Coralville Civil Service

Coralville Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes November 19, 2018 Call to Order Commission Chairperson Fred Fevold called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Present were Commission Members Eve Casserly, Marti Mount (via telephone conference call), and Alex Taylor, Council Member Jill Dodds, Parks Superintendent Alex Buhmeyer, and Parks and Recreation Director Sherri Proud. Citizen Comments None. Approval of Minutes Commission Member Mount made the motion to approve the meeting minutes from October 15, 2018 with the noted corrections. Commission Member Taylor seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Budget Review Parks and Recreation Director Proud and Parks Superintendent Buhmeyer presented the following budgets given comparisons with the past budget and the proposed present budget. Softball Given Iowa City no longer offers their Adult Softball Program, additional teams were added to the league play. All teams were not assumed for recreational play given Iowa City’s leagues were scheduled on Sunday afternoons; Coralville continues to host tournament play supporting revenue for the community and ballpark. Hope that new millennium housing along First Avenue will provide additional young adult patrons for programming. Sign sponsorship will target smaller logo signs supporting revenue but also decreasing upkeep costs. Altmaier bags game stations will be featured at Creekside Ball Park. New amenities: concession equipment, internet availability, lightning detection system (Norad with mobile alerts) are contemplated for improvements. Report revenue projectors greater than anticipated; Department features adult programming but recognizes that when carrying full time salaries in the budget, it is difficult to show them the budgets as profitable. Pavilion Approximately 200 rentals per year with weekends most popular; rentals scheduled eighteen months out Round and rectangular tables replaced within the last two budget cycles. Department goal is to break even with expenses and revenues Forestry Department showing growth and changes to align with scope focusing on wetlands, woodlands, prairies, trails, native areas, and arborists ( over 900 acres). 1 FTE was approved to be added in January 2019; a decrease in seasonal staffing was made to achieve this addition. Forestry division is currently involved in forestry streetscape, Emerald Ask 2019 treatment plan, Woodland restoration includes REAP grant, and a national programming supporting pollinating and habitat monarch programs. Building Maintenance Challenges of city facilities include aging buildings and needs resulted in $20,000 increase for repair/maintenance budget – city facilities were reviewed with needs. Project management target building needs especially interiors Discussion related to plan for arena Discussion specific to capacity of services being provided with current manpower Commission Member Mount made a motion to accept the budgets as presented to the Commission. Commission Member Taylor seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Coralville Woodland Restoration Project Parks Superintendent Buhmeyer provided a project overview. In conjunction with Iowa DNR, a Forest Stewardship Plan identified forestry protection needs and encouraged the City to apply for a REAP Grant to acquire funding to pursue a restoration project. The project will include the reduction and elimination of invasive species and then restoring native trees by allowing seedlings to grow and planting new trees as well. The project may include hand cutting and mowing with three stages which will be conducted within house and with contracted services. Site tours will be provided by Park Staff to show the targeted work and related outcomes desired. Project information will be provided for the community on the city website. Council Report Council Member Dodds reported that the Council approved the contract for the new golf carts and noted that Les Cullers was honored for his volunteerism at the recent meeting. His family along with many gold league  patrons attended. Dodds reported that the Golfview Project will no longer occur. The Council received a presentation on the Johnson County Access Center Project which will be located on Southgate Drive. They are requesting a $500,000 contribution commitment from Coralville for fiscal year 2020. Director Report Parks and Recreation Director Proud shared that a limestone sign honoring Bob Dvorsky will be placed between 5th and 7th Street for the Dvorsky Trail near Old Town Hall. Proud provided an update on the carpet replacement in City Hall Administrative Offices and the Police Department and the tiled walkways for the small and traffic areas at police. Proud reminded the Commission Members that the Festival of Trees is a fundraiser for the Coralville Performing Arts and will occur Saturday, November 24. Commission Comments Commission Member Eve Casserly No comment Commission Member Fred Fevold No comment Commission Member Marti Mount No comment Commission Member Alex Taylor Commission Member Taylor credited the staff for their attention to the trails by Camp Cardinal. With the community notice and the combination of monitored routes, the staff should know that their efforts and attention are appreciated. Adjournment Commission Member Casserly made the motion to adjourn at 8:09 p.m.; Commission Member Taylor seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Next Meeting: December 17, 2018