Bettendorf Park Board Meeting Minutes for July 11, 2001

MINUTES

BETTENDORF PARK BOARD

JULY 11, 2001

The Bettendorf Park Board held a regular meeting on July 11, 2001, at 7:00 pm in the Canteen Room at the Herbert D. Goettsch Community Center.

Present: Hutter, Glenn, Kamp, and Makoben

Absent: Adamson

Chairman Hutter opened the meeting to anyone present to address the Board regarding any item of interest that does not appear on the agenda.



There was no one present to address the Board regarding items not on the agenda.



On motion by Makoben, seconded by Kamp, that the minutes of the special meeting held on June 11, 2001, and the regular meeting held on June 13, 2001, be approved and placed on file for future reference.



Roll call on motion: Ayes: Hutter, Kamp, Glenn, and Makoben

Nays: None



On motion by Glenn, seconded by Kamp, that the bills be allowed as presented and that the secretary be instructed to have checks drawn in the respective amounts.



Roll call on motion: Ayes: Hutter, Kamp, Glenn, and Makoben

Nays: None

A list of the bills is annex #1 to these minutes.



Ellen Bennett, representing the Quad City Women's Junior League, was present to update the Board on the special needs playground design to be installed in McManus Park. She informed the Board that they had hoped to have the final design, but the project continues to grow. She presented a drawing of a playground that will be very close to what they are aiming for. Because it is a special needs playground, the play structure is all ramped. Their goal is to be able to get the children in wheelchairs to a high level, up to four feet high. The design will include the main play structure, slides, and equipment for smaller children, and smaller units on the outside of the main play structure. This will include swings, track ride, and other activities around the perimeter of the main play structure.



Mrs. Bennett explained that a rubberized safety surface is planned for the entire unit. This is what has increased the cost. The original estimate was in the amount of $150,000 and they are now looking at $200,000. They have $100,000 at this time. They will be building up their fundraising and their goal is to now start the project next Spring. The last item of installation is the safety surface, so this project cannot be completed in phases. The structure will sit on the existing sand play area and will be red, white, and blue, and some of the pieces look like a rocket, to keep the theme that is already there.



Mrs. Bennett requested to install a temporary sign in McManus Park to alert the neighbors of what they are doing and to recognize the agencies that have contributed to this project.



Chairman Hutter asked Mrs. Bennett what plans they have to raise another $100,000.



Mrs. Bennett stated that they plan on seeking grants from SCRA, Alcoa, Bechtel Trust, and a few other foundations and feels confident that they will raise the funds.

On motion by Glenn, seconded by Makoben, to allow the Quad City Women's Junior League to install a sign and work with the staff as to where it should be located.

Roll call on motion: Ayes: Hutter, Glenn, Kamp and Makoben

Nays: None

Sue Laimans was present to review the Centennial Gardens Project to be located in Middle Park. She presented a drawing of the design. The proposed garden will be in the shape of a giant flower covering 10,000 square feet. Each petal of the flower represents a decade. The flowers that were popular in each decade will be planted. A sidewalk will be the stem of the flower. A grant was received from the SCRA in the amount of $15,000 and the city has funded $8,000. That will be enough to start and complete Phase I of the garden. The project consists of three phases. The garden will be handicap accessible and an arbor will be commissioned by an artist. A brochure will be developed to get the people involved and the stones and gardens will be priced for the community to participate in the funding of the project. Their names will be placed on whatever they contribute towards. More grants will be written for Phase II and III. The garden will be planted and maintained by volunteers, some of which are Master Gardeners. The garden will be irrigated.

Mrs. Laimans requested Board approval to place a temporary sign in the location of the garden to give SCRA credit for the funding and to make the public aware of the project.



On motion by Makoben, seconded by Kamp, to authorize the placement of a sign for the Centennial Garden Project in Middle Park.

Roll call on motion: Ayes: Hutter, Glenn, Kamp, and Makoben

Nays: None

Julie Arneson was present to review a request to place a sculpture created by the Street Heat Program near the Crow Creek Park Quarry. This is a training program for kids who produce public sculptures. The sculpture is three-dimensional and is 8-10 feet high. It represents a man, woman, and a child. They would like the sculpture installed on the island in the parking lot near the quarry.



Chairman Hutter asked how vandal proof the sculpture would be.



Eric Mart, local sculpturist, stated that vandalism would give it more character.



On motion by Glenn, seconded by Makoben, to approve the placement of the sculpture in Crow Creek Park.



Roll call on motion: Ayes: Hutter, Glenn, Kamp, and Makoben

Nays: None

Ms. Arneson stated that there will be a dedication of the sculpture as soon as it is installed.



A copy of their request is annex #2 to these minutes



Bill Ashton, Ashton Engineering, was present to review the trail alignment study for Crow Creek from Middle Road to the river. The study is annex #3 to these minutes.



Steve Grimes stated that the intent of the study is not to build the trail at this time, but to work with other city departments to set aside the easements to build the trail in the future.



Jim Crowder, Bettendorf Park Band Director, was present to review the annual Band Report. This report is annex #4 to these minutes.



The June monthly budget and revenue reports were deferred until after the city audit. The June revenue report was submitted and will be subject to change after the audit. Also, all season pass refunds will be subtracted from the pool revenues. The tentative June revenue report is annex #5 to these minutes.



The Board reviewed the memo from Monty Yegge regarding the cost for the Fall/Winter Brochure. The memo is annex #6 to these minutes.



On motion by Glenn, seconded by Makoben, to approve trying the program inserts in the newspaper instead of producing the Fall/Winter brochure this year.

Roll call on motion: Ayes: Hutter, Glenn, Kamp, and Makoben

Nays: None

Steve informed the Board that he has had discussions with two property owners for a Duck Creek Recreation Trail Spur off 31st Street and they are not receptive. There is still interest in the community to have some sort of connection in this area. He recommended working with the Community Development Department to see if there is any other access points and explore all alternatives.



The Board discussed changing the Special Monday Meeting in November due to Veteran's Day.



On motion by Kamp, seconded by Glenn, to change the November Special Meeting from November 12 to November 13, 2001.

Roll call on motion: Ayes: Hutter, Glenn, Kamp, and Makoben

Nays: None

The following items appear on the consent agenda and were enacted by one motion:



On motion by Makoben, seconded by Kamp, to approve the request from Trisha Peneu on behalf of the Harry Ward family to place a granite rock memorial at Palmer Hills Golf Course. The letter is annex #7 to these minutes.



On motion by Makoben, seconded by Kamp, to receive and file the thank you letter from Kent Keeshan, Bettendorf Police Department Dare Officer, dated June 18, 2001. The letter is annex #8 to these minutes.

On motion by Makoben, seconded by Kamp, to receive and file the Bettendorf Park and Recreation Foundation meeting minutes for May, 2001. The minutes are annex #9.

On motion by Makoben, seconded by Kamp, to receive and file the Bettendorf Trees Are Us Committee minutes from June 6, 2001. The minutes are annex #10.



On motion by Makoben, seconded by Kamp, to adopt Resolution #27-01, approving final payment to Johnson Construction for work completed on Hole #9 renovation project at Palmer Hills Golf Course. Resolution #27-01 is annex #11 to these minutes.



On motion by Makoben, seconded by Kamp, to adopt Resolution #28-01, approving payment to Ashton Engineering, Inc., for professional services on the Crow Creek Recreation Trail Alignment Study from Middle Road to the Mississippi River. Resolution #28-01 is annex #12 to these minutes.



On motion by Makoben, seconded by Kamp, to adopt Resolution #29-01, approving the Quad Cities Men's Fast Pitch Softball Tournament in Crow Creek Park. Resolution #29-01 is annex #13 to these minutes.



On motion by Makoben, seconded by Kamp, to adopt Resolution #30-01, supporting the acquisition of greenspace in the Highland Green 2nd Addition at Crow Valley Subdivision. Resolution #30-01 is annex #14 to these minutes.



On motion by Makoben, seconded by Kamp, to adopt Resolution #31-01, approving refunds to all season pass holders at Splash Landing and reduction in General Admissions. Resolution #31-01 is annex #15 to these minutes.

Roll call on motion: Ayes: Hutter, Glenn, Kamp, and Makoben

Nays: None

Greg Jager informed the Board that the Bettendorf School District is in the process of preparing an agreement defining the maintenance responsibilities of the tennis courts. Basically, the Park Board would take care of the Middle School Tennis Courts and Bettendorf Schools would take care of the High School Tennis Courts. Greg felt there was one typo that needed to be taken care of. The School Board has not acted on the agreement yet.

The Board requested Greg Jager finalize everything in the Agreement first with School Board approval and bring it back to the Park Board.

Chairman Hutter recommended having an agreement with the Pleasant Valley High School regarding the usage of the tennis courts.



Greg Jager updated the Board on Splash Landing. He explained the pool is being drained. There is a tremendous amount of chalking of the paint. This is being discussed with all parties, including the paint manufacturer.



Greg Jager stated that the Board wanted him to take an interest in the filter system this season and examine the effectiveness to determine if we need a new one. He has some concerns as to whether or not he can do this. He hopes to be able to have a good report by the end of the season.



Greg Jager further explained that when you talk about the city of Bettendorf, you associate it with good things. Facilities offered add to the quality of life, parks, Splash Landing, and snow removal, etc. If someone has a question about giving the citizens a full refund, we want the community to feel comfortable and want them to come back next year. We want the name of Bettendorf to carry good things and make it right by the customers.



Chairman Hutter stated the point is, the pool should not open again unless it will stay open. He recommended inviting employees to swim in the pool, once it is refilled, to test the water before opening it up to the public. We don't want to get the publics hopes up and then it not work.



Commissioner Kamp asked if Tnemec Painting submitted the process to remove the paint.



Greg Jager stated that they recommended two things: cleaning of the pool to remove the layers of paint and replacing it. It would not be reasonable to repaint the pool and get it opened this season. We will clean the pool and see what the result will be. Hillebrand is working to get the information from the paint manufacturer. We will abide by their conditions, using a hot water pressure wash. We will finish pressure washing, brush and rinse the pool tomorrow. We feel we can get this done quicker than 10-14 days.

Chairman Hutter asked who will give the final word that the pool is ready to go? Will it be Hillebrand?

Greg Jager stated that they have been working with the owner of Hillebrand Construction, but everybody involved has their lawyers. Our theory is if they're telling us there is a procedure we should follow, then we want to make sure we follow the procedure they say will be appropriate. If there are further problems after we have followed their procedure and after their representatives have said we have followed their procedures, then we are in a stronger position to argue over whether the paint has failed because of the paint or the paint has failed because of something that has happened to the paint.



On motion by Makoben, seconded by Glenn, to adjourn at 8:30 pm.

Hutter (Chairman)

Makoben (Vice Chairman-Protem)