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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Park and Recreation Commission Meeting 12/16/2021AMES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DATE December 16, 2021 COMMISSION PRESENT Jeremy Bristow, Sarah Cady, Nicole Fannin, Sarah Litwiller, Jacob Ludwig, Duane Reeves ABSENT Nathan Shimanek STAFF PRESENT Keith Abraham, Courtney Kort, Jill Burt, Nate Pietz CALL TO ORDER 4:01 PM APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ludwig moved, with a second by Bristow, to approve the October 21, 2021, and December 2, 2021, meeting minutes. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved PUBLIC FORUM No Public Forum STAFF REPORT ON THE 2021 FURMAN AQUATIC CENTER SEASON Burt informed the Commission that two additional sunshades were added to the pool deck. She told the Commission that Furman had fewer returning staff than in other years due to the pool closing for the 2020 season. Staff had to do essential job training along with the usual specialized training due to the large number of younger staff hired. Pool rentals were the highest in the history of the aquatic center. Pietz said that the sale of End-of-Season passes increased 129%. Pietz showed an attendance number of 84,256, which is over the five-year average of 81,273. He also let the Commission know that the one-millionth customer will come through the gate in the Summer of 2022. Concession sales were above the last five-year average as well. Burt informed the Commission that pool breaks were implemented every two hours on hot days. Pool breaks are good for Staff to cool off and refocus. Burt also went over some of her strategies for recruitment for next season. Bristow asked the age someone could become a lifeguard. Burt informed him individuals must be 15 to take lifeguard certification. The Commission drew the winners from the individuals that completed the end of season survey. Whitney Slinker won a family pass. Denise Rothschild won an individual season pass. Carla Dixon won a punch pass. Elise Schoen won 10 free daily admissions. UPDATE REGARDING THE INDOOR AQUATIC CENTER Abraham informed the Commission that Staff went to Council on November 23, 2021with six items. The first item pertains to the project delivery method. The method could be traditional, such as using an architect for design, going out to bid, awarding the bid, and hiring a general contractor. The general contractor would hire and manage the sub-contractors. Another choice would be to hire a construction advisor (who may have input on the design) to oversee the project with periodic visits to the site. The third option would be to hire a construction management firm for pre-construction (including design) and construction. Staff’s recommendation to Council was to hire a construction manager. Council approved hiring a construction manager, and the RFP process has begun. The second item pertains to the design. RDG put together the conceptual designs for the Healthy Life Center and the conceptual drawings for the Reinvestment District application. The two options given to Council were either waiving purchasing policies and awarding the contract to RDG or putting together an RFP for design services. Council’s approved waiving purchasing policies and start negotiating the scope of services with RDG. The third item pertains to the building. Initially, Council approved a two-story building with a walking track and multi-purpose spaces on the second floor. Changing the design to a one-story building including a walking path and multi-purpose rooms would save $800,000. Council approved the one- story facility. The fourth item is regarding the appraisal of the land, which came in at $2.9 million. Moving forward, $2.9 million is the number Staff will use on the Reinvestment District application and in project budget estimates. Also, the DOT will be vacating the premises by October of 2022. The City will have environmental and hazard material studies done before purchasing the land. The fifth item pertains to the fundraising goal of $8 million. There has been $8,232,500 raised by Dan Culhane of the Ames Chamber of Commerce. The sixth item is the project cost estimate update for a one-story building, and a construction manager which is $30,164,00. Cady asked if the DOT would be responsible for any environmental remediation on the property. Abraham said that it is unknown at this time. Once the City knows what is on the property there will be negotiations on the purchase agreement. PRESENTATION REGARDING THE DOWNTOWN PLAZA DESIGN Abraham updated the Commission regarding the design of the Downtown Plaza. One of the design features he pointed out is the center circle on the south side of the oval skating ribbon will be ice. The water runnel will have zero-depth entry and end in a pad with spray features. A food truck area, a small concrete stage, and the main entrance will also be part of the project. The city will convert land north of City Hall on 6th Street to parking and add parking along Clark Avenue in front of City Hall to replace the spaces lost for this project. The ice area won’t have curbs or cutouts, and the middle will be artificial turf. Cady asked about bicycle parking, and Abraham showed her where the bike parking would be. Abraham also showed the area for the building, which will include restrooms, an overhang with seating, a skate rental area, a garage, and a mechanical room. Other amenities will be seating, lighting, Wi-Fi, music, and art. Litwiller asked if there were any cubbies to store patron’s shoes while skating. Abraham said that there were not at this time, but he would bring it to the design team. She feels it is a beautiful project and will be a destination. Reeves asked about the rental parking spaces. Abraham stated that the rental spaces are moving to the 6th Street lot. Reeves asked if the rental spaces would be open to the public on weekends and evenings. Abraham informed him that question would be a Damion (Pregitzer) question. Abraham will find out. PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT’S FY 2022-2027 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN UPDATE Abraham stated that the final CIP would go in front of the City Council for approval on January 18, 2022. PROJECT UPDATES Abraham informed the Commission that the kayak launch is in the planning and design stage. The Access Ada Hayden group is helping with the design of the launch. The hope is to get this finalized, ordered, and installed. Reeves asked where the final location for this feature would be. Abraham said it would be between the current kayak access and the boat ramp. MONTHLY REPORT The outdoor ice rinks have been installed at River Valley. Abraham also informed the Commission that various facilities are open to the public over the holidays. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS Litwiller asked about free fitness classes over the holiday. Kort informed her that Parks and Recreation would have drop-in fitness classes. There is a suggested donation of an item of non- perishable food for the food bank for each class attended. Litwiller also asked about the ice fishing, usually held in January or February. Abraham stated that the DNR has been doing unannounced trout stockings because of the pandemic. The Ada Hayden event is the most popular, with large crowds drilling multiple holes in the ice. The popularity of this event is making it unsafe, so there will no longer be an ice fishing event. There will continue to be unannounced trout stockings. Abraham stated that Jax Outdoor is open to doing a spring fishing event to replace the ice fishing activity. Cady requested a trash can at the west trailhead in Emma McCarthy Lee. Reeves asked about the triathlon. Reeves told Abraham that the event has been growing, and more and more people want to be a part of it. He informed Abraham the triathlon group is considering including food trucks and alcohol. Abraham informed Reeves that alcohol is not allowed at Ada Hayden Heritage Park, and the City Council would have to waive the ordinance. Abraham also told Reeves Council does not like being asked for approval after an event has already been advertised. Abraham stated that the triathlon group needs to contact Staff ASAP. ADJOURNMENT Ludwig moved to adjourn. The meeting concluded at 5:20 PM. Next Meetings: Thursday, January 20, 2022, at 4:00 PM.