Minutes_Park and Recreation Commission 6 9 15 PARKAND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
4:30 p.m., Brick Open Air Pavilion, Flora Park
PRESENT: Bob Blocker, Robin Kennicker, Ken Klinge, Kate Lydon, and David Schlueter
ABSENT: Paul Hoffmann and Karen Lyness
STAFF PRESENT: Marie Ware, Steve Fehsal, Dan Kroger and Eileen Trimble
MINUTES It was moved �y Kennicker, seconded by Blocker, to approve the minutes of
APPROVED; the May 12, 2015, meeting. The motion ap ssed unanimously.
VOTE:
HILLCREST Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware said there were no changes from last
AGREEMENT year's agreement; this was a renewal of the agreement with the same terms.
FOR PARKING Commissioner Lydon asked about a problem with cigarette butts in the
SPACES AT parking lot. Park Division Manager Steve Fehsal said Hillcrest is good to work
FLORA PARK; with and if there is a problem Steve calls them; they take care of it right away.
VOTE:
It was moved �y Kennicker, seconded �y Lydon, to recommend renewing the
lease with Hillcrest Family Services forap rking spaces at Flora Park. The
motionap ssed unanimously.
DISCUSS TOUR Ms. Ware reminded commissioners of the sites they visited for the September
OF FACILITIES 2014 tour and asked if they had any particular places they would like to visit.
FOR Ms Lydon suggested the new part of Bee Branch project and Miller Riverview
SEPTEMBER Park.
MEETING:
PARK DIVISION Park Division Manager Steve Fehsal informed Commissioners:
REPORT: m Staff is working to keep up with the grass mowing. ■ The citizen group that
is going to plant flowers on North Grandview Avenue is working with a
contractor. They hope to plant 43 beds with perennials by the end of June. ■
There are other groups that have come forward and asked about planting
flowers in other areas: Downtown Association asked about doing Grant
Park; Gronen Properties asked about taking care of all the hanging baskets in
Millwork District; Cottingham & Butler asked about bed near their business
and Dubuque Main Street is working with businesses on Main Street. The
department appreciates their offers to take care of areas and is working with
the groups. ■ Skate Park RFP is going to City Council for approval June
15th. Once the Council approves, RFP's are due in July. There is $800,000
budgeted -- $600,000 city funds and $200,000 to be fundraised by the private
sector. The RFP includes evaluation of the two current skate parks,
community engagement, locations and public input. ■ Online camping
reservations system is working well so far. Staff will be meeting with
Engineering Department this week to get started on plans for the hard surface
sites that are budgeted.
continued
June 9, 2015, page two
RECREATION Recreation Division Manager Dan Kroger informed Commissioners:
DIVISION
REPORT: m Gary Reid is retiring after 51 years with the department; his last day is
August 7th. ■ The Marina is partnering with Fever River Outfitters of Galena
to have paddle board and kayak rentals available on the dock and Yoga
classes. They are also supplying bikes to rent to boaters and the city will get
a percentage of the revenue. ■ Only one bid came in for pool concession
operation. The original bid was rejected and re-bid as a one-year contract
instead of three. Only the current company placed a bid. It was decided to
accept the bid for one season only and then funds not spent from certain CIP
projects would be used to purchase concession equipment so the operation
could be run in-house in the future. ■ The department has a summer intern
— Mirko Grcic. He will be helping with summer camps and program
management. ■ Golf: Mr. Kroger compiled a report from July 1 , 2014 thru
June 8, 2015 and revenue is up $65,000 compared it to the same period July
1 , 2013 through June 8, 2014; most is concessions and shop business, not
green fees. ■ Summer registrations: Last year there were 4,400
registrations for programs that ran through August and this year we are
already at 4,100 so far. Fourteen percent of the programs are full and 65% of
all the programs are at or above the minimum to run the program. ■ Face-
book: two weeks ago our department had over 1 ,200 friends for the Leisure
Services page. Our friendly goal is to pass the Library which is at 2,000 likes.
MANAGER Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware informed Commissioners:
REPORT: m Leadership Team is working on listing successes and challenges for the
department to get ready for the department manager retreat. ■ It is getting
close to the time when City Council will be working on goals and priorities so
commissioners need to be thinking about any recommendations they would
like to make to Council members regarding park and recreation CIP's. The
information would need to get to Council members by end of July. ■ A
contractor is working on the display for the USS Dubuque Bell. The display
will be placed in the foyer outside the City Council chambers. ■ Upper Bee
Branch project will be kicking off and Ms. Ware encouraged commissioners to
sign up for the Notify Me regarding Bee Branch so they could get automatic
notifications. ■ The search continues for a new MFC Director. ■ The City got
a grant to have a person with expertise in energy audit and savings. They are
working with us on Leisure Services facilities. ■ Work continues on Grade
Level Reading program. We are currently recruiting to fill 4 VISTA positions.
The individuals work year-round, 40 hours per week at a cost of approximately
$2,000 per year to the City. One works in Leisure Services Department and
the other three work with Dubuque Community School District. ■ This year
Leisure Services is offering Playground Explorations at eight park sites which
will have exploration activities in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and
Music, Math, Reading or Writing and also have free breakfast and lunch
through a partnership with the Boys' and Girls' Club of Dubuque. This meets
summer learning goals for the Campaign for Grade Level Reading.
continued
June 9, 2015, page three
COMMISSION ■ Commissioner Blocker suggested more advertising for the Marina. Mr.
COMMUNICA- Kroger said the weekends are the busiest and right now revenue is over
TIONS / $100,000 and we still have three weeks to go before end of fiscal year; only
QUESTIONS: $95,000 was budgeted. Ware shared that a similar facility is campgrounds
which are busiest on weekends also.
■ Commissioner Schlueter asked if the Aquatic Center was still a Council
priority and Ms. Ware said yes.
■ Commissioner Lydon asked if the lighted boat parade would be held again
this year and Mr. Kroger said yes, Saturday, August 1 st.
ADJOURN; It was moved by Schlueter, seconded by Blocker that the meeting be
VOTE: adjourned at 5:14 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
Chairperson
Attest