Coralville Civil Service

Coralville Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes December 20, 2021 Call to Order Commission Vice Chairperson Alex Taylor called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Present were Commission Members Kyle McEvilly, Marti Mount (via ZOOM), and Dhuha Tawil. Council Liaison Jill Dodds, and Parks and Recreation Director Sherri Proud. This meeting was held at the North Ridge Pavilion. Citizen comments A citizen suggestion has been made for an outdoor ice rink. A temporary rink was tried about twenty years ago and it was not successful so the staff worked to find a better solution. The last pond at the edge of Brown Deer near hole 3 north of Oakdale Boulevard is partially protected by the tree line and blocked from the wind so it regularly freezes over. Staff will try this as a skating solution. Seven inches of ice will be required before the pond will be opened for skating. Assistance in flooding a skim of water across the frozen pond will be provided by the fire department. Approval of Minutes from the November 15, 2021 meeting Commission Member Tawil made the motion to accept the minutes with the noted changes. Commission Member Mount seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Budget Requests for FY 2023 Parks and Recreation Director Proud noted that the department staffing continues to be an issue. Wages are lower than what is being researched for wages around the Corridor. Staff has prepared a report indicating employment offerings and respective wages have been noted between recreational positions and food service and retail positions within the Corridor. Proud talked about recruiting and how staff are reaching out to train lifeguards within a 30 mile radius. City of Coralville will be providing at least five classes from January to April. Employment with the City of Coralville offers experiences and opportunities related to the parks and recreation, customer service, child development, and an array of other experiences. In addition, flexibility in schedules had been noted as a primary concern of the employees. Staff clothing, feeling valued, and feeling appreciated in the position were also ranked very high in employment protocol. Holiday closings and special focus with the holiday work schedule are being considered. Overall, staff are recommending an increase of the budget for Parks and Recreation areas of $48,035. The following budget highlights were noted: Aquatic Facilities  Aquatic admit price change to $6.  Concession stand price increases noted across products; comparisons for onsite versus convenience store prices were considered  Student Family Advocates in schools has been an outlet to provide swim passes to kids who may not get to go swimming due to cost  Indoor pool floor coating will be improved  Aquatic pool tower painting may need to be completed in stages  Renovating the glazed blocks is on the project list to complete over the next year.  For pool use, staff makes journal entry transfers from camp budget to aquatics within our programming  Reservations for camp programs will continue to be required Brown Deer  Revenue included golf operations and beverage/food operations  Budget line items are a balance of historical numbers with COVID golf interest  Youth golf programming has met a community need with participation numbers doubling this year CCPA  Produced, presented and rental programs have been embraced by the community  An educational component has been an added feature with great results  The new traveling drama camp has supplemented revenue with positive opportunities and impact Indoor Pool Facility  Scheduled painting of the pool and deck will occur approximately the third week of June to beginning of September  Recreation and Indoor Pool Concept Plan will be revisited Parks   Trail emphasis and availability will be provided around Creekside Ball Park  Morrison Creek Bridge Connection near Applewood Condominiums will be constructed  Wetland plants infill money for Dovetail Wetlands is included in the budget  Renovation of east tennis courts into pickle ball courts Partnership Programs  Increases noted per service of monthly and seasonal operations  Change of Community Christ BASP for only after school care; partnership with Borlaug  COVID comparisons in the past from FY20 and FY21 respective of the impact  Fieldhouse Arena rentals have caused decrease rentals at partnership schools Pavilion  Rental costs increased by $10  Rentals were increased after COVID permission to open facilities  Reserve funds designated for chair replacements Recreation  Increase in program fees  Pursuit of part time staffing wage increases to decrease demand of coverage by full time staff  Showcase purchased in 1993; road worthy within 45 mile radius; new wrap and maintenance with hope to keep for 5-8 more years Streetscape Urban Renewal  Request for contract services for Hwy 6, Coral Ridge Avenue, and all stormwater amenities Proud also reviewed the projects that have plans but have not yet been funded.  Repair of Brown Deer deck and outside stairs  Russell Slade and cemetery improvements Phase I  Marriott east patio walls and electrical work on the fountains  Youth Sports Park Phase II  Camp Cardinal Boulevard Gateway project  Theater Barn plan  In working with Engineering, work on the collapsed bank south of Muddy Creek Bridge on Oakdale  Forever Greens Height Master Planning  Aquatics Competition Center and Recreation Center update  Basic amenities to open up Colony land Council Report Council Liaison Dodds shared the following:  The resolution on hiring of Confluence for the 5th Street Reimagine plan  Letter of intent with Clear Creek Amana CSD for an elementary with location within Coralville city grounds; consideration of a BASP  Recycling efforts will be moving forward with possible use of the Quality Care building on First Street. Eric Fisher will build a temporary recycling facility with a gated area which will then require set hours with chute to decrease cross contamination for the drop off site.  Notices have been sent for precincts changes given the increase of an additional site based on the most recent census  Installed outdoor accessible defibrillator by IC Noon Rotary located by Hayden Fry entrance into IRL area.  Retirement reception for Mayor John Lundell on December 28 Director Report Parks and Recreation Director Proud shared the following:  Reimagine and Revision on 5th Street moving forward  Rachel Montgomery has been hired to work evening weekend clerical at Rec Center with Admin Assistance hours and will take over some of the Pavilion oversite  Rec Passes for entry will be continued  At the recent Community Meal, 371 meals served in conjunction with the Aisle of Lights event  Holiday hours were shared for December and January  Proud will be out of the office at the end of the month Commission Comments  Commission Member Kyle McEvilly Commission Member McEvilly extended his thanks to Alex for the years of service (8 ½ years) while completing his three years of service. Additional gratitude to the Commission to serve along with them noting his appreciation of their experience. McEvilly looks forward to seeing what the Commission accomplishes in the future. Commission Member Marti Mount Commission Member Mount expressed her support of nets for the flexibility of pickle ball or tennis. Mount shared information about the Mt. Prospect community in Chicago with their offerings of both sports. Commission Member Dhuha Tawil Commission Member Tawil shared that the GIF analyst provides the mapping of community school districts with the GIS bill regarding the redistricting. Tawil noted that Johnson County may provide clarifications for the community regarding the billing. Tawil appreciated the volunteer efforts associated with the Aisle of Lights. She recognized the Scouts and the gentleman on 5th Street for their efforts in supporting the event. Commission Member Alex Taylor Commission Member Taylor acknowledged the continued efforts of Alex and his department for the construction of another segment of the singletrack trail in December. Taylor noted the leadership that Parks and Recreation Director Proud has provided. He noted her work, along with the Council and the Commission for their dedication in a job that is often underpaid and overworked. Adjournment Commission Member McEvilly made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:59 p.m. Commission Member Tawil seconded the motion; unanimous approval. The next meeting will be held Monday, January 24 (a week later than typically scheduled given the MLK Holiday).