Coralville Civil Service

Coralville Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes October 19, 2009 Call to Order Commission Chairperson Fred Fevold called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were Commission Members Mike Knudson, Marti Mount, and Marcia Stoos, Recreation Program Supervisors Amy Faulkner and Matt Hibbard and Parks and Recreation Director Sherri Proud. Citizen Comments None Approval of Minutes Commission Member Mount made the motion to approve the meeting minutes with the correction of name usage from September 21, 2009; Commission Member Stoos seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Programs in Cooperative Partnership with Family Resource Centers Amy Faulkner, Recreation Program Supervisor, introduced herself to the Commission noting the programs, activities and facility that she oversees. A handout was provided highlighting specific programs. Recreation Program Supervisor Faulkner described Kirkwood Kicks, a relatively new program initiated in March 2009 at Kirkwood Elementary. Although monies were pursued via the 21st Century School grant, efforts thus far have not been awarded. The ICCSD Grant Writer continues to strive to achieve the monies to provide this program for all grades at Kirkwood Elementary for a three year grant period. Current monies are provided by the Department of Education which will cover programming from September – February 2009. The program targets homework assistance in conjunction with an afternoon school program providing a leisure skill building component and positive behavior supports for students in grades 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade. With the summer Kids Improving Character and Key Skills program, which was based on after the school year Kirkwood Kicks, Faulkner continued to outline the program: • Program designed to build a community atmosphere and a community connection with Coralville • Family Resource Center Supervisors oversee the program on site which provides the glue for the school, Family Resource Center, and the City of Coralville • Teachers nominate students, and with parent permission, students are enrolled in the program. • Individuals are targeted that are below proficiency levels with potential to develop proficient skills • City of Coralville provides recreation supervisors that provide activities ranging from dodgeball to skill building that are opposite of the times of reading and math tutoring • A data measurement tool for the program is still being developed • Certified teachers provide the tutoring • Local field trips have also been completed with city facilities and respective departments Commission Member Mount inquired as to how the programming was initiated; Parks and Recreation Director Proud and Recreation Supervisor Faulkner discussed how Kirkwood Elementary Principal Mason coordinated with the City of Coralville given that their population has over/up to 60% with free and reduced lunch eligibility. Mount also inquired as to the interest and motivation of the students, parents, and staff members. Faulkner noted that the staff has been found that their participation is rewarding and the children are thriving for attention so the combination has been a positive experience for all. Commission Member Knudson inquired and provided follow up information for minority guest speakers and role models. In addition to this program, Proud and Faulkner discussed how the current economic climate has created openings in BASP programs and with creative planning and programming, slots have been utilized to balance the numbers at the respective sites. Programs in Cooperative Partnerships with After School Activities Matt HIbbard, Recreation Program Supervisor, introduced himself to the Commission noting the programs, activities, and facility that he oversees. A hand out was provided highlighting specific programs. One such program is the After School activities targeting 5th – 8th graders at the Recreation Center. These activities are sponsored by grant monies provided by Johnson County Decat and the Iowa Arts Council. Hibbard continued to outline partnerships and targets within the program: • An instructor with Nolte Academy of Dance provided some sessions; individual students’ interests continued the program when the partnership ended • Kevin Burt provided harmonica instruction lessons • Eric Grimes and Cornell College volunteers provided drama instruction • Recreation supervisors provided direction for miscellaneous games and activities • Bloco Folclorico Afro introduced samba world drumming • Greg Redlawsk with City Circle Acting Company coordinated theater productions • UAY Counselors have coordinated social skill building opportunities and visual art projects Commission Members shared other partnership contacts or themes which might be worthwhile to build the art and drama focus: Fired Up/pottery, Rene’s Ceramic Café/pottery, and requesting another contact within Nolte Academy of Dance for hip hop and other dance instruction. Commission Member Fevold inquired as to how the drama activities are advertised to encourage community attendance to productions; Recreation Supervisor Hibbard reported that parents and classmates were the attendees last year but more advertisement should indeed be pursued for the next production. Programs in Cooperative Partnerships with Summer Lunch Program Recreation Supervisor Hibbard continued to share information regarding the Summer Lunch Program which completed the fifth year of service. This past year, the program experienced some significant challenges with staffing and student participation. Recreation Center staffing was utilized as volunteers typically coordinated through the business partnership of West Bank did not meet the program needs. The recreation supervisors’ wages were then billed respectively. Given the cancellation of the school district summer school programming, the continuation of the program was questioned. When the partnership with Sylvan to provide an enrichment program was initiated, the program was continued with the budget as originally projected. The City Council was supportive of the program’s continuation when consideration of whether to have the program was presented. Given the differences in the educational component programming, numbers were lower and the program duration was longer. Hibbard reviewed some of the other challenges specific to the uncertainty given the numbers being directed to the programming, special accommodations for lunches, and too many or too few lunches prepared on given days. He also reviewed activities which fulfilled the recreational components of the programming; these activities included free play, walking club, demonstrations provided by local city departments, visits to local city facilities, fishing sponsored by the county conservation, and a visit by Toby the bus etiquette vehicle, Programs in Cooperative Partnerships with Sylvan’s Summer Instruction Sylvan contacted the City of Coralville expressing interest in developing a partnership with the City of Coralville during March. The goal of the program was to maintain skills respectively in math and reading. Two week camps were proposed with grade groupings. Although adjustments were made regarding lesson objectives, the camp was able to focus on math and writing, which also included reading. Because of the business affiliation, Kirkwood Elementary space was not available so an alternate site of the Coralville Public Library was utilized. Marketing included a 9-1:30 program option which included not only the educational instruction but also the lunch program. The Friends of the Public Library also provided a monetary contribution for the new program which reduced costs for the participants. Feedback was secured via a short survey completed by the teachers. Discussion was held regarding whether another tool may provide more specific data for decision making and progress monitoring. Commission Member Knudson inquired about a control group with the program and the related information obtained. A more objective data tool will be considered coordinated with next year’s programming. Parks and Recreation Director Proud noted that a review of the program will be necessary especially targeting operational and administrative costs. Given that programmers had huge assignments but this program was triaged as an important community service, Proud included the duties under her management. Programs in Cooperative Partnerships with Summer Classes at NWJH Additional one week enrichment programs were provided throughout the summer. Instructors were secured via ICCSD for half day camps which included arts, craft, make and takes, and science and math concepts/instruction. A review of BASP needs may also be reviewed given three programs provided by the City/department. Parks and Recreation Director reviewed the summer calendar of offerings noting that it will be critical to find the right fit for the programs scheduled. It is also important to determine who and what niches are already being fulfilled and which ones need attention. Therefore, locations of camps, durations of camps, and whether half or full day camps will need to be considered. Commission Member Fevold suggested that the staff look at a computer engineering program lego abstract option and Proud shared that the computer program used was similar but unsure if it is in CAD format. Marketing Commission Members briefly discussed social network tools, their operations, their contents, and who is accessing these tools. Recreation Supervisor Hibbard is managing both Twitter and Facebook for the Recreation Center. Director’s Report Parks and Recreation Director Proud shared information regarding the National Recreation and Parks Association conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, which she attended this past month. Proud noted that she attended several sessions related to operations of golf facilities, public service, master planning in the community, and exhibits for park amenities (i.e landforms, etc.). Proud noted that monies are available for additional panels to be added on the back of the first wall at the Firefighter’s Memorial. The Memorial is available for anyone who has served in a fire department. Proud continued to explain that the Firefighters Memorial Walls are the property of the Firefighter’s Association while is the City of Coralville is responsible for the liability, structure, turf in the park, and the actual building. Before allowing the Association to conduct work, Proud is working with Kevin Olson, City Attorney to pursue a Hold Harmless agreement and provisions for turf and park repairs. Proud reported that the Youth Sports Complex access road is now open. Considerations for Phase I and additional phases ensuring access in and out of the facility continue to be reviewed. Council Report Council Member Gross did not attend the meeting given a Council candidate forum at the Coralville Public Library. Commission Comments Commission Member Fred Fevold No additional comments. Commission Member Mike Knudson No additional comments. Commission Member Marti Mount No additional comments. Commission Member Marcia Stoos Commission Member Stoos expressed her appreciation for the Recreation Supervisors for attending the meeting and highlighting their programs. Adjournment Commission Member Knudson moved to adjourn at 8:35 p.m; Commission Member Stoos seconded the motion; unanimous approval.