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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-10-2018 Parks and Recreation CommissionIowa City Parks and Recreation Commission Wednesday, January 10, 2018 Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center — Meeting Room B 220 S. Gilbert St. AGENDA ITEM CALL TO ORDER ITEM 2 5:00 P.M.: STEAM MURAL RIBBON CUTTING AND ROBERT A LEE RECREATION CENTER OPEN HOUSE — CHAD DYSON & KUMI MORRIS ITEM 3 RECEPTION AND RECOGNITION OF OUTGOING COMMISSION MEMBERS (CLAY CLAUSSEN & LARRY BROWN) ITEM 4 APPROVAL OF MINUTES ITEM 5 ELECTION OF OFFICERS ITEM 6 PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA ITEM 7 RIVERFRONT CROSSINGS PARK CONTRIBUTION/HICKORY TRAIL PARK RENAMING REQUEST— BRIANNA & BRIAN WILLS ITEM 8 NATURAL AREAS PLAN DRAFT REVIEW — DOUG MENSING, APPLIED ECOLOGICAL SERVICES ITEM 9 NEIGHBORHOOD OPEN SPACE REVIEW: UNIVERSITY LAKE PARTNERS DEVELOPMENT (SOUTH OF 1-80, WEST OF PRAIRIE DU CHIEN ROAD) —ZAC HALL ITEM 10 PLAYGROUND ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSION REPORT —ZAC HALL ITEM 11 REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF a) Recreation Division Superintendent —Chad Dyson b) Parks Division Superintendent —Zac Hall ITEM 12 CHAIRS REPORT ITEM 13 COMMISSION TIME/SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ITEM 14 ADJOURN If you will need disability -related accommodations in order to participate in this program/event, please contact Tammy Neumann, Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department at 3191356-5210 or tommy- neumann@iowa-city.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs. MINUTES DRAFT DECEMBER 13, 2017 PARK LODGE — TERRY TRUEBLOOD RECREATION AREA Members Present: Suzanne Bentler, Larry Brown, Clay Claussen, Wayne Fett, Cara Hamann, Lucie Laurian, Angie Smith, Jamie Venzon, Members Absent: Joe Younker Staff Present: Juli Seydell Johnson, Chad Dyson, Zac Hall, Ashley Monroe Others Present: Nancy Carlson, Del Holland CALL TO ORDER Chairman Claussen called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: (to become effective only after separate Council action): Moved by Fett, seconded by Hamann, to approve the Parks and Recreation fees and charees for FY19 as proposed. Motion passed 9-0 (Younker absent). OTHER FORMAL ACTION: Moved by Fett, seconded by Hamann, to approve the November 8, 2017 minutes as written. Passed 6-0 (Gentler, Venzon & Younker absent). Bentler and Venzon arrived at 5:02 p.m. PUBLIC DISCUSSION Claussen welcomed Nancy Carlson to the meeting. Carlson was present to ask the Commission to consider recommending that the City purchase a vacant, privately owned undeveloped lot located between Jefferson and Washington Streets. The lot is currently for sale at an asking price of $75,000. Carlson would like to see this property remain an open space rather than it being developed for other use. Claussen mentioned that he had contacted the owners of the property about a year ago to propose that they donate the property to the City. He did not get a response, either way, however, he is no longer in a position where he can re - approach them. Seydell Johnson explained that this property was originally platted as part of a development and is currently private open space. She further stated that building on this property would be difficult as it is in a flood plain. She said that the property is not ideal for the placement of a park due to its topography, stating that it is quite steep on the north side and lacks connection to other park spaces. Laurian said that while it looks narrow on paper, it feels larger than one would think when actually standing on the property. Seydell Johnson pointed out that this property is close to Glendale Park which serves as a neighborhood park for this area. STAFF INTRODUCTION — AMERICORPS Seydell Johnson introduced four of the five AmeriCorps team to the Commission. Clare Brandt has been with the team for the past year. The other four began this Fall. They are Rebecca Barrett, Megan Hill, Laura Anderson & Whitney Springer. They are working on a number of sustainability projects for the department as well as offering energy audits for residents of Iowa City. Amanda Opitz is the department PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION December 13, 2017 Page 2 of 5 staff person leading this team. Each volunteer that was present shared a little bit of information about themselves with Commission. Claussen thanked them for their dedication and work on behalf of the Commission. BUDGET PRESENTATION — ASHLEY MONROE, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER Seydell Johnson reminded Commission that they had asked at a previous meeting for an update on how the property tax reform of 2013 has affected the City budget. Assistant City Manager, Ashley Monroe, presented an update. This includes changes in taxes paid by multi -family residential properties. She explained that this change has decreased the tax revenue to the City by nearly 4% per year that will continue through 2024. She also noted that the cumulative loss will be over $15 million without the backfill. She noted that the City must make up for this in some way. She did note that with the amount of growth in Iowa City, the City ended up with a strong fiscal year, however, the backfill continues to be vulnerable. Monroe shared a presentation with the Commission, a copy of which is attached. Monroe noted that the budget proposal will be out next week and that department heads will present to Council on January 6. There is also a list serve where the public can sign up to receive any budget updates/changes. PARKS AND RECREATION FEES & CHARGES — CHAD DYSON Dyson referred Commission members to the charge matrix included in their commission packets. He explained that there is a 3% increase overall except for a few charges as follows: Staff is proposing a decrease in the Wednesday farmers market vendor fees. The Wednesday market has seen a steady decline in vendors over the last several years. The hope is that this will encourage more vendors to participate. Also of note, is that the Wednesday evening market is 2 hours, where the Saturday market is 4 % hours, but fees have been the same for both markets. There is also a proposed decrease in Tot Time (an in -door playground held at Mercer/Scanlon Gym for children ages 1 through 6) entry fees from $1.50 to $1.00. The numbers attending this program have declined over the years and the hope is that the lower price will encourage more participants. Dyson noted that there is no increase proposed for the gymnasium rental fees as the department is at the top of the range when compared to other recreation facilities in the area. Moved by Fett, seconded by Hamann, to approve the Parks and Recreation fees and charges for FY19 as proposed. Motion passed 9-0 (Younker absent). PLAYGROUND STANDARDS REVIEW — ZAC HALL Due to software issues, this presentation is rescheduled for the January 10, 2018 Commission Meeting. REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF Recreation Division Superintendent Report — Chad Dyson • Recreation Construction Update: Dyson reported that the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center closed on Monday, December 11, and will remain closed through January 7, for continued renovation. During the closure, the gym floor will be sanded and resurfaced, the pool will get a new paint job and the main stairway and rails will be replaced. Much of the staff will be moving to other Parks and Recreation facilities during the shutdown. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION December 13, 2017 Page 3 of 5 • Recreation Program Registration: Registration for winter/spring programs began today. Due to the closing of the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center, people registering in person were directed to Mercer Park Aquatic Center/Scanlon Gymnasium. Recreation Operation Change: Customer Service hours at both facilities will begin opening at 6 a.m. These new hours will start at Mercer on Monday, December 18 and at the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center upon reopening on January 8. Pool patrons will now be check in and pay at the customer service desk rather than the pools. This will allow for better control of cash handling. It will also provide supervision of the fitness area at Robert A. Lee Recreation Center as the fitness area opens at 6 a.m. • New Fitness Equipment: The department is working with Purchasing to lease 13 new pieces of fitness equipment for the Recreation Center. They will be installed shortly after the new year. Four pieces of equipment have been moved to Mercer during the RALRC shutdown. Claussen asked if staff had any thoughts on why ball clubs seem to be moving towards using Coralville fields rather than Iowa City. Dyson said he will discuss with Jeff Sears, Program Supervisor for sports programming, to get his thoughts/input. Parks Division Superintendent Report — Zac Hall • Staffing: Hall reported that he has recently hired two new Maintenance Worker 1-Forestry staff members. One of which is a current employee with Parks, Nate Steele. The other is Ramiro Ortiz, a transfer from City Refuse. • Controlled Burn: Hall worked with the Friends of Hickory Hill Park, as well as Earthview Environmental to complete the controlled burn. • Vegetation Clean-up: Hall reported that staff is working on vegetation clearing around creek areas. • Recreation Upgrades: Parks staff is assisting Recreation Staff with the painting of the gymnasium. • Encampment Clean -Up: Hall reported that staff recently cleaned out under bridges along Highway 6 and Benton St. They disposed of 5.5 tons of encampment material from this area. He noted that the occupants are given 48-hour notice as well as some time on site the day of the clean-up. • Budget Preparation: Hall said that Parks staff have completed the first phase of budget preparation. He mentioned that one item of interest is a request to install automatic locks on parks restrooms. He stated that this will save much time that staff currently spends going to each facility and doing so by hand. Seydell Johnson made note that the request for Big Belly garbage and recycling receptacles at Terry Trueblood Recreation Area will likely not be approved due to the high cost to manage. It was found that they cost approximately $48,000 per year to install and maintain. Directors Report: Project Update: • Happy Hollow — Out to bid in December. • BAS System: Bids anticipated this week. • HVAC at Mercer: Out to bid in January. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION December 13, 2017 Page 4 of 5 • Cardigan Park: Park trail, shelter and firepit out to bid in January • Riverfront Crossings: shelter, restrooms, signage and creek side work moving into final design and out to bid next summer. Foundation Update: Seydell Johnson reported on the Parks & Recreation Foundation accounts which are managed through the Community Foundation of Johnson County. She reminded members that once the endowment fund reaches $100,000, withdrawals can be made. While the account has reached $107,000 as of November 30, she has no recommendations for withdrawals at this point. She expressed gratitude to Dee & Pete Vanderhoef who continue to donate annually to this fund. Other donations to this account include those from other community members as well as from City employees who have designated their United Way contributions to the Parks and Recreation Foundation. She reported the status of the Charitable Giving Account as well which she described as an in and out account. Donations to this account include funds for miscellaneous projects such as the City Park cabin restoration project, Sand Prairie restoration, the Swim Here program which provides scholarships for swim lessons, Farm to Street Dinner funds which are to be used for the farmers market or community gardens, memorial funds given for park benches, trees, etc. These accounts will be drawn down as projects progress or benches are installed etc. January Commission Meeting: Seydell Johnson announced that the election of officers will take place at the Commission's January meeting. She also noted that there are three members whose terms expire on January 1, 2018. Those include Larry Brown, Clay Claussen and Angie Smith. Claussen and Smith have reapplied. The Council will appoint members at their December 19 meeting. She also noted that there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony for the STEAM play area/mural at the beginning of the January meeting, as well as an open house for the reopening of the Recreation Center, and a reception for any outgoing Commission members. CHWERS REPORT Claussen noted that while he as reapplied to the Commission, he has recently learned that a current member is not guaranteed reappointment. In fact, a member is limited to one reappointment to a full term in order to increase the opportunity for new applicants to serve. COMMISSION TIME/SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: Laurian said she is very interested in pursuing the possibility of purchasing the property that was introduced at the beginning of the meeting by Nancy Carlson. She likes the idea of it becoming a natural area. She is looking forward to hearing more about this in the future. ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Hamann, seconded by Bentler, to adjourn the meeting at 6:21 p.m. Motion passed 9-0 (Younker absent). PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION December 13, 2017 Page 5 of 5 PARKS AND RECREATION ATTENDANCE RECORD KEY: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused NAME TERM '. EXPIRES Suzanne 1/1/17 X NM X X X LQ X X X X X X Bentler Larry Brown 1/1/18 X NM O/E X X LQ X O/E X X X X Clay 1/1/18 X NM X X X LQ X X X X X X Claussen Wayne Fett 1/1/19 X NM X X X LQ X X X X O/E X Cara 1/1/20 O/E NM X X X LQ X X X X O/E X Hamann Lucie 1/1/10 X NM X X X LQ * O/E X O/E O/E X Laurian Angie Smith 1/l/18 * * O/E X X LQ X X X O/E X X Jamie l/l/20 X NM X X X LQ X X X X O/E X Venzon Joe Younker 1/1/20 X NM O/E X X LQ X X X X X O/E NM = No meeting LQ = No meeting due to lack of quorum * = Not a member at this time U V) 3 0 I I A o �o r-I �o r o ti / IZ4- V L J 70 O � 0 O U z V) • O O N O N � O U Q� O CN 3 O L, > �0 >� Qo o� �7C) o Q- 0 D 0 N > � -- > U� c) Ln �' c0 U 00 (Da:r-- U v) N 0 0 Q m U o c 0 0 LO LO o Ln Q m v 6 N T N .� N � 3 CIO N N L p Ln O O O Q N Q � i O O � Q • �. 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E o o N w w U U a O O L E N p O O Q U- N O O O > > ' `-" >1 O X O O U N Ln O .� O p VI Q N O O O } O O U N L O w U O N O N Ln CD O O N O Q O U O L D O U X � }� �U� Ln -0 °c am U Q i Q _0 O U N �Q T-LnLn U— Q o Ln �o E cy) O } C L U N O O> E U-0 0-0 Q O �} i (D -g-- � O E Q N N O p N N N 0 N 0 N 0 0 N O O 0 O O O O O O O O O O 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ci 0 0 00 0 oN oN m N N H 0 D O January 1, 2018 Brianna and Brian Wills 70 Hickory Place Iowa City, IA 52245 Juli Seydell Johnson, CPRP Director of Parks & Recreation 220 S. Gilbert St. Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Mrs. Johnson, Thank you for meeting with us on Monday, December 18, 2017. As we discussed, we would like to proceed with contributing to the Riverfront Crossings Park, specifically the Explorer Path: Playground Experience. We will plan to fund this project by having $16,000 transferred from our account at the Community Foundation of Johnson County into the Iowa City Parks & Recreation Foundation I Iowa City Parks, Preservation and Improvement Endowment Fund also at the Community Foundation of Johnson County. In terms of the phrasing on the marking stone, we would like to call it "Calder's Path" and below that: "In Memory of Calder I Wills (2005-2017), Our Budding Gymnast." We would also like to initiate the process of renaming Hickory Trail Park located at 2831 Hickory Trail as "Calder's Park". We would like to help fund further improvements to that park over time as deemed appropriate by the Parks and Recreation Department. Please let us know what further information you may need from us and also when you would like for us to transfer the funds into the Iowa City Parks & Recreation Foundation I Iowa City Parks, Preservation and Improvement Endowment Fund. We very much look forward to continuing to work with you to further the development of outstanding parks and trails for the residents of Iowa City. Sincerely, Brianna Wills Brian Wills CITY NAMING POLICY I. The naming of an entire building, facility or parcel of real property in recognition of an individual, organization, business or corporation, or other entity, shall first require the approval of both an ad hoc naming committee and City Council. The ad hoc naming committee shall be made up of the City Manager, the relevant City Department Head, and one member from the relevant City -affiliated foundation, if any. If the naming is in recognition of a financial donation to the City, the donation shall be in an amount no less than 50% of the total value of the entire building, facility or parcel of real property. Such donations shall be memorialized in writing in a standardized City Naming Agreement. The naming of any other City property shall require the approval of the relevant City Department Head. 2. The entity having ultimate authority to approve the naming (City Council or the Department Head) shall also have the authority to approve both the wording of the naming and the means by which the naming is displayed and/or published. Appropriate naming recognition for a philanthropic act may be made in the form of a plaque, engraving, or other suitable form of recognition in acknowledgement and appreciation of a specific gift. 3. The decision to name a public facility after an individual on account of their historical significance or impact on the community shall be made no sooner than two years following their death. 4. The City Council reserves the right to rescind any naming or recognition given to any individual, organization, business or corporation, or other entity if at any time the individual, organization, business or corporation, or other entity is found to have neglected to uphold the standards of good citizenship. 5. The individual, organization, business or corporation, or other entity after whom the City structure/facility, property, or improvements is named shall possess no additional rights to the City structure/facility, property, or improvements bearing their name, or to any other City property. 6. All City Boards, Commissions, Departments, affiliated foundations, other City entities shall take into account these policy guidelines when conducting fundraising campaigns, or making naming recommendations to the City Council or Department Head. E 11 ��uS ,MKon To: Juli Seydell Johnson, Director of Parks & Recreation From: Zachary Hall, Superintendent of Parks Date: January 4, 2018 Re: Natural Areas Plan Draft Review Commission Role: Review, provide comments and approval of current draft. Background • In 2008 Sustainability Coordinator Brenda Nations began writing a Natural Areas Plan for twelve natural areas parcels owned by the city. • In 2015 the twelve parcel Natural Areas Plan was completed and incorporated into the STAR rating system for sustainable communities. • In 2016 the Parks and Recreation department, Public Works department and Sustainability Coordinator Brenda Nations identified 42 sites to be incorporated into a system -wide natural areas plan. • After a competitive RFP process Applied Ecological Services (AES) was selected in the fall of 2016 as the firm to complete the Natural Areas Management Plan. • Most of 2017 was spent collaborating, collecting background data, field data and aerial imagery that has been processed and organized into the current draft. Project Timeline • Final draft will be finished in the next month ready for acceptance. Attachments: 0 Draft of Executive Summary of Natural Areas Management Plan EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Iowa City was founded on the natural resources in and around the Iowa River and its tributaries. Early American settlers recognized the value of the Iowa River for transportation and water power and the surrounding prairies as highly productive cropland. Over the decades, the City developed an extensive park system for both active and passive recreation. Iowa City has over 1,500 acres of parks and natural areas, harboring several high quality, large ecosystems characteristic of central Iowa. Natural areas in the parks represent the City's best and most protected natural habitat. A natural area is land and water that exists in a natural condition, with human use largely limited to foot traffic. Natural areas vary greatly in size, the type of vegetation they contain, and the connections to other natural areas — connections that let many species survive in good numbers over time These parks and natural areas are valuable to the community, providing important ecosystem services — those spontaneous benefits people gain from nature's processes —such as water purification and regulation, soil building and maintenance, wildlife and fish production, and air purification. On the other hand, past land uses, erosion, and colonization by invasive species compromised the functions and value of the City's natural areas and natural resources. This plan seeks to reverse that trend and improve the ecological health and resilience of the City (including meeting the City's STAR Community goals) by laying out a program of ecological restoration and management for the next ten years. Iowa City's park system contains about 430 acres of forest, 188 acres of prairie, and 79 acres of wetlands —as well as smaller areas of savanna, shrubland, and open water. This land and water supports recreation, serves stormwater management and wellhead protection, and achieves wetland mitigation. Iowa City is proud of its recent progress in managing natural areas. The City has invested about $8 million dollars to purchase, construct, and maintain these areas. Long-term planning, focused management, and additional funding are needed to control invasive species, conduct prescribed burns, and implement conservation practices that protect this investment and ensure the health and resilience of its natural areas for the long term. Only with a commitment to ongoing and long-term management will the cultural, economic and ecological benefits and attractiveness of these natural areas be ensured. This Natural Areas Inventory and Management Plan ("Natural Areas Plan") identifies locations owned or managed by the City that warrant management. It also specifies how best to restore and regularly manage these areas in order to preserve their ecological functions and increase biodiversity, which the STAR Community guidance recommends. Without this planning, together with adequate funding and a program of implementation, the City may not achieve its STAR goals for the environment and other conservation goals. This vision statement was developed specifically for Iowa City's Natural Areas Plan Iowa City recognizes the important role that natural areas play in an urban and suburban setting. The City's natural areas are a boon for local residents, an enjoyable and interactive experience for families, children, and visitors, an outdoor classroom for students of all ages, and a home for a surprising variety of wildlife. Maintaining an equitable distribution of natural landscapes throughout the City ensures that current and future generations will continue to enjoy these resources. These renewed spaces will persist in supporting a strong and diverse economy, fostering healthy and active lifestyles, advancing environmental sustainability, and enhancing quality of life. City of Iowa City — Natural Areas Inventory and Management Plan (16-0777) These planning principles, developed by staff and consultants, will guide natural areas restoration and management in Iowa City. Overall • Protect the City's sensitive natural resources in order to foster resilient and biodiverse natural areas within Iowa City • Understand the historical and current conditions of natural areas to describe a future ecological path for natural resources • Design within the limits of existing soil, hydrology, and vegetation conditions • Create attractive and resilient plant communities that can be managed economically • Tell the ecological story of the City to inspire people through its restoration • Bring people into the City's natural areas while protecting biodiversity and ecosystem resilience • Use indicators and monitoring to document trends in natural resources and determine the success of restoration and management efforts Vegetation • Protect and restore the City s rare ecological land cover types to prevent their disappearance • Maintain and enhance common land cover types • Promote a natural variety of native flowering plants across the growing season • Control the invasive or aggressive native plants that reduce biodiversity and ecological resilience • Establish a vegetation structure that requires the least effort to maintain wildlife • Protect, improve, and restore habitat for all wildlife • Create the largest, roundest habitats for area -sensitive wildlife species (round habitats tend to be higher quality because. they resist negative edge effects from adjacent land uses) • Design to reduce wildlife -damaging edge effects from adjacent properties • Install special habitat features (nest boxes, etc.) • Identify and seek to make connections to similar habitat on nearby conservation lands Soil & Hydrology • Preserve stable soils and natural hydrology • Find solutions to eroding soils and damaged hydrology • Protect neighboring properties from water damage • Use vegetative stabilization and a natural ecosystems approach before resorting to more hard -armored and engineered solutions • Use a series of natural features (e.g., rain gardens, prairies, wetlands) to manage stormwater runoff from impervious cover, beginning with reducing runoff at its source • Design soil and hydrology solutions in the most cost-effective way possible Human Use • Separate minimum use sensitive natural areas from locations that can accommodate higher use • Make management easier by defining management units and access points • Detect problems early by monitoring trail and off -trail use • Recruit organizations, experts and volunteers to help maintain and monitor natural areas • Protect cultural resources City of Iowa City —Natural Areas Inventory and Management Plan (16-0777) 2 This Natural Areas Plan focused on 42 City parks and natural areas selected by City staff and consultants. Existing reports, plans, and other information were gathered and reviewed. At the project onset in 2016, Applied Ecological Services, Inc. (AES) took high resolution, multi -spectral aerial imagery of the entire City. This increased the efficiency and accuracy of land cover mapping of natural areas; the imagery will be useful for other City purposes as well. With an intensive field effort in 2017, the consultants completed an inventory and quality assessment of all sites. To broadly characterize each site, land cover was mapped and plant communities documented in photos. Plant species were identified and given an abundance rating in each plant community at each site. Incidental wildlife observations also were made. The inventory and assessment confirmed that Iowa City supports regionally significant natural areas, uncommon native plants, and interesting animal species. All of the 42 sites, however, were affected by past incompatible land uses, invasive species, and suppression of surface fires, a natural disturbance that most of the City's original plant communities required on a regular basis to maintain their integrity. The field of applied restoration ecology has developed techniques for addressing these issues and impacts. Removing invasive vegetation, planting diverse native species, and restoring natural disturbances, especially prescribed burning, are proven and effective ways to restore the ecological health of natural lands and waters. Landscape ecology and population biology have demonstrated that enlarging and connecting natural areas creates viable habitat for many species that disappear from small, isolated natural areas. Better quality and larger, more connected natural areas will increase the enjoyment by residents and visitors of the natural bounty and beauty in Iowa City's parks. Brief management plans for each of the 42 sites —called "management briefs" —provide guidance for Iowa City staff, volunteers, and others to understand the restoration and management intentions for each site (Appendix B). Each management brief gives general site information, detailed plant lists and abundance by plant community, restoration and management recommendations, and opinions of probable cost to complete initial restoration and management work. Every City has competing financial priorities. Recognizing this, City staff and consultants developed a ten-year site priority and phasing plan for restoration and management work. The scenario described in this Natural Areas Plan assumes $100,000 is expended in the first year and slightly more for the following nine years, increasing 2 percent annually for inflation. One quarter of the budget is assumed to come from grants, with the City to provide $75,000 in its annual budget. Work begins with the largest, most important natural areas: Ryerson's Woods, Hickory Hill, Kickers Soccer Park, Sand Prairie, Sycamore Greenway, Terry Trueblood, and Waterworks. The City can expand its effort to other areas with new funding sources, such as new REAP grants, and cost -saving strategies including partnerships and volunteers. Funding staff positions dedicated to natural area restoration and management can leverage additional restoration and management work by directing volunteers, writing grants, and doing the work itself. Executing this Natural Areas Plan and raising STAR scores for the environment will also require that the City revise its policy and ordinances to benefit natural areas, rare species, and ecosystem health. Committing to perpetual stewardship after the initial major restoration effort finishes is, of course, the most important first step the City can take to improve the health and resilience of its natural areas and secure their ecosystem services and recreational benefits for its residents. City of Iowa City— Natural Areas Inventory and Management Plan )16-0777) En To: Juli Seydell Johnson, Director of Parks & Recreation From: Zachary Hall, Superintendent of Parks Date: January 4, 2018 Re: University Lake Partners Development — Foster Rd. Development Commission Role: Review and vote on accepting fees in lieu of parkland dedication or accept land. Background: • December 2017; application for rezoning submitted to Planning and Zoning Commission for Foster Road planned development. • 1.39 acre required for dedication or fees in lieu of per Comprehensive Plan. Analysis: • —24-acre Outlot A proposed by developer for parkland dedication. • Ruggedly steep wooded area south of Interstate - 80. • No access exists to the site or is conceptualized with the proposed development. • No connectivity to existing parkland or trails exists. Staff Recommendation: • Staff recommends accepting fees in lieu of parkland dedication. • Staff does not recommend this parcel be considered for dedication due to: -the lack of connectivity to other parkland -inaccessibility for the public and staff -additional staff and resource burden -challenging land type for trails or park amenities to be added -size and type of land does not align with North district recommendations outlined in the Parks Master Plan Attachments: 0 Map of Outlot A Foster Road Development EPw �c lion To: Juli Seydell Johnson, Director of Parks & Recreation From: Zachary Hall, Superintendent of Parks Date: January 4, 2018 Re: Accessibility and alignment with ADA standards within parks Commission Role: Provide feedback regarding current state and future planning regarding accessibility, inclusiveness and alignment of ADA guidelines within parks. Background • The 2017 Parks Master Plan identified, inventoried and ranked park areas with respect to accessibility and alignment with ADA standards. • Prior to the 2017 Parks Master Plan there was no comprehensive accessibility assessment performed for park areas. • The 2017 Parks Master Plan outlined three system -wide priorities to address accessibility and alignment: 1) Maintain fall -zone surfaces, 2) Provide accessible picnic tables, 3) Provide parking, truncated curb ramps and paths to park amenities. Project Timeline 2018 projects will include accessible paths to playgrounds at Pheasant Hill Park, Highland Park and Mercer Park. Future accessibility projects will follow CIP budget requests. Attachments: 0 ADA Improvement Updates spreadsheet Iowa City Parks & Recreation Commission Packet January 10, 2018 Upcoming Events • RAL STEAM mural ribbon cutting —January 10", 5pm —Robert A. Lee Recreation Center • High school basketball league —begins on January 17`^ —Alexander Elementary School • Freeze Fest — February 10'h, 1-3pm — Terry Trueblood Lodge Status — Previous Commission Items and Discussions September 2017 ➢ Discussion of Pet Rules —Dog Leash rules. — • Will be placed on February agenda October2017 ➢ Request to Discuss Playground Accessibility January agenda Iowa City Parks and Recreation Commission Packet I City of Iowa City Notable from Parks & Recreation Staff Parks • The Forestry division welcomes Nate Steele and Ramiro Ortiz to the newly created Maintenance Worker — I Forestry positions. Nate holds an A.A. degree from Kirkwood in Parks and Natural Resource Management and is transferring from the Parks division. Ramiro is on track to complete training as a Certified EMT and is transferring from the Refuse division. Both Nate and Ramiro have previous experience with the Forestry division as temporary seasonal staff members. • Staff has been assisting Facilities and Recreation staff with RALRC renovations. Recreation: • Due to the RAL shutdown the winter break camp was held at Mercer Park Aquatic Center/Scanlon Gym. Registration numbers increased from last year. • Special Olympic Winter Games will be in Dubuque on January 8-9. We have 27 athletes competing in various sports. • Program supervisors have been assisting with various facility tasks during the RAL shutdown. Cemetery: • The cemetery had 5 funerals in December, but did not have to defrost the ground. We will deal with some frozen ground this month. Facilities: • Robert A. Lee Recreation Center Remodeling Project- The facility will open on January 8t". The new terrazzo stairs will be completed on January 4tn and stainless -steel handrails will be installed on January 4t^. The wall and floor tile and toilet accessories are complete and installed in the ADA family restrooms. The gym floors have been sanded and new lines repainted. The Parks and Maintenance staff did a great job painting the gym. • RALRC STEAM mural — New carpet and benches are installed in the lobby, completing the area of the STEAM mural. • City of Iowa City Building Automation Upgrades and Improvement Projects 2017- The City received no bids for this project. Council passed a resolution to reset a new bid date for January 25tn • City Park Cabin Restoration Project- is progressing, the architect is working to organize a visit to Heritage Woodworking workshop in late February/early March. • Mercer/Scanlon HVAC and Boiler Replacement Project- City Council approved plans and specifications on 12/05. A pre -bid was held on December 14; twelve contractors attended. Bids are due on January 11t". • Happy Hollow Park- City Council will hold a public hearing on December 19`h. The plans have been reworked to reduce cost in the shelter portion of the project. The changes include using Douglas Fir timber rather than a glulam system, changing the gauge of the metal roof and alternates for the limestone base and exposed versus concealed fasteners. Iowa City Parks and Recreation Commission Packet I City of Iowa City • On January I" the water supply lines in the Ashton House froze and burst causing damage to the main level. We are in the process of clean up, dehumidification, mechanical and plumbing repairs and accessing the damage to the floors and restrooms. The pipes froze after to a local area MidAmerican power outage, causing the breakers to trip in the facility. The outage shut down both furnaces and may have caused damage to lower level furnace, which requiring parts for repair. Staff are working with contractors for repairs and accessing the damage. Top Staff Issues Parks • Staff was called in the last weekend before the new year to address snow removal. • Cold temperatures have limited seasonal outside work. Recreation • Preparing for winter/spring programs to begin. • Staff is busy hiring temp staff for programming and facility operations. Cemetery • Staff has been busy recently with snow removal and equipment repairs/maintenance. Facilities • RALRC staff continues to assist in the remodeling, moving furniture and coordinating and assisting the sub -contractors in mechanical, electrical and plumbing shut -offs. • During Robert A. Lee Recreation Center December shut down, the Recreation facilities staff with great help from the Parks team painted the gym and meeting rooms A & B. Staff also painted the toddler waiting pool, and striped and waxing the craft room, and meeting rooms A & B. The maintenance team from the other facilities and from Parks have participated as time and weather allows. • The City Hall staff will be working with our purchasing team for the carpet and painting work in the Helling Conference room and City Hall offices on the first level. • The AmeriCorps will be meeting with MidAmerican subconsultant CleaResullts and Van Meter to learn about LED lighting components and system on January 12`" Iowa City Parks and Recreation Commission Packet I City of Iowa City Project Timeline Status Facilities - HVAC Control Software Multi -year Implementation for all City Buildings ($535,000 CIP) Project out to bid. Mercer — HVAC Summer/Fall 2017 Project out to bid. RALRC—Lobby Renovations Fall 2017/Winter 2018 Project Underway Admin: Natural Areas Plan October 2016 — December 2017 Staff has reviewed draft plan. Final in Jan. Forestry: Tree Inventory 2017 Tree inventory 80% complete. City Park Cabin Restoration Construction Fall 2017 Contract to North Construction. Cabins moved off site. Happy Hollow Shelter & Restroom Upgrades Construction Fall 2017 Project out to bid — Dec 2017. Riverfront Crossing Park, Phase 1 Fall 2017—Spring 2018 (Phase 1 and Nature Play) Work began on 6-26-17. Chauncey Swan Park TBD — Park rebuild at end of building project. Park construction 2018. Hickory Hill Trails, Signs & Bridges Construction Spring 2017 Design underway — RDG/HBK. Bid in winter 2017-18. Work in Spring 18. Iowa City Parks and Recreation Commission Packet I City of Iowa City Oakland Cemetery FY 17 Revenue Report ** shaded areas represent previous Syr average 3ii = - Revenue from Lot Sales Lot Sale Syr Average # of Interments Interments'! 5yravg. Revenue from Interments 5 year Avg. on Interments Total Revenue Syr Avg. on total revenue July $2,800.00 $5,490.00 4 6.6 $2,500.00 $3,312.00 $5,300.00 $8,802.00 August $8,400.00 $4,900.00 8 8 $3,720.00 $4,099.00 $12,120.00 $8,999.00 Sept $14,950.00 $5,080:00 8 6.8 $3,625.00 $3,432.26 $18,575.00 $8,512.00 Oct $18,100.00 $6,770.00 2 8 $1,600.00 $4,342.26 $19,700.00 $11,112,26 Nov $5,600.00 $5,680.00 6 6.8 $3,820.00 $2,953.50 $9,420.00 $8,633.50 Dec $4,600.00 $1,940.00 5 5.8 $2,830.00 $2,640.00 $7,430.00 $4,580.00 Jan Feb March April May June Totals $54,450.00.00 $29,860.00 33 42 $18,095.00 $20,779.02 $72,545.00 $50,638.76 Iowa City Parks and Recreation Commission Packet I City of Iowa City C N O N C� O CN 0o N O O N N �M+ ii o u 3 3 'ca ^ M NN 0 rn ti U O ❑ ,� O lI l— V1 O M V'1 V' O M [\ 1-- W zkn 00 O\ ON N N r- I� O N M O� i Q V M M M a a o a d C,0\ M M M M M M M 'd rx � U i. �_ R! �N O+ N N N V) N Q V) N kn { N kn N kn N kn V) Vl �O �. GU �. 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