Coralville Civil Service

Coralville Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes November 19, 2012 Call to Order Commission Chairperson Fred Fevold called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. Present were Commission Members Laurie Goodrich and Marti Mount and Parks and Recreation Director Sherri Proud. Citizen Comments None Approval of Minutes Commission Member Mount made the motion to approve the meeting minutes from October 22, 2012 with clarifications regarding the land obtained by the University of Iowa targeted for off road bike riders. Commission Member Goodrich seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Parks and Recreation Department Budget Parks and Recreation Director Proud addressed the Commission noting that the department budgets were due on November 9, 2012, for the first round. Proud reminded the Commission that during the FY12 budget process, the recreation division staffing was reviewed and job duties were reallocated. The budget changes were reflected in the FY13 budgets and the FY14 budget process shows fairly static budgets with few changes. The final phase of implementation will occur during current budget. Parks Proud referenced the collaboration which has occurred with Eagle Scouts and the Boy Scouts of America with the City of Coralville. In addition, the Johnson County Community Foundation has provided monies to the Boys Scouts of America ear tagged with the City of Coralville for one of these projects completed this summer. Proud noted that the city budget reflects the costs affiliated with planning and project incidentals for the Eagle Scout projects. Most projects were targeted with minimal or no additional costs for the city upon completion of the projects. Projects like the community gardens will have a cost associated to defer related costs for maintenance. Businesses were also credited and identified for their matching funds for related projects. Within the list of possible projects in the parks budget are: a QRFit Trail Fitness signs targeting body resistance exercises, matching funds for a REAP grant, and additional walkways at the Youth Sports Park in areas targeted by the ADA study. Other requests listed for Council to review were netting over the four plex ball fields for foul ball protection, additional field at the Youth Sports Park, replacing the Rec Center Parking Lot and sand volleyball courts at Coralville Creekside Ballpark. In regards to the netting over the 4 plex, the Commission members discussed the inherit risks of a spectator sport and how the guidelines and proposed considerations would affect some of these risks related. Within North Ridge Park, a shelter on the northeast side as a replacement is included in the list of budget possibilities. Parks and Forestry Proud noted that overall this budget has no significant changes. Proud reiterated the need for guidelines for assuming sidewalk responsibilities for unbuildable outlots for the City. Some land areas may have some recreational value but others exist for utilities and at present time, there is no provision in City budgets or for developer to put in these sidewalks. The Forestry budget also continues to take on trail drainage corrections. Building Maintenance There are no budget changes. Given the addition of the Parks and Transit building, and two trailhead/comfort stations, additional back flow preventer maintenance is included within the budget. Changes in staffing may reflect option changes in custodian positions as opposed to seasonal and part time employees for the Parks and Transit facility and the Streets and Wastewater facility. Aquatic Center During the next year, vending bids will be open. Proud reported that the  pop revenue vending selection has had a great impact on vending revenues. During the next year, in Aquatics, staff’s goal is a two percent increase on revenue and continue to look at ways to decrease expenses. Indoor Pool Budget highlights for the indoor pool include updating the pool lift in the deep end and adding a pool lift in the shallow end. Consideration is also being given for a lift near the spa, Proud explained that the City is going to have to make a decision on whether it is worth making the changes against the amount of space the lift will take up in the spa. These will be addressed with a committee put together after the first of the year to determine what changes the City will make. Recreation Center and Programs One of the considerations related to fee changes included a nominal fee change for the weight room. Commission Members discussed the facility, the equipment, and why changes in fees have not yet been implemented. The weight room charge has been kept at $1.50 due to the size of the room but upgrades have been made to equipment every few years. Recommendation by staff would be to move to $2 per use. Partnership Proud explained how the next year’s summer camp program will be rebranded for programming rather than linked to a specific school site. Proud reviewed the current structure and each partnership schools programming and administration. Proud also explained plans to meet transportation needs for programs with program bus, trailways, and coordination between sites. Although each site is separate, Proud noted that sites are partnered together and the partnered budgets balance. Softball As discussed during the last year, staff have targeted building participants and spectators at the complex. Proud noted that in the future, she the Clear Creek Trail will connect to the ballpark and grants continue to be written to make this a reality. Staff are also working on additional programs to bring more people to the complex such as grass league volleyball opportunity and a bags league. Performance Arts Center This is one budget that will need more work on the coming weeks. The presented budget reflects a realistic program based on current conditions but is short in breaking even. Proud noted that the budget reflects the realistic programming without a compromise to the mission of the center and the related arts. She also noted the difference between renting a facility and hosting an event with the center. Reviews related to a similar facility sponsoring related performances will continue to be compared. At this time, subsidizing is not an option. An event being considered this spring is a Broadway Festival and staff are also brainstorming a fall event. Proud noted that additional ideas for fundraising will be considered to reach financial goals. Commission Member Goodrich posed the question about piggybacking with facilities like the Paramount for programming. Directors Report Proud shared flash drives of information specific to the Iowa River Landing. Given the multiple documents and drawings, this was the best means to disseminate information. Regarding the Town Center, Proud noted that trail construction and flood berm construction continues and will be completed in the spring. Council Report Council Member Jill Dodds was not present due to the arrival of a granddaughter. Commission Comments Commission Chairperson Fred Fevold No additional comments. Commission Member Laurie Goodrich Goodrich commented on the newsfeed and website error with a new yoga class; Proud recognized the need for additional monitoring of the information posted. Commission Member Marti Mount No additional comments. Adjournment Commission Member Mount moved to adjourn at 8:48 p.m.; Commission Member Goodrich seconded the motion; unanimous approval.