Coralville Civil Service

Coralville Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes October 18, 2021 Call to Order Parks and Recreation Director Proud welcomed patrons of the community. Proud noted that this commission meeting is being held in conjunction with the public meeting for the Clear Creak Stream Mitigation Bank project proposal. Commission Chairperson Fred Fevold called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Present were Commission Members Kyle McEvilly, Marti Mount, Dhuha Tawil, and Alex Taylor, Council Liaison Jill Dodds, Parks Superintendent Alex Buhmeyer and Parks and Recreation Director Sherri Proud. This meeting was held at the Coralville City Hall. Citizen comments No comments Approval of Minutes from the July 2021 meeting Commission Member Taylor made the motion to accept the minutes with the noted changes. Commission Member McEvilly seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Public meeting for the Clear Creek Stream Mitigation Bank Judy Joyce and Reed Stamer from Impact 7G were introduced. Joyce presented the power point focusing on the Clear Creek Stream Mitigation Bank. Following were highlights of the presentation:  The mitigation bank would be a bank that developers, state agencies, or anyone that is impacting stream in the same watershed district and therefore must either mitigate or purchase credits from a bank such as the proposed.  The bank project is built and then credits sold.  This is an environmentally positive effort targeting restoration and habitat corridors.  Current mitigation sites were identified and shown on the mapping as Reach One which runs the length of Clear Creek from I380 to I80, Becky’s Creek which runs through along the west side of former Charles Gay Farm site, now Creekside Cross and Flow Trails location, and Reach Three along Clear Creek at Altmaier Family Park bend in the creek to just past the mill race and future place that Coral Ridge Avenue will continue south and cross over Clear Creek.  Coralville is within the Southeast Iowa Mississippi Service area; this area is one of seven that are targeting infrastructures focusing on streams.  The specific project focuses on velocity and transforms water that may be considered a nuisance to an environmentally sound amenity.  Changes in the channel will promote oxbow restoration, maximize the fish population, decrease nitrates with high water flow and provide flood storage.  An overview of the data collection completed was reviewed. Structures which will be utilized were reviewed which included but not limited to buffers, rock toe protection, toe wood structures, flood plain depressions, and riparian buffer restorations.  A timeline was presented focusing on next steps which include financial insurance and a long-term management fund.  The action plan will include bidding, building maintaining the project site and selling and managing the credits. A third party conservation easement holder will also be secured. The project will submit a draft mitigation banking instruction which will include a release of 15% of credits.  Updates will be made available via RIBITS, a program of the US Army Corp of Engineers. Public Notices comments will assist in the project proposal.  The project will generate a range of credits. Credits can range from 97,000-100,000 which over three phrases and 10-15 years will calculate into $11-12 million in credits sold.  After the long term management funds are set aside, remaining credit sales are unrestricted funds that may be used for other projects.  The work force may include local excavating companies, construction companies and specialty contractors for stream design.  Highlights of wetland banks across the state were featured. Techniques used locally were featured. Environmental impact, safety, knowledge gained from other locations across the state, and practices used were highlighted.  Project will encompass quality of life enhancements.  Recreational benefits of natural surface trails within the corridor promotes multiuse including birdwatching, hiking, biking, and fishing.  Overall purpose is to improve the creek channel and enhance the greenbelt proactively with this method of banking.   Comments and questions from the public were entertained related to the environmental impact, comparison of completed sites with the proposed site. Council Report Council Liaison Dodds provided updates on completed local street projects. Dodds shared about the Interstate 80 and 218 closures during construction which will occur over the next two years. Dodds noted that COVID test kits may be secured at Coralville City Hall and several locations across Johnson County. The kits may then be taken to the State Hygienic Lab drop box with results available the next day. Grant monies from CDBG funding will be applied for equipment for the new Food Pantry location. The Iowa Department of Public Health has identified Johnson County has one of the highest vaccinations counties. Moderna and J&J boosters and vaccinations for kids will also be available in the upcoming weeks. A new housing code via the Community Development Department will impact permits. Dodds noted that the state law permits for AirBnBs also impacts a previous policy designed by the City. Public comment surveys are available on the Johnson County website to identify use of ARPA funding available. The joint venture focuses on collaboration to identify the best means to impact people. Dodds encouraged the Commission to exercise their right to vote and noted that the ICCSD is seeking PPEL and 1% sales tax extension funds. Proud added that the extension of the 1% sales tax funds may also be a funding source when the City and school district update the indoor pool. Director Report Parks and Recreation Director Proud reviewed the Agenda Notes regarding secured positions and continued pursuit of additional staffing needs. Positions needed include youth counselors, parks seasonal staff and lifeguards/lesson instructors. Staff are preparing for the seasonal shift to winter across the parks and facilities. The Observation Plaza ribbon cutting was delayed. A ceremony with Wellmark Foundation will be scheduled. Proud announced that the Daniel R. Holderness Trail Bridge will also be dedicated on October 20 but is a surprise to Holderness. A REAP Assembly will be held at the Johnson County Education Center also on October 20. This assembly is for the local level and representatives will be selected to travel in January to address REAP at the state level. Discussions have begun with the Iowa City Community School District on pool replacement. In addition to the school district competition and practice pools, concepts for bleachers, bathrooms, and other amenities will also need to be calculated. A leisure pool will also be considered within the concept plan. Proud noted that the construction of a new Recreation Center facility must be considered alongside the pool planning. Three grants have been secured by Trees Forever, MidAmerica and Planting Hope, and DNR Derecho Recovery for tree plantings which will be held as a community event on October 20. Commission Comments Commission Member Fred Fevold No comment. Commission Member Kyle McEvilly No comment. Commission Member Marti Mount No comment. Commission Member Dhuha Tawil No comment Commission Member Alex Taylor No comment. Adjournment Commission Member Mount made the motion to adjourn at 8:45 p.m.; Commission Member Taylor seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Parks and Recreation Director Proud shared that she has confirmed pickleball lessons for the November Parks and Recreation Commission meeting.