Business: Jim Lassiter applied to be on the Harvey County Parks Advisory Board. He s previously served 2.5 terms a number of years ago. o Motion to recommend Jim Lassiter to the board: Jack Motioned, Carol Seconded, Approved. Board Member Comments: Cynda: Do we havea break down of the cost of the Haunted Forest? Kass said it was about $300 for supplies, but he didn t have a cost for labor. Cynda asked if we could have sponsors for the event? Kass said we could and they could discuss it further. Carol: What fields does the farmer hay that we would displace with the RC airstrip or is the airstrip space his only one? Kass said no, he hays multiple fields. Anthony: What does the board want from the commission regarding the RC Park proposal? Brittany stated that there was a lot of information so they wanted to invite the commissioners to come to this meeting so that they could get their questions asked and answered as well. Carol Motioned to have a finalized recommendation at the next meeting to give to the commissioners, Ron H. seconded, approved. Carolyn motioned, Cynda seconded to adjourn the meeting. Respectfully Submitted, Brittany Welch