Kentwood Committees & Boards
Parks & Recreation Commission (Back to index)
Minutes for 1/10/2011

Kentwood Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting
January 10th, 2011 - 5:15 PM

Roll Call: Kevin Small, Steve Redmond, Bob Jones, Carolyn Oliver, Darius Quinn and Mimi Madden.
Absent with Notification: Dale Potter, Bob Coughlin, and Laura Johnson

Staff: Charlie Ziesemer, Parks & Recreation Director, Kendall Klingelsmith, Deputy Director.

Visitors: None

1) Fund Raising Initiative
Kendall highlighted the various fundraising programs that will occur in the next few months. The Fireworks and Independence Celebration are the key components of the initiatives. The first “kick back” fundraiser will be at On the Border on Tuesday night (Jan. 11th). Other projects include: kickbacks at On the Border, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Peppinos; luncheon fundraiser at Texas Roadhouse; Super Bowl party at Ramada with food from Old Chicago; Jet’s Pizza promotion; and
dinner and a movie packages with Showcase Cinemas and Peppinos. A golf outing (partnering with Rotary) is scheduled for this spring.

2) Recreation Department Update
o Jaycee Park Plan is scheduled to be ready to go out this week. Phil said he would have it ready for review so that bids can go out this winter or spring (if that is more preferable to get the architectural feedback).
o Youth Basketball sign-ups are down. Competition with other programs has happened in the last few years.
o City Bike Plan Committee will be formed to look at future projects and the overall vision of non-motorized trails in Kentwood.
o A State wide survey involving 26 departments in Michigan have shown that overall budgets are down, but in general program participation is the same or up. It’s a general consensus that departments are doing the same or more with less money. Four communities have passed a dedicated milllage for recreation programming.
o Stanaback Mountain Bike Trail will be discussed by the Commission this winter.
o CDBG Funds are being designated for the East West Trail, from Stauffer to Breton. Another phase, from Kalamazoo to Paul Henry will be scheduled in 2013.

3) Commissioner’s Report
Quinn: Will be glad to distribute fundraising initiative information at the basketball games on
Saturday.

Meeting adjourned at 5:45 PM.