MIDLAND PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION

REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 2, 2010

MIDLAND CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

7:00 P.M.

 

 

 

Meeting called to order at 7:01 p.m. by Chairperson Frank Altimore

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:         Altimore, Allen, Berthiaume, Bovid, Carlson, Jurado, Kelley, Martin, Steidemann

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:           None

 

OTHERS PRESENT:             Stephanie Szostak, Marcie Post

 

 

Minutes of February 2, 2010

 

Jurado motioned, Kelley seconded to receive minutes of the meeting of February 2, 2010. Motion passed 9-0.

 

Call to Audience

None.

 

Project Reports

 

Parks Master Plan update: Murphy reported that City Council received the draft Parks Master Plan at their February 22 meeting and set a public hearing for their March 8 meeting.  Murphy will provide a review of the Plan prior to the public hearing.  Once Council receives public input, they will consider adoption of the Plan.

 

Thrune Park update:  Murphy reported that staff has met with the Strosacker Foundation and the landscape architect to review a preliminary design for the park renovation.  A few changes were requested with the design, and staff will share the design at an upcoming Commission meeting. 

 

Softball update:  Post announced that March 10 is the MSA’s Annual meeting.  At this meeting, bylaws for the softball league will be discussed along with voting on board members.  All team managers are encouraged to attend.  

 

Post informed the Commission that interviews are currently underway to fill the part-time softball coordinator position.  This position will be responsible for daily oversight of all city softball leagues and city-sponsored tournaments.

 

Post gave an update on the 2010 ISC Men’s World Fast Pitch Tournament to be held August 13-21 at Emerson Park and Redcoats Complex.  Murphy and Post are active members on the tournament host committee, representing the city’s interest in the event.

 

Division Update

 

Horticulture:  City horticulturalist Stephanie Szostak reviewed projects completed last season, including the following:

  • Saginaw/Wheeler Island – removed old plant material and replaced with perennials to eliminate need for annual plantings and minimize maintenance.
  • Allan Ott Boulevard – worked with developer to landscape the boulevard.
  • Jerome/Pine traffic island – collaborative effort with Evergreen Garden Club.  Parks removed overgrown plantings and prepped the beds.  The Club planted the materials and provided on-going maintenance.
  • Plymouth Pool – Evergreen Garden Club adopted the bed in the parking lot and will adopt the beds in front of the building this year.

 

Szostak discussed opportunities for volunteers to get involved in beautifying the city.  Szostak hosts sessions on select Saturday mornings to teach hands-on horticulture techniques to volunteers. The city is also offering an Adopt-A-Flower-Bed program for individuals to plant and maintain a city flower bed.  The city provides the plant materials for this offering.

 

Beautification Committee:  Recreation Manager Marcie Post gave a review of this subcommittee of the Parks and Recreation Commission.  The Beautification Committee undertakes two programs annually:

  • Make Midland Beautiful Poster Contest - local elementary aged students create posters of what makes Midland a beautiful place to them.  Winning posters from each age group are displayed in downtown businesses, and the winners are recognized at a City Council meeting.
  • Appreciation of Beautification Awards – landscaping and structural site improvements are highlighted through a nomination process.  Winners are recognized at an award program.

 

Post also announced a special award program to be held June 9 to recognize the efforts of the Entranceways Initiative Task Force. 

 

Old Business

 

Jurado inquired about the accessibility of the men’s room at the City Forest Chalet. 

 

New Business

None.

 

Motioned by Jurado, seconded Carlson to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed 9– 0.

Meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Karen Murphy

Public Services Director