Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Park and Recreation Commission Meeting 04/18/2013AMES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DATE: April 18, 2013 COMMISSION PRESENT: Jason Schaben, Melissa Rowan, Leo Milleman and Ed Moran, ABSENT: Vicki Feilmeyer, Alisa Frandsen, Julie Johnston STAFF: Keith Abraham, Amanda Moore, Kevin James, Joshua Thompson, Katie Kole CALL TO ORDER: 4:03 PM WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION OF NEW COMMISSIONER: New Commissioner is Melissa Rowan, who works at the ISU Foundation. She has lived in Ames for over 5 Years and is excited for the opportunity to serve on the Commission. ELECTION OF OFFICERS: a) Chairperson Alisa Frandsen nominated by Milleman, second by Schaben. Nomination Approved b) Vice-Chairperson Leo Milleman nominated by Moran, Second by Schaben. Nomination Approved APPROVAL OF MINUTES Moved by Schaben, second by Rowan to approve the March, 28, 2013 meeting minutes. Motion Carried PUBLIC FORUM No Comments DIRECTOR’S REPORT a) Commission Action Form 6a: Park System: Mobile Concession Units. Abraham stated the Vending Policy for the Parks system has been in place since 2003. Vendors sell concessions in parks during events or tournaments. Vendors must complete an application and provide a certificate of insurance. Three applications were received, Eric McVey (Cuppy’s Coffee), Christopher Drinnin (C & K Sweets and Treats), and Antonio Roddy (Munchies Snackstop), and all were vendors who were approved last year. Staff did not hear anything negative and the public does appreciate the opportunity to purchase food items during events. Motion to approve Alternative 1 by Moran, Second by Rowan. Motion Carried b) Commission Action Form 6b: Ada Hayden Heritage Park: Request from JAX Outdoor Gear to rent canoes and kayaks at this site and to waive 10% of their gross receipts. JAX Outdoor Gear has been doing this since 2005. This has been successful partnership and provides a service to citizens without the city having to purchase and store the equipment. This year, JAX would like to extend hours to 7:00 PM and would like to add Friday nights from 5-8 PM, weather permitting. JAX has also teamed up with VERB for the last five years by providing a free half hour rental for VERB participants on Sundays which has been very popular with the participants in that program. Rates are not changing. Milleman asked if paddle boats would be rented this year and Abraham responded “No they are not doing paddle boats this year”. Motion to approve Alternative 1 by Schaben, Second by Rowan. Motion Carries c) Commission Action Form 6c: Annual Agreement with the Ames Cyclone Aquatics Club to Utilize Municipal Pool and Furman Aquatic Center. Abraham indicated this has been a long standing agreement and has worked well. The agreement is very similar to last years but does include updated insurance language and the adding of Saturday rental time from 4:00 – 7:00 PM. As part of the agreement, ACAC swimmers must purchase a season pool pass (summer and fall/winter/spring). Furman Aquatic Center will be shared during some Early Bird Lap Swimming and swim lessons. Motion to approve Alternative 1 by Rowan, Second by Schaben. Motion Carries d) Commission Action Form 6d: Ames/ISU Ice Arena Ice Rental Rates Abraham stated ice rental rates are usually approved in January with other fees and charges and are determined by several factors (i.e. Resident/Non Resident, Taxable/Non Taxable, Prime time/ Non-Prime time). We also classify some groups (ISU, AMHA, Adult Hockey, and Ames Figure Skating) as long-term users. However, the City does not have a definition for a long term user. In the past, we have lost potential users due to our pricing structure. Currently, the Midwest High School Hockey League, which hosts two tournaments at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena, has been courted by ice arenas in Des Moines. Staff would like to put in place a fee structure that is fair to long term users, but still offers a competitive rate. The proposed fee structure is based on hours. Groups renting 0-39 hours or 100 + hours will see no change in their rates. Those groups renting 40-99 hours will get a reduced rate from what they have had in the past. Rowan asked, “Do we feel like this will pretty much guarantee that they will come here?” Abraham responded, “There is no guarantee, however, this does make us more competitive as we try to sell ice time to groups wanting 40-99 hours”. Motion to approve Alternative 1 by Moran, Second by Rowan. Motion Carries e) Veenker Golf Course Maintenance Shed Update As you may recall, the current maintenance shed at Veenker Golf Course is in the flood plain. ISU asked the Commission to lease a portion of Moore Memorial Park for the purpose of constructing a new maintenance shed out of the flood plain. Ultimately, an agreement to lease a portion of Moore Memorial Park was approved by the City Council. During the process, the Commission was in favor of the lease as long as the building was aesthetically pleasing, the lower portion could be used as a storm shelter by park users, and the 911 Memorial was preserved. Initially, it was determined the 911 Memorial could be left where it is with no effect during construction. Now that ISU is ready to build, there are concerns about several of the 911 Memorial trees. Representatives of Ames Trees Forever, ISU and Parks and Recreation met at the site and decided that there will be 4 pine trees instead of 5 and some trees will be moved. Ames Trees Forever is happy with the decision. f) Roosevelt Property Update. The Roosevelt school building and the western portion of that lot has been sold to a developer. The east side of that lot, approximately 1.3 acres, will be deeded to the city for a neighborhood park. Conversations with the neighborhood association have been held with Kevin James, Joshua Thompson and Keith Abraham. The neighborhood wants to keep the summer concert series so a temporary stage will be built for this summer. Additional conversations will be held with the neighbors this fall to make sure what they really want to see in the park. Neighbors have been able to save some items from the old playground that we will try to incorporate into the park design. The City is requiring the property to be “Clean and Green” so the District will be removing the fence, repairing a section of sidewalk, removing some asphalt, and adding soil and seed where needed. A set of soccer goals will stay. Ribbon cutting will not happen until the park is completed but we are doing a kickoff event at the first summer concert on June 2. Milleman asked if there is a potential for restrooms at that park. Abraham said we typically put a basketball pad, a playground structure, a small shelter and a fountain in a neighborhood park. A restroom is possible - but the $80,000 budgeted will not cover it. The neighborhood would need to do some fundraising. Milleman also asked about who performs in the concert series? Abraham answered, “Mostly local bands, and they usually have an open stage at times”. MONTHLY REPORT One new program offered will be Ultimate Frisbee. We received feedback from users for setting up league rules and fees. We will probably start off with 6 or 8 teams. Hope to start slow and keep moving forward. The league is self officiated. Inis grove will probably be the best place to play. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS Moran asked if the aquatic center will be ready to be filled soon. Abraham stated that staff will start cleaning the facility as soon as the weather permits. It is planned to start filling around May 9. Pool passes still available with the discount through May 15. Milleman brought up a couple of articles in the paper about replacing Municipal Pool and the school district plan for a new pool. Abraham stated that Municipal Pool was built in 1965 and the operating agreement with the Ames Community School District is good through April, 2015. The school district is interested in building a new competitive pool with an eight foot depth on one end and fourteen depth on the other. Parks and Recreation would not be able to hold lessons, open swim or programs other than lap swim in this pool. If the school district chooses this design, Municipal Pool would be operated solely by Parks and Recreation. In probably 5 years we would need to put in significant money 500- 800K. The Commission will need to start having conversation about what direction we want to go. The School District’s Request For Proposal as it relates to pool design stated land would be set aside to build an indoor aquatic center adjacent to their competitive pool. Facilities would be independent. They would run theirs, we would run ours. Temperature of water and depth are different for different purposes. If Municipal pool becomes unusable, the swimming programs would become greatly impacted. About ½ of our lessons are done during the school year. Milleman asked for an update to be brought to the May meeting. Staff will also be meeting with the school district about gym space. This could open up programming at the Community Center. There should be more information to share at the next meeting. Milleman asked what the “3 Point Play” money is being used for. Abraham indicated it is being used to purchase replace cardio equipment in the Community Center weight room. Next year we are looking at using these funds to install outdoor fitness equipment in Moore Memorial Park. Update on the West Ames Park. The land owners wanted to have conversation with adjacent land owner and also with their son who was here over spring break. We have given them a deadline of June 30 to determine whether they are going to sell us this land or not. NEXT MEETING Thursday, May 16 at 4:00 PM ADJOURNMENT Moved by Rowan, second by Moran to adjourn at 5:01 PM.