Coralville Civil Service

Coralville Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Call to Order Commission Chairperson Fred Fevold called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Present were Commission Members Eve Casserly and Marti Mount, Council Member Jill Dodds, Golf Pro Sean McCarty, and Parks and Recreation Director Sherri Proud. Citizen Comments None Approval of Minutes Commission Member Casserly made the motion to approve the meeting minutes from September 17, 2012 with the correction of the Iowa Edible website url and the addition of Iowa to the title of the Iowa Children’s Museum Commission Member Mount seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Budget – Brown Deer Golf Course Golf Pro McCarty and Parks and Recreation Director Proud reviewed the Brown Deer Golf End of Year Quick Summary. The summary included projected and actuals for revenues and expenses which included golf rounds, professional training, related maintenance expenses, pro shop, and overall highlights. On the food and beverage profits, food and beverages were down and the FF&E (furniture, fixtures, and equipment) funds were also lower than anticipated. Given the Brown Deer and Marriott agreement, Proud reviewed the agreement and how it relates to the percentage and costs with the food and beverage. During the last year, the weather cooperated to provide golfing opportunities on most all weekend days which made for meeting projected goals. Golf Pro McCarty provided information to the Commission regarding the partnership with TaylorMade. This business venture was profitable during the last year and will be utilized in the future. Parks and Recreation Director Proud noted that the closure of the DIVOTS! during the winter months is a win/lose with loss of revenue but not lost resources given slow months at the site. Proud and McCarty noted that the budget and review of the budget continues with this as the first round of projections. McCarty reviewed the highlights of Brown Deer Golf Course reviewing competitive ground fees and projection of programs and leagues maintaining a productive budget and related services. McCarty shared how information from other golf courses has been utilized to determine Coralville costs and projections. Proud reviewed how the budget line items have been altered given the change in auditor and IRS recommendation for incentives with staffing for the Golf Pro and Assistant Golf Pro. Overall staffing adjustments in wages and personnel were also reviewed with the Commission and reflected in the budget projections. Large maintenance items have included long term solutions for erosion corrections and parking lot lights. Overall goal of the staff has been to increase course conditions. An example of these pursuits includes a green roller to increase the priority of improving course smoothness. Budget Reviews Additional budgets will be reviewed in upcoming meetings. City Financial Officer Terry Kaeding is anticipated to end her tenure with the City at the end of December. Proud noted that her efforts are targeting completion of her budget areas and to have as many projects completed that have grant reimbursements completed prior to her departure. Proud noted that Kaeding’s support with TIF laws and management and knowledge of the large city contracts has been critical and will be missed greatly. Coralville Youth Sports Complex - Ball Diamonds Parks and Recreation Director Proud reviewed the Master Plan for the Youth Sports Complex. With the adjustment of soccer fields being targeted in areas of future ball diamonds, the review of the land and usage continues to be reviewed and the priorities triaged respectively. Proud reviewed how various softball and baseball programs have varied differences related to base paths, infields, pitching mounds, etc. She noted that the recommendation from Staff to the Commission includes a change of future diamonds within the sports complex. Proud also noted that City Administrator Hayworth and City Council Members have supported her pursuit to match the base paths and outfield fences according to ball programs. Proud briefly reviewed additional  considerations such as wetlands, parking lots, trail adjustments, delayed constructions/future sites, and TIF areas. Proud also reviewed alternate projections from the Master Plan related to enlarging fields, losing fields/infields, etc. Volunteer Aaron Klosterman was recognized for his willingness to help with some diamond modifications at some park diamonds. Commission Member Mount made a motion to recommend the changes in the Master Plan for the Coralville Youth Sports Master Plan from two small diamonds on the east side to one larger diamond on the east side of the park. Commission Member Casserly seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Power Driven Mobility Devices – Policy Parks and Recreation Director Proud reviewed the current policy related to power driven mobility devices within the City of Coralville. Proud noted several documents and related references noting how ADA would recommend the accommodation of the related devices with specific policies. An alternative to the present policy would include single rider devices or single operator devices. Discussion was held regarding enforcement of this policy. Specifics to the devices and the eight foot wide trails were considered when reviewing the policies. Proud noted that the policy will require education for patron users on the trails and for the OPDMD vehicle users on the trails. Council Member Dodds inquired to the impact that smoking when considering gas/oil of the devices on the trail and the challenge of pets’ responsiveness to the devices on the trail as additional consideration when considering a change of policy. Reflecting on the discussion on segmenting the trail, Commission Member Mount suggested dotted lines to segment the two sides of trails for periods of time targeting training for users. Commission Member Casserly commented that this change of policy has a great possibility for misuse. Parks and Recreation Director Proud noted that the access overall is a positive but indeed that there will be challenges. Commission Member Casserly made a motion to approve the policy as defined by Proud to accept the use of singe user power drive mobility devices on city trails. Commission Member Mount seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Director’s Report Parks and Recreation Director Proud announced that the tennis courts are currently open. At this time, the City has not accepted the stairs and ramp connected with the tennis courts and has requested these amenities to be replaced. In addition, Proud announced that the community gardens clearing has been completed. Assistant Engineer Director Scott Larson will be constructing a plan for two handicapped parking stalls at the site and a few regular stalls. Proud continues to collaborate with off road bike riders regarding the conservation easement identified by the City of Coralville. The land, as provided by the University of Iowa, includes wetland areas, creek rides with bumps, narrow and skinny trails, and woodland areas. Proud noted that these areas will include a great amount of recreational value with minimal investments given the difficulty to maintain and compose the land area. Finally, Proud noted that the Recreation Center will entertain Crisis Center activities including holiday bags across the corridor. Council Report Council Member Dodds shared the highlights of the Iowa River Landing with the recent opening of the UIHC Medical Center. Dodds noted that the restaurant 30Hop will be constructed. This bar restaurant will include a roof top patio highlighting specialty beers. At this time, Dodds noted that the UI Board of Regents land purchase will be contingent on other development in this area. Another area of focus for the Council that will be addressed during a work session will be the traffic flow between Walgreens and Costco. Needed improvements are recognized in this area and targeting the cost effectiveness with these improvements is essential for the Council. Dodds also talked about the addition of 600 employees at Sedgwick and the infrastructure improvements that will be in the research park. Commission Comments Commission Chairperson Fred Fevold No additional comments. Commission Member Eve Casserly Commission Member Casserly shared concerns from Coralville residents as how the senior exercise class provided at the Recreation Center has become so popular that the large class size has been a concern. In fact, Iowa City residents have began participating in this program resulting in criticism from Coralville residents. Casserly continued to share her concern on the senior dining services and the limitations in resources for the Aging and Elder Services. Concern was noted that the senior dining may be  evicted and that assistance for the elderly and sick may be compromised. Discussion was held regarding services provided in the community and neighboring communities. Casserly noted that the senior services are in serious jeopardy. Council Member Dodds inquired about how she might support the services being considered for elimination and which have been cut. Dodds noted that currently the City of Coralville provides subsidies to the Elder Services and Senior Center. Concern was noted across the Commission regarding the problematic effect that these cuts for elderly services and the respective impacts. Concern was also noted given the upcoming winter months related to and the need for these services. Commission Member Marti Mount No additional comments. Adjournment Commission Member Mount moved to adjourn at 8:49 p.m.; Commission Member Casserly seconded the motion; unanimous approval.