Coralville Civil Service

Coralville Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes June 16, 2014 Call to Order Commission Chairperson Fred Fevold called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Present were Commission Members Eve Casserly, Marti Mount, Alex Taylor, and David Thayer, Council Member Laurie Goodrich, and Parks and Recreation Director Sherri Proud. Citizen Comments Parks and Recreation Commission Members discussed and agreed that in August a meeting will not be held as specific to meeting protocol. Approval of Minutes Commission Member Taylor made the motion to approve the meeting minutes with the noted corrections for clarifications regarding policy changes and spellings to ensure meaning from May 19, 2014; Commission Member Mount seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Eagle Scout Projects Parks and Recreation Director Proud introduced Riley Marvin and Zachary Rohm from Scout Troop #207. Riley presented his Eagle Scout project which will improve the entrance to Rotary Camp Park. The project will include removal of the brush and weeds at the entrance and into the park, excavation of the dirt, installation of the retaining wall of limestone block, installation of the limestone silt walking path, and repair of the entrance gate. The project has been reviewed to ensure ADA approval and to ensure minimizing erosion at the entrance. Challenges of the project will include truck access to the area in the future if the limestone is soft. The entrance will abut to the trail pathway already completed by fellow Eagle Scout Brandon Young. Riley requested for the City to spray the weeds. IDT will assist with a skid setter and City will provide a trailer to transport. He noted that fellow troop members and community volunteers will complete the renovation to the entrance. Costs will be warranted if the entrance gate cannot be repaired and a new gate will be purchased. The project will be targeted from start to finish in July. Zachary Rohm presented his Eagle Scout project which will include construction and installation of Little Free Libraries within the community to be placed in three City park spaces. Little Free Libraries are weather protected book cases with the intent for individuals to select books and bring books for community usage. Designs and general locations of the Little Free Libraries were: 1876 School House on Fifth Street, Auburn Hills Park where the train connects, North Ridge Park near the playground area. Exact locations are still being considered at the sites. Currently a Little Free Library has been established at Central Park. Zachary noted that paint and screws are the only two materials which have not yet been donated. Coordination with Ellen Hampe Alexander at the Coralville City Library will be required to register the Little Free Libraries and for ongoing monitoring. The project will be started immediately with completion at the beginning of July. Parks and Recreation Director Proud noted that a future meeting may include project presentations at Rotary Camp Park or a picture project presentation. Annual Report Parks and Recreation Director Proud reviewed the document Annual Report 2013. The report featured Coralville Community Gardens, building new Tennis Courts, and the opening of a new Partnership School. The new tennis courts have rekindled a partnership with USTA. The courts are also used by West High, pickle ball players and community tennis players. Along with the tennis court lines, pickleball lines were included with equipment rental through the Recreation Center.  The Brown Deer Golf Club and the Brown Deer/Marriott food and beverage reports were also featured. Proud announced that DIVOTS! had their best season ever in 2013. Continued efforts will focus on wedding receptions on site. Flood water repairs included Clear Creek Trailhead, flooding at Brown Deer and the Auburn Hills Trail. Proud noted that a great challenge is that the FEMA representatives continue to change, which creates the challenge of developing a relationship and the representative’s understanding of the project repairs. Eagle Scout projects which have been completed and were revamped, along with the curb cuts in several locations, were included in the Annual Report 2013. Proud relayed some of the frustrations related to encroachment and compliance from local contractors with both park land destruction and with storm water ordinances. The Ordinance Coordinator, along with Department Heads, are working with contractors to encourage their being responsible and respectful in development areas across the community prior, during, and after their project completion. Proud noted that a recent dashboard review of recreation programming and attendance had been presented to staff from the Active.net registration system staff. At a glance look shows that registrations numbers are at 81% of all programming which makes us one of the highest ratios of registered programs in the United States. The final page of the documentation focused on the good works across the City which included Random Acts of Kindeness with Borlaug Elementary, Northwest Gives Back, and Boots on the Ground community event for the Family Resource Center within the City. Council Report Council Member Goodrich shared a letter which was sent to Goodrich, Proud, and Commission Chairperson Fevold regarding concerns stemming from a Council meeting which proposed the renaming of the Clear Creek Trailhead after Senator Harkin. The letter expressed concerns related to the conflict of interest related to use of political figures names. This letter will be reviewed and shared as it was just received and read. Proud relayed Harkin’s involvement as a supporter and his assistance in earmarking and securing funds for the trailhead and part of the Clear Creek Trail. The Commission discussed a process similar to the school district in which names may be considered if it is determined to rename the trailhead. Goodrich complimented the staff regarding their programming and attention to detail in the recent edition of the Leisure Line. Goodrich shared that the Council is reviewing and proposing that Stormwater Plans and Development will require builders to be more effective and efficient with topsoil prior to landscaping. Director’s Report Parks and Recreation Director Proud highlighted summer programming. In addition, the marketing related to the summer lunch program has been prioritized with the hopes of reaching families about this opportunity. Within the next month, Proud reported efforts will include the pursuit of four grants. Given the recent news of the Emerald Ash Boar being identified in Johnson County, the City of Coralville is currently drafting a plan of action in the forefront of any trees being identified. Proud noted that part of the plan will include replacing trees and removing trees. Staff are also consulting with ISU regarding tree surveys and reviewing protocols from locations like Michigan to include recommendations. FEMA will not assist in general landscaping but only for headlight screenings that are destroyed in disaster conditions. The City of Coralville has approximately 80-90 trees across 174 acres in manicured areas. There is an additional park land which has not been totaled for the number of trees across the 700 acres and approximately 40 street trees in areas maintained by the City in right of ways. The proposed protocol if trees become infected include chipping from top down. There are treatment methods that include injecting a tree, drench methods, and granular methods which would require ongoing annual attention. Commission Comments Commission Member Fred Fevold Commission Member Fevold inquired about the park plan for North Ridge Park noting the creek and storm sewer area relevant to the bank erosion next to the trail. Proud noted that this area has been noted with engineering staff for future repairs. An Eagle Scout will also be replacing a current shelter in North Ridge. Park amenities will continue to be featured which may include canopy, pads, and grills. . Commission Member Eve Casserly No additional comments. Commission Member Marti Mount Commission Member Mount raised the question as to the water spigots at the Community Garden Plots. Proud confirmed that the water pressure at the Parks and Transit Building and the related grounds is low and has continued to be a challenge. It was recommended that the low water pressure be included on future publications for patron notice. Mount also noted that the erosion on hole ten near Lakewood Hills Condominium is extreme. Proud stated that golf staff are working with engineering staff on the overflow basins and the erosion. Commission President Alex Taylor No additional comments. Commission Member David Thayer No additional comments. Adjournment Commission Member Thayer moved to adjourn at time 8:36 p.m.; Commission Member Mount seconded the motion; unanimous approval.