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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - March 27, 2025, Regular Meeting of the Ames Parks and Recreation Commission MinutesCITY OF AMES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DATE March 27, 2025 COMMISSION PRESENT ABSENT Jeff White STAFF Keith Abraham, Joshua Thompson 1. CALL TO ORDER: 4:01 PM 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: (Reeves/Iles) to approve the February 20, 2025, meeting minutes. MOTION PASSED: (5-0) 3. PUBLIC FORUM None 4. MOTION APPROVING THE JAYCEES REQUEST TO: Ames Jaycees’ request to use Bandshell Park for the 2025 Ames on the Half Shell event is like previous requests, Abraham reported. Rental fee options were discussed when staff met with Ames Jaycees representatives in late 2024. Staff could not justify further fee reductions. Reeves asked if fee concerns might suggest Ames Jaycees will consider relocating the event to the CYTown “Cylo” amphitheater. Abraham indicated that has not been communicated to City staff. Bandshell Park is a great venue for the event, and similar attendance numbers at CYTown would not fill the venue. Abraham pointed out the existing arrangement with Ames Jaycees is mutually agreeable, and the concert proceeds are returned to the community in various ways. MOTION: (Iles/Rathe) to recommend Alternative 1, which states: Approve the Jaycees’ request to: a. Sponsor “Ames on the Half Shell” utilizing Bandshell Park on five Fridays between May 30 and June 27, with the band playing from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, ending no later than 8:30 PM, and teardown by 9:30 PM; and b. Recommend City Council approve alcohol sales at Bandshell Park on five Fridays between May 30 and June 27, between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM, consumed at ground level within a fenced-in area, with the area cleared no later than 9:00 PM or the fence removal, whichever comes first, and City Council require the Jaycees to obtain a State liquor license to comply with local and State liquor laws; and c. Waive the Jaycees payment of $1.00 per ticket sold and 10% of gross food and beverage sales. MOTION PASSED: (5-0) 2 5. MOTION RECOMMENDING CITY COUNCIL APPROVE NAMING RIGHTS OF THE MINI- PITCH PROJECT AT LLOYD KURTZ PARK At its November 12, 2024, meeting, City Council directed staff to secure funding to reduce the City’s commitment for a mini-pitch installation at Lloyd Kurtz Park. Following contract awarding at the December 10, 2024, City Council meeting, staff successfully solicited donor funds, Abraham reported, with Central Iowa Bank, Draintech, and Greater Iowa Credit Union each responding with $1,500 bench donation commitments. Kurt and Sindy Friedrich pledged $50,000 for rights to name the mini-pitch amenity “The Friedrich Pitch.” This donation represents 14 percent of the project cost. Staff believes the request fits with the Parks and Recreation Naming Policy, Friedrich Realty is a reputable company, and the Friedrich family are outstanding citizens with daughters who grew up playing soccer in Ames. MOTION: (Rathe/Iles) to recommend Alternative 1, which states: Recommend City Council approve the request to name the Mini-Pitch located in Lloyd Kurtz Park ”The Friedrich Pitch.” MOTION PASSED: (5-0) 6. MOTION APPROVING THE YOUTH VOLLEYBALL CAMPS AGREEMENT WITH AMES HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL PROGRAM FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2025 This agreement with Ames High School Volleyball (AHSVB) regarding indoor and sand volleyball camps is brought to the Commission annually. Abraham explained AHSVB provides instruction and retains 70 percent of program fees, while the City retains 30 percent of paid fees for assisting with promotion, registrations, and payments. Abraham described the agreement as a win-win for two organizations that reach more people by partnering. MOTION: (Tapp/Iles) to recommend Alternative 1, which states: Approve the Youth Volleyball Campus Agreement with Ames High School Volleyball program for calendar year 2025. MOTION PASSED: (5-0) 7. MICROMOBILITY UPDATE Abraham summarized City Council micromobility discussions spanning several years. Last October, City Council instructed staff to develop a micromobility ordinance. Staff was looking for direction from City Council and topics for consideration were discussed at the meeting held March 11, 2025. Concerns arose about park-specific issues, with Council making recommendations for a micromobility ordinance including streets, sidewalks – i.e., all but parks. Council directed the Parks and Recreation Commission to include micromobility in any Commission consideration of park rules and ordinance changes. Abraham reviewed the standard e-bicycle classification system. He referenced comments made at the March 11 City Council meeting by Ronn Ritz, owner of Skunk River Cycles. Ritz stresses how fast the user should go, not how fast the device can go. Staff recommends a 10 MPH limit within parks, maybe less in certain areas with safety being the key consideration. Abraham reviewed micromobility definitions and Ames Municipal Code Chapter 4: Bicycles ordinance, noting it does not currently include personal transportation devices. Also reviewed: where to allow devices; speed limits; State of Iowa code; code from other Iowa communities, as well as out-of-state examples; and various exceptions. 3 Abraham noted two upcoming public meetings, one to educate the public on the Ada Hayden Heritage Park trail widening project (April 1) and another to gather public input on park rules and ordinance changes (April 2). Staff will also develop a survey to gather a more representative community response. Abraham indicated staff will return with recommendations but also seeks Commission feedback on park rule and/or ordinance updates regarding personal transportation devices in parks. A draft updated ordinance will be brought to City Council soon. 8. PARK RULES AND ORDINANCES DISCUSSION Iles asked how the City would enforce micromobility ordinances. Abraham acknowledged it would be difficult and would require self-enforcement, or perhaps installation of radar speed signs in some areas. Staff struggles with the idea of implementing an ordinance it knows will not be enforced. Cady stated a ban of e-bikes or e-scooters in parks would be short-sighted. Users should be mindful when encountering other traffic on shared use paths. She stressed the importance of educating community members about general trail and roadway safety, and noted new technology is sometimes abused. More separated infrastructure and/or wider paths would help. [Shimanek joined the meeting at 4:42 PM.] Reeves and Cady discussed e-bicycle and performance/speed variations. Abraham observed e-bikes may enable individuals to get out and enjoy the outdoors, something they may not be able to do without it. Cady related personal experiences following a car accident and how her e-bike provided valuable assistance. Reeves asked if it would be possible to create rules for specific personal transportation devices. Abraham said the Commission may examine any situation and make specific recommendations about problems and solutions to ensure public safety within the park system. Shimanek stated enforcing speed on trails is impossible. He agreed with the focus on prioritizing safety and commented something going 30 MPH next to someone walking is not safe. Tam Lorenz, 311 S Maple AVE, spoke about concerns with Brookside Park. Her presence there has decreased in recent years not because of her ability but because it is “more of a stressor than a pleasure to be there.” She urged the Commission to recommend to City Council reducing the allowed distance between trainers and a dog from 90 feet to 12 feet. Cady asked if requiring leashes when on a trail should be a consideration. Lorenz spoke about well-trained service animals versus untrained dogs. Her other source of stress is cyclists dominating shared use paths by speeding, making walking on paths sometimes frightening, especially when it may be hard to hear bikes coming. She asked the Commission to set a speed limit of 5 to 10 MPH and to require brakes, pointing out it is not just as issue of how fast one can go but how fast one can stop. Lorenz suggested additional speed limit signage, widening paths to provide separation from pedestrians, and further education to develop etiquette to make parks safer for all users. 9. ADA HAYDEN BOAT RENTALS MEMO For 20 years, JAX Outdoor Gear provided weekend boat rentals at Ada Hayden Heritage Park. This year, Abraham reported, JAX Outdoor Gear does not have adequate staff to support these rentals but will continue to rent boats from its store. Abraham thanked JAX Outdoor Gear for a wonderful partnership spanning many years. 4 Staff researched self-serve rental options, however the required capital outlay is not budgeted. If this were pursued and funded, Abraham indicated self-serve rentals could commence in 2026 and be available daily and for more of the year than the weekends-only from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day rental schedule used by JAX Outdoor Gear. Cady asked if it would be possible to continue the partnership if the City purchased equipment needed for storage and checkout, with JAX Outdoor Gear maintaining the watercraft. Abraham indicated that would duplicate some of what JAX Outdoor Gear already does, and would also require City capital, storage, and additional City staffing. The self-serve rental option would include maintenance by the rental company. Abraham pointed out it is possible JAX Outdoor Gear may wish to resume weekend boat rentals in the future. [Abraham requested moving Agenda Items 11 and 12 ahead of Agenda Item 10.] 11. PROJECT UPDATES a. Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center Abraham summarized construction progress, noting: walls and steel up, roofs almost complete, some electrical conduit and ductwork up, pool basin digging beginning soon, and plans underway for work on non-natatorium areas. Change orders are minimal. The substantial completion and facility opening dates moved to January and March 2026, respectively. Story Construction and RDG Planning & Design staff will explain the substantial completion date change at an in-person City Council update scheduled for April 2025. b. Steven L. Schainker Plaza Everything Ice and Trane recently tested chiller equipment used to produce ice for the plaza skating ribbon feature. Concerns arose about the consistency of the ice, with some ice being brittle and other areas soft. Additional tests are planned. Abraham indicated the ice-skating surface remains a big concern. Staff asked Henkel Construction to provide an updated punch list and timeline for completion of other construction and landscaping items. Next week Fountain Tech will test the spray pad. When all necessary information is available, City Council will decide about opening the rest of the plaza if the ice ribbon is not done. Iles asked if there is a warranty for the plant materials. Thompson said one year. c. Agility Course at Carr Park Dirt is being moved, Abraham said, and the site is being prepared for equipment installation. Thompson indicated the project will be completed by the end of May. d. Daley Park Splash Pad Abraham indicated staff plans to get a request for proposals for equipment and installation out within the next week. On April 22, plans and specifications for the rest of the project will be brought to City Council for consideration. e. Park Maintenance Facility Expansion Project This project includes renovations to the existing maintenance building along with construction of additional cold storage. Plans and specifications for this project will also go to City Council on April 22. Abraham reported the cost opinion for this project exceeds available funding, while costs for the Daley Park Splash Pad are less than available funding. Staff anticipates these cost savings will be available to cover the funding shortfall for the maintenance building project. 5 f. Parks and Recreation Administration Office Renovation Building improvements completed during the past eight months include structural changes to repurpose space, painting, and restroom renovations. Abraham said visitors notice the improvements. New furniture will arrive by early June. 12. MONTHLY REPORT Thompson reported the following:  A Conservation Corps of Iowa/Minnesota crew and City staff removed woody vegetation at Ada Hayden Heritage Park. This work was funded by Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park, Abraham added.  Fish habitat was installed in the north lake of Ada Hayden Heritage Park by Ames Anglers, volunteers, and the Iowa DNR and City staff. This was the second habitat installation. 10. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION FOR 2025/26 a. New Members Commissioners Isles and Rathe were reappointed, both to serve three-year terms. Hannah Sappenfield joins the Commission in April 2025 and will serve a one-year term. b. Sarah Cady Cady concluded eight years on the Commission. Abraham thanked her for serving and contributing and presented thank-you gifts. Cady narrated a presentation highlighting projects, ribbon cuttings, and milestones from years she served. Cady expressed pride in project accomplishments and thanked staff and commissioners for a great experience. 13. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS Reeves thanked Cady for her commitment to public service, steady presence, and for being an advocate for the Parks and Recreation Commission, the community, and for parks. 14. NEXT MEETING: Thursday, April 17, 2025, 4:00 PM (Regular Meeting) 15. ADJOURNMENT MOTION (Reeves) to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 5:37 PM.