Coralville Civil Service

Coralville Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes March 19, 2017 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 (via Facetime), Alex Taylor, and David Thayer, Council Member Jill Dodds, Parks Superintendent Alex Buhmeyer (exited at 8:17 p.m. due to facility issue), and Parks and Recreation Director Sherri Proud. Citizen Comments Parks and Recreation Director Proud shared there has been a request for a fence at the dead end along Boston Way given the number of patrons that use this as a pathway to the mall Proud noted that she will be recommending alternate options such as neighborhood watch and lighting. This is an open space area. Both City Administrator Hayworth and Police Chief Kron will also be consulted. Approval of Minutes Commission Member Taylor made the motion to approve the meeting minutes from January 22, 2018. Commission Member Thayer seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Overview of Building Maintenance and Custodial Staffing Parks Superintendent Buhmeyer addressed the Commission regarding the past, current, and proposed staffing structures. Given Ed LaGrange’s retirement after 25 years of service, recommended position changes will target splitting work between a building maintenance position and janitorial maintenance position. Both would be Grade IV positions. With the restructure, shared evening and weekend calls will be assumed rather than one person responding all the time. This will allow one position to focus on computerized and synchronized technical advancements and changes in diagnostic tools to help in streamlining services across the city. The other position will focus on leading the janitorial team to ensure the city facilities are clean, sanitized, and will help with basic aesthetic projects. By splitting the two functions, the City should also reduce overtime. Mike Funke, Human Resources, will assist in determining the union language to address the job description changes before submission to the Council. Dovetail Recreation Area – Nature scape Playground Visioning Parks and Recreation Director Proud and Parks Superintendent Buhmeyer provided a screen presentation of features which may be considered for the Dovetail Recreation Area nature scape playground. Brenda Nelson, Confluence Contractors, is assisting with design. Commission Members shared preferences for the area west of the shared parking lot related to play areas, structures, and shelters with both green space and flat areas. Commission Members reviewed picture examples which included mounds, moguls, tunnels, berms, messy play areas, chip trails, stepping stones, treehouse structures, wooden trunk, manufactured rocks, astrorturf rubberized fill, anchored log and rock climbers. Council Member Dodds shared Denver’s messy camp with pavement animal prints. Signage may be warranted for the quarry property line. Commission Members embraced the play challenges to build play areas promoting bravery, agility, inquisitive and physical challenges with more natural nature features. A playground plan for addressing all current City playgrounds on a replacement schedule and for future playgrounds was reviewed with the FY19 budget. City Council Report Council Member Dodds reported that the Council will be touring the water treatment plant. Public hearings will include the current road construction. City Engineer Holderness will include email updates and notices for the Council minutes. Dodds noted that the recent audit was good and the city budget should be finalized and approved within the next month. Director Report Parks and Recreation Director Proud provided update regarding the current status of the Creekside Cross with recuperation, future seed and drag, and final reevaluation in mid-June before opening on or before July 1. Proud also noted that the Woodpecker Single Track Trail is currently closed. ICCOR continues to assist in monitoring the area. An upcoming open house for the Russell Slade Blvd and Oak Hill Cemetery will feature the recent improvements on the gateway to the new Bridgewater development. Commission Members received information related to the history of Oak Hill Cemetery and an overview of recent conversations that target future land and burial considerations. Burial considerations may include the scatter garden to the columbaria to a small soft pocket park (ceremony and access to burial location). Bids are being accepted for the small playground with consideration of how the farmhouse concessions and barn shelter will be synchronized at the Coralville Creekside Ballpark. The time table is to send a recommendation to Council accept a bid in early May with installation scheduled in August. The April meeting may be longer than normal and start earlier. Proud announced that the State of Iowa Gatorade Player of the Year for Football Evan Flitz has selected Coralville with monetary scholarships for flag football. Flitz will present the check at a Coralville City Council Meeting. Commission Comments Commission Member Fred Fevold No additional comments. Commission Member Eve Casserly Commission Member shared that the Prime Time Lunch had a special guest – the City of Coralville 75 lb. canine officer Matz. Commission Member Marti Mount Commission Member Mount asked about a digital sign marque for the Coralville Center for Performing Arts. Proud and Dodds noted that the Council may reconsider the ordinances related to signage. Additionally, Mount inquired about the arena. Dodds noted that a public hearing will be held to include talking points related to state monies, bonds, tax market and credits and the naming rights. Dodds noted that the City will be identified as a guarantor but the Arena will be identified as the loan for credits. Commission Member Alex Taylor Commission Member Taylor inquired about the Coralville Performing Arts update regarding restructured job duties. Proud noted that the change in job duties were permitted are not pervasive enough to warrant changes to the job descriptions. Taylor also announced an open house will be held by the Chamber of Commerce on March 22 – 4:30 p.m. featuring Urban Acres. Commission Member David Thayer No additional comments Adjournment Commission Member Thayer moved to adjourn at 8:28 p.m.; Commission Member Taylor seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Next Meeting: April 16, 2018