Minutes_Park and Recreation Commission 10 14 08PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
4:30 p.m., in the snack bar, Bunker Hill Golf Course
PRESENT: Tom Blocklinger, Chuck Duggan, Gary Harjehausen, Paul Hoffmann, Karen
Lyness and Evelyn Nadeau
ABSENT: Mark Noble
Staff present: Pat Prevenas, Bob Fritsch and Eileen Trimble
MINUTES It was moved by Blocklinger, seconded by Nadeau, to approve the minutes of
APPROVED; the September 9, 2008, meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
VOTE
APPROVE Recreation Division Manager Pat Prevenas reviewed with commissioners the
RECREATION golf and pool projects in the five-year C.I.P. budget.
DIVISION C.I.P.
BUDGET; VOTE: In golf, most projects are funded by golf revenue, except golf course renovation
project and replacing irrigation system. The money requested for the irrigation
system would be if the renovation project is not approved. The control panel for
the irrigation system is thirty years old and it is very difficult to find parts. The
other projects were in last year except for the tee improvements (if renovation
project is not approved).
For swimming pools, the C.I.P. budget basically concentrated on maintenance.
Number 16, surge tank joint repairs has never been done; paint bathhouse
interiors has been done by pool staff in the past but never by a professional.
It was moved ~ Harjehausen, seconded ~ Nadeau, to a rove the Recreation
Division C.I.P. budget as presented ~ staff. The motion assed 5-1, with
Blocklinger, Harjehausen, Hoffmann, L Hess and Nadeau voting yes; Duggan
voting no.
APPROVE PARK Park Division Manager Bob Fritsch told commissioners that last budget year
DIVISION C.I.P. there was $6,099,300 in projects eliminated from the C.I.P. budget. We began
BUDGET; VOTE: this year's budget process by reviewing those projects to determine which ones
were essential and then we requested them again.
Commissioner Duggan asked about #28, park drinking fountains. Mr. Fritsch
explained that this project was for new drinking fountains in parks; maintenance
of current drinking fountains is absorbed in the regular operating budget.
Mr. Duggan also asked about #65 all areas, mulch. Mr. Fritsch explained that
this money is an ongoing yearly item for the chocolate brown mulch in high
profile tourist areas and high maintenance areas.
It was moved by Nadeau, seconded ~ Lyness, to a rove the Park Division
C.I.P. budget as presented ~ staff. The motion assed 5-1, with Blocklinger,
Hariehausen, Hoffmann. Lyness and Nadeau voting yes; Du an voting no.
continued
October 14, 2008, meeting
page two
Commissioner Duggan explained on the record that he voted no on both budgets
because he does not agree with the way we have to cut important projects and
watch our spending, but the City Manager doesn't - he does whatever he wants.
The City Manager spent a lot of extra money getting ready for the Iowa League
of Cities conference; he wanted a new secretary and he got one; he wanted
another assistant city manager and he got one, et cetera.
Commissioner Lyness said there were 600 visitors here for an Iowa Credit Union
conference and the people were very impressed with the look of Dubuque and
the growth and development. She feels it will draw people back to Dubuque and
bring in tourist dollars.
PARK DIVISION Park Division Manager Bob Fritsch updated commissioners:
REPORT: . We have a lot of "natural" areas coming into the park system and natural
prairie areas that we will be maintaining. There is a new phase of work going on
at Industrial Center West and there will be another fifteen acres of prairie
planting there that we will maintain. There is 100 acres of park property along
with the Catfish Creek hike-bike trail that will be planted with native prairie eco
systems. We will have to have a lot of knowledge on how to care for these area,
including burning once every three years. • Trees and shrubs are being planted
in the Heron Pond area. • Miller Riverview campground had a very successful
Halloween party -the managers are doing a great job. • Fall flower baskets
had a different design this year; look beautiful and have been well received.
RECREATION Recreation Division Manager Pat Prevenas updated commissioners:
DIVISION
REPORT: • Leisure Services Manager Gil Spence requested to use some of the money
budgeted for the Petrakis infield turf project to improve the field if the
cooperative project with Loras College does not go through, because the field is
in need of work. • September golf rounds were down 8%; first two weeks of
October are the same as last year; rounds are down 4% for the season. Apel
Parking Lot services is working on repairing and extending some of the cart
paths. • After school sports had seven football sites and eight volleyball sites;
very challenging finding coaches. Program Supervisor Molly Weis is back on
half days; off since June 1st. • The Just for Kids preschool we have offered at
Allison-Henderson for years only had a few registrations and the first session
had to be canceled. There is a new state grant program available that allows for
free preschool programs for 4 year-olds, so nobody signed up for ours. • Adult
athletics basketball had the same number of teams as last year; volleyball was
down a little; only three teams registered for the dodgeball program. The trend
for dodgeball seems to be gone -three years ago we had 50 teams and this
year only 3.
OTHER: Pet Park: Commissioner Lyness asked what the status of a replacement pet
park is. Mr. Prevenas said there was a possibility at McAleece Complex but the
skate park would have to be moved.
continued
October 14, 2008, meeting
page three
Petrakis Field: Commissioner Hoffmann wanted to update commissioners on
the cooperative project with Loras College for the infield turf replacement at
Petrakis Field. Loras feels the city had a breach of contract since they had
permission for logo on field etc and then the city changed their mind. He
received a packet from the City Manager trying to explain why the city disallowed
Loras' name on the turf. He feels the City Manager and City Council are being
unreasonable, but they are trying to work out a consensus. This was for
informational update only, since Mr. Hoffmann had discussed the issue at other
meetings.
ADJOURN; It was moved by Hoffmann, seconded by Duggan, that the meeting be adjourned
VOTE: at 5:10 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
Chairperson
Attest