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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Park and Recreation Commission Meeting 01/19/2012AMES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DATE: January 19, 2011 COMMISSION PRESENT: Jane Acker, Alisa Frandsen, Vikki Feilmeyer, Jim Gunning, Leo Milleman, Ed Moran, and Jason Schaben STAFF: Keith Abraham, Nancy Carroll, and Kevin Shawgo CALL TO ORDER: 4 PM APPROVAL OF MINUTES Moved by Frandsen, seconded by Moran to approve the November 17, 2011 meeting minutes. Motion carried. PUBLIC FORUM: None DIRECTOR’S REPORT Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for FY12/13 to 16/17 Carroll reviewed the attached power point presentation. She mentioned that unless Commissioners had questions she would not go into much detail on each of the related projects because this would be the second review for the Commission (met with the City Manager on November 17th). Gunning asked what the rationale was for replacing the fencing and lighting on diamonds #5 and #6 at South River Valley softball fields. Shawgo responded that the fencing is becoming a safety issue due to curling at the bottom, posts not secure, etc. Acker asked Carroll to elaborate on the need to bring fill dirt to Northridge Heights Park. Carroll said that the approximate 4 acre site is low and that the City will be working with Harold Pike Construction to bring in the needed fill dirt from a project HPC is working on south of campus. Carroll said the park should open in the spring of 2013. Acker questioned if the gravel road at Brookside Park could be moved up one year. Carroll responded that City staff will accomplish this work and that if the Commission so directed, it could be removed in this spring. Carroll said that a temporary parking lot would be made available adjacent 6 th Street. Moved by Schaben, seconded by Moran to direct staff to remove the gravel road in the near future. Motion carried. Gunning asked if the removal of the invasive plant species currently included in the CIP for FY13/14 could be moved into FY12/13. Carroll said that, subject to funding, that work could possibly occur a year earlier and that staff would work to accomplish it in tandem with The Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park. The Friends group will be conducting the necessary research on how best to address the invasive plant material that is adjacent the shoreline. Frandsen asked for clarification; does the $25,000 in funding include re - establishment of appropriate plant material. Carroll confirmed that it does include planting new plant material. Moved by Gunning, seconded by Feilmeyer as funding allows accomplish the removal of the invasive plant species in FY12/13 versus FY13/14. Motion carried. Frandsen asked staff what assurance the public has regarding carbon monoxide testing at the AMES/ISU Ice Arena. She said that an Arena in the Des Moines area had an issue with this issue. Shawgo reported that the AMES/ISU Ice Arena has detectors and that in the event they detect a problem, similar to a fire alarm, they would alert us that we have an unsafe level of carbon monoxide in the building. Moved by Gunning, seconded by Feilmeyer to recommend that the City Council approve that portion of the CIP pertaining to the CIP in the Parks and Recreation Department. Motion carried. Operating Budget: FY12/13 Carroll reviewed the attached power point and reminded Commissioners that the City Council formally approves the Operating budget and the Commission approves the Fees and Charges. However, the two must work in tandem to assure an appropriate level of tax support and a market driven fee schedule to Park and Recreation participants. Carroll then reviewed the attached power point presentation for the FY12/13 operating budget. Acker asked how many people play on a sand volleyball team. Abraham responded that it ranges from 2 to 6 players, with a roster of 6 to 12. Carroll noted that the number of teams has continued to increase each year until 2011. She contributed the decline to having unsatisfactory courts for league play. She reminded the Commission that the CIP includes $100,000 to install a four court facility, with lights at McCarthy Lee Park in FY13/14. Carroll reviewed that the Green Hills Retirement Community will contract with the Department for $25,000 a year for the City to provide fitness and aqua exercise classes to their residents. In addition, the City will be able to offer fitness and aqua classes to the general public at their facilities. Carroll said that a joint meeting of the City Council, Commission , and members of the Ames Foundation will be held this spring to discuss the Civic Plaza proposed to be constructed in the parking lot east of City Hall. Carroll shared that the City Council would like to discuss the overall vision for this project. Fees and Charges FY12/13 Carroll explained that fee increases were, for the most part a direct reflection on a service level change (attached). Carroll asked if there were questions or comments. Acker noted that not many fees were increased and she thanked staff for keeping the majority of the fees the same. Gunning suggested that the $1 per hour fee increase proposed for shelters be removed. He noted that the number of rentals has decreased. He expressed the concern that if the fee is increased usage may further decline. Carroll commented that rentals have decreased by approximately $7,000. She said that this could be a direct reflection on residents being able to view shelter reservations on-line and they take the risk if it is open to not reserve it ahead of time. Carroll also commented that staff is concerned that if an increase is not included that additional tax support will be required to subs idize an individual’s usage of a shelter. Milleman said that he supports an increase from $12 to $13. No other Commissions commented on this issue and the fee increase remained as proposed. Milleman asked if we limit the number of teams in adult sport leagues. Abraham responded that we do not. Moved by Milleman, seconded by Schaben to adopt the Fees and Charges as presented for FY12/13. Motion carried. MONTHLY REPORT Feilmeyer commented that there are a lot of new signs in the park system. Shawgo responded this is due to notifying the public about trail maintenance procedures during the winter, sledding policies, and that the City does not monitor ice depth on the lake at Ada Hayden Heritage Park. Gunning requested that staff use numbers on the monthly report so it is easier to identify each of the related comments. Gunning requested that staff include participation trends for programs and facility usage. Gunning asked if Play Pals is a fee based program. Staff informed him that it is. Carroll distributed copies of the Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park brochure so Commissioners could share them with residents. Milleman asked if the second stocking of trout has occurred at Ada Hayden Heritage Park. Shawgo said that it has with over 2,400 fish. Gunning questioned if staff posts signage to alert the public if the ice depth at Ada Hayden Heritage Park is safe to access. Carroll reminded Commissioners that the City’s Risk Manager and the City’s Insurance Carrier recommended that we post signage indicating that the City does not monitor ice depth and that people are going onto the ice at “their own risk”. Schaben asked if propane canisters are allowed to power ice augers at Ada Hayden Heritage Park. Discussion pursued on the pros and cons of allowing this fuel source to be used since petroleum products are prohibited at this park. It was also noted that augers can be loud. Concern was expressed that adjacent property owners might not appreciate the noise. Acker questioned how long it takes to drill a hole. Schaben responded that depending on the ice thickness perhaps 30 or so seconds. Commissioners agreed that since this fuel is a contained liquid / gas and can not contaminate the water in the event of spillage that it should be allowed. Motion by Gunning, Seconded by Schaben to allow propane canisters to be used to fuel ice augers at Ada Hayden Heritage Park. Motion Carried. Shawgo commented that staff would review if the existing prohibition of gas fueled equipment at Ada Hayden Heritage Park is a park rule or City ordinance. He will report back with his findings at the February Commission meeting. Commission Member Comments None Adjourned: 5:23 PM