Coralville Civil Service

Coralville Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes July 21, 2014 Call to Order Commission Chairperson Fred Fevold called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were Commission Members Eve Casserly, 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. Approval of Minutes Commission Member Thayer made the motion to approve the meeting minutes; Commission Member Casserly seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Commission Officer Nominations and Elections Present Commission Chairperson Fevold asked if any Commission Members were interested in the positions of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. Commission Member Casserly nominated Fevold for the position of Chairperson; Commission Member Taylor seconded the nomination. Commission Member Thayer made a motion to close nominations; Commission Member Casserly seconded the motion. Unanimous approval. Commission Member Fevold accepted the position. Commission Member Taylor nominated Casserly for the position of Vice Chairperson Commission; Member Thayer seconded the nomination. Commission Member Thayer made a motion to close nominations; Commission Member Taylor seconded the motion. Unanimous approval. Commission Member Casserly accepted the position. Council Report Council Member Goodrich reviewed the current road construction projects and their related timelines. Projects include stoplights at the intersection of Oakdale Boulevard and First Avenue which should be completed in a couple of days and Coral Ridge Avenue which will include four lanes, pedestrian walk, under highway tunnel and trail connection. Target for opening is next fall. Goodrich reviewed the local option sales tax which will be on the election ballot in November. The passing will be a simple majority with Iowa City identifying the monies and related projects. At this time, it appears that Iowa City will receive the greater amount of funds than Coralville. The patron letter concerned with naming of amenities in Coralville after political individuals was raised given Council discussions which were aired on Coralville Channel Five. Concern was raised after discussion about naming the trailhead after Senator Harkin. Parks and Recreation Director Proud shared with the Commission that amenities which are spearheaded by specific individuals may be recognized with a plaque who supported efforts or outcomes (i.e. Mary Somerville was recognized for her efforts and the outcome specific to the watershed buffers.) It is Council’s decision to go ahead with naming the trailhead after Senator Harkin. Proud will send letters to those who contacted her. The 808 on 5th Street project will include seventy-two condos and provide opportunities for multiple use stores. Blaine Thomas is the developer for this project and will focus on reusing some of the materials from the area. Directors Report Parks and Recreation Director Proud reported that she will be on vacation for the next two weeks. Recent projects have included REAP grants for land purchases which would link Rotary Camp backing up to Borlaug Elementary. Proud noted that there could be several Eagle Projects which may fit on this land such as the suspension bridge, a shelter, and an outdoor classroom.  Recent events have included the cleaning up the golf course after Muddy Creek flooded. DIVOTS! had a remarkable month; banquets have continued to be down. Proud noted that a new staff person has joined the banquets team to promote relations and target reservations. Median and streetscape areas are being reviewed across a variety of sites with a fifteen year renovation plan to replace banners, holiday lighting, limestone cleaning, lost vegetation, and grooming of vegetation to ensure that these areas stay visually pleasing. Vegetation changes may be considered given the drought and hard winters which have been experienced and which affected these landscaped areas. Presentation Ellen Habel, Assistant City Administrator, presented to the Commission regarding the Public Art in the Iowa River Landing and Sculpture Project and Art at Marriott. Habel shared the history at the Marriott Hotel and Convention Center and the efforts of the art selection committee. The mission was to highlight exclusive art by Iowans while building culture awareness fusing arts and sculptures associated with the Iowa Writer’s Library. For the Sculpture Walk, eleven selections were installed that correlated with literary references. Commission Member Thayer applauded the efforts but also raised concern that the missing nationally known element of playwrights associated with the Iowa Writer’s Workshop was missing from the mission by the committee. Habel and Proud noted that this proposal may be considered for a feature site. Commission Comments Commission Member Fred Fevold No comment. Commission Member Eve Casserly Commission Member Casserly raised the concern of the shrubs which impede traffic near the library. Proud recognizes that more frequent cutting or different plants may need to be considered. Casserly also inquired about the previous recommendation from Commission Member Taylor regarding collaboration with a joint commission member meeting with corridor communities. It is recognized that what other communities are doing doesn’t necessitate action in Coralville but Commission Members concur that this pursuit would be an opportunity for collaboration and promote relations across city lines. Commission Member Alex Taylor Commission Member Taylor expressed appreciation that on a recent run near North Ridge Park, the trails were cleaned and appropriately maintained. Proud responded that the upkeep has been a priority and requires ongoing attention. Inquiry was raised as to assistance with trail upkeep with public service efforts. Proud reported that Hope House provided public service efforts in preparation for 4th Fest but has not been available for trash pick up. Commission Member David Thayer Commission Member Thayer inquired about the progress with the FEMA supported repair of the Auburn Hills Trail north of Wickham School. Proud reported that sections will be completed in the next several weeks with the bank repair presently being started. Proud reported that she is hopeful that the plan will address the storm drains which were impacted with quick rising water. The bank will be stabilized and storm drains repaved on both sides which will include an outlet. Adjournment Commission Member Thayer moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:01 p.m. with the Commission departing for the walking tour. Commission Member Taylor seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Parks and Recreation Director Proud reminded Commission Members that no meeting will be held in August.