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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Park and Recreation Commission Meeting 03/24/2016AMES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DATE: March 24, 2016 COMMISSION PRESENT: Julie Johnston, Dakota Canning, Jason Schaben, Ed Moran, Vikki Feilmeyer, Sarah Litwiller Melissa Rowan arrived at 4:23 PM ABSENT: STAFF: Keith Abraham, Joshua Thompson CALL TO ORDER: 4:01 PM APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Feilmeyer, second by Schaben to approve the February 18, 2016, meeting minutes. No Discussion. No Opposition. Motion Approved PUBLIC FORUM Moran reminded the public that this forum is for items that are not listed on the meeting agenda. DIRECTOR’S REPORT a) Commission Action Form: Parks and Facilities Naming Policy Abraham explained revisions made to the policy and the history of the creation of the policy. Moran opened the discussion to the public by reminding everyone that any comments are to be about the proposed naming policy. Makenzie Heddens (3814 Quebec St) She asked Abraham to explain to her again why a policy was being suggested at this time. Heddens alleges the policy is being created as a barrier to naming the skate park after Georgie. Abraham explained that Staff members change, Commission members change and Council members change. W hen the request to name the skate park was brought before the present Commission they were shocked that previous Commissions did not have guidelines or policies in place for naming. This Commission wants a policy in place to help guide their decision and directed Staff to draft such policy. Rowan explained the request for policy was not made to be punitive and any future action on this would be a separate action. Rowan feels fut ure members of this Commission should have all the right pieces in place to make a decision on not just this but any decision. She explained the policy has enough flexibility for her to make her decisions based on what is the best thing to do. Feilmeyer explained to Heddens that as a Commission member, she had never had a request to name anything. When the request was made , she was surprised there were no policies in place regarding this matter. As a result, the Commission asked Staff to develop the policy. Feilmeyer also requested that a provision be made for preference provision for someone who had a close tie to a certain park or area placed in the policy. Canning thinks this policy is sound and can only strengthen your petition. Heddens inquired as to what would happen next and Abraham explained the process to her. Heddens asked how the skate park is considered, as a park, as a recreational facility or as a major feature. Abraham informed her that staff is having conversation regarding that matter and has not yet come to a decision. Herman Quirmbach (1002 Jarrett Circle) Quirmbach feels that someone who does not make a monetary contribution has to wait for 3 years after death; however someone who writes a big check can go to the front of the line. He also questioned the naming of the disc golf course after Carroll Marty (by previous Staff and Commission) since he is still alive. Lisa Heddens (2401 Westwind Dr) She knows the effort that her daughter (Mackenzie Heddens) has made on this request. She understands why these folks are feeling that they are being targeted. She explained that this request was made to the Council in July, and was referred back to Staff. Even though she agrees that a policy needs to be in place, she would like to see it move forward. Alicia Heintz (1111 Wilson) She stated that she wanted to address the 3 year timeline. Her son is 14 and if there is a 3 year waiting period, her son won’t have that time with the skate park being named after his hero. She also spoke regarding Georgie’s character. Jan Beran (1801 20th) Beran would like the Commission to consider the naming request before implementing the policy. Austin Dobson (Fort Collins Colorado) Spoke about the character of his friend Georgie Derek Seidelman (3810 Ontario St) Read a letter regarding the character of Georgie from a former teacher. He asked the Commission to make this happen. Theresa Downing (1005 Jarrett Circle) Thanked commission for giving her this forum. She asked if she had money to give today would she have to wait three years after her son’s death. She also presented the Commission with a petition. Abraham stated that a monetary donation would have to go through the naming policy process as well. Commission Discussion: Feilmeyer repeated that she would like to add special consideration for a person who has had a specific tie to the location or a park. This makes sense to her. Canning feels the three year waiting period should be taken out of the outstanding individual side or staff should add a three year waiting period to the donation side. Schaben commented that Section B stated that the waiting period can be waived. Feilmeyer explained if this policy had been in place when the request to name the disc golf course was made, the waiver could have been used. She also stated that the School District has a hard bar of 5 years. Feilmeyer continued that anyone who develops this kind of policy has a waiting period. Rowan commented that the policy would be helpful in making this decision. Abraham was asked if the policy and the naming request could be presented to the Council at the same time. Abraham stated the Council could make changes to the policy, make the waiting period longer or put some other contingency on it. His opinion is it would be a grave mistake to send forth a recommendation with the policy. Moved by Canning, seconded by Feilmeyer to adopt Alternative #2, with the inclusion of the tie to the location, and the 3 year waiting period removed. Schaben does not want to remove the waiting period. He stated in this case that he would be all for waiving it but not in all cases. Johnston agrees with Schaben. Canning feels the waiting period is a barrier that will hinder the process. Litwiller stated that she does not believe it hinders the application process. Canning supports the policy, but not the waiting period. Schaben stated that the Commission can waive the waiting period and Council will take that recommendation into account. He feels it is why the Commission is here, to funnel and filter requests before they go to the Council. The Commission does the public hearings and then presents a recommendation to the Council. Nick Mahlbauer (6221 North Fork Road) He told the Commission that he feels like the waiting period is appropriate, as long as it can be waived. He is of the opinion that it would be kind of weird that major donations should have a waiting period. Makenzie Heddens (3814 Quebec St) She would like clarification on the difference between Option #2 and Option #4. Abraham stated that Alternative #2 expedites the process by allowing Staff to make changes and go on to the Council; in Alternative #4 staff would make changes and bring it back to the Commission before it could go to Council. Heddens explained that it is her opinion that this is a unique situation as the park will be having significant improvements this summer. She also asked what would happen if someone comes along with money. Abraham stated that is one reason why the Commission wanted to have policies in place. Heddens stated that she feels like this is unfair. She wants the Commission to move forward with her request and not implement the policy. In favor: Canning Opposed: Litwiller, Johnston, Feilmeyer, Rowan, Schaben. Motion does not pass. Moved by Schaben with second by Rowan to approve Alternative #2, with preference given to individuals with a tie to a location. No Discussion. In Favor: Litwiller, Johnston, Feilmeyer, Rowan, Schaben Opposed: Canning. Motion Passes d) Commission Action Form: Ames Jaycees Request for Ames on the Halfshell (Out of Order) Abraham went over the Commission Action form regarding Ames on the Halfshell. Melissa Angstrom representing the Ames Jaycees informed the Commission that the request to waive the 10% fee is based on the fact that all proceeds of this event go back into the community. Motion by Feilmeyer with second by Rowan to approve Alternative #1. No Discussion. No Opposition. Motion Approved b) Commission Action Form: E-Cigarettes at Pool Facilities Abraham explained the park rule for banning the use of E-Smoking Devices in the park system. Canning stated he feels like it could decrease park utilization as people vape when they cannot smoke. Rowan disagrees with Canning’s point of view. Without the rule there is too much confusion as to where it is and isn’t allowed. Motion by Feilmeyer, seconded by Johnston to approve Alternative #1. No Discussion. In Favor: Litwiller, Johnston, Rowan, Schaben, Feilmeyer Opposed: Canning Motion Approved c) Commission Action Form: Ames Schools Baseball Concession Agreement Abraham explained that this agreement has not changed. It was moved by Canning, second by Rowan to approve Alternative #1. No Discussion, no opposition. Motion Approved. e) Healthy Life Center Update Abraham explained that the interested parties are coming together to determine what each entity would want to see in a facility and what they would use for their activities. It needs to be determined who is willing to pay for what items. Moran asked who is facilitating the discussions. Abraham answered Donna Gilligan. f) Maribeth Henney Bequest She left 1 % of her estate or $16,000 to the department in her will. Abraham read her obituary to the Commissioners to help them get to know her. g) ISU Park Lease Update Abraham informed the Commission that park leases went to the university and that Staff is still waiting for a response. h) Project Update None i) Correspondence Correspondence regarding a student grant for an outdoor piano somewhere in the park system. No discussion. Abraham thanked Canning for his service and that Staff appreciated his perspective and that he stayed true to who he is. Canning thanked the Staff and Commission. He said that he has spent the last 4 years studying politics and the last year experiencing it and he was honored to be a part of that. MONTHLY REPORT Thompson reported that maintenance staff is preparing the restrooms in the parks as shelter rentals begin April 15. He also reported that the water project at Ada Hayden will start on Monday. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS Moved by Moran, seconded by Schaben to direct Staff to meet with Patricia regarding the piano project and explore if we could move forward with this project. No discussion. No opposition. Motion passes. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Canning to adjourn the meeting at 6:24 PM. Next Meeting: - Thursday, April 21, at 4:00 PM