Minutes_Park and Recreation Commission 10 9 18 Copyrighted
November 19, 2018
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 1.
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: City Council proceedings of 11/5; Civil Service
Commission of 10/31; Human Rights Commission of 10/8;
Park and Recreation Advisory Commission of 10/9, 10/19;
Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of 10/15.
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
City Council Proceedings of 11/5/18 Supporting Documentation
Civil Service Commission Minutes of 10/31/18 Supporting Documentation
Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes of Supporting Documentation
10/9/18
Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes of Supporting Documentation
10/29/18
Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of Supporting Documentation
10/15/18
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
4:30 p.m., Bunker Hill Golf Course
PRESENT: Matt Garrett, Robin Kennicker, Richard Kirkendall, Rebecca
Kuhle, Robert McCoy, Jennifer Tigges and Ray Werner
STAFF PRESENT: Marie Ware and Steve Fehsal
OTHERS PRESENT: FIDO Representatives Nikki Ender and Amy Weipert
MINUTES APPROVED; VOTES:
It was moved by Kennicker, seconded by Kuhle, to approve the minutes of the
September 11 , 2018 meeting. Unanimous.
It was moved by Kennicker, seconded by Kuhle, to approve the minutes of the
September 26, 2018 special meeting. Unanimous.
FIDO GROUP REQUEST TO ADDRESS COMMISSION:
Nikki Ender and Amy Weipert were present representing the Friendly Intelligent
Dog Owners (FIDO) to let the City know they are here as a group to help as
discussions continue on constructing a new dog park. They know there will be
a public input process coming and they would like the chance to work with the
City on the best location and amenities for the park. Once a quality location is
identified the group would like to help raise funds to make the dog park the best
it can be. Ms. Ender said FIDO holds monthly meetings and has several
committees. Their biggest issue right now is dogs in parks and then helping to
fundraise for dog park down the line.
Commissioners asked if we knew how many permits for dogs were issued by
the city? Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware will check with Health Services
on the number of current licensed pet owners.
PET FRIENDLY COMMUNITY DISCUSSION
Manager Ware shared information related to the City Council priority of pet
friendly community. Staff has had some conversations related to this topic,
knowing it involves more than just a pet park. The Mayor attended the US
Conference of Mayors and brought back a packet called PlaybookforPet
Friendly Communities (may be found as part of the original minutes). What
does "pet friendly community mean?" Pet park is one piece, but it is also about
licensing, amenities for dogs and other policy items. The Playbook for Pet
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Friendly Communities provides tools to assess where your community is at and
what are the next steps that can be considered.
Ms. Ware said the process could be like the integrated pest management
program where various city departments and staff and representation from
various pet and dog friendly groups, and potentially businesses could be part of
a work group that would work through the assessment and playbook.
Commissioner Tigges asked what the next step would be if we want to get
started with a work group. General discussion was held about who would be
part of a work group; who decides what departments are represented; what
they would do at meetings.
Commissioner Kirkendall said a holistic approach is good especially with
regards to the dog park. He sees letting people walk their dogs in parks as a
related issue and part of the holistic assessment, but it doesn't need to wait for
all this stuff to be done.
Commissioner Tigges said she would not want to see making policies and
going through the assessment stall for a year or two anything to do with moving
forward on some of those items.
Commissioner Werner agreed and said he sees it as a two-tiered system where
we have the idea of allowing pets in parks. Some language writing was already
done for the previous recommendations that can be used. He sees that as
something that the commission can take action on sooner rather than later,
maybe even by end of year get that conversation rolling.
CREATE PET FRIENDLY WORKING GROUP; VOTE:
It was moved � Tiqqes, seconded � Garrett, to create a �et friendly
communitv work rq OUp with citizens, c� staff and area professionals and
businesses to work on �et friendlv assessment and olp icies. Unanimous.
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT ANNUAL REPORT; VOTE:
The Integrated Pest Management working group completes a report each year
and reports to Environmental Stewardship Committee and the City Council. It
was presented to Council in June 2018. A copy of the report was included in
commission agenda packet and may be found as part of the original minutes.
Commissioner Tigges asked if the report is shared with the citizen group that
was involved from the beginning? Has citizen group volunteered as talked
about during formal meetings? Park Division Manager Steve Fehsal said the
report is on the website plus public information through council meeting, but he
doesn't know if anything is formally sent to those individuals. The volunteer
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group is not formally working with the City but may be doing things on their own
on an informal basis. Commissioner Werner asked if expansion of pesticide
free parks has been considered? Manager Fehsal said yes, staff has talked
about it and plans to pull spray records this winter to review and see if there is
any opportunity to make some additional changes.
It was moved � McCoy, seconded � Kennicker, to receive and file the
Inteqrated Pest Manaqement Annual Report. Unanimous.
PARK NAMING DISCUSSION; VOTE:
The commission discussed the policy drafted by Commissioners Kirkendall and
Tigges.
It was moved � Kennicker, seconded � Garrett, to adopt the park naminq
op IICV with tvpoqraphical corrections to section I c�a semicolon and the
word or at the end . Unanimous.
MANAGER REPORTS:
Commissioners generally liked the idea of getting the managers written reports
with the agenda, so they could look over before the meeting and know their
questions in advance. It was recommended to put reports on the agenda as a
separate item in the future.
COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS / QUESTIONS:
. Commissioner Garrett asked about softball fields. The Miracle League field
at Veterans' is going to be a wonderful thing and a lot of kids will have an
opportunity to play ball, but he wants to assure we have enough ballfields in
the community. Mr. Garrett is working with Recreation Division Manager
Dan Kroger to see what can be done with existing facilities. Mr. Kroger will
get Park Division Manager and Youth Sports Supervisor together with
Commissioner Garrett and look at some options and talk with youth baseball
and softball groups.
ADJOURNMENT:
It was moved by Tigges, seconded by Garrett, to adjourn the meeting at 5:27
p.m.
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