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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Park and Recreation Commission Meeting 03/25/2021AMES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DATE: March 25, 2021 COMMISSION PRESENT: Sarah Cady, Eve Lederhouse, Nathan Shimanek, Jeremy Bristow, Duane Reeves, Jacob Ludwig ABSENT: Sarah Litwiller STAFF: Keith Abraham, Kellee Omlid, Joshua Thompson, Craig Kaufman CALL TO ORDER: 4:02 PM APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Bristow, with second by Ludwig, to approve the February 18, 2021, meeting minutes. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved ELECT TEMPORARY VICE CHAIR: Abraham informed the Commission that Chairperson Sarah Cady will need to leave the meeting at 5:30 PM and Vice-Chair Sarah Litwiller cannot attend. The Commission will need to elect a temporary vice-chair to complete the meeting. It was moved by Bristow, with second by Lederhouse, to appoint Jacob Ludwig as temporary vice chair. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved PUBLIC FORUM No Public Forum STAFF REPORT REGARDING PROGRAMS, ACTIVITIES, AND EVENTS BEING HELD IN THE PARK SYSTEM Abraham spoke to the Commission regarding requests for events in the park system. So me of the events are Parks & Recreation sponsored events like the Municipal Band concerts and movies in the park. Abraham asked for feedback from the Commission regarding events like these and other events such as the Roosevelt Concert Series and 5k events in the park system. Bristow is in favor of holding these events. Ludwig asked if we were going back to normal for these activities with no restrictions. Abraham stated that Staff would have to speak with people holding events informing the organizer to follow any health guidelines, however it would be up to the organizers to enforce any rules. Lederhouse feels like people concerned about distancing and masks will still wear masks or not come at all. Cady has some concerns with events that would have a lot of spectators in a close area such as the swim meet. She really does not have any concerns regarding any other outdoor events. She does think there should be a threshold set based on cases to determine if events should be cancelled. Abraham stated that they are addressing the spectators for the swim meets further down the agenda. Abraham stated that the department would look to the CDC, IDPH or the Govern or’s Office for guidance on closing events. Cady is of the opinion that Governor’s Office and the IDPH have been reactive instead of proactive. She does not want us to be reactive on benchmarks. Abraham said that we must follow what the Governor puts in place. Abraham says that he feels the staff has done a good job so far. Shimanek feels that the Commission and Staff have made good decisions. He would like to open up and showcase our park system. Reeves says that ISU is going to be opening in June. He feels there should be a large amount of people that have had shots in the arm by then. Reeves agrees with Shimanek that we should be opening things up. Abraham stated that we are working with Story County Public Health to get the Aquatics and Camp staff vaccinated. Stacey Ross (1123 Harding) Ross is with the Friends of Roosevelt Park. She states the group is very eager to get some concerts in the park. They will follow all guidelines and appreciate that the Commission is open to having events in the parks. Cady asked if there would be any potluck picnics at their events. Ross stated that they would not be having any potlucks this season. It was moved by Shimanek, with second by Reeves, to support Staff in making decisions to open facilities and activities to their greatest potential. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved MOTION APPROVING THE AMES JAYCEES REQUEST TO UTILIZE BANDSHELL PARK FOR THEIR AMES ON THE HALF SHELL CONCERTS Kaufman stated that the request is similar to what the Commission has seen in the past. The Jaycees are proposing to do this event in July instead of June. They feel it would give more time for people to get vaccinated. The Jaycees are also proposing to have four events instead of five, skipping 4th of July weekend. It was moved by Reeves, with second by Bristow, to approve Alternative #1. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved MOTION APPROVING THE USE OF THE FURMAN AQUATIC CENTER BY THE AMES CYCLONES AQUATICS CLUB ON JUNE 4, 5, AND 6 FOR THEIR ROCK THE BLOCKS SWIM MEET. Omlid went over the details for this event to be held on June 4-6, 2021. Ames Cyclone Aquatics Club (ACAC) will have the facility to themselves Friday evening as well as Saturday and Sunday mornings. Staff feels limiting outside attendance at certain times will help with distancing, as we will not have pool patrons and swim meet participants crossing paths. There will also be no outside food or beverage, no hospitality event inside the facility, and a spectator limit of two per swimmer. The rental rate will be $750 per day. ACAC will have exclusive use of the 50-meter basin. If they wanted to include the Lazy River and the Splash Pool, there would be a charge for additional staff. Cady stated all her concerns regarding the swim meet have been addressed Reeves likes the fact that the pool will be open to just the meet participants. It is his hope that this continues in non-COVID-19 years. Reeves asked if Alternative #2, which is less cost per day, would give them use of the Lazy River. Omlid said ACAC could use the Lazy River but has opted not to do so. Lederhouse said that Alternative #1 gives participants more room to spread out. Omlid stated that ACAC has used the Lazy River in the past at the cost of $230.00. Abraham stated that Alternative #1 is what Staff and ACAC has worked through. Alternative #2 is the rate from last year. Mike Peterson (3475 Fenton Ave, Stratford IA 50249) Peterson representing ACAC, stated that the club decided not to pay for extra lifeguard hours at the additional basins as participation is expected to be down. Peterson said recruiting is down, and COVID-19 protocols have kept them to six kids per lane. It has been successful over the winter with meets at the Des Moines YMCA. There have been no traced COVID-19 incidents at any of those meets. They really want to get the kids something. Reeves feels that during the high school swim season swimmers were on top of each other. We are giving them a bigger space, but we are charging them extra. Reeves would like it to be more flexible. Cady asked Omlid if a reduced rate could be offered for the hourly lifeguard fee. Omlid said that we are only charging the amount we pay the guards. Abraham asked Peterson how important is using the Lazy River for them at the meet. Peterson informed the Commission that the Lazy River was mostly for warm up and cool down and he does not want to get too caught up in that. Peterson stated it is more important that the swim meet staff can keep the timer’s table up throughout the weekend as it is difficult getting the electronics all working together, and it is hard to reprogram after tearing the table down. Abraham says that is not a Commission decision. Staff will work with ACAC to figure this out. Abraham states that he feels they could include the use of the Lazy River in Alternative #1. It was moved by Reeves, with second by Bristow, to approve Alternative #1 with the addition of the Lazy River and including the cost of the guards. Discussion: Lederhouse must abstain due to conflict of interest but appreciates the relationship between Parks and Recreation and ACAC. She went over the history of ACAC members getting out the vote to pass the bond issue for building the pool. She understands that there are people who complain the one weekend that they’re using the aquatic center, but it is her opinion that there would not be a Furman Aquatic Center without ACAC. No opposition. Abstained, Lederhouse. Motion Approved MOTION APPROVING THE AGREEMENT WITH AMES LITTLE LEAGUE FOR USE OF BROOKSIDE PARK BASEB ALL FIELDS Thompson went over the Commission Action Form. Thompson stated that this agreement has gone very well. It was moved by Lederhouse, with second by Reeves, to approve Alternative #1 No discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved MOTION RECOMMENDING CITY COUNCIL APPROVE A LOCATION FOR A NEW SPLASH PAD Abraham went over the presentation that was given at the neighborhood meetings. Abraham stated that as Staff looked at these two options, the recommendation for constructing this amenity in Daley Park came down to visibility, safety, and accessibility. Reeves stated that he knows that both meetings were low attendance. He was wondering if the citizens want a splash pad. Staff felt both meetings were positive. Over the years, a splash pad has been something the citizens have been wanting to add to the park system. Reeves stated that at the meetings, the comments were more informational. He feels like the splash pad is a great idea and would have loved this when his kids were young. Abraham said Daley Park is over fifteen acres, and the splash pad is just over one tenth of an acre. There will still be a large amount of green space for people to play. Cady asked about hours for the facility. Abraham stated the hours have not been determined. Right now, staff is thinking the features will be available from 11:00AM to 7:00PM. There is the possibility that there could be some private rental hours as well. Cady believes overall it seems to be positively received. Beth McPhail (5458 Frost Dr.) McPhail stated that she would like to thank Abrahamson(sic) for letting her participate. She does not feel Daley Park needs this feature. She feels that Daley park is the premiere park, and this will be taking away from the park. Lederhouse thanked McPhail for speaking up. Lederhouse feels like this feature will be very popular and Staff should investigate parking issues. Lederhouse stated that the Commission wants to bring amenities to the west side It was moved by Reeves, with second by Bristow, to approve Alternative #1 No discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved STAFF REPORT REGARDING NAME CHANGE OF SQUAW CREEK TO IOWAY CREEK Abraham went over the name change with the Commission. Staff feels there is a naming opportunity for Squaw Creek Park and the Squaw Creek Community Gardens, and we should give the public an opportunity to suggest names. Ludwig asked if there was a time frame. Abraham stated that he would review the applications and make recommendations to the Commission. The Commission would decide what to send to City Council for approval. Shimanek stated he thinks this is a great opportunity and would like to see a public information campaign. Bristow agreed. Omlid informed the Commission that the information could be included in the City Side June edition, and cycle out with the utility bills in the month of May. Shimanek commented that a July decision should leave enough time for revealing a new sign by the fall. Abraham said yes. Shimanek made a motion approving Staff to produce a public relations campaign, including print and digital media, for a change of the Squaw Creek Park with a vote in July. Second by Reeves. No Discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved MOTION TO HOLD THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APRIL 15, 2021, MEETING VIRTUALLY OR IN PERSON. Abraham stated that the City Council is still meeting via zoom. It was moved by Shimanek, with second by Bristow, to hold the April meeting virtually. No Discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved PROJECT UPDATES Abraham stated the Homewood Clubhouse is moving along. This building could be in our possession by mid-April. Thompson went over the bank stabilization project. This project was supposed to be 90% complete by opening day at Homewood, however this did not happen. Omlid stated that the course will open at a reduced fee with seven holes. Cart rental will not begin until the clubhouse opens. If the course is still at seven holes upon opening, cart fees will be reduced. MONTHLY REPORT Spring and summer fitness classes are online for registration. Shelters and restrooms will be open for reservations on April 15 , with fountains open by first part of May. Shimanek asked about the low-head dam opening. Abraham stated that May 1 is the ribbon cutting. RECOGNITION OF OUTGOING COMMISSION MEMBER EVE LEDERHOUSE Abraham stated that staff has appreciated all her support over the last three years. Abraham appreciates her candor and speaking her mind. Bristow said it was a pleasure to work with her. Lederhouse stated she had learned a lot. Thompson and Omlid also thanked her for her service and support. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS None NEXT MEETING: Thursday, April 15, at 4:00 PM (Via Zoom) ADJOURNMENT Moved by Lederhouse to adjourn. The meeting concluded at 6:02 PM.