Bettendorf Park Board Minutes 10/20/04

MINUTES
BETTENDORF PARK BOARD

OCTOBER 20, 2004

The Bettendorf Park Board held a regular meeting on October 20, 2004 at City Hall in the Council Chambers at 7:00 pm.

Present: Kamp, Makoben, Beckman, Gackle, Glenn
Absent: None

Chairman Kamp opened the meeting to anyone present to address the Board regarding any item of interest that does not appear on the Agenda.

On motion by Beckman, seconded by Glenn, that the minutes of the special meeting held on September 14, 2004 and the regular meeting held on September 15, 2004 be approved and placed on file for future reference.

Roll call on motion: Ayes: Kamp, Makoben, Beckman, Gackle and Glenn
Nays: None

Randy Stein, Mid-American Energy, presented a check to the Park Board in the amount of $5,000.00 for the Field Sike Greenway Project.

Chairman Kamp opened the public hearing to review the placement of a cellular tower in Pigeon Creek Park. The public hearing notice was published in the Bettendorf News on October 14, 2004. The Affidavit of Publication is annex #1 to these minutes.

Kris Clements, 14328 250th N., Cordova, IL 61242, building a house in the 2700 block of Marigold Lane, expressed her concerns about disrupting the natural area aesthetics, disrupting the bald eagles nesting area, and migratory birds running into the tower.

Steve Grimes informed the public about the ordinance requiring cellular communication companies to look at public sites before they can pursue placing towers on private property. Greg Jager explained the City Council has attempted to minimize the number of towers within the city by giving companies incentives to co-locate. He also discussed the receipt and use of rental fees. Steve Grimes addressed the fact that an environmental assessment would not be done until the company knows the city is interested.

Art Purdy, 6925 Schutters Lane, Bettendorf, asked what criterion were used to exempt some parks from cell tower placement. Chairman Kamp stated some items considered were the size of the park, proximity to recreation activities and housing. Pigeon Creek Park was considered as a possibility because it is located next to an industrial zoned area.
Mr. Purdy also expressed his concerns about aesthetics and wildlife impact.

Mary June Brown, 2870 Marigil Lane, Bettendorf, read her letter, which is annex #2 to these minutes. She asked if the state had been consulted since Pigeon Creek Park had been developed with REAP money. She stated the DNR is supposed to be looking at the situation and getting an Attorney Generalís opinion on it. She expressed her concerns over impact on both vegetation and wildlife.

Sandra Foster Miller, 2800 Marigil Lane, Bettendorf, expressed her concerns about the environment and ecology, and future generations having natural areas. She asked when a decision would be made. Greg Jager explained that at this time there is no finished document between the city and the company, therefore, there would not be a decision tonight.

Jerry Neff, Chairman of the Eagleview Group of the Sierra Club, 18144 242nd Avenue, Pleasant Valley, 52767, expressed his understanding that if the city turns down the tower, it could possibly be placed right next to the park on private property. He also shared his concerns about the tower being placed in the park.

Kris Clements asked what the initial rental for the space would be. Greg Jager explained that the suggested fee was $1,500, that subsequent users be charged the same fee, and that the city should share equitably in the rents with any subsequent users. She provided studies concerning tower kill for the board to review, which are annex #3 to these minutes.

Written correspondence included the letter from Mary June and Don E. Brown, which was read previously. The second letter from Mrs. Maurice Round, 2905 Marigil Lane, was read by Chairman Kamp, and is annex #4 to these minutes.

Chairman Kamp closed the public hearing.

On motion by Glenn, seconded by Beckman to take no action at this time on the placement of a cellular tower at Pigeon Creek Park

Roll call on motion: Ayes: Kamp, Makoben, Beckman, Gackle and Glenn
Nays: None

Commissioner Makoben requested the citizens present be notified of future considerations on the matter.

The financial and operation reports for September 2004 are annex #5 to these minutes.

Ken Koehler, Park Ambassador volunteer coordinator, presented a report on the Park Ambassador program. This was the third year for the volunteer program which is funded through Ameri-Corp. The 12 volunteers provide eyes and ears for the police department, answer questions and provide information. They put in over 960 volunteer hours this year. He made suggestions for the future. Commissioner Makoben thanked Ken. The report is annex #6 to these minutes.

The following items appeared on the consent agenda and were enacted by one motion:

On motion by Gackle, seconded by Beckman, to receive and file the thank you from Velocity Skate. The thank you is annex #7.

On motion by Gackle, seconded by Beckman, to approve the request from Kim Blake for sleepovers at the Community Center. The request is annex #8 to these minutes.

On motion by Gackle, seconded by Beckman, to approve the request from Gina Holles for the Girl Scout Dreams to Reality event.. The request is annex #9 to these minutes.

On motion by Gackle, seconded by Beckman, to approve the request from Deb Herbers to place a memorial tree and plaque at Leach Park. The request is annex #10 to these minutes.

On motion by Gackle, seconded by Beckman, to approve the request from Joetta Goettsch to place a memorial bench and plaque at Middle Park. The request is annex #11 to these minutes.

On motion by Gackle, seconded by Beckman, to approve Resolution #17-04 for the proposal from Fisher Lawn Care. The resolution is annex #12 to these minutes.

On motion by Gackle, seconded by Beckman, to receive and file the Park Foundation minutes for August 2004 and September 2004, and the Financial Report for August 2004. The minutes and report are annex #13 to these minutes.

On motion by Gackle, seconded by Beckman, to approve Resolution #18-04 for General Asphalt repair of cart path at Palmer Hills Golf Course. The Resolution is annex #14 to these minutes.

Roll call on motion: Ayes: Kamp, Makoben, Beckman, Gackle and Glenn
Nays: None

Greg Jager informed the Board that he did not get a response on the cell tower matter. Work continues on acquiring the last parcels necessary for the River Drive Recreation Trail. Commissioner Gackle asked about the private property signs along that area.

Steve Grimes updated the board on the progress of the Recreation Trail from I-74 to Duck Creek.

Commissioner Makoben mentioned he picked up information at the NRPA conference that he plans to assemble and give to staff, mostly concerning programs for senior citizens. Chairman Kamp also picked up information at the conference regarding golf courses, and he plans to get that to staff.

On motion by Makoben, seconded by Beckman, the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 pm.
Kamp (Chairman)

Makoben (Vice Chairman)