Letter of Thanks to VIP Committee

Letter from John Rodda to the Very Important Parks (VIP) committee:

Please accept my heartfelt thanks for your participation in the north Russian Jack Springs Park VIP Committee’s deliberations since January of 2011 involving over twelve hours of meeting time for each committee member as well as numerous hours outside of meetings for additional consideration. 

In addition to the 12 public meetings held during the summer of 2010, the six meetings of the VIP Committee brought valuable information to the discussion regarding needs of current and future nRJSP users:

• Meeting One – Introductions, Overview of Project Goals, Approving Committee Tenets, Existing Conditions, Identifying Stakeholders
• Meeting Two – Stakeholder Presentations
• Meeting Three – Top-5 List Presentations
• Meeting Four -  Prioritization Matrix
• Meeting Five – Supported Priority List
• Meeting Six – Review of NW Corner Concept
• Electronic Input Regarding Revision of NW Corner Concept

Throughout our nRJSP VIP deliberations there has been good public discussion and a realization by the Department that no final plan will satisfy all members of the group.

After review of all input from the Entrance Concept review, the Department has chosen to postpone major construction until next construction season.  I have directed the Project Team to proceed through the normal municipal design development process shown below with major construction planned for Spring 2012.    Upcoming public meetings for consideration of these plans are as follows:

• Consideration of Conceptual Design including Concept A2, as presented to the VIP Committee, at the Parks and Recreation Commission on July 14^th, 2011 6 PM at Spenard Community Recreation Center
• First consideration of nRJSP First Review Design at the Urban Design Commission (to be announced)
• Last consideration of nRJSP Second Review Design at the Urban Design Commission (to be announced)

To maximize and leverage improvements - In the remainder of 2011’s construction season, we will design and construct the entry driveway and adjacent pathway, leveraging improvements with the existing PRUHS contract for water and wastewater project.  In addition, the Trail Lighting will be constructed before snowfall this year and will light as much of the paved trail beginning at the North West part of the existing paved trail with the $100,000 allocated. 

The Department appreciates your willingness to be involved and thanks you for your assistance in prioritizing improvements for the north part of Russian Jack Springs Park.  Thank you for your valuable input and your service on the VIP Committee.