RECREATION AND PARK COMMISSION FOR THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE

Transcription

1 RECREATION AND PARK COMMISSION FOR THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE Regular Meeting 5:00 p.m. BREC Administration Building 6201 Florida Boulevard Baton Rouge, Louisiana Commission Minutes February 22, 2018 Call to Order A regular meeting of the Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge (BREC) was held at BREC s Administrative Offices on February 22, The meeting was called to order at 5:01 p.m. by Lloyd H. Benson II, Chairman. Mr. Benson recognized Dr. Leonard Ezell, Pastor of Broadmoor Baptist Church, who offered the invocation. Commissioner Rossie Washington, Jr. led the pledge of allegiance. Roll was taken and a quorum of Commissioners was present including Shelton C. Dixon, Vice Chairman; Larry Selders, Treasurer; Sandra Davis; Kenneth Pointer; Davis Rhorer; Mike Walker and Rossie Washington, Jr. Commissioner Kenyetta Nelson-Smith was absent. Staff members present were Carolyn McKnight, Superintendent; Reed Richard, Assistant Superintendent Planning and Construction; Brandon Smith, Acting Assistant Superintendent of Recreation, Programs and Facilities; Corey Wilson, Chief of Management and Business Services; Phil Frost; Michael Hutchison; Steven Knight; Cheryl Michelet; Mike Raby; Justin Smith; Stephanie Trim; and Chris Marchiafava. Carl Stages, Executive Director of BREC Foundation, and Murphy Foster, legal counsel, were also in attendance. The audience consisted of BREC staff, media, and the general public. Public Comment Mr. Benson opened the floor for public comment on the agenda action items and asked if there was anyone else who would like to speak on any agenda action item. Hearing none, Mr. Benson closed the floor. Adoption of Minutes Resolved, That the reading of the minutes of the Recreation and Park Commission Meeting of January 25, 2018 be dispensed with, and that they be approved as written. Motion to approve by Mr. Pointer Consent Calendar Resolved, That the Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge does hereby approve the Consent Calendar items. Second by Mr. Washington Approved by unanimous consent The following item was approved as part of the Consent Calendar: Acceptance of Recommendations for the Human Resources Advisory Committee Resolved, That the Commission approve the Routine Personnel Transactions for the month of February BREC Commission Minutes Page 1 of 5 2/22/18

2 Presentations Mr. Benson recognized Peter Olson, Executive Director of Knock Knock Children s Museum, who gave a presentation updating the Commission on the museum s first six months of operation. Mr. Benson, Mr. Rhorer and Ms. Davis offered positive comments. Mr. Rhorer asked if BREC had been involved in the discussion regarding the expansion of I-10. Mr. Richard stated DOTD has invited BREC to a stakeholder meeting in March and that any federal funded project has to mitigate any impact to park and recreation areas. Mr. Benson recognized Mike Raby, Golf Director, and Henry Pointer, Director of The First Tee, who gave a presentation on The First Tee program. Mr. Raby gave a brief recap of where the program is at this point. Mr. Pointer gave an overview of the programs, the future of the program, and the Baton Rouge Area Kids Fore Golf Foundation. Mr. Pointer introduced Mike Anderson, President of the Board of Directors of the Baton Rouge Area Kids Fore Golf Foundation, who reviewed the goals of the Foundation for assisting with and growing The First Tee program in Baton Rouge. Jay Little, Secretary of the Foundation Board, also offered some brief comments. Ms. McKnight asked Mr. Pointer to introduce his staff in the audience. Mr. Pointer introduced Sherry Sisemore and Morgan Miley. There was a brief discussion. Mr. Benson recognized Dustin LaFont, director of Front Yard Bikes, who gave a presentation about Front Yard Bikes, how it got started, what the program offers to the community, and plans for the future. Front Yard Bikes offers hands on mechanics, welding, gardening and garden to table programs. Tutoring is currently offered one day a week and visits to the school hold the participants accountable for their academics. Mr. LaFont thanked the Commission for BREC s support. A brief discussion followed. Mr. Dixon asked how BREC could offer more support for the program. Ms. McKnight said that staff will look for other ways for BREC provide additional resources. The Commission viewed a brief video highlighting BREC s archery program at North Sherwood Forest Community Park and upcoming events in March. Reports of Officers and Standing Committees Mr. Benson recognized Ms. McKnight for the Superintendent s Report. Ms. McKnight recognized Corey Wilson to review the two items under Administrative Matters and asked him to also brief the Commission on an economic impact study presented to BREC staff. Mr. Wilson gave a brief explanation of the proposed cooperative endeavor agreement and servitude agreement. Reed Richard provided some additional information about the existing trail and how it would be connected to the bridge. Mr. Wilson then read the following resolution: Resolved, That the Commission approve the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, and Willow Grove-North LLC for the purpose of providing for the construction of a multi-use bridge for automobiles, bicycles and pedestrians over Wards Creek; authorize the Superintendent to execute the necessary documents. The motion was approved by a majority vote with all the members voting in favor except Mr. Selders who abstained. Mr. Wilson read the following resolution: Resolved, That the Commission approve the Recreational Right of Use and Servitude Agreement between the Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge BREC Commission Minutes Page 2 of 5 2/22/18

3 (BREC), Ochsner Clinic Foundation (OCF), and Willow Grove-North LLC (WGN) for the purpose of providing to BREC a non-exclusive recreational right of use and servitude over a portion of OCF and WGN property; authorize the Superintendent to execute the necessary documents. Motion to approve by Mr. Pointer Second by Ms. Davis The motion was approved by a majority vote with all the members voting in favor except Mr. Selders who abstained. Mr. Wilson then briefed the Commission on a presentation given to BREC staff by the Baton Rouge North Economic Development District (BRNEDD) in the previous week. Several months ago, Mr. Woodrow Muhammad, deputy director of the organization, informed BREC that they were doing an economic impact study and recently offered BREC the opportunity to review the study before going public with it. After the presentation, the BREC staff had significant concerns about the information provided. Mr. Wilson went on to explain some of the reasons for concern. There was a brief discussion about whether BRNEDD would allow BREC the opportunity to verify the results prior to the release of the study. Mr. Wilson noted that prior to the presentation by BRNEDD, BREC staff and LSU s Economic Policy and Research Group had discussed having an economic impact analysis done for BREC. The group has also agreed to review the information presented by BRNEDD. Ms. McKnight recognized Mr. Richard who gave the construction update. The Chairman recognized Mr. Washington for the Communications and Information Technology Advisory Committee report. Mr. Washington spoke briefly about the brand standards and asked Cheryl Michelet, Communications Director, to review the new brand standards for the Commission. Ms. Michelet gave an overview of the process involved in the revising the standards and stated that the logo will not change but the slogan It all starts at BREC will be phased out. Ms. Michelet introduced Katie Rogers who spearheaded the project. Mr. Benson asked if we would have a new slogan. Ms. Michelet explained the staff would continue to discuss that. Mr. Washington then read the following resolution: Resolved, That the Commission approve the BREC Brand Standards, as presented. Second by Mr. Washington Mr. Benson recognized Mr. Selders for the Finance Advisory Committee report. Mr. Selders asked Michael Hutchison, Finance Director, to review the items recommended for approval by staff. Mr. Hutchinson reviewed the executive summary from the December 2017 financial statements and then read the following resolution: Resolved, That the Commission accept the unaudited financial statements for the twelve months ending December 31, 2017 (fiscal year-to-date period January 1 December 31, 2017), as presented. Motion to approve by Mr. Walker Mr. Hutchinson reviewed the executive summary from the January 2018 financial statements and then read the following resolution: BREC Commission Minutes Page 3 of 5 2/22/18

4 Resolved, That the Commission accept the unaudited financial statements for the one month ending January 31, 2018 (fiscal year-to-date period January 1 January 31, 2018), as presented. Motion by Mr. Walker Mr. Hutchison said that there were three items under Contracts and Bids recommended by staff for approval and then read the following resolution: Resolved, That the Commission award Sealed Bid #1721 Longfellow Park Improvements, to the lowest responsive bidder, The Luster Group, LLC, for Base Bid, and Alternates Nos. 1-3, for a total award of $248,499. BREC s maximum budget for the base bid and/or any possible combination of alternates is $300,000. Second by Mr. Selders Mr. Hutchinson then read the following resolution: Resolved, That the Commission award Sealed Bid #1716 BREC Annual Contract for Cement Finishing Services for 2018, to the lowest responsive bidder, The Luster Group, LLC. (Usage for 2017 was approximately $80,000 and the usage for 2016 was approximately $50,000.) Motion to approve by Mr. Rhorer Second by Mr. Walker Mr. Hutchinson then read the following resolution: Resolved, That the Commission approve accepting all qualified high bidders for the sale of surplus equipment opened February 14, 2018 as noted in the bid recap. Motion by Mr. Walker Second by Mr. Dixon Mr. Benson asked if there was any information about Dale Auzenne. Ms. McKnight stated that he would be back to work on Tuesday. Mr. Benson asked the Commission to keep Dale in their thoughts while he recovers. Mr. Benson announced the next item of business was the election of officers. Mr. Benson turned the meeting over to the Vice Chairman Shelton Dixon for the election of Chairman. Mr. Dixon announced that the nominations were open for Chairman. Mr. Selders nominated Mr. Benson and Mr. Washington seconded the nomination. Mr. Dixon asked if there were any further nominations, hearing none he closed the nominations and declared that Mr. Benson was elected Chairman by acclamation. Mr. Benson announced that the nominations were open for Vice Chairman. Mr. Selders nominated Shelton C. Dixon and Mr. Rhorer seconded the nomination. Mr. Benson asked if there were any further nominations, hearing none he closed the nominations and declared that Mr. Dixon was elected Vice Chairman by acclamation. Mr. Benson announced that the nominations were open for Treasurer. Mr. Dixon nominated Mr. Selders and Mr. Pointer seconded the nomination. Mr. Benson asked if there were BREC Commission Minutes Page 4 of 5 2/22/18

5 any further nominations, hearing none he closed the nominations and declared that Mr. Selders was elected Treasurer by acclamation. Mr. Benson then took up the appointments to standing committees. Mr. Benson noted that Ms. Nelson-Smith and Mr. Selders had committee appointments as follows: Kenyetta Nelson-Smith Chris Rogers Communications & I.T. Franz Borghardt Finance Malik Jones Golf Dawn Collins Human Resources Keisha Ceasar Planning & Park Resources Sherletha Nelson Recreation & Special Facilities Renita Marshall Zoo Larry Selders Eugene Daniel Human Resources Motion to approve by Mr. Washington Approved without objection New Business Mr. Benson read the following resolution: Resolved, That the Commission authorize the Superintendent, to execute all documents necessary for the settlement of Amanda Williams general liability claim in the amount of $5,000, as recommended by legal counsel. Motion by Mr. Dixon Adjournment Ms. Davis made a motion to adjourn and it was seconded by Mr. Pointer. The Chairman adjourned the meeting without objection at 6:54 p.m. Carolyn McKnight, Superintendent and Ex-Officio Secretary Lloyd H. Benson, Chairman BREC Commission Minutes Page 5 of 5 2/22/18