HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-11-2018 Parks and Recreation CommissionIowa City
Parks and Recreation Commission
Wednesday, July 11, 2018 a. ,..
5 P.M.
Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center — Meeting Room B
AGENDA
ITEM CALL TO ORDER
ITEM 2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
ITEM 3 PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
ITEM 4 PLAYGROUND SURFACES — ZAC HALL
ITEM 5 REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF
a) Parks & Recreation Director —Jul! Seydell Johnson
b) Recreation Division Superintendent — Chad Dyson
c) Parks Division Superintendent—Zac Hall
ITEM 6 CHAIRS REPORT
ITEM 7 COMMISSION TIME/SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
ITEM 8 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 tammy-
neumann@iowa-city.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your
access needs.
IOWA CITY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES PRELIMINARY
NNE 13, 2018
RECREATION CENTER — MEETING ROOM B
Members Present: Suzanne Bentler, Steve Bird, Wayne Fett, Ben Russell, Angie Smith, Jamie
Venzon, Joe Younker
Members Absent: Cara Hamann, Lucie Laurian
Staff Present: Chad Dyson, Zac Hall, Juli Seydell Johnson
Others Present: Whitney Springer
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Younker called the meeting to order at 5 p.m.
Seydell Johnson introduced Diana Dovenspike to the commission. Dovenspike is an Events Planning Intern
for the Parks and Recreation Department. Dovenspike explained that she is a master's student at the
University of Iowa working toward a Sport & Recreation Management degree. She has been working
closely with the RAGBRAI committee as well as planning events for the Farmers Market. She said that her
favorite event to date was the soft opening of Riverfront Crossings Nature Play area held on Tuesday, May
29. The contractors and crews were invited to bring their families to the event. The nature play area was
very popular with kids and adults alike. She announced that she will be planning a Lazy Days of Summer
5K later in the summer.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: (to become effective only after separate Council action):
None
OTHER FORMAL ACTION:
Moved by Smith, seconded by Fett to approve the April 11 2018 minutes as written Passed 7 0
(Hamann & Lucian absent)
PUBLIC DISCUSSION
None
IOWA WALKING COLLEGE REPORT
Seydell Johnson introduced Whitney Springer to the Commission. Springer was a former AmeriCorps
volunteer for the department. She explained that the Iowa Walking College is an education program
designed by the Healthiest State Initiative, where fellows explore ways to improve walkability in their
community. Springer is representing Iowa City and invited all to participate in a walking audit on Sunday,
June 17 at 8 a.m. The location for this walk will be along Burlington St. The audit will take approximately
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
June 13, 2018
Page 2 of 6
2 hours with a 1-mile walk included. Springer provided links to visit to get more information about the
Iowa Walking College and Iowa City's current "Walk Score." Those sites are as follows:
http://www.iowahealthieststate.com/resources/communities/walkability/iowa-walking college
/www.walkscore.com/IA/Iowa Citv
REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF
Parks & Recreation Director — Juli Seydell Johnson
No Smoking Signs in Parks: Seydell Johnson reported that a member from the public expressed
concern about there not being enough signage in the parks. At this time, signs are placed near
shelters and youth athletic fields. After meeting with the City Attorney and the City Manager, the
State Code states that no tobacco signs must be placed at the entrance of any no smoking areas.
Staff determined that the designation of a specific entrance to each park would be considered the
main entrance. No smoking signs will be added to these locations. There will be additional signs
placed in the larger parks. Staff will begin with the larger parks and then go to smaller
neighborhood parks. This will take a few months to complete.
Parks & Recreation Foundation: Seydell Johnson updated the Commission on the Parks and
Recreation Foundation funds. She reminded commission members that these funds are held at the
Community Foundation of Johnson County and that there is both an endowment fund and a
charitable giving fund. She stated that the funds earmarked for the dog park are being used to
purchase the solar lighting for both Thornberry and Rita's Ranch dog parks. The swim
scholarship fund will continue to grow and will be used to offer scholarships to those in need.
Seydell Johnson announced that the Foundation just recently received a $10,000 donation for the
Riverfront Crossings Park. These funds may be used to provide more shade at the park, as the
trees are not large enough yet to provide cover. It may also be used for an outdoor ping-pong
table and other outdoor activities. The funds designated to local foods has been used to place
water lines to the community garden spaces. Memorial bench funds are held in this account until
the benches are ordered and arrive. She also announced that the endowment fund continues to
grow slowly. This is the fund that was started by Pete and Dee Vanderhoef. These funds cannot
be drawn from until they reach $100,000. It has now reached that point; however, it will not yet
be used. Seydell Johnson said that she will be hiring a second intern during the fall semester. She
plans to have that person get familiar with the foundation administration as well as possibly
rejuvenate fund raising efforts for future parks and recreation projects.
• RAGBRAI Update: Planning continues and is going well. There are lots of committees taking
care of specifically assigned tasks. She reminded commission that there are a lot of volunteer
opportunities on the RAGBRAI website.
Art Proiects: Seydell Johnson explained that Backyard Abundance has been meeting with renters
of the Chadek Green Gardens. The plots will be reconfigured prior to next season. The Public Art
Committee has given funds for a public art piece to be placed in the center of those gardens,
hopefully this fall. The Public Art Committee has also sent out a call to artists to create an art
project for the farmers market, either at the Washington Street entrance or possibly something
inside the ramp. The goal is to brighten up the space. That project will likely begin in late summer
or early fall. Younker asked what the Chadek Green plans entail. Seydell Johnson explained that
there will be walkways, raised beds, as well as varying sizes of plots offered.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
June 13,2018
Page 3 of 6
Recreation Division Superintendent — Chad Dyson
Dyson reported that the department is in full summer mode with summer camps, playgrounds,
teen dynamics and other program beginning this week. Staff have been busy with training
sessions for summer employees. He stated that staff will work in cooperation with the library on
teen programming. Staff is also working on the first draft of the fall activity guide.
Dyson reported that from a project standpoint, lighting at baseball fields will take place soon. The
Boys Baseball Organization will be purchasing the lights and donating to the City. He also noted
that the footings for the solar lights at the dog park have been poured. He also reported that
Mercer Park Aquatic center has been shut down for a couple of weeks as contractors work on the
air conditioning system.
Seydell Johnson announced that Amanda Opitz, the Communications Supervisor for the department will
be resigning in July. She and her husband are moving to Little Rock, Arkansas after he was offered a
fellowship for a magazine. Applications will be taken for this position through July 2.
Parks Division Superintendent — Zac Hall:
• Hall reported that fields A, B, & C at City Park have been removed and heavy seeding is taking
place now.
• Hall noted that bike racks will be placed at Thomberry as the request of Frisbee golfers.
• Hall announced that students from Southeast Junior High again painted the Longfellow tunnel.
Staff is very pleased with the outcome.
CHAIRS REPORT:
Younker said that while he was not able to attend the Pheasant Hill Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, he heard'a
lot of great feedback. Seydell Johnson said that there was a nice turnout.
COMMISSION TD4E/SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE ATENDA ITEMS
None
ADJOURNMENT:
Moved by Bentler, seconded by Fett. to adiourn the meeting at 528 P.m. Motion passed 7-0
(Hamann & Lucian absent).
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
June 13,2018
Page 4 of 6
PARKS AND RECREATION
ATTENDANCE RECORD
KEY: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused
NAME
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.�,
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00-
o0
00
Go
Nfn
TERM
EXPIRES
Goo
e
N
Suzanne
1/1/17
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
O/E
NM
X
Bentler
Steve Bird
1/1/22
*
*
*
*
*
*
X
X
O/E
X
NM
X
Larry Brown
1/l/18
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
Clay
1/1/18
X
X
X
X
X
X
Claussen
Wayne Felt
1/1/19
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
O/E
X
X
NM
X
Cara
1/1/20
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
NM
X
Hamann
Lucie
1/1/10
*
O/E
X
O/E
O/E
X
X
X
O/E
X
NM
X
Laurian
Ben Russell
1/1/22
*
*
*
*
*
*
X
O/E
X
X
NM
X
Angie Smith
1/1/18
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
NM
X
Jamie
1/1/20
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
O/E
X
O/E
X
NM
X
Venzon
Joe Younker
1/1/20
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
NM j
X
NM = No meeting LQ = No meeting due to lack of quorum
* = Not a member at this time
Iowa City Parks & Recreation Commission Packet
July 10, 2018
Uocomine Events
• International Mud Day, summer playground sites, June 29
• July 4'^ Activities —Chalk the Deck at CPP, Free rides and carnival at City Park Amusement
Rides.
• Party in the Park.
o Benton Hill Park, July 5
o Mercer Park, July 12
o Ned Ashton, July 19
o Calder Park, July 26
o Villa Park, August 2
• Farm to Street Dinner, August 15
• Taste of Market, Wednesday, August 29
Status — Previous Commission Items and Discussions
April 2018
• Discussion of designated specific park spaces as off -leash dog areas.
o To be added to a future agenda
Notable from Parks & Recreation Staff
Parks
■ Park staff have been busy installing new site furnishings throughout the Parks system. Kiwanis
Park has a new drinking fountain, North Hickory Hill has a new bench and the dog parks have
new solar lighting.
• Forestry staff have been pruning trees, weekly, in City Park in preparation for RAGBRAI.
• Horticulture staff have been having great success and press with the new edible plantings.
• Athletic Facilities staff have managed through many rain events to successfully host
tournaments.
Recreation:
• Staff have completed the final edits for the fall guide. Registration for fall activities will begin
on August 15th
• Recreation staff will be managing the ice sales and distribution for RAGBRAI campgrounds.
The solar lights at Thornberry have been installed and look and work great.
Cemetery:
• Work will begin this month on our building improvements. Walk-in shop door, flat roof
replacement and 3 new shop doors.
• The LDS Youth Conference will be sending around 150 volunteers in groups of 15-30 to the
cemetery on June 27th between 9am-5pm to clean Veteran stones.
Facilities:
• City Hall maintenance staff have been managing the remodeling of the Police Squad room to
be complete in the next week.
• The Aquatic Maintenance team had a surprise inspection from the county on Fairmeadows
Park Splash pad and received an excellent inspection report.
• Mercer/Scanlon and Robert A. Lee Recreation Maintenance Staff are working on the
coordination of the new Building Automation System contract with the electricians and
control contractor, the project is on schedule.
• Mercer/Scanlon Boiler and HVAC replacement project closure- The staff worked hard to take
on special projects during this shut down period including painting the women's locker room
and striping and re -waxing the floors.
Top Staff Issues
Parks
• Storms and rain have delayed projects, daily mowing and have kept staff busy addressing
storm damaged trees.
• Staffing levels have fluctuated this month due to FTE staff vacations and PTE staff vacancies.
Recreation
• Staff is busy running summer programs. Weather (hot and rain) have caused issues with
camps and City Park Pool.
• The MPAC boiler and HVAC project have caused some closures and shuffling of programming.
Staff had done well to adjust and make modifications as needed.
Cemetery
• With the increase of rain, mowing and trimming have been the priority.
• The cemetery lost a large portion of one tree and another large walnut during the early
morning on June 26th. Staff spent the day removing the trees.
• Staff will begin monument repair and street repair in July.
Facilities:
Iowa City Parks and Recreation Commission Packet I City of Iowa City
• Mercer/Scanlon Boiler and HVAC replacement project- is starting to wrap up, the boiler and
HVAC start up is scheduled for Friday, June 29th and the balancing will occur on the week of
July 2nd. The new on deck restroom/shower rooms are open and operational.
• Cabin 1's foundation was installed by North Construction the week of June 25`h, the cabin
structure will be set in place starting the week of July 2nd.
• Happy Hollow Park Restroom and Shelter Project is progressing, the structural columns were
due to arrive the week of June 25`h and be installed on June 2g`h
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 in progress.
Mercer —HVAC -
Summer/Fall 2017
Project nearly complete.
Cardigan Park Development
Summer 2018
Project nearly complete.
Villa Park Playground -
Summer/Fall 2018
Construction late summer 2018.
Creekside Park Redevelopment
Summer 2018
Project bid —Construction late
summer 2018
Forestry: Tree Inventory
2017
Tree inventory 80%complete.
City Park Cabin Restoration
Construction Fall 2017
Project in progress.
Happy Hollow Shelter & Restroom Upgrades
Construction Fall 2017
Project nearly complete.
Riverfront Crossing Park, Phase 1
Fall 2017—Spring 2018 (Phase 1 and Nature Play)
Project nearly complete.
Chauncey Swan Park
TBD — Park rebuild at end of building project.
Park construction 2018.
Hickory Hill Trails, Signs & Bridges
Construction Spring 2017
Design delayed, work delayed until
Fall 2018.
Iowa City Parks and Recreation Commission Packet I City of Iowa City
Oakland
Cemetery
FY 17 Revenue Report* shaded areas represent previous Syr averse
Revenue from Lot Sales
Lot Sale Syr
Average
# of
Interments
interments
Syr avg.
Revenue
from
Interments
$ 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
1 $3,625.00
$3,432.26
$18,575.00
$8,512.00
Oct
$18,100.00
$6,770.00 1
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
$3,400.00
$3,840.00
5
3.0
$3,100.00
$2,040.00
$6,500.00
` $5,880.00
Feb
$0.00
$5,600.00
5
2.8
$4,250.00
$1,187.00
$4,250.00
$6,787.00:
March
$1,050.00
$4,930.00
4
5.6
$3,150.00
$3,640.00
$4,200.00
$8,570.00
April
$6,800.00
$5,030.00
8
7.2
$3,930.00
$3,570.00
$10,730.00
$8,600.00
May
$2,600.00
$5,760.00
4
7.0
$2,800.00
$3,156.71
$5,400.00
$8,916.71
June 1
$7,000.00
$7,140.00 1
4
5.8
$2,830.00
$2,766.59
$9,830.00
$9,906.59
Totals 1
$75,300.00.00
$62,160On 1
63
73.4
$38,155.00 1
587,139,06"
$113,455.00
$99,299.06
Iowa City Parks and Recreation Commission Packet I City of Iowa City