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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Park and Recreation Commission Meeting 04/16/2026CITY OF AMES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DATE April 16, 2026 COMMISSION PRESENT ABSENT STAFF Keith Abraham, Joshua Thompson 1. CALL TO ORDER: 4:00 PM 2. INTRODUCTION OF COMMISSION MEMBERS Abraham welcomed Elsbernd (three-year term) and Warning (one-year term) to the Commission. Elsbernd became an Ames resident five years ago. She spoke about the significance of parks to her family, including a daily dog walking routine in different parks. Warning, a resident since 1972, raised his family in Ames and frequently uses Ames parks and various recreation offerings. 3. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Abraham opened the floor for nominations for Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson. a. CHAIRPERSON MOTION: (White/Warning) to nominate Iles as Chairperson. MOTION PASSED: (7-0) b. VICE-CHAIRPERSON MOTION: (Sappenfield/White) to nominate Rathe as Vice-Chairperson. MOTION PASSED: (7-0) 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: (Tapp/Sappenfield) to approve the March 26, 2026, meeting minutes. MOTION PASSED: (7-0) 5. PUBLIC FORUM None 6. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING DATES FOR 2026/27 Abraham reviewed upcoming Commission meeting dates and locations. Most meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month. Exceptions include a Park/Facility Tour on June 25, 2026; a Special Meeting on December 3, 2026, to discuss the Capital Improvement Plan; and a Regular Meeting on March 25, 2027, to avoid conflict with spring break. 2 MOTION: (Rathe/Tapp) to recommend Alternative 1, which states: Approve the Parks and Recreation Commission 2026-27 meeting dates as shown in Attachment A. MOTION PASSED: (7-0) 7. MOTION RECOMMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE THE FRIENDS OF ADA HAYDEN HERITAGE PARK REQUEST TO WAIVE ENFORECEMENT OF PROHIBITION OF MOTORIZED VEHICLES IN ADA HAYDEN HERITAGE PARK Abraham reviewed previous requests regarding use of golf carts to provide rides around Ada Hayden Heritage Park (AHHP) for mobility-impaired individuals. The Moose Lodge provided these tours from 2004 until 2011. In 2016, the Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park began to provide this very popular service, which requires a waiver of the ordinance prohibiting use of motorized vehicles on the park trails. Abraham noted the Commission does not have authority to waive an ordinance but can recommend City Council grant the request. MOTION: (Sappenfield/White) to recommend Alternative 1, which states: Recommend City Council waive enforcement of Ordinance 19.9 on Wednesday, September 16 (9:00 AM – 8:00 PM) and Thursday, September 17 (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM) at Ada Hayden Heritage Park to allow the Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park to provide golf cart tours to mobility-impaired individuals. Warning asked if signage prohibiting motorized vehicles is posted within AAHP. Abraham said no, and it is normally not an issue. Warning wondered if seeing golf carts would create an impression it is okay to drive on the trail. The organized nature of the group tour creates a sense it is special, Abraham replied, not like seeing an individual driving a golf cart on the trail. Thompson spoke about a utility task vehicle purchased specifically for use at AAHP – it is marked with the City logo and has a light. Abraham noted safety vehicles and City vehicles are exceptions to the ordinance prohibition. MOTION PASSED: (7-0) 8. MOORE MEMORIAL PARK BRIDGE DISCUSSION Abraham reviewed an easement agreement with Iowa State University (ISU) to install a bridge over Ioway Creek and a shared use path on ISU property. The agreement will be considered at the May 12 City Council meeting. Abraham presented a map showing the connection between City of Ames and ISU properties and outlined the bridge location and future development of a shared use path connecting Moore Memorial Park with Scholl Road. The City will establish mown trails (eventually the entire trail would be paved) and may also install a chimney swift tower and interpretive signage. The City was awarded two $200,000 Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) grants from the Iowa DNR, one to be used for this project and the other for Ontario Park. Rathe asked for clarification about the path to the bridge. Abraham reviewed the existing Moore Memorial Park asphalt trail and the connection point with the planned paved path to the bridge. Iles asked if the bridge is funded by the REAP grant. Abraham said yes, plus local option sales tax money to make up the difference. He further noted the agreement includes requirements for bridge width and weight capacity to accommodate maintenance and emergency vehicles, and for installation of vegetative screening to prevent public access to Veenker Memorial Golf Course from the shared use path. The easement may be adjusted upon project completion if the route changes somewhat as construction progresses. 3 Warning asked if it was advantageous to have the bridge cross Ioway Creek on ISU property. Abraham explained that locations on City of Ames property would have required a larger bridge to span greater distance and would also require contending with sandy soil. The selected bridge location, where a low-head dam is already installed, offers a narrower span to cross. White asked if the existing low-head dam would be removed. Abraham said no, that ISU declined to take it out due to significant cost and to avoid potential creek bed erosion that could expose a nearby underground gas line. White and Abraham discussed canoe and kayak access, with White offering the idea that manufactured rapids would be a much better, albeit expensive option. He said he wanted to get the idea out there for more paddling in the area. Abraham encouraged the Commission to formalize its recommendation to the City Council. MOTION: (White/Elsbernd) to recommend City Council approve the easement agreement with Iowa State University (ISU) to place a bridge and future shared use path on ISU property. MOTION PASSED: (7-0) 9. ISU LEASE FOR FARMLAND ADJACENT MOORE MEMORIAL PARK DISCUSSION Abraham reviewed a map showing City of Ames and Iowa State University (ISU) properties near Moore Memorial Park. City property includes land already converted to prairie, now managed by Parks and Recreation. ISU land includes approximately 25 acres used for farming. ISU wishes to cease farming but could not find a department wanting to assume responsibility for the land. Conversations with the City led to plans to convert the ISU farmland to prairie and then lease it to the City at no charge. Water and Pollution Control’s (WPC) Nutrient Reduction Program would fund conversion of the farmland, helping WPC meet its goals while also creating additional prairie. Once established, Parks and Recreation would mow trails through the prairie, creating a total of about 65 walkable prairie acres. This agreement resembles other City/ISU lease agreements and would be another example of the positive town and gown relationship the City has with ISU. The 20-year lease agreement will be reviewed at the May 12 City Council meeting. Iles inquired about maintenance responsibilities and burning restrictions. Abraham indicated the City would be responsible for mowing trails and would conduct prescribed prairie burns. If ISU wishes to use some of the land for research, the City will coordinate its maintenance with ISU. Kevin Bourke, President & CEO, Discover Ames, 1601 Golden Aspen Drive #10, spoke about the nearby Peggy’s Trail/Reactor Woods area, and potentially promoting the area as a trail. He asked if there had been any discussion with ISU about limiting access to those trails or potentially having the City take over the trails. Abraham explained the City was approached by ISU about taking over Reactor Woods, but the City does not have the capacity to do what is necessary to ensure the trails are safe. The City communicated to ISU that it is a good idea with a lot of merit – it would be a 200-plus-acre park with a lot of diversity – but this may not be the time to do it. MOTION: (Rathe/Tapp) to recommend City Council approve the lease agreement. MOTION PASSED: (7-0) 4 10. PROJECT UPDATES a. Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center Abraham reported an opening date for Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center (FFIAC) has not been set – a formal announcement is expected soon. It is very likely FFIAC will open for fitness classes and swim lessons in June, but open swim and everything else may not begin until September. Sappenfield inquired about implications for fitness classes already scheduled at FFIAC. Abraham reviewed activities that could happen in the natatorium and multi-purpose room. If FFIAC is open, the indoor walking track will also be available. Iles requested an update on several items noted in the March meeting as creating delay. Abraham provided a status report on window glazing, sidewalk installation, demolition and repouring of the heated sidewalk, fire alarm issues, and audio/video media operations not all working as desired. A Commissioning Agent reviews all facility components, performs functional testing, and meets with staff regularly to review findings. Thompson spoke about the special challenges associated with aquatic facilities’ building envelopes, maintenance, and equipment, and the importance of getting things right and getting what is being paid for. Iles commented on not wanting to rush and asked if a plan exists to manage public complaint from delaying the full opening of FFIAC. Abraham indicated staff and the City Manager are collaborating on public messaging, scheduling open houses, etc. Sappenfield asked for a staffing update for both FFIAC and Furman Aquatic Center (FAC). Abraham provided information on lifeguard and shift leader recruitments and spoke about possibly using hiring incentives to encourage more applications. Once FFIAC opens, he noted, year-round aquatics jobs will be available, which may positively influence interest in aquatics employment. When staff have opportunities to work at both FFIAC and FAC, some staff may have both swimming instruction and guarding duties, for instance. b. Steven L. Schainker Plaza Abraham noted contractor work to correct several issues with the splash pad. The goal is to begin splash pad testing in the next couple of weeks, with State of Iowa inspection and license issuance to follow. Prior to May 22, the contractor will remove project area fencing and will erect temporary fencing around the ice ribbon area. The rest of the plaza will be open from Memorial Day weekend through September 1. The plaza will then close to allow the contractor to demo and rebuild the ice ribbon, with work and testing to be done by November. If weather allows for ice, ice skating would be available by late fall/early winter. c. 2026 Daley Park Splash Pad Thompson indicated staff is waiting for State of Iowa approval regarding the construction permit. The project contractor, TK Concrete, will start construction following approval. The original project completion goal of June 1 may not be feasible, Abraham noted. In response to a question from Warning, Abraham noted distinctions between the Schainker Plaza and Daley Park water features and differences in water surface and play areas. d. Park Maintenance Facility Expansion Ribbon Cutting—Wed., April 22, Noon Abraham invited the Commission to attend and provide remarks. 5 Sappenfield asked about the mulch pile previously located on the maintenance building site. Thompson indicated Public Works will establish a temporary mulch pile on the east end of Resource Recovery. Abraham explained that with the development of the Resource Recovery and Recycling Campus (R3C), there will be an area for tree debris and yard waste drop-off and a mulch pile. Public Works will manage the R3C but perhaps some tree and yard waste responsibilities will be shared with Parks and Recreation. Iles spoke about the science of mulch pile management and maintenance. 11. MONTHLY REPORT Thompson reported:  Park restrooms are open for the season. He encouraged the public to report any observed water leaks to Parks and Recreation.  Staff installed docks and accessible canoe/kayak launch at Ada Hayden Heritage Park.  For a third year, staff partnered with the Iowa DNR and Ames Anglers to install fish habitat in the south lake at Ada Hayden Heritage Park. Abraham noted Parks and Recreation is accepting applications for all summer jobs. 12. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS Sappenfield complimented the dance and gymnastics recital held the previous weekend. Rathe shared she enjoys viewing animal videos sourced from a trail camera and shown on the Ada Hayden Heritage Park (AHHP) Facebook page. Thompson added staff continues work with the contractor on the AHHP trail replacement project. Remaining tasks include punch list items as well as replacement of a few concrete panels. Thompson asked the public to stay out of work areas for safety and to allow the project to be completed as soon as possible. 13. NEXT MEETING: Thursday, May 21, 2026, 4:00 PM (Regular Meeting) 14. ADJOURNMENT MOTION (Rathe) to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 5:19 PM.