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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-06-13 Parks and Recreation Commission MinutesCEDAR FALLS PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION Meeting Minutes June 13th, 2024 Gateway Park Shelter Cedar Falls, IA 50613 The meeting was called to order at 4:30 pm I. Roll Call: Present: Clare Struck, Leslie Nixon, Erik Blanchard, Alan Stalnaker, Kelsey Schreibel, Brian Bowman Staff: Andrew Wagner, Brian Heath, Stephanie Houk Sheetz, Chase Schrage II. Introduction of Guests • Cedar Falls Pickleball Club Advisory Board Members Cliff Roy, Bill Calhoun, Doug Bonwell III. Minutes of May 9th, 2024, Approval • Motion to approve minutes by Blanchard, 2nd by Stalnaker. All voted in favor. IV. Correspondence • None V. Agenda Revisions and Public Forum • None VI. Commission Feedback – Questions, Comments • Stalnaker received questions regarding the upcoming Seerley Park project. VII. Unfinished Business • None VIII. New Business I. Big Woods Campground Expansion I. City staff have designed a new draft concept that includes utilities, the draft has been sent to the City Administrator and Public Works Director for review. II. City staff were asked to identify what trees would be removed. III. The trees in the potential campground expansion site were classified into three categories, invasive species, dead unhealthy to close together trees and quality trees. IV. Currently working on gathering cost estimates for utilities and amenities. V. Next step would be to have a public input meeting next summer, once feedback is gathered the project would go to the DNR and City Council for approval. VI. Due to the project timeline the city will not meet the Reap Grant deadline of July 31st. II. Public Art Committee Trail Art Project I. A Public Art Committee member will be present at the next meeting. II. The proposed location for the public art at Gateway Park would be in the floodway fringe. III. Big Woods Park public art proposed location is in the flood way, staff has advised Public Art Committee to propose a different location. IV. The commission will wait to have discussion with Public Art Committee members during July’s meeting. V. The commission likes Pfeiffer Park as a potential spot for public art but wants to discuss other possible parks due to concerns with Gateway and Big Woods Parks. III. Cedar River Recreation Project I. The Commission was concerned the in-river features weren’t operating properly. II. Due to the uncontrollable river flow the features operate at different river levels. All the features will not function at the same time. III. The project is anticipated to be completed by October. IV. Pickleballs Courts Naming and Sunshades I. Cedar Falls Pickleball Club Advisory Board members presented a request for amenities at Orchard Hill Park. II. The requested amenities include a new drinking station, increased bike racks, naming pickleball courts Hansen Dairy Pickleball Complex to be added on a sign near the walking entrance, information bulletin board, benches for restrooms, donor signage and shade structures in between the courts. III. City staff will review the wish list to see what potential options are available. V. Seerley Park Update I. Project will replace the existing playground equipment and shelter. II. Park renovation improvements will include a black fence around the playground, inclusive playground equipment, artificial turf, wider sidewalks and a new park sign. III. The total cost of the project is anticipated to be just over $400,000.00 IV. Once private fundraising has reached $100,000.00 the project will go to the City Council. V. One change to the project is there will be no University of Northern Iowa logo on the artificial turf. VI. Struck recommends project to proceed as planned, 2nd by Stalnaker. All voted in favor. VI. Nominating Committee I. The Commission selected Erick Blanchard, Brian Bowman and Clare Struck to be on the Nominating Committee of selecting the Commission’s Chair and Vice Chair. II. During next month's meeting the nominating committee will inform the Commission who was selected to be the Chair and Vice Chair. IX. Reports: • Recreation – Soppe I. This Sunday the Recreation Center will be hosting the Popup Ride in the cycling studio for Father’s Day. II. Our Coach Pitch Softball Program ended today. III. Tee Ball Programs start next week. IV. Camp Cedar Falls and Tots in Motion Programs started on Monday. V. Tots in Motion doubled in size compared to last year due to popularity. VI. City staff are working on revamping the Park Usage Permit to avoid confusion with the Public Event Application. VII. The Falls Aquatic Center is open and there have only been a few incidents this year. VIII. We have experienced some mechanical issues; the lap pool is being heated by 2 out of the 4 heaters. IX. City staff are working on getting a quote for a boiler system to eventually replace all 4 heaters. X. The first session of swimming lessons ended; session II starts on June 24th. XI. The end of the year wellness pickleball event for city employees was held at the Recreation center due to the weather. 47 employees participated in the event. XII. City staff is working on a memo to present to the City Directors to have a wellness program next year. XIII. Parks Master Plan request for proposal had 8 companies submit a bid. City staff will be scoring the plans then conducting 2-3 interviews to select. • Parks – Heath I. For Island Park staff is still waiting for DNR approval to relocate the north entrance. II. City Staff is working with artificial turf contractor on repairs to Place to Play Park. III. The Rotary Project grade work has been established, trees have been planted and landscaping has been put around the perimeter of the structure. IV. City staff is working on the retaining wall for the columbarium project. V. Volunteers are working on Tondro Pray BMX Park trails to make them unique by skill levels. VI. Drainage was repaired on the east side of Birdsall’s Softball field. VII. Staff will be preparing parks for Sturgis Falls festivities. X. Agenda Items- Next Meeting • Big Woods Campground Expansion Concept • Pickleball Expansion Update • Nomination Committee • Public Art Committee Trail Discussion XI. Next Meeting • July 11th, 2024, 4:30 p.m., Gateway Park Large Celebration Shelter XII. Adjournment • Motion by Schreibel and 2nd by Bowman. All voted in favor of adjourning at 5:50 p.m.