Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks And Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parks director asks commissioners to fund dock installation, cabin repairs and swim‑beach study; insurance review requested
Summary
Parks staff recommended removing old docks and installing donated EasyDock slips, updating cabins (floors, beds) before listing more on Airbnb, and developing a swim‑beach plan for review by Kansas Wildlife and Parks and the county insurer before committing funds.
Sherry (Parks staff) briefed commissioners on park operations, cabins and a proposal to use donated EasyDock slips that are currently stored in the parking area. She said the county received $4,240 in revenue from a single Airbnb cabin in 2024 while six other cabins together brought about $47,155; commissioners discussed whether to expand Airbnb listings to more cabins or to rehabilitate existing cabins first.
Sherry asked permission to solicit bids for dock parts and installation; she said the parts were on hand and a prior bid for parts and installation totaled roughly $5,300 plus freight and an installation quote near $5,303 in an earlier estimate. Commissioners agreed to obtain updated parts prices and to seek competitive bids for installation because the total likely exceeds county informal‑purchase thresholds.
On cabin upgrades, Sherry and commissioners agreed to start with one cabin: have Road Department staff (Randy) provide a cost and time estimate to replace floors and refit built‑in beds so the property can be marketable for short‑term rentals. Commissioners discussed whether to buy commercial washers and dryers; they agreed to consider using an existing washer at the lower shower house for limited loads and to investigate commercial machines only if expansion proceeds.
About a proposed swim‑beach at Park Lagoon, Sean West said Kansas Wildlife and Parks received the county’s initial proposal positively but asked for a more detailed plan — including beach width, water depth, length and safety controls. Commissioners asked staff to draft a plan and to have the county’s insurance carrier review it before pursuing permitting with state agencies.
Commissioners directed staff to gather bids for dock installation, to obtain a swim‑beach plan and insurance review, and to have Randy provide cabin renovation cost estimates; staff will return with updates at a future meeting.
