Coralville Civil Service

Coralville Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes April 19, 2010 Call to Order Commission Chairperson Fred Fevold called the meeting to order at 7:47p.m. Present were Commission Members Laurie Goodrich, Mike Knudson, Marti Mount, and David Thayer, Council Member Bill Hoeft, and Parks and Recreation Director Sherri Proud. The meeting was held at the home of David and Judy Thayer. Prior to the meeting, a tour of the land being considered for land donation was provided by David and Judy. Citizen Comments None Approval of Minutes Commission Member Mount made the motion to approve the meeting minutes from March 22, 2010 targeting the grammar usage of their for there; Commission Member Knudson seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Consideration of Land Donation As noted, David and Judy Thayer provided a tour of the land being considered for donation which is west and north of their homeland property. Parks and Recreation Director Proud shared that Thayers had approached her about the donation of slightly over 2 acres be accepted by the City of Coralville. Proud shared that a draft agreement was being completed by the City of Coralville Attorney. Photographs and a land map were shared with Commission Members. The purpose of the land donation is for conservancy and continued park land. Property owner and Commission Member Thayer recommended land markings targeting the public land on Mesquite Drive, Muddy Creek Trail, and Sage Court. Interpretative signage may be considered. However, given foliage changes which may be evident, downloadable, printable pages may be considered. The natural beauty of this land maintenance and restoration of the native lands will provide educational opportunities with students at Wickham Elementary. Although the land will be owned by the City of Coralville, Thayers have expressed interest in continuing to work on the land which has been included as part of the land agreement and contract. Personal insurance has been presented by the Thayers. Their work would include availability to the patrons who visit the area and labor to assist with maintaining the natural land by removing invasive plantings. Following direction provided by Thayers, Proud noted that a proposed yearly action plan would address who and when maintenance would be completed. The majority of the manpower will be completed by local teen groups and other volunteer pools. After discussion among Commission Members, Thayer stated that they felt the partnership with the City of Coralville required a faith in the maintenance and care agreement and an option to avoid the land being sold off. Commission Member Goodrich expressed her concern related to the disappointment which could occur and her acknowledgement that this is probably the best option for the land. Commission Member Mount inquired about whether there was any precedence of a similar donation of land. Council Member Hoeft and Parks and Recreation Director Proud noted that typically land donations are provided in exchange by developers. Proud added that land acquired is typically purchased through REAP funds. This is the first donation of this kind under her tenure as director. As part of this agreement, a new plat, survey, and review were completed and reviewed during last month’s Council work session. A new filing with the recorder’s office will be required upon completion of the transaction; Thayers will be required to provide a new abstract upon completion of the transaction. Parks and Recreation Director Proud reviewed the role of the Parks and Recreation Department as part of the agreement. Discussion was held as to the general maintenance which will be performed; additional ideal scenarios, such as an urban burn, were also reviewed specific to this land. At present time, urban burning is not a possibility. Proud referred to the burns which were completed in Rotary Camp Park over a five year period which resulted in desired land conditions and the restoration of many woodland plants that had previously been choked out of the area. Thayer noted that burns during the spring in small sections during the middle of a weekday would result in minimal annoyance among neighbors. Thayer discussed how the area has been cleaned and maintained during the past several years. Proud noted that care is required with cleaning the area since there are many things that are visible and not visible which may or may not be present with the desired maintenance. Proud noted that plants which reseed with rhyzomes may flourish if the woods are burned resulting in activation with the burnt soil and sun.  Commission Member Knudson made the motion to recommend to Council the acceptance of the gift of land being donated by David and Judy Thayer with the intention of land conservancy. Commission Member Goodrich seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Thayer noted that the immediate neighbors are aware of the land donation and ecstatic that the land will be preserved. Proud indicated that further public information would be provided. Bylaws of Commission Members Parks and Recreation Director Proud provided Commission Members notebooks at the beginning of the 2010 year. As part of the binder, Proud included the bylaws of Commission Members. The bylaws were reviewed and wording was proposed given the current commission mission and intent. The bylaw corrections will be completed and provided to Commission Members for review before a motion to adopt the bylaws occurs. Commission Members discussed the bylaws related to meeting schedules, meeting announcements and postings, commission structures, commission members and officers, election of officers, commission duties and roles, selection process and terms of reasonable representation of members, and meeting minutes and documentation. Director’s Report Parks and Recreation Director Proud shared information about upcoming summer enrichment programs being provided for school aged children targeting math and reading. In addition, she discussed the upcoming teen student work days with North Central Junior High and Northwest Junior High. Proud also reiterated trail closings which have been press released and posted on www.coralville.org that allow staff to complete the work needed this spring. Proud distributed a flyer on the Iowa’s Water and Land Legacy Amendment which will be on the November 2 ballot. The purpose of the amendment is to set aside 3/8 of one cent of any future state tax increases to further sustain outdoor recreation land, conservation/restoration efforts, water cleanliness, and trail funding. Proud proposed that the Commission take a look at the flyer and website www.iowaswaterandlandlegacy.org and that a discussion be held at the May meeting as to whether the Commission would like to host a public information meeting on the ballot issue. If we would like to pursue, she suggested also asking Iowa City Parks and Recreation and North Liberty Parks and Recreation to joint host. Council Report Commission Member Knudson inquired about Council Member Hoeft’s response to the City of Coralville Council Meeting entertaining the comments and concerns of patrons related to the Iowa City Community School District boundary scenarios currently being reviewed. Hoeft noted that the Council received feedback from several residents from the north corridor. In addition, Hoeft noted the projected scenarios along with the economic impact are creating a negative impact the longer the process continues. Commission Comments Commission Member Fred Fevold No additional comments. Commission Member Mike Knudson No additional comments. Commission Member Marti Mount No additional comments. Commission President Laurie Goodrich No additional comments. Commission Member David Thayer No additional comments. Parks and Recreation Director Proud noted that the JCCOG map which was suggested by Commission member Thayer during the last meeting was timely given that they are beginning to review the map for 2010 changes. Adjournment Commission Member Thayer moved to adjourn at 9:33 p.m.; Commission Member Mount seconded the motion; unanimous approval.