The director of Manhattan Parks and Recreation announced a possible partnership between K-State and the department during the city commission meeting Tuesday.
Eddie Eastes, director of Parks and Recreation, said he wants to make indoor aquatics and recreation a communitywide issue after looking more in-depth into the proposed feasibility study.
Eastes said that given K-State’s recent troubles with the Natatorium, it is important to involve bigger organizations in the feasibility study.
“Indoor aquatics is a very complicated thing, and it’s a big issue that I feel is a community problem,” Eastes said.
Anthony Middle School, Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle School and Douglass Park are the locations that will be evaluated in the Parks and Recreation feasibility study, Eastes said. This study is split up into three basic plans that make up the department’s priorities within the study. One of those priorities is partnership.
Eastes said the steering committee on this project has already met with the Genesis Health Clubs.
“The potential for indoor aquatic and indoor recreation space exists in Genesis,” Eastes said.
The committee plans on continuing these discussions with Genesis to explore possibilities of partnership.
The feasibility study motion was carried 5-0 and the steering committee will meet April 26 to discuss the results of the study.
Mayor Karen McCulloh spoke briefly about the tax lid.
“It’s hard to maneuver when you have this artificial ceiling,” McCulloh said.
Because of the Kansas concealed carry law that goes into effect in 2017, more public areas will be required to permit guns or to increase security. Increased security would require more funds, McCulloh said.
“Cities like Manhattan are growing,” McCulloh said. “We need more firemen and we need more policemen, and frankly, residential taxes don’t cover the cost. Guard gates and the courthouse cost money to staff, and that is one reason why we are concerned about this artificial ceiling of what we can raise as far as support funds.”
Eric Cattell, City of Manhattan assistant director for planning, proposed an amendment to the sign ordinance to incorporate trivision, a type of billboard, as a form of advertising. This was not supported by two of the commissioners.
“I’ll tell you right now, I do not like this one bit,” Michael Dodson, city commissioner, said.
Commissioner Usha Reddi later said that although exceptions are sometimes made to deter friction, “we have to hold ourselves accountable when it comes to certain things.”
The proposed amendment was tabled as McCulloh said she wanted more time to think about the issue.
