Coralville Civil Service

Coralville Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes June 15, 2020 Call to Order Commission Chairperson Fred Fevold called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. at Coralville City Hall honoring the social distancing given the COVID 19 Pandemic. Present were Commission Members Kyle McEvilly, Marti Mount, Alex Taylor, Dhuha Tawil, Council Member Jill Dodds, and Parks and Recreation Director Sherri Proud. Citizen Comments None Approval of Minutes Commission Member Taylor made the motion to approve the meeting minutes from May 18, 2020, with comments noted. Commission Member Mount seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Consideration and Selectin of Playground Equipment for Kiddie Korral Park The Commission reviewed the original plans (as presented during May 2020 and the additional submissions (June 2020) and discussed playground features and amenities for the Kiddie Korral Park. Additional Notes from Playground Companies  Landscape Structures Inc. – merged the two identified the Loft and the Motion features with the mushroom steppers within the footprint space considering the safe zoned areas with the schematic plan. Cost proposal: $35,000  Playcraft – raised the platform with seeding underneath with the mushroom steppers along with the suggestion of the musical flowers and tenor trees with the schematic plan. Additional information was provided about the Dino Dig. Cost proposal: $33,000 Site prep and surfacing will be provided by City of Coralville. Installation may be considered by the City of Coralville. Surfacing options include engineered wood fiber, poured in place rubber surfacing or rubberized tile are all options that will be reviewed for the playground. Although there are pros and cons for each, meeting the needs of the diverse children population should be prioritized with one of the rubberized surfaces. Commission Members discussed the proposals related to the age range 2-5 years and the amenities provided in the two schematic plans. Commission Member Taylor made the motion to adopt the Landscape Structure featuring the Motion and Loft with the addition of the Playcraft Musical Flowers and Butterfly and Dino Dig within the Director’s budget. Commission Member Mount seconded the motion; unanimous approval. FY21 Budget Given the COVID 19 impact on the City of Coralville, Parks and Recreation Director addressed the changes which have been required. The initial impact of the COVID 19 has required a decrease of approximately 8% cut of the Parks and Recreation budget which will likely stay in place for the next several years. Additional reductions may still be required. Currently, the reductions include  Recognition of the decreased revenue and expenditures  Elimination of four employees/positions  Reduction in contracts for maintenance or other services.  Furlough of three CCPA employees (anticipated until at least the end of August) Proud shared the difficulty in the release of the employees noting longevity and relationships, which have been established; in addition, she noted the impact that the workload being assumed by the current workforce and within general building funds. Staff are in the process of reviewing what services will be continued and what services will be dropped from Parks and Recreation programming. Additionally, city and community events were reviewed as to how the departments are being creative to still meet demands. One such example is the cross department employee opportunities with events like streetscape adoption. The City will be seeking business and neighborhood sponsors. Park projects will be scaled back respectively. Proud also reviewed additional changes within the department. The recreation center, indoor pool, and the aquatic center will have altered business hours. Programming and related fees continue to be reviewed related to scheduled programming, alternating programming given current recommendations, and contracted services. The Coralville Center for Performing Arts will be considering smaller productions. The reserve allocations within the budgets will be reduced. Bid fees related to the Think Iowa City will be reviewed noting the implications. It is recognized that the COVID 19 impact will influence the next three years. Council Liaison Report Council Member Dodds commended the supervisory department heads given the difficulty conditions that have been presented. Given the current reviews and that there are still so many unknowns, the planning and coordination related to the budgetary cuts and the current state have been met. Municipal stimulus packages have not been secured. It is recognized that monies which were granted may be withdrawn. Requests for  property tax decrease in valuations, the extensions and reduced mortgages, and financial burdens have direct impacts on businesses and on the City. Dodds shared efforts to address the concerns as raised by the protests and influence special event featured, Reveal – Heal – Act gathering held last Sunday promoting Black Lives Matter. The use of the curfew was reviewed and how/when it was implemented. Dodds noted that there are some policies that have been immediately addressed: anti-bias training, de-escalation practices, elimination of military and use of force practices. The Economic Development Program was presented to target grant monies that will include mortgage and rent options and grant monies for up to six families focusing on exterior maintenance. The Food Pantry demand has been extremely high; access to the pantry has been altered with volunteers meeting patrons at the door. Meal packages have increased from 250 families to 350 families. Food delivery will be provided. Dodds also noted that emails have increased dramatically. She has prioritized her attention to the emails with an individualized response; she recognizes this may create a time delay but the importance to each patron will include a significant effect. She had hoped that an event for Juneteenth could be scheduled within Coralville; timeframes may inhibit this event. Dodds will entertain the Council discussion related to chickens within city limits. Director Report Parks and Recreation Director Proud reviewed how the phase opening of the Coralville Recreation Center Indoor Pool has been initiated for June. In addition, plans for the Aquatic Center opening have also been initiated for late June. Proud noted that priorities will be with Coralville patrons and programs. Proud also focused on changes in the Summer Programming. Iowa City CSD plans will have a direct correlation with the Before and After School Programming. If daycare options are warranted during a hybrid service plan, the City of Coralville may be a partner. Proud shared that the City featured the flags at Oak Hill Cemetery by leaving them up from Memorial Day through Flag Day this year. In addition, the construction of the Oak Hill Cemetery signage and the landscaping project timelines were released. The construction and projected timelines of the Veterans Memorial were also discussed. It is noted that the Veterans Memorial fundraising continues to target projected costs. Commission Comments Commission Member Fred Fevold Commission Member Fevold inquired about the IRL bike trail; Proud noted the trails have been open. MidAmerican recently installed new power poles along the river which closed the trail for a week. Commission Member Kyle McEvilly Commission Member McEvilly commented on the positive contrast created with the Aquatic Center splash pad and multi system spray features painting which was completed prior to opening. Commission Member Marti Mount No additional comments. Commission Member Dhuha Tawil No additional comments. Commission Member Alex Taylor Commission Member Taylor expressed his gratitude for the Reflect Heal Act event on Sunday. Taylor also noted that the Landscaping looks great on 12th and Oakdale Avenue; he also reported that there is a washed out bridge on Woodpecker Single Track Tail. Adjournment Commission Member Taylor made the motion to adjourn at 8:34 p.m.; Commission Member McEvilly seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Tentative Next Meeting: July 20, 2020