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Home My WebLink About~Master - Ames Park and Recreation Commission Meeting 08/15/2013AMES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DATE: Thursday, August 15, 2013 COMMISSION PRESENT: Vikki Feilmeyer, Alisa Frandsen, Melissa Rowan, Julie Johnston, Leo Milleman and Ed Moran ABSENT: Jason Schaben STAFF: Keith Abraham, Kevin James, Joshua Thompson, Tracy Warner, Melissa Mundt CALL TO ORDER: 4:06 PM APPROVAL OF MINUTES Moved by Feilmeyer, seconded by Rowan to approve the May 16, 2013 meeting minutes. Motion Approved PUBLIC FORUM No Comments DIRECTOR’S REPORT The two open Superintendent positions will be posted next week; the intent is to make offers and have the persons in place by October 11. Moore Memorial Park Pond Update Tracy Warner, Public Works spoke to her department’s plan to mitigate flooding issues by expanding the pond in Moore Memorial Park and installing additional storm sewer along Northridge Parkway to GW Carver. The pond will need to have enough capacity to hold the additional water. The fishing pier will need to be moved, however, the memorial will not be moved. Feilmeyer asked if we are increasing the footprint of the pond itself. Warner answered, “Yes, but not a tremendous amount. Feilmeyer “What is the depth at its deepest point?” Warner, “11 feet currently, DNR recommends 15-16 feet. Elevation of the pond will be lowered about 18 inches.” All trees against that bank and in the water will be removed. The trees are mostly cottonwoods and willows. The plan is to leave any desirable trees. Milleman agrees that we need to get rid of the trees, but put trees back, even slow growing trees. Milleman: “Don’t mess up the memorial. Throw construction fence around it and make sure the contractor knows. I have concerns about the memorial and we need to be sensitive to the area - it means a lot to a lot of people.” Milleman will go to the site and meet with Tracy and someone from the DNR before the final plan is done. Clumps of nice trees are more important. Don’t plan for memorials, let the memorials be added. Feilmeyer has safety concerns, with lowering the banks and making them more inviting to people. Access and safety need to be incorporated. Also need signs discouraging activities such as ice skating. Safety has to be the first concern. Living Legends Concert Series Update KHOI Radio and other sponsors wanted to do a Living Legends series concert at Bandshell Park on September 28 but have decided to use the Ames City Auditorium instead. Abraham reported that the department sent out 400 letters to the neighborhood asking for feedback. Feedback received so far is about 50/50 for and against. Right now this concert series is on hold. Municipal Pool Update Abraham did an overview of current projects. The pool was shut down for about 10 days to replace the inlets. Total cost of the repair was $42,000 (Parks and Recreation share $21,000). Domestic water heater and air water heater will be replaced at a cost of $36,000 (Parks and Recreation share $18,000). Wading pool has been removed at a cost of $13,000 and the area will be seeded. Future project will be changing out electrical panels. This should have minimal shut down. Cost estimate for this could be $20,000-30,000. The idea of these projects was to avoid a catastrophic event and give us three to five years more life out of Municipal Pool. This should give us time to take some action, and garner support in the community for a new facility. Christofferson Park Storm Water Management Update The annexation has been pulled by Christofferson family and the project has been put on hold. Encroachment Permit for Tom Evans Plaza Update The financing for this project did not happen and the property owner pulled his request. Park in West Ames Update The recommendation for the Winakor bequest was to purchase this property. The City gave the land owner until June 30 to make a decision and they have decided to not part with the land. We have let them know we are still interested if they decide to sell later on. In the matrix that was done to prioritize needs, a park on the west side of Ames was #1 and an indoor Aquatic Center was #2. The 1.7 million dollars from the estate is still available. The Commission will need to revisit the use of this money at the September meeting. Joint City Council & School Board meeting. The City did stress that we have very few classes that could be held in the proposed design for the School District competitive pool. Steve Schainker stressed we would like a shallow end that could be used for classes and lessons. City Council members seem to be in favor of replacement of Municipal Pool. Milleman would like to see a schematic, “Is there some way the City and District could work together?” Abraham stated that there was a subcommittee to look at features, design etc. He has requested to be on that subcommittee. The company chosen does the entire gamut of pools. Moran would like to know more about how the process of a new indoor facility would get started. Abraham said the first thing is to put together a friends group. Then look at potential features with user groups, and hold public forums. After that process, go to Council for a referendum. Frandsen asked, “What is the District’s timeline?” Abraham replied, “July, 2015.” Abraham also explained that the district is slowing down as they are also looking at RFPs for the 24th street site as well. Melissa Mundt, Assistant City Manager asked if any of the Commissioner members would be willing to be on the Sesquicentennial committee. MONTHLY REPORT There were 2 confirmed cases of Cryptosporidium in Story County in July. The Department of Public Health strongly recommended hyperchlorination - which we did. This year there have been several instances of contamination, we used the same process to recover from each one. Milleman asked when the pool was closing for the season. Abraham answered that the pool would close on Monday, September 2. Staffing has been troublesome this year. Again, we are trying very hard to keep features open but may have to close features. We are trying to do what we can to get guards. Some facilities just close when school starts but we are trying to keep as many features open as possible. A neighborhood input session is scheduled for August 19 for the proposed Roosevelt park. An invitation was mailed to everyone within ¼ mile of the park. Johnston was contacted by the Tribune regarding the proposed park on the west side of Ames. How do Commission members handle media calls? Abraham stated that he will bring more guidelines to the next meeting. However, members should stick to the facts and make it clear whether you are speaking as a Commission member or a member of the community. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS Milleman gave an update on the Deer Task Force. Many deer have moved from East to West. Urban hunting will continue. If interested, hunters should contact the Police Department. Milleman wanted to clarify that bow hunting is only allowed when no programs going on. Congratulations were given to Keith on being promoted to Director. Milleman would like to see the agenda out a day or two earlier. . ADJOURNMENT Moved by Milleman with second by Feilmeyer to adjourn. The meeting concluded at 5:15 PM. Next Meeting: Thursday, September 19 at 4:00 PM