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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - July 17, 2025, Regular Meeting of the Ames Parks and Recreation CommissionCITY OF AMES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DATE July 17, 2025 COMMISSION PRESENT Jeff Iles, Duane Reeves, Hannah Sappenfield, Nathan Shimanek ABSENT Janet Rathe, Debra Tapp, Jeff White STAFF Keith Abraham, Courtney Kort, Joshua Thompson, Katie Todd 1. CALL TO ORDER: 4:01 PM 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: (Reeves/Iles) to approve the May 15, 2025, and June 19, 2025, meeting minutes. MOTION PASSED: (4-0) 3. PUBLIC FORUM None 4. INTRODUCTION OF KATIE TODD, RECREATION MANAGER On June 23, 2025, Todd joined the Parks and Recreation Department as Recreation Manager - Youth & Adult Activities. Todd spoke about her interest in recreation activities and background at Iowa State University, where she served for three years as Senior Coordinator of Aquatics and Youth Programs. She previously worked as a Recreation Supervisor for the City of Ankeny. 5. MOTION RECOMMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE THE FRIENDS OF ADA HAYDEN HERITAGE PARK REQUEST TO WAIVE ENFORCEMENT OF PROHIBITION OF MOTORIZED VEHICLES IN ADA HAYDEN HERITAGE PARK Abraham reviewed previous requests regarding use of golf carts to provide rides around Ada Hayden Heritage Park for mobility impaired individuals. He clarified that the Commission does not have authority to waive an ordinance but can recommend City Council do so. The planned tour schedule includes a special tour for the Commission and City Council. Due to shared use path replacement construction activities underway at the same time, the golf cart tours will focus on areas along the Upland Trail portion of the park, which will remain open. Shimanek stated he has heard nothing but positive comments over years tours have occurred. MOTION: (Iles/Sappenfield) to recommend Alternative 1, which states: Recommend City Council waive enforcement of Ordinance 19.9 on Wednesday, September 10 (9:00 AM - 8:00 PM) and Thursday, September 11 (9:00 AM - 4:00 PM) at Ada Hayden Heritage Park to allow the Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park to provide golf cart tours to mobility impaired individuals. MOTION PASSED: (4-0) 2 6. DEER HUNTING IN MUNN WOODS AND EMMA McCARTHY LEE PARK Abraham provided background on concerns about heightened deer population and the impact on residents and property. Issues include: damage to trees/plants/gardens; fencing, some unattractive and/or non-code compliant; potential increase in vehicle/deer crashes; and greater disease risk. A City Council request was referred to Police, who manage urban deer hunting. Chief of Police Huff indicated the matter should go to the Parks and Recreation Commission for review and to recommend City Council action. Abraham encouraged commissioners to receive initial public input but not make conclusions from a small sample. He suggested staff could take Commission direction to solicit more public input through the weekly email newsletter distributed to 12,000 park users and/or written information sent specifically to residents near or adjacent to Munn Woods. These efforts would help inform the Commission’s decision at its August meeting. Iles asked if deer roundup occurred before. Abraham indicated retired Chief of Police Cychosz started the urban deer hunting program 15-20 years ago. Deer hunting is allowed in certain areas of the park system and other public property during the established Iowa DNR hunting season and during specified hours. Abraham reported only 30 percent of available deer hunting permits are issued and, of those, only 30 percent are successful, which does not make a dent in the growing deer population. The problem is addressed in other ways elsewhere—e.g., snipers, immunocontraception—and sometimes Chronic Wasting Disease affects the deer population. Sappenfield asked if information about alternative solutions would be included in public outreach efforts. Abraham said if the Commission directs staff to conduct a survey, staff would ask for specific questions commissioners want answered to help with its decision. Reeves and Abraham discussed how deer hunting in the Munn Woods area would be different than other established hunting areas because of homes adjacent to one or more sides of the hunting area. Abraham said no real delineation of property lines could also be a concern. Shimanek wondered if it would useful to ask the Iowa DNR for help measuring deer population densities. He also pointed out with Jax Outdoor Gear closing, a resource for hunting proficiency testing would be gone. Abraham replied that perhaps Izaak Walton League would be interested in taking on proficiency testing. Chief of Police Huff supports a wintertime flyover to calculate deer population density, he added, as this has not been done recently. Reeves asked if the deer problems open the question of needing a broader plan to manage urban wildlife. He cited complaints about geese, as an example. Abraham noted Ames has a great resource in Iowa State University wildlife experts. Staff could reach out to other Iowa communities to learn if others do wildlife management planning, Thompson added. Max Rothschild, 511 Oliver Circle, a 45-year Ames resident, believes the deer population has increased “ten thousand-fold” over the 30-plus years he has lived on Oliver Circle. Where before one deer would be seen in a month, now deer are present daily – the Rothschilds observe herds of 15-25 deer in winter months – and have become “a terrible, costly, problem that ruins the neighborhood.” The Rothschilds gave up planting their backyard. Some neighbors responded to deer damaging plants with “ugly, ineffective fences.” He proposed bow hunting, a solution he views as considerably safer, as part of a two-step process: reduce deer numbers and then use some means to control reproduction. He commented on gathering survey data, noting the large survey area and advising if responses are not weighted it would be unfair to residents living closest to the deer. In contrast to the geese problem, he said, there are no natural enemies to deer in the area and nothing to control the population besides vehicles. 3 James Bernau, 3511 Oakland Street, spoke about the expense and frustration of being unable to protect property from damage. He suggested using White Buffalo, a professional deer culling service who would bring advantages of experience and liability insurance, benefits that may make neighbors more receptive to hunting as a solution. He encouraged including information about professional hunting in the public survey under consideration to help educate residents. Bernau indicated a willingness to contribute to the cost of hiring professional hunters to come in and help manage the deer population. Coming home in the evening to ten deer in a yard is not what Bernau expects living in an urban environment. Kathy Schnable, 3629 Woodland Street, stated that the deer population is not only unpleasant for property owners but harmful to Munn Woods because deer damage new trees. She believes the City is responsible as the land manager to protect the forest ecosystem from an uncontrolled deer population, a threat to the forest perhaps as great as climate change, or even greater. Iles stated he sensed urgency and a need to work quickly. He expressed worry about statistics and surveys, counting respondents equally, slow process, and perhaps giving disproportionate weight to those who happen to like deer in the landscape. Abraham indicated the goal would be to develop a survey and have it open for approximately two weeks. He agreed with Iles that it can be a challenge to find the right answer, to balance opposing views. Reeves spoke about living west of Munn Woods and how the deer may simply move to his area. He mentioned neighbors with beautiful landscaping who bought their homes liking the idea of deer in the woods. He suggested taking a pragmatic approach and supported the idea of using skilled hunters. He added that he is nervous about rushing to action and “stepping on a balloon” – i.e., solving a problem in one area but moving the problem elsewhere. Bernau stated he could construct a fence around his property but does not wish to be isolated. Reeves stressed compromise and perspective, with everyone having one vote. He reiterated support for professional hunters. Bernau stated underutilized deer hunting permits shows people do not want to jump through hoops to do the deer management offered in Ames, that the program is not working as intended. Abraham clarified the City’s urban deer management plan is bow hunting only. Rothschild stated they love to see deer but not every day on their property. Front fences in Ames may be no more than four feet high and are easily jumped by deer. A rear fence may be six feet tall, which protects property but also obstructs the enjoyable view of the woods. Rothschild does not wish to get rid of deer. He seeks a pragmatic approach aimed at the middle ground—reduction, not elimination. Sappenfield expressed concern about rushing a survey or other communication, hoping to avoid entrenchment in one position or another, making sure the context is spelled out thoroughly, and that alternatives are communicated and understood. She encouraged staff to do research and provide context in public outreach efforts. MOTION (Sappenfield, with friendly amendment by Reeves; seconded by Iles): Direct staff to gather more information from the public and professional stakeholders, and to look for alternatives for deer population management. MOTION PASSED: (4-0) 4 7. DISCUSS PARK POLICIES SURVEY RESULTS Abraham provided background on a recent park policies survey intended to gather feedback on park user experiences, needs, and public safety. Staff will use Commission direction and data from nearly 1,400 respondents to guide policy recommendations staff will prepare for a future Commission meeting. Abraham said the survey yielded a lot of information to help with policies, procedures, and work practices. Staff found the number of positive comments encouraging. He highlighted data on household park utilization, park visit frequency, knowledge of park rules, and bicycle and e-bike usage. Park walking was the number one reported activity. Safety concerns correspond with e-device usage. Eighty percent of respondents favor a speed limit, with 10 MPH suggested most often. Abraham discussed speed limit signs and reliance on self-policing. Commissioner feedback on the survey results will be incorporated with staff recommendations. Abraham encouraged reflection on the problems to solve while using as a guide the mission of improving quality of life through safe park activities and experiences. He asked for comments on items commissioners would like to see staff address by changing, adding, or deleting park rules. Sappenfield found it helpful to get the breadth of comments and a recognition that bike riders are not the problem. Instead, she observed, the issue is about trail etiquette for walkers, joggers, mobility device users – everyone – rather than banning or restricting one group. Abraham asked if commissioners wished to ban certain mobility devices – they did not. Iles spoke about park signage, noting confusion about what ‘bicycles’ means and whether e- bikes are allowed. Abraham said sign updates are needed, in general, a huge, expensive undertaking that may need to be a Capital Improvement Plan line item. Funding sign updates through annual operating budgets would require phased replacement spanning years. Reeves noted the challenge of keeping signs current with rapidly evolving technology and devices. Shimanek discussed responsibilities as park stewards to maximize opportunities for people to safely enjoy the parks, and to deploy common sense to address emerging technology and emerging recreation, not having a sign every 10 feet, limiting things, or shutting people out. Abraham suggested QR codes may be better for signage because up-to-date information would be managed on the backend with no need to physically change signs. Sappenfield supported an “all are welcome” approach that avoids banning specific personal devices and relieves the park user from parsing out what is allowed. She liked the QR code idea and suggested installing signs with etiquette basics, speed limits, and QR codes directing users to detailed park rules. Shimanek expressed appreciation for the thoughtful public comments. He observed people want to use the parks and feel safe, which sounds perfect. Sappenfield noted comments suggesting specific rules for certain locations. She favors consistency across parks for overall clarity and ease of management yet wondered about prioritizing sign installation and/or density at Ada Hayden. Abraham indicated the plan is for new signs to be installed at Ada Hayden by the time the trail replacement project is done. These signs would identify new policies and would be supported by an educational campaign. Questions about dogs were removed from the survey to align with other staff recommendations. Abraham explained the Animal Control Supervisor advised that unleashed dogs should not be allowed in parks, that all dogs should be leashed with maximum six-foot leash length. Abraham thanked everyone who took time to provide feedback by completing the survey. 5 8. PROJECT UPDATES a. Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center Since the Commission and City Council toured the site in June, wall framing is up, a very noticeable change, Abraham reported. Other updates: wellness and lap pool work is progressing well, and rec pool work will likely begin soon; diaper changing tables were relocated from the two universal locker rooms to lobby restrooms; a roll-in shower will be available in one universal locker room; non-natatorium window installation is underway; job trailers moved to the west to allow for stormwater control and lighting basin digging on the east side of the parking lot, creating an opportunity for more soil samples and testing. No contaminated soil or ground water has been found so far. b. Steven L. Schainker Plaza Staff continues to work through a potential resolution for the ice surface, with a few items left to resolve. Abraham indicated more information is forthcoming. Staff awaits a report on identified issues with the spray pad and proposed solutions. Abraham said staff is aware of dead trees and plants. Replacements and soil amendments will be done in the fall, Thompson said, when cooler weather better suits planting trees and reseeding turf. c. Mini-Pitch Kort submitted and was awarded a $20,000 grant from Delta Dental to install a drinking fountain. Abraham indicated the Mini-Pitch ribbon cutting is scheduled for August 7 at 4:00 PM. Kort spoke about a few items yet to complete, including donor signage and some electrical and water line work. Push button light activation with an adjustable timer was recently installed. The facility is open and being used often, she added. Thompson commented on evergreen trees planted on the south end to address balls going over the fencing and onto Bloomington Road. Abraham pointed out the trees will serve as both a natural barrier to errant balls and a backdrop to The Friedrich Pitch sign. Kort noted the recommended ball to be used on the court is a futsal ball, not a soccer ball. 9. MONTHLY REPORT Kort reported the third annual Scholarship Duck Derby event at Furman Aquatic Center will be held Saturday, August 2, an earlier calendar date intended to improve already good attendance. The fundraising event benefits the department scholarship fund to assist youth and families with program registration and swim pass fees. Rubber ducks are released into the lazy river and prizes donated by local businesses are awarded for ducks crossing the finish line fastest. Thompson discussed: (1) installation of a new radiant heat system at Ames/ISU Ice Arena, and (2) contracts awarded at the June 24 City Council meeting for the Daley Park Splash Pad, Parks Maintenance Facility Expansion, and Ada Hayden Heritage Park Path Replacement projects. Kort provided a Furman Aquatic Center staffing update. This season no adjustments to facility hours or amenities have been made due to lack of staffing. The staffing improvement compared with recent years is a result of successful additional recruitment and retention efforts. 10. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS Reeves thanked Shimanek for his comments at the recent Agility Course ribbon cutting event and staff for its work to make the project happen. Sappenfield spoke about her family’s participation in recreational activities and thanked staff for the recreational opportunities available to residents. 6 11. NEXT MEETING: Thursday, August 21, 2025, 4:00 PM (Regular Meeting) 12. ADJOURNMENT MOTION (Reeves) to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 5:42 PM.