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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Park and Recreation Commission Meeting 01/18/2024AMES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DATE: Thursday, January 18, 2024 COMMISSION PRESENT: Jeremy Bristow, Sarah Cady, Rachel Cramer, Duane Reeves, Nathan Shimanek, Jeff White ABSENT: Thyra Cox STAFF PRESENT: Keith Abraham, Courtney Kort, Joshua Thompson, CALL TO ORDER: 4:02 PM APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM NOVEMBER 16, 2023 Bristow moved, with a second by Reeves, to approve the November 16, 2023, and December 7, 2023, meeting minutes. No Discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved. PUBLIC FORUM None REVIEW CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (CIP) COMMENTS FROM CITY COUNCIL Abraham presented the CIP Plan to the City Council on Tuesday evening. He recapped the discussion with the Council for the Commission. Abraham informed the Commission that the Council discussed the Miracle Park resurfacing project. He told the Council it could be that only some of the surfaces must be replaced at once. Staff is being proactive in budgeting this for the future. There were also questions regarding Moore Memorial Park improvements and signage. Abraham stated signs will be posted at the appropriate time. The proposed bridge will be rated to accommodate maintenance vehicles and will be in cooperation with Iowa State. There were also questions regarding erosion on the north side of the Homewood Golf Course clubhouse. Abraham said the consultant hired was not concerned regarding erosion around the clubhouse. The Council also had questions regarding the mini-pitch soccer facility proposed for Lloyd Kurtz Park. Abraham informed the Council that Staff will be working with Kick it Forward to help with fundraising for this project. The city is putting in $150,000. Abraham stated the Council wanted to know if the $150,000 would fund one mini-pitch court, allowing the city to do this project without waiting for additional funding. They also asked if these courts could be placed in two different parks. Staff is also finalizing an agreement with Stonebrook church regarding parking. Abraham also informed the Commission that the Council inquired into the status of the proposed agility course. Cady asked if the Council had concerns regarding the catch-up year and no additional projects. Abraham said they did not, and staff is hoping that all projects will be caught up by June 30, 2025. FY 2023/24-OPERATIONAL BUDGET A) Budget Overview Abraham showed slides on the general fund expenses, revenue, and tax subsidy. Recreation subsidy is 34%, parks is 95%, and the total subsidy is 60%. Enterprise Funds Ice Arena did have revenue over expenses, and the fund balance is healthy. Homewood operated in the black as well, with $119,000 in net revenue. Fund balances are very healthy for that facility. For other programs, Sixty Forward Center will be a partner; we will be holding some programs in that facility. Abraham stated that approximately $100,000 is needed for a consultant regarding the master plan for the new property in West Ames. Once the public input has been gathered, the master plan completed, and the Department has a cost estimate, the Council could decide how to pay for development. Abraham also informed the Commission that there is about $30,000 in the scholarship fund. If we tap into that fund, the money will be gone in two years. At present, scholarships are granted through Mid Iowa Community Action (MICA). The Parks and Recreation Department has been absorbing the MICA Scholarship discounts into the operational fund. The Department would like the Council to endow the scholarship fund with $250,000. The Department has approached the Ames Foundation to help expand the endowment to $1,000,000. Cady asked about what fundraising the Department is looking into for 2024. Kort is working with Staff on the Duck Derby and a golf tournament to be held this year. Abraham stated that the general fund support for instructional programs decreased this fiscal year. Athletic program participation is holding steady. Aquatics programs are looking to increase the number of Water Safety Instructors. Forker Pool is closing at the end of the spring semester, so the aquatics staff is looking for alternative locations for staff training and swim programs. Brookside Wading Pool will be demolished in 2024. Wellness is restructuring fees for more consistency across the board. Some of the wellness programs will be moving to the Sixty Forward Center. Cady asked if the programs held at the Sixty Forward would be City of Ames programs. Kort informed her that they would be City classes. Abraham stated that staff is considering increasing the Ice Arena Coordinator position from ¾ time to full-time before the recruitment process begins. The Ice Arena has partnered with the library for children's story time and skating opportunities. ISU Men's and Women's Hockey are back. Abraham also informed the Commission that Park Maintenance had hired two maintenance workers for a Wednesday through Sunday schedule, increasing the level of service to the residents and reducing the need for weekend overtime. Abraham informed the Commission that the budget will be presented to the City Council on February 7 at 5:15 PM. B) Fees and Charges Abraham stated that the presented fees have been developed with the proposed budget in mind. Bristow moved, with a second by Reeves, to recommend the Ames City Council approve the budget as presented for 24/25. No Discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved. Bristow moved, with a second by Shimanek, to recommend Alternative #1, Approving the revised fee schedule for FY 2024/2025. No Discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved. MOTION APPROVING THE AGREEMENT WITH MID-IOWA LACROSSE ORGANIZATION, INC. Kort informed the Commission that this is the second year we have had this agreement with Mid-Iowa Lacrosse. She also stated that outside of changes to the schedule, the agreement has not changed, and Staff recommends Alternative #1. Bristow moved, with a second by Cramer, to approve Alternative #1, approving the agreement with the Mid-Iowa Lacrosse Organization to offer two sessions of Flex6 Lacrosse. No Discussion. No opposition. Motion approved. PROJECT UPDATES Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center Abraham stated that bids were due January 11. Story Construction helped to get people interested in the project. There were 14 bid packages; 79 bids were received. The project has generated a large amount of interest, and people are looking for work. Once all the information is put together, a Council Action Form will be created. Due to the favorable cost projections, Staff's recommendation will be to move forward on the base bid and all the added alternates. Abraham stated that if all goes smoothly, the demo on the site will begin in mid-March. Steven L. Schainker Plaza Thompson informed the Commission that the concrete for the ice rink portion of the plaza has been poured. The contractor for the water features did as much as they could before it started snowing. Completion of the water features will begin in the spring. Temporary heating will be installed in the warming house so work in the mechanical room can be completed. Sands-McDorman Property There will be a request to the Council for funding to develop a park master plan for this property. MONTHLY REPORT Kort informed the Commission that Staff is preparing to start the bidding process for bringing alcohol service to the Ames City Auditorium. Thompson informed the Commission that the Parks Maintenance Department is still accepting holiday trees for mulch. He also told the Commission that Staff has begun filling the ice rinks at River Valley. Winter pruning will happen in some of the parks designated in the five-year plan. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS Cady asked Kort about the Cross-County Ski Clinic. Kort informed the Commission that the first part of the clinic was held. The second part was postponed due to bad weather and dangerous wind chills. The cross country ski trails have been groomed twice and will be groomed again Friday night or Saturday morning. Abraham reminded everyone watching or listening that there are openings on the Parks and Recreation Commission. No campaigning is associated with the position; you complete an application and a small essay on why you would like to serve. Two terms will be open; Jeremy Bristow and Thyra Cox's terms will be up after the March meeting. NEXT MEETING: Thursday, February 15 at 4:00 PM (Regular Meeting) ADJOURNMENT: White moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:15 PM