Minutes_Park and Recreation Commission 3 12 13PRESENT:
OTHERS
PRESENT:
STAFF PRESENT:
MINUTES
APPROVED;
VOTE:
REMOVE
SLEDDING
RECOMMEN-
DATION FROM
THE TABLE;
VOTE:
SLEDDING
ORDINANCE
RECOMMEN-
DATIO• VOTE:
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
4:30 p.m., Snack Bar, Bunker Hill Golf Course
Bob Blocker, Ken Klinge, Chuck Harris, Paul Hoffmann, Karen Lyness, Evelyn
Nadeau and David Schlueter
Dan Mellon, Jesse Shekleton and Earl Brimeyer of Dubuque Water Sports Club;
Jane McCall of Dubuque Humane Society; and Dr. Mareth Ellsworth of M & M
Ranch
Marie Ware, Steve Fehsal, Eileen Trimble
It was moved by Lyness, seconded by Harris, to approve the minutes of the
February 12, 2013, meeting with one correction — in the Lincoln School
Neighborhood section, Ms. Nadeau asked if there was much participation from
Spanish and Marshallese speakers. The motion passed unanimously.
Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware explained to commissioners that in order
to be able to discuss the sledding ordinance, a formal motion would need to be
made to remove the sledding recommendation from the table.
It was moved l Hoffmann seconded la Lyness to remove the sledding
recommendation from the table. The motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Blocker asked: • if cross country skiing and snow shoeing would
be off limits at Eagle Point because of the ordinance; • would the two most
popular areas along North Grandview Avenue still allow sledding; • if people are
sledding after dark will Police be called and people taken to jail? Manager Ware
said cross country skiing and snow shoeing would not be affected because this
ordinance is for sledding; sledding would be allowed on North Grandview; and
whether someone was taken to jail would probably depend on how that acted
when the police arrived.
Commissioner Schlueter asked if there was immunity for sledding and Ms. Ware
said no, that is why the ordinance was being recommended. Commissioner
Nadeau asked if signage could be put in each park to sled at your own risk. Ms.
Ware said the parks are so big, how many signs would you have to place and
would people see the signs or not.
Commissioner Hoffmann said the best thing would be to get the immunity
passed through the legislation but we need to protect ourselves until that
happens. Commissioner Schlueter agrees with Mr. Hoffmann on protecting
ourselves, and the ban could always be removed if and when the legislation
passes that would protect cities. He also asked if the signage should include
anything about no alcohol. Ms. Ware said she would check with Legal
Department on whether language about alcohol would be appropriate.
It was moved l Schlueter seconded l Hoffmann to approve the sledding
ordinance as presented. The motion passed 6 -1 with Blocker Harris Hoffmann
Klinge, Nadeau and Schlueter voting yes, and Lyness voting no.
continued
PET
ORDINANCE
RECOMMEN-
DATION; VOTE:
APPROVE
MILLER
RIVERVIEW
MANAGEMENT
AGREEMENT;
VOTE:
March 12, 2013 meeting
page two
Manager Ware explained that at their March 4th meeting the City Council voted
down the ordinance change regarding pets in parks that was recommended by
the Commission. Any Council member that voted on March 4th can request to
bring the item back. Because of this, on March 18th the recommendation will go
back on the Council agenda as a first voting and they can discuss, ask for
changes, et cetera.
After the March 4th Council meeting and the article in the paper, Manager Ware
received a call from Louis Pfeiler, Board Member of the Veterans' Memorial
Plaza. The group was asking for the memorial area to be added to the "no pets"
area. They are concerned about all the engraved marble and family names. Ms.
Ware said she would take the request to the Commission since it was not
specifically discussed at past meetings. Correspondence was also received
from Councilperson Ric Jones asking that the Commission consider revising the
ordinance to prohibit pets in play areas and at the Veterans' Memorial Plaza.
Commissioner Blocker clarified that Mr. Pfeiler wants the memorial plaza to be a
pets free area and Mr. Jones wants the memorial plaza and playground areas in
parks to be pets free; Ms. Ware said yes. Commissioner Schlueter asked if the
City Council could amend the recommended ordinance themselves without the
Park and Recreation Commission recommending more changes; Ms. Ware said
yes. Manager Ware told Commissioners that the City Council members were
very appreciative of all the time and effort spent in coming up with a
recommendation for the Council.
Commissioner Schlueter said it isn't going to hurt the Commission's feelings just
because the Council didn't agree with the recommendation and just let the
Council make these new changes. Commissioner Klinge said leave these new
changes to the Council. Commissioner Nadeau said if the City Council wants us
to represent what the public wants then it's up to us to amend the
recommendation and she would be in favor of amending. Commissioner
Lyness agreed, the Council is giving us an opening. Commissioner Harris
agreed and said if the Commission does nothing, the ordinance won't pass.
Commissioners Lyness, Nadeau and Harris don't think the Council will bring the
issue back up unless they get input from the Commission.
It was moved l Harris seconded l Lyness to add to the recommended
ordinance to make all Veterans' memorials and playground equipment areas in
parks as "no pet" areas. The motion passed 5 -2 with Blocker Harris Klinge
Lyness and Nadeau voting y Schlueter voting no • and Hoffmann abstaining.
Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware explained that the department was asking
to retain the same management as last year, with Ken and Nancy Clayton.
Commissioner Schlueter asked if the manager is responsible for rentals at the
Water Sports Club; Manager Ware said yes, for limited number of camping units.
It was moved 12y Schlueter seconded lay Klinge to approve the Miller Riverview
Management Agreement with Ken and Nancy Clayton. The motion passed
unanimously.
APPROVE
LEASE WITH
DUBUQUE
WATER
SPORTS CLUB;
VOTE:
TABLE HUMANE
SOCIETY
AGREEMENT /
REALLOCATION
OF PET PARK
CIP• VOTE:
March 12, 2013 meeting
page three
Dan Mellon - 2013 President, Earl Brimeyer — 2013 Vice - President, and Jesse
Shekleton - 2012 President were present at the meeting to request renewal of
the lease with the City of Dubuque. The Club felt they went the extra mile in
2012 and created a business plan and mission statement, made improvements
and received many compliments. They plan on being proactive and involved in
the master planning for Chaplain Schmitt Island once the RFP is awarded. The
Club is working to get more people involved in fitness activities. They will be
sponsoring the National Canoe Championships this year and will be involved
with America's River Festival. They have a good relationship between the
paddlers and the skiers.
Commissioners Lyness, Hoffmann and Blocker complimented the Club on doing
a great job last year.
It was moved l Schlueter seconded by Nadeau to renew the lease between
the City of Dubuque and the Dubuque Water Sports Club. The motion passed
unanimously.
Jane McCall from the Humane Society was present at the meeting. She
explained that the Humane Society purchased 5 acres of land at the Northwest
Arterial and Chavenelle Drive to remodel their new facility and build a pet park.
They requested approximately $100,000 from the City for fencing and amenities.
Usage would be on a members -only basis using a slide card but there would be
assistance for low income.
Leisure Services Manager Ware explained that the topic of reallocation of funds
from the current CIP to the Humane Society is being brought to the Commission
for consideration and comment. She was directed to draft an agreement with the
Humane Society and that was a part of the Commission packet.
Commissioners asked: • What will the charge be; • Has the Humane Society
moved into the new building yet? If not, when; • Will there be any agility
equipment? • What will the hours of the pet park be? • What will the name of the
pet park be? Will the City be recognized in any way and will they have any say
in how the pet park is run, for instance representation on the Humane Society
Board?
Ms. McCall said they are looking at charging $10 a month or $100 a year, which
would pay for maintenance. They have not moved into the new building but
hope to be in by July or August of 2013. There will be agility equipment. Hours
will most likely be 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 or 9:00 p.m. but they may need to change
the opening time to 6:00 a.m. The name of the pet park will be Hadley's Pet
Park. As far as city representation on the Humane Society Board, she would
check into it.
Commissioner Harris thanked Ms. McCall for being at the meeting to answer
questions. He feels the proposal is almost too good to be true and asked if they
had enough funds to complete construction of their facility? The last figure he
March 12, 2013 meeting
page four
saw said they only had 63% of needed funding. He would like to see the group
established in their new facility before the City signs any agreement or gives
them any funds.
Ms. McCall said the 63% was an old figure; they now have 1.2 million collected.
If the Commission wanted to wait on the agreement and funds she said that
wouldn't be a problem except it seemed more logical to do all the plumbing at
the same time, including out to the pet park.
Commissioner Nadeau is opposed to the pet park CIP funds going to the
Humane Society. It's good they want to have a pet park but she doesn't want
this one substituted for the one that was supposed to be at the corner of Dodge
and Locust. The Humane Society location is not accessible to all the downtown
citizens and they are the ones most likely not to have transportation available.
She doesn't feel the citizens that have paid for one license should have to pay
for a second. Ms. McCall said they would be providing a place for a second pet
park and the City would provide the money.
Commissioner Schlueter asked what was the status of the pet park on IDOT
property. Ms. Ware said we have a concept plan and IDOT has reviewed it. If
they give the property to the City the City would need a new snow dumping site
for the IDOT. Commissioner Hoffmann asked if the snow being dumped there
would ruin the pet park. Ms. Ware said the city would have to find an alternate
snow dump site. Mr. Hoffmann said maybe we can go to the City Manager and
see if we can get other dog park money because he doesn't want to lose the
IDOT spot even though it's a great opportunity with the Humane Society.
Commissioner Nadeau asked if the City Council can reallocate the funds without
input from the Park and Recreation Commission and Manager Ware said yes.
Ms. Ware will be reporting the Commission's discussion back to the Council.
The agreement was drafted without any input from the Humane Society. City
Health and Legal departments gave input so far. McCall has not had time to
share it with the Humane Society Board but did get a draft several days ago.
The agreement takes pieces of what the City Council discussed at their meeting
and incorporates it in the draft. It is a reallocation of funds which means
something goes away and the final decision would be with the City Council.
Commissioners Blocker and Klinge felt it should be tabled and Commissioner
Nadeau would like the City Council to wait on making a decision to reallocate the
funds. Commissioners asked McCall to come to the next meeting to answer
questions they had asked and giver her time to review the Agreement with her
Board.
It was moved 12y Hoffmann seconded kay Klinge to table the reallocation of Pet
Park CIP and agreement with the Dubuque Humane Society until time for further
consideration. The motion passed 5 -2 with Blocker Harris Hoffmann Klinge
and Lyness voting yes; Nadeau and Schlueter voting no.
continued
POSSIBLE
RENTAL FEES
FOR BERGFELD
AND OTHER
AREAS
TABLE
REQUEST
FROM M & M
PONY RIDES;
VOTE:
March 12, 2013 meeting
page five
Kate Lydon was present and asked to speak regarding the proposed pet park
fee. She said a $100 fee would not go down well with dog owners here in
Dubuque. For those that live downtown, having to pay $100 and then having to
drive all the way across town to get to the pet park would get very costly. Ms.
McCall said the west end of town deserves something too. Lydon said they do
but they already have Bergfeld where dogs are allowed on leashes.
Manager Ware explained that the department has charged for pavilions as well
as park use fees for specific parks. Each year we are seeing an increase in
special event requests throughout the park system. Recently we noted when
reviewing special event requests that we charge for areas like Jackson / Flora /
Washington / A.Y. McDonald Parks at a rate of $115 to use the park for a special
event but when an organization requests to use Bergfeld for a race event
start /finish or the Town Clock Plaza area, we charge no fees. Most of the events
are fundraisers so it doesn't seem fair that some pay and some don't. Ms. Ware
requested feedback from the commissioners.
• Commissioner Lyness asked if we charge for Washington Park and the
gazebo; • Commissioner Blocker asked what fee is charged for Washington; •
Commissioner Hoffmann felt we should charge the $115 except Town Clock
Plaza area; Commissioner Nadeau felt it should be $115 across the board
except Town Clock Plaza area because it's almost like part of the street.
Ms. Ware said if someone rents the entire Washington Park the fee is $115; if
the Gazebo only is rented, the fee is $23. Based on Commission feedback, fees
will be reviewed for all park areas. A recommendation will be forthcoming for
2014.
Dr. Mareth Ellsworth from M & M Pony Rides was present at the meeting. She
has a pony party business and provides pony rides for company picnics, birthday
parties, family reunions, etc. She is requesting permission to provide her pony
rides at functions in the parks. That way she can advertise and know that she
has permission. Dr. Ellsworth said each pony has a handler; the ponies are not
on a carousel. She has had parties in parks in Madison, Monroe and Browntown
and never had an accident; has always cleaned up after the ponies; and has
very good insurance.
• Commissioner Klinge asked what size trailer she would bring into the park —
15' behind a truck and 4 ponies would fit in it. • Commissioner Schlueter asked
if part of the request was for a yearly agreement. Dr. Ellsworth said yes that
would be ideal so she didn't have to request permission for each party.
Manager Ware said the current ordinance reads "horse drawn vehicles, riding
horses or any other domesticated animals used for such purposes shall be
prohibited in any park unless permission is granted by the Park and Recreation
Advisory Commission of the city." From a city perspective the pavilion renter
would need to get a special event permit. In order for Dr. Ellsworth to do what
she wants, the Park and Recreation Commission could give her a yearly ok but
we would still need the renters to do a special event permit; most any special
gathering now has to do a special event permit. If the Commission says ok to
March 12, 2013 meeting
page six
her request then staff will work with Dr. Ellsworth and go over the parameters.
• Commissioner Lyness said if we have a problem with dogs in parks how can it
be ok to have horses? • Commissioner Schlueter said it seems like she is
covered by insurance and seems to be responsible, and it's only one person. •
Commissioner Nadeau said it would open the door to others with animals. • Ms.
Lyness asked if we could make a designated area and only allow the ponies in a
special area. • Ms. Nadeau said people can't rope off areas to have a wedding
or reunion or something so if you rope off an area for the ponies, you are
creating a second set of rules; she is not in favor of an open permit — don't even
have dogs now. • Commissioner Hoffmann suggested that Dr. Ellsworth come
back with a different proposal at another time or come back after the City Council
has made a final decision on the dog ordinance. • Commissioner Blocker
thought the decision should be deferred until after the pet ordinance is final.
It was moved l Harris seconded l Klinge to table the Request for Pony Ride
Service in parks until after the final decision has been made on the pet
ordinance. The motion passed unanimously.
PARK DIVISION Park Division Manager Steve Fehsal informed commissioners:
REPORT:
MANAGER
REPORT:
OTHER
BUSINESS:
ADJOURN;
VOTE:
• Crews have been busy clearing snow and ice; tree crew had 20 calls related to
the storm. • Seeding for summer flowers is well under way at the Greenhouse. •
Steve Pregler has attended a couple trainings recently. • Work on picnic tables
should be completed this week. • Interviews are being scheduled for the
Assistant Horticulturalist position. • Giese Electric installed 42 energy efficient
lights on the inside of the Sutton Pool building.
Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware informed commissioners:
• The city held an emergency drill at the Emergency Operations Center to work
through issues that would come up if a big event happened and to make sure
departments would be ready. All departments were represented and over 100
people were in attendance. • Manager Ware continues to work through the
hiring process to fill open positions — Dan Kroger has been hired as the
Recreation Division Manager; Civil Service test is tonight for the Golf
Technician.
• Reminder that the April meeting is switched to Tuesday, April 2nd.
It was moved by Schlueter seconded by Harris, that the meeting be adjourned at
6:30 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
Attest
Chairperson