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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Park and Recreation Commission Meeting 11/16/2017AMES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DATE: November 16, 2017 COMMISSION PRESENT: Sarah Litwiller, Allen Bierbaum, Sarah Cady, Ed Moran, Jeremy Bristow ABSENT: Julie Johnston, Melissa Rowan STAFF: Keith Abraham, Kellee Omlid CALL TO ORDER: 4:01 PM APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Cady with second by Litwiller to approve the September 21, 2017, meeting minutes. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved PUBLIC FORUM No Public Forum DIRECTOR’S REPORT Melissa Angstrom, representing the Ames Jaycees, donated $1,500.00 from the Ames on the Half Shell to Parks & Recreation to offset costs of programs or pass fees for low income citizens. a. Update: Healthy Life Center Abraham gave the Commission an update on the status of the Healthy Life Center. The Ames School District has decided to build a cold water 25 yard stretch pool. The City will make a contribution of $25,000 yearly toward operating expenses of this pool. This agreement includes use the pool for programs and use of the school gymnasiums. The demolition of Municipal Pool will be split between the City and the School District. A second workshop was held with the planning and design consultants. The consultants have been working on the warm water pool component of this facility and have made staffing recommendations. Cost for the entire facility would be $50,000,000. The money for the pool will be raised by a bond with the rest of the funds coming from Mary Greeley, Heartland, and private donations. The ten acre site has a storm water drainage pipe running through it. This is a design challenge as the building cannot be placed over this pipe. A parking lot over the pipe is okay. Judy Trumpy (3306 Kent Ave) Trumpy asked about the proposed location of the Healthy Life Center. Abraham informed her that the potential location is at the corner of Scholl Rd and Ontario. b. Furman Aquatic Center: 2017 Year in Review Jill Burt, Aquatics Manager gave a report to the Commission regarding the 2017 season at Furman Aquatic Center. There were 760,918 patron visits. There were 39 days of rain in the season and 54% of the days in the low 80’s. Temperatures were colder than ideal on most days. New events included Conquer the Current with 48 participants. Princess and Super Hero pool parties were held with 61 parent/child pairs attending the Princess Party and 31 parent/child pairs attending the Super Hero party. The season ending survey overall had positive responses. Burt is focusing on staffing, including exploring new avenues for recruiting, training and retaining staff. Abraham stated “Kudos to Jill and her staff for finishing strong with the guards, getting everyone trained”. He informed the Commission that there is a lifeguard shortage throughout the state and the country. Cady inquired about the deck chairs as it seemed to her like there was less this year. Abraham informed Cady that the department has plans to purchase more for next year. Abraham stated that expenses are projected to go up around $50,000 in 2018 mostly due to staffing. Because it is becoming more and more difficult to find the quality of staff the department requires, the department is looking at increasing wages. We cannot absorb the total cost of the proposed wage increases in one year so the plan is looking at increases over the next four years. Cady asked about subsidy or bonus for people stay for the whole season and Bierbaum asked if the department was proposing to raise wages next year. Abraham informed them that Staff is looking at all options and proposing to raise wages in steps over the next 4 years. Staff will be looking at the operating budget as a whole and making decisions regarding fees and salaries. c. 2018 Dog Park Fees Omlid went over the dog park fees for the Commission. No fee increase is proposed for 2018. Tags will go on sale December 1; patrons will receive a 10% discount if purchased in December or January. It was moved by Cady with second by Bristow to approve the proposed fees for 2018. Discussion: Bierbaum asked why there was a discount for early purchase of the pass. Abraham explained that it helped to stagger some of the foot traffic at the Community Center. No opposition. Motion Passes d. December Meetings The regular meeting will be held on December 21. Abraham proposed a CIP meeting at Parks and Recreation Administration with City Manager Schainker on December 7, 2017, at 4:00 PM. It was moved by Bierbaum with a second by Barstow to approve the December 7, 2017 meeting. No Discussion. No Opposition. Motion Passes e. Project Update River Restoration is close to having the final plans and specs. This project will go to Council on December 12. f. Correspondence None MONTHLY REPORT There are free fitness classes available during Thanksgiving break. Many of our facilities have altered hours during the holidays. Please check the facility calendars on the web site for times. Bierbaum inquired about the outdoor skating rink. Abraham explained the portable ice rink will be set up at Homewood in December and staff will start flooding it as soon as the weather cooperates. The portable rink is not suitable for hockey. The hockey rink will not be placed in River Valley this year due to the low-head dam improvement project. Bierbaum asked about whether Bandshell Park could support an ice rink. Abraham stated that City Council has interest in some kind of plaza with amenities downtown. One of those discussions was placing a small rink with a portable refrigerated system downtown. Bierbaum asked about having a way to rent skates or purchase hot chocolate so that the portable rink is attractive for people to come and do with their family. Abraham stated that with the new clubhouse at Homewood it may be possible for the clubhouse to be open at times to rent skates or sell concessions at the outdoor rink. Skate rental was one of the concerns with placing a small rink downtown. We would need to figure out a way to rent skates in the downtown area. Bierbaum noticed that there are not enough walker things for kids during public skate at the ice arena. Omild thinks we do have more of them. When Staff leaves them out the older kids use them inappropriately so they probably them put away. . Pass drawing was held from the persons who filled out the Furman Aquatic Center Survey. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Bierbaum to adjourn. The meeting concluded at 5:00 PM. Next Meeting: - CIP discussion Thursday, December 7, 2018, at 4:00 PM Regular meeting December 21, 2018 at 4:00 PM