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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Park and Recreation Commission Meeting 03/26/2026CITY OF AMES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DATE March 26, 2026 COMMISSION PRESENT ABSENT Hannah Sappenfield STAFF Keith Abraham, Joshua Thompson 1. CALL TO ORDER: 4:00 PM 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: (Reeves/Rathe) to approve the February 19, 2026, meeting minutes. MOTION PASSED: (6-0) 3. PUBLIC FORUM Kevin Bourke, President & CEO, Discover Ames, 1601 Golden Aspen Drive #10, said he was attending his first Commission meeting. Either Bourke or Justin Thiele, Business Development Specialist, will attend future Commission meetings more often. Bourke spoke about the rec center feasibility study Abraham will present to the City Council in April. He noted a tour of facilities in and around the metro area meant to open stakeholders’ eyes to the facility possibilities for Ames. Bourke encouraged consideration of public/private partnership opportunities to fund rec center operations to create a win-win scenario for youth sports clubs and those interested in recreation. He stressed the importance of the feasibility study examining the full gamut of possibilities – to create a facility able to support youth sports club practices and competitions as well as recreation opportunities for the public, i.e., something more than a glorified field house. Bourke noted Ames has more than 4,000 youth club participants and does not have adequate facilities, with economic impact going elsewhere. 4. JAYCEES AMES ON THE HALF SHELL Ames on the Half Shell is an event held annually since 2003 and sponsored by Ames Jaycees, featuring five Friday night concerts at Bandshell Park. Sponsor requests are very similar each year and again include requested waivers of facility fees and 10 percent of gross sales. Staff’s recommendation is consistent with previous approvals. Abraham reported there have been no complaints or issues in recent years and Police regard it as a well-run event. MOTION: (Iles/Tapp) to recommend Alternative 1, which states: Approve the Jaycees’ request to: a) Sponsor Ames on the Half Shell, utilizing Bandshell Park on five Fridays between May 29 and June 26, with the band playing from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, ending no later than 8:30 PM, and teardown by 9:30 PM. 2 b) Recommend City Council approve alcohol sales at Bandshell Park on five Fridays between May 29 and June 26, between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM, consumed at ground level within a fenced-in area, with the area cleared no later than 9:00 PM or the fence removal, whichever comes first, and City Council require the Jaycees to obtain a State liquor license to comply with local and State liquor laws. c) Waive the Jaycees’ payment of $1.00 per ticket sold and 10 percent of gross food and beverage sales. MOTION PASSED: (6-0) 5. AMES YOUTH BASEBALL 2026 AGREEMENT Thompson stated staff recommend renewing the long-standing agreement (formalized in 2014) between Parks and Recreation and Ames Youth Baseball regarding use of baseball fields at Brookside Park. The agreement specifies field use prioritization and maintenance responsibilities. Reeves asked for an update on field light tower demolition. Thompson stated the lights have not been functional for some time – there is no electricity – but the structures remain. The demolition remains a priority but has been moved in the Capital Improvement Plan to accommodate other needs. Abraham stressed the light towers are not dangerous. They are not being used and may be removed at a future time, with the project scheduled outside of the baseball season. MOTION: (Iles/White) to recommend Alternative 1, which states: Approve the agreement with Ames Youth Baseball regarding use of fields 7, 8, & 9 in Brookside Park from April 1, 2026, to November 1, 2026. Shimanek expressed appreciation for this ongoing public/private partnership. MOTION PASSED: (6-0) 6. EXPANDING PARK BOUNDARIES UPDATE Abraham noted recent Commission (February 19) and City Council (March 24) deliberations on expanding park boundaries. The City Council supported the concept of applying a set of rules and expectations to the proposed expansion areas and approved the item unanimously. The only City Council question was whether other areas would be added. Abraham responded that staff did not have other areas to recommend currently but others may be identified in the future. White asked about a timeline for formalizing the expansion areas. Abraham said there is no need to bring the item before City Council again, it is just a matter of staff updating plans, website, etc. and getting information out to educate the community about the change and expectations. 7. PROJECT UPDATES a. Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center Abraham reported a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy was issued, which allows staff to work in the building to do training and certifications. Outdoor items (bioretention cell, sidewalk) remain before the final Certificate of Occupancy may be obtained. On March 3, the State inspected the natatorium and mechanical areas and returned on March 6 to recheck a couple of items and issue a license. Other items requiring attention include windows on the southwest corner of the building and a permanent solution to an issue with the fire alarm that is currently addressed with a temporary fix. Recent cold weather revealed a portion of the heated sidewalk in front of the main entrance does not work and will require demolition and replacement. Staff want this work done as soon as possible to 3 avoid opening the facility and then having disruption from repair work. The facility opening date is now pushed back to the end of April. Staff continue to participate in a wide variety of training activities. Abraham also reported a Commissioning Agent (CxA) was hired to ensure all building systems function correctly. This is the first time Parks and Recreation used a CxA. Abraham indicated it is well worth the investment given the project complexity. Iles asked how long Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center (FFIAC) would be open before it closes. Abraham estimated it would be four to five weeks, and then FFIAC would shift to limited use while Furman Aquatic Center (FAC) is operating. Iles asked if FFIAC operations would be extended. Abraham indicated Parks and Recreation would want to avoid competing with itself by having FFIAC and FAC open simultaneously. Rathe shared that people have asked for advice on when to buy facility passes. Abraham replied passes are on sale now and it would depend on what pass is desired. Passes for FAC purchased before May 1 and FFIAC passes purchased before August 1 are each discounted 5 percent. The Aquatics Facilities pass for both FFIAC and FAC does not have a deadline for purchasing and provides a 15 percent discount – the initial weeks of FFIAC being open would be a bonus. Abraham offered to check on several specific questions from Reeves and Rathe about facility passes and early morning lap swim schedules. He also addressed questions from White regarding wellness pool hours. Abraham provided an update on precast concrete panel staining discussion at the March 24 City Council meeting. Staff recommended staining and presented City Council with options. After a lot of discussion, City Council directed staff to stain a mockup on the north side of the building by the air handling units to see what the stain looks like on a larger space, and then bring the item back to City Council for a decision about staining all of the mottled precast concrete panels, or not staining the panels and instead getting a credit from the contractor. Abraham emphasized that staff do not like how the building looks and think the stain will give the building the appearance desired from the outset. b. Steven L. Schainker Plaza Abraham indicated City Council came to an agreement with the contractor to remove and replace the ice ribbon at the contractor’s cost and to complete all other non-ice ribbon items by May 22. Spray pad items are to be done earlier in May to allow for a final State inspection and license issuance. At that point, everything but the ice ribbon will be open to the public. The City will install fencing around the ice ribbon area. Around September 1, the contractor will begin ice ribbon demolition. The entire plaza will be closed to allow the ice ribbon to be replaced, concrete repoured, and the system tested. The ice feature is to be ready for use in November 2026. Abraham noted it took a long time to work out an agreement that will give Ames residents what was paid for and expected. c. Ada Hayden Heritage Park Trail Replacement Abraham reported Thompson participated in a project walk through with the contractor and the engineer. The inspection identified areas where longitudinal cracks are present along nine concrete panels, in one instance, and seven panels in another. Thompson is working with the contractor to assign responsibility for repair costs. A couple of other locations where water ponding occurs were also identified. Drain tile is likely needed in one location and would be paid for by the City. 4 Iles asked if the expectation is that concrete will not crack when it is poured. Thompson indicated Iowa Statewide Urban Design and Specifications (SUDAS) state cracks that do not follow with crosscuts are the contractor responsibility. Staff want the panels replaced because the longitudinal cracks in consecutive panels will become an issue, possibly a liability. Regarding concrete cracking, Iles said he regards “that’s what happens with concrete” as a generally unacceptable answer from contractors. d. Park Maintenance Facility Expansion Staff had a punch list walk through with the contractor on March 25, Abraham stated, and are waiting for the project architect to assemble information. Thompson noted a section of concrete floor does not look good. Seeding and other landscaping work remains. The project is very close to being done. Abraham said a ribbon cutting will likely be scheduled toward the end of April. 8. MONTHLY REPORT Thompson reported:  Staff will turn on water for park restrooms and water fountains by April 15, when shelter reservations begin. He encouraged the public to report any observed leaks.  Homewood Golf Course will open March 30. The Hole Nine Crossing Project is nearly complete. Damage to the asphalt drive from heavy equipment traffic will be addressed with assistance from Public Works. Eventually all asphalt surfaces at Homewood Golf Course, except for golf cart paths, will be replaced with concrete. Abraham spoke about job opportunities with Parks and Recreation and encouraged applications. 9. OUTGOING COMMISSION MEMBER RECOGNITION Abraham presented outgoing commissioners Reeves and Shimanek with recognition plaques and thanked both for their extended service on the Commission, Reeves since 2019, Shimanek since 2020. Abraham shared his appreciation for Reeves’ thoughtful questions and input, and for contributions in and outside of Commission meetings. Abraham remarked on Shimanek’s recreation background and leadership as notable aspects of his service, along with enthusiasm for projects, willingness to offer definite opinions, and overall support of staff. Thompson thanked both for their time, demeanor, and passion for the City and for projects. In his view, the Parks and Recreation Commission is the best board because it involves fun things, even with tough decisions. He thanked Reeves and Shimanek for their feedback and insights. Shimanek said it was his pleasure to serve Ames residents. He raised his family in Parks and Recreation programming and continues to use the park system daily. Reeves expressed appreciation for serving alongside Shimanek and about being a long-time Ames resident using the parks system. Reeves encouraged Commissioners to attend public input sessions – just to listen – to bring perspective to Commission meetings. He noted a lot of great projects were completed during his time as a commissioner and cited a rec center and Ontario Park as two major projects to look forward to. He thanked staff for their work. 10. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS Rathe shared feedback from park users requesting additional trash receptacles at Ada Hayden Heritage Park. Thompson replied additional containers will be installed – not everything is in place following the park trail replacement project. Abraham added the Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park group provided funds for additional trash cans – they just are not placed yet. 5 11. NEXT MEETING: April 16, 2026, 4:00 PM (Regular Meeting) Shimanek noted two incoming members will join the Commission at the April meeting. Abraham said Gary Warning and Erin Elsbernd were appointed to one- and three-year terms, respectively. 12. ADJOURNMENT MOTION (Reeves) to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 4:57 PM.