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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Park and Recreation Commission Meeting 04/21/2022AMES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DATE: April 21, 2022 COMMISSION PRESENT: Jeremy Bristow, Sarah Cady, Rachel Cramer, Nicole Fannin, Jacob Ludwig, Duane Reeves, Nathan Shimanek ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Keith Abraham, Joshua Thompson, Courtney Kort, Craig Kaufman, and Liz Calhoun, Public Works CALL TO ORDER: Keith Abraham called the meeting to order at 4:01 PM ELECTION OF OFFICERS Chairperson: Abraham opened nominations for Chairperson. Bristow moved, with a second by Shimanek to nominate Sarah Cady as Chairperson. Abraham closed nominations. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved Vice-Chairperson: Cady opened nominations for Vice-Chairperson. Shimanek moved, with a second by Reeves, to nominate Jeremy Bristow as Vice-Chairperson. Cady closed nominations. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ludwig moved, with a second by Reeves, to approve the March 24 and March 31 meeting minutes. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved PUBLIC FORUM No public forum. PRESENTATION UPDATE ON IOWAY CREEK PROJECT IN BROOKSIDE PARK Abraham introduced Liz Calhoun, who gave a brief history of the project to protect private property owners from losing land due to erosion caused by the creek. She then presented an updated concept of this plan. Abraham stated this updated plan addresses some of the neighbors' concerns. The big difference is that there will be some realigning of the creek to take pressure off the east bank. There will be some tree removal, but it will be significantly less than the original plan. Plan to reuse some of the trees that come down to stabilize the banks. Staff will reestablish native vegetation and remove invasive vegetation with the help of the Friends of Brookside Park. There will be improved access from the 6th St bridge. Calhoun says that public works will continue working with the property owners, and the project designers will have more detailed designs to share with the citizens. Cady asked about removing invasives on the west side to keep them from jumping into the newly planted areas. Abraham stated the Friends Group would be helping with the invasives. MOTION APPROVING THE FACILITY USE AGREEMENT WITH THE GREEN HILLS HEALTH CARE CENTER, INC. FOR JULY 1, 2022, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2023. Kort explained that this is a continuation of the previous facility agreement with the addition of water walking twice per week. There are no other changes, and the Staff recommends Alternative #1. Ludwig moved, with a second by Bristow, to approve Alternative #1. Discussion: Reeves asked if Staff could look into making the agreements cover a more extended period as he would hate to lose the facility before the new pool opens. Abraham stated that the department has a great relationship with Green Hills, and the only time there has not been access to the facility was when Green Hills was closed due to covid. No opposition. Motion Approved MOTION APPROVING JAX OUTDOOR GEAR'S REQUEST TO RENT CANOES, KAYAKS, AND PADDLEBOARDS AT ADA HAYDEN HERITAGE PARK AND WAIVE THE 10% OF GROSS SALES. Abraham said this agreement is a win for the customers and Department. Staff recommends alternative #1. Bristow moved, with a second by Ludwig, to approve Alternative #1. Discussion: Reeves stated he is for the agreement. He has questions regarding the 10% commission as it is often waived. Abraham stated that not everyone comes before the Parks and Recreation Commission. Food Trucks and other activities also happen throughout the park system and are not brought in front of the Commission. The Jaycees donate part of the proceeds for their events to the scholarship fund. Staff could not provide an estimate of the amount of revenue being waived. Ludwig stated he was wondering the same regarding waiving the fee. Thompson informed the Commission that a bait station at Ada Hayden brought in around $120 in Commission. No opposition. Motion Approved MOTION APPROVING THE FRIENDS OF ADA HAYDEN HERITAGE PARK REQUEST TO WAIVE ENFORCEMENT OF THE PROHIBITION OF MOTORIZED VEHICLES IN ADA HAYDEN HERITAGE PARK Abraham stated that this had been a great event. The Friends group would like to expand this event to two days this year as they plan to expand to more retirement or assisted living facilities. Ludwig moved, with a second by Reeves, to recommend City Council waive ordinance 19.9 as described in Alternative #1. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved. MOTION APPROVING THE REVISED AUDITORIUM AND BANDSHELL RENTAL RATES. Kort informed the Commission that the facility fees had been revised to provide a facility for Community Organizations. An implementation of the waiver of the ticket fees for nonprofit and cultural organizations promoting youth participation. Staff recommends Alternative #1 Ludwig moved, with a second by Fannin, to approve Alternative #1. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved MOTION APPROVING THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION IN-PERSON MEETING DATES FOR APRIL 2022 THROUGH MARCH 2023. Commission meets on the third Thursday of the month with the exception of December, where they will meet on the first and third Thursday, and March, where they will meet on the fourth Thursday. Ludwig moved, with second by Reeves, to approve the Parks and Recreation Meeting dates. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved UPDATE REGARDING THE INDOOR AQUATIC CENTER City staff is working on getting the offer to buy agreement finalized with the DOT. Hopefully, this will be completed next week. The purchase price is $2.9 million. A structural engineer will review a few things regarding the soils report with the structural engineer to make sure the site is clear for the building. Staff is working through the construction management agreement and the agreement with RDG. Those items were moved to the May 10 Council meeting agenda. Abraham stated that he did speak with persons regarding the Winakor bequest, and she did not wish to have any recognition. Reeves asked if the project would qualify for a Destination Iowa construction grant. Planning and Housing staff attended the information meeting regarding Destination Iowa and felt these projects do not qualify. Cost estimates are already over the $31.2 million, so Staff is working through those numbers. Abraham stated that we have not heard from the state of Iowa about our final application for the reinvestment district. UPDATE REGARDING THE DOWNTOWN PLAZA DESIGN Bids were due April 13. Five bids were close in price, with the low bid at $4,619,000. All submissions were over the project budget. Staff will take this to City Council and ask for direction. Ludwig asked if Abraham had any idea what the next steps may be. Abraham informed him that the Council could go with different materials in the building of the structure. They could decide not to do the ice, cut the water features, take out the art piece, or change the tables, benches, and chairs. Council goals are for a year-round space, and we want to make sure changes made do not drastically change the project's intent. PROJECT UPDATES The plans for the pickleball court project at Emma McCarthy Lee were revised due to increased costs. The Ames Pickleball group may help with this project. Other projects in the CIP are coming in high, and some decisions limiting the projects may have to be made. MONTHLY REPORT Water is on in the restrooms throughout the park system. Water fountains will be on by the end of the month. Programs are moving from indoors to outdoors. The ice arena will be closed for maintenance in May. Paul Tauke has resigned as the city forester for a position in West Des Moines. The fishing event at Ada Hayden was a success despite the 14-degree windchill. People did come out to fish throughout the day. The department is working on staffing at FAC. The labor shortage is a huge concern as we only have 55% of the Staff needed. Aquatics center wages have been raised to be more competitive. Staff shortages are a reality that a lot of businesses are facing. Ludwig asked if the university's Career Services Department had been contacted. Abraham informed him that they had. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS Reeves wanted to thank Liz Calhoun, Tracy Peterson, Abraham, Tauke, and the rest of the staff for their work on the bank stabilization project in Brookside, listening to the neighborhood, and making changes to the project. Park users and landowners feel listened to with the changes. Cady reminded viewers that May 16 is the annual Bike to Work Week breakfast and May 21 is the Mayor's Bike Ride. ADJOURNMENT Ludwig moved to adjourn. The meeting concluded at 5:19 PM. Next Meeting: Thursday, May 19, 2022, at 4:00 PM.