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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Park and Recreation Commission Meeting 06/28/2012AMES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DATE: June 28, 2012 COMMISSION PRESENT: Vikki Feilmeyer, Alisa Frandsen, Michaeleen Gerken, Julie Ham, 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 Feilmeyer, seconded by Milleman to approve the April 19, 2012 meeting minutes. Motion carried PUBLIC FORUM: Representing the League of Women Voters, Susie Petra, 2011 Duff Avenue, presented data to the Commission stating that 55 and older is the fastest growing demographic in Story County. She encouraged the Commission to plan for this age population and stated that other communities in the mid-west provide a variety of recreation facilities and services for this age group. She said it is important that Ames be proactive in providing multiple activities and services to this age population. Jan Beran304 24th Street, also with the League of Women Voters, presented the Commission with survey findings related to those 55 and above. The study showed a deficiency in activities and facilities for this population. She asked the Commission to invest in a warm water facility. She also suggested that the Mayor convene a meeting of interested parties throughout Story County to address this issue. Ms. Beran noted that the survey did not include how to fund facility development. Frandsen expressed appreciation to the League for conducting the survey and for reporting their findings to the Commission. DIRECTOR’S REPORT Moore Memorial Park: ISU staff presentation on the conceptual design of Golf Maintenance Facility Carroll reminded the Commission that at their February 2012 meeting the Commission requested that ISU staff return and present the Commission with conceptual drawings of this facility. Carroll noted that the Commission was being asked to “react” to the drawings and that the City Council and ISU had entered into a written agreement whereby allowing the structure to be built at this location. Cathy Brown, representing ISU’s Facilities, Planning and Management, explained that in response to Commission feedback in February that four components had been addressed; exterior appearance, the white metal roof, 911 Tree Memorial, and a basement. Specifically she said that the exterior walls and roof would be earth tones, that the 911 Tree Memorial would not be effected, and a basement was being included that could serve as a storm shelter to park and golf courses users during bad weather. Commissioner’s expressed appreciation for ISU’s reaction to the Commissions feedback in February. Milleman questioned the size of the basement and ISU staff reported it would be approximately 50% of the overall building size. Gerken inquired if the trees included in the 911 Memorial would be protected, including their root system during construction. Ms. Brown responded that they would be. Carroll commented that the members of Trees Forever have been encouraged to seek another location for a new 911 Tree Memorial to be developed. Feilmeyer expressed appreciation that the Tree Memorial will be impacted by the construction / building. Bernie White, 2842 Torrey Pines Road, addressed the Commission and questioned if the maintenance building would be visible from the residential properties to the east of the park. Ms. Brown showed a photo-shop picture of the structure from that approximate angle. Carroll asked for clarification on the building’s siding. Specifically she wanted to know if the siding would go to the ground. Ms. Brown said that on the east and north walls the siding will be six inches from the grass. Carroll stated that is acceptable to the City of Ames. Frandsen thanked Ms. Brown for the presentation and for being responsive to the Commission’s previous input. Geitel Winakor Bequest: Carroll reviewed that Dr. Winakor was a long time resident of Ames and an accomplished professor in the Department of Textiles and Clothing at Iowa State University. She retired as Professor Emerita in 1992. She passed away on August 15, 2011. Carroll shared that in 2001 staff met Dr. Winakor. She contacted us inquiring if she could “contribute approximately $25,000 to $35,000 to the Ames park system”. To determine the specific project, staff toured the park system with Dr. Winakor in 2001 sharing identified needs. Dr. Winakor then selected from those projects for how her gift would be utilized. Her contributions continued for several years and the sum total of these gifts was approximately $160,000. Carroll reminded Commissioners that in 2011 the City was informed that her estate included an unrestricted gift of approximately $1.6 million to the Department of Parks and Recreation. Carroll said that Dr. Winakor was a land preservationist and environmental enthusiast. Carroll noted that she loved, valued, and respected the environment and wildlife and that her donations to the City were motivated by her desire to enhance the quality-of-life of Ames residents. Through conversations with Dr. Winakor over the years, Carroll said that staff believes two over riding criteria should be used in determining how best to utilize her gift; 1) enhance the quality of life for both current and future generations, and 2) ensure an impressive, long-lasting investment in the community. Carroll then walked the Commission through a Decision-Making Matrix Criteria Spreadsheet and justification for how the criteria were developed and why these projects were included are highlighted on the Matrix Criteria and Project Overview Summary. Carroll also clarified that Commissioners may also want to identify additional criteria and projects. She also said that in the event a worthy project is not identified in 2012 staff recommends that the funds from this bequest continue to be invested to generate interest until a worthy project is identified. Carroll said that ultimately the Parks and Recreation Commission will need to provide a recommendation for how this gift should be expended to the City Council. Carroll then reviewed the anticipated timeline for making this recommendation to the City Council as follows: June 28: Commission Meeting and Tour (4 PM) • Reaction to the attached materials • Tour proposed project sites July 19: Commission Meeting (4 PM) • Receive public input August 16: Commission Meeting (4 PM) • Determine a recommendation for City Council which would include identifying “next steps” September 11: Joint Meeting with City Council (6 PM) • Presentation and recommendation by the Parks and Recreation Commission to City Council October 9: City Council Meeting (7 PM) • Direction from City Council on how to proceed Carroll then reviewed a list of the decision-making criteria and why they have been included as follows: Criteria 1: Included in an Existing or Previously Adopted City Plan Carroll explained that for a capital improvement to be included in a City planning document (Capital Improvement Plan, the Park Master Plan, Land Use Policy Plan, etc) a comprehensive public input process is included and the Commission recommends / adopts and City Council takes action on the project. She noted that this process is utilized to assure that broad public support exists prior to funding being authorized or the proposal placed before residents in the form of a bond issue vote. Carroll provided the two examples of this process as follows: 1) Conducting over 20 public meetings and multiple focus groups prior to placing the Rec Plex bond issue on the ballot in 2005 2) The City retained a consultant to update to Land Use Policy Plan in the mid- 1990’s. This process included many public meetings. The Park Master Plan was then updated and adopted by the Commission to span the years of 1997 to 2030. Updates occur to the Park Master Plan as the City’s Land Use Policy Plan is periodically revised by City Council. Criteria 2: One Time Capital Cost Carroll said that it is important to understand the magnitude of the capital outlay that will be required to accomplish the project since the bequest is for $1.7 million. Criteria 3: Additional Funding Required? Given that the bequest totals $1.7 million, Carroll noted that it must be determined if the bequest will fund the desired project in its entirety or if additional private / public funding, or a successful bond issue would be required. Criteria 4: Annual Operational and Maintenance Costs Carroll noted that it is easy to forget that capital improvements require ongoing operational and maintenance funding. She noted that within the Department of Parks and Recreation this source of funding is derived through property taxes. Criteria 5: Do we have a Willing Partner? Carroll reminded the Commissioners that the City has a rich history of partnering with other governmental entities reaching back to Municipal Pool in the mid-1960 and continuing to this day. She said that more recent examples include residents voicing appreciation and support of the City and ISU partnering in building and operating the Ames/ISU Ice Arena. In 2005 it was determined to package the construction of the Rec Plex with the recently constructed Middle School. Carroll noted that ultimately, residents did not support the proposal due to the magnitude of the capital outlay of $24 million. However, she said residents continued to voice support for the City to partner with other entities and to phase-in the construction of the components of the Rec Plex over time. Given this history, Carroll said it seems important to continue to seek-out additional partnership opportunities related to recreation facility development. Can we Obtain the Land? Carroll said that the City can not enact eminent domain on private property owners to obtain parkland or trails. She noted that the development of the park system contingent upon having a willing seller. Criteria 6: Diversity of Users (age, range of activities) and Number of Users Carroll said that with limited capital improvement funding, staff believes it is important to consider how many different people / types of users will be positively affected by this investment. Based on Criteria 1 listed above, Carroll said that the following projects have been included and she explained the projects as follows: REC PLEX BOND ISSUE She noted that between 1995 and 2005 the City determined that recreation facilities were lacking in Ames. Carroll said that Commissioners during that timeframe developed a comprehensive approach to deal with this issue and that a bond issue was put before the residents in 2005 for a “Rec Plex”. Carroll said that the bond issue received 40% support versus the required 60%. Carroll said that the major features of the $24 million Rec Plex included an Outdoor Aquatic Center, an Indoor Warm Water Recreational Pool, and three regulation size gymnasiums with hardwood maple floors. Once the bond issue failed, Carroll said it was determined to redirect efforts and phase these major facility improvements over several years. She said that emphasis was to be placed on partnering with other entities as deemed appropriate. She then reviewed the following is a summation of efforts to enhance major recreation facility development since the failed Rec Plex bond issue noting that the outdoor aquatic center has been accomplished. Indoor Warm Water Recreational Pool: Carroll said that the District recently shared with City staff that they anticipate constructing an “Aquatic Facility at Ames High” sometime between the years of 2015 to 2018. She said the facility could be located at the corner of 16th and Ridgewood. Carroll said the District will build a competitive / cold water basin to accommodate boys and girls athletic teams. In anticipation of the City’s needs for a warm water basin, the facility would allow for a second basin to be added on to the District’s pool. Locker room facilities would serve to divide the two basins and be shared. Carroll said that in light of the recently passed Library and School District bond issues and a new City Water Plant being constructed staff does not recommend pursuing a bond issue to enhance recreation facility development should until 2015 or beyond. She noted that the City and District could enter into a 28E Agreement. She said this would assure that the community could utilize the District’s cold water pool until the community supports the passage of a bond issue to build a warm water recreational facility. Gymnasiums: Carroll noted that with the passage of the School District bond issue in April 2012 staff envisions working with the District since they plan on building “regulation size gyms” at each of their five elementary schools between 2014 and 2018. Carroll said that City funding may be required to assure each gymnasium includes a hardwood maple floor, competition level basketball goals and volleyball standards. A 28E Agreement would need to be approved detailing usage, cost sharing, etc. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (CIP) Community Gathering Venue: Carroll reminded Commissioners that in 2009 and 2010, conversations were held between City staff and members of the Ames Foundation and Main Street Cultural District regarding the development of a “civic plaza” to be located in the parking lot east of City Hall. She said that it is proposed that the City would provide the land and that private funding would finance the development estimated at $1 million. The conceptual plan for this space includes open space, a pavilion (where special events could be held) and a small water feature. PARK MASTER PLAN Community Parks in West, Southwest, Southeast, and Northwest Ames: Carroll said that to accommodate future residential growth it was determined in approximately 1997 that additional “community parks” (50 to 100+ acre tracts of land) would be needed between the years 2005 to 2015 and 2015 to 2030. She shared that recently a land owner in west Ames informed staff they would be willing to sell an approximate 80 acre tract of land to the City. Carroll said that this acreage coincides with the Park Master Plan which identifies the need for a park to be acquired and developed in west Ames between the years of 2005 and 2015. Residential growth in west Ames supports this need in 2012. Carroll noted that residential growth in southwest, southeast, and northwest Ames does not dictate community parks until the years 2015 to 2030. Following the presentation of the report, Carroll asked for Commission questions and feedback. Frandsen thanked staff for the report and Milleman commented that it was an excellent and informative report. Ham commented that it is helpful to have a Park Master Plan because it spans generations yet it can be flexible and changes to the document can occur over time. Gerken questioned when a one time capital cost is included does it include the land, infrastructure and building costs? Carroll said that it would include those items. With no other questions or comments being asked, Carroll suggested that the Commission tour the land identified in west Ames following the meeting. MONTHLY REPORT No comments COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS Feilmeyer asked Carroll to respond to a question she had received from a resident that lives adjacent the Brookside Park. Feilmeyer said the resident expressed concern that lighting was not included as apart of reconstructing the tennis courts at this location. Carroll said that the City Council was aware that residents adjacent Brookside want the courts lighted but that due to the project coming in $150,000 over budget lighting is not an option at this time. She said that City Council redirected the need for lighting these courts to the Commission during Capital Improvement Planning conversation in November 2012. Carroll said that it is important for the Commission to take into consideration that the City invested $100,000 in the eight-court tennis complex (4 with lights) in 1995 and that these courts are located within a mile of Brookside Park. Carroll said that with a lack of capital funding the Commission will be faced with prioritizing capital requests from residents this fall. Frandsen expressed appreciation to the League of Women Voters for their presentation and stated that the Commission will keep this data / information in mind in the future. Related to the League of Women Voter’s presentation, Milleman commented that the North Grand Shopping Mall can serve as a good place for older adults to walk. At 5:45 PM the Commission proceeded to leave City Hall to tour farm land in west Ames as identified in the matrix Carroll had reviewed earlier in the meeting. Upon completing the tour, Commissioners expressed interest in this parcel. They asked staff to obtain a land appraisal so they would understand the approximate costs associated with pursuing this 80-acre parcel related to the Winakor bequest. The meeting concluded at 6:55 PM.