Coralville Civil Service

Coralville Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes January 15, 2018 Call to Order Commission Chairperson Alex Taylor called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Present were Commission Members Eve Casserly and David Thayer, Council Member Jill Dodds, Parks Superintendent Alex Buhmeyer, and Parks and Recreation Director Sherri Proud. Citizen Comments Parks and Recreation Director Proud shared with the Commission that some of the holiday lighting has been taken down given recent rain and windstorms. Although the intent was to leave the holiday lights through January, the storms had taken out many of the outlets and having to wait for repairs would leave sections lit and other sections not. Approval of Minutes Commission Member Thayer made the motion to approve the meeting minutes from December 18, 2018. Commission Member Casserly seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Review of FY19 Budget The budget proposal was presented to the Council on January 2, 2018. The following changes were noted to the proposed budget: Forestry • Position will not be hired until January 2019. • Original request was for the full time position beginning in July 2018. • Seasonal staff will continue to be utilized during the 2018 year. • Proud and Buhmeyer do not foresee this delay impacting the work targeted. Senior Program Supervisor • Position will be assumed in July 2018 – January 2019 with 20 hours a week. • Additional time may be allotted after January 2019 if a partnership is secured. • Grand Living partnership has yet to be finalized; Budget amendment may be proposed for January 2019 if partnership is secured. Wage Scale • Proud reviewed current wage scale and history of increment raises which have been implemented over the last years according to the Johnson County Supervisors recommendations. • Discussions were held as to whether current wage scales for concessions, nonalcoholic site and cart staff should remain at current scale or wages should be decreased given the ruling that the Johnson County Supervisors recommendations are no longer required. • Commission discussed incentives for job positions with includes training, hourly opens and potential for position training and aspiring for position advancement. • Commission discussed morale and financial impacts of wage decrease for targeted positions; Commission concurred that the publication of wage decrease may create greater repercussions for individuals currently employed in the positions. Council Member Dodds noted that the City of Coralville does not want to set precedent of wage decreases for community businesses. • Proud noted that individuals in current positions will remain at the current wage scale. Fee Schedule • Proud reviewed the fee schedules and noted fee comparisons have occurred across the Corridor. • Change in program fees were allotted due to respective equipment costs • Preschool program cost increment increases every three years. • Parks Summer Camp costs increase given related increases in transportation, food, and special event costs and position benefits increase (health) • BASP costs increase given healthy food options and position benefits increase (health). • Overall minimal increases for programs, sports, and facility usage respectively Commission Member Casserly made the motion to approve the fee schedule and make the recommendation to the Council. Commission Member Thayer seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Director’s Report Parks and Recreation Director Proud shared that the shelter for North Ridge Park should arrive in mid-February. Proud shared an overview about the events which are happening to prepare for the shelter construction. Two additional smaller shelters will also be replaced in North Ridge Park. A special event will be held in April or May featuring a ribbon cutting ceremony. Proud shared that efforts are occurring with a homeowner  targeting an easement south of the park and private property. She noted that it was in the best interest for the City to be involved in the grading to ensure that the slope and the landscaping completed comply with their land maintenance. Proud and Parks Superintendent Buhmeyer shared about the disc golf course construction and collaboration with Disc Golf Association and community volunteers. Anticipated grand opening will be in August at the Altmeyer Farm. A fall tournament is being posed. The parking lot will be open prior to August for a soft opening. Work is being done on Coralville Woodpecker Single Track Trail. Range posts are being repurposed from Brown Deer Golf Club for bridge supports. The Coralville Center for Performing Arts is currently reorganizing and reallocating roles and duties among staff. Proud is working with Josh Krakauer, social media marketing web designer at Sculpt, to address how Parks and Recreation Department can better utilize social media in the marketing plan. In coordination with Iowa City/Coralville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, the City is targeting customer service and how our efforts will best to be used for action desired and importance. Related to the arena, Proud shared with the Commission that she is advocating to maintain leagues and programs under the services of the City with the future arena targeting rentals and tournaments. Proud, being proactive, raised the concern to be planful so services will not be duplicated. The ultimate goal of the arena will be to bring visitors to the community. Proud will coordinate management with arena staff respective of Eric and Jordan’s positions supporting athletic programs and learn the sport skill programs. Diamond Dreams will be housed in the third level of the fieldhouse. The Commission discussed the senior programs featured in the latest brochure of EngAGE. Proud updated the Commission on the possibility to include musical instruments and outdoor classroom exploration structures instead of play structures at a location such as Kiddie Korral. Commission discussed positive and negatives (noise disturbance, lack of parking) of the musical instruments and structures in this location. Porch swings may be included as seating for the area. Physical climbing and physical structures were also discussed as options. Proud provided catalogs and an overview of how the City of Coralville may include adventure playgrounds utilizing terrains, bridges, and park projections related to locations and amenities. Council Member Dodds was also able to add to the discussion given her educational site supporting a classroom exploration setting. Council Report Council Member Jill Dodds was welcomed back to the Parks and Recreation Commission after she was reassigned from another commission/work group. Dodds reported the joint meeting included representatives from cities, schools, and the county supervisors which was held at Coralville City Hall. Parks and Recreation Director Proud provided a presentation on Creek Side Cross. Dodds noted that the Parks and Recreation Department continues to be a shining focus within the City. Commission Comments Commission Member Eve Casserly No comment Commission Member Alex Taylor Commission Member Taylor shared his cell phone picture of the snowman structure on the Stables Basin floating island. Commission Member David Thayer No comment Adjournment Commission Member Thayer made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:12 p.m.; Commission Member Casserly seconded the motion; unanimous approval. There is no Parks and Recreation Commission meeting in February 2018.