Minutes_Park and Recreation Commission 12 14 101,
PRESENT: Bob Blocker, Paul Hoffmann, Karen Lyness, Evelyn Nadeau, Mark Noble and
David Schlueter
ABSENT:
OTHERS:
MINUTES
APPROVED;
VOTE:
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
4:30 p.m., Bunker Hill Golf Course Snack Bar
Tom Blocklinger
Staff present: Marie Ware, Pat Prevenas, Bob Fritsch and Eileen Trimble
It was moved by Lyness, seconded y Schlueter to approve the minutes of the
November 9 2010, meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
PARK DIVISION Park Division Manager Bob Fritsch informed commissioners:
REPORT:
• started flooding ice rinks and Allison- Henderson is useable now; • new
memorial at Schmitt Island is very popular and we are working with the
Veterans' Association — they do not want us to remove snow so we do not
scratch the memorial /pavers; we will see how the public reacts. • Snow has
been a challenge — things are open but it is hard to get down to pavement.
Trails are open; Bergfeld is very popular and has turned into a year -round site
with a portable rest room. • We are working on the Bee Branch project, seeing
how it will affect our department for maintenance / recreation / staff time, etc.
• Manager Fritsch told commissioners that a future agenda will have
discussion on the reservation system for campsites at Miller Riverview Park.
He has had several communications from Don Foley a frequent camper at the
park, and he feels people need to pay when they make their reservation so that
they honor the reservation and show up or lose fee. Another option would be
not to take any reservations at all and go with a first -come, first - served system.
Commissioner Blocker who also camps frequently thought maybe we could
pay at time of reservation for any campsites with electricity or pay for certain
better sites at time of reservation and then first -come, first - served for the rest.
Mr. Blocker felt it would not be good to go with no reservations at all. Mr.
Fritsch just wanted to make commissioners aware the item would be on an
upcoming agenda, not that we needed to decide anything today.
RECREATION Recreation Division Manager Pat Prevenas informed commissioners:
DIVISION
REPORT: Golf: • water line connection for the new irrigation system is in place and the
satellite controllers are in place; pump house will be replaced in spring; • golf
season rounds ended at 28,910 which is best season since 2004 which seems
to be a trend in the Dubuque area; a lot of courses across the country are
down; • news release was sent out for the tee sign donation promotion. Mr.
Prevenas shared a copy of the form and said we have already sold 4 at $600
since the news release was published; • sale for discounted 2011 golf passes
is going on now. After school: • Program Supervisor Janna Beau received
continued
$2,800 in contributions from anonymous donors to purchase winter clothing for
48 children that participate in our after school programs. She worked with Old
Navy on the clothing items and they gave her a good deal. Then another
donor contributed $500 to be used for Christmas gifts, food etc. for a few
families with children involved in the program. • Mr. Prevenas shared a copy
of memo sent to City Manager clarifying budget increase for after school sports
program to pay for more coaches since registrations have increased. He also
included comments received from coaches and participants about the program.
• Special populations winter dance is this Thursday evening at Roosevelt.
• Uptown weekend open gym had 900 total participants in November at
three gyms. December numbers so far are lower than last year, most likely
due to the weather. • Flora Pool playground equipment: last year CIP
budget included new playground equipment and replacement of the sand
safety surface but there was not enough money for both. The project was
moved to this year for the equipment only and it will be installed in the spring.
MANAGER Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware informed commissioners:
REPORT:
OTHER
BUSINESS:
• Budget: the text in the public budget documents for half the city
departments will be performance measures based and some will look different.
There will also be a Facility — Program - Leases Division shown. Once the
document is final, we will share it with commissioners. • Bee Branch: a lot of
meetings are being scheduled regarding Bee Branch project and we are
included more now for the planning for maintenance issues. • Transient boat
docks: The city has a project for transient boat docks underway at the Port of
Dubuque. It will improve the area and offer more services to the public. The
plan includes a building to connect to the Museum and complement it, but it will
be its own entity and have showers, laundry, convenience store, etc. It will fall
under our department to take care of it. I will start working out a business
model from similar facilities. • We are in a hiring mode right now. Steve
Ohnesorge, foreman for Eagle Point Park is retiring at end of December; full
time program supervisor interviews are being scheduled; AmeriCorps Director
recommendation was made to the City Manager. • Managers are working
with Park Division employees /foremen to come up with an operational plan to
best utilize staff and equipment. • Riverboat Museum: The Museum wants to
lease and fence in the park area between the two buildings so they can
connect the two buildings. They would need to pay a certain amount as part of
the lease so we are working out a partnership where they can pay down rent
by offering free admission to underserved population and / or do programs for
our classes, Library and Multicultural Family Center. We will be meeting with
them to work out details.
Commissioner Hoffmann was concerned about the Bee Branch project and
how it effects our department. The paper said it was a $44 million dollar
project and $20 million was for landscaping. How is our department going to
continued
December 14, 2010 meeting
page two
v December 14, 2010 meeting
page three
ADJOURN;
VOTE:
take care of all that additional area and not get more money and help
budgeted? He hopes the City Manager sees how much extra work has been
dropped on our department without more money or help. Commissioners
asked to get an update each month about this project.
Manager Ware said about $9 of the $20 million is RECAT grant for bridges that
will be part of the project. She also reminded commissioners that as citizen
advocates they can go to Council meetings or talk to council members about
their concerns regarding workload and budget.
It was moved by Blocker, seconded by Nadeau, that the meeting be adjourned
at 5:15 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
Attest
Chairperson