Coralville Civil Service

Coralville Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes April 21, 2014 Call to Order Commission Chairperson Fred Fevold called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Present were Commission Members Eve Casserly, Marti Mount, Alex Taylor, David Thayer, Council Member Laurie Goodrich, and Parks and Recreation Director Sherri Proud. Citizen Comments None Approval of Minutes Commission Member Thayer made the motion to approve the meeting minutes from March 24, 2014. Commission Member Mount seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Eagle Scout Projects Parks and Recreation Director Proud introduced the two Eagle Scout candidates both from Troop #207. Eagle Scout Will Oxley presented to the Commission and shared visual pictures of the plan he is projecting for a bridge at the off road riding site and pictures of the Camp Cardinal area provided by Proud. Oxley noted that the project will be coordinated with ICORR – Iowa Coalition of Off Road Riders. The City of Coralville will support with assistance in acquiring materials for the bridge. Factors which Oxley noted for his project are to prevent erosion and to select project materials that enhance longevity. The project is being targeted for May with final completion by July. Eagle Scout Brandon Young presented the Commission and shared visual pictures of the plan he is projecting for a limestone chip trail along with the site pictures of the Camp Cardinal area provided by Proud. Young discussed how this trail will begin at the west entrance of the park and go east to the bird blind area. It will also help accessibility to future Eagle Scout projects within the area. There are several offshoots that may be considered in the final plan or completed later. Young addressed the equipment which will be required for the project completion which will be started during an annual campout at the site in May. Upon completion of the Eagle Scout reviews, Commission Members addressed Parks and Recreation Proud noting that the expectation should be posed for the Eagle Scouts to make professional presentations with the report and related documents. Director’s Report Proud reviewed the past and current Eagle Scout projects coordinated with the City of Coralville. The projects include: • Shelter at Creekside Ballpark – Project has stalled and Proud has spoken to both troop leaders and scout about obtaining some support by a contractor in order to complete this project. The City has a significant investment in it to date including hiring a professional architect to design the roof of the shelter and purchasing the galvanized support columns. • Raised beds at the community gardens should be completed and installed by beginning of May. • Interpretive signs – Scout is currently completing research for these signs at Rotary Camp Park.  Community Garden Toolshed has not yet been started. Anticipate this will start in June. Under consideration for a project is the idea of Coralville trail etiquette and videos that can run on Channel 5. The Commission discussed also that it might be possible to incorporate You Tube videos highlighting bike safety and etiquette for bike trails and featuring the Coralville community. Commission Member Taylor proposed how incorporating the blue zone objectives and supporting a dog friendly community with biodegradable dog poop stations and garbage receptacles along trails could further enhance these projects. Proud reviewed upcoming events which will embrace the school communities with city specific projects which promote youth involvement and their related focus in the past and for the future:  Wet and Muddy event being changed to the B.E.S.T. event – Bringing Environmental Science Together – Northwest Junior High  Defenders of Land and Water – North Central Junior High  Northwest Give Back Day – Northwest Junior High Proud highlighted the project at the Youth Sports Complex with UIHC and shared the Master Plan for expanding on the shelter and trails. In addition, Proud noted that the funding from the federal recreation trail monies, local transportation alternate program monies and local MPO grant monies were collapsed and combined with the cooperation of the City of Tiffin. Tiffin has agreed to flip flop the years for respective grants so that a consultant could be secured to complete the Clear Creek Phase 6 and Phase 7 projects. City of Coralville is reviewing whether and how their Before and After School Programs may provide financial scholarships and/or be licensed to provide childcare assistance. Proud noted that the challenge is how to unify the program under one code. In addition, securing how agencies would reimbursement equivalent monies when scholarships lower the rates following the guidelines. This discrepancy of funds may contribute to the program not balancing revenue and expenditure costs which would be against the direction of City Council to ensure partnership programs cover expenses. Brown Deer Golf Club and DIVOTS! are open for the season. In addition, the Center for Performing Arts has twenty six out of the thirty days in May which is rented for an event or rehearsal related to an event. Proud brought up the topic of reviewing the number of meeting times per year as the Commission reviews policies. The new Arts Commission meets 10 times per year and the Telecommunications Commission meets 6 times per year. Giving summer activities and meeting agendas, members are encouraged to determine of July or August would be the best month to take off this summer. Taylor inquired if a joint meeting with the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Commission would be possible. Proud noted that joint meetings have been held in the past and have focused on taking tours of new amenities and facilities. Commission Member Taylor encouraged joint collaboration with Iowa City’s Blue Zone Initiatives along with Live Healthy Iowa. Finally, Proud noted that applications are currently being secured for the ¾ time Athletic Coordinator which is a new position for the City after the last budget approval. Council Report Council Member Goodrich congratulated Proud for being a recipient of the Richard Slattery/Terry Trueblood Award given by the Iowa Park and Recreation Association. This is the highest honor awarded a professional in parks and recreation by IPRA. Goodrich noted the upcoming points of interest will be in the Old Town area with the construction of a five story retail and restaurant. With the demolition and acquisition of land on 5th Street, the proposed project will include widening of the street and the movement of the Old City Hall building. In addition, Hwy 965 will be widened at the intersection of Holiday Road and Oakdale. Iowa River Landing continues to prosper according to the Master Plan. Commission Comments Commission Member Fred Fevold No additional comments. Commission Member Eve Casserly  Casserly commented that the Eagle Scout candidates really need to prepare more professional, readable reports. Proud will share this with Scout leaders and with Scouts as when they meet with her about a project. Commission Member Marti Mount Commission Member Mount inquired about pickle ball in the community. Proud restated that the tennis courts accommodate pickle ball and will ensure that staff are aware of play and the corridor organizer Duane Miller. Commission President Alex Taylor No additional comments. Commission Member David Thayer Commission Member Thayer inquired about the Scanlon Farms; Proud reported that the City has returned to the drawing board to couple the park size location with projections and amenities. The Building Department has been working with the developer on layout of the total acreage and has the notes from Proud on desired land sizes for ensuring the correct amenities for a development of this size. Adjournment Commission Member Mount moved to adjourn at 8:35 p.m.; Commission Member Thayer seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Commission Member Mount announced that she will not be present.