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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Park and Recreation Commission Meeting 02/18/2021AMES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DATE: February 18, 2021 COMMISSION PRESENT: Sarah Cady, Eve Lederhouse, Sarah Litwiller, Nathan Shimanek, Jeremy Bristow, Duane Reeves, Jacob Ludwig ABSENT: None STAFF: Keith Abraham, Kellee Omlid, Joshua Thompson CALL TO ORDER: 4:00 PM APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Litwiller, with second by Ludwig, to approve the January 21, 2021, meeting minutes. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved PUBLIC FORUM No Public Forum STAFF REPORT REGARDING COMMUNITY GARDENS/FOOD FORESTS Abraham’s report covered the history of community gardening in Ames and the directive from Council to develop more garden spaces in Ames. Abraham informed the Commission that the neighbors near Harrison and Welbeck were not in favor of this project. They had concerns regarding parking, aesthetics of the garden, and strangers coming into their neighborhood. Abraham informed the Commission that the neighbors near 830 Delaware were the opposite of the Harrison and Welbeck neighborhood. They are in favor of the gardens and would also like to preserve some of the green space. Cady clarified that the enthusiasm in the Delaware project is the highest, and she feels it is a good fit for the neighborhood. Bristow likes the Delaware location for the garden plots. Reeves stated he lives in the Delaware area, and his neighbors have expressed that they are not happy about the gardens on Delaware. Abraham stated that was interesting as none of the attendees brought concerns to the meeting. The only advice from the neighborhood was to balance gardens with green space. Reeves suggested the alternate area to the south is a better location. Abraham informed the Commission the alternate area to the south of the Delaware location has eighteen foot of drop and would take a lot of work to develop. Lederhouse is in favor of adding additional gardens to the Carr Park location. Shimanek is in favor of tabling the formation of plots on the west side for now. He also is in favor of adding gardens at the Carr Park location. Lederhouse clarified that she was for the Delaware site as well as adding gardens to the Carr Location. Lederhouse did not want to dismiss the concerns of Reeves neighbors, but she does want to give weight to the people who actually took the time to attend the meeting. Cady also wanted to push back on comments that nearby apartment dwellers would not be interested in gardening. She gardened in graduate school, and her opinion is people in those apartments and duplexes would garden. Abraham wanted to clarify that the people at the Delaware meeting did seem to want ground level beds. Reeves asked if the Commission could go on record to direct staff to put the beds/gardens on the east side of the property. Abraham said they could amend the option. It was moved by Lederhouse, with second by Ludwig, to recommend the City Council approve Option 1. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved It was moved by Bristow, with second by Lederhouse, to recommend the City Council not approve Option 2 No discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved It was moved by Reeves, with second by Ludwig, to recommend the City Council approve Option 3 amended to state the garden beds will be located on the east side of the property. Discussion: Shimanek has concerns with parking if the plots are on the east side. He also has concerns that people may park on Dakota or on the sidewalk, so they don’t have to carry their gardening supplies across the site. Abraham stated that staff will be clear on what gardeners can and cannot do. No opposition. Motion Approved It was moved by Reeves with second by Ludwig, to recommend the City Council table Option 4 until more decisions are made regarding the Animal Shelter building. Discussion: Reeves feels that the food forest would be a good project in collaboration with Ames High and ISU. No opposition. Motion Approved UPDATE – IOWA REINVESTMENT DISTRICT PROGRAM APPLICATION a. Indoor Aquatic Center Draft Concept Abraham informed the Commission on Council’s decision to move forward with the two- story building by a vote of four to two. Abraham went over the conceptual drawings of the two-story building that will be submitted to the Iowa Development Authority. Abraham will send the pre-application to the Commission when it is ready. Reeves asked about what happens to the project if the development on Lincoln Way does not happen. Abraham stated that the city would need to come up with that money somewhere else. If the city does get a grant, any future development in that district can be used to get the rebate. The city would be able to amend within the date parameters of the grant. b. Downtown Plaza Abraham stated that the Downtown Plaza public meeting was attended by over 100 people. Abraham showed an overview of the master plan that was developed based on the feedback gathered at the public meeting. People were enthusiastic for food trucks to be present in this space as well. Ludwig asked about the timeline. Abraham stated there was funding in the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 CIP, and construction could begin in 2022. Ludwig also asked about synthetic ice. Abraham stated that actual ice needs plumbing, coolant, and an ice resurfacer. Abraham stated that synthetic ice (a type of plastic) is half the cost of actual ice and could have a longer skating season. Staff is reaching out to others for more information on synthetic ice. Ludwig is excited for the project. Cady asked if the Brenton Plaza in Des Moines was real or synthetic. Abraham believes it is real ice. Cady also inquired about warming houses and concessions. Abraham informed her there has been conversation regarding year-round restrooms. There has been additional conversations regarding concessions and skate rentals. Warming houses are not in the plan, however there could be gas fireplaces or warmers. The facility would be open full time, but the rental and concessions would not be open full time. Lederhouse asked if it would be free to use if people had their own skates. Abraham said that it would. Lederhouse asked if it would it take income away from the Ice Arena. Abraham informed her that it is possible that some revenue could be lost. Lederhouse does not see any reason why the City could not charge a nominal fee to help with upkeep. Abraham stated that City Council does want to see free activities, but Lederhouse has a point as there are always operation costs. PANDEMIC UPDATE The Governor’s recent proclamation drops group size limits, mask wearing, and social distancing. The City still has a mask requirement for all indoor facilities. Staff has not made any changes to our current programs. MOTION TO HOLD THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MARCH 25, 2021, MEETING VIRTUALLY OR IN PERSON. It was moved by Bristow, with second by Ludwig, to hold the March meeting virtually. No Discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved PROJECT UPDATES The Homewood clubhouse is coming along nicely. The windows are in place, and the shiplap has been installed in the ceiling. The sidewalks need to be installed before we can occupy the building. The McCarthy Lee bridge project finally received approval from FEMA on Monday. Construction will start soon, and the actual bridge is in the fabrication process. MONTHLY REPORT Omlid shared that several programs are online for spring and summer at www.amesparkrec.org. Thompson said the ski trails are still being groomed, and the ice rinks are still being maintained. He wants to thank Dave Flory for his diligence of resurfacing the ice. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS Reeves asked how many people are allowed into the Ames hockey games. Omlid informed him that each player gets up to four spectators. Cady asked about the Furman Aquatic Center. Abraham stated that Staff has been having ongoing conversation regarding the aquatics center since last October. The goal is to open the aquatic center to some degree; however, we don’t know if we can open it at pre COVID-19 levels. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Bristow to adjourn. The meeting concluded at 5:34 PM. NEXT MEETING: Thursday, March 25, at 4:00 PM (Via Zoom)