Coralville Civil Service

Coralville Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes December 21, 2015 Call to Order Commission Chairperson Fred Fevold called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Present were Commission Members Marti Mount, Alex Taylor and David Thayer, Council Member Laurie Goodrich, and Parks and Recreation Director Sherri Proud. Citizen Comments Proud reported that attention was given to a patron nuisance property report on 6th Avenue. Proud noted that the nuisance was specific to native plants crossing the residential boundaries. City Attorney is currently working on an ordinance for Council consideration which would address native plantings. Proud noted that her participation in this policy relates to offering guidance on decisions on species, recommendations on borders required between properties, how it can be monitored or reviewed, time requirements which have been required to establish, and the palatable impact on the property owner’s land and the neighboring land. Approval of Minutes Commission Member Mount made the motion to approve the meeting minutes from November; Commission Member Taylor seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Police Officer Chad Wendel - Deer Management Program – Zone 10 Urban Hunt September 2015- Janaury 2016 Police Officer Wendell was a guest given the Citizen Comment specific to the November agenda and the important of understanding the program designed to safely control excess deer within the City of Coralville. A packet was provided and is available upon request from the police department. Following a pilot program in 1999, the program has been instrumental across the state in determining guidelines as associated with bow, cross bow, and state archery guidelines. Wendell reported that the local guidelines are slightly more stringent than the state. The program requires ongoing monitoring and continues to be regulated with purchased tags and ensured proficiency of applicants through Fin and Feather. Both the City of Coralville and the DNR continue to maintain a regional and state tracking system. Wendell explained some of the challenges and some of the incentives which the program includes for interested participants. Budget Review - Partnership Programs Parks and Recreation Director proud reviewed the four partnership programs which are overseen by the City of Coralville – Parks and Recreation Department. The sites include Borlaug Elementary and Coralville Recreation Center (which includes Kirkwood Elementary and Coralville Central Elementary) and Wickham Elementary and Van Allen Elementary. Proud briefly reviewed the employee wages and benefits, BASP and summer camp program options. A change most recently with the expenditure includes the Active Net credit card charge from being accounted for in the recreation budget to the to partnership budgets themselves. Proud noted that currently there are no waiting lists at four of the five BASP locations for the current school year. Discussions and considerations are being reviewed given possible school bell changes noted for the upcoming school year. Proud reviewed the program reduced tuition assistance participation which was designed during the last school year. Proud noted that the current process for reduced tuition assistance continues to meet the City of Coralville’s financial and program needs given the reimbursed fees. Proud noted that recreational programs such as soccer have been realigned with recreational programming rather than showing in the Wickham partnership budget which also reflects a change in duties for the Wickham staff members. Director’s Report Parks and Recreation Director noted that the Iowa River level is up which has created some additional concern given the high water levels and the result that could occur if the water should freeze and attention to trails and related land areas. In January, in coordination with DOT, kicking off the Clear Creek Phase Six and Seven projects will be a priority. The City will move ahead with the project but may expect some closures of the trail when the vehicle interchange in constructed. Given the meeting location at the North Ridge Pavilion, Proud addressed the upcoming changes at the site that continues to follow the ADA recommendations. The largest project for consideration will be the concrete parking lot replacement where the ADA stalls are located and the slope to the front of the facility. Council Report Council Member Goodrich noted that the upcoming City Council meeting will discuss the lower rate which was received from the Moody Financial Rating. This meeting will provide additional information related to the reasons which resulted in the lower rate and target the direction in which will be pursued respective of this rate. Goodrich noted that the city budget continues to be reviewed. The arena will not be a specific expenditure of the city’s budget as fund raising continues to target the related costs. Goodrich noted that the private enterprise should cover the costs and that the Council continues to be updated and reviews the process to ensure that the City is not impacted in a negative trickle-down effect. The Council will have additional information related to the upcoming fiscal year as to the revenues and expenditures related to city owned facilities and business partnerships. Commission Comments Commission Member Fred Fevold No additional comments. Commission Member Marti Mount No additional comments. Commission Member Alex Taylor No additional comments. Commission Member David Thayer Commission Member Thayer raised the awareness and inquired about the Parks and Recreation article and the emergency plan and respective roles with consideration of an emergency occurring in the Coralville community. Parks and Recreation Director Proud noted that she will look into sharing some of the NIMS action plan that the City staff have trained for an emergency. A related action plan was implemented with the flood in 2008. Proud also noted that a great emphasis targets the maintenance of services and maintaining an environment that supports existing routines for our residents. Adjournment Commission Taylor name moved to adjourn at 8:37 p.m.; Commission Member Thayer seconded the motion; unanimous approval.