Parks and Recreation Board

Mission Statement: Enriching the lives of our residents by providing safe & memorable experiences through people, places, programs, and partnerships. Core Values INTEGRITY: We accomplish our goals by developing an ethical, resilient & committed workforce that can adapt and thrive COMMUNICATION: We believe in open, honest, authentic, and respectful communication both internally and externally to maximize the quality of the parks and recreation system CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT: We believe in innovation to continuously improve our programs, facilities, parks, and services STEWARDSHIP: We believe in the responsible use and protection of the natural environment through education, conservation, and sustainable practices TEAMWORK: We value collaboration, inclusiveness, creativity, positivity, risk taking, sharing of resources, and cooperation toward common goals while having fun! “Be the reason someone smiles today!” 1. Call to Order: • The regular monthly meeting of the Winterset Park and Recreation Board was held Thursday March 9th, 2023 Darling called the meeting to order at 5:054pm at City Hall • Present: Darling, Anker, Salton, Gerleman • Absent: Kleemeier 2. Approval of Minutes • Salton MOTIONED to approve the Wednesday February 9, 2023 Parks and Recreation Board minutes. Gerleman Seconded. All members present were in favor. 3. Review Agenda • Nothing to add 4. Public Comment • None 5. Unfinished Business • None 6. New business Approve Payment of Bills Anker MOTIONED to approve. Darling Seconded All members present in favor.  Recreation Program Cost Analysis Smothers presented program comparisons for youth sports league amongst comparable municipalities as well as looking at program costs for Winterset Area Soccer Club and Winterset Little League. Smothers discussed it is hard to increase officials rates with our current rates and that Silver cord is a major factor in determining if youth basketball breaks even. As costs continue to rise, our programs are susceptible to lose money. Smothers mentioned that our goal is to not make a lot of money, but we should not be loosing money. Participation across all of our programs have seen sizable increases due to the restructuring of our programs, which in turn means that costs too, are increasing. Smothers mentioned that in his time here in Winterset, no one has ever indicated that the price of our programs are a barrier to their participation, and if that was the case, Smothers mentioned that they would register the child as our goal is to allow all youth the opportunity to participate. Smothers indicated that some of their goals, with a price increase would to look at the rate of officials pay, upgrade uniforms and look to hire site supervisors. Smothers also mentioned that they were not looking to increase T-Ball or 1st and 2nd grade programs, only those programs grade 3rd – 6th from the current $30 per participant to $40 per participant starting with the Youth Basketball league. After some discussion from the board it was recommended to increase the registration fee from $30 to $40 and we will re evaluate in the future. Gerleman MOTIONED to approve. Salton Seconded All members present in favor. Winterset Aquatic Center Smothers discussed that the WAC will open on Monday May 29th, weather and school make up date dependent. Currently conducting interviews for lifeguards and cashiers. 44 lifeguards have applied of which 25 are returning. Both pool managers are also returning. 5 of the 11 positions for Cashiers, are also returning. American Red Cross Swim Lessons will open on March 15th along with Pool Rentals. Private Swim Lessons will open as we get closer to the opening of the pool after we have a better understanding of our teams schedule and extracurricular activities 7. Report of Director • Smothers showed the board a sneak peak of the new website that staff have been diligently working on with the hopes that it is to go live in the next month Park Operations • Swings have been delivered for Hoyt/Sullivan Playground. Team Hoyt donated additional $3,500 for the equipment; City contributed $1,200 • Adjusted hours for Park Operations to get an earlier start on cleaning WAC, Prepping fields, getting parks rounds completed, and cleaning restrooms. • We have been notified that our recently approved new mower, may arrive sooner rather later • Reviewed age to operate mowers (16) and age to operate city owned vehicles (18) with our insurance provider. It was agreed upon that our underwriter will agree to this as long as there are zero moving violations on potential employees records. • Confluence has indicated that it is their hope that we start our Master/Business Plan for indoor space in late April early May • Campground reservations are right on pace with last year. o January 1 – March 7 (2022) $24,848 o January 1 – March 7 (2023) $24,637  • New and improved city website is forthcoming. This website will be very user friendly and now each department will be responsible for updating and managing their specific page. • Urban Forest Management Plan Presentation was made to the City Council on March 6th. This was a complimentary inventory courtesy of the Iowa DNR. This is a complete survey of all city owned trees, • Made in The Shade Project o Tree Commission partnership with Winterset Rotary ($10,000) ▪ Re Establish Downtown Tree Canopy ▪ 29 trees that are 3.5 to 4 inches in diameter will be planted in and around the historic downtown area after confirmation with homeowner • Husky Help Day Projects: Tuesday May 9th o Park Operations ▪ Firewood, park clean up etc…. ▪ Planting of trees with Tree Commission • Waiting to get revised drawings from Engineers for Ships Ladder after speaking with Parking Welding. Should have new design this week for Parker to start fabricating. • Finalize parts/materials list this month with Roberts Construction to remodel park restrooms from Mens and Women’s, to universal. • Gearing up for spring activities as WASC and WLL are anticipating (weather permitting) that Saturday March 18th will be their first day of usage of our facilities. Recreation Division • Program Surveys were sent out for the following programs. o Youth Basketball o Father/Daughter Dance o Mother/Son Nerf War • COED Volleyball is ongoing, Kendra Schirm has been our site supervisor and all is going well • Met with Madison County Conservation board and are finalizing logistics to offer canoe/kayak safety class at the WAC • Working with Flourish Chiropractic to sponsor a youth fishing day at Cedar Lake in partnership with County Conservation Board • Finalizing Movie in the Parks for June, July & August • Met with tennis professional from Lifetime fitness and are working on finalizing youth/adult tennis and pickleball sessions. Lifetime currently provides programming for several parks and recreation departments in Iowa. A recreational services agreement would be in place with Lifetime (insurance requirements, revenue sharing etc…) • Coed T- Ball is currently accepting registrations, currently have 123 participants. • Coed Adult Softball is currently accepting registrations. • Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday April 8th, 11:00am for ages 0 – 9 o Event sponsored by Madison County Realty o A new Bunny costume has recently been purchased. • Winterset Aquatic Center update o Opening Day: Monday May 29th o Currently conducting interviews for lifeguards/Cashiers ▪ 44 guards have applied. • 25 are returning guards. ▪ Both Pool Mangers are returning ▪ 5 of 11 positions for Cashier are returning (25 new applications) o ARC Swim Lessons open on March 15th o Pool Rentals open on March 15th o Private Swim Lessons will open closer to opening of pool. 8. Open Board Discussion • Salton brought up a question she heard related to as why do we not allow kids to play up in divisions for our programs? • Smothers mentioned that he had already spoke to induvial to let them know that we do not allow kids to play up. Smothers proceeded to explain that this practice can be harmful to the overall league, as many children developmentally, are not able to grasp certain concepts, regardless if their parent thinks they can. Smothers also said that if we let one in, we have to let all in, regardless of skill or development, which again, will impact the league negatively. 9. Selection of February Finance Chair: Kleemeier 10. Adjournment • The next Parks and Recreation Board meeting is Thursday April 13th 5:00pm at City Hall • Meeting to adjourn was made by Anker and seconded by Gerleman All members present in favor • Meeting was adjourned at 5:42p Respectively submitted, _____________________________________ Sky Smothers, Director Parks and Recreation