The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About~Master - Ames Park and Recreation Commission Meeting 02/16/2017AMES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DATE: February 16, 2017 COMMISSION PRESENT: Sarah Litwiller, Allen Bierbaum, Vikki Feilmeyer, Ed Moran, Jason Schaben ABSENT: Melissa Rowan, Julie Johnston STAFF: Keith Abraham, Kellee Omlid, Joshua Thompson CALL TO ORDER: 4:03 pm APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Feilmeyer, seconded by Bierbaum to approve the January 12, 2017, meeting minutes. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved PUBLIC FORUM No Public Forum DIRECTOR’S REPORT a. Thank You Video A video made by Joseph Brekke was shown to the commission. This video was made as a thank you to everyone involved with the parks in and around Ames. b. Update: Healthy Life Center Abraham stated that the group is getting closer to naming a potential site for this facility. He also stated that any feasibility study will not take place until the site is in place. All the entities involved are now determining how much space is needed and how the spaces would be used. Bierbaum stated he likes the idea of the Boys and Girls club using this facility and asked if staff has reached out to the schools about afterschool activities. Bierbaum would love to see kids doing all sorts of after school activities through Boys and Girls Club, Parks and Recreation, and some other group. To him, that would be a win. Litwiller agrees with Bierbaum. Feilmeyer inquired if there is a contact person for the serious lap swimmers as she feels input from the regular lap swimmers would be large component of this facility. Abraham stated that it is the goal of the department to figure out what else can we be doing and program for all age groups throughout the day. Bierbaum asked if there had been any thought to the amount of land surrounding the building for kids to do things outside. Abraham stated the building will take approximately two acres of space with approximately two additional acres for parking and landscaping. The potential parcel is around 10 acres of space. c. Commission Action Form: ECO Fair Request to Waive Payment of 10% of Gross sales. Abraham gave an overview of the ECO Fair. Staff recommends Alternative #1. Feilmeyer asked who runs the ECO Fair. Abraham said that it is run in cooperation with several city departments. Schaben asked if the venders request to come to this or are they invited. Abraham said it was some of both. Moved by Schaben with second by Bierbaum to approve alternative #1. Discussion: Bierbaum requested staff come with details on if proceeds from the 10% charged to vendors could be designated for scholarships and what amount of scholarship funds would be generated if the Commission does not waive it. No opposition. Motion Approved Feilmeyer stated the Boy Scouts have a Sustainability and Environmental Science Merit Badge and this would be great opportunity for them learn a lot about those types of issues. The Boy Scouts are always looking for people to teach about those merit badges. d. Discussion: Ames Miracle Playground and Field – Naming Opportunities Abraham discussed the plan put forth by the fundraising committee regarding naming rights for this project. Abraham stated that the fundraising committee members are at this time looking for input regarding this plan. The suggested plan states that naming rights for the field would be a $150,000 donation and for the playground $200,000. The question before the Commission at this time is whether you feel the proposed amounts are appropriate. Abraham stated that the overall project will be approximately $1,500,000 with storm water detention, paths and landscaping. The field will cost somewhere in the area of $250,000- $300,000 and the playground $750,000. Abraham also stated there are some professional fundraisers on the steering committee and they are the ones who are guiding these numbers. Abraham stated the guidelines for specific numbers were taken out of the naming policy. Bierbaum asked about corporate naming with regards to the naming policy that is in place. Abraham reminded the Commission that the City Council could allow corporate naming. Bierbaum would rather see it named after an individual. Feilmeyer asked how a corporate sponsor would affect signage. Abraham says in Ankeny the corporate sponsor’s logos are stamped into the surface of the field. Feilmeyer stated that her initial response was that the field and the playground numbers looked a little light but she didn’t have any numbers in mind either. Abraham will share the comments of the commission members with the Steering Committee. Bierbaum would like to see the numbers be 50% of the amenity. e. Discussion: Bandshell Park Rules Abraham stated that staff is seeking a better understanding of what direction the Commission would like to take for the rules in Bandshell park. The Main Street Cultural District has a desire to have more functions downtown but find it hard to work within the Bandshell policies. Bierbaum would like to see performances to go until dusk and make it so the clean up after the event could be happening after dark. Schaben would like to see it go later. He wondered if you can change the policies for one and not the others. He would like to see concerts start later so people could go downtown for dinner before the concert. Feilmeyer stated that there should be more flexibility for special events at the park. She would want to make sure alcohol is manageable by staff and police. Abraham stated that the event managers would still need to come before the Commission for a waiver of the alcohol ordinance for their event. Feilmeyer asked Abraham about weddings in the parks. Thompson informed the commission members that wedding receptions are usually tied to shelter reservations. f. Discussion: March Meeting Date Abraham stated that generally the commission delays the March meeting a week to avoid spring break. He wanted to know if the meeting should be moved. Schaben moved and Feilmeyer seconded to move the March meeting to March 23, 2017. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved g. Project Update Abraham informed the Commission that there have been a large number of ash trees taken down at Stuart Smith Park. The stumps will be ground as the weather improves. Staff is trimming and taking out undesirable trees and thinning trees near the p ath that is near the baseball field in Brookside Park. Staff will be planting additional trees. Due to the lighting project in Brookside Park, staff will be straightening portions of the path to improve sight lines and safety on the path. To make room for the path, staff has removed trees many of which were invasive species and unhealthy trees. There were also hackberry trees that were trimmed up. Large desirable trees remained. Staff will evaluate the need for additional trees and plant more if needed. The Commission held drawings from the individuals who completed the Furman Aquatic Center Survey. Recipients were as follows: 12 Visit Punch Card: Valerie Hintz. Individual Season Pass: Rich Fellingham Family Season Pass: Meredith Foley Comment was made to do more promotion next year for the opportunity to win a pass. It was also suggested to have one or two outdoor weekends for families. c. Correspondence None MONTHLY REPORT Registration for summer programs has started. Even with the recent warm spell we will not be turning on the water in the parks until mid April. Outdoor ice rink at Homewood was well received. Bierbaum suggested having some family weekend type promotions at this outdoor facility next winter. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS None ADJOURNMENT Moved by Bierbaum to adjourn. The meeting concluded at 5:22 PM. Next Meeting: Thursday March 23, at 4:00 PM