Coralville Civil Service

Coralville Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes May 16, 2011 Call to Order Commission Chairperson Fred Fevold called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Present were Commission Members Laurie Goodrich, Mike Moore, Marti Mount, and David Thayer, Council Member Bill Hoeft, and Parks and Recreation Director Sherri Proud. The meeting was held at the City of Coralville Public Library, Board Room. Citizen Comments Although there were no individuals present regarding citizen comments, Parks and Recreation Proud referenced the Meeting Agenda Notes regarding additional comments and dialogues which were held specific to Brown Deer Golf Course property lines. Conversations were held during the last month regarding property lines with residences in the immediate area. The entire back nine golf holes were marked with the posts but staff ran out of signs so additional signs will be placed on the posts. Commission Member Goodrich commented that a golf event was held at Brown Deer Golf Course today (May16, 2011) with the Athletes in Action. She noted that over one hundred holes of golf were played and that Alicia in Divots! and the Clubhouse Staff were all great to work with during this event. Center for Performing Arts – Parks and Recreation Director Proud noted that during the next month, the mission and policies for the Center will be established. In addition, Commission Member Mount will be on the committee to select a logo. Eric Berchett has accepted the position of Technical Supervisor. Proud noted that Berchett had a clear understanding of the overall mission embracing the community concept within the facility and with partnerships and that his expertise sharing will mesh well with preliminary concepts. Commission Member Thayer noted that Berchett previously was employed at the UI; Berchett will be greatly missed. Commission Member Thayer also shared some of the challenges which UI has faced given varying departments being misplaced during and after the flood, office and department relocations, partnerships, etc. The Commission was provided a tour of the Center for Performing Arts by Parks and Recreation Director Proud. Approval of Minutes Commission Member Moore made the motion to approve the meeting minutes from April 2011; Commission Member Mount seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Eagle Scout Project Patrick Hagen, Eagle Scout Candidate, addressed the Commission regarding his Eagle Scout Project. His Uncle, Scott Cray also attended the meeting. Hagen has submitted his Eagle Scout proposal which would include installing bike racks in the business areas affected by the 2008 flood. With the $5000 grant that this project would be provided via the City of Coralville which was provided in conjunction by funds from the Boy Scouts of America, businesses will be responsible for providing a slab of concrete or an open space/parking space and participate in 25% of the cost of the rack. Given that these businesses are not required to have bike rack availability at the time their business building was constructed, this project would hopefully encourage the businesses to provide this service and support a bike friendly community. Hagen reported that he met with a BIC representative regarding the specifications of the bike rack model and installation. The model selected provides greater support to the bikes and saves space in the targeted area. In addition, statistics were gained from Mark Wyatt from the Iowa Bicycle Coalition. From the 2000 census information on bicycle ridership, the City of Coralville should have over 525 bike rack spaces across the city. Hagen expressed that he would hope that at least fifteen business locations would take advantage of this service being provided at such a low cost to them. An average of two to three bike racks per business would be required. Hagen shared that his intentions are to have the project completed by the end of the summer or beginning of fall. Commission Members discussed how this project supports Coralville into becoming a bike friendly community. Given that new businesses will be required to meet PUD (planned unit development) regulations, this will provide a service to those businesses which were grandfathered regarding this regulation. Council Member Hoeft noted that this project is timely given the ordinances which have  been passed regarding bike racks. Commission Member Thayer also noted that this project provides a focus to the area which was affected by the flood. Commission Members discussed additional locations which may be targeted. At this time, a federal location such as the US Post Office, has not been considered with the parameters of the location of the business. Hagen reported that if the Commission accepts his project, he will create a brochure which he will use when discussing this proposal with business owners regarding roles, what service will be provided, what materials will be used, etc. Future conversations regarding the project completion related to concrete drilling have not been finalized to date. Hagen has met with Parks Superintendent Coberly and will reconvene with him regarding these specifics at the appropriate proposal criteria timeline. Commission Members congratulated Hagen on his proposal and wished him the best on his project. Members encouraged him to wear his Eagle Scout uniform and conduct his business as he did with the Commission. Commission Member Mount made a motion to accept Hagen’s Eagle Scout proposal and encourages the City to support the finalization of the project specific to the installation of the bike racks at businesses which take advantage of this opportunity. Prior to seconding the motion, Commission Member Moore clarified next steps for Hagen’s proposal; Proud clarified that the project will move forward with the motion made by the Commission. Unanimous approval. Director’s Report Parks and Recreation Director Proud briefly reviewed other projects occurring within the Department:  There has been a delay in working on the Transit and Parks facility due to the wet conditions; timelines included compensations for unsuitable conditions. Foundations and framing will be targeted for a June completion date.  Construction for the Center for Performing Arts continues to be on the timelines established. Additional positions will be hired within the week/month. Dale Rumer, City of Coralville contracted services for IT, has continued to support the site and staff.  The Clear Creek Trailhead will be bid July 19. The project will follow the Master Plan.  In addition, a trailway from Deer Creek Road to Biscuit Creek Road will be slated for the bid process.  The Wetland Walkway behind the Marriott is not open to date.  Partnerships with the Junior High Schools has yielded successful plantings with additional plantings and invasive brush removal yet to be held.  No additional information has been received regarding the City of Coralville’s agreement with the hotel being proposed next to Brown Deer Golf Course.  Continued discussions were held during the last month regarding how funding will be secured for missing links fro trail to streets and sidewalks across the city. During the FY 2012 budget, funding was not identified. Various funding projects will continue to be identified and prioritized that have not been included within the FY 12 budget. This issue needs additional attention to find alternative solutions. Proud will continue to identify all the locations in which the trails do not connect. Within the last year, trail replacement cost funds were reallocated to repairing drainage over trails so concrete repairs have not been finalized. Council Report Council Member Hoeft reported that under Branstad’s current tax incentive plan for cities that have a great amount of commercial costs will be increased. The priority for tax incentives for commercial will create an undue effect on city governments. During the next five years, there will be an eight percent increase. This will create an even bleaker future for our community. Commission Member Moore inquired about lost revenue. The Commission Members discussed local sales tax options and the effects on Coralville and the neighboring communities. Council Member Hoeft reminded the Commission that the community voted against the local sales tax option for the flood mitigation community needs. Council Member Hoeft and Commission Member Goodrich reviewed components of the Master Plan for the Iowa River Landing. Some of the proposed amenities include a bike and walking trail, a bike shop, kayak – white water rafting services, and targeted private business cooperatives. Hoeft noted that the  Planning and Zoning Commission will be required to oversee each piece of the overall. Additionally, local businesses within this area are being determined as to whether the green space is warranted. Interested Commission Members and community patrons may have additional opportunities to partake in the development of this land. In August, another public input survey and an open house will be held to gather more feedback. Commission Comments Commission Member Fred Fevold No additional comments. Commission Member No additional comments. Commission Member Marti Mount Commission Member Mount encouraged members to read the April edition of the Parks and Recreation Magazine. Mount reported on the article blending playgrounds and trails. Parks and Recreation Director Proud noted that she thought the Clear Creek Greenbelt area would be of interest for this kind of planning and usage. Mount encouraged others to target who the major park users are in varied areas. She noted that who we think they are and who they really are may be different. Other locations within the Corridor were identified with this blended playground and trail concept. Commission Member Mike Moore No additional comments. Commission Member David Thayer Parks and Recreation Director Proud followed up with previous discussions with Commission Member Thayer regarding sidewalk or trail installation and maintenance. Thayer noted that the City will continue to spiral downhill if projects are not completed and maintained in the foreseeable future. Council Member Hoeft noted that IRL revenues may change how these projects are completed in the future. Adjournment Commission Member Thayer moved to adjourn at 8:20 p.m.; Commission Member Goodrich seconded the motion; unanimous approval.