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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Park and Recreation Commission Meeting 09/18/2014AMES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DATE: Thursday, September 18, 2014 COMMISSION PRESENT: Alisa Frandsen, Leo Milleman, Julie Johnston, Ed Moran ABSENT: Jason Schaben, Vikki Feilmeyer, Melissa Rowan STAFF: Keith Abraham, Joshua Thompson, Kellee Omlid CALL TO ORDER: 4:13 PM APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Milleman, second by Johnston to approve the August 14, 2014 Workshop minutes. Motion Approved Milleman requested revisions to the August 21, 2014 minutes. Motion by Leo, second by Moran to approve revised August 21, 2014 minutes. Motion Approved PUBLIC FORUM No Comments DIRECTOR’S REPORT Ada Hayden Management Plan – Friends of Ada Hayden Abraham introduced Jim Pease and Erv Klaas, representatives of Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park, to explain a management plan for the park. Klaas informed Commissioners their new website is www.adahaydenpark.blogspot.com. They are also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FriendsofAdaHaydenHeritagePark. Their new treasurer is Stephanie Fox, and they have a new brochure. He also stated the group planted 750 shrubs and removed musk thistle. Pease reported the Friends group funded an interpretive intern, Heather Milden, part time for the summer. Milden presented several workshops and was on site to give roving interpretation to park users. Pease thanked Parks and Recreation for their support. Pease explained when writing the land management plan, they divided the park into 24 areas for management purposes. The Friends group is willing to partner with Parks and Recreation staff to move forward with land management. Friends established priority of tasks. Recommendations include: 1. Establish boundaries: Noted urgency because of the new development in NW section 2. Management of new 750 plantings 3. Restoration of oak savanna in the south area 4. Controlled burns of prairie Discussion on difficult plants to control, chemicals used to control invasive plants and how to apply chemicals. It will take a lot of staff to accomplish the Friends group recommendations and Pease stated this is not an insurmountable list. Pease commented Ada Hayden is one of the most used parks in Ames. Other groups have offered to raise money for the park. Great Ames Adventure Race is donating money after their recent event. Milleman suggested a great addition to the park would be an interpretive center and meeting place, similar to McFarland Park. Seven interpretive signs will be installed at the park. Milleman requested a copy of the Ada Hayden Park map showing the 24 areas for land management. Abraham said he will supply a map to all commission members before the next meeting. Abraham reported he and Joshua Thompson have met with developers of Quarry Estates to discuss their concerns regarding the impending housing development north of the park. CAF – ACAC Swim Meet Review and 2015 Date Request Omlid summarized the ACAC meet, stating the event was a success. Seventy parking spots were allocated to ACAC spectators. ACAC provided staff to monitor the parking lot. Spectators were also shuttled in from a secure lot on Haber Road. Parks and Recreation informed season pass holders there would be no access to 50 meter pool during the meet and received very few comments. If ACAC uses the lazy river for warm-ups, ACAC pays for those lifeguards. Rental rate for 2013 was $280 per day. Omlid recommended a $20 fee increase again for 2015. Also, be sure to educate people who come early as to why they cannot park in the saved 70 reserved spots. Milleman asked what age groups participated in the meet. Omlid informed the swim meet is for age 18 and under. Motion: Moved by Milleman, seconded by Moran to approve Ames Cyclone Aquatics Club request to utilize the Furman Aquatic Center in 2015 for their annual swim meet. Discussion: None. Motion Approved Groupon Discussion Discussion to offer a Groupon at Homewood Golf Course. A groupon is a deal of the day, electronic coupon for a discount. The groupon is offered for purchase for 24 hours. The goal is to attract new golfers to Homewood and to fill open tee times October 1 – November 2. The groupon can be offered to chosen zip codes to target specific locations such as all out of town recipients. Discount on 9 holes for 2 with a cart and 9 holes for 2 on weekend. Concerns/comments include: Groupons have not been used by city of Ames in the past Legal has reviewed the policy Finance has been contacted about how to collect money from groupon Is it okay to not offer to residents? Tracking of groupons Frandsen suggested 2 for one, 300 passes. If all 300 came in, can we handle it? Abraham replied yes. Will season pass holders be able to get their tee times? Abraham stated most pass holders make tee-times plenty early so this should not affect them. Should we offer to residents? Abraham commented our plan was to attract new customers. If it was sent to current golfers, it would just be a discount, so this is a revenue risk for us. Milleman suggested sending 150 to residents and 150 to non-residents. Motion by Johnston, seconded by Milleman to offer 300 two-for-one groupons for Homewood Golf Course. Groupons available for purchase for 24 hours to be used October 1 – November 2, 2014. Offer will be made available to local and out of town zip codes. Motion passed. CIP Input Discussion Discussion regarding proposed CIP items and how to inform the public of potential items. Abraham noted new items have been of more interest to the public than items that maintain service level. We can inform public through press release of new items, email current users, newsletters, City Side, and contacting Neighborhood associations. All agreed the CIP document has a lot of good ideas. Harrison Road Property Follow-up Discussion whether we should develop the property into a park or sell. The property is next to railroad tracks and Rose Prairie development is north of the property. If we sell the property, there could be an easement for a trail. Agreed to maintain an easement, but there was little interest in developing a park at this time. Staff will relay this information on to Public Works. New Discussion Frandsen requested an update on the proposed sand volleyball courts at Inis Grove Park. Abraham stated he will send correspondence to Inis Grove neighbors regarding proposed courts. He will issue a press release and hold an informational meeting at the park. This discussion will be on the October agenda. Abraham reported staff is finalizing the RFP process for a new indoor Aquatic center. He will send to commission members when it is finished. Monthly Report Thompson reported the Dog Park is closed September 15 – 19 for annual maintenance. Thompson commented he received input on play group structures at Green Briar Park from parents and children in that neighborhood. He said it was a rewarding experience and he thanked Shelly Wilson for her assistance. Omlid mentioned the addition of two new fitness classes that are very popular: Pilates Barre and Dance Jams. Burt will give a wrap up of the summer at Furman Aquatic Center at November meeting. Milleman commented on the low number of children enrolled in flag football this year. Commission Member Comments: Johnston stated she received comments from an Ames citizen regarding us partnering with the Octagon or Story County Conservation and the need for more recreation facilities in the south Ames research park area. Abraham informed that Omlid is currently having conversations with Story County Conservation regarding partnering and staff has approached the Octagon in the past. Story County is planning a park in City limits at new ISU Research Park in south Ames. We have $75,000 Matching Grant available from Healthiest Ames. Would consider using for trails. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Milleman, second by Moran to adjourn. The meeting concluded at 6:02 PM. Next Meeting: October 16 at 4:00 P Milleman and Johnston cannot attend next meeting date.