Coralville Civil Service

Coralville Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2021 Call to Order Commission Chairperson Fred Fevold called the meeting to order at 7:21 p.m. Present were Commission Members Kyle McEvilly, Marti Mount, Dhuha Tawil, and Alex Taylor, Council Liaison Jill Dodds, Recreation Director Amy Erickson, and Parks and Recreation Director Sherri Proud. This meeting was held at the Coralville Recreation Center. Citizen comments Myra Clark 2160 Westminster Circle, Coralville - (mjcmc1941@hotmail.com) and Jim Broffitt, 1078 Tamarack Trail, Iowa City - (jbroffitt@gmail.com) presented on behalf of Johnson County Pickleball. Jim shared the history of the growth in the local area with US Pickleball and local pickleball. Pickleball phenomena started in 1965. Iowa City and North Liberty have dedicated pickleball courts. Additional dedicated courts will be completed in North Liberty in October. Additional sites include Oak Knoll East, Southwest Iowa City, Senior Housing Brown Deer and GreenState Family Fieldhouse. Most sites have a cost associated with court usage. Lessons are provided free across the community. Tournaments, league play, evening play and weekend play were also discussed. Scheels includes equipment sales. Lessons have been provided by varied individuals in the community. Currently, Coralville does not have dedicated courts (courts are shared with tennis). Pickleball court lines on west tennis/pickleball courts need to be replaced. Original consideration included the east tennis courts being transitioned to dedicated pickleball courts but the impact of the Recreation Center Master Plan inhibits the proposal. A formal presentation will be provided for the Coralville Parks and Recreation in November 2021. Approval of Minutes from the July 2021 meeting Commission Member Taylor made the motion to accept the minutes with the noted changes. Commission Member Mount seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Reimagined 5th Street Project The following were initial brainstorming ideas from Commission Members regarding the 5th Street Projects. A walking tour occurred prior to the Commission meeting Call to Order. Google Earth pictures of the project were also projected for the Commission. Library  Observed no seating by the bear – propose multiple benches needed; creative seating for small groups and individual reading nooks Stepping stones to the bear  Patio format for the access and front area of the building  Kid access area in front of the library  Interactivity focusing on the library and what the library offers  Fun activities for intergenerational populations  Embrace geographical areas; focus on landscaping to promote butterfly gardens; sculptured or textured gardens  Swings that make musical notes  Waterfalls and Foundation to habitat koi ponds  Step ups and brick patterns showing directional movements in walkways and surrounding the library  Pocket parks and locations  Electrical access for musical and community events access – in conjunction with burying electrical poles  Diagonal parking lots to invite patrons to the area Fire Department  Inquiry about what to do with the large expansive cement in front of the building; question whether the use of pavement patterns is a possibility  Noted that the water retention ponds and picnic areas have been created; area to include expansions?  Treescape plan for both north and south sides of the street  Signage dated and needs to be refreshed (across the city)  Question of whether the sign ordinance will be reviewed  Diagonal parking to promote front door usage  Redesign the police parking lot for police parking car access considering visual design  Relocate and feature the flag pole  Utilize shade trees; incorporate tiers of shade structures  Replace overhead wires  Alternate work space and meeting locations within the outdoor area Park Interface – Pond  Diagonal parking to draw attention to park and access  Promote accessibility in, around and within the park; path access to park from street along west side of the park  Design an invitational access to the park  Alter City Hall streetwise from 5th Ave; maximize the front/east 7th Street access; consider a circular drive from pool to access City Hall  Promote a walking mall atmosphere  Highlight the pond circumference  Include walking mileage markers to indicate walking areas; distance  Consider the addition of animal footprints and “touchy feely” boxes along the trail itself  Promote winter walking areas – consider the snow removal policies to include year round access  Create an Amphitheater  Alternate fencing for special events (4th July)  With the Aquatic Center, build a Lazy River water feature  Complete the removal of the Babe Ruth ball diamond (diamond being moved to the Coralville Sports Complex)  Feature the West Park Shelter and an Interpretative Trail; construction of an fire pit  Public Garden Council Liaison Report Council Liaison Dodds shared that the parking ramp at CCPA is scheduled to be completed in October. Commission Member Tawil provided a presentation to the Council about recycling; future discussions will be held. Dodds also provided information about neighbors helping neighbors with online contributions to maintain water services. ARPA monies will be directed to supports for the food pantry and the start of affordable housing. A reminder was provided related to Mayor Clean Up and Extra Trash Days at the beginning of October. Update on Staffing, Facilities, and Programs Parks and Recreation Director Proud announced Amy Erickson as the new Recreation Superintendent. Proud shared the following report of the rounds at Brown Deer Golf Club – 31,000 currently played. Previous years and rounds include: 2017 27,804 2018 25,258 2019 25,993 2020 32,707 The Department is now targeting the rounds of play along with the food and beverage revenue. Proud shared that the new food and beverage management company will be Bunkers. Proud reviewed the new contract plan; Brown Deer and the City will be more involved with the food and beverage operation noting the upkeep of space and capital equipment. The sales will also flow through the City of Coralville POS system. The upstairs banquet area will be known as the Green View at Brown Deer. Proud will be coordinating with Kelly Carter as the Event Manager. The eighteen-year-old facility updates will include a multi-use purpose room which will provide access as an office, small meeting space for potential event customers, and weekends can serve as parents room for weddings. The dance floor has been replaced. The exterior is scheduled for painting this fall or next spring. Exterior decks and railings will be replaced in November or December. The kitchen equipment will be evaluated for replacement along with additional recommendations. The focus for the restaurant will be targeting a place to hang out with umbrellas. Commission Member Mount posed that the restaurant have both serving of dinners and bar food. An Observation Plaza at Creekside Cross and Flow is being constructed with stone and patio area. A shelter will be constructed in mid-October. In November or late spring, a ribbon cutting will be scheduled as course considerations allow for the event. Proud shared that staff and a consultant will revisit the Dovetail Lake and Wetlands project for the a few neighbors who have concerns about the cattails and the nesting islands. From 2015 review, a ten-year reevaluation was coordinated with MMS and the US Army Corps of Engineers and then shared with the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Dovetail Neighborhood Association. If any work is done that would impact the mitigation, a new permit would need to be secured. Former efforts made was to cut foliage back along the banks, conduct a chemical swipe on the cattails, plant more native grasses on the hillsides, and installed wood duck boxes. A new consultant was secured for this evaluation. The efforts will be coordinated with the City Council with the advisement of the Parks Department.  From the original plan of Central Park in 2009, the stream banks will be improved. The bid will be included with a larger stormwater project. The current black locust bridge has been closed and will be dismantled. After the Biscuit Creek improvement, a pedestrian bridge will be built by the City. Regarding the Recreation Center, a welcome was noted with Recreation Superintendent, Amy Erickson, and Danielle Washington as the new afternoon clerical staff member. Proud noted that the attendance has been low but given variable factors: outdoor and fall sports, semi covid actions, and the implementation of a required patron recreation pass. The renewed partnership with United Action for Youth will include art classes for 6th graders. Other focus is on gearing up for weather change and restarting of fall and winter activities. In the Aquatics arena, staffing remains an issue. Efforts are being made to encourage employment at UI and Kirkwood CC locations. Currently open about 70% of our possible hours. With the 28E agreement, Coralville is also hosting the City High girls swim team while Mercer Pool is closed so hoping the partnership will allow them to reciprocate when the Coralville pool is closed. Commission Comments Commission Member Fred Fevold No comments. Commission Member Kyle McEvilly Commission Member McEvilly noted the attendance was great for the 5th Street Social. It was noted that over 3000 people were in attendance and several were literally dancing in the street. Commission Member Marti Mount Commission Member Mount inquired about the mitigation occurring with Clear Creek Wetlands. Proud shared that the after the mitigation is signed off, the Parks may consider to thin and move the trees to alternate locations. The DOT tree replacement at Altmaier Farms were discussed given the mortality rate noting the trees were planting close together. Commission Member Dhuha Tawil No comment Commission Member Alex Taylor No comment. Adjournment Commission Member Taylor made the motion to adjourn at 9:05 p.m.; Commission Member Mount seconded the motion; unanimous approval.