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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974-12-17 Bd Comm minutesE MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: , Phillip Jones Richard Braverman Paul Neuhauser Bud Means Mori Costantino Elizabeth Diecke Jackie Finn Barbara Woodard Sally Smith CITY STAFF PRESENT: Mark Doolin Bob Bowlin Kay Maune SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION AND FORMAL ACTIONS TAKEN: Chairperson Jones introduced Barbara Woodard, a new commissioner. It was moved by Means and seconded by Costantino that the minutes of the October 21, 1974, meeting be approved as submitted. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Doolin informed the Commission that the Iowa Civil Rights Commission would be hold- ing a public hearing in Davenport on the 20th of November and any commissioner interested in going should contact him. Doolin requested Commission interest and participation in a training conference that would be sponsored by the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. After a brief discussion regarding content and date for such a conference Chairperson Jones suggested that the Education Committee meet with Mark Doolin and discuss further some of the topics brought up. Woodard was reminded that she would replace Celia Roberts on the the Education Committee. Doolin informed the Commission that presently he and Bob Bowlin were doing research into the impact on our ordinance of the Supreme Court decision in Cedar Rapids and any ordinance revisions that might be necessitated out of that decision. Neuhauser expressed the opinion that the ordinance as is, is stronger than the State Model Ordinance and any revisions might weaken it. He also stated that proposed revisions should not be made or researched without Commission decision. Costantino inquired of Neuhauser as to his intent on going to the School Board meeting. Neuhauser replied that he was uncertain that he would be able to find the time to make it. Chairperson Jones suggested that if he is unable, he should contact Mark Doolin and perhaps Mark would be able to attend the conference. It was moved by Braverman and seconded by Means that the Commission adjourn into executive session. Upon a roll call vote all members voted yes. The Commission adjourned into executive session at 8:30_ P.M. At 9:10 the Commission, by unanimous vote, held an open meeting to discuss a by-law amendment. Costantino moved that due to the number of complaints and the limited number of commissioners that only two commissioners be assigned to each conciliation team. Chairperson Jones moved that it be accepted pursuant to legal approval. At 9:10 P.M. it was moved by Jones and seconded by Braverman that the Commission adjourn back into executive session. Upon •T. voV l .-,111 VACe 4111 .111(`111b ril vo ('(,((, yao. '1'h(d (X1Ipft1: tswl.on AO-16tirrlc.. ..t.te; ti . 1 . 11 I{ )n e. i iL...J Y_v ll _: :airs ire ;�-. ' ?'; .,leab_i.nc - it .-'J _. _ _.. -e -D-d. w �_( � Y .. L1♦i'? •,� _ C 1 1 v __L1..7._ ♦., i e Ca r'�.'..i.. av / IOWA CITY PARK AND RE(EATION C DEC DBER 11, 1974 ® DAVIS BUILDING CX)NFEFENCE ROCM MEMBERS PRESENP: STAFF PRESENT: •i W i0( is - • • No, •• M Joan Buxton June Davis Sarah Fox James Lincberg Orrin Marc Robin Powell Virginia Hebert James Roegiers James Sangster H. Eugene Chubb Robert Lee Dennis Showalter 1. That while in no way underestimating the importance of law -inane ..r housing for the elderly, the Park and Recreation Cccnnission urges Council �_�'�' 1--fo retain as much green space as possible and to not underestimate the C Ace :�v value of Project GREEN'S effort. 2. That Catmi.ssion recommend that the ASERP Program be expanded to 13 schools with a $5.00 charge for each child. 3. That the Park and Recreation Commission expresses to Council its dismay at the steadily decreasing share of the City's General Fund being used for Park and Recreation operations in hopes that the FY 76 Budget can arrest this trend. 4. That the Park and Recreation Commission requests that the service level on playgrounds, at the pools and for potential experimental pro- grams such as puppetry, drama and gardening be restored to the level of 1973 when substantial cuts were required. SUMI;C OF DISCUSSION AND FORMAL ACTION TAKEN: The Park and Recreation Ccomission met in regular session on December 11, 1974 at 7:30 p.m. with Chairperson Fox presiding. * Davis moved and Buxton seconded that the minutes of the Novenber 13, 1974 meeting be approved as written. Unanimous. ® Chairperson Fox reported that the Russell annexation passed Council with an arbitration clause written into an agreement setting out screening provisions. • Page 2 Park and Recreation mission December 11, 1974 Fox also reported that the Streb rezoning has gone ahead and that the owners reportedly want the planting easement project started. The appraisals for the Washington Park Addition, Part 9 are not yet in and uncertainty remains as to the size of the proposed park. A letter from Nancy Seiberling regarding Chauncey Swan Plaza was dis- cussed. It was then moved by Powell and seconded by Lindberg that while in no way underestimating the importance of low-income housing for the elderly, the Park and Recreation Commission urges Council to retain as much green space as possible and to not underestimate the value of Project GREEN'S effort. Buxton, Fox, Lindberg, Marc and Powell voted aye and Davis abstained. Notion carried. The ASERP Report was then discussed resulting in two corrections: Page two -paragraph two-"i.e. Mark IV children, Title I children, etc." should be deleted. Page three -number four -"It is suggested that these points" should read "It is suggested that these three points..." It was pointed out by Gene Chubb that the figures contained in the "ASERP is Budget Information" (attached) were for one eight-week program and that if the program is to cover a school year, these figures must be doubled. Davis requested that the "ASERP Budget Information" be kept separate from the ASEE2P Report, as it was not prepared by the ASERP Steering Committee. * Davis moved and Lindberg seconded that the Park and Recreation Commission accept and recommend implimentation of the ASERP Committee Report dated December 6, 1974. Unanimous. (attached) * Following discussion, Buxton moved and Davis seconded that Commission recommend that the ASERP Program be expanded to 13 schools with a $5.00 change for each child. Buxton, Davis, Marx and Powell voted aye and Lindberg and Fox voted nay. Notion carried. June Davis and Robin Powell will represent Commission on ASERP at the Council meeting on Tuesday, Deoember 17. Regarding the Housing and Community Development Act, Chairperson Fox reported that she and Jim Sangster had made a presentation with Mary Neuhauser, Chairperson of the Riverfront Commission, to the Steering Committee on December 2, 1974. She presented an outline of Park and Recreation projects as the Act's regulations seem to apply to them. Commission's original, ranked list of C.I.P. projects done last spring was also included. After discussion, Commission requested of Council ® that they be given any reports from the Steering Committee in order to expedite planning. Buxton's Swimming Report was received and discussed by Ckxmmission. It was then announced that Flo Stockman has been namned as Buxton's replace- In a brief discussion of budgeting and "levels of service", it was pointed out that annual Leisure and Cultural Program Budgets have slipped in re- cent years when viewed as a per cent of the City's General Fund expendi- tures. (See "City of Iowa City Budget Briefing", October 22, 1974, page four, attached) . Leisure and Cultural opportunities slipped from 21.2% in 1970 to 15.5%.in 1974." (Parks and Recreation slipped from 15.8% in 1970 to 11.1% in 1974). (Library slipped frau 5.4% in 1970 to 4.5% in 1974). The impact has been on program operating budgets. * Lindberg moved and Buxton seconded that the Park and Recreation Commission express to Council its dismay at the steadily decreasing share of the City's General Fund being used for Park and Recreation operations in hopes that the FY 76 Budget can arrest this trend. Unanimous. Referring back to the minutes of November 1, 1974, Commission reaffirmed ® its commitment ":that although tree planting and City Park improvements concerning pool lights were deferred, Commission hopes that these items will be re -instated in the next budget." Bob Lee presented the Recreation Program Budget Proposal with the following oo mments updating the 1973 status and figures (attached, note double asterisked items). **a. FootlAers has been dropped pending increased interest. b. Women's volleyball attendance was over 1,000 through November, 1974. c. Parents have not been taking advantage of the Pre -School Gym hours so increased publicity was -suggested. d. Attendance at the Baby Care Program has increased to 1,386 through November, 1974. e. Shuffleboard was dropped for lack of interest in that time slot. f. Girl's softball should be inserted under account #1613.5. g. Attendance at the summer playground program dropped from approx- imately 21,378 to 14,769 in 1974. Factors possibly responsible were the staff cutbacks and dropping of evening hours. Attendance figures for special events are not included in the above figures. * It was moved by Buxton and seconded by Powell that the Park and Recreation Commission request that the service level on playgrounds, at the pools and for potential experimental programs such as puppetry, drama and gardening be restored to the level of 1973 when substantial cuts were required. Unanimous. Following a discussion of pressure for pool use and special hours for lap swinming, Joan Buxton was named as an -advisory person to investigate those aspects of the City's pool system. 11 C Cknmission expressed their concern about how difficult it will be to get to the skating ponds in City Park because of road construction and about the loss of square footage for skating rinks. Lindberg reported that skating areas at Melzose Lake, Happy Hollow and Longfellow School are no longer used. Staff was asked to look into the situation and to con- sider the use of future parking lots for rinks. Commission endorsed the three stated goals for the FY 76 Budget which Gene Chubb presented in "PROPOSED PARK OPERATIONS PROGRAM". Detailed discussion of this report was delayed until the January CmTnission meeting. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Ellen R. Flowers Secretary Recreation services should provide for all citizens, to the extent practicable, a variety of adequate year-round leisure opportunities which are accessible, safe, physi- cally attractive, and provide enjoyable experiences. They should, to the maximum extent, contribute to the mental and physical health of the community, to its economic and social well-being and permit outlets that will help decrease incidents of antisocial behavior such as crime and delin- quency- The Urban Institute "Measuring the Effectiveness of Incal Goverrmient Services" A. Goals of ASERP ASERP is a combined program of the Iowa City Schools and the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department. The program is designed to provide recreation, not presently available, in the after school hours for elementary school age (grades 1-6) children. Since the Recreation Center is closed to these children after school for all activities except swimming, the Iowa City Schools' buildings will be used as the facilities. The schools will also provide: 1. Custodial service; 2. Non -consumable equipment; 3. Storage space; The ASERP Program is to provide: 1. An opportunity for all children to participate in constructive ® activities and positive self-expression with peer groups in a non -threatening situation, 2. A recreation experience to be conducted at neighborhood schools. This allows easy access for the age group the program is to reach. The Cminittee feels that the progrzim provides special benefits to those children whose parents are not at home after school and those children from low inane families. Therefore, special efforts should be made to make these families aware of this program, i --e= zx 1V Iocation The program should be made available at all elementary schools in Iowa City. Schools who would desire a program should take into consideration such factors as: 1. Space -storage space as well as program space; 2. Support and cooperation of parent -teacher groups. C. Student Eligibility and Enrollment All students in the ammunity, whether or not they reside in the attendance area of the school where the program is held, are eligible to participate in the program. This point warrants em- phasis in pre -registration publicity. D. Fees 1. It is anticipated that funding for this program can be found frau school, city, county, state and federal sources. If a fee is necessary,.it will be set to only contribute to the cost of consumable materials and instructors salaries, in keeping with IA 11 I the City's Fees and Charges Policy as regards recreation. 2. Participants who are not residents of Iowa City may be charged an additional fee to partially defray costs of planning, prepar- ation, or overall supervision provided by the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department staff. 3. If the fees would pose an obstacle to participation, fees may be paid for via the Iowa State Department of Social Services, Johnson County, when participants qualify for such assistance; orfees may be paid for by a parent -teacher group at that school if the group wishes and is able to do so. +hre�_- 4. It is suggested that theseApoints be emphasized in pre -regis- tration publicity and that the registration form include a spot that can be checked in instances in which consideration for such financial assistance is desired. (Indicate on forms that this information will be pursued -may be called by Social Services, etc.) E. Participation in Planning and Operation of Program 1. Responsibility for overall planning, organization, and implemen- tation of the progran rests with the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department staff, in cooperation with corresponding school per- sonnel. 2. Parks and Recreation Commission a. Appoint a Commission member as a liaison person to keep in contact with the program through City staff, principals, and parent -teacher groups. 10 11 b. Commission should receive evaluative material at the end of each program session to make possible Commission input for the following session 3. Parent-Teacher Groups Each school should appoint one person to contribute to planning, operation and evaluation. F. Mechanics of Staffing 1. Class size depends on space. 2. One paid leader per 15-20 participants, based on the type of activity. 3. Initially, there should be one volunteer per group with the idea of expansion as a desirable goal. These volunteers should be cannitted through and supervised by the volunteer Service Bureau in cooperation with such groups as the: a. PTA; b. Recreation Education and other University departments; c. High school volunteers; d. Any other viable sources of assistance. G. Program Content The ASERP Coordinator decides on program content based on input from principals and public school specialists in such areas as science, dramatics, physical education, music, art and early elementary ed- ucation. There will be an average of four activities offered each week for an eight week long session. H. Planning Steps 1. Director of Recreation in cooperation with ASEW Coordinator, i 0 Ll Superintendent of Schools and Camnission to select schools and decide scheduling of the two sessions in the evaluative week of the preceeding session. At this time school principals and PTA groups should be informed. 2. ASERP Coordinator talks to Principal of each participating school four to six weeks before start of program to: a. Get information concerning available space; b. Get input into program content for that school. 3. ASERP Coordinator to immediately alert Volunteer Coordinator as to school sites and discuss possible numbers of volunteers that will be needed. 4. ASERP Coordinator to consult with school specialists on program content. 5. ASERP Coordinator and Recreation Staff to finalize program con- tent and staffing needs which may vary from school to school. 6. Re -contact Volunteer Coordinator for specific volunteer com- mittments in order to finalize activity group sizes. 7. ASERP Coordinator talks to Parent-Teacher Group to: a. Identify liaison person in each school; b. Set up mechanics for registration; c. Discuss availability of volunteers from PTA, etc. 8. Publicity a. Newspaper releases; b. Radio spots; c. School handouts; 0 ASERP December 6, 1974 Page 6 d. Handouts available to teachers and all counselors; e. Handouts available to all social workers. 9. Registration Mechanics a. Operated by PTA at a non -workday hour; b. Checklist for low -inane (Social Services referral); c. Waiting lists kept; d. Should child be able to sign up for all three activities or have first choice filled and be put on waiting list for the others? 10. Operational Details a. Keep attendance; b. Permission slips for field trips; c. Before time to start each day, assemble entire group in one place; d. Starting hour may vary from school to school. 11. Evaluation a. Evaluative information should be obtained from the students who participate in the program and their parents and frau each principal, PTA person, each leader and the ASERP Coor- dinator. b. It is suggested that a brief set of written objectives be developed for the program as a whole at a particular school and for each activity that canprises a part of the program and that evaluation be based mainly on these objectives. For.example, given certain objectives, from the standpoints of the students involved, their parents, and those involved 0 K] in the supervision or provision of that part of the program, were these objectives met, what is their overall opinion about the value of that part of the program and of the pro - gran as a whole at that school, should the program be con- tinued, and, if so, how could it be inproved? From the standpoints of those involved in the planning, central coor- dination, or operation of the program as a whole at that school, what is their evaluation relating to planning, coordination, and operation of the program, what is their evaluation of the value and content of the program, should the program be continued, and if so, how could the program or its planning or operation be improved? c. It is suggested that two standard questionnaires be developed. d. Evaluative material to be presented by Staff to the Cnr- mission through its liaison person (see E, 2a). • MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: OTHERS PRESENT: SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION AND FORMAL ACTIONS TAKEN: Dalrymple Bolnick Rogers Baum Amidon Matson Sando Winder McCall Moorhead Julie Zelenka Carol deProsse Sheran Matson and Julie Zelenka reported on the feasibility of social services funding under Title I. Apparently, HUD will allow such funding related to specific projects developed with Title I funds In general, the committee feels that any ® given social service project might be funded, but that final decision on any project would require HUD review and, therefore, a delay in Iowa City's Title I funds. There- fore, we should avoid excessive numbers of such recommendations. The Ames recycling project was discussed, and it was pointed out that Iowa City might limit its recycling program to, the separation of trash and the operation of a metal stamping machine. The Committee agreed to ask the City staff to research the costs of such a program. (A similar program in a small Minnesota city was publicized about a year ago.) The Committee received a memo from Julie Zelenka regarding General Revenue Sharing Funds, and discussed the possibility of. releasing capital improvements monies from General Revenue Sharing funds by funding the improvements under Title I, thereby releasing G.R.S. funds for social services. Sheran Matson reported on the progress of the community survey to be conducted next week. The pretest of the questionnaire will be completed this week, and the survey will include a random: sample of about 500 citizens. We shall attempt to enlist the aid of about 50 volunteers who will be trained for the survey at our Monday night, December 9, meeting. Sheran raised the possibility of paying for child care for resi- dents of Mark IV who are helping with .the pretest. The Committee agreed that this would be a legitimate, use of our surveying funds. Sheran also reported that the costs of keypunching should run about $100; the cost of computer time is uncertain. Sheran reported that the survey will, hopefully, be completed (including analysis) by December 21, 1974., ® Dan Rogers and Ira Bolnick reported on publicity efforts regarding the Committee's December 11 public meeting. Handbills have been printed up (5,000 at a cost of $62.50), and will be posted in grocery stores and laundromats, the dowtown area and around campus and on City buses. In addition, volunteers will distribute handbills at the Mall, K -Mart, Wardway, and Towncrest for a few hours on Saturday, December 7. These handbills are to publicize the December 11 meeting. Ira Bolnick and Thea Sando will appear on the Dottie Ray show on Tuesday, December 10, to publicize the meeting. Julie Zelenka will also issue press releases. It was decided that Ira Bolnick shall chair the public meeting, that a list of possible Title I projects (as included in our -letter to community organizations) be available at the door, and that City Council members act as observers rather than primary parti- cipants. REQUESTS TO CITY MANAGER FOR INFORMATION OR STAFF ASSISTANCE: Request to the City Manager and City staff to obtain information on the Minnesota recycling program. Respectfully submitted, ® Ira Bolnick Committee Member IB:mbm C