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Minutes_Park and Recreation Commission 9 8 15 PARKAND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING Tuesday, September 8, 2015 4:30 p.m., EB Lyons Addition Pavilion (Mines of Spain), 8991 Bellevue Heights PRESENT: Robin Kennicker, Ken Klinge, Kate Larson, Karen Lyness, Dave Schlueter and Jennifer Tigges STAFF PRESENT: Marie Ware, Steve Fehsal, Dan Kroger and Jolene Rettenberger CALL TO ORDER: Prior to boarding the trolley, Commissioner Larson called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. MINUTES It was moved �y Lyness• seconded by Kennicker, to approve the minutes of APPROVED; the August 11 , 2015, meeting. The motionap ssed unanimously. VOTE: BOARD TROLLEY The commission meeting began with a facilities tour to the following areas: FOR Creekwood Park, Marna Ridge Forest, Valentine Park, Center Grove Open DEPARTMENT Space, Dubuque Industrial Center South, Bergfeld Recreation Area, Usha FACILITIES AND Park, Flora Park, Lombard Street/Highway 20 and along Grandview Avenue. PARKS TRAVELING TOUR AT 4:30 P.M.: Creekwood Park, 1798 Creekwood Drive. Creekwood Park was donated by the developer. It has power lines above. The park will be developed soon per the development agreement. Along Creekwood Drive, there have been many street trees planted. Marna Ridge Forest, 1694 Geraldine Drive. Marna Ridge Forest is a parcel of donated property (approximately 4 acres) at the intersection of Geraldine Drive and June Drive. There is a narrow strip that serves as entrance to the park. With deer on this property, Commissioner Kennicker asked if this property could be added to our Deer Management Program. Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware has spoken with Mary Rose Corrigan, Public Health Specialist, regarding the deer issue. Because of the clearing that has taken place, it is not eligible as a deer hunt area. Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware stated that this is an area where an Eagle Scout project could be done, such as creating an entry/walkway to the forest. Valentine Park, 860 Valentine Drive. The park offers a handicap accessibility picnic area, basketball court, softball field, playground equipment and a walking trail. Recreation Division Manager Dan Kroger shared with commissioners how we reserve the softball field and how we have been working with various organizations to increase utilization of the field. The City of Dubuque has an agreement with the Dubuque Community School District regarding this property. Center Grove Open Space, off Crescent Ridge. Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware shared that the City received this land donation several years ago. The area is a natural open space. At the bottom of the property, there are continued September 8, 2015 meeting page two railroad tracks and a creek. This is an area that could have Eagle Scout projects in the future. Commissioner Tigges asked if a Wish List has been established for Eagle Scout projects. Dubuque Industrial Center South, along Seippel Road. Park Division Manager Steve Fehsal shared that the park maintenance staff mows along both sides of the shoulder along this property. Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware stated that this land has a development agreement, in which the property/business owner pays to maintain the shared spaces. There is a creek area down below, as well as native space and plantings in the area. Berqfeld Recreation Area, 7600 Chavenelle Drive. As we approached the Bergfeld Recreation Area, Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware spoke to the commissioners about the Westbrook Park (over to the left of the Bergfeld property). This will be a future neighborhood park pending approval of budget monies. Some features of Bergfeld include a walk/bike trail around the pond area, as well as a trail that extends along Chavenelle Drive, native plantings, historical bridge, restrooms and pavilion. A REAP Grant provides for a trail that will continue to connect to the North West Arterial trail and add bike lanes on Chavenelle Drive. There is a lot of pedestrian traffic in this area because citizens can bring their dogs to the area. Park Division Manager Steve Fehsal shared that the park maintenance staff mows this site and maintains the street trees. Usha Park, 3937 Pennsylvania Avenue. Prior to the trolley traveling to Usha Park, Park Division Manager Steve Fehsal pointed out where the Medical Associates Greenbelt area is located at (on the left side of the North West Arterial). Commissioners saw the parking lot that was recently developed for usage at Usha Park. There are a lot of cricket players who play at Usha Park. To the right of the parking lot, there is a Bio Swale drainage area. This helps remove silt and pollution from surface runoff water of the parking lot. The land (8 acres) was donated in memory of R.V. and Nalini Mullapudi's daughter, Usha. Flora Park, 2606 Pennsylvania Avenue. There are a lot of Ash trees in Flora Park that will need to be removed due to EAB. Lombard Street/Highway 20. Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware directed attention to the beautiful perennial beds that have been renovated along the sidewalk area adjacent to the highway. The plantings were designed, planted and maintained by the Park Division Horticulturalist. Grandview Avenue. Volunteers established the new perennial flower beds along the avenue. Staff has been working with the volunteers reminding them to wear their safety vests as they are out watering the flower beds and to not utilize watering hoses across the sidewalks/street area as it is a safety hazard to pedestrians and bikers. continued September 8, 2015 meeting page three Prior to the trolley returning to EB Lyons, we drove past the park/seating area at the intersection of South Grandview Avenue and Rockdale Road. This is a donated area and developed with funds by an anonymous donor. Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware pointed out that an Eagle Scout project was completed in this area. During our travels, Recreation Division Manager Dan Kroger shared with commissioners on what a great pool season and great staff we had this past summer. The department received more compliments about the pools this year. Next summer the City of Dubuque will be taking over the concession stands at both pools. DISCUSS TOUR All commissioners were pleased with the tour and found it very interesting. OF FACILITIES: Upon our tour return to EB Lyons, Commissioner Tigges spoke about the new addition (52 acres) to EB Lyons. One of the new features includes a handicap accessible (ADA) trail. At the end of the trail there is a compass gathering area which has a 70' circle with limestone seating around it. Other features include a pavilion shelter, restrooms, grills, water fountain and a "Woodland Walk". HILLCREST Leisure Services Manager Ware discussed with commissioners the agreement AGREEMENT between the City of Dubuque and Hillcrest Family Services. There are two (2) FOR MURPHY changes to the agreement. In Section 5 (2), All temporary wiring and required PARK FOR ground fault interrupted must be installed by a state licensed electrical REFLECTIONS IN contractor. No utility poles may be energized until approved by the City of THE PARK; Dubuque Building Services Department. In Section 11, Special Event Permit: VOTE: Hillcrest must apply for and comply with all requirements of the Special Event Permit. It was moved �y Lyness• seconded by Kennicker, to recommend approval of the Agreement between the City of Dubuque and Hillcrest Family Services for Reflections in the Park. The motionap ssed unanimously. COMMISSION Park Division Manager Steve Fehsal shared with the commissioners COMMUNICA- that on August 28th, Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was found on private TIONS / property along Maquoketa Drive. Evidence of an EAB infestation on QUESTIONS: Dubuque's south side was investigated and confirmed following protocols set forth by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. The infestation overlaps city and county boundaries in the area of Hwy 61/151 between Twin Valley Drive and Maquoketa Drive on both sides. The City of Dubuque prepared for the EAB infestation and developed an EAB Readiness Plan. In preparation of the EAB arrival, the City has inventoried trees on right-of-ways and other public property. During this inventory, it was found that Ash Trees make up 24% of the City's total continued September 8, 2015 meeting page four street tree canopy, so an infestation could be devastating to our communities' tree population. Over 500 letters have been mailed out to residents who live in the area that has been infested with the EAB. The City of Dubuque will hold a public information meeting on EAB at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9th at the EB Lyons Interpretive Center at the Mines of Spain Recreation Area. Staff has detailed information regarding EAB posted on our city website at www.citvofdubuque.org/EAB. Clerical staff has also been informed on how to handle customer telephone calls regarding EAB. • Commissioner Tigges asked if a plan has been developed for FDR Park. Manager Ware responded that a Master Plan has been developed, but due to budget constraints, funding has not been available for development. Some of the land is leased (Model Airplane Club) under a short-term agreement. • Commissioner Larson asked a question about signage at the Port of Dubuque Marina. Can additional signage be posted explaining docking fees? Recreation Division Manager Kroger will talk with Facilities Supervisor Ben Alden regarding additional signage/clarification. • Park Division Manager Fehsal shared that we will be installing some concrete pads at the Miller Riverview Park and Campground. Concrete sites will include the handicap site, 13A, 13B, 15A and 15B, pending City Council approval. • The 28th Annual Dragon Boat Festival will take place the weekend of September 12th and 13th, 2015. ADJOURN; It was moved by Schlueter, seconded by Kennicker, that the meeting be VOTE: adjourned at 6:25 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Chairperson Attest