Coralville Civil Service

Coralville Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes May 16, 2022 Call to Order Commission Chairperson Fred Fevold called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. Present were Commission Members Kevin Goulding, Mackensie Graham, and Dhuha Tawil, Mayor Meghann Foster, and Parks and Recreation Director Sherri Proud. This meeting began at the Firefighter Memorial and included a tour of the memorial area and Guitar Pond. Citizen comments Parks and Recreations Director Proud shared that attempts have been made to decrease by cutting and/or drowning cattails at the wetland area utilizing natural means. the City may seek permission through the Army Corps of Engineer to investigate raising the water level in the pond but this likely will be a pretty expensive project. Mayor Foster noted that the ongoing education is important for patrons and neighborhoods. Approval of Minutes from the April 18, 2022 meeting Commission Member Graham made the motion to accept the meeting minutes from March 2022 with the noted changes. Commission Member Goulding seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Meet and Greet with Mayor Meghann Foster Commission Members introduced themselves, background and current information, and their interest in their roles as Commission Members. Mayor Foster and Parks and Recreation Director Proud also shared their public service and interests. The Commission was thanked for their service. Consideration of Approval of FY23 Recreation Program Fees Parks and Recreation Director Proud shared an overview of the ten-year comparison of recreation fees. Proud emphasized that the goal is to provide quality programming with a nice mix of opportunities and to keep the pricing at a reasonable rate. The rates have been raised slightly over the past ten years and staff continues to monitor. Commission Members discussed the exercise room punch card options and values. Creative scheduling for fall and summer softball have developed in similar programming timeframes. As discussed at previous meetings, the impact of COVID on programs and staffing continue to be factors on present numbers. Many duties and assignments were dispersed among current staffing as feasible after COVID budget cuts. The evening administrator position was eliminated and these duties have not necessarily been reassigned. The current plan is not to hire for this position but plans are being considered given the school district changes with grade level adjustments to the junior high setting which will also impact student and teacher staffing hours. Proud shared that a partnership is being worked on with UAY. Commission Member Tawil made the motion to approve the recreation fees as discussed and proposed. Commission Member Graham seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Council Report A Council Liaison was not present, Director Report Proud reviewed the wind down of spring and the wind up for summer. Mayor Foster proclaimed May as bike month. Events are focusing on promoting safety and recognizing recreation possibilities with rides to school, promoting bike bells and other swag, sales of bike helmets, and certificates from police and city officials. The Veteran’s Memorial recently had an open house and a local family will be featured in an article over Memorial Day weekend by the Gazette. Commission Comments Commission Member Fred Fevold Commission Member Fevold commented on his appreciation of the reference and union of the memorial campus. Commission Member Kevin Goulding Commission Member Goulding commented on the Firefighter Memorial and the stunning aesthetics of the design, flowerbeds, and park resulting in an European mall feeling. Proud shared information of the annual memorial event in June which embraces the hallowed feeling represented by the sacrifice embraced in the line of duty. Commission Member Mackensie Graham No comments Commission Member Dhuha Tawil Commission Member Tawil gave a shout out to the Parks and Recreation Department and hope people take advantage of all that is offered. Adjournment Commission Member Tawil made the motion to adjourn the meeting and proceed with the tour of facilities and area. Commission Member Goulding seconded the motion; unanimous approval. The group did a walking tour of Guitar Pond, Veterans Memorial and Oak Hill Cemetery. The area where Guitar Pond is located was originally an outlot for the Bridgewater subdivision. The City accepted the outlot so future storm storage can be facilitated before the water goes south of the interstate. The pond has had a lot of algae in it so one of the first things staff has done is to stock it with grass carp so they can begin helping reduce the algae. It will take several years of them growing before that will start to be noticed. In the interim, staff will dye the water so the sunlight does not reach the bottom and reduces algae growth. The dye is not harmful to fish, fowl, animals, or people. The developer will install a fountain which will also help aerate the water. Staff have divided the work around the pond into three phases. Phase I is from midway on the west side around to the top. Tree debris and broken limbs will be cleaned up, the hillside will be mowed and seeded with natives, and a bench will be installed on a nice overlook point. This fall, staff will work on the northeast corner and along the east side. Winter/spring, they will work on the south side and around to the west. The path around the pond will be completed by developer spring of 2023. At Veterans Memorial, Proud shared that the committee was about $50,000 away from completing the final phase of installing 6 granite panels with the etched medallion of each branch of the military. The front sign was a generous gift by Richard and Ann Burton. Committee is working towards completing so a grand opening can be celebrated on November 11, 2022. Proud also shared the Oak Hill Cemetery master plan with columbarium and changes to perimeter with columns and fencing.