HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Park and Recreation Commission Meeting 12/03/2015
AMES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
WORKSHOP MINUTES
DATE: Thursday, December 3, 2015
PRESENT: Melissa Rowan, Julie Johnston, Jason Schaben, Vikki Feilmeyer, Sarah Litwiller,
Dakota Canning and Ed Moran
ABSENT: None
STAFF: Keith Abraham, Joshua Thompson, Steve Schainker
CALL TO ORDER: 4:01 PM
PUBLIC FORUM:
Susie Petra, (2511 Duff Ave), stated that she wanted to be informed about public meetings regarding
the proposed aquatic center, especially partnering and location.
DISCUSSION OF THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN WITH CITY MANAGER STEVE
SCHAINKER:
Abraham gave a brief overview of difference between Capital Projects and Operational Budget as
well as the funding sources for the projects. Schainker, City Manager, explained how the local option
sales tax is collected and disbursed.
Abraham reviewed items listed in the Capital Improvement Plan which covers the next 5 years.
Feilmeyer asked for more information regarding the Wetland Overlook project at Ada Hayden
Heritage Park. Abraham explained that it would be a platform with steps and/or a ramp that would be
around 8 to 10 feet high so that people can see over the brush and view wildlife in the wetlands.
PUBLIC INPUT PROJECT REQUESTS:
Abraham asked the Commission for input on the projects requested for consideration by citizens
through public input or correspondence.
Brookside Park: Tennis court lighting
Feilmeyer asked what staff opinion was on this project. Abraham explained there are other
lighted courts in the system - including the courts at Ames High School, Inis Grove and
McCarthy Lee Park. The Brookside courts are very close to the lighted courts at the high
school. Staff sees this as a low priority.
Crawford and Old Edwards School: Subject to the School District “gifting clean and green acreage
to the City”, transition these parcels into a neighborhood parks.
Feilmeyer asked if the school sites are covered by other parks. Abraham stated that they are
covered by other park locations. Rowan asked if it was too early or if things are “too up in the
air” for any decisions to be made. Abraham stated that the (old) Edwards neighbors are
interested in keeping a park there. Rowan stated that the (old) Edwards area makes the most
sense to her and her opinion is to keep the (old) Edwards option open.
Space adjacent South 5th Street (west of Boys & Girls Club): Purchase land for Neighborhood
Park
Rowan asked Abraham if he knew who owned that land. Abraham stated that he did not know.
Emergency Residence Project: Add a fenced-in basketball pad (30’ x 30’) with one basket
Schaben stated that he just drove by this area the other day and it is not very big. Schainker
stated that the land is the site of a former electric substation. Abraham informed the group that
that there is a maximum fence height of 4 foot if the property were to be fenced.
Feilmeyer stated, as far as she was concerned, that this and the Boys and Girls club property
are a no for the Commission at this time.
The Commission would like Abraham to direct the Emergency Residence Project to the
neighborhood grant program or refer them to Kiwanis’s Organization, who has stated an
interest in this project, as resources for improving their playground area.
Sunset Ridge Park: Develop a neighborhood park in this subdivision
Rowan asked if there are more houses going in there? Abraham showed on a map where the
future housing will be built. The Commission members felt there were attractive partnering
opportunities for this location.
Dog Park: Lights with timers so the park can be used safely after dark. Add a structure so dog
owners can be out of the wind in the winter time. Add agility obstacles. Add a fenced in wading pond
for dogs
Canning likes the light idea, the structure idea and the agility idea but not the pond idea. He
also wanted to know if there were obstacles placed in the park would there be an obligation to
provide lighting.
Johnston stated her enthusiasm for this park and asked if the request was for lights in the
staging area or if it were for lights way out in the back of the park. Abraham said that the
request was for lights along the loop trail.
Abraham stated that staff will investigate lighting for the park.
Trail in Ada Hayden from Alta Vista: Develop a trail into the park for easy access from Alta Vista
subdivision.
Abraham stated that this development is in Story County not the City of Ames. He also stated
that property owners in this development have mowed a path through Ada Hayden Heritage
Park to reach the trails and have been asked to stop. The group consensus is not to develop
this trail. Both Hayden’s Crossing and Quarry Estates are developing paths to join the trails
at Ada Hayden but at their own expense.
Outdoor Ice Rink: Add outdoor ice rinks within the park system.
Abraham showed a photo of a portable, temporary ice rink. Feilmeyer asked if it was the kind
of thing that is reusable. Abraham stated that it was reusable. Feilmeyer stated that she has
had many calls regarding an outdoor rink and is in favor of this. Rowan is in favor as well.
Abraham stated that this item would most likely not be a capital item as the cost is around
$10,000.
Additional Disc Golf Course: Add a third course within the City
Canning asked if there are large numbers of people waiting to get on the course. Abraham
stated sometimes people do have to wait but it is not a constant thing. The usage at Carroll
Marty Disc Golf Course is high because a majority of college students come because they can
walk to the course.
Abraham stated that a new course would be looked at carefully as the current course has
erosion problems and will need a lot of work in the future.
Johnston feels that if a third course could be totally different she would be more open to it.
Canning asked if the current course could be moved. Abraham said that it could, however, the
current location is where people want to go. Abraham told the Commission that even if staff
removed the baskets, people would come here to play because of the location.
North River Valley Canoe Accesses: Renovate both canoe accesses (location, slope, angle to
river, and drop off areas). Add additional parking.
Abraham stated that nothing would be done on this until the low-head dam project is
completed.
South 16th Street Canoe Access: Renovate canoe access (location, slope, angle to river, and drop
off areas). Add parking.
Thompson stated that we don’t have an easement for these areas. Staff was directed to put
together a plan and present it at a later date.
Walking Path Connecting Northridge Heights and Bloomington Heights: Add walking path along
Harrison, over the railroad tracks, to connect these two neighborhoods.
The Commission members asked about crossing the railroad tracks in this area. Abraham
stated that he is not sure how we could get people over the tracks in this area. The consensus
is that the Commission does not want to pursue this item.
Develop Trails along the Creek Systems: Hard and/or soft surface trails
Abraham will have staff meet with people and develop a plan.
Cross Country Ski Trail Development: Develop East River Valley Ski Trails further (widening,
rerouting trails, grading, signage, etc.)
Feilmeyer feels outdoor winter activities need to be encouraged and she would like to see
more outdoor recreation items in the winter.
Abraham stated this fits Healthiest Ames vision for the city.
Rowan said that she can see why people want to both ski and walk in that area. She would like
to see staff designate some trails for just skiers and other trails for walkers. There are some
nice wide areas and the snow on the trees is gorgeous. Abraham said that maybe the dog
park model could be used for this by selling some kind of ski tags for trail upkeep and let the
skiers police it and help do part of the grooming.
COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS
Johnston inquired as to what was going on with the pond in Moore Memorial Park. Abraham stated
that he had met with John Joiner, Director of Public Works. Joiner agreed that there are things that
need to be fixed and done differently. Abraham will follow up and bring a report to the next meeting.
Schaben asked Schainker about the Crane property south of Wilder Blvd. Schainker stated that the
development of this area is ready to start.
WORKSHOP ADJOURNED AT 6:07 PM