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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting 01/20/2022AMES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DATE January 20, 2022 COMMISSION PRESENT Jeremy Bristow, Nicole Fannin, Sarah Litwiller, Jacob Ludwig, Duane Reeves, Nathan Shimanek ABSENT Sarah Cady STAFF PRESENT Keith Abraham, Joshua Thompson, Courtney Kort, Nate Pietz, Pat Wynja, Jill Burt, Jan Britson CALL TO ORDER 4:02 PM APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ludwig moved, with second by Bristow, to approve the December 16, 2021 minutes. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved PUBLIC FORUM No Public Forum MOTION APPROVING/DENYING THE USE OF ADA HAYDEN HERITAGE PARK FOR THE AMES TRIATHLON Thompson went over the Commission Action Form regarding the triathlon. He informed the Commission that there had been no problems in the past, and Staff felt that the event was well run. Thompson also stated that the group would like to bring in food trucks. Staff recommends Alternative #1 Ludwig moved, with a second by Shimanek, to approve Alternative #1. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved STAFF REPORT ON THE 2021 HOMEWOOD GOLF COURSE SEASON Nate Pietz and Pat Wynja presented an overview of the operations of Homewood for the 2021 season. Pietz went over clubhouse operations. Golf rounds and pass sales were significantly higher than the 2020 season. The clubhouse was reserved for sixty- nine hours. Pietz informed the Commission that some dates are already booked for 2022. Wynja reported on the ground operations. Wynja showed the Commission photographs of the bank stabilization project. He noted that the irrigation system is twenty years old, and Staff has had to deal with nonstop irrigation fixes the last two years. Staff did some tiling work on the course as well as reworked some of the bunkers due to the dry fall. Litwiller asked if this was the first year for Euchre and Cribbage. Pietz informed her that it was the first year, and hopefully, it would continue to grow. Shimanek asked if play on the course was becoming saturated. Wynja and Pietz expressed that tee times/rounds have not reached saturation. Litwiller asked the date of opening day 2022. Pietz said April 1. Ludwig asked if October 31 was the typical closing day. Pietz confirmed. STAFF REPORT ON AQUATIC PROGRAMMING AND POTENTIAL SCHEDULING CHANGE FOR THE 2022 FURMAN AQUATIC CENTER SEASON Abraham introduced aquatics staff members, Jill Burt and Jan Britson. Kort presented information regarding aquatics operations between the closing of the Municipal Pool and the opening of the new aquatic center in 2024. Litwiller asked if swimming lessons replaced normal adult evening activities. Kort stated that it would not eliminate those activities. Burt feels there would be room in the 50-meter pool to run adult aqua aerobics and lessons simultaneously. Litwiller loves the twilight open swim idea. Shimanek states that there has to be some compromise to accommodate the swim lessons. He does not see any problems. Shimanek asked about lessons and inclement weather. Burt answered that typically lessons are not canceled, and Staff will go over safety topics in a classroom. Reeves asked when the Staff needed to know the final schedule. Burt informed him that the Staff would like to finalize plans before summer pass sales begin. Abraham said there had been conversations with ISU Recreation Services, but nothing is in place yet. Ludwig asked if Parks and Recreation staff would teach swim lessons in the ISU space. Abraham informed him that Parks and Recreation staff would run any programs in that space. Abraham told the Commission safety is first and foremost. Ludwig asked if the department would move the lessons if Parks and Recreation found alternative pool space. Burt informed Ludwig that it is her opinion that the department would continue with the Furman schedule rather than spreading Staff out too thin. Shimanek moved, with a second by Ludwig, to approve Alternative #1. Discussion: Reeves asked if Staff had reached out to current pass holders regarding ending open swim at 6:00 PM. Burt said that the department had not reached out to pass holders. Abraham informed the Commission that nothing was going to be ideal. Staff is trying to make the best of the situation as we need to have evening swim lessons. Abraham pointed out that the public asked for more water walking and night swims in an end-of-season survey. We will be offering activities that people have asked us to provide. No opposition. Motion Passes. MOTION REGARDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2022/2023 BUDGET Abraham went over the differences between general fund support and enterprise fund support. No operational expenses support enterprise-funded facilities. Abraham also stated that the fees were based on this budget. Reeves asked if the new Ames High Auditorium would be open to the public. Abraham informed Reeves that the school district had not shared that information. Abraham feels the Auditorium staff need to do a much better job of letting the public know that the auditorium is here and is a great facility. Approve Fees and Charges for Fiscal Year 2022/2023 Ludwig moved, with a second by Fannin, to approve the 2022/2023 fees and charges and recommend the proposed budget to Council. Discussion: Reeves feels there were not a lot of increases in these fees. His concern is about wages and if staffing levels will be okay with these numbers. No opposition. Motion Approved UPDATE REGARDING THE INDOOR AQUATIC CENTER The request for proposal to hire a Construction Manager will go before the Ames City Council next week. A Phase 1 environmental study will be completed as well as a hazard identification study for the two buildings on the site. If there are hazardous materials present, remediation of those materials will be part of the negotiations for the land purchase agreement. UPDATE REGARDING THE DOWNTOWN PLAZA DESIGN Abraham updated the Commission regarding a couple of changes to the design of the Downtown Plaza. Staff hopes to take the plans and specs to the February 8 Council meeting. PROJECT UPDATES No additional project updates. MONTHLY REPORT Thompson informed the Commission that the outdoor ice rinks are ready for skating, the cross-country ski trails have been groomed, and the canoe and kayak launch for Ada Hayden has been ordered. Shimanek commented that it was nice to see the cross-country ski area open. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS ADJOURNMENT Ludwig moved to adjourn. The meeting concluded at 5:25 PM. Next Meetings: Thursday, February 17, 2022, at 4:00 PM.