Coralville Civil Service

Coralville Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes December 16, 2019 Call to Order Commission Chairperson Fred Fevold called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. at the Coralville Recreation Center. Present were Commission Members Kyle McEvilly, Alex Taylor, Council Member Jill Dodds, Recreation Superintendent Scott Prochaska, and Parks and Recreation Director Sherri Proud. Commission Member Eve Casserly was absent/ill but was recognized given this was her last meeting as a Commissioner. Citizen Comments Parks and Recreation Director Proud shared that the City has received multiple compliments on the holiday lighting in the City of Coralville. Approval of Minutes Commission Member Taylor made the motion to approve the meeting minutes from November 18, 2019 with suggested comments noted. Commission Member McEvilly seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Budget FY21 Parks and Recreation Director Proud and Recreation Superintendent Prochaska reviewed the following budgets prepared for the Council. Proud began the Budget FY21 discussion by reviewing the format of the past budget actual costs by quarterly reviews and amended budgets with the journal expenses and the proposed budgets. Wages With the competitive wages across the corridor, especially with the wage tract followed by Iowa City Parks and Recreation working to make their wages $15 an hour or higher by FY22, this impact on staffing creates challenges. It is currently difficult to maintain pool managers and lifeguards given the wage differences between the two cities. Discussion was targeted as to employment incentives to entice staff like food, flexibility in scheduling and ability to work more hours (Iowa City and North Liberty. Differences in positions which require previously acquired training will be waged differently. Indoor Pool Wage increase is the biggest change for the budget. Staff also proposed open pool times on MWF mornings; supplement current facility and program options to include Mommy and Me swim classes, aqua aerobic classes, senior events, triathlon training, cross training events, and club options. Taylor mentioned that this would be a great new initiative to share with TRAIL (Tools and Resources for Active Independent Living). Aquatic Center Increase the repair and maintenance line given that funds have not been kept aligned with renovation needs. Pursue bid for refurnishing columns outside the facility to match building design. This is in current budget year. System 7 multi system feature in zero depth has been taken out and is being renovated. Drop slide has been ordered and will be installed in the spring. Future maintenance needs include replacing the back shower walls, purchase of a shade covering for the third deck, jell coat application to other spray features. Partnership – Van Allen Review of the summer payment plan implemented in 2019. Use of iPad Epact which streamlines and digitalizes required recordkeeping; budget line item will be dedicated for a price per individual child. Program caseloads were discussed; Borlaug currently has a wait list given district boundary changes during the last year. BASP fees among the highest in the ICCSD. IPERS contributions are included in employment/payroll which increases costs. Transfers out of Reserves –each appliance, computer, iPad, full size bus, 24 passenger bus, 15 passenger van. Repair maintenance and replacement line items reflect part of the reserves. Softball Construction of sand volleyball courts at Creekside are being requested in the Parks budget. Rebranding of the complex with kickball, cycle cross, softball, flow trail, Clear Creek Trail destination point, and possibility of future deck hockey. Work to capitalize concession stand use with all of these activities. Complex amenities have allowed for additional program options. Expenditure and revenue line items were compared. Pavilion Usage continues to be steady along with expenses and revenues.  Proposed rental increase change $5 for weekends beginning July 1, 2020. Discussion was held regarding Pavilion and other like facilities in the corridor. Recreation Changes in allocations to hire desk, clerical staff 27.5 hrs. with benefits as salary position was implemented in FY19 budget. Determine rental options and staff costs between the Recreation Center and ArenaCo; budget reviews given impact of programming onsite vs. offsite within the fieldhouse. UI will have volleyball at the Arena. Is not planning to use the field house very much. ArenaCo management has been secured. Senior Programming Currently maintaining established programming and developing new programming. Working to add revenue producing programming (i.e. field trips or class options). Consideration of part time salaries, contracted programming, contracted partnerships. Reserves Majority of new monies are within Parks – may need to consider priorities at future meetings after initial budget review. Given that the CCAC was previously under the Parks and Recreation before their own Commission was determined, discussion was held regarding fundraising for a barn replacement, consultant fundraising, and establishment of an endowment. Council Report Council Member Dodds Council stated the Council is trying to wrap up work for the 2019 year. Challenges with the year end legislative session impacts the City of Coralville. The upcoming year focuses on the rollback for the taxpayer which means less monies for the City. The businesses in Coralville that have challenged their County Assessments and have been successful have also been challenging to tax revenue amounts for the City. The growth of the City is positive; there is uncertainty of how the budget will match priorities across the department projects. Focus with the concept of volunteerism with grass root projects will support such projects like Altmaier Farms. Dodds noted that the retirement of Keven Callahan and Jim Kessler will impact the City of Coralville given their years of knowledge and service. A reception will be held to honor the two retirees. Director Report Parks and Recreation Director Proud announced that Phase I has been completed at Hawkeye Ready Mix. Next steps will include to establish turf this spring in Phase I area and to plant trees to screen the power plant. Phase II bid for the removal and rough grading of the south end will occur in the spring. The Veterans Memorial is working to complete the foundation walls with future work occurring in the spring. The Oak Hill Cemetery signage project has begun with complete signage erection in April. In cooperation with DOT, 550 trees will be planted in the Clear Creek area next spring. In addition, the following amenities are also being considered at Clear Creek: boulders, wetland park, kayak launching, boardwalk pan structure, boardwalk construction skirt from island to island for single track trail. Commission Comments Commission Member Fred Fevold No additional comments Commission Member Kyle McEvilly Commission Member wanted to extend gratitude to Eve Casserly for her service. Commission Member Alex Taylor No additional comments. Adjournment Commission Member Taylor made the motion to adjourn at 8:12 p.m.; Commission Member McEvilly seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Next Meeting: January 27, 2020