Minutes Park and Recreation 1 8 08
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
4:30 p.m., in the snack bar, Bunker Hill Golf Course
PRESENT: Tom Blocklinger, Kim Daykin, Chuck Duggan, Gary Harjehausen, Paul
Hoffmann, Karen Lyness and Evelyn Nadeau
Staff present: Gil Spence, Pat Prevenas and Bob Fritsch
MINUTES It was moved by Duggan, seconded by Blocklinger, to approve the minutes of
APPROVED; the November 13, 2007, meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
VOTE
APPROVE Leisure Services Manager Gil Spence explained that currently the City Code of
REVISION TO Ordinances states that pavilion reservations can be made after January 1 for that
PARK PAVILION year's park season. Now that pavilion reservations are done on computer
RESERVATION software and not manually on paper, the software allows for reservations to be
POLICY; VOTE: made during atwenty-four month period. Staff is proposing to change the policy
and allow pavilion reservations to be made twenty-three months in advance (i.e.,
July 1, 2008 for a date in June 2010). This would eliminate the rush on January
2nd and allow time for large events like weddings to be scheduled; payment
would still be required at time of reservation.
It was moved by Lyness, seconded ~ Hoffmann, to approve changing avilion
reservation op licy effective March 1, 2008, allowing avilion reservations to be
made 23 months in advance. The motion ap ssed unanimously.
BUDGET Mr. Spence told Commissioners that the budget hearing with the City Council is
INFORMATION: February 13th.
The City is still waiting on word from Dubuque Racing Association on proposed
distribution funds because the expected drop in funds to the City will impact
budget. Some of the 2008 CIP projects are on hold because of lower DRA
distribution money. The City Manager is proposing a 4% tax increase this year.
PARK Park Division Manager Bob Fritsch updated commissioners:
DIVISION
REPORT: • Staff was pushed to the limit on snow removal in December; couple of areas
that were especially difficult; concentrated on public walkways by parks, trails
were less of a priority. • Bergfeld area around the pond is still snow covered. •
Ten pallets of Triple Melt were used in December alone, which is about three
times more than last season.
RECREATION Recreation Division Manager Pat Prevenas updated commissioners:
DIVISION .Winter-s rin brochures are out; • Hem stead Pool o ened on Sunda ~ • after
REPORT: p g p p Y,
school program started at four schools on January 7th; • after school sports
starting later than usual, partially due to staffing issues; • promoting Lighten Up
Iowa; • The department will be exhibiting with other youth agencies at a sports
and recreation festival on January 19th at the Grand River Center. • Steve
Schilling is the new part-time maintenance worker for the golf course.
continued
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January 8, 2008 meeting
page two
OTHER ^ Commissioner Daykin voiced concern about the department holding activities
BUSINESS: at Washington Middle School gymnasium(s) while the caucuses were going
on. Mr. Prevenas explained the process we go through for reserving school
facilities: We turn in request for facilities in August and we get first chance at
open dates. In late September we get back to the schools with specific dates
desired. We start doing actual schedules in October, with distribution to
teams in late October. The caucus changed dates from what they originally
requested from the school district.
^ PET PARK: Commissioner Duggan initiated discussion regarding the pet
park on Grandview Avenue. After listening to a DVD from Aspen Court
resident with the constant barking from dogs in the pet park, he feels the pet
park should be closed until some other location can be opened.
Mr. Spence said early research showed barking would not be a problem, but
this area seems to be unique in that the sound is bouncing off the bluffs.
General consensus was to have another park open and available, and then
close the Grandview location. Mr. Spence said he felt that would be
acceptable to the neighbors if that is what is promised; they just want to hear
it and see on paper that the money is available for the replacement site.
Mr. Spence said he had checked on the CIP project for the 12th Street Pet
Park (by Pape Transfer). It's still in process and we hope to have money by
July 1st. The question was asked that if EPA does not approve this site do
we have property at Terminal or Jones Street that could be used.
Commissioner Daykin said to be sure and test the Mt. Carmel area for
possible noise or we could end up with the same type of neighborhood/noise
problem.
Commissioners asked to put dog park on the next agenda for discussion on
recommending to the City Council the possibility of closing Grandview
Avenue site once a new dog park site is open.
ADJOURN; It was moved by Duggan, seconded by Daykin, that the meeting be adjourned at
VOTE: 5:20 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
Chairperson
Attest