Minutes_Park and Recreation Commission 1 12 10PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
4:30 p.m., in the snack bar, Bunker Hill Golf Course
PRESENT: Robert Blocker, Tom Blocklinger, Gary Harjehausen, Karen Lyness, Evelyn
Nadeau and Mark Noble
ABSENT:
MINUTES
APPROVED;
VOTE:
PARK AT
GRANDVIEW
AVENUE AND
ROCKDALE
ROAD:
UPDATE ON
SECOND DOG
PARK:
ROOSEVELT
PARK MASTER
PLAN; VOTE:
Paul Hoffmann
Staff present: Pat Prevenas, Bob Fritsch and Jolene Rettenberger
It was moved by Blocker, seconded by Nadeau, to approve the minutes of the
November 10, 2009, meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
Acting Leisure Services Manager /Recreation Division Manager Pat Prevenas
and Park Division Manager Bob Fritsch informed commissioners that Mark Falb
purchased this property and donated it to the City to create a mini -park. Bids
were accepted and the City has hired two firms; one firm will work on the
removal of the asbestos and the other firm will do the demolition of the building
and recycling of materials. Demolition will begin soon with the mini -park to be
open up this park season. Plans for the mini -park include a seating area and
possible waterfall.
Manager Prevenas spoke to the commissioners about the status of the new dog
park located along Kerper Boulevard, across from Thermo Fisher Scientific. Gil
Spence sent a memo to the City Manager in December regarding contact being
made with Thermo Fisher; but we haven't heard from them as their business will
be closing. We have received communication and are waiting to hear from the
IDOT regarding property (totaling 4.6 acres) along Highway 151/61 South.
Approximately 1 acre of this property may be utilized for testing candidates for
the Driver's License Bureau. Next week, Pat and Bob will be meeting with IDOT.
Manager Prevenas reviewed the master plan with the commissioners and stated
that it has been in our budget for three years. During 2009, Confluence,
landscape architects from Iowa City, Iowa, developed the plan with staff input.
The Final Master Plan of Roosevelt Park could be done in phases. Cost would
be 2.8 million dollars to do everything that is listed on the plan. The south phase
of the plan includes a multi - purpose field, ball field and dog park. Fundraising
efforts and grants will be needed to develop these elements. The Dubuque
Bruisers (semi -pro football league) may be starting a fundraising campaign and
other groups such as the Dubuque Little League Baseball (DLLB), Gentlemen of
Dubuque and Two -by -Two may need to do the same. The properties will be
leased to these organizations and the maintenance will be the responsibility of
the lessee.
continued
APPROVE
BUNKER HILL
GOLF COURSE
E-MAIL
PROMOTIONS;
VOTE:
PARK
DIVISION
REPORT:
January 12, 2010 meeting
page two
Roosevelt Park was purchased in 1967 and the park closed in 1984. This long
range plan development was pending on the Southwest Arterial corridor. The
north end of the park (top of the master plan) will require small trees and bushes
to be cleared out to open up the woodland area for picnic areas, the Model
Airplane area will remain, and there will be an area to build a disc golf course, as
well as 30 acres for mountain biking /walking trails.
Commissioner Lyness asked questions if we were receiving any calls from the
public regarding this project. Prevenas shared that we have received a letter
from a party who lives in California to keep the land as is, we received an email
from another party saying to leave the area alone, and school representatives
are encouraging the multi - purpose area of the plan be developed.
Commissioner Noble asked what happens if the citizens of Dubuque are
opposed to this plan? It would be included in the plan's documentation for future
reference.
A public hearing will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 14th regarding
the Roosevelt Park Master Plan. Commissioners Blocklinger, Lyness and
Nadeau will be present at public hearing.
It was moved 12y Noble, seconded 12y Blocker, to approve the Roosevelt Park
Master Plan as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Manager Pat Prevenas informed commissioners about the FORE Software. This
software is utilized for golf course internet tee times, including a marketing email
module that we are planning to utilize this golf season. Emails will be
automatically generated to our golfers for birthday specials ($10 coupon to be
used in snack bar), a "thank you" for playing at BHGC, promotions (play free with
paid round) and other reminder emails to return and play golf with us.
Commissioner Harjehausen suggested the possibility of looking at a Rewards
Program and /or a Points System to be used. Prevenas will check into this.
It was moved 12y Blocker, seconded l Lyness, to approve the FORE Software
Email Promotions as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Park Division Manager Bob Fritsch informed commissioners:
• For the upcoming 2010 camping season at Miller Riverview Park, we will be
looking at a pre -pay system. We have had some problems with the cancelation
of camping reservations and loss of revenue. • We have purchased three
mowers with brooms and cabs on them, one skid steer and one heavy duty
blower, as well as use walk- behind brooms for snow removal this season. Within
1 -2 days, snow fall is cleaned up. Snow removal downtown and Port of
Dubuque areas are going well with our equipment. Bob and Pat will be meeting
with the City Manager about some snow removal issues around the parking
meters. • Ice rinks are open at Allison- Henderson, Comiskey and Flora parks.
continued
RECREATION Recreation Division Manager Pat Prevenas informed commissioners:
DIVISION
REPORT: • The Winter Wonderland Dance was canceled on December 10th due to the
weather. • After - school volleyball program was very popular this fall; after -
school flag football program numbers were down. • Bunker Hill Golf Course had
the best season since 2005. • Our Winter /Spring 2010 brochures are available.
• Our 2010 Bunker Hill Golf Course Season Pass Sale of $40 in savings resulted
in increased sales. • Our Uptown Recreation Weekend Open Gym program has
been well attended at Prescott School this year; Lincoln School attendance is
down. • Program Supervisor Molly Weis will be retiring on January 29th. We
are presently seeking applicants for a part-time, temporary position which will
involve 20 hours per week during weekday business hours, February through
May. After the hiring of our new Leisure Services Department Manager, this job
will become available as a full -time Program Supervisor position. Gary Reid will
be taking over the responsibilities of the after - school sports program through the
month of May. • After - school basketball fliers have been distributed and the
program will begin in February.
OTHER
BUSINESS:
ADJOURN;
VOTE:
January 12, 2010 meeting
page three
Bob will be checking on the lights at the rinks. Hockey players have been using
the ice at Comiskey. • Mike Horsfall has started the flower seeding at the
greenhouse. • Park Ranger Gary Schroeder is retiring on January 29th. Tyson
Brown has taken Gary's position and we have hired a new park patrol officer.
Joe Fleckenstein has started his thirteen weeks at the Law Enforcement
Academy and will start actual patrol work in April.
• Last week, we received an email from the City Manager regarding possible
entrance charges for residents and non - residents into the Pet Park.
• Budget hearing with City Council is scheduled for February 11th.
It was moved by Lyness, seconded by Nadeau, that the meeting be adjourned at
5:26 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
Attest
Chairperson