Committee of the Whole Meeting

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES City Hall, 220 Clay Street September 02, 2025 The meeting of the Committee of the Whole met at City Hall at 5:45 p.m. on September 02, 2025, with the following Committee persons in attendance: Gil Schultz, Mayor Pro Tem Chris Latta, Daryl Kruse, Aaron Hawbaker, Hannah Crisman, and Kelly Dunn. Absent: Dustin Ganfield. Staff members from all City Departments and members of the community attended in person. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE: Mayor Pro Tem Latta called the meeting to order and introduced the sole item on the Agenda, the Parks Master Plan Draft. Mayor Pro Tem introduced Planner III Michelle Pezley, who shared background information on the project- noting the RFP process began in May 2024, resulting in the selection and contract approval with HKGi. Michelle then introduced Jody Rader of HKGi to present the draft plan. She explained that over the last year HKGi collaborated with a Steering Committee, members of the community, and staff to develop this draft master plan for the parks system. The draft plan aims to inventory and analyze existing facilities; review recreation programming; identify future improvements and growth needs; and update park dedication requirements in the subdivision code. Phase 1 of community engagement gathered ideas through a community survey; social pinpoint project; and focus group meetings. A Steering Committee consisting of various boards and commissions members met five times during this planning effort. Phase 2 of community engagement included attending various city events to gather feedback from residents regarding the draft plan. Ms. Rader then presented the components of the Park Master Plan. Chapter 1 (Introduction) provides context around health/wellness, property values, environmental benefits, and social/cultural amenities. Chapter 2 (Existing Conditions) summarizes accomplishments since 1996; current conditions, demographics, environmental data, planned and potential CIP funding, and existing facilities/trails. Chapter 3 (Needs Assessment) provides a summary of needs and opportunities including improvements to neighborhood parks and trails, support for tourism and tournaments, current and proposed level of service, and a transparent donation process. Chapter 4 (Visions & Goals) outlines future visions and goals to build a system that is well- maintained, collaborative, adaptable, inclusive, and sustainably funded as well as operations and maintenance and access. Chapter 5 (Projects & Recommendations) provides project recommendations including trail network completion, park expansion, skate/action sports park upgrades, Roger Birdsall Memorial renovations, Recreation Center improvements, and the Cedar River Water Recreation Network. Chapter 6 (Implementation) discusses an implementation strategy including phased development, annual reviews via the Park Asset Management Tool and GIS data, biannual community surveys, and comprehensive five-year reviews. Funding sources include our general fund, hotel/motel tax, various grants, community fundraising, conservancy groups, and corporate sponsorships. Rader opened the floor for questions. Mayor Pro Tem, Councilmembers, and Rader discussed: the criteria to “decommission” a playground; scope of pools and splash pads in the plan; relevance of “themed” parks or unique parks. Mayor Pro Tem opened for Council discussion which included: adoption, use, and consistent review of the plan; involvement of the community by creating new supportive groups (such as for specialty parks); and the current amount budgeted and future funding for implementation of the plan. Meeting adjourned at 6:21 p.m. Minutes by Lyndzy Murtha, Administrative Assistant