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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Park and Recreation Commission Meeting 04/16/2015AMES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DATE: April 16, 2015 COMMISSION PRESENT: Alisa Frandsen, Vickie Feilmeyer, Julie Johnston, Melissa Rowan, Jason Schaben, Dakota Canning, Ed Moran ABSENT: None STAFF: Keith Abraham, Kellee Omlid, Joshua Thompson CALL TO ORDER: 4:00 PM Dakota Canning was introduced as a new Commission member. He is a senior at Iowa State University. He was interested in serving as he has enjoyed the benefits of living in Ames and wanted to give something back in the community. Election of Officers: Moved by Feilmeyer, second by Johnston to nominate Alisa Frandsen as Chairperson, no other nominations. Moved by Feilmeyer, second by Johnston to close the nominations for Chairperson. No discussion. Motion Approved. Moved by Johnston, second by Rowan to nominate Ed Moran as Vice-Chairperson, no other nominations. Moved by Schaben, second by Rowan to close the nominations for Vice-Chairperson. No discussion. Motion Approved. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Moved by Feilmeyer, second by Rowan to approve the March 18, 2015, meeting minutes. No discussion. Motion Approved PUBLIC FORUM No Public Forum DIRECTOR’S REPORT a. CAF – Pool Use Agreement with Ames Cyclone Aquatics Club ACAC uses Municipal Pool year round and Furman Aquatic Center May to August. This is an agreement for the 15/16 Season. No changes in the agreement from previous years. Staff recommends Alternative #1. Motion to approve Alternative #1 by Schaben, second by Feilmeyer. No discussion. Motion Approved. b. CAF – Agreement with Ames Little League This agreement between Ames Little League and Ames Parks & Recreation outlines the responsibilities of each party. New items in the agreement address maintaining safe field conditions and responsibility for field maintenance by each party. Staff recommends Alternative #1. Motion to approve Alternative #1 by Rowan, second by Canning. No discussion. Motion Approved. c. CAF – Friends of Roosevelt Group Summer Concert Series This agreement is a request by the Friends of Roosevelt Park for Ames Parks and Recreation to sponsor their summer concert series and for a waiver of the 10% commission on sales and fundraising activities in the park. This agreement is very similar to the past two years. Canning inquired if the percentage has ever been lowered instead of waived. Abraham is not sure if the Commission can change the percentage rate though they can waive the fee. Frandsen wanted to know how the group handles the funds raised. Abraham explained the City has allocated $80,000 for this project. The money raised by the Friends group will be turned over to the city for items that are over and above the $80,000 budget. Staff recommends Alternative #1. Motion to approve Alternative #1 by Feilmeyer, second by Rowan. No discussion. Motion Approved. d. Update – Pools Steve Schainker and Abraham met with representatives of the School District. The group had discussion regarding where both the City and the School District is at with the pools. The school is still looking at a competitive basin. Right now the School district is exploring options for the daily operation of this pool. 1. Managed by ACAC 2. Managed by a private entity 3. Partner with the city of Ames 4. Manage it themselves. The City of Ames will start gathering information in a series of public meetings to learn what the public wants to see in a pool. The school district will be represented at these meetings and share their needs as well. There will also be focus group meetings, such as ACAC, Lap Swimmers, swim lesson parents and other entities throughout the community. The consultant will take all of the information and make recommendations on what will work best for the community. This could be one facility, two facilities side by side with some shared space or two separate facilities. Next step: Schedule a workshop to determine the focus group meeting participants and the dates for public input sessions. Johnston stated that it sounds like a workable plan to her and she likes the steps that were laid out. Frandsen asked Abraham when he would anticipate the public input sessions could be. Abraham stated the earliest could be the end of May or early June. Rowan wants to be mindful of the presidential election. Feilmeyer would like to continue with speed and encouraged rapid work on this project. Frandsen feels the Commission needs to figure out the frame work for the public input sessions so we truly have an opportunity to get the information we need. Canning wanted to know if there could be a point where this is a project we can’t undertake. Abraham explained that it is a priority and there is no one on the Commission that would walk away from it. It is a matter of joint facility or separate facilities. e. Discussion – Paddle Board Races at Ada Hayden Heritage Park Abraham reported on a proposed paddle board race at Ada Hayden Heritage Park in September. The event would be ½ or full day with the proceeds going to the Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park and the American Heart Association. Though Staff feels this would be a good event, their biggest concern is safety. All participants need a PFD, there would need to be lifeguards on duty in Kayaks with tow ropes. There is no swimming at Ada Hayden as a safety concern. There are steep drop offs in the bottom of the lake and we will continue to support that stance. Schaben likes the idea as something different, that it gets people out and the more recreation the better. Johnston asked if there were any concerns for the park itself. Erv Klaas of the Friends of Ada Hayden answered (from the audience) that he felt that the safety is the only concern. Frandsen asked if Jax required a PFD on rentals at the park. Abraham answered that they do require them. Moran asked if there is tether on a paddle board. Abraham replied that there was not. Canning asked if spectators would be able to wade as they were watching the races. Schaben explained the bottom topography of the lake makes any wading or swimming dangerous. Canning wanted to know if there were any mapped out areas where spectators can wade into the water. Feilmeyer stated that though there will be some incidental contact with the water, we don’t want to send the message that it is okay to swim out there. f. Discussion – South Skunk River Water Trail Steering Group Mimi Wagner of this group addressed the Commission. This is focused on not just paddling but conservation and restoration. She inquired if there was someone on the Commission interested in serving on this steering group or are there citizens that Staff could recommend. Staff suggested that Leo Milleman may be interested in serving. Johnston would be willing to serve if Milleman declines. Schaben stated that he will serve on the Urban Deer Management group if needed. g. Discussion – Possibility of Ames Cyclone Aquatics Club Hosting a Second Swim Meet July 15-17, 2016 Abraham reported that there is an open weekend in the state meet schedule and ACAC would like to host a meet in order to provide another opportunity for people to qualify. Abraham said that they have tried to work out a schedule to host this meet that would not interfere with the regular hours of the facility. Abraham also showed a graphic of the fees collected and the number of swimmers served on that weekend for the past 5 years. Rowan asked if they pay a rental fee. Abraham said that they do pay a rental fee but it is minimal compared to the fees lost. Frandsen does not hear anything that convinces her that we should close down for this meet. Abraham said that he will continue to work with the group to see if a schedule that would not interfere with regular operations of the pool can be developed. Judy Lemish, (327 South Maple) Spoke against allowing ACAC to host this meet. Feilmeyer said that it is important to consider this very carefully. The rental fee as it is, is not sufficient for a second meet. However, she believes ACAC is an important partner for us moving forward with a new pool. The Commission is not opposed if it does not interrupt the rest of our operations. h. Bequest Received Received a bequest form Lydia Inman Fjeld. Your organization has been named as a beneficiary of $5000 in appreciation for the well maintained city parks. i. Discussion – Project Update Abraham asked the Commission if they wanted to have Project Updates as an item on the Directors report each month or as a part of the Monthly Report. Canning likes the idea of it being a regular part of the meeting. Frandsen likes it added to the Monthly Report and maybe highlight some items. MONTHLY REPORT Fitness class participants donated 146 pounds of food for MICA. Homewood is open for the season. Renew your pool passes on or before May 15 to get the discount. The Oak Savanna restoration project is going well and we are now removing invasive species in an area near the southwest boat access. Shelter reservations begin this weekend. Abraham was asked about the status of water at Ada Hayden. He reported that the water will be hooked into the Quarry Estates utilities. If everything works out but it could be ready this fall. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS Moran reported that on April 25 at 10 AM the Friends of Roosevelt Park is holding a tree planting project for the neighborhood. All are welcome. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Moran, second by Schaben to adjourn. The meeting concluded at 5:40 PM. Next Meeting: May 21 at 4:00 PM