Coralville Civil Service

Coralville Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes November 20, 2020 Call to Order Commission Chairperson Fred Fevold called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were Commission Members Kyle McEvilly, Marti Mount, Dhuha Tawil, and Alex Taylor, Council Member Jill Dodds, and Parks and Recreation Director Sherri Proud. This meeting was held by Zoom given social distancing guidelines for the Coronavirus Pandemic. Citizen Comments No citizen comments. Approval of Minutes Commission Member Mount made the motion to approve the October 19, 2020. Commission Member Taylor seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Project Priorities for FY22 Budget Discussion Parks and Recreation Director Proud reviewed project priorities for FY22 Budget recognizing that there will be additional budget cuts in the department for FY22:  Building maintenance focusing on energy efficiency which will include light sensors and two option flush toilets in selected facilities  Recognition of land gifted with plans to include a small shelter, cement pad for two picnic tables; determination whether project will be completed by City or contracted in the Old Town area.  Discussed trailhead project at Creekside Flow Trail that Alex Buhmeyer wrote and received a Wellmark grant of $25,000 for the project. Matching funds will be a combination of funds from in kind services and reserves.  Restoration and stability work of building posts, irregular wood tree trunks at Charles Gay and Altmaier Farms  Project to create a small revenue generator by creating space of a poured floor for 20-30 people at Altmaier  Installation of soccer field #3 lights at Youth Sports Park creating a partnership with the Iowa City Soccer Club; creating greater possibilities of tournaments and usage beyond daylight saving time restrictions with lights on a 2nd diamond.  Further Creekside Ballpark Master Plan with the installed concrete coupled with the concession stand.  Review playground sites regarding surfacing, equipment, sizes, current estimates, updates required, and estimated total costs.  Incorporate an adult exercise location on the trails with the QR Fit signs.  Explore bridging rope elements and hiking at Rotary Camp Park; use of REAP/Resource and Enhancement Protection monies. Proud noted that budget projects and reserve funds may look different in the upcoming year. She noted that the fund needed to complete current mini-CIP projects will need to be prioritized after a 50% cut. The Commission members discussed the current economic state given the covid pandemic and the need to prioritize and postpone projects given less funding. Care needs to be implemented related to the amenities that patrons can currently utilize, continue to utilize, and the reinstatement of services and activities which were previously cancelled. Funding considerations include matching funds and due dates, partnerships with private organizations and corporations. In addition, the difference between maintaining, renovating, and developing will be considered. Parks and Recreation Director Proud and Council Member Dodds expressed their appreciation to the Commission for their attention to the current challenges. Commission Member Taylor made the recommendation that the City Administrator and/or Mayor may want to take the opportunity to interface with the Commissions during times when meetings are virtual. Discussion was held that this would be an opportune time to share Council projections which are strategically reflecting the state of the times. In December, Proud will present additional information about cutbacks, how maintaining the status quo will be provided, and the impact on the department. Discussion of Fencing of Playgrounds Inquiry Parks and Recreation Director Proud shared that Commission Member Tawil inquired about fencing at Kiddie Corral. Currently, fencing has been used to restrict access on the hydro seed planted around the newly constructed play structure. Commission Member Tawil shared that on social media, she put out a poll about fencing. Some people responded to her poll that they like the fencing and allows them to relax as parents knowing their kids are fenced in. She reported that 90/100 people responding to the social media post were in favor of fencing at the Kiddie Korral site. This may be an opportunity for Coralville to offer a featured location which would attract parents with young children; this is not offered in any other location in the area. Commission Members discussed this topic including conversations related to community input, safety given street traffic, ADA considerations, ease for families with multiple children in a constrained area, decreased movement of running with the limitations created by fencing, aesthetics, how fencing might be used at this site, policies or thinking  of fencing usage in parks, concept of playgrounds and open spaces, and additional costs associated with the addition of fencing, parking, and size of park meant for a neighborhood and not a regional attractor. In addition, the factor that fencing would be unique to Kiddie Korral was noted. The consideration of fencing also included discussions related to height, location, materials, seasonal considerations, and maintenance. The Commission also inquired as to other options which might be used to meet the same focus: defined play areas, alternate materials, benches, use of shrubs, maintained ground grade change. It was determined that a study in the spring was needed to determine next steps and secure recommendations. This will include focusing on usage and patron play patterns. Council Report Council Member Dodds reported that a second day was added for shredding. The chicken ordinance passed and will require a permit. Eric Fisher will be providing a learning opportunity regarding recycling. The Mayor has issued a proclamation for a mask mandate noting the emergency specific to protection and safety of the citizens. The Council has passed the first reading of the Unbiased Policing Ordinance. This ordinance is the culmination of a joint effort from the City and the NAACP to draft and revise an Unbiased Policing Ordinance. This ordinance prohibits certain conduct from law enforcement; creates a Citizen’s Community Policing Board, requires that the police department collect data on contacts with the general public and outlines training requirements for the City’s police department. This will be a five board panel; applications may be forwarded to the Mayor. Directors Report Parks and Recreation Director Proud provided an update on the Partnership Programs supporting ICCSD students in the virtual hybrid standard learning model. Proud shared that efforts to ensure that the refugee and immigrant families are receiving information with partnerships between the City of Coralville and Path of Hope. An update on the Veterans Memorial was also provided. Recent actions for the Veterans Memorial this fall include funding kickoff for landscaping which will be conducted in the spring and Phase I payment with tax exempt status. Responding to Governor Reynold’s recent proclamation restricting youth sports, Proud noted that current programming is not in session. Commission Comments Commission Member Fred Fevold No comment. Commission Member Kyle McEvilly No comment. Commission Member Marti Mount No comment. Commission Member Dhuha Tawil Commission Member Tawil extended her gratitude to the Parks and Recreation Staff for their efforts in providing for the community during the covid pandemic. Commission Member Alex Taylor Commission Member Taylor commented that the Veterans Memorial looks really nice. Adjournment Commission Member Taylor made the motion to adjourn at 8:23 p.m.; Commission Member McEvilly seconded the motion; unanimous approval.