Coralville Civil Service

Coralville Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes August 20, 2012 Call to Order Commission Chairperson Fred Fevold called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Present were Commission Members Laurie Goodrich, Eve Casserly, and Marti Mount, Council Member Jill Dodds, and Parks and Recreation Director Sherri Proud. David Thayer was not present nor will be present during the fall semester due to his participation in Semester at Sea. Citizen Comments None Approval of Minutes Commission Member Goodrich made the motion to approve the meeting minutes from July 17, 2012 after requesting that her comments be removed from the Commission Comments; Commission Member Casserly seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Eagle Scout Project – Shelter at Coralville Creekside Ballpark Eagle Scout Austin Moore- Praska, Troop 207, addressed the Commission regarding his proposal for a shelter at Coralville Creekside Ballpark. Moore-Praska’s presentation included the building specifics for his proposal of the 14x30 foot with a concrete pad extending 3 feet beyond the shelter drip line. This construction will avoid erosion immediately around the shelter due to water dripping from the roof without having to gutter the shelter. Moore-Praska shared that the shelter design will match the ballpark theme design. With Parks Superintendent Coberly’s approval, Moore-Praska is working with Streb Construction on the concrete laying and other local companies for donated materials and supplies. In addition, Metal Monsters, troop members, his high school shop class, church youth leaders and youth will also volunteer resources and manpower for the project. A plaque will be included as part of the shelter construction noting volunteers and respective donors. The City of Coralville will provide picnic tables and a financial contribution of approximately $3,000. The value of the project to the City of Coralville will be over $15,000. Moore-Praska noted that the benefit for the players and families will be a shaded area within the ballpark area. The project will be expected to be completed within a three month period. Given the presentation and approval by the Commission, MOORE-PRASKA will secure troop and chapter approval. Commission Member Casserly made a motion to accept Moore-Praska’s Eagle Scout proposal of the shelter at Coralville Creekside Ballpark. Casserly also extended the gratitude of the Commission to volunteers and donors contributing to the project. Mount seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Eagle Scout Project Review Coralville Creekside Ballpark – Eagle Scout Austin – as listed above Rotary Camp Park – Eagle Scout Charlie Adolph – project moving forward. Terrain work completed and tables are in place. Just has a little bit of restoration to complete. Rotary Camp Park – Eagle Scout Jacob Barber – completing necessary research related to amenities which could be included in the park. Bike Racks in community – Eagle Scout Patrick Hagan – project completed. A total of twenty-six bike racks were installed across Coralville. Community Gardens – Eagle Scout Kenneth Goins – project moving forward. After the acquisition of the land, the physical work will be started this fall. Community Gardens – Handicap Accessibility – Eagle Scout William Goins – project being considered by candidate and an application is anticipated this fall. Annual Report 2011 – Parks and Recreation Director Proud presented the Parks and Recreation Annual Report 2011 Power Point that was presented to the Council. Proud shared the mantra for the 2011 year - Always striving to improve Coralville fabulosity! The various divisions and programming areas within Parks and Recreation were highlighted. Many of the accomplishments were noted throughout the year at the Commission meetings but also recapped within the presentation. Facility and programs were underscored with usage and comparisons from the past and 2011. In addition partnerships formed were featured. The Coralville Center for Performing Arts was celebrated. Partnerships with local businesses accentuated annual events and new events for community members. Eagle Scout projects were noted as a part of the community outreach activities. Projects were also focused spanning from operations facilities to the Iowa Riverfront and Wetland Parks to Norman Borlaug Elementary School construction to the Camp Cardinal Trailhead to the Clear Creek Trail Phase 5 Part 1. Special Events ranged from Pet Pride in the Park to RAGBRAI to Big Day of Play to annual holiday and season events and festivities. Parks and Recreation Director Proud noted the activities and features of the Brown Deer Golf Course with the addition of staff member Brian Wernimount. Wernimount has continued to build youth involvement and the social media related to public relations for Brown Deer. In the coordination of targeting community needs when resources have been scaled back from the Iowa City Community School District, Proud emphasized the opportunities gained by providing junior high trips and coordinating summer school and recreation opportunities with the Summer Lunch Program. Proud reviewed park projects which the community corrections assisted and funds from AmeriCorps helped to supervise. Director’s Report Parks and Recreation Director Proud communicated regarding projects and upcoming events: • The schedule for the tennis courts is on schedule; landscaping around the tennis courts is somewhat delayed. • Camp Cardinal Blvd/Clear Creek Trailhead open house and ribbon cutting will take place September 25th – 5:30 p.m. It is hoped that Senator Harkin will be present given his sponsorship of the 1.2 million grant congregational allocation for the project. • During the fall, a Commission Member will be solicited for participation on the Creekside Ballpark playground committee. • Pursuit for recarpeting at Brown Deer Clubhouse will occur. Proud noted her preferences regarding the high traffic area within the facility and overall longevity of the carpet selected. The current carpet is nine years old with recommendations typically not exceeding 7-8 years. The Brown Deer logo may be featured under the cupola. Council Report Council Member Dodds extended an invitation to Commission members on the upcoming city tour related to projects and updates. Proud volunteered to check on interest in the city tours partnering with North Liberty and Iowa City featuring respective projects. Dodds inquired about Commission comments related to the consideration of the City of Coralville’s acquisition of the kiosk at the mall. Discussions were held regarding options if the City did not pursue this opportunity. Discussions related to volunteers or city employee’s man powering the site were considered. Commission Member Casserly expressed that she felt the kiosk was an opportunity to sell Coralville. Services which could be offered at the site were considered. Commission Member Goodrich expressed that she felt this would be a good presence for the City of Coralville and added that the more services which can be done at the mall, the better service for Coralville residents. Some services would not be able to be provided at this site given inventory (i.e. yard waste bags). Commission Member Mount questioned whether information had been gathered from the present service providers as to what services were being sought at the kiosk. Mount noted that given the electronic age, maybe the time has passed as typically kiosks are utilized for general directions and not community services. Council Member Dodds reiterated that she wanted to ensure that the monies directed to the kiosk would be worthy with related outcomes and priorities specific to the City’s service to the residents and community. Commission Member Mount posed the question as to whether this opportunity did not presently lend itself by CCVB ending their current presence and service, would the City be seeking a related opportunity. Discussion was also held as to what information could be provided from the Coralville Convention and Visitor’s Bureau regarding their services, their concerns as to why they are not continuing to provide this service, and additional information relevant for the City of Coralville to make their decision. Commission Member Fevold reiterated that this information would be critical to determine if indeed this was a good marketing opportunity; it would be important to determine if the return provided the benefits of the opportunity. Commission Comments Commission Chairperson Fred Fevold  No additional comments. Commission Member Laurie Goodrich No additional comments. Commission Member Eve Casserly No additional comments. Commission Member Marti Mount No additional comments. Adjournment Commission Member Mount to adjourn at 8:11 p.m.; Commission Member Goodrich seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Commission Member Casserly noted that she may not be in attendance at the September meeting due to travels abroad.