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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Park and Recreation Commission Meeting 02/15/2024AMES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DATE: February 15, 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: 4:00 PM Approval of Minutes from January 18 , 2024 Bristow moved, with a second by Reeves, to approve the January 18, 2024, meeting minutes. No Discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved. PUBLIC FORUM None MOTION APPROVING THE AGREEMENT WITH AMES HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL Kort stated that this is a long-standing relationship with Ames High School volleyball staff, and there are no significant changes. Parks and Recreation handles the registration and promotion of the program, and Ames High Volleyball provides all of the instruction. There is a 70/30 revenue split, with 70% or revenue going to the Ames High Volleyball Program. Staff recommends Alternative #1. Bristow moved, with a second by Reeves, to approve Alternative #1, Approve the Youth Volleyball Camps Agreement with Ames High School Volleyball program for calendar year 2024. No Discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved. STAFF REPORT REGARDING THE MINI PITCH PROJECT IN LLOYD KURTZ PARK Abraham gave an overview of the neighborhood meeting held regarding this project. Kort shared a presentation regarding the project to the Commission. Abraham stated that traffic and safety were the biggest concerns and that Staff would follow up with the traffic engineer regarding the neighborhood's traffic control and parking issues. Reeves also stated that parents are surprised that no one has been hit by a car. Cady thinks that with Hyde going through to 190th, traffic in the area needs to be addressed. She also stated that people park where they are because it is close to what they want to do. With the proposed placement, people will park in the church parking lot, as it will be close. Cady also thinks people understand the church is private property and don’t park there, utilizing parking in the spots on the street. She wants more education so the public knows parking in the church lot is okay. Cramer asked about the fencing, as the example had double fencing around the courts. Abraham stated that the proposed fencing is one fence at 4’ on the sides and higher on the ends where the goals are so that balls don’t go out into the park. The courts will have lighting for neighborhood and public use, and Staff will also have leagues and program events, private rentals, and church use as part of the agreement. The hours will be within the park rules of 6:00 AM to 10:30 PM. Lighting is all LED and fixed to the court with glare control. Estimated costs are $196,000 for one court and $336,000 for two. The City has $150,000 funding for this project. The next steps are to finalize the agreement with Stonebrooke Church and Kick it Forward, then take it to Council on February 27. Nathan Shimanek feels it is exciting and great that the courts can be adapted for multiple sports. He asked Kort to explain how the public could change it from soccer to pickleball. Kort explained that the Staff is looking into the options, but it will probably be portable equipment stored on-site. Cady asked about the balls and how the public would have access to them. Abraham stated we would supply the balls if there were leagues or tournaments. For general use, kids can use any ball to play. Reeves asked about alternative funding, such as using future funds. Abraham informed him that more discussion would have to be done, as taking funds already allocated elsewhere would be taking away from a future project. Reeves clarified that he meant a revenue bond, entering into a contract with the groups that want to use this facility and seeing if they could help fund it over a multi-year period. The Commission also asked about the Kick It Forward fundraising, including its use of signs with advertising and logos. Abraham said the naming policy does not include logos; someone may want it named after them. Abraham asked the Commission the following questions: Should the City move forward with the project? – Commission answered, “Yes.” Should the City pursue one or two courts? – Commission answered, “Two Courts.” Should the City enter into an agreement with Stonebrooke church? – Commission answered, “Yes.” Should the City of Ames enter into an agreement with Kick it Forward to raise money for this project? - Commission answered, “Yes.” Reeves stated that some meeting attendees wanted to know how to get things started now. Abraham informed him that the Council would have to approve the fundraising agreement first. Abraham asked if the Commission had any additional direction on this project. Cady requested Staff to encourage the Council to do whatever they could regarding traffic calming and parking, including accelerating future plans for traffic safety in the area. Abraham stated that traffic and parking were a high priority to the attendees at this meeting. However, he noted that Parks and Recreation does not control that budget or project order. Staff can only share the message; the youth who attended were unafraid to raise their hands and commented that they feared for their friends. Cramer directed Staff to include clear signage regarding parking at the church. Abraham said Staff could take the lead on signage. The attendees asked about adjustable basketball goals and a walking loop in the park. Abraham explained that there are adjustable goals in the park but they do pose issues including stolen cranks and routine maintenance. He also informed the neighbors that there is no funding for a walking loop right now and hoped the neighborhood understood there are 40 parks and that Staff has to prioritize projects. PROJECT UPDATES a) Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center The Council has approved 13 bid packages for contracts and bonds. The last bid package will go to the Council (and hopefully be awarded) at the February 27 meeting. A change order to Story Construction’s contract regarding general conditions, such as the costs for fencing, dumpsters, etc., will also go to the Council on February 27. City Council directed staff to explore additional items, seeing as bids came in close to $3 million under the cost opinion. One item is adding solar on the roof, which will installed as a separate project using these funds. The second item is the painted black lines in the lap pool could be switched to tile. The third item would be adding benches with cubbies in the multi-purpose rooms. The fourth is to increase the budget for furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FFE). And the fifth is including a donor wall. Staff is considering investing in solar panels as the structure is designed to support them, and the conduit is already in place. This investment would benefit the operations budget. The existing electric lines at the building site are being relocated, and new electric poles are being installed. Century Link and Metro Net will also be relocated. Crews have been taking down trees and getting ready for demolition. Thompson reported that the asbestos removal was completed today. b) Steven L. Schainker Plaza Work has been continuing on the plaza. The contractor is doing what they can, including pouring concrete inside the building. The masons will be coming in to put up the block walls. The goal is to test the ice system by the end of March, but the condenser has yet to arrive. Reeves feels the ribbon looks a lot smaller than he imagined. Abraham stated that the size of the ribbon has stayed the same since the beginning of the project. Abraham also informed the Commission that the Council included money to solicit an art piece for the plaza. MONTHLY REPORT Kort stated that a hiring tailgate will be held on February 24. Aquatics staff has been recruiting for FAC since December. Homewood and FAC season passes are on sale, and registration has begun for spring and summer programs. Abraham reminded everyone that Ames residents can purchase pool passes using a partial scholarship. These scholarships use Mid-Iowa Community Action (MICA) guidelines for qualification. Ames residents can also get reduced program fees. The maintenance staff is doing winter trimming according to our 5-year plan which prescribes trees get inspected and/or trimmed every five years. Trout have been released unannounced at ADA Hayden Heritage Park because the ice was too thin for ice fishing. The cedar tree and block system that Ames Anglers wanted to install to help provide habitat did not happen due to the warm temperatures. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS Abraham wanted to publicly recognize and congratulate Jeff White for being awarded the Olav Smedal Conservation Award, presented annually to a member of the community “who has displayed excellence in the conservation of our natural resources and outdoor pursuits representing the highest standards of ethics and sportsmanship.” NEXT MEETING: Thursday, March 21 at 4:00 PM (Regular Meeting) ADJOURNMENT: Bristow moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:10 PM.