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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Park and Recreation Commission Meeting 08/16/2012AMES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DATE: August 16, 2012 COMMISSION PRESENT: Vikki Feilmeyer, Alisa Frandsen, Michaeleen Gerken, Leo Milleman, Ed Moran, and Julie Johnston (via phone 4 to 4:40 PM) ABSENT: Jason Schaben STAFF: Nancy Carroll and Kevin Shawgo CALL TO ORDER: 4 PM APPROVAL OF MINUTES Moved by Milleman, seconded by Gerken to approve the July 19, 2012 meeting minutes. Motion Approved PUBLIC FORUM: No comments DIRECTOR’S REPORT: 1) Assessment of the June 2012 Swim Meet and a Request from the Ames Cyclone Aquatics Club to host a swim meet in 2013 Carroll said that meet was successful and that only a couple of people expressed concern with the parking situation during the swim meet. Johnston commented that she was at the Aquatic Center on Saturday and that everyone seemed to get along well between the public and the swim meet participants / spectators. Frandsen commented that the digital sign that was placed at the entry drive to the facility the week prior to the meet assured that residents were informed the swim meet would be held and that the 50 meter basin would be closed for three days. Feilmeyer said that her child was a participant in the meet and that it was a fantastic event for the swimmers and for the community of Ames and the Aquatic Center. Carroll reviewed that the following conditions would apply to this rental if approved by the Commission for 2013: • Swim meet is limited to the 50 meter basin • The Lazy River is not available for warm-ups or cool downs • Participation numbers will range between 300 and 325 children (18 years and younger) • The swim meet will not begin until 2:30 PM on Friday. This allows the public to access the parking and force swim meet participants to park at Ames High. • ACAC will emphasize that their participants are to park at Ames High School. They will be more aggressive in educating spectators that a shuttle is provided between the Aquatic Center and AHS. • Approximate hours of usage of the 50 meter basin only: o Thursday: 8 PM to 10 PM (set-up) o Friday: 7 AM to 2:30 PM (set-up) o Friday: 2:30 PM to 9 PM (meet) o Saturday: 7 AM to 9 PM (meet) o Sunday: 7 AM to 6 PM (meet) o Sunday: 6 PM to 8 PM (take-down) • City will sell all concessions • Rain or shine, tents are restricted to the deck • Rental rate: $260 per day (excludes Thursday for set-up) Moved by Milleman, seconded by Moran to approve Alternative #1 as follows: a. Renting, to the Ames Cyclone Aquatics Club, the 50 meter basin of the Furman Aquatic Center for a youth swim meet at $260 (per day) on June 7, 8, and 9, 2013 as detailed above. b. Reserving, to the Ames Cyclone Aquatics Club, the proposed dates and related time to host a swim meet at the Furman Aquatic Center in 2014. A determination of the date (awarded by ISI) would be based upon the City’s evaluation of the 2013 meet with a decision being made at the July 2013 Commission meeting. Motion approved 2) Winakor bequest: Determine how to proceed Carroll reviewed that in 2011 the City was informed that Dr. Geitel Winakor’s estate included an unrestricted gift of approximately $1.6 million to the Department of Parks and Recreation. She reviewed that at the June 28th Commission meeting that two overriding criteria were approved for 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 commented that at the June 28th Commission meeting, Commissioners approved the Decision-Making Matrix Criteria and reviewed the seven projects included on the Project Overview Summary. Carroll reminded Commissioners that at their July 19th meeting public input was received for how these funds could be utilized. She said that a total of 25 ideas were suggested by the public. Carroll noted that two of these ideas (indoor warm water pool / park in west Ames) met the number one established criteria. Carroll then reviewed the Decision-Making Matrix Criteria and related project ideas that had been submitted by the public. She noted that an additional column had been added to the Decision-Making Matrix Criteria spreadsheet – Staff Comments. Carroll then reviewed the comments as follows: Gymnasiums: That the School District will be building five regulation size gyms; one to be attached to each elementary school between the years of 2014 and 2018. She said that this would be an excellent addition to the neighborhoods of Ames. Carroll said that District officials and City staff had met recently and the District has stated that they wi ll be willing to enter into a 28E Agreement to govern after school usage of these gymnasiums. Milleman questioned what was included in such an Agreement and Carroll clarified that it will deal with hours of usage, etc. Trails: Carroll reminded Commissioners that Public Works is the Department that administers the trail system throughout the community. Carroll said that she will share the input received from residents regarding input to enhance trail development / network trails in Ames to the Traffic Engineer. Milleman commented that although residents would like to see extensive trail development, the City can not condemn private property for the purpose of installing trails. Roosevelt School: Carroll said that she and the City Manager met with District officials related to the District’s anticipated disposal of this school district property. Carroll clarified that the City Manager informed District officials that he would recommend to the City Council that the City accept any portion of this site that is “clean and green” for $1. He clarified that he would not recommend that the City accept any portion of land that has the building or foundation remaining. Milleman said that he had read every comment and idea submitted by the public and that he appreciated their input. He said that the future of the Roosevelt property lies with the School District and that he appreciated the City Manager’s recommendation to accept a parcel. Frandsen commented that it was great to hear all the ideas residents had for the bequest and that their ideas would be shared with the City Council at the joint meeting on September 11. Gerken said that these ideas would serve as great input for future planning within the Department. Milleman said that he was in favor of pursuing the land in west Ames for a community park. He shared that this is a limited opportunity and that he did not support splitting-up the bequest to accomplish multiple projects. He commented that this is a significant gift and that the Commission should invest it in something that can never be duplicated. He also said that it is important to demonstrate to other “potential gift givers” that the bequest will be used on one large project. Gerken agreed with Milleman, yet encouraged the Commission to consider further exploration of enhancing the trail system within the community. Feilmeyer said that she believed a park in west Ames would match the “imagined intent of the giver” and that it is beautiful land and that preserving it as open space is positive. She said that ideas that resonated with her were ones that increased activities during the winter months. She also noted that having a great park system is important to the overall quality of life within a community. She said that if she had to prioritize the projects they would be 1) Indoor sport facility; 2) gymnasiums, 3) park in west Ames. She said that an indoor sport facility would increase the variety of program offerings to include soccer, rock climbing, etc. Frandsen commented that she was pleased to learn that conversations had been ongoing with the School District and that it appears the City will be able to have access to the District’s five new gymnasiums in the future. Moran said that he agreed with Milleman and that the City should pursue a park in west Ames and that it would be in keeping with the spirit of Geitel Winakor. He also noted that he agrees with increasing the network of trails in Ames. Milleman said that he hopes that an educational component can be added to the park in the event becomes a reality. Johnston said that the property in west Ames does not come along very often and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. She noted that it would also address residential grown in the part of the community and that it would serve as “one true gem of our community”. Frandsen shared that to have willing sellers combined with what the Commissioners know about Geitel Winakor, that the park is really a unique opportunity. Moved by Milleman, seconded by Feilmeyer to recommend to the City Council at a joint meeting on September 11 that the City purchase available land in west Ames and develop the parcel into a passive park. Motion approved Commissioners then questioned what next steps included based on their decision to recommend the purchase of this property. Carroll said that staff will prepare the presentation for the Commission to give to the City Council on September 11. She also said that apart of that presentation should include an invitation for the Mayor and City Council members to tour this property prior to the Council taking action on the Commission’s recommendation on October 9, 2012. Milleman suggested that the presentation include an aerial map of the site and photographs. Carroll said she would include these items and review the presentation with Frandsen prior to the joint meeting. Milleman questioned how much detail the Commission should include to the City Council to assure that inappropriate buildings are not built at this site. Carroll said that for the October 9th meeting staff could present a Conceptual Park Master Plan that would begin to show the type of development that would be acceptable to the sellers of the property. Carroll said that the current owners want assurance that their property can never be developed into residential housing and that it will park development will be passive in nature. She said that the sellers may require the City to enter into a Conservation Easement with the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. MONTHLY REPORT Frandsen questioned that 700 people did not renew their season swim pass to the Aquatic Center for 2012. Abraham said that is not too unusual with people moving in and out of the community. He noted that 957 new passes were sold and that overall sales remained about the same as the 2011 season. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS Gerken expressed that she hopes the City will pursue trail issues in the future. Carroll said that she will invite Damion Pregitzer to an upcoming Commission meeting so he can review the trail system and related funding sources. The meeting concluded at 5:03 PM