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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Park and Recreation Commission Meeting 05/19/2016AMES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DATE: May 19, 2016 COMMISSION PRESENT: Julie Johnston, Sarah Litwiller, Allen Bierbaum, Vikki Feilmeyer, Melissa Rowan, Ed Moran ABSENT: Jason Schaben STAFF: Keith Abraham, Kellee Omlid, Joshua Thompson CALL TO ORDER: 4:01 PM APPROVAL OF MINUTES Moved by Feilmeyer, seconded by Bierbaum to approve the April 21, 2016, meeting minutes. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved PUBLIC FORUM No Public Forum DIRECTOR’S REPORT a. Commission Action Form: All Inclusive Playground and Miracle League Field Abraham gave a presentation regarding the potential All Inclusive Playground and Miracle League Field. Abraham also went over the comments from the April 18, 2016 public input meeting. The Commission then discussed locations in various Parks as shown in the presentation. Larry Ebbers (224 24th St.) Ebbers stated that he is representing the neighborhood and spoke against the project. Though they applaud the effort to include amenities for persons with disabilities, however they do not want to include these amenities in Inis Grove Park, the neighborhood or by their homes. They are concerned about traffic, parking, and lowering property values if this facility is built in Inis Grove. Abraham stated that the Commission could ask for no parking along 24 th street to ease the congestion shown in Ebbers’ presentation. Ebbers stated the neighborhood did not want it to be no parking as they have guests that want to park on 24th. Bierbaum asked what the neighborhood wanted the parking to look like. Ebbers feels that parking on one side only would work, however the neighbors did not want to make any recommendations. Ebbers concluded that the neighborhood feels the Ames Parks and Recreation Staff has not fully researched this project including locating this facility outside of Ames. Pamela Riney-Kehrberg (204 24th St.) Riney-Kehrberg spoke against the project stating her opinion that Moore Memorial Park and McCarthy Lee Park are safer options. She feels that Inis Grove is not a safe place and represents danger. Mary Anne Russell (3314 Polaris Dr.) Russell spoke in favor of the project stating she feels this park is a great idea for people with disabilities like her. A park where people in the community can “see us for what we can do not what we can’t do.” From her perspective Emma McCarthy is not safe with the river and big hills. Warren Frank (2219 Broadmoor) He said he echoes the presentation against the project given by Ebbers. He is also concerned about light pollution. He expressed his belief that Emma McCarthy is a better place. It would be a destination where you would go to play. Clyde Wolter (132 Broadmoor Cr.) Spoke against the project. He stated that Broadmoor Circle is very tight and difficult to park on. Drew Kamp (304 Main St.) Kamp spoke in favor of the project stating he is a part of the Steering Committee. Priorities for this project are safe areas to drop off and pick up participants, properly built restrooms and accessible by CyRide. Miracle League does recommend that the playground and the field be together as they serve many of the same people. Kamp stated that safety is very important. He feels that parking concerns could be addressed by the City Council. The disabled and their families need to have good access to this facility. The lighting would be controlled and not detract from a night sky. The Steering Committee would like to resolve the location issue and continue to move forward. Martin Edelson (2417 Duff) Edelson stated his concerns about safety with travel on Duff. He would like more information regarding loud speakers, noise pollution and future expansion. Edelson states that the project is pitting the committee against the neighbors of the park. His hope is that the Commission favors the residents of the neighborhood. Shelly Jaspering (823 Duff Ave) Jaspering spoke in favor of and is excited for this project. She has been a wheelchair user for 10 years and has wanted to play softball. She likes the central location. She states that wheelchair vans cost around $60,000 and that she knows she is lucky to have a van but many do not. HERTA and CyRide won’t go to some parks. Jaspering stated if someone in a wheelchair was dropped off at the top of the hill at McCarthy Lee she did not know how they could get to the park. Moore Memorial and McCarthy Lee both have hills where you can’t use a wheelchair and she has had to ask strangers to help her. Libby Franke (2219 Broadmoor) She is disappointed that things they were assured in past meetings would be addressed have not been addressed. Franke stated her opinion that sand volleyball was placed there because they were less vocal. Now this has been described as a destination. She feels like it is going to start looking like a theme park and we should be charging admission. There have been a lot of contradictions and unanswered questions. She asked if this is what we want for our city. Jim Mason (2016 Amherst Dr.) Mason stated that the Steering Committee was not formed to build a Miracle Field at Inis Grove Park. The people on this committee wanted to provide an opportunity for an underserved part of our community. Inis Grove Park is where the Committee feels is the best location. Delays are impacting the community the Committee is trying to serve. Feilmeyer asked Mason what considerations were given to other locations. Feilmeyer agrees serving the underserved is a goal. For her, what works for the community is another goal. Mason continued top priorities are how can we reduce the cost and make this happen. We feel confident we can raise the money to do this project in Inis Grove. The Committee has looked into Nevada, and other parks in Story County. At this point Inis Grove is our favorite place. He stated the Committee is not out to ruin somebody’s park, they are out to add to it. Barb Ebbers (224 24th St) States she can see both sides but feels the people who are proposing this (Miracle Field and All Inclusive Playground) don’t live there and asked the Commission “Do we have to destroy the park?” Elizabeth Baird (2207 Duff Ave) Baird would like the Commission consider locating the two items in separate locations. Bierbaum feels like the project is admirable but he is torn because it sounds like if it is not in Inis Grove it won’t happen. Bierbaum also agrees that the traffic near Inis Grove is a problem. Bierbaum is not ready to state that he does not want this in Inis Grove. Rowan feels that the traffic piece is not our responsibility but maybe we could help this situation. Rowan asked what the next step would be. Abraham stated that if the Commission would approve this location it would then go the Council and ask to release funds for the design. Could get some conceptual plans and then go back to the neighborhood to find something that works and then ask the design firm to get some conceptual drawings, plans and specs. That would help the committee to know how much to fundraise. Rowan asked how much longer the two step process would take. Abraham stated Staff would need more direction from the Commission regarding what they would want to see as to one location, multiple locations etc. Feilmeyer stated that she senses that there is some discomfort with option #1 and that she is very supportive of the playground. For her, adding on the field is what is causing discomfort. She is not convinced that all locations for the Miracle Field have been ruled out. Bierbaum has been trying to figure the location out and the only option he can see finding out if it is feasible is to raise some area at North River Valley. Rowan feels that we need this in our community but still thinks there is some work to be done. Bierbaum still feels that the playground should go in Inis Grove. Feilmeyer understands wanting to move things moving along, but feels that it is premature to say this is it and spend $25-30,000 on figuring out where it is going to be in Inis Grove. Moran feels like this project deserves the right spot and shows our need for more space as our community grows. Abraham stated that the Parks Master Plan was done in house and goes through 2018. Staff would like to bring someone in to do a really comprehensive plan which would take into consideration where the community is growing. Johnston said that it does feel like it came on rather quickly. Her belief, based on her history with Staff, is that that due diligence has been done. Johnston was disappointed that she did not hear from anyone say that they support a Miracle League or that they support an All-Inclusive Playground. Riney-Kehrberg alleged from the floor that no one had approached ChildServe. She accused the Committee of not thinking about speaking with ChildServe even though they work with every disabled youngster in the area. Abraham stated that on the Committee there are representatives of The ARC of Story County, The Friendship ARC Homes and Mainstream Living who all deal with individuals with disabilities... Riney-Kehrber interrupted Abraham to say “adults” Abraham continued that the Committee members have had conversation with ChildServe and that they are supportive of the project. Riney-Kehrber stated that those are adult serving organizations. Abraham explained that she stated that the Committee did not think to speak to ChildServe and he is informing her that the Committee had spoken to ChildServe and they were supportive of the project. Larry Ebbers wanted to state from the floor that the neighborhood did not object to the project. Litwiller is of the opinion that if the Commission keeps pushing this back, continuing to research and research and research the community could lose out on an amazing opportunity for Ames. Rowan believes that the accessibility part of this is really important. Rowan feels that it needs to be in Ames for the accessibility and transportation. . Ebbers from the floor again feels like you can raise money with conceptual ideas. Rowan feels that there are no conceptual ideas created at this time because there is no location and that is the problem. Jay Lettow (8401 Waybridge, Johnston). Lettow stated that he has worked in Ames for 15 years, first as the Executive Director for the Arc of Story County and now at the Iowa State Foundation. He understands how hard it is for the Commission when there is a very passionate group from the neighborhood that is opposed to the project. He feels that they cannot be successful if they separate the projects. If they stick with the criteria including nothing in the flood plain and other considerations that Inis Grove is the only place to put this feature. He reminded the Commission members that they are representing the entire city and have to make this decision for the whole community. Shelly Jaspering from the floor feels that it could be neutral colors. She has a new Habitat house built in the historic district which shows that something new can come into the neighborhood and fit in. Matin Edelson from the floor stated his opinion that this is going to be more successful than anyone expects. He feels the people in the neighborhood deserve some respect and deserved to be listened too. Barb Ebbers from the floor pointed out that there was a sentence in the beginning of their presentation indicating that they were advocates for this project and it was not that they didn’t want the project; they don’t want the ball field (which is part of the project) in their neighborhood. Moved by Bierbaum, seconded by Rowan directing Staff to work with the City Manager and other City Staff to addressing parking/traffic issues on 24th Street and on Broadmoor Avenue. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved. Moved by Feilmeyer to direct staff to put together a conceptual plan with an initial focus on Inis Grove Park, but not ruling out any other locations for the proposed All Inclusive Playground and Miracle League Field. Such plan shall take into consideration the concerns of and include the Inis Grove neighborhood, Parks and Recreation Staff and the Steering Committee and not ruling out the use of a consultant during this phase. Seconded by Rowan. Discussion: Bierbaum asked if the motion gives Staff what they need. Abraham stated that he had a pretty good idea of what the Commission was looking for. Litwiller inquired regarding cost of this phase. Abraham stated that he did not know. No Opposition. Motion Approved. b) Commission Action Form: Mobile Concession Units Keith went over the Commission Action Form regarding mobile concession units. Staff recommends Alternative #1. Moved by Rowan, seconded by Bierbaum to approve Alternative #1. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved. c) Commission Action Form: JAX Request for Boat Rentals at Ada Hayden Heritage Park and Waiver of 10% of Gross Sales Abraham went over the Commission Action for stating that this is a great partnership. Staff recommends Alternative #1. Moved by Bierbaum, seconded by Rowan to approve Alternative #1. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved. d) Naming Policy Update Abraham explained that the changes gave flexibility to the Commission and Council. Corporate names can now be considered. There will be no waiting period and parks, facilities and amenities can be named for living individuals. e) Healthy Life Center Update Abraham reported that enthusiasm for this project continues to grow. This center would cover physical activity, social, health, nutrition, education and research. June 13 the City Council and the Ames School Board will hold a joint meeting and the pool will be one of the topics of conversation. If the District says they do not want to be part of the proposed center, then we as a City have to decide which has the greater benefit to the citizens. f) Project Update g) Correspondence MONTHLY REPORT Johnston asked about the pond in Moore Memorial Park. Abraham informed the Commission that he has spoken with John Joiner, Director of Public Works, about it and are discussing options. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS Litwiller stated that she has attended some of the cycling classes and that the bikes were user friendly, awesome and worth the investment. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Bierbaum to adjourn. The meeting concluded at 7:40 PM. Next Meeting: Thursday, June 16 at 4:00 PM