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Home My WebLink About~Master - Ames Park and Recreation Commission Meeting 09/17/2024AMES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DATE: September 17, 2024 COMMISSION PRESENT: Sarah Cady, Jeff Iles, Duane Reeves, Nathan Shimanek, Debra Tapp, Jeff White ABSENT: Janet Rathe STAFF PRESENT: Keith Abraham, Courtney Kort, Joshua Thompson, CALL TO ORDER: 4:00 PM APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM AUGUST 15, 2024 Reeves moved, with a second by Iles, to approve the August 15, 2024, meeting minutes. No Discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved. PUBLIC FORUM None IOWA MULTISPORT REQUEST TO HOST THE AMES TRIATHLON ON JUNE 22, 2025, AT ADA HAYDEN HERITAGE PARK Thompson gave a brief overview of the event and Iowa Multisport's (IM) requests. Thompson also stated that IM has been made aware that the Ada Hayden Path Replacement Project may be in progress and the route for the running portion of the event may have to be modified. IM staff has acknowledged this possibility and will alter the route if needed. Staff recommends Alternative #1. Shimanek moved, with a second by Iles, to approve Alternative #1. 1. Waive the enforcement of the No Swimming Rule at Ada Hayden Heritage Park North Lake, 7:00 – 10:00 AM, on Sunday, June 22, 2025, to allow Iowa Multisport to host the Ames Triathlon. 2. Approve Iowa Multisport to enter Ada Hayden Heritage Park at 5:00 AM on Sunday, June 22, 2025, for event preparation. 3. Recommend that the City Council waive enforcement of Ordinance 19.9 from 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Sunday, June 22, 2025, to allow Iowa Multisport to utilize two motorized golf carts on the AHHP trails. No Discission. No opposition. Motion Approved. AMES CYCLONE AQUATICS CLUB 2025 ROCK THE BLOCKS SWIM MEET (MEMO) Kort reviewed some event history and the development of the Memorandum of Understanding which was approved prior to the 2024 meet. Parks and Recreation staff and Ames Cyclone Aquatics Club (ACAC) participated in a meeting to discuss the 2024 meet. Staff worked on finding solutions to many, but not all, of ACAC’s challenges. ACAC has decided to hold this event at the Ames High Pool in 2025. Iles asked what some of the challenges were. Kort stated that ACAC’s decision was based on the burden on their staff and the number of volunteers needed to hold this event. Many items must be moved around when using the aquatic center for this event. Also, a timing and scoring system has to be brought in when using Furman, but it is already in place at the high school. 2025-2030 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN DISCUSSION (CIP) Abraham reviewed the CIP process and funding with the commission members. Staff tries to get as much feedback as possible and shared comments received from the Public Input session held on September 11, 2024. Abraham reviewed the items that were in immediate need and input from the staff and the public when putting the CIP together. a) CIP Public Input Feedback Eight people attended the public meeting. b) E-mail and Phone Correspondence Regarding the CIP E-mail and phone correspondence were included in the packet. Aaron Delashmutt, 1412 Arthur Dr Delashmutt informed the Commission that he believes the city should develop a network of multi-use soft trails for mountain bikers, runners, and cross-country ski enthusiasts. These trails are designed for bikes and have adaptations for other uses. Iles asked how this kind of trail would be maintained. Delashmutt stated volunteers often maintain these trails. Reeves asked what the minimum acres would be for a trail like this. Delashmutt informed him there are trails of all types and lengths. Cady voiced her concern as the existing soft trails already deal with substantial erosion and trail maintenance. Iles asked Delashmutt if there is a local group of volunteers. Delashmutt informed him that there was not an organized group now, but he was confident that a network could be developed. White stated that Story County had also been looking into trails. However, he does not know if that included mountain biking. Shimanek thanked him for bringing this up; he thinks it is a good idea. Abraham reminded the Commission that the department would be developing a master plan, and at that time, a consultant would examine how we use all our spaces. Some funding could be set aside to have someone specifically examine potential bike trail areas. Abraham asked the Commission if there were any additional comments regarding the CIP. White said his one concern is that maintenance is always rough. He wondered if there was a need for a volunteer coordinator. Abraham stated that a volunteer coordinator would come from the operations budget, not the CIP. Reeves asked if there was still talk about a free-standing multi-use recreation center. Abraham informed the Commission that a field house or recreation center is one of the Council’s five priorities. PROJECT UPDATES Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center Story Construction and RDG have given an update to City Council on the project. Required vapor barriers were not installed under the pump pit and backwash basin and the contractor will need to remove the concrete and repour with the vapor barrier installed . The delay in getting the precast is now thirteen weeks instead of the estimated nine weeks. Steven L. Schainker Plaza (out of order) The Council directed Staff to send a letter to Henkel Construction rejecting the option to use the epoxy and chemical cover. Henkel has hired their own professional engineer who gave them some possibilities. One option would be grinding the surface to a uniform height or grinding the surface down one inch and repouring the top. The two experts will have conversations, and at some point, there will be an update for the council. Everything outside of the ice ribbon should be completed by October 8. Mini Pitch Kort will present the updated plans and specifications at the next council meeting. The timeline is for a spring installation. MONTHLY REPORT Thompson stated that the funds available to complete the agility course and restroom in Carr Park are insufficient based on the engineer’s cost estimate . City Council has approved removing the restroom but including a small shelter so the agility course can be completed with the funding available. Kort informed the Commission that the fall concert series has started at the Auditorium. She also pointed out that this is the first concert series with concessions. The Duck Derby sold 588 ducks and awarded 36 local prizes, for donations totaling $4,065. Kort thanked the Muckey Duck for its $1,500 sponsorship and generous donation of gift cards. First National Bank was also a sponsor. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS NEXT MEETING: October 17, 2024, at 4:00 PM (Regular Meeting) ADJOURNMENT: White moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:08 PM