Minutes_ Park and Recreation Commission 5 8 18 Copyrighted
June 4, 2018
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 1.
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: City Council Proceedings of 5/21; Civil Service
Commission of 5/16; Historic Preservation Commission of
5/17; Library Board of Trustees of 3/29; Park and
Recreation Advisory Commission of 5/8; Proof of
Publication for City Council Proceedings of 5/7; Proof of
Publication for List of Claims and Summary of Revenues
for Month Ending 4/30.
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
City Council Proceedings of 5/21/18 Supporting Documentation
Civil Service Commission Minutes of 5/16/18 Supporting Documentation
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes of 5/17/18 Supporting Documentation
Library Board of Trustees Minutes of 3/29/18 Supporting Documentation
Park and Recreation Commission Minutes of 5/8/18 Supporting Documentation
Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings Supporting Documentation
5/7/18
Proof of Publication for List of Claims & Summary of Supporting Documentation
Revenues ME 4/30/18
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
Tuesday, May 8, 2018
4:30 p.m., Garden Room, Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
PRESENT: Robin Kennicker, Richard Kirkendall, Rebecca Kuhle, Karen Lyness,
Jennifer Tigges and Ray Werner
STAFF PRESENT: Marie Ware, Steve Fehsal, Dan Kroger and Eileen Trimble
MINUTES APPROVED; VOTE:
It was moved � Kennicker, seconded � Lyness• to approve the minutes of the April
10• 2� meetinq. Unanimous.
SPLASH PAD REPORT:
The City Council adopted a splash pad as a top priority on their policy agenda. Recre-
ation Division Manager Dan Kroger researched splash pads and provided basic
information on operations, staffing levels, types, etc. The report may be found as part
of the original minutes.
Commissioners had general discussion on costs, water usage, sustainability, etc.
Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware explained that the report was to share basic
information and the same information will be shared with City Council. Water source,
rest room, shelter, location, etc. are all things that would have to be considered if this
becomes a project. There is no funding for a splash pad in the budget at this time but
splash pads did come up in Imagine Dubuque.
Commissioner Werner said the report was well done. He would like to see splash
pad(s) be free and located in underserved areas not too close to current pools.
DOG PARK ENGAGEMENT:
At the April meeting there was a discussion about a second pet park. Manager Ware
told commissioners the discussions for another pet park will now be taken through an
engagement process similar to selecting the Skate Park location. Staff will look at
current department areas and other city-owned areas that could be used for a potential
pet park. Past research and data will be reviewed and provided to commissioners. A
representative group of people will be brought together to share fact pool regarding
locations. Additional public meetings to engage people in areas being considered will
take place. That information would then come back to the Park and Recreation
Commission and City Council as was done with the Skate Park project.
General comments from commissioners: Kirkendall: how was the money set aside for
the current proposed location; more economical, equitable and timely to allow pets in
parks now as he feels all parks in Dubuque are appropriate for walking dogs. Werner:
if the IDOT property is used would it be a lease and would there be a fee? He feels the
current proposed IDOT property has safety issues that need to be considered including
not being lit. Tigges: if the project moves forward using the IDOT property is it a
permanent location? If we go through the same engagement process as skate park,
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would it be a couple years before construction would actually take place? She is
concerned about how dogs will react to the noise levels at this location. Lyness: the
commission went through this process before and looked at numerous locations. One
of them was the Thermolyne property—status has changed for this area so maybe it
could be considered again.
Ms. Ware said the IDOT property was chosen as the location more than 8 years ago
after extensive research when the commission went through the process and funds
were available at that time. There may be a need for fundraising component as part of
the process since the budgeted money relates specifically to that site. Funds for the
engineering component are available July 1 st, 2018. Staff will likely start the
engagement process in the fall when other current large projects staff are involved in
are winding down.
FIDO REQUEST TO RECONSIDER LOCATION OF PROPOSED PET PARK:
Lisa Johnson, Sheila Schneider and Melissa Klinkhammer were present representing
FIDO (Friendly Intelligent Dog Owners) group. Their comments and request at this
meeting were based on FY 2018 approved budget, and the March Park and Recreation
Commission minutes which stated that the IDOT property was the set location for the
park.
They were ecstatic to learn money has been budgeted for another pet park in FY 2019,
but they feel IDOT property is not a suitable location. It is at intersection of two busy
highways; not pedestrian friendly; pedestrian killed in that area; busiest intersection in
Dubuque; the space is not 8 acres which is the most favorable size. If the location is
going to be temporary, why spend tax dollars on an unsuitable location that is not
friendly.
FIDO looked at other areas and they presented an idea for a pet park at the green
space that is located by McGraw-Hill parking lot in Port of Dubuque (owned by the
City). It is 9 acres, has ample parking in the area, rest room in the parking ramp
structure, has downtown walkability, connects to the Riverwalk, high visibility and
popular with tourists that bring families and want to bring their dog.
Commissioner Lyness said that area is used for festivals, etc. and generates revenue
for the city plus it is slated for commercial use so if the pet park were to go there, it
could be bumped out as soon as commercial use was set up.
One of the FIDO members said if the pet park is going to be placed at a potentially
temporary site at IDOT property anyway, why not have a nicer pet friendly potentially
temporary location like the Port of Dubuque? People will not feel safe in the industrial
area. We need to make parks more pet friendly. It is important for dogs to have space
and be able to socialize and be around other dogs.
FIDO appreciated the opportunity to speak and respecffully asks the Park and
Recreation Commission to consider Port of Dubuque green area by McGraw-Hill as a
location for the new pet park or at least consider their concerns related to proposed
location on IDOT property by Julien Dubuque Bridge.
Commissioners suggested a few locations that could be investigated as possible sites:
grass area between Grand Harbor and Riverboat Museum; by Kelly's Bluff where
condos were going to be built; lower Bee Branch on either side of 16th Street. Ms.
Ware said the grass area by Grand Harbor is only 2.5 acres so would not be large
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enough and said part of the engagement process will help assist with pros and cons of
different potential locations.
PRESENTATION ON SUMMER NEIGHBORHOOD PROGRAMS:
Recreation Division Manager Dan Kroger reported that the department continues to
reevaluate the playground program. A focus is to be as accessible and equitable in
locations for as many kids as possible. What can we do to provide a better service to
kids? Staff visited 23 past and current playground sites and did an assessment of
amenities to determine if our playground programs are really provided at the best sites.
They looked at staffing levels and how we can get more little people to participate.
AmeriCorps members will be placing door hangers this year in areas where we have
programs scheduled to make people more aware of the availability.
The Boys' and Girls' Club is assisting with food-based locations to expand this year to
other sites that met requirements. BreakfasUlunch or snack/dinner will be offered at
ten sites this summer.
This summer staff will be at several smaller pocket parks to meet kids and families and
walk them to a playground site like Rocco Buda to Avon Playground which is a site
where two meals will be provided. Audubon School will have a playground this year
with two meals provided and then staff will walk the kids to an afternoon program to
Comiskey Park which will also have two meals provided. This year we will be able to
feed a lot more kids and provide full day services in limited locations.
Traditionally the playground program ended the second week of August. This year the
program will operate at a few select locations until the end of August when school
starts.
Manager Ware said we would not be able to do what we are doing with food and
having extra staff available without our partnerships with Boys' and Girls' Club and
AmeriCorps.
Commissioner Kennicker asked if any programs would be held at the band shell on
Bee Branch. Mr. Kroger said the Audubon/Comiskey playground program will be doing
a lot of their activities along Bee Branch.
PARK DIVISION REPORT:
Park Division Manager Steve Fehsal reported:
• Creek Wood Park: after online votes and votes from public input meeting, Option 1
playground was selected. Staff is working now on purchasing this playground.
Construction will be bid in mid-June.
• Skate Park Project: KIDS Skate received a $65,000 grant from Wellmark, so they
reached their required fundraising goal. The skate park plans are 90% completed.
The construction project will be bid in early June.
• Flora Park Playground: Public was notified of opportunity to vote on the three
playground options for the new 2-5-year-old Flora Park playground. Letters were
sent to neighbors of the park, news release was publicized and it was on the city
website. Online voting is open until Noon tomorrow.
• Miller Riverview Park remains closed; the river crested today. We anticipate being
closed for Memorial Day holiday; hope to be able to reopen in June.
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• Greenhouse operation is busy— hanging baskets will be placed at Millwork District
next week; before Memorial Day baskets will be hung at Bee Branch and the
Riverwalk; planted some of the pansies at City Hall and Port; annuals will be
planted in the next couple weeks.
• Boy Scouts have their pancake breakfast at Eagle Point this weekend on Mother's
Day.
• Kids to Parks Day is Saturday May 19 and there is free admission to Eagle Point
Park.
• Dubuque Trees Forever has a tree planting scheduled for this Saturday, May 12th
— 35 trees will be planted between the curb and sidewalk and/or in some private
yards.
• In honor of National Historic Preservation Month and to celebrate the listing of
Eagle Point Park in the National Register of Historic Places, the Historic
Preservation Commission is sponsoring free admission for the first 200 cars that
enter Eagle Point Park on Saturday, May 12.
• Dubuque received the 2017 Tree City USA award in April in partnership with
Dubuque Trees Forever. Dubuque is one of 70 cities in the state that received the
award. Park Division Manager Steve Fehsal and Forester Tom Kramer went to
Des Moines to accept the award.
RECREATION DIVISION REPORT:
Recreation Division Manager Dan Kroger reported:
• Painting and repair projects at the swimming pools are completed and the pools
look great.
• Most of the staff needed for summer has been hired.
• Marina: • Flood gates closed the day before the marina opened but the conven-
ience store is open. Staff used the time available for extra training for new
employees. • A lot of boat slip reservations have been made; almost full for
weekend of America's River Festival.
PRIORITIES TO SHARE WITH CITY COUNCIL:
All commissions have been asked to complete forms provided by the City Manager on
behalf of the City Council. The Commission will list successes as a commission and
the impact of those successes, plus issues or projects the commission plans to
address during the next year. The deadline for forms to go to City Council is July 30th.
The commission shared the priority ideas they were to bring to this meeting and will
work on priorities, forms and list at the June meeting.
• Fully fund staff positions in Park and Recreation Divisions. Amenities keep getting
added for department to maintain but short staffed. The staffing level history from
the Park Division Review will be updated and provided to commissioners for
reference.
• Leashed pets in more city parks. Do we want to identify specific parks where they
would be allowed, or would it be easier to identify parks where leashed pets would
not be allowed? Commissioners Kirkendall and Werner mentioned that they have
requested information from Police and Health Services regarding dog bite info from
before and after leashed pets were allowed in some areas and animal incident
reports in Bee Branch since it opened.
• Promote mobility through interconnected bikes and trails.
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• Build partnerships with neighboring and regional areas as well as our own parks
regarding trails.
• Offer more adult enrichment programs —which coincides with promoting healthy
lifestyles requested in Imagine Dubuque initiative.
• Update swimming pools.
• Outdated structures — park and recreation structures, greenhouse, offices, rest
rooms, etc.
MANAGER REPORT:
Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware reported:
• The department received notice from Commissioner Klinge that he has resigned
from the commission. Ms. Ware encouraged commissioners to inform anyone they
thought might be interested to apply online.
• The consultant for the Five Flags study and assessment will report to the City
Council on Monday, May 14th at a special work session. Wednesday, May 16th
there will be a public input session with the Civic Center Commission at Five Flags.
Ms. Ware encouraged commissioners to attend and encourage others to attend
and give their input.
ADJOURN; VOTE:
It was moved � Kirkendall, seconded � Kennicker, to adiourn the meetinq at 6:45
p.m. Unanimous.
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