HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-09-2023 Parks and Recreation Commission Agenda PacketIowa City
Parks and Recreation Commission
Wednesday, August 09, 2023
5:00 P.M. • .
Robert A. Lee Recreation Center — Meeting Room B CITY OF IOWA CITY
220 S Gilbert Street, Iowa City, IA 52240
Public Comment for each item will be limited to 3 minutes for each person and a total for no more than 30
minutes per item. Written comments submitted to parksondrecreation(a)iowo-citv.ora, prior to 5 p.m. on
Monday, August 07, 2023, will be distributed to the Commission via email in advance of the meeting. Written
Comments submitted at meeting will be included in following month's packet.
AGENDA
ITEM 1 CALL TO ORDER
ITEM 2 APPROVAL OF JULY 12, 2023, MINUTES
ITEM 3 PUBLIC COMMENT ON ANY ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
ITEM 4 PARKS AS STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE
- Parks & Forestry Supt. Tyler Baird
ITEM 5 REVIEW FUTURE LOWER CITY PARK SHELTER RENOVATION PLAN
- Parks & Forestry Supt. Tyler Baird
ITEM 6 SCHEDULE OCTOBER COMMISSION MEETING — Dir. Juli Seydell Johnson
ITEM 7 REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF
a) Parks and Recreation Director —Juli Seydell Johnson
b) Parks & Forestry Superintendent —Tyler Baird
ITEM 8 CHAIRS REPORT
ITEM 9 COMMISSION TIME/SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
ITEM 10 ADJOURN
If you will need disability -related accommodations to participate in this program/event, please contact
Gabe Gotera, Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department at 319-356-5210 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 OF DULY 12, 2023
ROBERT A. LEE RECREATION CENTER — MEETING ROOM B
Members Present: Alex Hachtman, Rachel McPherson, Melissa Serenda, Brian Morelli,
Aaron Broege
Members Absent: Connie Moore, Missie Forbes
Staff Present: Juli Seydell Johnson, Matt Eidahl, Gabe Gotera
Others Present: Sue Protheroe, Mitzi Read, Justin Fishbaugh, Jill Fishbaugh, Carin Crain, Marc
Cannon, Anne Stapleton, John Downer
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Hachtman called the meeting to order at 5:04 p.m.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: (to become effective only after separate Council action):
None
OTHER FORMAL ACTION:
Moved by Morelli, seconded by Serenda, to approve the Mav 10, 2023, minutes. Motion passed 5-0
(Moore and Forbes absent).
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:
Sue Protheroe, speaking on behalf of City Park Pool: Back to the Future, thanks Dir. Juli Seydell
Johnson, City Mgr. Geoff Fruin, & the City Council who have met with members of the steering
committee, listened to their vision plan, and offered good advice and public engagement. Protheroe says
that CPP: BTF members have been thinking about the public outreach meeting that Parks & Rec staff are
planning for Phase 2, should the City Council decide to rebuild City Park Pool, which Brad Barker
referred to as an open house in his council presentation on June 20. Protheroe suggests, regarding the
format, to benefit the community and bolster the integrity of the public engagement process, to have a
meeting with breakout groups of community members, Parks and Recreation Commission members,
department staff members, and design team members, where each group would select a facilitator and a
recorder to discuss a standard set of guiding questions focused more directly on user and design issues.
After a predetermined amount of discussion time, a spokesperson from each table could share salient
points with the large group. Protheroe says that the advantages of this format are that community
members would have an opportunity to hear one another's ideas, community members would feel heard
and that they had participated in the process in an authentic way, and that staff and consultants would
have the opportunity to hear community ideas in a setting that has a lab dialogue. Protheroe proposes that
if this process works, then another meeting could follow the presentation of the three pool designs.
Protheroe says that she is speaking to the Commission about this now rather than in September because
she knows how quickly a plan can be locked into place.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
July 12, 2023
Page 2 of 10
Anne Stapleton begins by welcoming both Commissioner McPherson and Commissioner Broege to the
Parks and Recreation Commission. Stapleton thanks department staff, Gabe Gotera for helping her earlier
in the week with a cheerful attitude. Stapleton states that she is a solution -oriented person, but that there is
no problem with the RAL pool yet. Stapleton says that for the past 19 months, administrators have only
allowed access into the RAL pool on limited hours, which currently are Monday -Friday 2.75-hour & 2-
hour periods, Saturday until noon, and Sunday evenings. Stapleton reminds the commission that the RAL
pool is a treasure valued by Iowa Citians as shown by the 1,100 signature documents from Summer 2022
supporting the maintenance and improvement of the pool and survey respondents from the Recreation
Masterplan who ranked Aquatics number one above all other programs and preferred the downtown
central location for accessibility. Stapleton says that she has been a swimmer at RAL pool for 37 years
and that the location has always been very popular with swimmers, with swimmers having to wait for an
available lane multiple times during the current summer season. Stapleton states that there were 21
swimmers in the 6-lane pool that same day. Stapleton lists a series of problems caused by the current
scheduling, no downtown swimming for folks after a traditional work shift, Mercer Pool closing for a
swim meet leaving no indoor pool, children need to learn to swim but are unable to tolerate the Mercer
pool temps, all of which could be solved by extending open swim hours at RAL pool to the same as at
Mercer pool. Stapleton says that the numbers provided by staff do not equate to the actual number of
people in the pool at a given time, encouraging the commission to look at the July pool numbers when
released to see if it includes her observation of 21 pool users at noon on July 12, 2023. Stapleton asks the
commission to not make decisions about limiting the pool hours based on numbers provided in the
commission agenda packets.
Carin Crain starts by addressing a common goal between the department and herself, that everyone needs
the opportunity to learn how to swim. Crain states that she is concerned that the department is missing
key opportunities to achieve this goal. Crain says that when walking into the RAL facility, there is no
indication that swim lessons are offered. Crain says that she attends the family swim nights on Sundays
and Saturdays, where there are many children all in life jackets, pointing out that children love to be in the
water but do not know how to properly swim. Crain says that the number of children that know how to
swim can be increased by publicizing the availability of swim lessons either throw signage, emails, or
even a staffed table at the family swim nights. Crain says that she has two school -aged children in the
system that have taken swim lessons but that she has never received any email from Iowa City Parks and
Rec about swim lessons. Crain asks the commission if they truly want every child to know how to swim,
then why is the commission not taking every step possible to publicize this. Crain refers to a New York
Times article on drowning deaths, stating that while drowning deaths has gone down, this statistic is still
high for children of color which the department can address by offering more swim lessons. Crain says
that she hears that the swim lessons are commonly full but talks about how in March 2023 there were still
opening in Level 2 & Pre -School swimming lessons. Crain says that now there are openings in Level 4, 5,
& 6 swimming lessons, which are a result of kids taking the earlier lessons but not persisting to a higher
degree of water safety.
ROBERT A. LEE POOL FALL 2023 HOURS — Asst. Surat. of Recreation Matt Eidahl
Dir. Juli Seydell Johnson introduces Assistant Recreation Supt. Matt Eidahl. Seydell Johnson explains
that this item is not typically something that the commission would actually weigh in on and that
ultimately it is a staff or administration decision. Seydell Johnson elaborates that is not something that
would be recommended to the city council but rather to the department staff, and that the item was added
to the agenda due to the amount of public input received. Seydell Johnson refers to the staff report,
pointing out that sets of numbers from both department staff and the Save R,4L Pool group were provided.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
July 12, 2023
Page 3 of 10
Assistant Recreation Supt Matt Eidahl says that the reasons for his presence at the meeting are not only to
speak as the person in charge of customer service staff at both RAL & MPAC but also as the member of
staff who pulls the numbers for open swim times. Eidahl states that since September of 2022, RAL Pool
has had open swim hours Mon -Fri 6:15am-9am & 1lam-lpm, Sat 6:15am-3pm, and Fri & Sun $2 swim
from 5pm-8pm. Eidahl states that Mercer Pool hours are Mon -Sat 6:15am-8pm, Sun 11 am-8pm, and Tue
& Thu $2 Swim from 9am-1 lam. Eidahl says that since Oct 2022 he has been recording pool attendance
numbers which include pool pass scans, daily admissions, special events, private reservations, water
fitness classes, swim team counts, and water certification classes that are open to the public. Eidahl adds
that items that are not included in the count are internal certification classes and in-service training that
are closed to the public. Eidahl explains that this data allows staff to see how these facilities are being
used by the public and how attendance is distributed during open hours. Eidahl refers to the first graph in
the memo that shows the RAL average daily pool admission from 6:15am-9am has a consistent average
of 17.9 users, which were made using numbers pulled from ActiveNet but also numbers from the Save
RAL Pool group. Eidahl refers to the second graph showing RAL pool daily admissions from 1 lam-lpm
which has seen the monthly average increase from 12 to 20.2 users. Eidahl notes that in the last 2 months,
there have been groups of 10-13 users utilizing the deep end during that time versus just the lap lanes.
Eidahl refers to the third graph showing the average daily attendance of the Mercer Park Aquatic Center
from 6am-9am, 9am-11am, and l lam- 1pm. Eidahl explains further that the MPAC 6am-9am averages at
22.6 users, the 9am-11 am has increased from 19 users to 26, while the 11 am-lpm has increased from 12
users to 17. Eidahl believes that the sharp increase during the 9am-1lam is due to the $2 swim which sees
a lot of different groups and families utilizing the shallow pool. Eidahl says that based on this data, the
Parks & Recreation department recommends that the 2023 Fall hours be consistent with the 2022 Fall
hours.
Seydell Johnson explains that what this item is regarding is setting the hours from September through the
end of winter break. Staff would re -look attendance figures around November to determine what to do for
the following semester's hours.
Commissioner Broege asks what numbers are not included in the pool attendance. Eidahl responds
numbers not included are staff training or when the pool is closed to the general public, such as
certification classes and in-service training.
Commissioner McPherson asks for clarification on the difference between the council and the
commission regarding this Item. Seydell Johnson explains that this is generally a staff decision, but that
staff has brought it to the commission to receive their advice/recommendation on how to move forward
since the item has received a large amount of public interest.
Commissioner Serenda asks for a reminder of what the limiting factor is that would prevent the pool from
being opened for longer hours. Seydell Johnson responds that when looking at pool operations, the
efficiency and effectiveness of lifeguards and staffing must be considered across the entire Aquatics
program, so originally the RAL hours were cut for low attendance and for putting resources where they
are being used. Seydell Johnson explains that staffing -wise, it costs about $75 for two lifeguards across
two hours, which at the time of the hours being cut, were being used for 1 or sometimes 0 swimmers. The
idea was that hours would be trimmed at RAL knowing that MPAC was still open during that time.
Serenda asks if there is anything that would prevent the department from opening a few days a week with
some expanded hours as a good faith demonstration to make the hours available as a test for the fall.
Seydell Johnson explains that that can be the Commission's recommendation to staff.
Commissioner Broege asks if the staff sees a spike in lifeguards during the university school year. Seydell
Johnson says typically not enough to make a noticeable difference. Seydell Johnson adds that aquatics
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
July 12, 2023
Page 4 of 10
supervisors are usually entering Fall schedules now, so staff that are hired or currently working already
know what they're going to be working.
Commissioner McPherson refers to the correspondence in the packet and asks if the same standard should
be used for measuring the pool attendance when the MPAC pool is 3x the size of the RAL pool. Seydell
Johnson says that she does not believe the size of the pool is important in consideration, but rather looks
at the pool on a granular level as the number of lifeguards present is the same between facilities. Seydell
Johnson says that past decisions had been based on the overall numbers at MPAC and keeping that
consistent. Seydell Johnson makes the point that the decision -making should not be one pool vs the other,
but more so how the department provides a service to the public, what other services are provided in
town, and how can recreation services be used to the most impact.
Commissioner Morelli asks for clarification on what the staff recommendation is. Seydell Johnson
answers that the staff recommendation is to keep the RAL hours the same as they currently are, 6:15am-
9am and 1 lam-lpm, and return the evening hours to Fri & Sat after the summer swim season is complete.
Seydell Johnson says that not many people are looking for the 1pm-5pm hours as those hours see low
attendance across the board and that the more discussed focus is the RAL 9am-1 lam. Commissioner
McPherson asks about after -work hours for the RAL pool. Seydell Johnson says that typically swim
lessons take over the RAL pool during those hours.
Commissioner Morelli asks if the review is coming up, regarding the future of indoor pools. Seydell
Johnson explains that the current Item is regarding pool hours at RAL and that the discussion of
opening/closing of any indoor pools, until after City Park Pool is done at the end of 2025. In the
meantime, staff will be monitoring attendance numbers and making operational hours for the upcoming
fall season.
Chairman Hachtman opens Item 4 to Public Comment.
Carin Crain disagrees with the staff recommendation before giving a handout to the commission
members. The handout shows a graph comparing both the physical size difference between RAL Pool &
MPAC Pool and the attendance difference of early morning & midday sessions between the pools. Crain
uses the graph to state that on average there is only 2 more swimmer at MPAC Pool over RAL Pool,
while MPAC Pool has 3x the water surface, showing that it is MPAC Pool that is underused and that if a
cut should happen it should be MPAC Pool over RAL Pool, not that she wants any cut to happen at all.
Crain disagrees that MPAC Pool is cheaper since there should be more guards available for a larger
surface area pool. Crain states that that department has said that the RAL pool hours will increase if the
attendance increase, but that no exact number/goal has been stated. Crains says that when the target is not
known, having 2 fewer swimmers does not justify cutting open swim hours. Crain makes that point that
not as many swimmers will be attending RAL Pool, since if they arrive at 8:40am they will be kicked out
at 9am, while swimmers arriving at MPAC Pool at 8:40am could swim straight to 1pm. Crain does not
believe that the department's own data supports their staff recommendation and asks that RAI, Open
Swim Hours at least be from 6am-lpm. Crain compliments staff on the concept of the Pool & Pad Crawl,
but points out that it is scheduled at MPAC on a day that MPAC is closed.
Seydell Johnson clarifies that the Pool & Pad Crawl schedule has been correct on social media. Eidahl
explains that the MPAC event will instead be in Mercer Park with water balloons, activities, and an
inflatable slip -and -slide staffed by lifeguards.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
July 12, 2023
Page 5 of 10
Marc Cannon says that this discussion has been happening for years and asks why the accuracy of the
numbers are still being discussed. Cannon says that he spends 2 hours, 3 days a week counting attendance
at RAL Pool and that he knows how to count, meaning that there is something radically wrong when it is
said that these numbers are not accurate. Cannon asks the commission members what their role in this
process is and why are numbers still being discussed. Cannon says that numbers are numbers before
asking the commission to take their time when considering that MPAC pool is 3x the size of RAL pool,
look at the averages, how are they derived, and why are there so many caveats.
Justin Fishbaugh asks Eidahl specifically why he can not find anything on the Recreation website talking
about what Matt discussed earlier regarding the Pool & Pad Crawl. Seydell Johnson & Eidahl explain that
the correction was made on social media where the initial post was made. Fishbaugh says that was the
only item he wanted to bring to staff s attention.
Seydell Johnson responds to the prompt, won't it take more lifeguards to cover a larger surface area pool
like MPAC, yes at a point if the pool were full. Seydell Johnson continues that the number of guards
necessary is comparable when both pools are not close to their overall capacity. Seydell Johnson says
when looking at the balance of resources, staff have to consider how to be efficient and effective with tax
dollars. Not only do pool numbers have to be analyzed, but also how the pool space is used. Seydell
Johnson refers to the increase of users during the RAL 1 la-lp and says that about 8-10 of those users are
all condensed in the diving, leaving generally the same number of users in the lap swim area. Seydell
Johnsons says that capacity can still be increased in all areas of the pool, especially when the pools are not
near capacity. Seydell Johnson explains that how the pool is used is a factor when considering hours, and
it can be challenging to define a cut -and -dry attendance number to reach.
Seydell Johnson states that the department does advertise swim lessons and that most sessions are full.
Seydell Johnson details that not all classes are full now, but this is because after registration, if there is a
larger amount of people on a waiting list for a Level 2 class, but not much interest in a Level 4 class, the
call could be made to move the Level 4 instructor to Level 2 at a later date.
Commissioner Broege asks if the people in the RAL deep end for water aerobics are included in the pool
attendance counts. Seydell Johnson confirms that they are included in the counts.
Commissioner McPherson says that her recommendation would be to extend the RAL open swim hours
from 9am-1 lam. McPherson mirrors earlier conversation, that people wouldn't come to swim at 8:40am
if it were to close at 9am, quoting Robinson (1989) The Field of Dreams, "If you build it, they will
come". McPherson believes that Marc Cannon had made a fair point about the dedication of the people
who have been coming to talk about it for the last year and says that while she may not know the money
situation, believes it could be worth the tax dollars and that it won't be appeasing a small group of people.
McPherson comments on the unique nature of the central location for the pool and what it brings to the
community, having an incredible variety of programs and people present in the facility.
Commissioner Serenda agrees with McPherson and says that she feels that the commission has been
dealing with a lot of hypotheticals over the past year regarding whether more users would come if there
were more hours or if that growth just is not present. Serenda says that to her, someone not involved with
the staffing, it would be an easy test to open the pool from 9am-11 am and perhaps the occasional evening
swim. Serenda states that if there is demand for those hours, then it should be evident after the hours are
provided which would provide more data for further seasons.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
July 12, 2023
Page 6 of 10
Commissioner Broege says that both swim counts are showing a steady increase and that it would be
worth extending the hours just for the Fall/Winter of 2023 as a trial period to see if it affects attendance
Broege states that if the number goes up, then the argument is there to keep the extended hours.
Commissioner Morelli asks if there are any scenarios planned for extended hours and what these hours
would look like. Morelli believes that to get a solid sense of the matter, a change would have to be
implemented for every day of the week, as opposed to only extending hours for 1 or 2 days of the week
Seydell Johnson says that staff would strive for consistency in a pool schedule and would either extend
hours as either Mon -Fri, Mon & Wed & Fri or Tue & Thu. Seydell Johnson agrees that only having
extended hours for one day would be difficult, especially in terms of staffing.
Chairman Hachtman says that the commission seems to be leaning towards adding a consistent schedule
of extended pool hours for a trial period, to get a better indication of the data. Hachtman asks if there are
any ways to poll swim users for their preferred extended hours. Seydell Johnson replies that a survey this
late in prep for the Fall season would not see the results in time to make the schedule. Seydell Johnson
says that if the commission is wanting to do the 2-3-day extension, then staff can look over the pool
counts by day to determine the best trend to follow, or the commission could recommend extending for
the 5 days of the week. Commissioner Morelli asks if RAL open swim hours could match MPAC open
swim hours for the duration of the trial period. Seydell Johnson does not recommend the extension for the
afternoon hours. Commissioner Morelli asks about the budget impact and what the exact dates are for the
Fall 2023 season. Seydell Johnsons states that the extra 2 hours would cost roughly an extra $75 a day
which she believes is worth it for a trial period. Seydell Johnson explains that the Fall hours would likely
begin the Tuesday after Labor Day through the beginning of the University of Iowa's winter break.
Seydell Johnson reiterates the recommendation to staff, as a trial period from the Tuesday after Labor
Day through the beginning of winter break, adding the Mon -Fri 9am-1 lam hours and tracking attendance
to see how the numbers fare.
REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF
Director of Parks & Recreation — Juli Sevdell Johnson
Parks and Rec Month: Dir. Seydell Johnson announces that July is National Parks & Recreation month,
which was recently proclaimed in Iowa City. Seydell Johnson says that there will be a full-time all -staff
training over the lunch hour planned for the following day. Seydell Johnson invites the members of the
commission to attend and meet staff from all department divisions. Assistant Supt. Eidahl encourages the
commission members to stay past 1pm after the training to see the Mercer Park Hydrant Party.
Project Updates: Seydell Johnson gives updates on several different department projects. The Mercer
Park Aquatic Center Entrance project is not going as smoothly as preferred, but that that is not unexpected
on this type of project. Several the concrete panels will have to be removed and repoured to ensure the
correct slopes for ADA standard. Seydell Johnson expects the current phase to be completed within a few
weeks. Seydell Johnsons announces that the Hunter's Run playground is completed and open for use.
Seydell Johnson says both Kiwanis Park and Happy Hollow Park are waiting for the playground to be
delivered before installation can be finished. Seydell Johnson explains that the contractors should be able
to complete the playgrounds before the contracted end date in October, but that more work completed by
now would be appreciated. Seydell Johnson praises Chadek Green Park, talking about how the
playground installation is complete and on the arrival of raised garden plots for accessibility. Seydell
Johnson says that the North Hickory Hill Shelter & Restroom project is behind due to a material delivery
delay. Seydell Johnson reassures that the project is still expected to be complete during the fall.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
July 12, 2023
Page 7 of 10
City Park Pool: Seydell Johnson says that consultants have been coming in and out of town for the past
week to look over City Park Pool, with a larger meeting with the entire consulting team scheduled for
next week. Seydell Johnson describes the Standing Water Test conducted when the pool was closed on
July 5, where the water pumps are turned off and the water level is observed. Over 12 hours, the pool was
seen to drop 5 inches. Seydell Johnson adds that this test was also conducted the week prior when the
pool was closed due to air quality, showing the same results. Seydell Johnson talks about the Dye Test,
where someone in scuba gear goes around the pool with red dye, aiming to find where the pool is leaking.
Seydell Johnson did not want to give a final report on the matter but confirmed that the pool is not
holding water very well. Seydell Johnson adds that the consultations have requested for staff incident
reports and maintenance logs to try and find any areas of the pools that have been consistently
problematic in the past. Seydell Johnsons believes that the project is on track for reporting to council
during either the August 15 or the September 5 City Council meeting, where a decision will be made to
either repair or replace City Park Pool.
Commission: Seydell Johnson announces that Commission Member, Doloris Mixon has resigned from her
commission seat to accept a paid job within the Parks & Recreation department. Seydell Johnson
elaborates that there are now 2 commission openings, the first spot being for Penandjo Lemoupa and is
expected to be appointed in August, while Mixon's spot is expected to be filled within 2 months.
Assistant Recreation Superintendent — Matt Eidahl
Sporting Goods Drive: Assistant Supt. Matt Eidahl explains that for National Parks and Recreation
Month, the department is sponsoring a Sporting Goods Drive, encouraging the community to donate new
or slightly used equipment to either the Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center (RAL), the Mercer
Park Aquatic Center & Scanlon Gym (MPAC), or City Park Pool. Eidahl explains that the equipment will
be collected for the entirety of July before being donated to kids in need or different neighborhood
groups.
Summer Events: Eidahl brings up the 50 events that are being hosted by the Recreation division over the
summer. These events include Tuesday night Rec n' Roll, Thursday night Party in the Park, Saturday
movie night, Water Wednesdays & Food Truck Fridays at City Park Pool. Eidahl elaborates on the
Recreation divisions involvement in bigger events like Arts Festival, Juneteenth, and the Block Party.
Eidahl closes by talking about a Recreation Division all -part -time -staff training at City Park Pool. Eidahl
says that the event was well received with about 230 part-time staff in attendance. Due to the number of
staff at the training, both MPAC and RAL closed at early at 6pm.
Chairman Hachtman asks if there are any specific equipment that staff are looking for. Eidahl responds
that they are acceptation anything from fishing gear to t-ball helmets and can be suited to any season of
the year. Commissioner McPherson asks if a rowing machine would be accepted. Eidahl responds that the
equipment would have to be suited for neighborhood kids and their interests, so a rowing machine is
likely not that fit.
CHAIRS REPORT:
Chairman Hachtman announces his opportunity to accept the proclamation from Mayor Teague June 20
City Council meeting. The proclamation established July as Parks & Recreation month.in Iowa City, IA.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
July 12, 2023
Page 8 of 10
Hachtman takes the moment to thank the individuals who came to speak to at the City Council meeting to
talk about City Park Pool,
COMMISSION TIME/SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Commissioner McPherson talks about spending time in the Oakland Cemetery, talking with staff.
McPherson says that the staff there are big tree people who want to put in the work- to raise trees in the
cemetery, but that they are heavily limited by their budget. McPherson clarifies that while this is not
urgent, it would be worth it to see about having more trees present, adding to the beauty that is already in
the Cemetery.
Commissioner Morelli ask Dir. Seydell Johnson for more context about what's happening regarding the
Court hill Park Shelter. Seydell Johnson explains that the new shelter by the playground was installed and
that there are still plans for a smaller shelter by the basketball court. Seydell says that this project would
be installed by department staff and is waiting on materials, but that at this point, it is not likely to be
completed by the Fall season.
Commissioner Broege says that there is a lot of underutilized space in Scott Park, which could be used as
an opportunity to add additional amenities, such as a new park shelter or community garden plots. Seydell
Johnson explains that the largest open spaces in Scott Park are a part of the stormwater management
system for the Public Works department and by design floods regularly during a normal summer, making
it not viable for additional structures. Broege is glad that the space can be effectively used by the Frisbee
Golf league, given the circumstances behind Scott Park.
Commissioner Serenda makes note of the Pollinator Prowl event that she is enjoying. Serenda explains
that the event a wooden pollinator hidden in 16 parks across town, which members of the community are
encouraged to go and out and find before taking a picture to send in for a prize drawing. Serenda says that
the event is a fun way to get out and see some of the parks. Serenda comments that there are other parks
that have functionality in stormwater management and would be interested in learning more about them in
a future topic.
Commissioner Morelli brings attention to a "really cool" solar system installation along the bike trail
between Court Hill Park and McPherson Park with the planets in relatively correct distances. Morelli
explains that the project was a partnership with Willowwind School, with a lot of community members
checking it out. Seydell Johnson echoes Morelli's gratitude towards the school, crediting the students and
staff for reaching out to the department and for the planning of the installation.
Commissioner McPherson refers to the prior May 10, 2023, Parks and Recreation Commission meeting
and asks if a consultation firm has been decided for the City Park Pool project. Seydell Johnson confirms
that lead firm is Williams Architects out of Chicago, joined by several sub -consultants. Counsilman-
Hunsaker is the primary aquatic sub -consultant and has experience with swimming pools in the Midwest.
Barry Dunn, who was part of the Recreation Masterplan will be helping with public input if the project
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
July 12, 2023
Page 9 of 10
gets to that phase. Hitchcock design is the landscape architect on the team, who is also working on the
Mercer Athletic Field project.
ADJOURNMENT:
Chairman Hachtman calls the meeting to adjourn at 6:05 p.m.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
ATTENDANCE RECORD
NAME
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
M
N
M
N
M
N
M
N
M
N
M
N
M
N
M
O
:4
4
N
TERM
l�
O
00
O
C�
O
r-I
rl
ri
O
O
M
O
O
O
O
O
EXPIRES
Aaron
12/31/24
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
X
NM
X
Broege
Missie
12/31/25
X
X
X
X
X
NM
X
O/E
LQ
X
X
NM
O/E
Forbes
Alex
12/31/24
X
X
X
X
X
NM
X
X
LQ
X
X
NM
X
Iachtman
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
July 12, 2023
Page 10 of 10
Rachel 12/31/26
*
*
*
*
*
*
X
X
' LQ
X
X
NM
X
McPherson
Doloris 12/31/26
*
*
*
*
*
*
X
X
LQ
X
X
NM
Mixon
Connie 12/31/25
*
X
X
X
X
NM
X
X
LQ
X
X
NM
O/E
Moore
Brian 12/31/25
X
O/E
X
X
X
NM
X
X
LQ
X
X
NM
X
Morelli
Boniface 12/31/23
O
O/E
O/E
O
O
NM
O
O
LQ
O
O
Penandjo
Lemoupa
Melissa 12/31/23
X
X
X
X
X
NM
X
X
LQ
X
X
NM
X
Serenda
KEY: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused NM = No meeting
LQ = No meeting due to lack of quorum * = Not a member during this meeting
Comments to Parks & Rec Commission
Evaluation Summary of Parks & Rec Robert A. Lee Indoor Swimming Pool Reports for April and Mav 2023
Members of the Iowa City community have analyzed the April and May 2023 Parks & Rec pool count reports and offer this feedback to
encourage accurate reporting of all pool use. As with each monthly report since October 2022, the April and May 2023 Robert A. Lee (RAL) pool
count reports also contain significant omissions of pool use. If the records remain uncorrected, the individuals and families who continue to be
excluded from the monthly reports will inherently be underrepresented in the planning and decisions for the future of Iowa City aquatics.
Regrettably, April was the third consecutive report that contained the same math errors in the "GRAND TOTAL" column that considerably
undercalculated RAL's monthly pool use totals (by 730 in April, 911 in March, 728 in February) and daily averages (by 24.2/dav in April, 29.4/day
in March, 26 da in February). The repetition of these considerable errors leaves false and misleading impressions of RAL pool use.
Water Fitness Swvn Lessons : Event B Count f Grand Total:
Apl1/ 2023 Daily Rec Totals)
Tota B: ' 730 171 1876 za3 FMath Error-) SUM = 3060 I Undercalculated by 730
+ Average:
Averages: 243 5.7 625 9.a (—Math Error-� 77.7 AVG = 101.9 _Undercalculated by24.2/day
In total, community volunteers identified a minimum of 164 pool users uncounted in the RAL pool reports for April and May 2023. Two
representative examples verified by security video are shown on the following page. The accuracy and completeness of pool use data are vital
to any future reliance on those values, such as determining cost per user as referenced in the Gather Here Recreation Master Plan. This is why
undercounting cannot be dismissed or ignored; and why the data must be corrected.
The monthly reports continue to present data for the City's two indoor pools that encourages the reader to compare facilities but neglects to
provide the calculations necessary to make a valid comparison. RAL is 37% the size of Mercer Park Aquatic Center (MPAC) and its smaller, less
intimidating size is one of the many reasons cited by users who prefer RAL. To directly compare these two facilities, pool use values must
account for both equal hours and equal size. In the monthly reports, the "Rec"' use subtotal for MPAC is adjusted for equal hours of operation,
but the monthly grand total is not, and none of the reported values account for the size difference between the facilities. It would be like
comparing the total number of passengers carried per month by two Uber drivers without equalizing for vehicle capacity, when one operates a
Smart Car and the other a full-size van, and then assuming the resulting comparison was valid.
Decisions regarding publicly funded recreation facilities and services should be made based on comprehensive, factual information. The
collection and reporting of pool use data over the last eight months has yet to meet either of these criteria, despite the public's consistent
submission of evidence that clearly contradicts the data and characterizations provided by the Parks & Rec Department.
Please support those who continue to be marginalized and disregarded in this process by insisting on the comprehensive correction of all
previously reported data and that all future reports contain a consolidated, complete, accurate, and transparent record of all pool use.
1 The "Rec" category generally represents open swim participants. It does not include Water Fitness, Events, Swim Lessons, or Swim Team.
Examples
Parks & Rec Robert A. Lee Indoor Swimming Pool Report Analysis
r - 4 Students + 1 Instructor in 18 of the 23 Swimmers ($2 Swim) i
Deep Water Fitness Class at RAL from 5:00pm-8:00pm 1 4
(reported separately) .j. on Friday, 04/21/2023
Parks & Rec Report =16 _
;+ Leaving 7 Swimmers Uncounted
limb
r ' ; Image obscured to respect privacy.
.� :.� • . ae ,, -. �. ., suer^-. _ , I __.
101,
,r.
25 of the 30 Swimmers ($2 Swim)
at RAL from 5:00pm-8:00pm
' on Sunday, 04/23/2023
i Parks & Rec Report = 24 -.
Leaving 6 Swimmers Uncounted
Image obscured to respect privacy.
2
COMMUNITY EVALUATION OF PARKS 8t R€C REPORTED DATA — APRIL 2023
At least 107 Robert A. Lee pool users were uncounted, and a math error excludes 730 pool users from the April
"Grand Total."
Identified omissions represent only a fraction of unreported pool use. Data verification occurs for a portion of days/hours and is limited by volunteer availability to conduct
direct observations
and
ability to obtain/afford relevant data through public information requests (e,g., security video, pass scan reports, attendance/training rosters).
Robert A Lee Recreation Center - Indoor Swimming Pool Totals April 2023
Day
Date
6-7a
7-aa 8-9a 9-10a ! 10-11a 11-12p
12-1p 1-2p 2-3p
3-4p 45p 5-6p 6-7p 7-8p Daily Re Totals Water Fitness Swiml. s om Event#Coon
Event Name
*Omission is
sr�+
1-Apr
1
2 I 3 2 1 1
- 0 0 1
Citizen Count =11 at 11:30a (+1)*
11 6 ,6
underwater Ea Humt
likely greater
,-Apr
Analysis underestimates omission
o 109
$2 swim (Spm-apm)
VIDEO Verified = 24 from 5-8p
than noted
(52 Swim) (+91
because all
et'w.r
3-Apr
9
2 1 16
3 33 27 90
pool users
`—Y
4Apr
3
6 1 14
26 76
admitted
wean<mry
5-Apr
2
6 1 13
7 29 10 104
during earlier
m_
6-Apr
4
5 4 16
2 31 84
VIDEO Verified = 10 from 5-8p
hours were
rn0�
7 Apr
9
7 3 13
33 a a I
3
wi
S2sm(5pm-epm)
($2 Swim) (+2)
not likely still
'«.mr
S-Apr
2
4 1 4 2
1 5 0 20 6 24 24
Pooi Party Lifeguard Training Omitted (+30)
present at
-
the time of
sorry
9-Apr
0
-
Citizen Count.
10-Apr
a
5
1
11
6
31 15 90
,
Luray
11-Apr
1
5
3
12
1 (
(
I
22 76
wemesa.r
L'-Apr
6
6
1
14
4E"12-1p'
31 12 104
3
14
4 t = 17 at 12p (+3)
29 84
tnvmaq,
13-Apr
5
3
ns do not accountfor noted omission327
17
52 Swim (Spm-Bpn
•riorr
14-Apr
10
4 3
14
1
VIDEO Verified = 36 from 5-8p
o
3 9 3 1
5
0 Water Fitness Class Omitted (+7)
2s 24
Pool Party ($2 Swim) (+2)
- ,
16-Apr
Citizen Count = 5 at 8a (+2);
"8-9a" scans do not account for noted omission 0 109 '..j 34
52 Swim (Spm 8pn) Lifeguard Training Omitted (+351
.sw V
17-Apr
9
3 3 10
3 28 17.0 90
ncaay
18-Apr
5
6 1 14
0 26 76
ww�wry
19-Apr
10
3 1 14
6 34 13 204
," ery
20-Apr
8
5 3 13
0 29 s4
VIDEO Verified = 23 from 5-8p
"i.y
21-Apr
9
2 5 11
3 VIDEO Verified = 16 from lla-lp (+2) 30 11 16
52swim (5pm-apm)
($2 Swim) (+7)
24 7
Lifeguard Training Omitted (+11)
sv�rvy
22-Apr
3
3 3 2 4 1
1
2 1 s
s�e.r
23-AW
0 109 241
52Swim IIswm-apm)
VIDEO Verified = 30 from 5-8p
rm 24-Apr
10
3 1
19
2
1K" 25-Apr
2
7 3
19
1
w.s , 26-Apr
10
7 0
20
1
5
to f 27-Apr
6
4 4
17
5
VIDEO Verified = 24 from 11a-1p (A) 35 13 90.0 ($2 Swim) (+6)
VIDEO Verified = 21 from lla-lp (+1) 32 76
VIDEO Verified = 26 from 11a-1p (+1) 42 a 104
VIDEO Verified = 24 from 11a-1p (+2) 36 84 Grand Total:
,,;wr 28-Apr 11 3 1
16
3
3s 22
B 52 swim(5pm-8pm)
Undercalculated by 730
3
0 0 3
28
24 Pool party
Average:
Pass Usage
dr 29-Apr 10 S 6 0
3
(
Undercalcutated by 24,2/day
Report Total
3aapr
0 109
23 52 Swim (Sp—SP-)
6 1+
Grand Toter
Totals: '= 73D Y71 U76
... -283 E-MOtf1 FfrOr�
2330'
SUM= 3(�60
Too So 1179
roauMws�r
Avera6es: 24.3 1 5.7 62.5
'
9.4
4_ Math FfrOl3
77"7
AVG =101.
KEY:
BREAKDOWN OF IDENTIFIED OMISSIONS:
O Pool use omission verified by citizen count or
"Water Fitness"
"Daily Rec Totals"
"Event # Count"
information obtained via public records request
• Underreported by 7 participants
• Underreported by minimum of 15 participants
• Underreported by a minimum
of 82 participants
Q Pool pass scan omission verified by information
($2 Swim = 26 / Training = 56)
obtained via public records request.
Pool Pass Scans
3
Math error identified.
• Underreported by 3 scans
_
COMMUNITY EVALUATION OF PARKS & REC REPORTED DATA — MAY 2023
At least 77 Robert A. Lee pool users were uncounted.
Identified omissions represent only a fraction of unreported pool use. Data verification occurs fora portion of days/hours and
is limited by volunteer availability to conduct
direct observations and ability to obtain/afford relevant data through public information requests (e.g., security video, pass scan reports, attendance/training rosters).
Robert A Lee Recreation Center - Indoor Swimming Pool Totals May 2023
Day Date 6-7a 7-8a B-9a 9-10a
10-11a 11-12p 12-1p 1-2p 2-3p 3-4p 4-5p 5-6 p 6-7p 7-8p Daily Rec Totals Water Fitness Swim Lessons
Event 4 Count Event Name
Monday 1-May 5 6 2
19 3 35 10
Tuesday 2-May 1 8 1
22 3 35
Wednesday 3-May 8 3 0
17 6 34 10
Thursday 4-May 6 7 3
16 4 36
Friday S-May 7 6 4
14 2 33
19 LG Class / $2 Swim
7 # LG Class
Lifeguard Training Omitted (+9)
Saturday 6-May 1 4 3 1
3 3 3 6 7 31
t= 11 at 6:15a (Q)
Sunday 7-MayV45
Closure (Power Outage) — Not Reflected
28 LG Class /$25wim
VIDEO Verified = 23 from 5-8p
($2 Swim) (+2); (7 in LG Class)
Monday 8-May
I
o
0
In May MPAC Total & Avg Using RAL Hours
13
Tuesday 9-May
19
1 36
Wednesday 10-May
15
4 Citizen Count = 7 at 6:30a (+2) 30 12
Thursday 11-May
14
2 33
Friday 12-May
14
3 Citizen Count = 6 at 6:30a (+2)
14 1
28 8
38
15$2 Swim
l Lifeguard Training Omitted (+S)
Saturday 13-May 0
5 6 3
Sunday 14-May
29 , $2 Swim p
VIDEO Verified = 33 from 5-8
Monday 15-May 6 9 0
13 1 29 12.0
($2 Swim) (+4)
Tuesday 16-May 6 9 2
22 0 39
Wednesday 17-May6 0
17 2 31 11
�6
Thursday 18-May 3 1 8 1
17 3 Citizen Count = 7 at 7:00a (+4) 32
+
"7-8a" scans do not accountfor noted omission 36 7
12 $2 Swim
Friday 19-May 7 7 3
13 6
Saturday 20-May 6 6 1 8
Sunday 21-May -
3 24 13 5 9 75
28 $2 Swim `VIDEO Verified = 29 from 5-8P�
+($2
Swim) (+1) J
Monday 22-May 11 4 2
I
11 6 34 12
Tuesday 23-May 6 6 0
12 2 26
Wednesday 24-May 8 5 0
15 5 33 11
Thursday 25-May 5 8 1
15 8 37
Friday 26-May 6 6 1
19 3
Citizen Count=5 at 6:15a IQ)
35 8
18 $2 Swim
Saturday 27-May 4 k 4 1 1
1 6 3 1 1 0
vs. 3 scans recorded by 6:15a
21
�i
per Pass Usage Report
18 $2 Swim
Sunday 28-May
Monday 29-May 5 2 4
18 1 I
30
Pass Usage
Tuesday 30-May 4 4 3
13 1 I
25
Report Total
Wednesday 31-May 5 2 2
20 6
35 0
= 796 (+21)
..
�.
..
Grand Total
Total Sans: 775
-
lbtals:
900
111
0
174 - 1185
Total Unique Scans: 135
Averages:
29.0 3.6
0.0
5.6 38.2
KEY:
BREAKDOWN OF IDENTIFIED OMISSIONS:
Q Pool use omission verified by citizen count or
pool Pass Scans "Daily Rec Totals"
"Event # Count"
information obtained via public records request
+ Underreported by 21 scans + Underreported by minimum of 12 participants
• Underreported by a minimum of 24 participants
® Pool pass scan omission verified by information
($2 Swim = 7 /Training = 17)
obtained via public records request.
4
0 Pool Closure Not Reflected on MPAC Report: 5/8/2023 RAL reduced open hour5 should be reflected by a reduction of 32 admissions in MPAC Total Using RAL Hours (1,091) and Average Using RAL Hours (35.2).
18,000
16,000
14,000
12,000
10,000
8,000
6,000
4,000
2,000
Summary of Iowa City Parks & Rec Pool Data
October 2022 through May 2023
When the factors of pool size and hours are made equal to make a valid comparison possible,
RAL's total pool use is nearly 1% times that of MPAC.
TOTAL POOL USE
October 2022 through May 2023
Matching RAL Hours, Scaled for Pool Size
RAL MPAC
■ RAL Grand Total (Community Identified Omissions Added)
■ MPAC Grand Total Matching RAL Hours, Scaled for Pool Size
Values scaled to allow valid comparison reflecting that the
RAL pool is 37% the size of MPAC.
Values include 2,369 RAL pool admissions excluded from Parks & Rec's Grand Total sums due to repeated math errors presented in the Parks & Rec 2023 February, March, and April monthly reports.
Omissions verified by direct observations and data obtained via public information requests. Sources include 2023 Parks & Rec Commission meeting agenda packets (3/2, 4/12 and 5/10).
See page 2 for breakdown by month.
(October 2022 through May 2023 Pool Data Summary continued from page 1)
When the factors of pool size and hours are made equal to make a valid comparison possible,
RAL's total pool use is nearly 1% times that of MPAC and RAL's Rec' usage is more than double that of MPAC.
3,500
31 77
3,000
2737
�60
2,500
2421
k48
2170
—
r-33
-
2,000
1809
L20..
1,500
15
=
1419
_
L _
=
L 1242
78
1039
1,000
=
_
_
85
59 `5
33
500
` 82
P
36
ESo 63
-_
48
r
o
_
-
Q
n
.0
E
.0
E
> >
fu�o
G
Q
V
0
z
O
^
LL
RAIL
Total Pool Use = 16,004
Rec Use = 6,074
MONTHLY TOTALS (with Rec SubTotals)
October 2022 through May 2023
Matching RAL Hours, Scaled for Pool Size
1437 i1399 1497, 1 220
1282� 1211, 12300 13
�1452418)/4161
335 f 323 i" 43� 343 1 �%
249 , �._43 �3�
v
0
E aE
p c W LL
z
MPAC
Total Pool Use = 10,878
Rec Use = 2,879
® RAL Monthly Total (Community Identified Omissions
= Added)
RAL Monthly Total
MPAC Monthly Total Matching RAL Hours, Scaled for
Pool Size
RAL Monthly (Rec) SubTotal (Community Identified
Omissions Added)
MPAC Monthly (Rec) SubTotal Matching RAL hours,
775caled for Pool Size
Values scaled to allow valid comparison reflecting
that the RAL pool is 37% the size of MPAC.
Values include 2,369 RAL pool admissions excluded
from Parks & Rec's Grand Total sums due to
repeated math errors presented in the Parks & Rec
2023 February, March, and April Monthly Reports.
Omissions verified by direct observations and data
obtained via public information requests. Sources
include 2023 Parks & Rec Commission meeting
agenda packets from 3/2, 4/12 and 5/10.
The eight months of data clearly show RAL's robust Rec and overall use, making it the clear preference of swimmers in our community.
RAL total usage far exceeds that of MPAC for all but two months (January and May) when no swim lessons were scheduled. However, RAL's
Rec usage in those months and overall, was more than double that of MPAC: Jan = 750 vs 343, May = 933 vs 416, and overall = 6,074 vs 2,879.
1 The "Rec" category generally represents open swim participants. It does not include Water Fitness, Events, Swim Lessons, or Swim Team.
2
Public Comments
Mitzi Read, Iowa City
July 12, 2023
Parks and Rec Commission Meeting
Dear Commissioners,
I submit these comments for the July 12, 2023, Parks & Rec Commission meeting and have asked that
they be included in your agenda packet.
I would like to bring your attention to concerns about the contents of the July 6, 2023, memo
regarding "Swimming Pool Hours at Robert A. Lee Recreation Center" from Recreation Superintendent
Brad Barker to Parks & Rec Director Juli Seydell Johnson that appears in the agenda packet for your
July 12, 2023, meeting. The topic also appears as Agenda Item 4 as "Robert A. Lee Pool Fall 2023
Hours:' I ask that you give them careful consideration before making a recommendation regarding the
Fail 2023 hours at the Robert A. Lee pool.
e The memo provides the following average number of users for three weekday time segments:
RAL MPAC
6:15am-9:00am 17.9 22.6
9:00am-11:00am 20.2
11:00am-1:00pm 16.5 13.8
RAL = Robert A. Lee Pool; MPAC = Mercer Park Aquatic Center Pool
The Department claims that this "data does not yet fully support that the addition of a 9 am to 11
am or afternoon weekday timeslots are needed" at RAL.
Considering that the RAL pool is approximately one third (37%) the size of the MPAC pool, instead
of providing justification for limiting RAL's hours, these averages actually confirm a far higher rate of
pool use at RAL and its more efficient delivery of recreation services. The data provided completely
contradicts the Department's recommendation to continue restriction of RAL's hours.
Not only do the provided attendance averages fully support increasing open pool hours at RAL, but
they also beg the question, why is the MPAC pool, at nearly three times the size of the RAL pool, being
used as the Department's standard to determine acceptable attendance numbers without scaling for
pool size? It would be like using the daily customer count at the Big Grove Brewery to set the
expectation of the daily customer count at the Bluebird Diner.
• Under the "Graphical Representation of Data:" section of the memo, the two charts depicting
average attendance at RAL contain columns labeled "Save RAL Group Counts:'
The title applied to these columns by the Department misrepresents the data shown. Community
evaluations of monthly pool count reports quantify the minimum number of identified omissions that
represent only a fraction of unreported pool use. Community members do not possess or report
comprehensive pool counts. Verification of Parks & Rec data occurs for a portion of days and hours
each month and is limited by volunteer availability and their ability to obtain and afford fees for
relevant data through public information requests.
Public Comments, Mitzi Read, Iowa City
July 1.2, 2023, Parks and Rec Commission Meeting
To: Iowa City Parks and Recreation Commission
From: Justin Fishbaugh
Re: RAL Fall Pool Hours
Date: July 10, 2023
Included in the July 12, 2023, Commission meeting packet is a Parks and Recreation
memo from Brad Barker to Juli Seydell Johnson dated July 6, 2023. Provided in the
background information section, there are two sentences I would like to draw to your
attention that reference RAL pool use during the 11:00 am to 1:00 pm time slot.
1) "This has grown from an average of 12.0 users per session in October to 20.2 in June."
2) "Staff observation indicates that, at least in the previous two months, an average of
approximately 10-13 users in the 11 a.m, to 1 p.m. timeslot use the deep -end diving
well and the remaining use the lap swim lanes."
The first sentence indicates the average use of the RAL pool in this time slot has almost
doubled, an increase of 1'.7 times from October 2022 to June 2023.
The second sentence attempts to downplay this increase by noting that 10-13 of those
users are in the deep end, but that means 7-10 people are using the lap lanes in a pool
that only has six lanes. Using the Parks and Recreation Department's own data,
increasing RAL's fall pool hours is justified.
Also note that the second sentence refers to "staff observation" for the previous two
months without providing charted daily data to support the "observation." It appears that
anecdotal information is being used to justify the Department's conclusion not to increase
fall RAL pool hours.
Avg Pool Use RAL MPAC
6:15a m-9:00a m 17.9 22.6
11:00am-1:00pm 16.5 13.8
34A 36A
A difference of 2 for early morning and midday sessions.
0 0
O
� RAL ° o
0 0 0
o
Q
o
o
0
�
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
N
M PAC
Data provided by Parks & Rec 07/06/2023 memo from B. Barker to J. Seydell Johnson re: Swimming Pool Hours at RAL.
u
Parks as
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Infrastructure
r - -I
LRYDa,r,1,A'A- - Tyler Baird, Superintendent of Parks &Forestry
L: A
Types of Stormwater Parks
■ River & Creek Floodways ;
■ Retention/Detention Areas
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Stormwater Parks
by Category
Rivers & Creeks (27)
Examples:
City Park
McPherson Park
Longfellow Trail
Glendale Park
Court Hill Park
Riverfront Crossings Park
Peninsula Park
CITY OF IOWA CffY
Retention & Detention (15)
Examples:
Hickory Hill Park
Scott Park/Rita's Ranch
Villa Park
Hunter's Run Park
Windsor Ridge Park
Walden Green
Terry Trueblood Rec Area
Wetlands (6)
Examples:
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Sycamore Greenway
Foster Rd Park
STORMWATER _
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RIVERS & CREEKS �J
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Parks'
ecreation
Robert A Lee Recreation Center-
Indoor -Swimming Pool Totals July2,023
-'
Day
Date
6-7a
7-8a
8-9a
9-10a
10-11a
11-12p
12-1p
1-2p
2-3p 3-4p
4-5p 5-6 p 6-7p 7-8p Daily Rec Totals Water Fitness Swim
Lessons
Event # Count
Event Name
Saturday
1-Jul
4
1
2
0
4
4
3
26
19
63 6
Sunday
2-Jul
0
27
$2 Swim
Monday
3-Jul
6
6
3
15
3
33 9
Tuesday
4-Jul
4
2
0
10
2
18
Wednesday
5-Jul
4
3
5
14
4
30 13
rhursday
6-Jul
5
4
4
14
1
28
Friday
7-Jul
2
1
4
21
- 5
33 11
Saturday
8-Jul
2
4
1
4
1
2
0
0 1
0
14 6
Sunday
9-Jul
0
105
23
$2 Swim
Monday
10-Jul
5
4
1
18
6
34 11.0
Tuesday
11-Jul
5
3
1
17
4
30
Wednesday
12-Jul
5
2
1
28
2
38 12
Thursday
13-Jul
5
5
2
18
1
31
Friday
14-Jul
10
3
1
34
10
58 7
Saturday
15-Jul
6
4
3
5
4
4
0
0
8 16
9 1 60 5
Pool & Pad Crawl
Sunday
16-Jul
0
105
40
$2 Swim
Monday
17-Jul
4
4
5
16
6
35 12
Tuesday
18-Jul
7
6
1
17
2
33
Wednesday
19-Jul
4
3
0
18
5
30 17
Thursday
20-Jul
8
8
1
19
3
39
Friday
21Jul
2
9
5
18
1
35 12
Saturday
22-Jul
1
6
1
0
4
5
1
0
0
18 3
Sunday
23-Jul
0
105
26
$2 Swim
Monday
24-Jul
3
5
2
23
2
35 11
Tuesday
25-Jul
2
6
0
26
3
37
Wednesday
26-Jul
4
6
1
22
2
35 it
Thursday
27-Jul
6
4
2
14
7
33
rdday
28-Jul
5
6
2
16
3
32
Saturday
29-Jul
3
4
0
0 I
0
1
0
0
0
8 4
0
Sunday
30-Jul
I
0
12
$2 Swim
Monday
31-Jul
5
5
3
23
2
38 10 .
Grand Total
Total Scans:
761
Totals: 878 160
315
128
1481
Averages: 28.3 5.2
10.2
4.1
47.8
Day
Date
6-7a
7-8a
8-9a
9-10a
10-11a
11-12p
12-1p
1-2p
2-3p
3-4p
4-5p
S-6 p
6-7p
7-8p
Daily Rec Totals Water Fitness
Swim Team Event # Count
Saturday
1-Jul
1
2
11
7
6
10
10
10
15
14
14
6
8
3
0
116
106
Sunday
2-Jul
22
10
9
4
12
16
12
7
4
96
Monday
3-Jul
8
13
11
10
15
6
12
20
13
6
13
2
4
3
136
10
106
mesday
4-Jul
4
14
9
13
10
14
13
9
86
106
Wednesday
5-Jul
0
15
19
17
13
17
7
13
9
16
17
10
12
6
171
rhur.day
6-Jul
8
9
6
12
14
10
20
8
0
0
0
0
87
4
106
Friday
7-Jul
11
11
16
14
8
7
4
9
22
14
10
9
10
1
146
9
106
Saturday
8-Jul
0
0
0
0
1
6
10
22
3
12
0
3
13
0
70
106
Sunday
9-Jul
20
7
2
6
14
9
13
13
7
91
Monday
10-Jul
5
2015
15
7
15
8
8
8
9
18
6
4
4
142
16
106
5
11
7
8
5
12
4
97
106
Tuesday
11-Jul
6
8
11
11
9
Wednesday
12-Jul
0
8
14
13
11
9
8
20
24
8
10
15
12
8
160
106
Thursday
13-Jul
8
8
12
8
4 _.--
5
16
5
17
13
10
7
113
3
106 �-
Fnday
14-Jul
7
3
11
14 I
4
15
10
4
14
18
4
104
Saturday
15-Jul
....
...
._.
0
sur,day
16-Jul
NON
0
50
Monday
17-Jul
8
9
16v
16
14
5
5
15
13
8
12
14
3
3
141
13
106
Tuesday
18-Jul
7
7
7
8
35
6
15
6
9
14
18
6
138
106
Wednesday
19-Jul
6
10
10
15
12
15
3
11
5
8
17
4
5
6
127
106
Thursday
20-Jul
7
9
8
5
3
32
17
15
8
14
11
5
134
4
106
Friday
21-Jul
6
5
15
17
22
9
11
13
11
10
12
19
10
3
163
11
106
Saturday
22-Jul
1
7
6
8
2
4
5
7
11
8
7
21
13
2
102
106
Sunday
23-Jul
16
10
1
10
10
10
13
15
5
90
Monday
24-Jul
10
13
14
17
13
16
14
7
14
6
13
5
6
4
152
13
106
Tuesday
25-Jul
13
8
8Now
4
18
7
6
5
18
9
13
15
124
106
Wednesday
26-Jul
12
4
8
22
14
9
4
26
14
9
7
12
18
11
170
106
Thursday
27-Jul
8
3
17
9
14_
2
7
9
12
8
14
2
105
4
106
Fnday
28-Jul
10
5
13
13
13
14
6
16
33
12
5
10
3
2
155
7
106
Saturday
29-Jul
1
2
2
1 I
1
4
16
2 I
9
4
3
5
5
5
60
106
Sunday
30-Jul
12
1
19
7
17
4
7
3
2
72
Monday
31-Jul
10
6
11
12 I
14 1
6
4
14
9
8
13 I
4
4
1
116
5
106 .
Total 5cans: 1 2720
Closed for Swim Meet
$2 Swim
ICE = 106 (includes masters)
Totals:
Averages:
Total using Robert A. Lee Pool Open Hours
Average using Robert A. Lee Pool Open Hours
3464 99
111.7 3.2
1225
39.5
2438 215
78.6 1 6.9
$2 Swim
$2 Swim
$2 Swim
$2 Swim
ICE Swim Meet
ICE Swim Meet
ICE Swim Meet
$2 Swim
$2 Swim
$2 Swim
$2 Swim
Grand Total
6216
200.5
City Park Poo - User Totals May/June 20Z
Day
Date
6-7a
7-8a
8-9a
9-10a
30-11a 11-12p
12-1p
1-2p
2-3p
3-4p
4-5p
5-6p
6-7p
7-8p
Daily Rec Totals Water Fitness
Swim Lessons Event #Count
Event Name
sawrday
27-May
47
27
42
41
61
23
0
241
suueay
28-May
51
44
71
59
65
31
12
333
Mundav
29-May
185
146
143
174
142
26
816
rueeday
30-May
24
16
40
-
wzdne:day
31-May
20
17
37
in —day
1-Jun
34
17
51
F,,day
2-Jun
32
14
46
sawrday
3-Jun
87
65
124
110
117
76
27
606
Sunday
4-Jun
111
73
103
2
289
Muwiav
5-Jun
25
6
31
Tua.eav
6-Jun
26
8
34
100
Teen Pool Party - 6-8 pm
wud,,—ay
7-Jun
18
17
7
19
8
82
28
41
17
29
37
0
303
Tnursdav
8-Jun
14
5
1
25
14
59
Fndey
9-Jun
4
11
0
34
48
118
39
s0
64
34
12
9
423
sawrday
10-Jun
7
2
4
11
17
43
49
34
48
28
27
0
270
sumav
11-Jun
2
2
0
3
0
3
10
Murray
12-Jun
24
0
1
20
12
40
27
2
1
10
10
2
149
25
(Swim Team is iFly)
rdu.day
13-Jun
41
4
2
23
10
87
39
53
17
276
25
(Swim Team is !Fly) .
—dnuaaay
14-Jun
50
7
2
35
45
158
91
41
31
50
74
18
602
25
(Swim Team is iFly)
11 day
15-Jun
37
6
2
48
14
46
41
0
0
194
25
(Swim Team is iFly)
Friday
16-Jun
2
23
23
51
47
31
36
214
66
16
509
25
(Swim Team is iFly)
sawrday
17-Jun
4
2
8
5
19
33
59
62
82
56
94
19
443
Sunday
18-Jun
5
6
3
3
17
23
18
13
10
7
18
123
Mundav
19-Jun
14
30
26
35
67
117
97
78
31
78
S3
0
606
30
nusdav
20-Jun
13
7
5
33
38
180
78
48
23
425
30
(Swim Team is ICE)
wrd—dav
21-Jun
15
13
4
40
76
107
67
50
49
122
145
31
719
30
(Swim Team Is ICE)
rear:day
22-lun
9
10
5
57
14
0
104
199
30
(Swim Team is ICE)
Fndav
23-Jun
11
10
4
51
71
128
145
71
78
106
137
19,
831
30
(Swim Team is ICE)
sawrday
24-Jun
8
30
5
10
21
78
97
5
30
18
22
324
30
(Swim Team is ICE)
Sunday
25-Jun
3
4
4
3
3
2
0
4
3
19
0
45
Monday
26-Jun
9
7
7
11
1
30
8
7
8
20
12
0
120
30
(Swim Team is ICE)
Tune.,
27-Jun
9
13
4
19
54
56
23
26
7
211
30
(Swim Team is ICE)
0
Air Quality Closure
wudnu.day
28-Jun
0
Air Quality Closure
Tnunday
29-Jun
Friday
30-lun
13
9
2
43
21
39
24
68
41
3
263
30
(Swim Team is ICE)
Grand Total
f
Totals:
9628
395
0 100
10123
= Missing
Count
Averages:
291.8
12.0
0.0 3.0
306.8
City Park. Pool - User Totals July 2023
Day
Date
6-7a
7-8a
8-9a
9-10a
10-11a 11-12p
12-1p
1-2p
2-3p
3-4p
4-5p
5-6p
6-7p
7-8p
Daily Rec Totals Water Fitness
Swim Lessons
Swim Team
Event N Count
Event Name
sdi�m,v
1-Jul
14
8
9
3
16
7
9
66
30
su�d,r
2-Jul
2
1
7
7
13
28
38
15
71
61
41
22 1
306
12
125
Rental
and Y
3-Jul
11
18
10
41
16
240
101
99
82
81
80
11
790
116
30
Wy
4-Jul
5
27
9
51
94
261
137
126
34
744
238
30
$2 Swim 1-5pm
wd ddv
5-lul
51
127
9
187
116
30
Water Wednesday
w•u.d,v
6-lul
10
6
1
29
19
28
41
134
226
30
150
Summer Camps (Thursday Afternoons)
h,d,v
7-Jul
16
11
1
13
9
66
14
6
3
139
30
s,e�mdv
8-Jul
6
6
8
6
11
27
41
73
37
59
52
2
328
30
AIR Floaty Party
1d,r
9-Jul
4
2
6
8
6
47
55
58
115
94
108
25
528
12
125
Rental
mw�ddv
10-Jul
9
12
6
38
28
116
31
63
48
54
74
11
490
125
30
mr.ddv
11-Jul
14
15
4
38
35
116
98
53
13
396
247
30
Wrm—v
12-Jul
3
6
3
42
10
22
28
62
53
23
252
125
30
Water Wednesday
11--y
13-lul
13
13
7
18
55
168
274
235
30
150
Summer Camps (Thursday Afternoons)
"W.,v
14-Jul
12
10
4
27
21
139
48
81
24
59
45
4
474
30
sdmrd,v
15-lul
5
6
13
8
5
53
46
85
116
112
142
21
612
30
125
Pool & Pad Crawl/Rental
w d,v
16-Jul
5
0
8
9
7
44
11
51
80
16
27
5
263
12
125
Rental
mu�W,v
17-Jul
8
7
4
19
5
76
46
23
18
42
30
8
286
125
30
; nd,y
18-Jul
11
15
4
15
14
65
42
41
7
214
247
30
Wddddy
19-Jul
14
17
5
30
37
126
48
89
32
127
96
6
627
125
30
Water Wednesday
wm.ddv
20-Jul
14
11
8
41
12
163
249
235
30
150
Summer Camps (Thursday Afternoons)
vnddv
21-Jul
17
19
7
28
9
111
77
26
73
56
54
8
485
30
s,mrd,v
22-Jul
9
8
9
10
16
38
69
74
43
80
76
21
453
30
125
Rental
1d,,
23-Jul
7
1
11
13
7
32
38
92
91
102
65
26
485
12
125
Rental
mower
24-Jul
11
5
2
20
95
45
38
36
51
80
61
12
456
127
30
m d,v
25-Jul
13
10
10
25
24
131
75
65
46
399
249
30
w—,7d,v
26-Jul
20
12
8
21
55
156
55
48
64
104
252
23
818
127
30
Water Wednesday
umisd,v
27-Jul
11
14
5
35
22
105
113
35
18
358
237
30
Opened for extra afternoon hours due to heat 1-5pm
H,dd,
28-Jul
14
13
6
42
42
124
84
75
61
141
93
22
717
30
samradv
29-Jul
7
12
9
4
4
20
32
40
58
83
96
40
405
30
ICE Autism Group
eu Y
30-Jul
8
2
9
12
11
43
48
80
71
94
61
17 1
456
12
125
Rental
mow,v
31-lul
17
5
9
7
23
110
48
27
48
41
28
15
378
127
30
J_
Grand Total
17951
579.1
Iowa City Parks & Recreation Commission Packet
August 2023
Upcoming Events
• Farmers Market; May 6 — October 28 (Saturdays only); 7:30 am — Noon Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp
• Garden Parties at the Children's Discovery Garden, RALCRC, Tuesdays in August, 2:00-4:00 pm
• Rec N Roll Series, Tuesdays, 6:30-8:00 pm (Part of Summer of the Arts)
o August 8, Terry Trueblood Recreation Area
o August 22, Upper City Park
• Water Wednesdays, City Park Pool, Wednesdays, 6:00 — 8:00 pm
o August 9, Back -to -School Bash
o August 16, Swim & Sounds —Awful Purdies
• Party in the Park Series, Thursdays, 6:30-8:00 pm
o August 10, Chadek Green Park
o August 17, Wetherby Park
o August 24, McPherson Park (July 27 reschedule due to heat)
• Pollinator Park Prowl, July 1 —August 13
Notable from Parks & Recreation Staff
Parks:
• Watering of trees continues to be a staff priority 7 days a week.
• Seasonal staff are starting to come to the end of their work seasons.
• Parks staff have been working on multiple inhouse improvements/additions to the trail system.
• Contracted construction and trail paving projects continue with measurable progress on the Willow
Creek Trail, substantial completion at Hunter's Run Park, and soon to begin construction at Kiwanis and
Happy Hollow Parks.
• Staff lent a hand with RAGBRAI staffing as riders went through Coralville and then Iowa City.
• Forestry staff has been working on integrating the new bucket truck into operations and have found
new efficiencies in splitting up the crews with the more capable second equipment set-up.
Recreation:
• Fall activity registration begins August 8 for Iowa City residents, August 9 for everyone.
• Recreation Division staff accepted new and gently used sporting goods equipment throughout the month of
July in celebration of Parks and Recreation Month. This equipment will be redistributed back into the
community in August.
MIowa City Parks and Recreation Commission Packet I City of Iowa City
Facilities:
• Abdou Razac Ibrahim has accepted the part-time weekend custodial position with Facilities. Abdou will start
in early August.
Cemetery:
• Seasonal staff are beginning to end seasonal employment.
• Staff will work on stump removal in the next month or two.
Top Staff Issues
Parks
• Drought conditions are stressing many of the plants around town, even those that are well established.
• Seasonal staff are ending their seasons and leaving us short staffed in a few locations.
Recreation
• Extreme heat has cancelled, postponed or relocated a number of outdoor recreation programs.
• Program Supervisor staff is replacing many hourly staff that have moved on after graduation and hiring
new staff for fall programming.
Facilities
• The full-time custodian position for Robert A Lee Recreation Center has been posted and applications
were due on July 191h, we will be interviewing candidates the week of July 315t
• The Aquatics and HVAC team continue to work hard keeping systems running through the summer
season. Aging infrastructure has proven to be challenging on many fronts.
• Ped Mall Weatherdance Fountain temporary paving stone and anemometer are repaired, replacement
motor and pump due to arrive week of July 31st. Pending recirculation system equipment installation,
the fountain should be operational early August.
Cemetery:
• Mowing and trimming is slowing due to dry conditions.
• Staff has been busy with watering sod, flowers and trees due to the dry conditions.
• Staff will work on fencing young trees for protection from the deer this month.
® Iowa City Parks and Recreation Commission Packet I City of Iowa City
Oakland
Cemetery
FY 24 Revenue Report
shaded areas represent previous 5yr averse d° ..
Revenue from Lot Sales
Lot Sale 5yr# of
Intli Illelltt
Revenue
15-year Avg. Total
lSyr A�g. on
Average Interments
5yravg.
from
on Re\
Itotal
Interments
Interments
revenue
July $6,750.00 $4,550.00 3
6.6
$2,642.50
$3,!iO4,00 $9,392.50
$8,054.00
August
ISept
I Oct
Nov
I Dec
Ilan
Feb
March
April
IMay
(June
Totals
$6,750.00 i $4,550.00 3
6.6 $2,642.50 $3,504.00 $9,392.50 �9,094.Ob '
MIowa City Parks and Recreation Commission Packet I City of Iowa City