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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Park and Recreation Commission Meeting 05/17/2018AMES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DATE: May 17, 2018 COMMISSION PRESENT: Allen Bierbaum, Jeremy Bristow, Sarah Cady, Kelsey Culbertson, Eve Lederhouse, Ed Moran ABSENT: Sarah Litwiller STAFF: Keith Abraham, Kellee Omlid, Joshua Thompson, Brooke Rogers CALL TO ORDER: 4:01 PM APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Bierbaum, with second by Bristow, to approve the April 19, 2018 meeting minutes. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved PUBLIC FORUM No Public Forum DIRECTOR’S REPORT a. Introduction: Brooke Rogers, Recreation Manager Rogers gave a brief overview of her education and work history to the Commission. b. Update: Healthy Life Center Abraham gave an update to the Commission on the proposed Healthy Life Center. c. Presentation: Munn Woods/Emma McCarthy Lee Park Sanitary Sewer Project Tracy Warner and Hafiz Ibrahim from Public Works Engineering spoke to the Commission regarding the sanitary sewer project that will run through Munn W oods and Emma McCarthy Lee Park. Warner encouraged the Commission to reach out to her with any questions. Warner stated that the project was a “when” project, not an “if” project, with the earliest possible start date being October 1, 2018. d. Commission Action Form: JAX Outdoor Gear Request There are no changes to this agreement from the previous year. Staff recommends Alternative #1. It was moved by Bierbaum with second by Lederhouse to approve Alternative #1. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved e. Commission Action Form: Pianos in the Parks Thompson stated the proposed agreement covers one piano located in Tom Evans Plaza. Staff recommends Alternative #1 contingent upon Public Arts Commission approval. Moran asked if this would be the same piano as last year and wondered how tuning the piano would be handled. Thompson stated that the grant writer for this project was handling the tuning of the piano. It was moved by Cady, with second by Bierbaum, to approve Alternative #1. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved f. Commission Action Form: Tennis Courts at Ames High School Abraham gave the history of the agreements between the City of Ames and the Ames Community School District regarding the tennis courts located at Ames High School. This agreement runs through 2023. At this time Staff feels it is not appropriate to impede the new high school building project. Staff recommends Alternative #2 which recommends to Council to terminate the current agreements and to not enter into any agreement regarding the new tennis courts built on 24th Street. Moran asked Abraham about the amount currently budgeted for maintenance on the current tennis courts. Abraham explained that the department has done some maintenance at the school location in last few years which totaled around $25,000.00. This amount was split with the school district. To do crack repair and court resurfacing the cost is about $25,000 every eight years. Abraham also stated that all three park locations have been resurfaced in the last few years and the department is not currently in need of the high school courts. Cady asked if the new high school courts would be open to the public when there was no team practices or meets. Abraham stated that the School Superintendent indicated they were intending to keep them open for the public. It was moved by Bierbaum, with second by Culbertson, to approve Alternative #2. Discussion: Moran asked if this action addresses the termination date of the agreements. Abraham answered that this was a recommendation to the Council to have staff negotiate the termination of the current agreements. No opposition. Motion Approved. g. Staff Report: Scholarships Omlid reported to the Commission on the history of the scholarship program. The program was started in 1992 to help children who may have limited funds to participate in recreation programs. Recreation participants must be Ames residents and be in elementary school up to 13 years of age. The swim pass scholarship is open to all Ames residents regardless of age. All scholarships are approved through Mid Iowa Community Action. Bierbaum asked Abraham for information on what percentage of the participants are scholarship students. Abraham pointed out that in the staff report there is a request from Staff for direction and focus on this program. Full scholarships will have a budget impact. Cady would like to develop a more formalized and robust scholarship program before the proposed Healthy Life Center would open, if it passes. Bierbaum would like to know what other communities use and if the free and reduced lunch program should be the guideline instead of the energy assistance program. There are also transportation questions to get children to programs if the Healthy Life Center passes. Abraham asked the Commission to clarify their focus and priorities. Bristow thinks the ages used currently are correct. Cady thinks it should go down to babies. Bierbaum thinks it should be through middle school. Bierbaum suggests that he would like to see something in place by school starting next fall. Abraham reminded Bierbaum that the budget was already set. There could be some offset with funds in the scholarship account. h. Update: RAGBRAI The first reading to repeal the ordinance against bicycle riding in Brookside Park has been made. Enforcement of the ordinance has been waived until the third and final reading has been made and the ordinance against riding bicycles in Brookside Park is repealed. No updates on RAGBRAI to report at this time. i. Project Update Abraham reported on the fire which damaged the permanent restrooms at Brookside Park. No decisions have been made regarding the repair or replacement of these restrooms. j. Correspondence None MONTHLY REPORT Omlid informed the Commission that Furman Aquatic Center opens Saturday, May 26. Staff has been trained on log rolling so we can offer that to the community. A Wibit inflatable was also purchased that will be used in the pool on Friday evenings. Abraham publically complimented Jill Burt, Aquatics Manager, on the great job she has been doing and informed the Commission that 123 lifeguard, water slide and shallow guard positions have been filled. Thompson informed the Commission that the staff is mowing on a 7-to-10 day rotation. Volunteers will begin planting community flower gardens this week. Thompson thanked Holub Garden and Greenhouses for donating flowers for this project. Bierbaum asked what the status is with the Miracle Field. Abraham informed the Commission that the committee has raised $1,300.000-$1,500,000 range but needs $2,000,000. The best case scenario would be construction in 2019. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS None ADJOURNMENT Moved by Bierbaum to adjourn. The meeting concluded at 5:31PM. Next Meeting: Thursday, June 21, 2018, at 4:00 PM