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 May 24, 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 May 24, The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Lloyd H. Benson II, Chairman. Mr. Benson recognized Pastor Elmo Winters, Executive Director of The Kingdom Ministry, who offered the invocation. Commissioner Larry Selders led the pledge of allegiance. Roll was taken and a quorum of Commissioners was present including Larry Selders, Treasurer; Sandra Davis; Kenyetta Nelson-Smith; Kenneth Pointer; Davis Rhorer; and Rossie Washington, Jr. Commissioners Shelton Dixon and Mike Walker were absent. Staff members present were Carolyn McKnight, Superintendent; Dale Auzenne; Assistant Superintendent of Recreation, Programs and Facilities; Reed Richard, Assistant Superintendent Planning and Construction; Corey Wilson, Chief of Management and Business Services; Phil Frost; Michael Hutchison; Steven Knight; Cheryl Michelet; Brandon Smith; Justin Smith; Stephanie Trim; and Chris Marchiafava. Carl Stages, Executive Director of BREC Foundation, and Murphy Foster, legal counsel, were also in attendance. The rest of the audience consisted of other BREC staff, media, and the general public. Public Comment Mr. Benson opened the floor for public comment on the agenda action items. He asked if there was anyone 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 April 26, 2018 be dispensed with, and that they be approved as written. Motion to approve by Mr. Selders Second by Mr. Washington The motion was unanimously approved. Consent Calendar Resolved, That the Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge does hereby approve the Consent Calendar items. Motion to approve by Ms. Davis Second by Mr. Rhorer 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 May BREC Commission Minutes Page 1 of 6 5/24/18

2 Presentations The Commission viewed a brief video highlighting the grand opening of phase one of the renovations of the Independence Park Botanical Gardens and upcoming events in June. Mr. Benson recognized Commissioner Nelson-Smith regarding the presentation by Councilmember Chauna Banks. Commissioner Nelson-Smith asked to defer the item to the next Commission meeting. There was no objection to the request to defer. Reports of Officers and Standing Committees Mr. Benson recognized Ms. McKnight for the Superintendent s Report. Ms. McKnight recognized Reed Richard who provided information on the first item under Administrative Matters. He then read the following resolution: Resolved, That the Commission approve the application titled, BREC CAPP Trail, Essen Lane Bridge to OLOL, for grant funds from FHWA Recreational Trails Program for Louisiana as established by CFDA Motion to approve by Mr. Selders Second by Mr. Rhorer Approved with no objection Mr. Richard gave a brief explanation of this item and answered questions from the Commission. He then read the following resolution: Resolved, That the Commission approve the application titled, BREC CAPP Trail Dijon Drive to Essen Bridge, for grant funds from FHWA Recreational Trails Program for Louisiana as established by CFDA Motion to approve by Mr. Rhorer Second by Mr. Selders Mr. Richard gave a brief explanation of this item and read the following resolution: Resolved, That the Commission approve the Recreational Right of Use and Servitude Agreement between BREC and General Health System for a portion of BREC s Wards Creek Trail Extension from Bluebonnet Boulevard to future Midway Drive; authorize the Superintendent to execute the necessary documents. Motion by Mr. Selders Second by Mr. Washington Mr. Rhorer asked Mr. Richard about the maintenance of the trails. Mr. Richard stated that currently the Park Operations Department takes care of the grass alongside the trails. He stated that as the network builds BREC will have to reach out to partners and potentially DPW. Mr. Richard stated that one of the goals of the master plan is to discuss the long-range issues such as maintenance. Ms. McKnight asked Mr. Richard to give the construction update. Mr. Rhorer asked Mr. Richard if BREC had been contacted regarding the effect on Expressway Park of the Terrace Street exit project. Mr. Richard stated that he was working closely with DOTD environmental department who is working on the planning phases of the interstate widening project. BREC Commission Minutes Page 2 of 6 5/24/18

3 Mr. Benson asked about the possibility of getting shade sails at North Sherwood or Howell Parks. Mr. Richard stated that BREC is looking at including shade sails in a second phase and possibly getting funding from an organization similar to the LSO Foundation. Mr. Benson stated that he would like to see shade sails at North Sherwood and Howell Parks by the summer of Mr. Benson recognized Mr. Selders for the Finance Advisory Committee report. Mr. Selders asked Michael Hutchison, Finance Director, to review the items. Mr. Hutchinson reviewed the executive summary and then read the following resolution: Resolved, That the Commission accept the unaudited financial statements for the four months ending April 30, 2018 (fiscal year-to-date period January 1 April 30, 2018), as presented. Motion to approve by Mr. Selders Second by Mr. Rhorer Approved without objection Mr. Selders mentioned that there was an upcoming surplus sale and a list of items was provided. Mr. Benson recognized Ms. Davis for the Human Resources Advisory Committee report. Ms. Davis asked Stephanie Trim, Human Resources Director, to provide information about the item needing approval. Ms. Trim introduced David Noland, Senior Risk Manager, who explained the item and read the following resolution: Resolved, That the Commission approve the Occupational Health and Safety Management System. Motion by Mr. Selders Second by Ms. Davis Mr. Benson recognized Mr. Washington for the Recreation and Special Facilities Advisory Committee report. Mr. Washington asked Dale Auzenne to review the item. Mr. Auzenne gave a brief explanation of the purpose of the cooperative endeavor with the Council on Aging (COA) and then read the following resolution. Resolved, That the Commission approve the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between BREC and the Council on Aging for use of the space to conduct certain activities at select BREC Recreation Centers at Antioch Park, Baker Park, Highland Road Community Park, Perkins Road Community Park, Flanacher Park, Ben Burge Park, Forest Community Park and other locations, with written approval from BREC, from May 24, 2018 to January 31, Mr. Auzenne answered Commission s questions the regarding the sites and how the space would be allocated if there were others requesting use of the facilities listed. Mr. Auzenne explained that the sites listed either have multiple rooms or the sites are not being utilized during the time COA would be using them. After an extended discussion Mr. Selders made a motion to approve the resolution, Mr. Pointer seconded, and the motion was approved without objection. Mr. Benson recognized Mr. Pointer for the Selection of Professionals Committee report. Mr. Pointer stated that the committee had approved deferring the item until next meeting. Special Orders Mr. Benson then took up the appointments to standing committees as follows: BREC Commission Minutes Page 3 of 6 5/24/18

4 Lloyd H. Benson II Dwayne Murray Barbee Pipes William Bates Donald Green Earl Doomes Mazie Doomes Sandy Davis Todd Cooper Cody Jackson Austin Lindsay John B. Firmin Tim Gaines André Prejean Barry Heil Communications & I.T. Finance Human Resources Planning & Park Resources Recreation & Special Facilities Zoo Communications & I.T. Finance Golf Human Resources Planning & Park Resources Recreation & Special Facilities Zoo Mike Walker Bob Johannessen Communications & I.T. Leslie Hamilton Finance Hal Butt Golf Leslie Nickels Human Resources Sean Marcantel Planning & Park Resources James Tatman, Jr. Recreation & Special Facilities Al Jarreau Zoo Motion to approve by Ms. Nelson-Smith Second by Mr. Pointer Approved without objection Unfinished Business The Chairman stated that the next item of business was to hold a public hearing and adopt an ordinance to levy the ad valorem tax millages for the 2018 parish-wide assessment roll for Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge for general operations and capital improvements. Mr. Benson opened the public hearing and asked if anyone would like to speak, hearing none, he closed the public hearing. Mr. Selders moved that the ordinance be adopted. The motion to adopt the ordinance was seconded by Mr. Rhorer. The ordinance provides as follows: ORDINANCE Ad Valorem Tax Levy BE IT ORDAINED by the Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge (the Commission ), in legal session convened, as follows: There are hereby levied in the Parish of East Baton Rouge, the following described ad valorem tax millages on the 2018 tax roll on all property subject to taxation by the Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge: BREC Commission Minutes Page 4 of 6 5/24/18

5 a tax authorized by the electorate in a special election conducted October 28, 1947, under the authority of Article 14, Section 3(b) of the 1921 Louisiana Constitution; ratified by Article 6, Section 31; for operations and maintenance; and a tax authorized by the electorate in a special election conducted June 22, 1954, under the authority of Article 14, Section 3(b) of the 1921 Louisiana Constitution; ratified by Article 6, Section 31; for operations and maintenance; and a tax authorized by the electorate in a special election conducted November 2, 2004, under the authority of Section B of Title 33 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended; to purchase, acquire, construct, develop, improve, operate and maintain public parks, playgrounds and recreational properties and facilities; and a tax authorized by the electorate in a special election conducted April 5, 2014, for operations and maintenance and capital improvements; and a tax authorized by the electorate in a special election conducted April 5, 2014, to provide funds for maintaining and operating its public parks, recreational properties, and facilities and making available funds for the operating budget; and a tax authorized by the electorate in an election conducted November 8, 2016, to provide funds for maintaining and operating the public parks, recreational properties, and facilities and making available funds for the operating budget; and 0.63 mills 0.42 mills mills 4.10 Mills 2.10 mills 3.96 mills the foregoing making a total tax of fourteen and four hundred sixty three one-thousandths (14.463) mills on the dollar of assessed valuation to meet the established liabilities and expenses of the Commission used in acquiring, developing, maintaining and operating the public parks and recreational properties and facilities of the Commission and in making available funds for the operating budget, all as provided for in the respective propositions approved by the voters in the special tax elections above referred to. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the proper administrative officials of the Parish of East Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana, be and they are hereby empowered, authorized, and directed to spread said taxes, as hereinabove set forth, upon the assessment roll of said Parish for the year 2018, and to make the collection of the taxes imposed for and on behalf of the taxing authority, according to law, and that the taxes herein levied shall become a permanent lien and privilege on all property subject to taxation as herein set forth, and collection thereof shall be enforceable in the manner provided by law. The above and foregoing ordinance was submitted to a roll call vote for adoption, and the ordinance was adopted by the following votes: YEAS: 7 Mr. Benson, Ms. Davis, Mr. Pointer, Mr. Rhorer, Mr. Selders, Ms. Nelson-Smith, Mr. Washington NAYS: 0 BREC Commission Minutes Page 5 of 6 5/24/18

6 ABSTAINED: 0 ABSENT: 2 Mr. Dixon, Mr. Walker The foregoing ordinance was signed and approved by the Chairman, attested by the Superintendent and Ex-Officio Secretary and declared to be adopted on this the 24 th day of May, 2018 Attest: /s/ Carolyn McKnight Carolyn McKnight Superintendent and Ex-Officio Secretary /s/ Lloyd H. Benson II Lloyd H. Benson II, Chairman New Business Mr. Benson announced that an executive session will be held pursuant to LSA-R.S. 42:17(A)(2), for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to litigation in the following matter: Gabriel McAdams vs. BREC and David Mack 19th Judicial District Court Parish of East Baton Rouge No Section 23 Motor vehicle accident judgment Mr. Selders made a motion to go into executive session Mr. Rhorer seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. Mr. Selders made a motion to go into executive session, Mr. Rhorer seconded and the motion was unanimously approved. The Chairman recessed the meeting to go into executive session. The Commission returned and Mr. Selders made a motion to reconvene, Mr. Pointer seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved. The Chairman reconvened the meeting at 6:32 p.m. Mr. Pointer made a motion to allow Murphy Foster to contact the plaintiff s attorney in the case discussed in executive session to allow him to try and resolve the matter. Second by Mr. Selders Adjournment Ms. Davis made a motion to adjourn and it was seconded by Mr. Walker. Mr. Benson adjourned the meeting without objection at 6:33 p.m. Carolyn McKnight, Superintendent and Ex-Officio Secretary Lloyd H. Benson II, Chairman BREC Commission Minutes Page 6 of 6 5/24/18