Minutes_Park and Recreation Advisory Commission 9 11 13PRESENT:
ABSENT:
STAFF PRESENT:
MINUTES
APPROVED;
VOTE:
APPROVE
AGREEMENT
WITH HILLCREST
FAMILY
SERVICES FOR
CHRISTMAS
LIGHTS IN
MURPHY PARK;
VOTE:
FY 2015 -2019
C.I.P. BUDGET
AND FY 2015
OPERATING
BUDGET INPUT:
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
4:30 p.m., Iowa Pavilion, Miller Riverview Park, 1851 Admiral Sheehy Drive
Bob Blocker, Chuck Harris, Ken Klinge, Kate Lydon, Karen Lyness and Dave
Schlueter
Evelyn Nadeau
Marie Ware, Steve Fehsal, Dan Kroger, Jolene Rettenberger and Ken Clayton
It was moved by Ken Klinge, seconded by Karen Lyness, to approve the
minutes of the August 13, 2013, meeting.
Hillcrest Family Services has requested to use Murphy Park from October 30,
2013 through January 10, 2014 for their annual Christmas light display,
Reflections in the Park.
Commissioner Klinge asked if there is a maximum limit as to how many
Christmas light displays can be setup. Manager Ware shared that all utilities
are changed over and paid by Hillcrest Family Services during this time.
It was moved l Lyness seconded l Blocker to approve the Agreement with
Hillcrest Family Services for usage of Murphy Park for their Reflections in the
Park program. The motion passed unanimously.
Manager Ware told Commissioners that the C.I.P. budget is due on October
4th and the Operating Budget is due November 4th and 5th. Back on August
14th, City Council received the Park and Recreation commissioners' top
priorities regarding department facilities and areas. Manager Ware reported
she will use this list in preparation of the C.I.P. budget unless Commissioners
have additions.
Operating Budget is given guidelines with percentage increases and
maintenance staff levels. Within the Operating Budget, any additional new
staff and /or equipment is called an Improvement Package. Prior to next
month's commission meeting, commissioners are asked to think about what
improvement packages need to be addressed, any suggested programming for
youth, adults, seniors or other items?
Commissioner Klinge asked if there was a timeframe in order to take items off
the priority listing. Manager Ware replied there is not.
Commissioner Schlueter asked if the Aquatics Center was on the priority
listing. Manager Ware replied it is on the Council's priority list.
Commissioner Lydon asked about the status of the rest rooms at Jackson
Park. Manager Ware replied it is on the C.I.P. currently. Commissioner
continued
September 11, 2013 meeting
page two
Schlueter asked if porta potties could be installed at Jackson Park. Manager
Ware shared the concerns for use of porta potties in areas.
Commissioner Blocker asked who is responsible for cleaning the restrooms.
Park Division Manager Fehsal shared that one of our park maintenance
workers cleans all of the City park restroom facilities.
PARK DIVISION Park Division Manager Steve Fehsal updated commissioners:
REPORT:
RECREATION
DIVISION
REPORT:
• Flowers: Staff busy transplanting Fall mums. (approximately 2,500 -3,000
will be planted) Staff hung new Fall flower baskets at the Historic Millwork
District, Bee Branch and Port of Dubuque. • Tree Crew: Busy with planting
and trimming trees. • Mulching: Staff is busy re- mulching all areas, including
Highway 20 and the corridors. • Staff continues to work hard and is busy with
lots of projects in preparation for the League of Cities. • Camping: Had a
great Labor Day camping weekend at Miller Riverview Park. • Dragon Boat
Festival: Races went well this past weekend. • Island Fest 2013: The
Mystique Casino is sponsoring Island Fest 2013 this coming weekend. There
are just a few camping spots left at Miller Riverview Park for this event. •
Purchasing: Staff is in the process of purchasing a new truck, mowers and
equipment.
Commissioner Blocker shared a concern regarding the rainy weather over the
Labor Day holiday. With the rain, there were a number of campsites that
collected a lot of water in which some vehicles were stuck in the mud. Are
there any plans for hard surfacing campsites? Staff shared there is funds
budgeted to begin hard surfacing several sites. Any future plans to add water
lines to the campsites? Manager Ware shared it could be looked at, but the
flooding may not allow it.
Commissioner Lyness commended on how nice everything looked at the Miller
Riverview Park for the Dragon Boat Festival this past weekend.
Recreation Division Manager Dan Kroger updated commissioners:
• We are excited to share the NEW look of our Fall 2013 Leisure Services
Brochure (brochures distributed to commissioners at meeting). Fall
registration is in process and our registration numbers are looking good. Our
Fall brochure has several new programs, age offerings, information about our
staff and new partnerships which include Capri College, Dubuque
YMCA /YWCA, Dubuque Karate Club, Scheckel and Co. Dance, Signature
Health & Fitness and Stone Cliff Winery. • After - School Programs:
Currently we have over 100 students enrolled in our After - School Programs
which run after school every day for two hours at Fulton, Lincoln, Marshall and
Prescott Elementary Schools. • Civil Service Test was given for the position
of Adult Athletic Program Supervisor, which is vacant due to the retirement of
continued
MANAGER
REPORT:
OTHER
BUSINESS:
September 11, 2013 meeting
page three
Steve Kiebel. Forty -three applications were received for this position; sixteen
candidates passed the test. • Golf Course: August is down by 400 rounds of
golf compared to last year, which is less than 1% off from last year, but due to
tournaments /outings, we are doing well. • Port of Dubuque Marina: We are
off to an amazing start at the marina. To date, we have received over $12,000
in slip rentals and $37,000 in fuel sales. Closing date is October 31st.
Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware updated commissioners:
• There are a lot of improvement projects being completed including a lot of
budgeted projects at the Grand River Center. • Staff has worked hard to get
Miller Riverview Park ready for Island Fest 2013. • Now is the time to be
thinking about the upcoming Budget. • City Expo was held on Tuesday,
September 10th. Many thanks to all who contributed to our great booth which
showcased the Leisure Services Department. • With budget upon us, we need
to continue to work on the three new parks that will be added to our park
system. • A lot of prep work will be done during the winter season, making it
very busy with Spring projects. • Melissa Radtke was hired as the part -time
secretary at Leisure Services Department. • AmeriCorp (mentoring /tutoring
in schools, MFC, playgrounds, et cetera) will be hiring approximately 40 people
for training. In October, we will be writing a new AmeriCorps grant seeking
Federal funds for a three -year commitment.
Commissioner Blocker asked if any advertising will be done to feature our Port
of Dubuque Marina. Manager Ware explained marketing done and good word
of mouth we are receiving.
• Park Division Manager Fehsal shared with commissioners that new
sidewalks were installed along the roadway from the Mystique Community Ice
Center to the Skate Park behind the McAleece complex.
• Park Division Manager Fehsal and Commissioners Blocker and Klinge wish
to acknowledge all the hard work and to thank our Miller Riverview
Campground Managers, Ken and Nancy Clayton and family, for everything
they have done.
• Commissioner Blocker asked if any permanent structure would be built to
help the campground manager conduct daily operations.
• Campground Manager, Ken Clayton, invited everyone to come down to Miller
Riverview Park on Saturday, October 5th at 5:00 p.m. for our annual Halloween
Weekend.
• Manager Ware invited all commissioners to stop and take a look at the
continued
ADJOURN;
VOTE:
September 11, 2013 meeting
page four
restroom /shower building at the entrance of the Miller Riverview Park
Campground.
• Our next Park and Recreation Commission meeting is scheduled for
Tuesday, October 8th, site TBA.
It was moved by Blocker, seconded by Harris, that the meeting be adjourned at
5:10 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
Attest
Chairperson