Coralville Civil Service

Coralville Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes November 16, 2015 Call to Order Commission Chairperson Fevold called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Commission Members Eve Casserly, Marti Mount, Alec Taylor, and David Thayer, Council Member Laurie Goodrich, and Parks and Recreation Director Sherri Proud were in attendance. Citizen Comments Parks and Recreation Director shared additional information from the Agenda Notes regarding a resident report specific to an invasive species removal which occurred. Staff revisited the site near Meade Nature Trail. When removing some of the honeysuckle and wild raspberry bushes, blood was discovered trail side. Staff notified the police department and it was thought that hunters had been clearing additional areas of brush and telling neighbors it was authorized by the Parks Staff. Police have continued to investigate. Approval of Minutes Commission Member Mount made the motion to approve the meeting minutes from October 19, 2015. Commission Member Casserly seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Budget Reviews Parks and Recreation Director Proud reviewed the following: Brown Deer Golf and Clubhouse -FFE improvements funds directed to the Brown Deer Enterprise Fund; upcoming year will be a call year on the Enterprise Fund with monies allocated for the budget improvement project of the Brown Deer Patio Expansion -additional funds from the reserve account from food and beverage will also fund the budget improvement project of the Brown Deer Patio Expansion -celebrated that the Brown Deer Golf Course is in the black for the fifth consecutive year -clubhouse painting in budget years FY17 and FY18 with June FY17 -uncertainty for Spring FY14 for equipment update which should include the loan payment debt -Proud explained how the New World System budgetary reports will better align with actual revenues and expenditures Aquatic Center -budget needs are very similar to Indoor Pool related to facility repairs -Capital improvement projects are higher than reserves or budget line items are able to fund -emphasis on renovation of slides and slide towers. -wage increase for lifeguard and concession staff of an average of 25 cents. This will not increase to the $10.10 level. As noted within the budget review last month, If minimum wages increase as outlined by Johnson County Supervisors, staffing and budgets will be greatly impacted. Proud has discussed these concerns with city staff and corridor community pool staff. Parks and Building Maintenance -currently employ three building maintenance and seven custodians who provide services across the city -overtime costs resulted from unexpected medical leave Recreation -review of Youth Sports Park targeting tournament bidding, concessions, etc. -recreation fees were not met during the FY16,; respective changes occurring with staffing and sites -registrations completed through Active Net Reservations, a cloud program fee percentages and respective costs for PCI compliance, credit card issues; some revenue funds are tracked through City Hall so they don’t create additional charges through Active Net Reservations -responses to current year and next year related to programming and school district schedules -recreation programs goal is to meet all direct expenses plus 30% above as identified within the revenue policy (currently no industry standard for minimum and revenue) Director Report Proud reported that the trail adjacent to the Youth Sports Park has been completed. The smaller shelters on site have been steel framed but the concrete foundations have not been completed. Marketing and education will need to be provided for the bocce ball courts which have also been completed. At Brown Deer, the Patio Expansion has started with the bands and panels poured and stamped. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed by Thanksgiving. Proud announced that Julie Seydell Johnson has accepted the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Director position. She will begin the position in January 2016. The wetlands at the Youth Sports Complex has just reached the fifth year of completion. It will be recommended that the complex be released to the City in January 2016 and maintained in perpetual conservation. Proud noted that plans have started on the next phase of the Clear Creek Trail. The CCPA will be hosting the Festival of Trees at Brown Deer Clubhouse. Council Report Council Member Goodrich reported that the Iowa Area Development report shows that in the current US economy, people are choosing where to live first before choosing a job. Ongoing street renovations continue but with targeted completion dates. Goodrich reported that the City is securing a company for public relations and promotions for the arena. By April 2016, funding and the presentation package is expected to be completed. Demolition is scheduled for summer 2016 with the project completion in three years. Goodrich discussed with the Parks and Recreation Commission the task of the city securing affordable housing. Definitions of affordable housing vary when considering services, renting vs. purchasing, qualifications specific to Habitat for Humanity options, and wage net incomes. Goodrich shared there is an apartment development scheduled past Walgreens. Commission Comments Commission Chairperson Fred Fevold No additional comments. Commission Member Eve Casserly No additional comments. Commission Member Marti Mount Commission Member Mount inquired whether a filter system was being used at Dovetail wetlands to clean the water. Proud noted that the department targeted the wetland filtration with the removal of cattails and plantings of rose mallows. She noted that beavers have assisted in the cutting process of young saplings Mount commented that the water looks great and the whole area is really beautiful. Commission Member Mount also inquired about the season for the tennis courts at S.T. Morrison Park. Proud noted that, at this time, the courts will remain unlocked and the lights remain on but the nets were removed in November. Commission Member Alec Taylor No additional comments. Commission Member David Thayer Commission Member Thayer inquired about the decisions related to the parking lot adjacent to the cemetery. Proud informed the Commission that the City sold this land to Holiday Inn to accommodate hotel patron usage and it would likely be hard to reobtain. Council Member Goodrich reported that there is a current litigation issue for the one hundred acres being considered for expansion west of the land. Proud also reported that the Iowa Insurance Division has also given permission for appropriating funds to complete some of the headstones which were identified for repair. In the future, the City will consider rebuilding the road. At this time, additional information has not been shared about the funding or timeline for the Veteran’s Memorial. Adjournment Commission Member Thayer made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:21 p.m. Commission Member Mount seconded the motion; unanimous approval.