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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Park and Recreation Commission Meeting 04/21/2016AMES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DATE: April 21, 2016 COMMISSION PRESENT: Julie Johnston, Sarah Litwiller, Allen Bierbaum, Jason Schaben, Ed Moran ABSENT: Vikki Feilmeyer, Melissa Rowan STAFF: Keith Abraham, Kellee Omlid, Joshua Thompson CALL TO ORDER: 4:00 PM Director Keith Abraham called the meeting to order and introduced Allen Bierbaum as the new member. Election of officers was held. Motion by Johnston to nominate Moran for Chairman. Second by Bierbaum. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Passes. Motion by Schaben, second by Litwiller to nominate Johnston as Vice Chairman. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Passes. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Schaben, second by Bierbaum to approve the March 24, 2016, meeting minutes. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Passes. PUBLIC FORUM No public forum. DIRECTOR’S REPORT d. Discussion: Pianos in the Parks (Out of Order) Abraham gave an overview on his preliminary meeting with Patricia Izbicki regarding her public piano project. Tom Evans plaza is a possible location as there is going to be an interactive art installation in the park. Campus town court is another possible location. Patricia Izbicki (2901 Wessex Drive) Izbicki spoke to the Commission regarding her project. She reported there are some issues to resolve and some research to be done before a plan can be implemented. Moran inquired about the types of pianos needed for this project. Isbicki replied that usually pianos are donated. If someone wants to give a baby grand she would take it, but most common is an old upright someone wants to give away. Moran stated that he feels that it is overall a great project. a. Commission Action Form: Ames Cyclone Aquatic Club Agreement Abraham informed the group that ACAC requested to extend their hours to 7:00 PM. That request was denied by staff due to conflict with Parks and Recreation programs. Staff recommends Alternative #1. Johnston moved to accept Alternative #1. Second by Litwiller. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Passes. b. Commission Action Form: Ames Little League Agreement Thompson stated that there were additions to the agreement concerning safety and field grooming. Moran asked for more information. Thompson explained safety pertaining to field maintenance includes making sure the pitching mound and batter’s box are in good shape and there are no ruts on the field. Staff recommends Alternative #1. Motion by Schaben, second by Bierbaum to approve Alternative #1. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Passes. c. Commission Action Form: Friends of Roosevelt Park Summer Concert Series Request Abraham commented that the Friends group has been instrumental in the development of Roosevelt Park. The group has no plans to fundraise this season but would like the 10% waived in case they have a need to raise funds later in the season. Staff recommends Alternative #1. Moved by Bierbaum, second by Litwiller to approve Alternative #1. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Passes. e. Update: Naming Policy Abraham explained that Council was appreciative of the work Staff and Commission members have done on this policy. Council would like to see more emphasis on the application process and include some type of community verification such as letters of support or petitions. Council requested other changes including doing away with the 3 year waiting period. Council directed staff to make revisions and come back with the draft. Abraham stated there is potential for the new draft, including an application form, to go to the Council at the first meeting in May. Johnston is disappointed and feels with some of the details removed the Commission is back to not having a policy at all. Johnston also disagrees with people going door to door to get signatures. She feels people will go ahead and sign without knowing anything about the person. Bierbaum stated his opinion is the Council pushed back to the Commission that it is our responsibility. f. Discussion: All Inclusive Playground and Miracle League Field Abraham reported that the steering committee for this project is not a city committee. The steering committee would like to help with three items, fundraising, marketing and promotion, and assisting with the design of this project. Staff is considering several locations. The field, playground and a restroom facility will fit in Lloyd Kurtz Park, however there is no room for parking. This is a concern from the City’s point of view. There has been some conversation regarding other locations. Inis Grove seems to be a good choice for many reasons; there is ample green space, money is already set aside for building restrooms and restroom renovation, and the park is easily accessible for visitors. This is a sensitive issue for the neighborhood as the sand volleyball program is already moving to this park. Abraham hosted a public input meeting on Monday evening. Notice of the meeting was included in an email sent to the current Parks and Recreation database and letters were sent to 130 park neighbors. Abraham gave history of the project and spoke to attendees regarding location options and what criteria will go into choosing a location. Abraham reported to the Commission that no one was opposed to the project but some opposed the Inis Grove location, especially the Miracle League Field. Neighbors questioned why school sites were not included in the list of potential locations. Abraham reported that the School District indicated they did not have money or land for this project. In Ankeny, there were issues with the playground on a school site due to the safety and security concerns of the district. The location of the former Kmart on South 16th St. was also mentioned. Abraham reported that Kmart is still paying the lease on that location. Once that lease is up the owner will have motivation to get someone else in there. The Inis Grove neighbors have more concerns regarding the Miracle League Field than the playground. They are also concerned that another facility is being considered in the park without knowing the impact of sand volleyball on the neighborhood. Abraham asked the Commission what they would like staff to research and bring to the next meeting. Bierbaum asked if there was a reason why the playground and the field can’t be at different locations. Abraham stated that they could be separated. Abraham’s opinion is that like peas and carrots or peanut butter and jelly it makes sense having them together. Urbandale is putting them in the same park but not next to each other. Bierbaum asked if North River Valley could be used. Abraham explained that the rubberized surface has to have some flexibility. For the field, the rubberized surface is more firm and could possibly be placed in River Valley. The playground surface is thicker and more porous and a flooding situation would result in silt filtering into and ruining the porous surface. Litwiller asked if storage space was needed. Abraham said that the field is a flat surface with no raised bases or mounds so any storage needs would be minimal and could be incorporate into the restroom facility. Litwiller asked for a break down costs by location, including restrooms and costs of separating the facilities. Abraham will get ballpark figures for things like restrooms. He said Staff can put together a rough financial analysis on things including items that are currently planned that may be a benefit to this project. Johnston thinks there is overwhelming support for this project. She feels there is some overuse of Inis Grove, but thinks this would be great for the community. Jim Mason (Steering Committee Chair) The Committee has been working on this a year already just wants to keep moving. g. Public Arts Commission – Tom Evans Plaza Thompson reported that the Public Art Commission would like to do an interactive piece in the parks. They have chosen an interactive harp and bells to be installed in Tom Evans plaza this summer. h. June or July Commission Meeting – Park Tour Abraham reported that the Police department is holding a training in July. The Commission was asked if there was any opposition to moving the park tour traditionally held in June to July. This would free up the Council Chambers for the police. There was no opposition to holding a regular meeting in June and a park tour in July. i. Pool Update Abraham stated the group has become more cohesive. There is a shared vision for a unique, one of a kind facility. It is still a goal to have some type of idea on whether this is something that will work for each entity in June or July. At that time a decision will be made on moving forward. Staff is still working on the proposed aquatic center so that project is not standing still during this process. Major repairs have been done to Municipal Pool and it is in as good of shape as it can be. If there is a major malfunction at Municipal the community would be without a pool. Schaben stated that we have got to be getting to the deadline for proposing a bond in the fall. Abraham stated national election years are not a good time to do a bond referendum so this fall is out. There are potential options in March, May and August. j. Project Update The first Learning trail was installed in Brookside Park. The signs are posted so the trails are able to be used by either direction. There was a surprise celebration last Friday to celebrate what Carolyn has done for literacy in the community. k. Correspondence None MONTHLY REPORT Omlid reminded the audience to purchase their pool pass early to receive a discount. The discount period runs through May 1. She also reminded everyone that Homewood Golf Course opened on April 1. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS Johnston stated that she feels we talk about the contentious stuff but there are a lot of good things going on here. Schaben commented that Homewood looks great and his experience was that the employees are kind and courteous. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Schaben to adjourn. The meeting concluded at 5:45 PM. Next Meeting: - Thursday, May 19, 2016, at 4:00 PM