PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT
The Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee meeting was held on November 9, 2004, at 12:00 p.m. with Chairman Pitts presiding. Members present were Councilmen Ruane and Hogan, and Mr. Truitt. Mr. Anderson was absent. Mayor Speed was also present.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Truitt moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Ruane and unanimously carried.
Clearview Meadows Open Space - Revised Active Recreation Plan
During their Regular Meeting of July 27, 2004, the Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee recommended approval of the Open Space plan for Clearview Meadows. Mr. Robert A. Sevensky, R.L.A. of Ramesh C. Batta Associates, P.A., provided a depiction of proposed revisions (as on file in the Office of the City Clerk) which include removing the proposed tennis court, relocating the play equipment and tot lot area, and adding a swimming pool, bathhouse, and parking lot consisting of twenty-one (21) stalls. Mr. Sevensky noted that the entrance to the parking lot would be opposite the Marta Drive intersection. He advised members that the proposed revisions would result in an increase of $159,755 in improvements. Mr. Hogan suggested that the developer consider installing a 50-foot or 25-meter pool to accommodate a neighborhood swim team. Members requested that the developer rearrange the landscaping to screen the parking lot from the residences.
Mr. Hogan moved to recommend approval of the Revised Active Recreation Plan, with the commentary of members, seconded by Mr. Truitt and unanimously carried.
Presentation - Silver Lake Commission
Mr. David Edgell, Chairman of the Silver Lake Commission, advised members that the commission was established in 1990 to address water quality issues in Silver Lake. He stated that a water quality study, which was completed in 1995, found that excess nutrient runoff is creating algae blooms in the lake, which results in poor water quality. Mr. Edgell noted that the Silver Lake Commission would like to explore alum injections as a remedy. He explained that an apparatus would inject an alum solution into the water, which would cause the phosphorous to fall from the algae and create a thin, crusty layer on the bottom of the lake which would prevent the particles from re-suspending into the water. Mr. Edgell stated that this method, which would greatly reduce the algae in the lake, has been used successfully in many areas throughout the country on lakes of varying sizes and was recommended by the Department of Natural Resources (DNREC).
Mr. Edgell advised members that the commission would like to hire a consultant to conduct a basic engineering study to determine which type of system would be necessary, where the tank and flow meter should be located, and how much it would cost to construct and operate the alum injector. He noted that in order to design and size the system, water quality measurements would need to be taken to determine the amount of nutrients in the water. Responding to Mr. Ruane, Mr. Edgell stated that funds were earmarked and available in the 21st Century Fund for Silver Lake water quality capital improvement projects. He stated that he has been told by DNREC that they would cover the cost of the consultant for the engineering analysis. Mr. Edgell noted that the average capital cost for the alum injector was between $75,000 (for a 64 acre lake) to $400,000 (for a 1,400 acre lake). He noted that Silver Lake was slightly larger than 130 acres. The operating costs range between $6,500 and $26,000 per year, with an average of $17,000. Mr. Edgell stated that more details would be provided with the study.
Mr. Ruane moved to recommend authorizing the City Manager to move forward with facilitating the issuance of a Request for Proposals and to develop a timetable for inclusion in next years budget, seconded by Mr. Hogan and unanimously carried.
Mr. Ruane moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Truitt and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 1:22 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
John W. Pitts
Chairman
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