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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Park and Recreation Commission Meeting 05/19/2022AMES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DATE: May 19, 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 CALL TO ORDER: 4:00 PM APPROVAL OF MINUTES Reeves moved, with a second by Fannin, to approve the April 21, 2022, meeting minutes. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved PUBLIC FORUM Richard Deyo, 505 8th St Deyo informed the Commission that he was upset with the process at the last City Council meeting as he was not allowed to speak. Cady asked Deyo if he had a question or comment specific to Parks and Recreation, as this Commission does not have control over City Council. Deyo informed Cady that he likes to take his clothes off, which is why there has been a no-trespass order against him at City Hall for a year which is unfair. He enjoys being naked and voted against a new pool because Keith Abraham said there would be no nudity allowed. He is also upset the mayor did not allow his input at the last council meeting. Cady told him the Parks and Recreation Commission has no jurisdiction over the order issued by the Ames Police Department or the requirements for wearing clothing in the building. The Commission also does not preside over the City Council Meetings. She continued that if that is why he was in attendanc e and speaking, there is nothing that the Commission would be able to do for him. Deyo asked if she would sign his petition; Cady informed him that the Commission members could not do so during the meeting. If anyone wanted to sign his petition at another time, as private citizens, they could do so. UPDATE REGARDING THE INDOOR AQUATIC CENTER Abraham reviewed the Aquatic Center staff report presented to the City Council. The Council directed Staff to have the aquatic portion of the building as the base bid and bid the east addition as an add alternate. Reeves asked about the $ 2.1 million contingency as he feels that the amount is too high. He thinks if we take out the east addition now, it will be $5 or $6 million to build it later and may not get done. Abraham stated that Staff is trying to have conversations early and save as much of the contingency as we can. That way, the east addition could be awarded if funding allows. The Council approved staying with RDG for design and Story Construction for the project manager. The City and DOT staff continue to work on the land purchase agreement. UPDATE REGARDING THE DOWNTOWN PLAZA DESIGN The Downtown Plaza project has a shortfall of $950,000. Some value engineering has been done to get the shortfall closer to $750,000. Council awarded the contract to Henkel Construction, approved Change Order #1, and approved the additional funding for the project. UPDATE ON FURMAN AQUATIC CENTER 2022 SEASON About seventy lifeguards are on Staff, but not all of them will be certified by opening weekend. There is a nationwide shortage of lifeguards. The City of Ames has raised lifeguard wages by $2/hour and an additional $1 per hour on the weekends. Abraham said they would be doing whatever they could to keep things open and are doing some things differently. We have been able to hire enough swim instructors and can open additional lessons, which is good. Shimanek asked about filling the 50 Meter pool earlier next year. Abraham informed him this year that we added variable frequency drives (VFD’s) to the pumps and doing some painting that did not allow us to fill it early. Hopefully, the 50 Meter pool will be up and running earlier next year so that we can do training earlier. Abraham informed the Commission that Staff would continue to work with the high school, using the pool or making lifeguard training classes a way to fulfill a PE requirement. Reeves asked if CPR was part of lifeguard training as this is also a requirement for graduation. Abraham said CPR/First Aid/AED is a part of the training. Reeves asked if the leak in the lazy river was fixed. Thompson said the contractor lined the pipes with a rubber sock and then inflated it, repairing the leak. We did not have to tear up the deck, but the cost was close to $45,000. DISCUSS POTENTIAL LOCATIONS FOR JUNE TOUR Staff suggestions: Community Gardens at Carr Park and Delaware Tahira and Labh Hira Park North River Valley Park Low Head Dam Modifications Ada Hayden Hayden Heritage Park (kayak launch & fishing pier) Carr Park (future agility course and shelter) Commissioners can e-mail Keith with any additional locations. PROJECT UPDATES The kayak launch in Ada Hayden may be completed in June. MONTHLY REPORT The Ames/ISU Ice Arena is closed for spring maintenance until June 1. Next year the sand base under the ice will be leveled so the arena will be closed for 6-8 weeks. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS Cady wanted to remind everyone that the Mayor and Council Bike Ride is this weekend (May 21). Meet at City Hall at 9:00 AM. ADJOURNMENT Ludwig moved to adjourn. The meeting concluded at 5:14 PM. Next Meeting: Thursday, June 16, 2022, park tour.