Minutes_Park and Recreation Commission 5 10 16 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
4:30 p.m., City Council Chambers, Historic Federal Building
PRESENT: Paul Hoffmann, Robin Kennicker, Ken Klinge, Kate Larson, Karen Lyness,
and Jennifer Tigges
STAFF PRESENT: Marie Ware, Dan Kroger, Steve Fehsal and Eileen Trimble
MINUTES It was moved �y Kennicker, seconded �y Klinge, to approve the minutes of
APPROVED; VOTE: the April 12, 2016, meeting with one correction — Karen Lyness was not in
attendance at April meeting. The motionap ssed unanimously.
MANAGER Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware informed commissioners:
REPORT:
. David Schlueter notified her he would be resigning from the commission
effectively immediately. He enjoyed serving on the commission with all of you.
. The Eagle Point ribbon cutting flier from Public Information Office was
distributed to commissioners. . The NRPA Grant sent as part of agenda
packet will announce awards by the end of May. Some funding would be
spent on Lower Bee Branch and some for community engagement activities in
Jackson Park.
DUBUQUE POISON Todd Lange of 549 Almond Street was present to represent the DBQ Poison
FREE PARKS Free Parks Group. He read a statement from the group that they wanted to
REQUEST TO make sure was part of the official record.
ADDRESS
COMMISSION: Mr. Lange said "DBQ Poison Free Parks (DPFP) submitted significant content
for consideration in the development of a Dubuque IPM policy and program.
We request that our submitted but declined content be made part of the public
record of the IPM Workgroup and this Parks and Recreation Commission
meeting. Concerns include the following: 1) We believe Integrated Pest
Management should be first founded on a sustainable, resilient policy and
then followed up by crafting a program from the policy; 2) We believe the work
group has so far failed to adequately integrate Dubuque's core sustainability
principles to guide the IPM planning process to better manage our community
parks related to health and justice for people and other living things; 3) We
believe the current IPM document is written in such a way as to defend, and
sometimes give preference to chemically-based "best" management practices
that neither are ecologically sound, nor socially just; 4) We believe that this
program's current design creates a loophole that allows the city to abdicate its
responsibility to safely maintain our public parks in favor of expecting
volunteers to do so in order to provide justification for an end to a "failed" IPM
program in the future; and 5) We believe there needs to be citizen
representation from DPFP on the ongoing IPM committee to help facilitate
transparency, accountability, and public education, etc."
Commissioner Hoffmann would like to see a little more concrete statement
and not as vague as "socially just." Commissioner Lyness agreed with
continued
May 10, 2016 meeting
page two
Hoffmann and said the statement is so wide and all encompassing. Their
request should be broken down and done in parts. Commissioner Larson
stated that the statement read by Mr. Lange is the group's response to the
proposed IPM Plan shared at the last work group meeting.
INTEGRATED PEST Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware thanked Commissioners Larson and
MANAGEMENT Tigges for meeting with the original Facebook group and then becoming part
(IPM) PROGRAM of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Work Group. Ms. Ware presented
REVIEW& a PowerPoint that detailed the DBQ Poison Free Park Facebook group
RECOMMEN- request, what is an IPM and IPM work group and development process.
DATION; VOTE:
Ware shared the current IPM program proposed does not include any
additional staff or budget — it will have to be done with current resources.
Some items implemented do take additional time, additional signage and
notifications. Some ideas presented would cost additional time and/or
additional equipment and would need to be proposed in upcoming budget
processes.
The City actions taken to date include: 1) 9 parks pesticide free and signs
installed at all 9 saying they are pesticide free; 2) Usha Park designated as a
zoned park where pesticides will only be used in a specific area; 3) revised
required signs that are placed at locations of pesticide application to include
more information about what was applied, time and date and location; 4)
increased number of signs placed during an application; 5) created a
"Pesticide Application Notification" category for the city "notify me" notification
system; 6) created maps to assist public in identifying areas that may be
sprayed; 7) Leisure Services staff purchasing only pesticides that are
classified as least toxic to the environment; 8) IPM city work group members
have held meetings with other city departments to orientate them; 9) Park staff
have had several meetings to keep park employees up to date on the program
and how it will affect daily duties and using pesticides; 10) City staff and
citizens will be notified when pest control contractors will be treating inside of
buildings; 11) Pest control contractors will notify city staff when they plan to
contract spray specific areas; 12) Park staff have implemented some alternate
methods to controlling weeds before resorting to using herbicides, such as
hand pulling and line trimming; 13) Park Division has committed to not
spraying any pesticides within defined borders of play structures in the parks
unless there is a risk to health or safety; 14) Begun to address indoor pest
management in City Hall; and 15) Library implemented their own IPM policy
as part of their LEED certification.
The process for input and approval includes Parks and Recreation
Commission, city leadership team and Environmental Stewardship
Commission. It will then be presented to City Council.
continued
May 10, 2016 meeting
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Commissioner Hoffmann feels it is a very one-sided discussion and there is
need for more diverse public input. This seems to be getting pushed through
very quickly and a lot of people are not getting a chance to speak on the
subject. He was concerned that some persons with allergies would prefer
spraying to take place to rid area of allergens. Commissioner Kennicker
agreed with Mr. Hoffmann and is also concerned about the cost to the city with
licensing and signage, etc. If Leisure Services is already following state
requirements, isn't a lot of this redundant? Commissioner Klinge also asked
why the city needs an IPM if we follow the state. It seems like a lot of work
when the state already has requirements. This is happening so fast and the
majority of the general public is not aware of the whole issue.
Manager Ware said the state does not really have an IPM, just the
requirements you must follow and signage you must display to be legal. The
IPM we establish would notify people in advance so they know areas that are
treated before they go there. It would also include using the least toxic
chemicals to improve city practices.
Commissioner Tigges said the Facebook group first came forward they
wanted absolutely no spraying or chemical use of any kind and they wanted
that to start immediately. Commissioner Larson said following state
requirements is legal and just the minimum you need. The IPM the city is
working on is to make us better. This is a moving, ongoing document and it
will continue to evolve. Commissioner Lyness asked about putting the plan on
hold and getting more general public input but Ms. Tigges said the City
Council action specified that the IPM be completed by July 1 st and the public
will have the opportunity to give input at the City Council meeting and both
commission meetings.
It was moved �y Larson, seconded by Kennicker, to approve the IPM as
written with notice from the Park and Recreation Commission to recommend
increased public awareness and input before submission to the City Council.
The motionap ssed unanimously.
PARK DIVISION Park Division Manager Steve Fehsal informed Commissioners:
REPORT:
• The campground opened April 22nd, one week late due to the water.
Things are super busy in the greenhouse. We are in the process of bringing
back all the flowers. Baskets will be out before Memorial Day. • Park rangers
are back on duty. The full time ranger has been eliminated and there is one
seasonal ranger scheduled Monday through Thursday and two working Friday
through Sunday. • Staff is spending a lot of time with the integrated pest
management program. • Mr. Fehsal is working with the consultant for skate
park to compile all the public input. • The tree crew is out removing Ash trees
and grinding stumps. They will be injecting more Ash trees this month. • All
seasonal laborers have been hired for the summer. • The department has
contracted the mowing of 16 areas that are cut with push mowers. • Opening
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May 10, 2016 meeting
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weekend at the parks had nice weather. On Mother's Day 583 cars were
admitted to Eagle Point Park for free for the pancake breakfast. In 2015 there
were 378 for the breakfast. • Reminder that May 21 st is Kids to Parks Day
and entrance fee to Eagle Point Park was waived by the commission.
RECREATION Recreation Division Manager Dan Kroger informed Commissioners:
DIVISION REPORT:
• Golf course irrigation project is near completion. • The pool project at both
Flora and Sutton is moving forward. Cameras, data cables for Internet, etc.
are being installed and concession equipment continues to arrive. • Saturday,
May 3rd the office was open from 8:00 a.m. to Noon with three staff selling
season swim passes. • There will be some special programs at Eagle Point
Park on Kids to Parks Day May 21 st including live music from 11 :00 a.m. to
1 :00 p.m. and various yard games for families. The Jule will be providing free
shuttle rides from the intermodal transportation center to Eagle Point Park
from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. • Ben Alden worked in April to get the marina C-
store open a week early. • The city has an engagement pilot program for
Jackson Park neighbors. Mr. Kroger reached out to 18 different agencies
within a few blocks of Jackson Park and there are 9 of those agencies that
want to get together and do something for 14 to 25 year-olds. The idea is to
get the group together and start talking about things they would like to see the
city do to get youth involved in the community and employment, etc.
MANAGER REPORT • Manager Ware said the city is working on a LAWCON grant. The grant
CONTINUED: would be used for Comiskey Park to expand the proposed project. • Ware is
working on drafting a donations and naming policy and drafting an RFP for a
consultant for an ADA review and update.
COMMISSION • Commissioner Lyness asked if Eagle Point Park brochures and some of the
COMMUNICA- new campground brochures could be delivered to the Welcome Center.
TIONS AND Fehsal will provide.
QUESTIONS:
• Commissioner Larson asked if we could also deliver fliers that had a list of
parks where pets are allowed.
ADJOURN; It was moved by Hoffmann, seconded by Kennicker, that the meeting be
VOTE: adjourned at 6:00 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
Chairperson
Attest