Coralville Civil Service

Coralville Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes January 24, 2011 Call to Order Commission Chairperson Fred Fevold called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Present were Commission Members Laurie Goodrich, Mike Moore, and Marti Mount, Council Member Bill Hoeft, and Parks and Recreation Director Sherri Proud. Citizen Comments None Commission Member Introductions: Parks and Recreation Director Proud introduced new Commission Member Mike Moore. Mike shared that he is employed as the Human Resources Director with Hunters Specialties, Cedar Rapids. After living in Minneapolis and Des Moines, he relocated to the Coralville area. He enjoys the outdoors with activities like golfing and biking and is ready to serve on the Commission. Commission Members Fevold, Goodrich, and Mount and Council Member Hoeft also shared personal info and their Commission history and interests. Approval of Minutes Commission Member Goodrich made the motion to approve the meeting minutes from December 2010 with the correction of the word usage of steel vs. steal. Commission Member Mount seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Budget Update Parks and Recreation Director Proud reviewed the Parks Forestry and Building and Recreation budget cuts. Proud shared that the Parks and Recreation budget comprise approximately 30% of the General Fund budget. With this in mind, the first round budget was long about $500,000. Parks and Recreation was asked to cut $120,000 from the FY12 ask amount. With the Recreation budget, small amount were taken from several lines including equipment at the Youth Sports Park, game supplies for summer lunch, and program supplies for adult sports. With the Parks budget, several strategies related to projects and activities have been investigated. The new project budgets were called out in the budget. Council Member Hoeft shared that Gary Wehrle was convinced that less expensive aerator units ($500) would be feasible for Dovetail as were used in ponds around the Valley View area. Proud discussed various options that were considered for Dovetail and the parameters staff used including size of body of water, water depth, natural aesthetics vs. visible man-made structures, and use of chemicals in the past. Grants for projects like the Bicycle Infill Program are being pursued. In addition, present projects may be modified given the budgetary restraints. One such project is the 20th Avenue Berm Project near Hy-Vee. This project’s manpower may be split with the Hope House and the city or school-partnered Community Work Days. The community gardens will be delayed until Spring 2012 to correlate with the completion of the Parks and Transit facility. For the mountain bike trail, consultation and coordination with an Eagle Scout project will target creative funding and project completion. The Commission discussed the signage being targeted across the city, with emphasis on the Clear Creek area, which will include city markings and identifying amenities. Proud reviewed varied expenditures which were deleted within the upcoming budget. Alternate considerations may be given for these delayed items (i.e. a gator may be secured by retrofitting a golf cart). Commission Member Goodrich inquired whether local businesses such as John Deere might be able to assist in donations for like items; Proud noted that the City of Coralville tends to seek donations from businesses for larger projects. She did note, however, that Maytag and Amana Refrigeration have provided donations respectively to the Recreation Center and North Ridge Pavilion in the past. Under Capital Improvements projects requests, the Streets Department assisted with the recommendation and justification that the Recreation Center parking lot be removed and replaced. Discussions related to maintaining and constructing new tennis courts have yet to be determined until other city projects have been prioritized. Also within the Capital budget, will be the continued partnerships with ICCSD for the construction of the new elementary school at the The Crossings development. JCCOG Urbanized Area Planning Forum Parks and Recreation Director Proud shared the JCCOG Regional Trails and Bicycle Committee includes planning for trail ways within the neighboring communities of Coralville, North Liberty, Iowa City, Tiffin, and University Heights. Coralville (Sherri Proud) and Iowa City (Mike Moran) are partnering with JCCOG (Chris Ackerson). The Commission reviewed the projected sixty two signs being considered in Coralville. JCCOG’s signage goal is to provide direction for commuters. Discussions reviewed whether additional trails and signage should be considered indicating connections (where to go next) and locations within loops or trail way segments, unprotected and uncontrolled crossings, and mid block locations. The signage will include the name of the trail, crossing information, and street crossing location. Proud noted that the City of Coralville favors additional signage for public city facilities and parks. In addition, the Commission noted that the following were points of interest that the city may consider for signage: trailheads, city facilities, schools, attraction and work centers, entrances from neighboring communities, EMS, Mormon Handcart, and Thayer Conservancy. Proud noted that she would like to see along these connections benches and bike racks across the city. Commission Member Goodrich inquired about combining projects from the City of Coralville with JCCOG for the signage purchase. Proud noted that this would be a goal to have entire order ready at the same time. Proud noted that the addition of the city logo would increase the cost of the signage but would be an added way finding for the communities and was being pursued to see how much more this would be. Commission Member Mount noted that Sugar Bottom has varied transition signs within the area and inquired about several markers between Coralville and the neighboring areas and points of interests. In Fort Collins, CO, Commission Member Goodrich shared that community members adopted trail ways similar to the adoption of roadways. Commission Members discussed additional safety considerations for trail ways. Members supported signage noting the purpose usage (shared trail ways – walking, biking, etc.). Discussions were also focused on issues related to liabilities and what can and cannot be monitored regarding enforcement of rules and regulations. Council Member Hoeft noted that indications related to speed limits on trails or signage related to loose gravel is difficult. Commission Member Mount noted that maybe signage noting changes in grades or signage providing reminders on checking your brakes could prompt community users. Council Member Hoeft invited Commission members to provide their input on instructional signs. Proud noted that trailways in Coralville are between eight and ten feet which do not require center lines. Council Member Hoeft inquired about the need for signage for off shoot trails and how they intersect with other trail ways; Commission Member Mount inquired about the need for signage which dead end. In addition to recommendations by Assistant City Attorney Olson, recommendations from Street Supervisor Price, Police Chief Bedford and Assistant Engineer Larson are also important. Varied committees and standards (i.e. AASHTO) will also influence next steps for the City of Coralville. The Regional Trails and Bicycle Committee will be ordering the signage with estimated installation in June. This project will be paid for by a grant with cooperation of cities to provide the respective manpower. Prior to June, a decision will be determined whether Coralville will submit an application as a bicycle friendly community. Director’s Report Parks and Recreation Director Proud shared that an extension of the Clear Creek Trail will be funded via an IDOT American Discovery Trail Grant. Bids will be accepted in August depending on the berms and related IJob II bids. Drawings regarding trailheads were also shared. A gable style roof was the most popular with the internal structure including siding and the external being a combination of siding and brick wall. Commission Member Moore inquired about whether the trailheads would be tornado resistance; Proud noted that emergency amenities have not been included in parks planning in the past and may create additional costs with designated projects. Proud noted that Kent Park does have one location that provides a tornado shelter. Proud briefly shared that with the Parks and Transit facility construction, pre-construction trenches for storm sewer and erosion control measures will begin in March. Megan Flannigan has been hired as the Managing Director for the Center for Performing Arts. An open house will be scheduled in late February or early March. Council Report Council Member Hoeft did not have any additional comments for the Commission. Commission Comments Commission Chairperson Fred Fevold No additional comments. Commission Member Laurie Goodrich No additional comments.  Commission Member Mike Moore Commission Member Moore extended his appreciation for the offer to be part of the Coralville Parks and Recreation Commission; Commission Members welcomed Mike. Commission Member Marti Mount No additional comments. Adjournment Commission Member Mount moved to adjourn at 8:31 p.m. Commission Member Moore seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Parks and Recreation Director Proud shared that the Iowa River Landing Project Strategy Planning meeting will be held during the last week of January. Commission Members Goodrich will participate in the initial framework meetings. Additional meetings will be held after the framework plan is completed and interest will be determined at that time regarding participants ongoing commitments to this committee.