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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Park and Recreation Commission Meeting 02/19/2026CITY OF AMES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DATE February 19, 2026 COMMISSION PRESENT ABSENT Jeff Iles STAFF Keith Abraham, Joshua Thompson 1. CALL TO ORDER: 4:00 PM 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: (Reeves/White) to approve the January 15, 2026, meeting minutes. MOTION PASSED: (6-0) 3. PUBLIC FORUM None 4. ADDITIONAL ADA HAYDEN HERITAGE PARK HERITAGE STONES When Ada Hayden Heritage Park (AHHP) opened, Abraham explained, a priority of the Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park (FAHHP) was to recognize conservation movement pioneers by placing heritage stones throughout the park – ten are currently placed. The Memorandum of Understanding between the City and FAHHP delegates the task of recommending heritage stone honorees to the Friends group. FAHHP now recommends two additional stones, one for Dr. Lois Tiffany and another for Mr. Paul Johnson. Jim Pease, FAAHP President, and the Board of FAAHP, provided a memo outlining the request and offering supporting biographies and achievements. Staff recommend adding heritage stones to honor both nominees. Jim Pease, 3840 Stagecoach Road, spoke about citizens’ prominent role in developing AHHP and, given its origin, the appropriateness of understanding “rock stars,” ordinary people who made significant contributions to conservation. Pease note all expenses associated with the heritage stones are paid by FAHHP. Rathe inquired about the stone selection process. Pease indicated the first nine honorees were featured in a publication entitled Important Iowa Conservationists published by the Iowa Association of Naturalists. The tenth rock, honoring Erwin Klaas, was an exception as it was, when added in 2022, the only heritage rock not honoring an individual posthumously. FAHHP considers how to honor others and accepts nominations. Tiffany and Johnson, both recently deceased, were selected based on particularly noteworthy contributions. Shimanek thanked Pease and FAHHP for their ongoing work and park stewardship. 2 MOTION: (Sappenfield/Rathe) to recommend Alternative 1, which states: Approve the addition of an eleventh and twelfth stone at Ada Hayden Heritage Park and the likenesses and titles to be that of Dr. Lois Tiffany and Mr. Paul Johnson and placed along the trail. MOTION PASSED: (6-0) 5. EXPANDING PARK BOUNDARIES AND/OR ESTABLISHING GREENWAYS Abraham explained that numerous public properties are adjacent parks or greenways. Some of these areas are already maintained by the City, e.g., mowing, tree trimming, and snow removal. Even though these public properties are maintained by Parks and Recreation, they are neither designated as parks or greenways nor governed by ordinances or park rules. Staff is proposing expanding or establishing boundaries so enforceable park rules and ordinances would apply to all of these public spaces. Abraham reviewed maps of existing park boundaries and proposed expansion areas, including: South River Valley Park, Stuart Smith Park, Delaware Gardens, Delaware Avenue and North Dakota Avenue, Ioway Creek Park, and Ioway Creek Greenbelt. Abraham reviewed site locations, features, current uses, maintenance activities, and unique aspects or issues at locations (e.g., increased camping in the Ioway Creek area). With most of the proposed areas, staff are not looking to add a lot of amenities or maintenance. Staff asked for feedback and direction from the Commission regarding the proposed expansion areas. Abraham suggested possibilities for motions and reminded the Commission the City Council would make a final decision on park boundary expansion and greenway development. White asked if the Delaware Avenue/North Dakota Avenue area already had community garden areas. Abraham said no, but the area could be used for gardens in the future. He noted the area has a (not insurmountable) slope, and sometimes vehicles leave the road when slick. Reeves observed the north area, the former water tower location, is used a lot as a park, and adding the community gardens increased usage of that area. The south portion has potential for usage, in his view, but is a horrible corner as currently configured. Shimanek expressed appreciation for the item appearing on a meeting agenda. He uses South River Valley Park regularly and regards it as a priceless buffer zone with beautiful flora and fauna. For that reason, and because ordinance enforcement ability is meaningful for unsavory and unsafe things that may happen, he strongly supported expanding park boundaries. Reeves asked if the naming convention matters, i.e, calling an area a park or a greenway or a greenbelt. Abraham indicated most of the proposed park expansion areas would likely be referred to as ‘park’ except for along the Ioway Creek area, which is more ‘greenbelt.’ Sappenfield asked about development plans, other implications of expanded boundaries, and if there may be additional pieces beyond continuing maintenance work in the proposed expansion areas. Abraham indicated the immediate goal is to give the areas a designation that would bring a set of enforceable rules. There are no development plans, he said, but staff have discussed improvement opportunities like trails, benches, public artwork, and offroad biking. In some cases, neighbors already treat an area like a park. Delaware Gardens, for instance, could be a good location for adding a playground location. South Stuart Smith Park, in contrast, is limited by a no development/build restriction in place for the flood buyout area. 3 White spoke about his participation in cleanup efforts and supported incorporating the proposed areas into the park system, which would allow for better regular cleaning and upkeep. He noted some areas are notorious for homeless camps – he has mixed feelings about those. Overall, White is glad to see park boundary expansion come up and sees it as a good step for better care of public properties, and not necessarily a move toward enabling further development. Jim Pease, 3840 Stagecoach Road, recently retired Story County Conservation Board member, said he is always happy to see forward-looking commissions. He spoke about potential damage to natural areas from developers and the need to act proactively to create or sustain areas. In his view, the proposed expanded park boundaries would help protect Ioway Creek, improve water quality, and improve recreation for the City. MOTION: (Rathe/White) to recommend City Council expand park boundaries as described. MOTION PASSED: (6-0) 6. VINTAGE COOPERATIVE OF AMES FITNESS AGREEMENT Parks and Recreation (P&R) and Vintage Cooperative of Ames (VCA) wish to continue a partnership to offer fitness classes onsite at VCA. Abraham indicated the 2026 agreement is unchanged from previous years – VCA provides class space, and P&R provides an instructor, conducts registration, and collects and retains 100 percent of program fees. MOTION: (Sappenfield/White) to recommend Alternative 1, which states: Approve the Vintage Cooperative of Ames Fitness Agreement through December 31, 2026. MOTION PASSED: (6-0) Shimanek expressed appreciation for public/private partnerships. 7. CITY COUNCIL GOALS DISCUSSION Abraham provided an overview of City Council values, goals, and tasks reviewed at the City Council’s retreat workshop. Abraham spoke about the impact of City Council priorities on Parks and Recreation and highlighted two Council values: communication and engagement with the public; and valuing a fun, vibrant and healthy community that attracts and retains people. Abraham cited City Council priorities aligned with these values, such as Steven L. Schainker Plaza, an indoor multipurpose recreation center, Ontario Park, and additional scholarships. White commented that it would be hard to argue with any of it. Abraham noted department leadership always examines how to manage operations. If budget constraints tighten, challenges become greater. There would also be a need for additional staff if all prioritized projects came to fruition. 8. PROJECT UPDATES a. Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center Abraham reported most construction work will be done by February 27. Staff hopes to obtain a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy on that date, allowing staff to begin setup and training tasks. State of Iowa inspection is scheduled for March 3. A donor recognition event featuring donors, the Commission, City Council, and the Story County Board of Supervisors, will be planned for the end of March, followed by opening the facility to the public in April. A ribbon cutting and grand opening will also be scheduled. 4 Reeves and Abraham discussed inspections and certifications for each pool basin and for the facility overall. Rathe asked for an update on the building exterior. Abraham explained staff sent a Notice to Cure letter to the contractor regarding fixing the appearance of the precast concrete panels. Stain options are being considered and will be tested on a precast panel mockup. City Council will provide direction on next steps in March. Another option, if stain is not applied, is credit to the City from the contractor. Rathe inquired about pool pass sales. Staff hopes to begin on March 1, Abraham said. b. Steven L. Schainker Plaza At the March meeting, staff will provide an update on the plaza. Abraham shared that if the ice ribbon is not finalized, there is interest in opening the rest of facility this summer. c. Ada Hayden Heritage Park Trail Replacement This project is done, Abraham said, except for areas needing attention due to concrete cracking or observed problems with water ponding. Users shared positive comments about the trail and concrete surface. Staff hope to get information out about the new rules in the upcoming weeks before warmer weather brings more people to the park. d. Daley Park Splash Pad Thompson reported TK Concrete is the project general contractor responsible for utility installation, grading, and concrete. Commercial Recreation Specialists will install equipment. Staff is working through plans for the mechanical building to be constructed by department staff. Thompson is optimistic the project will be finished by June 1, giving residents another option for outdoor water recreation. Abraham offered a reminder that the splash pad will be available for use at no charge. e. Homewood Golf Course Hole #9 Crossing Abraham stated the project is progressing well – the culvert is in and dirt is being brought in to fill in the ravine – but the warmer weather did not help the entry road. Heavy truck traffic on the asphalt road – without added support from frozen ground underneath – led to damage to a portion of the road. Staff prefer not to spend additional money for a temporary fix given plans to expand the parking area and funds already programmed in the Capital Improvement Plan. Both the Park Development Fund and the Homewood Golf Course Operational Fund Balance could be tapped to get everything done at once. City staff may design the project internally, otherwise it would go out to bid for a consultant. Staff wish to avoid interrupting golf course operations. Thompson added the crossing will be a nice addition to the golf course. Staff knew the asphalt would have to be replaced at some point – it has been in place for perhaps more than 30 years – but hoped it would not be so soon. Abraham said a concrete drive would resolve current issues and allow for more parking. 5 9. MONTHLY REPORT Thompson noted: • Warmer weather helped with tree maintenance and brush mowing work along trails and within parks but also meant the larger South River Valley Park ice rink would close for the season. The small rink was already drained and closed due to a torn liner. • The Parks Maintenance Facility expansion/renovation project is nearly done, with some electric and HVAC subcontractor work remaining. Abraham reported: • The summer brochure will be available online as of March 1 and will include expanded camp programming, Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center (FFIAC) programming, additional programming at Sixty Forward, and more. • Staff continue to interview and hire various seasonal staff positions as well as three full- time positions (Public Wellness Manager, Ice Arena Manager, Ice Arena Coordinator). Rathe asked if FFIAC will have a full-time manager – it will not, Abraham said. Management will be divided among supervisory and maintenance staff, the same model used at Furman Aquatic Center. Two full-time positions (Aquatics Coordinator, Principal Clerk) were added to support FFIAC operations. 10. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS During recent visits to Ada Hayden Heritage Park, White observed a full parking lot and many park visitors, although not many bicyclists, along with individuals whose presence on thin ice was worrisome given their apparent inexperience with frozen water. Park users universally ignored posted directions to cycle on the outside and walk on the inside of the trail. White found the new, wider trail surface to be smooth and easier to traverse. Bicyclists seemed to go slower, with more consideration of pedestrians – a good start, overall. 11. NEXT MEETING: Thursday, March 26, 2026, 4:00 PM (Regular Meeting) Abraham noted: (1) the Boards and Commissions Appreciation Annual Luncheon is March 26 at 11:30 AM at Gateway Hotel & Conference Center; and (2) the March 26 Commission meeting will be the last for Shimanek and Reeves, whose terms and eligibility expire on March 31, 2026. 12. ADJOURNMENT MOTION (Rathe) to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 5:13 PM.