The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About05-23-2022 Parks & Recreation CommissionIowa City Parks and Recreation Commission % \. Special Meeting Monday, May 23, 2022 5:00 P.M. Robert A. Lee Recreation Center — Meeting Room B 220 S. Gilbert St. AGENDA ITEM 1 CALL TO ORDER ITEM 2 APPROVAL OF April 13, 2022 MINUTES ITEM 3 PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA ITEM 4 RECREATION FACILITIES AND PROGRAM MASTER PLAN REVIEW OF DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS — DANNIELLE WILSON, ELSA FISCHER, BERRY DUNN CONSULTING a) City Park Pool b) Mercer + Robert A. Lee Pools c) Facilities for Recreation Programming d) Recreation Programming ITEM 5 REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF a) Parks & Recreation Director —Juli Seydell Johnson b) Recreation Division Superintendent — Brad Barker c) Parks Division Superintendent —Tyler Baird 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 Gabe Gotera, Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department at 3191356-5210 or ggotera@iowa- city.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs. IOWA CITY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION PRELIMINARY MINUTES April 13, 2022 ROBERT A. LEE RECREATION CENTER — MTG ROOM B Members Present: April Schmidt, Brianna Wills, Melissa Serenda, Alex Hachtman, Brian Morelli, Missie Forbes, Members Absent: Boniface Penandjo Lemoupa, Christopher Odinet, Michelle Wiegand Staff Present: Juli Seydell Johnson, Tyler Baird, Brad Barker, Kate Connell Others Present: Mary Curran, Marc Cannon CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Hachtman called the meeting to order at 5 p.m. RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: (to become effective only after separate Council action): None OTHER FORMAL ACTION: Moved by Wills, seconded by Serenda, to approve the November 10, 2021 minutes as written. Motion passed 6-0 (Penandio Lemouva, Odinet, & Wiegand absent) PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA: None Aquatic Facility and Programs Discussion — Brad Barker, Kate Connell Barker & Connell both present and discuss the attached PowerPoint. Commissioner Wills asked about allowing private instructors to teach swimming lessons in the City's pools as a way to help meet the need for additional swimming lessons. Seydell Johnson explained that instruction is limited to City employees or instructor contracted by the City. Mary Russel Curren address the Commission to state that Aqua Fitness participants need warmer water for their classes, many live near downtown and like to participate at Robert A Lee. She asked for additional lap and open swim hours at Robert A. Lee since retired users like to leave the early hours to lap swimmers who can only swim at times before their workday. Mark Cannon echoed Mary's remarks. He said that he felt that the aquatics staff does an excellent job. He enjoys swimming at Robert A. Lee but feels that paying for parking is an issue for some people who wish to swim. The Commission will review future Aquatic Facility recommendations as part of the Recreation Facilities Master Plan Draft review at a special meeting to be held on Monday, May 23, 2022 beginning at 5:00 p.m. at Robert A Lee Recreation Center. The Commission is expected to make recommendations to the City Council regarding the priorities of the plan at this meeting. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION April 13, 2022 Page 2 of 12 REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF Parks & Recreation Director — Juli Sevdell Johnson Butler House: Johnson explained that staff are waiting for direction from the council on setting up a work group/committee between the Parks Commission and Historic Preservation regarding the future of the Montgomery Butler property. New Hires: Johnson announced that the Administration Coordinator position has been filled and would begin work Monday, April 251. Johnson also announced that the Special Events position had been filled and would begin work Monday, May 9'h. Proiect Starts: Johnson revealed several summer parks projects that would begin as the season continues. Whispering Meadows Wetlands will be getting a pathway and a playground. Chadek Green park is getting restroom upgrades in the gardens and a playground. Court Hill Park is getting a new park shelter and playground. Johnson said that playground manufacturing has been delayed. Public Works Open House: Johnson talked about the upcoming Public Works Open House taking place at the new Public Works Facility on Saturday May 2151. The event is free admission and will have activities involving, the Public Works' Trucks, the Animal Care Center and the Fire Training Tower. There will also be a stage with live entertainment, food trucks, and over 300 quilts on display. The night will end with an outdoor showing of the film Field of Dreams once the sun has set. Rec Center Parking Lot: Johnson announced that during the next construction year, the Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center Parking Lot is scheduled to be resurfaced and receive improvements. Johnson further explained that the recent clearing of the nearby creek was in preparation for the repairs. Recreation Division Superintendent — Brad Barker Events: Barker talked about the recent Things That Go event, which took place March 18'h & 19'h and had good attendance across the two days. Upcoming events include Yahoo, It's a Bug Zoo on April 24'h and Underwater Egg Hunt on April 190 . Barker notes that Underwater Egg Hunt already has 40 people enrolled with more on the waiting list. Farmer's Market: Barker said that the Farmer's Market will return in -person Saturday, May 7'h with a reminder that this year will only have the Saturday Market. Summer Registration: Barker details that Summer Registration will begin Tuesday, April 19'h for Iowa City residents. Non-residents will be able to register Wednesday, April 20`h. This staggered registration was recently implemented to provide a higher focus on the Iowa City resident. Parks & Forestry Superintendent — Tyler Baird Tree Planting: Baird said that staff are working with the Noon Rotary Club to plant 100 trees at Scott Park and some at Rita's Ranch Dog Park. Baird announced that Parks had recently received a $5,000 grant from the DNR, which will go towards funding half of the tree planting project at Thomberry Dog Park. The Thomberry tree planting is expected to take place May 7' , in which staff will plant 41 trees with the help of Group Liberty and other volunteers. For Arbor day, staff will be speaking with students and planting a tree at Willowwind school. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION April 13, 2022 Page 3 of 12 Staff will also be planting 15 trees at Glendale Park with City High School's Community Inclusion Club as an Arbor Day celebration. Park Projects: Baird explained that staff are working on having restrooms and water in working order for the season. Parks staff have been conducting prescribed burns on 30 acres of prairie areas, including Kicker's soccer field, the Terry Trueblood Recreational Area, and Waterworks Prairie Parks. Staff would be getting in more burns later in the week depending on the weather. Baird said that the new temp staff have begun working on the athletic fields to have them up and running properly. CHAIRS REPORT: None COMMISSION TIME/SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: Hachtman suggested looking at the Trail Systems and considering options to build a connection between the growing community and the local trails. ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Hachtman adjourned the meeting at 6:40 p.m. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION April 13, 2022 Page 4 of 12 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION ATTENDANCE RECORD NAME N rl N N N ti N N N N N N TERM EXPIRE a n e e o ° e e IT S Steve Bird 12/31/21 X X X NM X X X X NM Missie 12/31/25 * * * * * * * * * X NM X X Forbes Brian 12/31/25 * * * * * * * * * X NM O/E X Morelli Alex 12/31/24 X X X NM O/E X X X NM X NM X X Hachtman Christophe 12/31/24 X X O/E NM X X X X NM X NM X O/E r Odinet Boniface 12/31/23 O O O/E NM X X O O NM X NM X O Penandjo Lemou a Ben Russell 12/31/21 X X X NM X X X X NM April 12/31/22 * * X NM X X O O/E NM O/E NM O/E X Schmidt Melissa 12/31/23 X X X NM X X X X NM X NM X X Serenda Angie 12/31/21 X X O/E NM X X X X NM Smith Brianna 12/31/22 X X X NM X X O/E O/E NM O/E NM X X Wins Michelle 12/31/25 * * * * * * * * * X NM X O/E Wiegand KEY: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused NM = No meeting LQ = No meeting due to lack of quorum * = Not a member now PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION April 13, 2022 Page 5 of 12 Aquatics nref-tl f.U' CITY OF 10bvA CITY Recreat on AMk AMk AMk AMk AMk FACILITIES & SCHEDULE & PROGRAMMING OUTREACH FUTURE BUDGET STAFFING OUTLOOK 'hlld learns'0 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION April 13, 2022 Page 6 of 12 Facilities PlAW • Evening and Sunday swim lesson programs • Low cost evening swim x2 • Saturday rentals Parks & Rccrcatton • "Ac • Morning & evening swim team use of 4 ICCSD teams & ICE • Outreach groups & families during daytimes • Regional Red Cross certification classes • Swim meets • Camp use CXX • Limited swim team use for ICE • Morning and Evening swim lesson programs • Camp use • Special events • Weekend rentals • Low cost evening swim x5 All pools have open swim, water fitness classes, & private swim lessons Baseline staff at RALRC: 2-3 Baseline staff at MPAC: 3-5 Baseline staff at CPP: 3-10 35% of recreation budget is allocated to aquatics 47% of program participants in fall in 2021, 35% spring in 2022, 66% summer 2021 150 staff seasonalty and 70-85 year-round 7 • 147k — 12 months • $12,262 per month Parks art Recreatlon "Ac • 231k —12 months • $19,307 per month c4vp • 161k-3months • $53,835 per month PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION April 13, 2022 Page 7 of 12 Schedule & Staffing / • RALRC overview of use 2019 data hour intervals • Reduction of times that don't serve the widest diversity of users • RALRC focused on outreach & lessons • CPP hours expansion for earlier hours • Recurring hours, clearer types of swimming, and improved marketing of schedule Parks & Rccrcatlon • Programming //,7 A" (k • 1/2 of part-time recreation staff is aquatics during school year and 3/4 during summer • 7 positions, 2 leadership • Full weekend training for candidates plus orientation & monthly in-service requirements • Shifts range from 2-10 lifeguards depending on activity and volume of users • Shifting trends: age of staff, day time availability, training experience Every child learns to swim. • Amount of classes: 6-12 per week depending on the month • Users 30-60 per month • New users, instructors, & classes • New marketing materials & approach Parks Recreation • Amount of classes summer: 180 classes • Users 720 per session • Difficulty meeting post -pandemic demand for all lessons • Focus on groups > privates • Not including outreach lesson programs • 38.5 hours per week at RAL • 91.5 hours per week at MPAC • 46.25 hours per week at CPP PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION April 13, 2022 Page 8 of 12 Amk OUTREACH Outreach • Summer 2021:32 enrollments ($2,856) • Fall 2021: 108 enrollments ($4,240) • Added fall 2019 • Reduced cost • RecAsisst eligible • Private lessons CITY OF IOWA CITY • Fall& Spring with NCJC:25 participants • Focus on water safety, lessons, recreational swimming • Provided incidentals (-$500) & lessons Parks &� Recreation c • Hydrant Parties • Swim & Sounds • Swimtroduction • Teen Nights • Pride at the Pool • ICLG • Junior Lifeguard • Sensory Swims • Sunrise to Sunset • Splish Splash Story Times • Shark Week • Egg Hunt • Noon Year's Eve Ball Drop • Pumpkin Float PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION April 13, 2022 Page 9 of 12 Assets & Opportunities 1� ' 7# + warmer water temperature +space for overflow events & lessons + enclosed kid area + remodeled on -deck bathrooms - barriers for parking - frequent need of repair and fluxuations of temperatures - accessibility issues with entering CITY OF 101VA CITY "Ac +competitive swim water temperature + parking +centralized location near where folks live +versatile for programming + spa + remodeled on -deck bathrooms + increased accessibility +diving boards + solarium - leisure swim water temperature - closures due to swim team usage Finding Balance in Facility Design How do we provide aquatic facilities favorable for the entire community? / Yarks arm Recreation CW + outdoor pool +fenced in zero depth, baby pool + diving boards + large footprint and water volume - not heated - aging infrastructure - limited parking - requires high volume of staffing - not accessible locker rooms & bathrooms - very limited shade on deck & in water l W • General Community Recreation Needs • Specific User Group Needs a.Instruction b. Com petition c.Therapy/Wellness • Inclusivity • Accessibility • Staffing Efficiency • Operational Efficiency • Location PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION April 13, 2022 Page 10 of 12 City Park Pool — Cost Analysis Pool is 74 years old. l/ 4l ' ra-c � Pool currently loses 30,000 gallons of water per day; leak locations are undetectable *BIG considerations to add: Estimated cost doesn't calculate in unknown factors. Parks & Recreation • • Structural integrity to main pool concrete structure • Condition of underground piping infrastructure • Repair of existing balance tank City Park Pool — Community Engagement Statistical Public Pop-up Focus Social Iy Valid Survey Events Groups Pinpoint Survey (n=216) (n=255) (n=44) (n=234) (n=450) Similar Layout/Look 17% 29% 34% 46% 47% /Amenities Different Layout/Look 67% 60% 66% 54% 42% /Amenities Undecided / No 16% 11% 0% 0% 11% Preference with the age of CPP, there is a need to renovate the facility. Respondents were asked, if the cost were the same, would they prefer. Lap lanes (50m); shade areas; open recreational swimming; deck chairs; add zero depth; increase accessibility and inclusivity; family -friendly amenities; green space inside fencing; heated pool; maintain low key atmosphere; lazy river; no tree removal; no big water park CIT) OF IOWA CITY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION April 13, 2022 Page 11 of 12 City Park Pool — Future Outlook Engineering firm is currently developing initial renderings of future facility based on preferences of the community. Amenities in renderings to be weighed in by the public. Recreat o 14t�p�to,� • Three 50m Lap Lanes (shallow) • Incorporate wading pool into zero -depth • Lots of open space to swim • Diving boards • Heated • One body of water • Shade structures • Grassy area • Bathhouse— individual changing spaces; smaller gender - specific locker rooms for restrooms(showers • On -deck lockers only (accessible) • Outdoor showers • First -aid area right off of pool deck • Multi -purpose room (to be used throughout the year for programs and public gatherings) • Restrooms that service both multipurpose room and park users • No concession space but pad for food truck access • No lazy river (not efficient for footprint limitations; staffing) • No large slides, but possibly some smaller option(s) Indoor Swimming Pool at RALCRC Pool is 58 years old. Total cost estimate to fix/improve major areas of deficiency: $4.7 million No unknown costs in estimate PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION April 13, 2022 Page 12 of 12 Indoor Swimming Pool at MPAC Newest pool of the current three. Total cost estimate to fix/improve major areas of deficiency: $3.3 million No unknown costs in estimate. Has room to expand footprint and amenity options, if community so desires. Next steps? ' • CITY OF IOWA CITY Questions M