Minutes_Park and Recreation Commission 4 2 13PRESENT:
OTHERS
PRESENT:
STAFF PRESENT:
MINUTES
APPROVED;
VOTE:
INTRODUCE
RECREATION
DIVISION
MANAGER:
3RD GRADE
READING
INITIATIVE,
ERIC DREGNE:
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
4:30 p.m., Snack Bar, Bunker Hill Golf Course
Bob Blocker, Chuck Harris, Paul Hoffmann, Ken Klinge, Karen Lyness, Evelyn
Nadeau and David Schlueter
Eric Dregne, Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque; Kate Lydon and Jim
Kress
Marie Ware, Steve Fehsal, Dan Kroger and Eileen Trimble
It was moved by Lyness, seconded by Nadeau, to approve the minutes of the
March 12, 2013, meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware introduced Dan Kroger the new
Recreation Division Manager. He has worked the last fourteen plus years in the
Glen Ellyn, Illinois Park District most recently as the facility manager of an
80,000 square foot athletic facility.
Manager Ware introduced Eric Dregne of the Community Foundation of Greater
Dubuque who was present to talk about the 3rd Grade Reading Initiative. He is
the Vice - President of Programs for Greater Dubuque Community Foundation
and is the staff person for the Every Child Every Promise Committee as well as
facilitator for the 3rd Grade Reading Initiative.
Eric shared "The Park and Recreation Department creates safe places and
caring adults in the summer with their programs. All five of the Every Child Every
Promise goals are a good fit with park and recreation, covering ages infant to 20.
There are a variety of partners involved with Every Child Every Promise and the
3rd Grade Reading Initiative — Dubuque Community School District, businesses,
nonprofit organizations, donors, Dubuque County Childhood Development and
the City. Every Child Every Promise is one of the top goals of the City Council.
The 3rd Grade Reading Initiative has 12 partners and they developed a
community plan that was designed and adopted by the group and recognized by
All America City and national organization as a pace setter. Dubuque will
receive a Pace Setter Award on April 26, 2013 at a public event. The plan
strives to have more children reading proficiently at third grade level. It is a
proven fact that the third grade reading level predicts graduation rate. The
national level right now is 74% and Dubuque is 86 %. The plan focuses on
school readiness — 3 and 4 year -old preschool, quality child care centers and
development for preschool teachers and child care; school attendance — help
schools identify chronic absence, children that are absent more than 10% of the
school year; and summer learning — encourage park district and agencies to
incorporate learning component into their programs so over the summer children
maintain what they learned during the school year. The Recreation Division
would be involved in the summer learning component to prevent summer
learning loss by encouraging continued support and have learning built into our
programs — maybe read a few things and then do an activity. The summer pilot
program is a seven -week camp, June through August. St. Mark Community
Center is taking the lead for the pilot and it will be staffed with AmeriCorps
volunteers and certified teachers. The idea is to make sure the kids have a
PET
ORDINANCE
RECOMMEN-
DATIONS:
April 2, 2013 meeting
page two
learning experience all summer through reading and activities, not sit in a
classroom all summer. The cost for 45 students will be approximately $45,000
with $20,000 coming from partnerships and $20,000 from a donor at the
Community Foundation. The pilot was kept small with 45 students to see how
the program works and what does not work so changes and adjustments can be
made in the future."
Commissioner Lyness asked how the students would be chosen for the pilot
program. Mr. Dregne said the interest level first and then their reading level —
2/3 would be students that needed more assistance and 1/3 would be high
performing students. Commissioner Hoffmann asked why Recreation Division
would be used as a portal for this program — the Library should be the portal for
a reading program. He said childhood obesity is a bigger problem than illiteracy
so why use our resources for reading? Mr. Dregne said the program would not
be using any department funds. He thinks we can help children read and learn
about health and being active and then go do an activity outside. They are
asking Recreation Division to incorporate a learning component into activities,
not take kids away from our programs. Commissioner Nadeau shares Mr.
Hoffmann's concern about obesity but she found some articles that show lower
learning levels can lead to more obesity. Commissioner Lyness agrees with
Nadeau and thinks it's a good program to work in. Commissioner Klinge asked if
this program has been tried in other cities, and if yes, how did it work there? Mr.
Dregne said seven or eight years ago in Chicago school district of approximately
50,000 students, only 25% of the kids were doing organized activity after school
and now 60% are. In Dubuque the LEAP program has 500+ kids signed up for
after school programs. Commissioners thanked Mr. Dregne for coming.
Manager Ware informed commissioners that the City Council asked the
Commission to discuss possible revisions to the recommended ordinance
regarding pets in parks including: a) 1 -year trial period with evaluation; 2)
evaluation of enforcement options; 3) shorter list of eligible parks; 4) clear
definition of geography of play equipment areas; and 5) costs of waste bag
dispensers, waste bags and signs.
Kate Lydon and Jim Kress were present and asked to be allowed to make a
quick statement. Ms. Lydon distributed a document regarding FIDO seeking a
non- profit status and they are eager to work with the City on pet related issues.
She said Council Person Sutton was the only City Council member that wanted
to rule out small parks with playground areas. Her group did an online poll
regarding the $90,000 Pet Park CIP funds going to Humane Society and the
majority of the responders wanted the funds to be used to make the existing
parks more dog friendly or for a second park downtown, not the Humane Society
location. Mr. Kress does not agree with the Mayor's sunset law and then
expand after an evaluation period and he does not want all the other parks
added after evaluation period. There are lots of kids in Eagle Point Park. Mr.
Kress thinks we should stay with original ordinance and not allow pets in parks
and the Mayor should not expect citizens to video infractions.
April 2, 2013 meeting
page three
TRIAL PERIOD; Commissioner Harris thinks a one -year trial with an evaluation is acceptable
VOTE: because it leaves the City Council an out if there are problems. Commissioner
Hoffmann felt both sides could live with a trial period and have an evaluation at
the first meeting in June. Commissioners Nadeau, Lyness, Blocker and Klinge
said the trial period should be a year from when the ordinance change is
enacted. Manager Ware told Commissioners that if they recommend a trial
period, it will be helpful to have what the evaluation process will be at the end of
the trial. Commissioner Schlueter said most of the input would have to come
from Steve and Marie.
It was moved 12y Harris, seconded by Lyness to approve a one -year trial period
for allowing pets in parks, to end one year from date the ordinance change is
enacted. The motion passed unanimously.
The Commission agreed evaluation will be completed at that
time including calls for service, complaints, costs, public and
staff input.
ENFORCEMENT; Park Division Manager Steve Fehsal compiled information regarding
VOTE: enforcement options that was included in agenda packet; copy may be found as
part of the original minutes. Park Patrol, full time park employees, seasonal
patrol, Police and animal control would be the current people to enforce the
code. Two full time patrol officers work from 4:00 p.m. to Midnight May 1st
through October 31st. Three seasonal rangers work from May 1st through
October 31st but are not authorized to issue citations. Two animal control
officers work 29 hours per week from 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through
Friday during summer months and 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
during winter months. Full time park employees could be authorized to issue
citations but it was highly recommended by Assistant City Attorney not to
authorize full time park employees. It would take fifteen to 30 minutes out of
these employees regular work schedules per citation if they were authorized.
Police response to animal call in park would be a Code 3 which is 30 minute
response goal. It could get increased to a Code 2 or 1 if the animal was
considered aggressive.
Commissioner Lyness heard a suggestion that if employee was working in the
area and see an infraction they should go tell the person they must stop or leave
the park. Assistant City Attorney Brumwell said the employee would have to
issue tickets and she does not think all department employees should be issuing
tickets because they have to ask for person's driver's license, etc.
Commissioner Blocker is not comfortable having an employee leave their job or
get off a piece of equipment to go issue a ticket. Commissioner Schlueter liked
the idea of a warning and not an immediate ticket, and see where we are at the
end of a trial period. It needs to be kept as simple as possible and quit adding
pieces because it's getting so complicated. Let's try to keep children safe and
have certain areas off limits. Commissioner Nadeau said we should make it so
seasonal patrol would be able to write tickets.
April 2, 2013 meeting
page four
Manager Fehsal said if we have a no tolerance policy, what about nonresidents
who just visit the park with dog and don't know about the ban. Currently a fine
could be up to $750. Commissioner Blocker does not like a no tolerance policy.
Commissioner Schlueter thought it should be left up to the person writing the
ticket to use discretion; Commissioner Lyness agreed.
It was moved by Schlueter, seconded f y Harris, to have Police, Animal Control
and Seasonal and Full Time Park Patrol be in charge of enforcing the ordinance
and use their own discretion as to whether to issue a citation or not. The motion
passed 6 -1 with Blocker, Harris, Klinge, Lyness, Nadeau and Schlueter voting
yes; Hoffmann voting no.
The Commission agreed that they were not interested in a
no tolerance enforcement policy. They feel enforcement
officials should have the responsibility and discretion to
ticket as they do in all other situations. They expressed
concern for visitors and tourists.
CONSIDERATION Commissioner Harris did not think we should change /shorten the list of parks —
OF ADDITIONAL only Council Person Sutton requested it. He did not think it was a good idea to
AREAS; VOTE: make the ordinance more patchwork and more complicated because it would be
more confusing and harder to enforce and educate the public. Commissioner
Schlueter asked why it was suggested to add Allison- Henderson as a no pet
park. Mr. Harris said it was because it was looked at as one big park and there
are always lots of children's programs held in that park. Commissioner Blocker
was opposed to adding Allison - Henderson; Commissioner Lyness thought list
should stay as first recommendation; Commissioner Schlueter said if we added
Allison- Henderson and that would make the Council pass the ordinance, let's
add it; Commissioner Nadeau said adding Allison- Henderson would let the
Council know we understood their concerns. Commissioner Hoffmann wants
tennis courts added to the "no pets" list.
It was moved y Schlueter, seconded by Lyness, to add Allison- Henderson Park
tennis courts basketball courts and skate parks to the present proposed no pets
list. The motion passed 6 -1 with Harris, Hoffmann, Klinge, Lyness, Nadeau and
Schlueter voting yes; Blocker voting no.
GEOGRAPHIC
BOUNDARY;
VOTE:
The Council asked for a clear definition of playground areas so Division Manager
Fehsal provided maps of all city parks that contain play equipment with three
choices of distance by feet. Some play equipment areas have mulch and some
are hard surface. Commissioner Harris liked the 10' range because if you used
the 25' range it would take up a lot of the park itself in the smaller parks;
Commissioner Nadeau favored the shorter distance because of the smaller
parks; Commissioner Schlueter thought the 10' cushion was good.
It was moved by Harris, seconded 12y Nadeau, to define the geographic area to
be 10' from the border of mulch or hard surface play equipment or play area.
The motion passed unanimously.
April 2, 2013 meeting
page five
COSTS AND Commissioner Blocker asked how the department would define the costs for
SIGNAGE; VOTE: signage, waste bags etc. Ms. Ware said most major cities do not provide bags
except in their actual pet parks and signage costs would depend on which size
and the number purchased but remember that if after a year evaluation the
ordinance would be changed back, the signs would be no good. The number of
signs needed would be dependent on each park — entry sign and how many
were placed inside the park. Mr. Fehsal brought sign samples — standard size
$15; bigger $40; and largest would be $60. A larger sign could add other things
on the sign like sustainability symbols, park hours, etc.
Commissioner Harris asked if signs could be cleaned off and re -used;
Commissioner Nadeau asked if we used the largest sign and after a year we had
to change back, could you cover up that part of the sign. Commissioner
Schlueter doesn't want a ton of signs because it will take away from the
aesthetic beauty. Commissioner Lyness asked if there was a waste dispenser
on the Riverwalk and Ms. Ware said yes on the southern part near Maus Park.
Mr. Fehsal said there are currently 13 waste bag dispensers placed in park or
trail areas. Commissioner Schlueter recommended seeing how the first year
goes before spending a lot of money on dispensers and bags; don't add any new
ones at this time.
Commissioner Nadeau suggested placing a larger sign in the main entrance to
the parks including the 10' rule around playground areas instead of placing lots
of signs at playground areas. Commissioner Lyness suggested having signs
placed that are appropriate to the size of the park. Commissioner Schlueter
would like one large sign placed in the corner of the park at ones like
Washington and Jackson. Commissioner Lyness suggested that information
sheets could be handed out to participants in any programs that included pets as
another way to educate the public.
It was moved by Nadeau, seconded la Lvness, not to provide waste baq
dispensers or bags in anv areas not currently provided and to place less signs
but larger informational and rules signs ($60 size) at entrance to parks. Signs
placed in parks would be appropriate to size of park. The motion passed
unanimously.
The Commission agreed that responsible pet owners will
bring bags and pick up after their own pets. Staff will
work on total costs based on this motion.
PORT OF Manager Ware told Commissioners that the Engineering Department issued an
DUBUQUE RFP for management of the Marina a year ago and received one proposal —
MARINA management fee of $30,000 and all expenses /revenue would be the city's. Over
UPDATE: 40 companies downloaded the RFP but only one turned in a proposal (Dubuque
River Rides). Engineering asked a few of the companies why they did not turn in
proposal and they said the business has no history and it's a transient marina so
there would be no guaranteed slip rental by the month or year. They talked to
some management type companies to consult with and they would require
TOUR
DUBUQUE
REQUEST TO
USE TRIKKE'S
ON TRAILS;
VOTE:
PARK DIVISION
REPORT:
April 2, 2013 meeting
page six
anything from $30,000 to $100,000 for their expertise. Consultants advised that
it would be word of mouth that promotes the business and it would probably take
three years to make a profit because you would need to build up clientele.
The target opening date is June 1st. Manager Ware reported Leisure Services
put out an RFP for specific marina expertise to give us the expertise. The City
Council will be receiving the RFP's at the next City Council meeting and will
determine if the City will run the marina with consultant's expertise.
Lou Broughton of Tour Dubuque has requested the ability to use the city trails
and certain parks for tours using Trikkes (a single person motorized electric
vehicle). The vehicles are 4' long, 2' wide and 4' high, weighing 50 pounds
each. They were doing tours along the Riverwalk until they were informed by
Public Works employees that there is a rule of no motorized vehicles. The three
main tours he does are along the River Walk, by the lock and dam and A.Y.
McDonald Park, and the Trolley Line Trail up into Eagle Point Park and onto park
road because these three are the most scenic.
Manager Ware said Tour Dubuque sells Trikkes, and it would have to be
determined if personal Trikkes would be allowed too. The City risk management
(ICAP) would not recommend allowing. If it would be an individual, they would
have to buy a motorcycle license. Ms. Ware said she needed some input or
reaction from the commission on how they feel.
Commissioners Nadeau, Klinge and Lyness generally felt allowing him
permission would open the door for too much including mopeds, etc and that is a
concern even though Mr. Broughton made an investment and the tourism is
good for the City. Commissioner Schlueter asked with the current ordinance
says — no sidewalk but street is okay. Commissioner Harris said the issue will be
the individual that wants the same permission but he could see loosening the
restrictions a little. Commissioner Lyness asked if we could allow permission for
a one -year trial period and restrict certain areas.
Nadeau prefers not to have motorized vehicles on trails; Schlueter said the City
Council will have the final say; Blocker said other cities allow and don't have an
issue or they would have stopped allowing usage; Klinge said the ordinance is
already in place to not have motorized vehicles.
It was moved la Nadeau, seconded ty Klinge, to recommend not permitting
motorized vehicles (Trikkes) on trails. The motion passed 4 -2, with Harris,
Klinge, Nadeau and Schlueter voting yes; Blocker and Lyness voting no.
Park Division Manager Steve Fehsal updated commissioners:
• parks open for the season May 4th; • long term seasonal will begin work April
15th; • renovation has begun on the interior of the Miller Riverview campground
rest room building; • tables and chairs have been set out in the downtown area; •
Greenhouse staff was working on hanging baskets last week and they have
about 50 out of 300 ready to go; • interviews have been completed for the
Assistant Horticulturalist.
RECREATION
DIVISION
REPORT:
MANAGER
REPORT:
OTHER
BUSINESS:
ADJOURN;
VOTE:
April 2, 2013 meeting
page seven
Recreation Division Manager Dan Kroger updated commissioners:
• There was a new chlorine system used at Sutton Pool last year that was very
successful so the same system is going to be added to Flora this year. • Division
Manager Kroger is working with golf staff to focus on retaining season pass
holders and then reaching out to new customers; ATM machine has been placed
at Bunker Hill; working on utilizing the snack bar more in the winter. • Alumni
tournament had 46 teams this year and all went well. • After school basketball
and open gym programs have been completed. • Interviews are scheduled for
the Golf Technician position. • We are looking at revamping the fall brochure
from cover to cover and use as a marketing tool. It has been the same for thirty
years so we want to refresh it. • Staff from Recreation and Park Divisions are
meeting to work on some collaborative programs. • In late summer or fall we will
hire the replacement for the open full time Recreation Program Supervisor
position.
Indoor Aquatic Center: Manager Ware reported that 9 responses to the request
for proposals were received. The joint committee chose four firms to interview
and those were scheduled the second week in April. The committee will be
recommending a firm to the Park and Recreation Commission, City Council and
School Board. The committee hopes to have the study done by the end of
August.
• Commissioner Klinge asked if we had a projected opening date for the golf
course — Manager Kroger said hopefully the front nine would open at the end of
the week.
• Manager Ware thanked Commissioners for all their help and attendance with
all the very long meetings and all the communications they had received.
It was moved by Schlueter seconded by Lyness, that the meeting be adjourned
at 6:58 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
Attest
Chairperson