Coralville Civil Service

Coralville Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes April 19, 2021 Call to Order Commission Vice Chairperson Alex Taylor called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were Commission Members Kyle McEvilly, Marti Mount, and Dhuha Tawil, St. Ambrose OT Intern Garrett Faris, Parks Superintendent Alex Buhmeyer, and Director of Parks and Recreation Sherri Proud. This meeting was held at North Ridge Park Pavilion. North Ridge Park Walking Tour The Parks and Recreation Commission completed a walking tour of North Ridge Park. Highlights of the tour included:  The history and placement of Gemini statue.  The summary about the construction of the large and smaller shelters  Effects of Derecho damage in North Ridge Park  Limestone landscape areas replaced on the northeast side of the park angled to the residential area  History and placement of the memorial tree stones  History of the 1992 park development and the 1998 playground structure North Ridge Pavilion Commission Meeting Commission Member Mount and City Council Liaison Dodds joined the meeting via ZOOM. Introductions St. Ambrose OT Garrett Faris was introduced. Parks and Recreation Director Proud shared how Garrett is conducting his Capstone Project with the City of Coralville. The Project focuses on the Occupational Therapy role in playground inclusivity for children with sensory processing disorders. Citizen Comments Director of Parks and Recreation Proud reported that an inquiry was made about the foliage around Biscuit Creek. She noted that the developers and neighbors requested a more manicured look so in that particular area, the grass is mowed to the edge of the ponds. On the berm side of the trail, the area is planted in buffalo grass but kept less than 8 inches so that it does not interfere with the inspection of the flood berms. The edges of the ponds will continue to be monitored for erosion. Approval of March 25, 2021 Minutes Commission Member Tawil made a motion to accept the minutes with the noted changes. Commission Member McEvilly seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Capstone Project Presentation OT Intern Garrett provided the following via his Power Point presentation:  An overview of the background information was provided noting the need for inclusive playgrounds, the populations at risk, and the health and benefits achieved with access to playgrounds.  Definitions and the focus of sensory integration  Reduction of the environmental stressors and barriers which increase playground engagement  Increased need for playground and park access  Project focused on the educational advantages, playground evaluations, intervention strategies, and related outcomes  Development and usage of playground assessment tools targeting ground and elevation, playground surfaces, and sensory systems targeted while utilizing structures on playgrounds  Identification of the structures and equipment in the playgrounds  Partnering with the BASP at Borlaug Elementary, the strengths, weaknesses and threats were restructured identifying the format of need;  Identification of locations of playgrounds to ensure access within a one-mile radius of residence  Comparison of structures and sites focusing on ages 2-5 and 5-12 to promote developmental skills  Lack of sensory experiences has definite impact on children; current school playgrounds studied provided focus on more diverse needs than community parks and sport parks  Auditory, tactile, and motor vestibular sensory needs were identified as less likely to be provided currently  Problem solving to address needs with current action plan to incorporate the idea of imaginative play structures within the educational and social interactions  Capstone Project Next Steps – obtain constructive feedback regarding the current action plan, build auditory and tactile opportunities, complete observations to determine if assessment and intervention show effectiveness  Proposed consideration related to partnering with hospitals supporting health and development of children  Proposed partnerships with architects  Commission Members discussed the Capstone Project. Commission Member Tawil also provided a personal testimony related to the project and the impact playgrounds have for children’s development. Council Report Council Liaison Dodds shard that Parks and Recreation Director Proud received proclamations for Earth Day and Arbor Day. Council held a discussion with residents of Bridgewater Subdivision as Grand Rail removed trees that were in a City open space area. The current plan is to have an arborist or State Forester work with the City to create a reforestation plan. Citizens Community Policing Advisory Board appointments were made by Mayor Lundell. A public hearing will be held on May 11 from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. the Clear Creek Mitigation Bank. The Council approved a motion for a loan agreement but are hopeful that credits will be sold before we need to use the value of the loan. In addition, the Council approved repairs to Deer Creek Road. This project will mostly occur during the night to minimize traffic interruptions. The Council is limiting the sale of fireworks to the I-2, Light Industrial District and I-3, General Industrial Districts. This will not affect the ability for brick-and-mortar retailers to sell novelty fireworks as they have in the past. Directors Report Director of Parks and Recreation Proud shared that registrations are beginning for the programs which will be held May through August. Proud provided an update as to the enrolled numbers which are looking very positive for the first few weeks of registration. In addition, she outlined how programming will shift given covid guidelines with diminished restrictions. The goal is to maintain as many programming options as the department can given the reduction in staff. Updates on next steps at Kiddie Korral were shared focusing on the musical sensory garden and rebuilding a flower garden. During the first tree purchase opportunity through the City, eighteen residents purchased trees. Proud discussed the placement of additional trees and the related grant from MidAmerican to support forestry efforts within the City. Staff Community Clean Up Day has been scheduled for May 5. Proud noted the need for staffing applications across departments noting the salary competition with Iowa City given their significantly higher wages. Proud reviewed her recommendation for developmental agreements. Proud noted that within the Bridgewater Development Agreement, the PUD process for outlets should have been updated when the developer gifted the City the outlots. Had the PUD been reviewed at that change, a discussion could have taken place regarding the developer’s plans for stormwater practices and the practices could have been moved to private land. Proud recommends that the development agreement language have a clause for change if there is a transfer of outlots ot the City post approval. Commission Comments Commission Member Kyle McEvilly No comment Commission Member Marti Mount No comment Commission Member Dhuha Tawil Commission Member Tawil inquired about the links and access to the power point presentation. Commission Member Alex Taylor Commission Member Taylor inquired about additional PR work during the Johnson County Cycle Cross event to promote the Coralville amenities. This event will include in state, out of state, and international cyclists. Adjournment Commission Member Tawil made the motion to adjourn at 9:00 p.m.; Commission Member McEvilly seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Next Meeting: May 17, 2021