The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About~Master - Ames Park and Recreation Commission Meeting 12/17/2015AMES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DATE: December 17, 2015 COMMISSION PRESENT: Julie Johnston, Sarah Litwiller, Jason Schaben, Vicki Feilmeyer, Melissa Rowan, Ed Moran ABSENT: Dakota Canning STAFF: Keith Abraham, Kellee Omlid, Joshua Thompson, Jill Burt CALL TO ORDER: 4:04 PM APPROVAL OF MINUTES Moved by Johnston seconded by Schaben to approve the November 19, 2015 meeting minutes and December 3, 2015, CIP workshop minutes. No discussion, no opposition. Motion Approved PUBLIC FORUM No Public Forum DIRECTOR’S REPORT A. Recognition of Alisa Frandsen Alisa Frandsen is a long term member of the Park and Recreation Commission who has resigned her position and is now serving the Ames School Board. Frandsen was presented with a 2016 summer family pool pass as a thank you for her years of service. B. Staff Report: Indoor Tennis Facility Abraham summarized the Staff Report on an indoor tennis facility. Iowa State is looking at a two court facility and will use Lifetime Fitness in Des Moines as a place to hold collegiate matches. The Ames Community School District is looking at eventually building nine outdoor courts in a three, three, three configuration at the 24th St. location. This is not a priority for them as the Ukena Family Tennis complex at the high school serves their current needs. The School District is open to having conversation regarding covering three of the courts at the 24th St location when they are built. Abraham spoke with ISU Recreation Services and an indoor tennis facility is not a priority for them. Abraham said the Harvest Vineyard Church (HVC) intends to keep two courts at the old Racquet and Fitness location for public use. There will be some remodeling to add restrooms and showers and a separate entrance for those two courts. HVC has asked if Parks and Recreation would be interested in managing the facility. Rowan asked when the current facility was closing. Abraham stated the rough estimate is January of 2017 or when Ames Racquet and Fitness Center’s new facility opens. Moran inquired about the number of courts at the current facility. Abraham responded there are five courts. Feilmeyer stated she thought it was a good broad overview and wondered if there was anything the Commission needs to do. Abraham stated Harvest Vineyard Church is forming a committee and would like a representative from Parks and Recreation. Jim Dixon (1129 Oklahoma) He hopes if the school does build nine courts at the 24th St. site they would cover six courts instead of three. He also feels if there was a facility managed by the City there would be more interest as the fees for use would be cheaper than a club membership. Abraham stated the fees would have to be looked at. The City Council would have to decide if it would be an enterprise (fees cover all expenses) or general (subsidized) fund facility. Micah Taintor (3721 Jewel Dr.) Representing Harvest Vineyard. The Church’s philosophy is a clean slate and as the Building and Project Manager he is open to any input. Colleen Schwartz (3715 Calhoun) Stated she feels saving two courts is great. However, she wants to move forward as a community for a larger facility or to bubble the high school courts. Moran asked Abraham if there are any existing courts that could be bubbled. Abraham said not at Brookside, however it could be a possibility at Emma McCarthy Lee or Inis Grove. Feilmeyer asked if a bubble facility was like a golf dome. Abraham stated it was just like a golf dome. C. Discussion: Indoor Aquatic Facility Johnston stated that she felt the Commission might be trying to do too many things. She wants the Commission to ask “What do we need for the Citizens of Ames?” Litwiller inquired if we could do a phased facility. Phase 1 would be one thing, Phase 2 one thing and Phase 3 one thing. Abraham stated that usually higher capital costs are associated with phasing a facility. Feilmeyer expressed she would like to see us build the most comprehensive building we can afford with as many features as we can manage. Most important to her is swimming lessons, not just for infants but for everyone. Recreational swimming, lap swimming, and competitive swimming are all important. She feels realistically, the Commission has to find a partner and to her the School District seems to be the best partner. She would like to see Staff look toward a design. Moran feels the current facility does not serve anybody. He would like to try and get as much as we can - at least three to four basins. He feels children should not have to go to swim lessons in cold water at 8:00 PM. Rowan is unsure of how these final decisions will be made. She would like to know what actually triggers the decision. Abraham wanted to clarify Municipal pool is serving people, maybe not to the extent of what they need or want, but it is serving people on a daily basis. He also stated to answer Rowan, “Programming precedes design.” The Commission will need to make sure the design incorporates the programs needed by the Community. Rowan asked for a recommendation of what programming is needed. Abraham stated that Staff could start bringing some of that programming piece to the Commission. Abraham stated that Staff will explore if there are partnering opportunities other than the School District. Since the School District is committed to a cold water competitive pool, would a recreational pool need to be attached or would a separate facility meet the needs of the community. Feilmeyer feels there are clearly economies in partnering. She does not think those economies like land cost can be ignored. Johnson indicated she has been thinking everything under one roof, however, would two separate facilities still work. She felt it was an interesting idea. Litwiller would like to reach out to Mary Greeley Medical Center and McFarland Clinic. She would like to explore if they would be willing to partner with both the City and the School District. Susie Petra (2011 Duff Ave) Stated she feels the community needs swim lessons, therapy and recreation. She also feels kids already have a fun pool to use in the summer. She wants a healthy pool for adults to use, not a recreational pool with slides for kids to use. Judy Lemish (327 S Maple) States that she agrees with the previous speaker. She would also like the Staff and Commission to pursue grants. D. Staff Report: 2015 Furman Aquatic Center Season Overview Jill Burt, Recreation Coordinator went over the 2015 season and the results of the Summer Aquatic Survey. Judy Lemish ( 327 South Maple) W anted to congratulate the staff and state that she appreciates what they do. She feels conflicts between the water walkers and the lap swimmers need to be worked out between the persons who are complaining. These people need to have a discussion and work out differences. E. Commission Action Form: Swim Pass Fees Abraham went over the season pass proposals in the CAF and the history of discounting season passes. The Staff recommendation is Alternative #1. Moved by Schaben, seconded by Rowan to approve Alternative #1. No discussion, no opposition. Motion Passes. F. Update: City Council Action on E-Cigarettes Abraham reported there was conversation about this issue at the City Council Meeting. The Council elected to direct Legal to develop an ordinance to mirror the Smokefree Air Act. The Council would like the Commission to expand the tobacco ban in parks to include e-cigarettes. Staff can bring a Commission Action Form to the next meeting. G. Discussion: Moving January Meeting Date from 21st to the 14th The CIP needs to be presented to the Council on the 19th. Abraham asked if the Commission could meet on the 14th to finalize the CIP before the Council meets. Moved by Rowan, seconded by Johnston, to move the January meeting from January 21, to January 14, 2016. No discussion, no opposition. Motion Passes. H. Correspondence None MONTHLY REPORT Johnston asked if there was any flooding earlier in the month. Thompson stated there was some minor flooding. Schaben asked if the DNR released trout this year. Thompson stated trout were released November 19. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS None ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Rowan to adjourn. The meeting concluded at 6:19 PM Next Meeting: - Thursday, January 14, 2016 at 4:00 PM