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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Park and Recreation Commission Meeting 04/20/2017AMES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DATE: April 20, 2017 COMMISSION PRESENT: Julie Johnston, Sarah Litwiller, Allen Bierbaum, Sarah Cady, Melissa Rowan, Ed Moran, Jeremy Bristow ABSENT: Bierbaum left the meeting at 4:31 PM. STAFF: Keith Abraham, Kellee Omlid, Joshua Thompson, Craig Kaufman CALL TO ORDER: 4:00 PM ELECTION OF OFFICERS: Abraham introduced two new Parks and Recreation Commission members. Jeremy Bristow will serve a one year term and Sarah Cady will serve a three year term. Abraham also stated that Bierbaum has completed his one year term and has been appointed to a three year term. a. Chairperson Bierbaum nominated Moran with a second by Rowan. There were no other nominations. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved. b. Vice-Chairperson Moran nominated Bierbaum with second by Litwiller. Bierbaum nominated Johnston with no second. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Bierbaum with second by Johnston to approve the March 16, 2017, meeting minutes. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved PUBLIC FORUM No Public Forum DIRECTOR’S REPORT a. Update: Healthy Life Center Abraham reported a tentative agreement between ISU and the City has been reached for a location in the open space north of Ontario at the intersection of Ontario and Scholl Road. Abraham stated the agreement is tentative due to Dr. Leath leaving Iowa State and a new administration coming in. b. Commission Action Form: Firefly Country Night Concert at Bandshell The Ames City Council has already approved the concerts scheduled for July 14 and September 8 to be held on Main Street. The concert promoters have asked for permission to move the July 14 concert to Bandshell Park. Abraham informed the Commission that a letter was sent to neighbors of the park asking for feedback regarding concerts and other events. Abraham reported that letters opposing additional concerts in Bandshell Park were received from Unity Church and Irvin Netcott. Abraham stated that most of the feedback was positive. Staff is in favor of having additional concerts as long as they are managed properly. Staff supports Option C of the document which is the fee structure of $1,600 per day. Staff recommends Alternative #3. Bierbaum states his opinion that Option B and Option C of the fee structure document are the right options. Rowan has been to this event and stated that the Commission should be careful on making too many decisions. She would prefer to use this as a test case. Feedback from concert attendees may show they do not feel this is the best venue for a concert. Bierbaum asked the staff to keep detailed records so the Commission will have better information for future events. Rowan wondered if the plan was to move the September 8 concert to Bandshell if everything at the July event goes well. Cindy Hicks (304 Main St.) Hicks informed Rowan that the plan for the September 8 concert was to be kept downtown but held on Douglas instead of Main Street. She feels that Option C is a great option. Roy Boulware (804 Carroll) Spoke in support of this issue. He stated they enjoy everything that happens in the park. It was moved by Bierbaum, second Rowan to approve Alternative 3. No Discussion, No Opposition, Motion Approved. c. Staff Report: Bandshell Park Rules Staff is looking for feedback from the Commission before finalizing the packet on the Bandshell. The Commission had nothing specific regarding feedback for Staff. Johnston thanked the neighborhood for their willingness to open their neighborhood to these types of events. d. Discussion: Municipal Pool Air Quality Abraham stated parents from ACAC have gone to the Ames School Board with concerns about the air quality in Municipal Pool. Abraham updated the Commission on what is being done to make sure the air handling system is working as designed. There will also be a company conducting air quality testing on April 27. Abraham informed the Commission that once the testing is finished, the School District and city staff and will discuss a solution. He also reminded the Commission that the District is responsible for maintenance. Abraham also reported that ACAC is the only user group that has been reporting these kinds of problems with the air quality. Staff is looking into what changes may have been made by ACAC such as increased practice time, increased people in the pool, less showering or other factors. e. Commission Action Form: Old Edwards School Site (Out of Order) Abraham briefly discussed the background of the former Edwards School located on Woodland St. The site could be deeded over to the City of Ames for some consideration that has not been determined. Abraham reminded the Commission that the department has a “clean and green” policy regarding these types of situations. The park development plan would be a similar process used at Roosevelt Park with Parks and Recreation staff and the neighborhood getting together to figure out a site plan. The existing parking areas on Woodland and Westwood would stay as well as most of the trees. One item Abraham wanted the Commission to be aware of is that the south property line is 26-29 feet south of the existing fence that borders the playground area. Homeowners have been placing structures on this property. Abraham stated Gerry Peters will be reaching out to adjacent property owners regarding the encroachment on land owned by the Ames School District. Staff Recommends Alternative 1. Rowan asked if these were the only concerns on this space and if Abraham feels it would be a good fit. Abraham stated that the City would be very happy to have this in the park system and that the space would fill a need for this neighborhood as Franklin Park is across Lincoln Way. Joel Barbour (318 Hickory Dr) Barbour thanked Abraham and Staff for their time. He feels the neighborhood is very focused on this space being a park and not what features that it will ha ve. It was moved by Rowan and seconded by Johnston to approve Alternative 1. No Discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved. f. Commission Action Form: Little League Agreement Thompson reported on the details of the agreement. This agreement is for the fields in Brookside Park as the field in River Valley has been removed. It was moved by Rowan with second by Cady to approve Alternative 1. Discussion: Johnston asked if the agreements were ever for multiple years or did we like to evaluate it at the end of the year. Abraham informed Johnston is that agreements renewed yearly give Staff opportunity to make changes. Thompson also commented that the leadership of the Little League changes from year to year. No opposition. Motion Approved. g. Commission Action Form: Ames Cyclone Aquatics Club (ACAC) Agreement Abraham went over any changes in the agreement. Staff recommends Alternative 1. Motion by Cady with second by Rowan to approve Alternative 1. No Discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved. h. Discussion: Franklin Park Neighborhood Meeting (Out of order after Edwards) Abraham discussed the meeting with Franklin Park neighbors and their vision for the park. The basic need is a healthy and safe park. Abraham showed the wish list items that the attendees of the public meeting compiled . After scoring these items, path lighting and walking path rose to the top of the list. A picnic shelter and benches were the next items on the list. Staff will put together a plan and ask for more feedback. This is a good opportunity to work with the adjacent property owners. Cady stated that the neighborhood is changing with a lot of new property owners. Franklin Park could be developed into a neighborhood gathering space. Johnston thinks the feedback is great and gets the conversation started. i. Project Update Miracle League Field and Inclusive Playground Design Abraham stated general design concepts were presented by the consultant for review. He feels the consultant has some very unique ideas and have shown they are very aware of the concerns of the neighborhood. Abraham stated there will be a public meeting, an opportunity for feedback and then changes may be made to the design, if necessary. Once the design has been approved the project will be turned over to the Miracle League Steering Committee for fund raising. j. Correspondence All correspondence was shared earlier. MONTHLY REPORT Thompson informed the Commission that the contractor has finished the water slide restoration. Johnston commented on how nice it looks. Thompson also stated that Staff is still determining what type of lighting to use on the Brookside pathway and lighting project. The hazardous tree removal has been completed. Johnston asked about the pond in Moore Memorial. Abraham stated he has had conversations and expressed the Commission’s concerns. It is still an issue and will need to be addressed. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS Rowan stated the Ames Foundation is planting trees on Saturday in Inis Grove Park at 9:00 AM. Johnston asked about ash tree removal. Thompson stated we are ahead of the timeline laid out in the 20 year plan. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Johnston to adjourn. The meeting concluded at 5:39 PM. Next Meeting: Thursday, May 18, 2014 at 4:00 PM