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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Park and Recreation Commission Meeting 07/16/2015AMES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DATE: July 16, 2015 COMMISSION PRESENT: Julie Johnston, Alisa Frandsen, Ed Moran, Dakota Canning, Jason Schaben, Vicki Feilmeyer, and Melissa Rowan (arrived at 4:40 PM) ABSENT: None STAFF: Keith Abraham, Joshua Thompson, Mark Lambert CALL TO ORDER: 4:00 PM APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Moran, second by Canning to approve the May 21, 2015 and June 18, 2015 meeting minutes. Motion Approved PUBLIC FORUM No Public Forum DIRECTOR’S REPORT A) Staff Report: Fort in Munn Woods When city staff was doing a walkthrough of Munn Woods with representatives of the Iowa Heritage Foundation a fort was discovered. The youth involved in building the fort were informed by staff that structures were not allowed in the woods or park system. Staff asked the youth involved to voluntarily remove this structure by June 24, 2015. When staff checked on June 26, the youth had not torn down this structure. After heavy rain eroded the bank near the fort, it was taken down and staff confirmed this on June 29. Abraham explained that the City of Ames does not allow private or personal structures to be placed in the park system. He stated that there are amenities that staff places in the parks for the public to use such as ball diamonds, shelters etc. When staff finds items that are put in the parks such as teepees, benches or playgrounds they are usually adjacent to personal property. Staff will explain that personal items and structures are not allowed and ask them to move to their own property. Munn Woods was purchased as a gift for Hiram Munn’s wife. The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation purchased this land from the Munn’s and deeded it to the city. There are some conditions to this gift, which include no structures being built on this land. This easement is a legal binding document between the City and the Foundation. Abraham stated that if this had happened in another park, staff would have still asked them to take it down. Abraham also stated that when someone asks permission for something like this, we explain to them why we won’t allow it. A presentation was given by the group who call themselves “The Fort Kids”. Chiara Travesset – 1239 Wisconsin Ave Lucas Bleyle – 4212 Phoenix St Liam Struck – 916 New Hampshire Cr Maria Kozakova – 5303 Thackeray Dr The Fort Kids stated that they didn’t build their fort out of rebellion. They wanted a home away from home. Their fort was a sanctuary, almost like a church for them, and gave them freedom from adult supervision. It gave them exposure to sun and fresh air, exercise, and new experiences. It allowed them to interact with nature in their own way. The Fort Kids have 3 proposals for the Parks and Recreation Department. 1. Post signs in Munn Woods stating that building forts on public land is not allowed. 2. Fix erosion on the path so that the woods are accessible. 3. Set aside land for a “Fort Friendly Zone” of 4 to 6 plots or more on public property where forts can be constructed. They would like a series of forms and waivers developed so that the forts could exist without any potential harm to the city. The City of Ames would also need to develop guidelines that dictate what can and can’t be done on these plots of land including materials used, building size and mandatory safety procedures. Isolating the forts in one location will allow the City of Ames to monitor them. The Fort Kids don’t want the woods to be a museum; they want people in the woods building things. Canning inquired about what happened to the materials that they brought into the woods to build the fort. The Fort Kids replied that they did have to throw some of the material away, however they did keep some of it, waiting to turn it into another fort on private property. Frandsen thanked them for coming and addressing the Commission. Frandsen expressed sadness over the statement that The Fort Kids feel they can no longer enjoy the woods. She asked if they felt they were grieving. The Fort Kids replied that they need more stimulation than just walking through the woods. Johnston asked about the quote used at the beginning of their presentation which spoke about taking a blanket out to the woods. She wanted to know if it was not about nature and the woods but about the fort for them. The answered that they felt they took the quote one step further. Frandsen asked what they would say to people who didn’t like the fort and wanted the woods to be pristine. The Fort Kids stated that they felt the woods are big enough for both. Frandsen then asked if the Fort Kids would be as excited if other kids had a fort next door. She also pointed out that it would be on public land so it would be for public use. The Fort Kids stated that their goal is not to make a way for people to claim public property. Feilmeyer complimented their well put together presentation. Schaben agreed with Feilmeyer and commended them on their presentation. Moran asked if it was only the four of them that worked on this project. They replied that there was a group of about 10 people that worked on it and everyone was welcome. Abraham stated that the group has stressed that they wanted freedom from rules and freedom from adults. He asked how the group would handle the rules and regulations that would come with a dedicated fort area. They stated that they felt it would not be like a guardian holding your hand. It would be someone checking occasionally. This should be a location that would be hard to get to and monitored for illegal activity. That it should be treated as any other public area. Canning stated that in terms of safety, it is not just a tree falling or a fort collapsing. He further explained that there are not just kids in the woods, there won’t be just kids building forts. If it is opened up for anyone to build forts it could include adults who don’t go the extra mile to make sure children are safe around them. There may be shifty characters hanging out in the woods. However, he does not think it is impossible. Abraham stated that the erosion problem would be taken care of. As to the request for signage, we would need to take a look at that. The staff would take a look and try to find the best way to educate users. As far as the fort zone, staff could research what that would look like, is anyone else doing it, where would it be, how would it be monitored. Moved by Feilmeyer, second by Canning directing staff to investigate youth outdoor living and/or wilderness programs in the city of Ames with one option being a fort zone and asked that The Fort Kids be involved if they so choose. Staff was also directed to look at signage and education in the park system and Munn Woods. Commission Member discussion: Schaben explained to The Fort Kids that this is exactly how it needed to be done. This is how stuff moves forward. Rowan apologized, thanked the group for taking time and effort. Motion Approved At the direction of Abraham, the meeting will move forward to agenda item C and move item B after item D. C) Pool Update The School District hired a consultant and is looking at different options and configurations for their pool. The District is still committed to a water temperature of 78-80 degrees. The City has been looking at more recreational features and a warmer water temperature. Staff would like to work with Water’s Edge to take a look at 9 different options. Staff would direct Water’s Edge to estimate the high level capital costs in 2017 dollars for building each option. Staff would further direct Water’s Edge to estimate the operational costs, revenue, fees and charges options for these options including the estimated operational subsidy. Feilmeyer wanted to know if Water’s Edge has been reliable. Abraham stated yes. Rowan asked about the timing of a friends group. Abraham indicated it is too early. A friends group would probably be formed after there was a plan and conceptual drawings. D) Discussion: E-Cigarettes Denise Denton, Prevention Specialist at Youth and Shelter Services gave information regarding e- cigarettes. YSS is convinced e-cigarettes renormalize smoking in public and are seeing this in Story County already. These are not harmless even though they have less chemicals they still have many of the same chemicals as cigarettes. YSS would like to see e-cigarettes banned in all parks and facilities. Canning states that he is hesitant to control adult behavior with a very low percentage of youth using it. Abraham stated that they are not a tobacco product so existing rules don’t apply. The devices can be used with marijuana or cannabis oil. Abraham wanted to have this discussion to find out the Commission’s views on this topic. Staff has asked an individual not to use e-cigarettes at the pool as they may have glass parts and could shatter on the pool deck. Rowan asked if Abraham knew when the City Council was taking steps. Abraham does not know when, but he does know they asked legal to draft something. Feilmeyer stated that it seems that they are a disaster at the pool. Schaben stated that we need to look at this at the pools. Abraham clarified that no tobacco use is a rule; it is not an ordinance so the police can’t get involved. If you ask them to comply or leave and they don’t, then it becomes a trespass issue. Feilmeyer states she feels the Commission should wait to see what the council does. B) Commission Action Form: Ames Parks & Recreation Request to Utilize Bandshell Park Past Hours Abraham thanked Johnston for attending the reading of the proclamation for Parks and Recreation Month by the Ames City Council. For The final event of the month staff would like to show the movie Back to the Future in Bandshell Park. This movie would end at 10:56 PM requiring an extension of park hours to 11:15 PM. Staff recommends Alternative #1. Motion by Feilmeyer, second by Rowan to approve Alternative #1. Discussion: Canning asked if this would this open the entire park for everyone or just for persons attending the movie. Abraham stated that it would be open to everyone as staff can’t make that determination. Motion Approved. E) Project Update Northridge Heights: The shelter has been ordered. Staff is working on the playground and the basketball hoops. Roosevelt Park: Staff and the friends group are working on tweaks to the design of the playground and will get this ordered. Softball Fields: Irrigation diamond 1 is finished. MONTHLY REPORT Thompson informed that Commission that mosquito fogging has started in the park system. If it is raining or if there is activity in the park we will do it the following morning. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS None ADJOURNMENT Moved by Schaben to adjourn. (The meeting was suspended from 5:21 to 5:40 PM for a tornado warning.). The meeting concluded at 6:28 PM. Next Meeting: - Thursday, August 20, 2015 at 4:00 PM