Ben Eastman

The board received a department budget presentation covering unfunded needs, staffing requests for Youth Sports, and budgetary adjustments for the Cemetery. Key accomplishments were reviewed across various areas, including infrastructure improvements at the Peaks Ice Arena, the Timpanogos Golf Club's conversion to an electric golf cart fleet, and successes in sports tournaments and program hosting at the Covey Center for the Arts. Additionally, the board discussed volunteer contributions, trail improvements, the renewal of the RAP Tax, and the department's successful reaccreditation. A discussion regarding security cameras in parks was postponed to a future meeting due to time constraints, as was a planned presentation on the Recreation Center.

The board reviewed the 2027 Fiscal Year RAP Arts Grant applications, noting that 23 applications were received for a total of $102,575 in requested funding. The board discussed the available funding, which currently stands at $65,000 for grants, with a potential adjustment depending on the upcoming City Council budget approval. Members decided to conduct a full review of all applications over the course of the following month to finalize decisions at the next scheduled meeting.

The board discussed the annual Capital Improvement Plan for major facility and infrastructure investments, including funding sources such as park impact fees and the Recreation, Arts, and Parks tax. Key discussion items included the strategic placement of dog parks, community arts projects including grant allocations for the library and rooftop concert series, and updates on the Provo River Trail tunnel crossing. Additionally, the board reviewed plans for the Parks and Recreation Master Plan update, playground safety and replacement strategies, and the status of several unfunded or partially funded capital projects at Fort Utah, Harmon, Kiwanis, and Epic Sports Parks. Finally, the board addressed necessary upgrades to the Peaks Ice Arena in preparation for the 2034 Winter Olympic Games.

The board conducted an election for Chair and Vice-Chair for the upcoming term. A review of the Recreation, Arts and Parks (RAP) Tax was presented, covering its recent voter renewal, the history of funding allocations, the shift in priority towards facility upgrades, and the strategic focus on arts programming and long-term infrastructure. Additionally, a status report on the Timpanogos Golf Club operations was provided, highlighting its sustainability efforts, affordability, community programming participation, and future development plans for equipment and site improvements.

The board discussed changes to the Consolidated Fee Schedule for the upcoming fiscal year, including updates to cremation options, rental rates, and sports facility fees. Key topics included a review of Recreation Center programming, formatting changes for class listings, and proposed increases for membership and daily admission fees. Additionally, the board reviewed marketing and promotional strategies for the Recreation Center, such as outreach to new homeowners, schools, and private groups to address recent revenue challenges.