Coralville Civil Service

Coralville Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes December 14, 2009 Call to Order Commission Chairperson Fred Fevold called the meeting to order at 7:09 p.m. Present were Commission Members Mike Knudson and David Thayer, Parks and Recreation Director, Sherri Proud, and Council Member, Mitch Gross. Citizen Comments None Approval of Minutes Commission Member Knudson made the motion to approve the meeting minutes from November 16, 2009 with the noted change under Director’s report to reverse the reference to berm and walkways as noted by Commission Member Fevold; Commission Member Thayer seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Budget Fiscal Reports Proud shared highlights of FY 2011 budget. Staff prepared budgets trying to be as prudent about costs and revenues as possible. Budgets were prepared trying to keep as flat as possible unless a new program or facility was being opened such as the Youth Sports Complex. See chart reviewing budget. Priorities Commission reviewed the projects list and briefly discussed. At this time it is unlikely that there will be any projects from the list on the City capital improvements program for Fy2011. However, Director Proud stated that she’d like to have at least 1-2 priorities listed in case a grant or another funding opportunity arose. The Commission ranked the following two projects as their higher priority. S.T. Morrison Park Improvements: Moving tennis courts to west side, parking lot on west side, reconstruction of current parking lot, revamp approach to building, new shelter at Hilltop Shelter. (Reference 2004 S.T. Morrison Park Master Plan.) Group discussed whether outdoor basketball courts should be included in this plan. Proud noted that there is full court basketball at Kirkwood and Central Schools but she is unsure of how much they are getting used. Group discussed whether it would be possible to look at partnering with the school to improve the quality of these locations if they need improvements. Proud to look at these courts when the weather allows and talk with school district regarding these courts. Central Park Improvements: West side of Central park – new shelter, boulder climbing area, snowboard half pipe, bike rack, landscaping. East side play area, walkways and play features, benches. (Reference Central Park Master Plan 2009) Director’s Report Proud reported on the award of a State Energy Grant of $71,000 towards the geo- thermal portion of the Parks and Transit facility. Staff are working predominantly on budget this week. The Wetlands Walkways project in the Iowa River Landing continues to progress with a February bid date. Marcia Stoos will be stepping down from her seat on the Commission and Mayor Fausett will be filling that position. Council Report Council Member Mitch Gross thanked the Commission for moving the date one week earlier due to a conflict he had this month. He reported that council has been cautious on funding but said that assessed values have come in higher than anticipated which will help the budget. He reported that the City has obtained about 80% of the funding for flood mitigation projects through grants and staff are working on those projects for bidding this year. The Intermodal project received $750,000 grant for further studies and planning which are critical in the steps toward obtaining funding for construction. The Iowa River Landing project is currently in a waiting period before further plans are made. The current delay is waiting to hear about the UIHC’s plans for locating an outpatient center. Although they have a master plan to do so, the City is waiting on a firm commitment before spending further money with our developing consultant. Johnson County should be starting on the Oakdale Extension project this spring and the First Avenue Bridge project will start in June. Commission Member Knudson asked how the railway travel plans played into the flood mitigation project. The railroad behind Heartland Inn and the bridge at Clear Creek near the Iowa River will be raised as part of the project but upgrade funds for faster travel are not included as part of the project. Commission Comments Commission Member Fred Fevold None Commission Member Mike Knudson None Commission Member David Thayer Commission Member Thayer inquired as whether the City should be looking at park space and adding playgrounds in the Boston Way/10th Street neighborhood. He shared that Director Proud and he had talked by e-mail about the subject and Proud had indicated that the tunnel under the interstate to North Ridge Park was built so that community park could be used by both sides of the interstate. He said he did not think of North Ridge as that neighborhood’s park and we should be thinking about the need for more things to do in this neighborhood . It tends to be more low income and would like to put this on agenda for a future discussion. Proud noted that she would put this on a future agenda. He also shared a play surfacing article from the National Recreation and Playground magazine which highlighted the rubberized surfacing and accessibility and would like more accessibility discussions and considerations in future planning. Proud shared cost estimate for Central School for the same surfacing ($50,000) and Wickham School ($90,000). Thayer also asked about the Leisure Line offerings for seniors and noted that there does not seem to be very many senior activities. He also asked about Oakdale trail connection that is missing into the Terra Woods area. Proud will check with engineering department on whether this connection is on the list for spring. Adjournment Commission Member Knudson moved to adjourn at 8:50 p.m. Commission Member Thayer seconded the motion; unanimous approval.