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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Park and Recreation Commission Meeting 12/06/2012AMES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES DATE: December 6, 2012 COMMISSION PRESENT: Alisa Frandsen, Michaeleen Gerken, Julie Johnston, Leo Milleman, Ed Moran, and Jason Schaben ABSENT: Vikki Feilmeyer STAFF: Keith Abraham, Nancy Carroll, Kevin Shawgo, and City Manager Steve Schainker CALL TO ORDER: 4 PM APPROVAL OF MINUTES Moved by Johnston, seconded by Gerken to approve the October 18, 2012 meeting minutes. Motion Approved PUBLIC FORUM: No comments CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (CIP) DISCUSSION WITH THE CITY MANAGER: Schainker reviewed financing options related to projects included in the CIP. He shared that the Department of Parks and Recreation is in the “General Fund” which is supported through property taxes and user fees. He reminded Commissioners that large project needs are funded by passing a bond issue (Aquatic Center, Ice Arena, etc) and that general obligation bonds are issued for 12 or 20 years. Schainker said that the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) is set aside for “Community Betterment” projects. These are smaller projects many of which are included in the attached CIP sheet that Carroll will review (ranging from between $25,000 and $300,000). Schainker provided an overview for Commissioners that competition exists for Local Option Sales Tax funding. Including that 60% of the funds are used to lower property taxes. The remaining 40% is shared between local Human Service Agencies / the Arts and the general fund departments in the City (Parks and Recreation, Public Works, Library, and Fire). Schainker also noted that LOST for the current year is down by 3%. He hopes that next year it will recover by 3% but added that would only allow the fund to “remain flat versus increasing”. Carroll then reviewed the CIP projects to gain Commission input and recommendations as follows: Community Gathering Venue Carroll explained that this project has not received the amount of enthusiasm necessary to raise $1 million. She noted that in the future perhaps interest will once again be realized and the project can be revisited. Milleman questioned the level of interest from the Ames Foundation. Carroll responded that they like the project but that they did not believe they could raise that level of support at this time. COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: Remove this project until private support warrants resurrecting it and placing it back into the CIP. Furman Aquatic Center Carroll said that each year the Aquatic Center nets approximately $75,000 in revenue. Frandsen questioned if that money is placed into a special fund. Schainker said that the State of Iowa no longer allows net revenue to be placed into a separate fund. Municipal Pool Carroll reminded the Commission that this facility is almost 50 years old in April 2015. She shared that the School District is proposing to build a new competitive pool (funded 100% by the District) to accommodate their needs. Schainker said that the City we need to develop a backup plan in the event this proposal becomes reality. He noted that the City would need to pass a bond issue to fund the construction of a warm water recreational pool adjacent the District’s pool. Carroll said that the District’s long-range plan includes an “Aquatic Complex” to be located at the corner of Ridgewood and 16th Street. Moore Memorial Carroll said that the CIP in FY16/17 to construct a pedestrian bridge across Squaw Creek. This bridge would connect the developed 50 acres of Moore Memorial to 40 acres of farm land west of the river. Carroll explained that this acreage has been leased to ISU for $3,000 per year since the late 1980’s. Carroll said that this bridge would provide linkage to the overall trail system throughout the central part of the community. Northridge Heights Carroll commented that this 4 acre parcel should be developed next construction season with an anticipated ribbon-cutting being held in the fall of 2013. Moore Memorial Carroll shared that a new trend is to provide outdoor fitness equipment (similar to the equipment located in the weight room of the Community Center). She said she will bring a picture of the equipment to the January 17th Commission meeting. This equipment would be placed adjacent the path at Moore Memorial as an experiment. Carroll said if it is well received additional groupings of equipment may be placed in other key park locations in the future. She noted that this equipment will be funded by the Wellmark 3 Point Play money. Prioritization of Project Ideas Carroll and Schainker then reviewed that several other project ideas have been suggested by the public. They said that Commission input and direction was being pursued at this time. As attached to these meeting minutes, Carroll asked the Commissioners to review the Assessment Matrix. She reminded the Commission that this matrix was developed several years ago with the goal of assisting in the evaluation of which projects to incorporate into the annual City Satisfaction survey and or the CIP. The project staff was looking for insight on included: Brookside Park – tennis court lighting Carr Park – Remodel the bath house into a seasonal or year-round facility Four Elementary Schools – transitioning each parcel into a neighborhood park Furman Aquatic Center – increasing parking by approximately 45 spots Gerken questioned where the additional parking at the Aquatic Center would be located. Carroll shared that it would be extended where the large red signs are currently located immediately upon entering the existing parking lot. Gerken asked if there any possibility of adding more bus service to the Aquatic Center. Schainker commented that he did not believe that would be possible due to budget limitation at CyRide. Milleman asked if additional funding would be required to develop the closed elementary schools into neighborhood park? Schainker said that additional funding would have to be allocated by the City Council. Frandsen commented that the PTO had Edwards had raised money for their playground equipment. She said this funding was raised with the assumption the equipment could moved to the new Miller site. Carroll commented that it can be moved but new equipment would then be required for the Edwards location should it be formally incorporated into the park system as a neighborhood park. It was then discussed that the City might contribute $25,000 toward new equipment at the Miller location since it too would serve west Ames as a neighborhood park. Frandsen noted that this is a great concept – for the District to “gift the City clean and green” parcels from these four locations. Carroll reminded the Commission that this is what the City Council has offered to accept should the District be willing to part with one or all of these locations. Johnston commented that there are several other options for playing tennis on City courts that have lighting. She noted that Ames High School is located within a short distant of Brookside. Carroll commented that four of the eight courts at Ames High have lighting; as do Inis Grove and McCarthy Lee Parks. Frandsen commented that efforts should be made by the City to further educate the community that lights are available on the tennis courts at Ames High. Frandsen questioned what the usage of the bath house of Carr Pool might include. Carroll explained that it could be transitioned into a seasonal or year round shelter. She noted that the structural assessment will provide cost estimates for both seasonal and year round usage. Milleman asked if the additional parking spaces at the Aquatic Center have to be hard surfaced. Carroll confirmed that this is a City code requirement and yes, they have to be hard surfaced. Moran questioned if the request for lighting was related to playing tennis or safety after dark. Frandsen commented that the courts were lit before and that perhaps residents adjacent the complex wanted the same service level. Commissioners then stated that their priority for these projects would be: As gifted by the School District; develop the school sites into neighborhood park Carr Bath house developed into a seasonal or year-round shelter / public meeting space Brookside Park – tennis court lighting Furman Aquatic Center – add additional parking spaces Additional discussion included that the tennis court lighting and parking are not priorities of the Commission and that these two projects should not be included moving forward because it gives the impression that support exists for their development. Johnston noted that given the limited fiscal resources of the City and the many needs exist within the Department the Commission is going to have to determine what projects move forward. Moved by Johnston, seconded by Gerken to remove the Brookside Park tennis court lighting and Furman Aquatic Center lighting from the CIP as potential projects. Motion Carried 5 to 1. Milleman expressed concern that additional input should be obtained from the residents of the Brookside Park neighborhood regarding the tennis court lighting. Schaben stated that the Shared Use Path on Mortenson Drive between State and South Dakota is dark. Schainker noted that this may be a section of trail owned by ISU. Shawgo will investigate this issue and report back to the Commission on January 17th. The meeting concluded at 5:12 PM Capital Improvement Plan Project Overview 2013/14 to 2017/18 Ada Hayden Heritage Park 13/14: Removal of invasive plant species on shore line 14/15: Resurface north trail loop Based on northern growth, install a parking lot in northwest corner 15/16: Resurface south trail loop 16/17: Establish prairie on the north portion of the park Ames/ISU Ice Arena 13/14: Replace water heaters, make energy efficiency improvements to three motors, replace skate sharpening machine 14/15: Replace rubber floor in hallway and lockerooms, replace lighting above ice and in the building to increase efficiency 15/16: Nothing 16/17: Replace the dasher board system Brookside Park 14/15: Install a small parking lot adjacent 6th Street and walkway to tennis courts 16/17: Replace light fixtures City / School District Gymnasium Partnership: Gymnasiums Purchase Industrial Grade Basketball / Volleyball Standards 13/14: Miller 14/15: Fellows 15/16: Meeker 16/17: Mitchell 17/18: Sawyer Community Gathering Venue 15/16: Water feature, pavilion and open space Facility Improvements 13/14: Community Center: Replace coin-operated locker, replace the carpet in the gymnastic room, replace scoreboards, badminton standards North River Valley: Renovate the restroom River Valley Softball Complex: Renovate the Concession Stand and replace the irrigation system Skate Park: Replace some concrete areas Page 1 of 4 14/15: Energy Efficiency: Replace air conditioners and furnaces at Gateway office, Homewood Golf Course and Park Maintenance Homewood Golf Course: Install additional cart paths and construct a small storage building River Valley Park: Replace the irrigation system at the Softball Complex 15/16: Auditorium: Replace carpet in the isles; install a new ceiling in the 2nd floor restroom, replace the sound shell Bandshell: Weatherproof the domed roof Community Center: Volleyball standards, curtain in the gym Franklin Park: Asphalt overlay on the crushed rock pathway Inis Grove: Stair system improvements North River Valley: Install irrigation to youth sport field 16/17: Administrative Office: Exterior building improvements/repairs Bandshell: Replace stage lighting Brookside Park: Renovate the restroom Inis Grove: Renovate the restroom adjacent Duff Avenue 17/18: Community Center: Refinish wood gymnasium floor Park System: Replace shingles on 13 shelters Furman Aquatic Center 13/14: Replace all canopies, electronic display sign for entry off 13th Street 14/15: Paint the basins and interior walls of Locker Rooms 15/16: Nothing 16/17: Paint the black areas of each basin 17/18: Install speed slides Inis Grove 15/16: Construct a restroom north of the tennis courts Municipal Pool 13/14: TBD 14/15: Joint agreement expires April 2015 Moore Memorial 16/17: Install a pedestrian bridge across Squaw Creek to connect to 40 acre parcel on west side and to ISU property (previously the YMCA grounds) North River Valley 14/15: Irrigation of turf where youth sport leagues are played Page 2 of 4 Northridge Heights 13/14: Develop this neighborhood park Playground & Outdoor Fitness Equipment 13/14: Brookside (tot piece) and Moore Memorial (Outdoor Fitness Equipment) 14/15: Duff Avenue, Teagarden (play structures) 15/16: Gartner, Hutchison (play structures) 16/17: Daley (play structure) 17/18: Inis Grove (play structure) Sand Volleyball Court 13/14: McCarthy Lee Park Tennis Court Improvements 14/15: Resurface courts at Inis Grove 16/17: Resurface courts at McCarthy Lee Winakor Bequest of $1.7 million - TBD Page 3 of 4 ASSESSMENT MATRIX (Development of CIP – Future Years) An assessment matrix is used by the Commission and staff to assist in evaluating which projects to incorporate into the annual City Satisfaction Survey / CIP as follows: • Supports City Council goals • Promotes an Active Lifestyle • Number of Potential Users • Diversity of Facility o Something we don’t currently have within the community • Potential for Funding Partnerships • Potential for Friends Group to Emerge o Raise funds, promote the passage of a bond issue, etc • Potential for Facility Partnership with the School District or ISU o Is the project time sensitive to one of these entities • Anticipated Increase to the Operational Budget • Anticipated Capital Cost to Develop PARK DEVELOPMENT & ACQUISITION FUND COMMISSION INPUT / PRIORITIZATION IS BEING REQUESTED ON THE FOLLOWING PROJECT IDEAS Brookside Park: Tennis court lighting ($125,000) Carr Park: The FY13/14 operating budget will include funding to retain an engineer to assess the structural feasibility (including capital cost estimates) to remodel the bath house into a seasonal or year-round facility. Staff estimates the minimum capital cost to transition the building into a seasonal building would be $200,000. Crawford, Edwards, Roosevelt, and Wilson Beardshear: Subject to the School District “gifting clean and green acreage to the City”, transition these parcels into neighborhood parks. Depending on the needs at the individual site, development costs could range from $25,000 (Edwards) to $100,000+ for each of the other sites. Furman Aquatic Center: Increase parking by approximately 45 spots ($75,000) Page 4 of 4