Coralville Civil Service

Coralville Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes March 22, 2010 Call to Order Commission Chairperson Fred Fevold called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. Present were Commission Members Mike Knudson, Marti Mount, and David Thayer, Scott Larson, Assistant City Engineer, Council Member Bill Hoeft, and Parks and Recreation Director Sherri Proud. Citizen Comments None Approval of Minutes Commission Member Mount made the motion to approve the meeting minutes from February 22, 2010 given the red highlighted sections were changed to black. Commission Member Thayer seconded the motion; unanimous approval. 2010 Capital Improvements Assistant City Engineer Scott Larson provided a Power Point presentation which was previously presented by City Engineer Dan Holderness at a Chamber Roundtable in late January 2010. The following were some of the improvements which were highlighted: Flood Mitigation Projects Overview Crandic Flood Mitigation Project – There are several targets that would be included in this project area which will be funded by a variety of sources. Iowa City is planning to construct a flood gate near the storm water pump station near Rocky Shore Drive. EDA, Economic Development Association, will provide some of the funding for this cost. The EPA funding, along with FEMA monies will be utilized to stabilize the river bank and to rebuild the section of asphalt trail which was collapsed north of Jiffy Lube. Other funding resources will include NRCS, National Resource Conservation, and the EWP, Emergency Water Protection. Consultants will be working on trail development, including a trailhead, on the north bank of Clear Creek near the mouth as it enters the Iowa River. A new pedestrian bridge will be erected crossing over Clear Creek. This will include a concrete structure in the river which will create an underpass of the Crandic Railroad and extend to the First Avenue Bridge. I Job Funds are being utilized but the job is being delayed due to stipulations raised by an insurance requirement. Given the ice jams in the area, the deck will be raised for traffic allowing for more room under the bridge. The Clear Creek bank will be widened which will allow a trail underpass to be constructed. Further developments will be considered after the mitigation is completed to couple this area by a trail extension with Biscuit Creek. Review of Town Square Master Plan – I Job funds are also being utilized for the First Avenue reconstruction from Clear Creek Bridge south of 6th Street. This area will include five lanes of traffic, street-scaping, and sidewalks. Although storm water improvements are not part of the mitigation plan, it will be completed along with the other project plans. Commission Members discussed the concern for the challenge this project will impose with Iowa Hawkeye football traffic on game days. Alternate routes, varied traffic lane usage, and recommendation of the train shuttle will all be considered as personnel address this need according to the work being projected. I-Jobs Field Berms and Walls Projects – This project will actually include three projects in one within the Iowa River landing. The City Attorney is currently reviewing the bids as there were discrepancies as to how this flood recovery project was proposed. The wetland walkway will be raised which will include a berm terrace that will incorporate removable flood walls. The berms, which will be similar to a wider trail top to support recreational activities and maintenance, will be created with consideration of the 500 year flood plan plus one foot. FEMA will be provided initial costs related to the four foot high berm with the City assuming costs related to a chip sealed surface. These heights are considered with the 2008 flood levels plus one foot protecting reoccurring nuisance floods. In addition, storm water pump station three will be added. There is currently one resident remaining on Edgewater Drive. Iowa River Landing Wetlands Park Improvements – Targeted completion date of this walkway will occur this fall with the completed conceptual and proposed River Front Master Plan targeted by July 2011. The project will ultimately include a sewer backflow prevention system. Clear Creek/Biscuit Creek Flood Improvements – This project is currently unfunded but will target earthen embankments with removable walls. Assistant City Engineer Larson explained the installment of the removable walls and the City’s decision to move forward with the project recommendation to construct with city employees and volunteers. Broad overviews were provided for the following: First Avenue Trail Extension Oakdale Blvd Extension Waste Water Treatment Plan Aerobic Digester Clear Creek Trail Phase 5 with trail head - Part I and Part II Clear Creek Trail Phase 6 Water and sanitatory extention to The Crossings (proposed site of elementary school) Holiday Road to Oakdale Blvd. Trail Improvements Oakdale Blvd and Coral Ridge Drive Trail Underpass – box culvert with 10 ft trail along road Plaza on 5th Street Coralville Center for the Performing Arts Coralville Youth Sports Park Coralville Trails Map – highlighted areas yet to be done Ewalt Trunk Sewer Trail Berms Iowa River Landing Trail Crossing Commission Member Thayer noted his concern that there are no clear trails going through Coralville but there are a lot of trails around the perimeter of Coralville. Council Member Hoeft noted that at a goal setting meeting, Council members discussed the significant hazards of bikers and drivers with certain roadways within Coralville. Assistant Engineer Larson noted that the sharrows bike lanes do address the shared roadways with bikes and cars. In addition, sidewalks and trails are being converted to ten feet wide to accommodate multiple users. Tree Donation Request - Parks and Recreation Director Proud presented a request for trees to be donated along Biscuit Creek in the back open space behind Bradley Anderson’s residence. Commission Members discussed the specific proposal and the city personnel recommendations. Parks Superintendent Coberly’s comment shared by Proud was that the distance was adequate between the trail and the creek bank. Commission Member Thayer noted that he would object to the planting of bald cypress given that it is not a native tree of Iowa; Commission Member Mount agreed with this objection. Questions regarding the even number of trees, the spacing, and additional vegetation in the area were raised. Proud commented that two trees would work at this site but not three and still felt that there would be an aesthetic blend with the existing vegetation. Commission Member Thayer made the motion to accept the donation request given that Iowan native trees were utilized and the location of the tree plantings were approved by the Parks and Recreation Director. Commission Member Knudson seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Director’s Report Parks and Recreation Director Proud thanked Assistant City Engineer Larson for his presentation. The locations highlighted in the presentation included many shared locations between the Engineering Department and the Parks and Recreation Department. Proud briefly recapped that eleven acres south of the water plant has been purchased for the parks and transit replacement facility. A community garden plots location has also been identified in this area. Land not then being utilized by the City may be sold after construction has been completed. Publicity and marketing for summer programming and Brown Deer Golf Course are paramount given the upcoming seasons. Annual community projects and workdays are being scheduled with ICCSD and Hope House. Council Report Council Member Hoeft informed the Commission of the recommendation stemming from the safety concern which resulted in barricades around the large pit where the Center for Performing Arts will be built. Although concern was noted related to the low numbers of registrations in the Coralville youth softball and baseball programs, it is recognized and hoped that the slow migration of players and families will return to Coralville in the next several years. Discussion was held as to the differences in commitments related to recreation experiences versus competitive play and how this may have a direct impact on program numbers. Commission Comments Commission Member Fred Fevold No additional comments. Commission Member Mike Knudson Commission Member Knudson shared details about the March 29 Special Event being held at Brown Deer Golf Course as a kick off party. Commission Members discussed the variety of formats which were utilized to share this event announcement. Commission Member Marti Mount No additional comments. Commission Member David Thayer Commission Member Thayer shared a JCCOG publication that was out of date; Parks and Recreation Director Proud will contact JCCOG regarding Coralville’s updated facilities and trails. Parks and Recreation Director Proud continues to monitor the sidewalk to trail connections in various locations across the city that need connections and has requested that these be put in as part of the sidewalk program. However this did not happen last summer so staff will look at doing these on own. Sites which continue to be monitored include Oakdale Blvd, Broken Woods – Dempster , and the wooded trail area through the ravine between the University of Iowa and the Mike Gatens Development. Adjournment Commission Member Knudson moved to adjourn at 8:41 p.m. Commission Member Thayer seconded the motion; unanimous approval.