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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Park and Recreation Commission Meeting 10/15/2015AMES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DATE: October 15, 2015 COMMISSION PRESENT: Dakota Canning, Jason Schaben, Vicki Feilmeyer, Ed Moran ABSENT: Julie Johnston, Melissa Rowan STAFF: Keith Abraham, Kellee Omlid, Joshua Thompson CALL TO ORDER: 4:00 PM APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Feilmeyer, second by Schaben to approve the August 20, 2015, meeting minutes. Motion Approved PUBLIC FORUM: Kim Hanna (Raising Readers, 920 Carroll Ave.) and Allie Prusa, (United Way, 315 Clark Ave.) Spoke to the Commission regarding a project to provide trail signage and little libraries throughout the park system. These signs encourage reading and activities for family participation. *Motion by Canning, second by Schaben to have staff look into this and move forward. Discussion: Feilmeyer clarified that this was not a CIP item and the motion was just to investigate. Schaben feels that it would be a good thing. Motion Approved. *On October 16, 2015 it was determined that the Iowa Open Meetings Law was violated as this topic had not appeared on the meeting agenda. Therefore the motion is strickened from the official record. PUBLIC INPUT: Abraham explained the difference between Capital Improvement Funds and the Operating Budget. He also explained the CIP is a 5 year plan, however, money is appropriated by the Ames City Council for the first year only. Abraham also stated that Ames Parks and Recreation covers approximately 60% of their operational budget through fees and charges. The process for tonight is just input and ideas. Staff will take these ideas at the direction of the Commission to put the plan in place. Then the Commission will recommend that the City Council adopt the plan. Jody Gatewood (203 Hartford Dr.) There is green space in her neighborhood that was originally intended for a dog park. Their neighborhood association would like that space to be made into a park but have not been able to raise the funds to do so. They would be willing to deed the land to the City of Ames for park development. Holly Fuchs (806 Brookridge Ave.) Asked questions regarding the new lighting proposed for Brookside Park. She requests that the department does not put in lights that shine in her eyes. Abraham explained that the type and style of lighting has not been determined at this time. She also had a concern regarding the splash pad replacement. She understands that it would be a nice feature but does not want it across from her house. Abraham explained that a splash pad would increase service opportunities as these types of pads don’t need staff present to operate. He explained that it will not be in the same place as the current wading pool. Out of the flood plain does not mean just Brookside, it could move out of Brookside completely. She also had a concern about a proposed path/bridge near the old ISU reactor. She wants to make sure that it is safe. Julie Haas (2313 Broadmoor Ave.) Requesting on behalf of the Emergency Residence Project that a half-court basketball play area is built on land along S. 3rd St. She acknowledges that there is an issue with this being such a busy area. Feilmeyer asked if the Commission had discussion about this at the last meeting. Abraham stated yes that it was the area near Ken’s Appliance that was discussed previously. Feilmeyer asked what park serves that area. Abraham stated that O’Neil Park and Bandshell Park are both in the fringe that serves the area. Richard McCoy (212 Garden Rd.) This project would fit in the goals of his organization, the Kiwanis Club, and they would like to lend help for this park. They are in favor of this project. Abraham also read projects that were suggested via email and letter. DIRECTOR’S REPORT: A. Indoor Tennis Facility Abraham informed the group that the Ames Racquet and Fitness facility has been sold to a church. Ames Parks and Recreation does utilize these courts for indoor tennis lessons. The church is planning on keeping two courts available to the public. Representatives will speak to the Commission on this topic. Len Thiede (3407 Buchanan Ct.) Addressed the Commission in favor of building an indoor tennis facility. It is his belief that the City should support lifetime sports like tennis. The City of Ames, Ames Community Schools and private groups worked together to fund courts at Ames High School, which have been used for public tennis, parks and recreation tennis and boys and girls high school tennis. Abraham clarified that the courts themselves are owned by the City of Ames but placed on the school property. Diana Figueredo (3215 Tupelo Cr.) Diana is the USTA Women’s Tennis Team Captain. She states that there is a need for an indoor facility. She wants to keep our community involved in tennis. She asked the Commission to please consider a motion to explore an indoor tennis facility. A petition was presented to the Commission. Colleen Schwartz (3715 Calhoun Ave.) Spoke in favor of an indoor tennis facility for Ames. The group is looking for partnering opportunities. ISU is also losing its tennis facility with this sale. Jamie Pollard is committed to the tennis team and will commit 2 to 3 million dollars. She wanted to look into a facility that follows the model of the Ames/ISU Ice Arena. Dave Carlyle (2309 Buchanan Dr.) He stated that he is a physician at McFarland Clinic. Indoor tennis courts are a benefit for a town of this size and from a health standpoint improve cardio, strength, balance and hand eye coordination. A public facility would take the elite status out and fill the courts with people who are not members of a club. Jim Dickson (1129 Oklahoma Ave.) He does not want to drive to Des Moines to play. There is a great facility just down the road on I-80. Kristen Johansen (1397 274th Ln., Boone) USTA sponsors leagues for all abilities. Does not want to see bits and pieces, courts spread all over the place. Courts need to be together for league play and meets. Kathy Simpkins (1401 Kentucky Ave.) Retirees also stay in Ames for indoor tennis as well as people moving here for indoor tennis. Chris Andersen (415 J Ave., Nevada) He supports a joint venture with the City, ISU and the Ames School District. Ames has folks that are affluent and that have affinity for tennis so there is the potential for partners from the private sector as will. Richard Hamilton (1111 N. Hyland) He has played tennis in Australia, South Africa and California - all outdoors because the weather is good. When he came to Ames, he was thrilled that there was an indoor facility. Dozens of little kids are playing when he gets to the courts and they are having a ball. He feels if we lose this facility we lose this lifelong sport for all ages. Lauren Budwig (2820 Aspen Road) She feels tennis is important to this community. She worked for the ISU tennis team for two years, and presently at Ames Racquet Club. It is her experience that people are always fighting for court space. She states that they have people 22 years old playing with people 80 years old. Feilmeyer asked her if the courts are heavily used during the day. Budwig explained there are leagues during the days and evenings. ISU and leagues fight for match space on the weekends. If it is raining, Ames High is also looking for space instead of cancelling matches. Blair Picard (Lincoln Way Energy, LLC) Ames is really a two industry town, agriculture and education. Tremendous growth the last few years and ISU is booming. However, farm prices are going down and more and more education is online. He feels Ames is in competition with other communities, not just in Iowa but around the county, to try and grow the community and solidify the economy. Community based assets such as tennis facilities and pools are very important. Please consider the related economic benefits to the community. Canning asked the group about partnering as there was mention that ISU is ready to spend 2 to 3 million to build a 2 court facility. Schwartz told the group that ISU is willing to discuss using that money in a joint facility. Schwartz also informed the group that 6 courts are needed for matches so right now they (ISU) would have to have their Big 12 matches out of town. Feilmeyer asked for clarification that ISU does have 2-3 million and would be willing to partner. Schwartz said that yes that is the understanding. Schaben asked when the facility is going to close. Someone from the group stated that the facility will close in about a year. Abraham said the Commission will have to decide if this is a high enough priority. Is this something the Commission would want to pursue, knowing that the indoor aquatic facility is a priority? If the Commission feels it is a priority, make a motion to have staff spend time investigating further with the tennis community, the Ames School District and the University. Feilmeyer feels that it is something that warrants investigation, but the City Council has already directed that an indoor aquatic facility is a priority. She would like staff to explore if there really is an opportunity to partner with Iowa State. The group asked if money could be put into the CIP to support this facility. Abraham said yes. That could be done; however, projects would need to be reprioritized. Schaben thinks the Commission needs to investigate all options with Ames High and Iowa State. He feels if there is an opportunity to partner, we need to jump on it. Canning has concerns that other projects will fall through the cracks or over burden the staff with too much to do. Feilmeyer feels staff should investigate this but do it smartly. She does not feel the Commission should turn its back on this opportunity. Moved by Feilmeyer, second by Schaben for staff to do a quick investigation on partnership opportunities by working with the parties involved including Iowa State University and the Ames School District. Report their initial findings to the Commission at the December meeting. No Discussion. Motion Approved. B. CAF – ACAC Swim Meet Review and 2016 Date Request Omlid reviewed the meet from 2015 and stated that the meet was the most successful to date. Feilmeyer asked how the rental rate ($320 per day) for this meet was determined. Abraham explained that ACAC has been supportive of this facility; they use it for practices and this meet. Because of this partnership and what they are bringing into the community we set this rate. Canning asked how staff is addressing the seating issues. Omlid explained that staff is looking into moving the scoreboard and exploring everything we can. Caning asked if there is not enough seating or can they not see or both? Omlid said teams put up tents and there is not enough room for the families and spectators. Feilmeyer feels that it really isn’t a problem for the City to solve and inquired about bleachers. Abraham stated that bleachers had been moved to the site in the past and that no one really sat in them. Moved by Schaben, second Feilmeyer to approve alternative #1a, b and c. No Discussion. Motion Approved. C. Naming Policy Update In August, staff was directed to investigate developing guidelines for naming facilities. City Manager Schainker directed staff to work on a naming policy for just the Ames Parks and Recreation Department. This will eventually go to City Council to approve but there is no timeline with that. There are a lot of different components to it: monetary donations, historical purposes and contributions to the community. Some policies have waiting periods to try and take emotions out of the situation which can be anywhere from 3 to 7 years. D. Pool Update The report from Water’s Edge is taking longer than anticipated. Abraham stated that staff wants to make sure that this report has all the information the Commission and the Council need to make some decisions. Feilmeyer asked about what progress has been made. Abraham stated that the initial report from Water’s Edge contained some figures and projections that were not consistent with how Ames Parks and Recreation would manage the facility. For example, some wage estimates were higher and some lower than we normally pay people. They also did not address water temperature or water depth as reasons to partner or not partner. We are trying to put together a draft of the programming schedule. What could all these basins be used for? Feilmeyer stated that it sounds like we are more in a fine tuning and customization stage. E. Project Update Roosevelt ribbon cutting was held. There have been many positive comments regarding what our staff has done and the working relationship the community has had with the department. We are now directing our attention to Northridge Heights, maybe ribbon cutting in November sometime. Hopefully the playground will be open next week. The piping project for the Ames Power Plant has been rerouted so that the gas line will not go through Bandshell Park. This will now have minimum impact on the park. Ada Hayden Heritage Park path resurfacing is still scheduled to be done this fall. Staff will post signage regarding closures. The waterline project has not been bid due to some delays. McCarthy Lee courts resurfaced and pickle balls lines have been painted at Brookside, Inis Grove and McCarthy Lee. All 12 courts in these parks have pickle ball lines. F. Correspondence The Ames Parks and Recreation Department has been named as a beneficiary in an estate. There is no other information available. MONTHLY REPORT The Friends of Ames Swimming group has given scholarship of over $5600 toward swim pass purchases in 2015 for low income families and has a 10 year total over $37,000. Next Sunday the aquatics staff is hosting a Halloween pool party at Municipal Pool. Come in costume if you want. Regular admission price. There have been over 850 volunteer hours donated to the park system this year and we are still getting groups that want to work this fall. This work is very beneficial. Marcus Fizer is here to be inducted into the Iowa State Hall of Fame and has been planting trees today at Ada Hayden. He also helped in Small Wonders preschool today and is helping at Little Dunkers tonight. Vicki Feilmeyer asked how volunteer opportunities work. Joshua replied that he has the activities in his mind and he tailors it by each group based on their abilities. The ISU Construction Club has helped us tremendously. They helped build the shelter in Roosevelt Park, and are building a fence in McCarthy Lee Park. That group is going to rebuild the Inis Grove steps, add handrails and make it ADA compliant. They take a lot of pictures of the projects and post them. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS: Moran helped with the planting of 130 trees along with parks and recreation staff, the Ames Foundation and a group from Workiva. He also had an opportunity to go out with the paddlers and look at the water ways. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Canning to adjourn. The meeting concluded at 6:12 PM. Next Meeting: - Thursday, November 19 at 4:00 PM