Minutes_Park and Recreation Commission 11 9 10PRESENT:
ABSENT:
MINUTES
APPROVED;
VOTE:
COMISKEY PARK
C.I.P. UPDATE:
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
4:30 p.m., in the snack bar, Bunker Hill Golf Course
Bob Blocker, Tom Blocklinger, Paul Hoffmann, Evelyn Nadeau, Mark Noble and
David Schlueter
Karen Lyness
Staff present: Marie Ware, Pat Prevenas and Jolene Rettenberger
It was moved by Blocker, seconded by Nadeau, to approve the minutes of the
October 12, 2010, meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware distributed three pages of information
regarding improvements to Comiskey Park (layout of the existing Comiskey
Park, draft copy of the newly designed Comiskey Park and price listing). City
Manager Michael Van Milligen requested staff review the park and propose a re-
design of Comiskey Park to reach a "port-like level" and flow into the Bee Branch
Corridor.
In reviewing the draft copy of the new design, Manager Ware would like to move
the existing playground unit from its present position and move it closer to the
parking lot area with a new visible play unit (wheelchair accessibility) with either
a rubber surface or tiles placed under the play unit. New benches and walkways
as borders will be installed around the play unit area. As a safety barrier from
children running out into the parking lot area, decorative fences and landscaping
will be installed. The existing soccer area will be moved north to accommodate
the location of the new playground.
Additional benches, tables, trash cans, flower pots, decorative fencing and
railings, pavers, drinking fountain for people /pets (placed outside the park area),
as well as decorative lights along 24th and Jackson Street area will be installed.
We are also looking at the possibility of installing an interactive spray
ground /splash pad to be installed in the Bee Branch /Comiskey Park area.
There are significant costs ($445,500.00 +) to this project. We will continue to
meet with the park patrol, police, neighbors and the neighborhood association to
gather additional input and then bring the information back to the Park and
Recreation commissioners before presenting it to the City Council.
Commissioners asked: • Commissioner Noble asked about the warranty of
the rubberized playing surface. • Commissioner Nadeau is in favor of the
installation of an interactive spray ground /splash pad. • Commissioner Blocker
asked if we have enough restroom facilities and shared some concerns with the
"image" of Comiskey Park with the general public. • Commissioner Hoffmann
asked about the location of the Bee Branch in comparison to Comiskey Park.
He also shared concerns regarding the language used by park patrols — can we
install signs regarding park rules? • Commissioner Schlueter thinks this is a
good idea.
continued
BUNKER HILL
GOLF COURSE
TEE SIGN
DONATIONS;
VOTE:
APPROVE PARK
DIVISION FY 2012
OPERATING
BUDGET; VOTE:
APPROVE
RECREATION
DIVISION FY 2012
OPERATING
BUDGET; VOTE:
November 9, 2010 meeting
page two
Recreation Division Manager Pat Prevenas shared information regarding a new
program at the Bunker Hill Golf Course. For a donation of $600.00 to the City of
Dubuque Bunker Hill Golf Course, an aluminum tee sign will be installed on the
golf course with donor's recognition on the sign. Tee location requests are
acceptable, providing golf course staff approves and complies with golf course
master plan. The tee sign will remain in place for a minimum of ten (10) years
with maintenance included. The contributions to the City of Dubuque are tax
deductible. Tee signs are 12" x 21" cast aluminum and the support post is 1/8"
thick aluminum powder coated.
It was moved y Schlueter, seconded 12y Blocker, to approve the Bunker Hill Golf
Course Tee Sign Donation Program. The motion passed unanimously.
With the absence of our Park Division Manager, Manager Ware reviewed the FY
2012 operating budget proposal of $2,720,714 in expenses and $298,568 in
revenue. (Printed copies of the expense /revenue summary and equipment
priority list may be found as part of the original minutes.)
• No fee changes for next year. • There is an increase in expenses due to
maintenance and increased costs. • There are thirteen items listed on the Park
Division equipment priority listing totaling $129,000.
It was moved 12y Blocklinger, seconded l Nadeau, to approve the FY 2012 Park
Division operating budget as presented ty staff. The motion passed
unanimously.
Recreation Division Manager Pat Prevenas reviewed the expense and revenue
summaries for swimming, golf maintenance, golf operations, C.D. target
programs, adult athletics, McAleece concessions, children's activities,
therapeutic recreation and recreation classes. (Printed copies may be found as
part of the original minutes.)
Golf Operations: Expenses and revenue associated with pro shop, snack bar
and carts. Development fund total is $69,136.
Golf Maintenance: Expenses and revenue associated with employees,
supplies and services, equipment, golf rounds, league fees and season passes.
Fee increases proposed for the 2012 season are: .25 cents for senior citizen
and league; $15 for individual season pass; $14 for family and couples passes.
Development fund total is - $61,788.
Swimming: No fee increases are proposed; revenue has decreased due to
lower pool attendance due to less popularity as pools are getting older.
Adult Athletics: League fee increases of $15 per team is proposed for softball,
$7 per team for fall softball, $25 for basketball, $2 for basketball tournaments
and $2 for softball tournaments.
continued
continued
November 9, 2010 meeting
page three
McAleece Concessions: Possible changes in menu fees in spring.
Children's Activities: This activity includes playgrounds, tennis, baseball,
softball, golf, amusement park ticket sales, et cetera.
Therapeutic Recreation: No changes in this activity.
Recreation Classes: Some changes in the revenue for the Just For Kids
program due to the free preschool programs offered through the schools /state.
No revenue listed for the after - school programs at Fulton, Marshall and Lincoln
schools.
C.D.Target Programs: These programs are not supported by property taxes,
but Community Development block grant funds.
It was moved l Blocker, seconded l Hoffmann, to approve the FY 2012
Recreation Division operating budget as presented l staff. The motion passed
unanimously.
PARK DIVISION With the absence of our Park Division Manager, Manager Ware updated
REPORT: commissioners on the following: • Working on improvement packages for
different areas. We will be maintaining the 32nd Street area, the Millwork District
and the Bee Branch, as well as other areas. • Several meetings with the Parks
foremen on what we can do to help them do their jobs - any equipment that will
help them or is there a better way to do the work. • With the purchase on new
equipment, we may decide not to trade -in equipment and keep it for usage in
other areas. • With the retirement of a park employee /foreman the end of
December, we have been planning ahead to best meet department needs. •
Park Division Manager's office may be relocating to park headquarters if internet
service provided. • We will continue to empower our employees with the tools
that they need and better communicate in order to plan the daily work schedules
more efficiently.
RECREATION Recreation Division Manager Pat Prevenas updated commissioners on the
DIVISION following: • October weather resulted in better golf rounds — we are ahead in the
REPORT: number of golf rounds from last year. • With the installation of the irrigation
system at Bunker Hill Golf Course, the pump house building will be removed
soon. • We have had a very successful after - school flag football and volleyball
program. Huge attendance crowds at the inner - school games /meets. We have
received a lot of positive comments. Program Supervisor, Gary Reid, has done
a good job. Starting in January, Program Supervisor, Steve Kiebel, will be taking
over the after - school program. • The application deadline for the Recreation
Program Supervisor position was on October 11th. All fifty -eight applicants have
completed the Civil Service testing and those tests need to be graded and
November 9, 2010 meeting
page four
returned to the Personnel Department so we can select which candidates to
interview with the possibility of the new supervisor starting their position in
January of 2011.
Manager Ware and the Community Oriented Police spoke to the City Council
regarding the city ordinance which allows and /or prohibits alcoholic beverages in
city parks. A park summary was distributed to the commissioners listing what
city parks /property that intoxicating beverages are allowed at which includes the
following areas: A.Y. McDonald Park, Bergfeld Recreation area, Bunker Hill Golf
Course, Eagle Point Park, Flora Park, Four Mounds Park, Marshall Park,
McAleece Complex, Miller Riverview Park, Murphy Park and Veterans' Memorial
Park.
Manager Ware informed commissioners that the Multicultural Family Center and
the AmeriCorps Program budgets are now listed under the Leisure Services
Department budget.
Performance Measures listed in the budget will be submitted and shared with the
Park and Recreation commissioners at the December 2010 meeting.
It was moved by Schlueter, seconded by Blocklinger, that the meeting be
adjourned at 6:00 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
Attest
Chairperson