Bettendorf Park Board Meeting Minutes for March 11, 2002

Board increases fitness center membership fees, tennis court fees

MINUTES OF BETTENDORF PARK BOARD


SPECIAL MEETING

MARCH 11, 2002

The Bettendorf Park Board held a special meeting on March 11, 2002 at 4:00 pm in the Canteen Room at the Herbert D. Goettsch Community Center.

Present: Adamson, Kamp, Glenn, Hutter, and Makoben
Absent: None

Stu Smith reviewed the park maintenance monthly report, which is annex #1 to these minutes.



Brad Peterson reviewed the golf course maintenance monthly report, which is annex #2 to these minutes.

Brad informed the Board that the golf course would open for the season on Friday, March 15, 2002. Also, the maintenance facility project is coming along well and is more than half finished.

Brad recommended holding off on the 11th hole project until Fall, due to the disruption on the course. Quotes were received from architects and they are estimating about the same cost of 7-8% of the total project cost. The estimated project cost is $60,000.



Monty Yegge reviewed the handout concerning the projected budgets for 2001/2002 and 2002/2003. She informed them that Carol Barnes, Finance Director, recommended the Board take a look at postponing Capital Projects at the Golf Course. Both budget years indicate that there could be a draw down on the enterprise accounts. The handout is annex #3 to these minutes.

Commissioner Glenn recommended changing Resolution #15-02, to include that it be reviewed on an annual basis and perhaps indicate a not-to-exceed dollar amount out of the enterprise accounts.



The Board authorized Brad to proceed with an architect on #11 and hold off on the project until this Fall.



Jon Waddell reviewed the golf administration monthly report, which is annex #4 to these minutes. Jon recommended forming a committee to come up with ideas on what to include in a new clubhouse.

Steve informed the Board that a Request for Qualifications for Clubhouse Architects is included in the Board packets. The advantage of having an architect is to find out what we want to do and an estimate of how much it will cost. The cost for the architect will be less than $20,000.

The Board approved to move forward with the Request for Qualifications to see what kind of response we receive.



Jon informed the Board that some early morning tee-times have not been reserved. Each of these openings will go into a lottery drawing to be held on March 22, 2002.



Jon presented a request from Kevin Cartee to hold his annual golf outing at Palmer Hills on Friday, July 19, 2002 at 10:00 am.



The Board requested this request be added to the consent agenda for approval at the Wednesday Board meeting.



Rita VanWetzinga reviewed the recreation monthly report, which is annex #5 to these minutes.

Rita requested the Board review the request from the February Board Meeting concerning membership and tennis court fee increases at the Life Fitness Center.



Steve stated that last month the Board was leaning toward Option #3, a 25% membership fee increase and a $20.00 non-resident fee.

Rita stated with the budget increases we have no control over; such as, Risk Management, Administrative Salaries, Information Services, Building Maintenance, and Union Salaries, we have no choice but to increase fees. The membership fees will need to be reviewed again next year. We will not have much of a profit for the current year and will be lucky to finish in the black in 2002/2003. She is concerned about where we will be in the next three years. We are no longer getting ahead and we still have not been told who will pick up the deficit from the pool. A copy of the projections is annex #6 to these minutes.



Commissioner Glenn recommended to continue the committee meetings to come up with ideas to save money and make additional revenues.



Rita stated we could look at cost savings at the Life Fitness Center. Hours of operating can be reduced, close the lap pool in the summer months, increase cost of aerobic classes and not offer aerobic classes in the summer, etc.



Steve stated that there are a number of issues that the Board needs to review over the next few years. The opening of the Y, transfer of funds to the general fund, and control costs to maximize revenues. The packaging of facilities will need to be experimented with to see what is attractive to our customers and what should be charged.



On motion by Glenn, seconded by Kamp, to accept proposal #3 for the increase in membership fees and the $2.00 increase in tennis court fees at the Life Fitness Center and the facility package plans as presented by staff to take effect September, 2002.



Roll call on motion: Ayes: Adamson, Kamp, Glenn, Hutter, and Makoben
Nays: None

Rita informed the Board that something needs to be done to limit general admissions and youth membership usage at the Life Fitness Center.

The Board requested Rita come back in April with a recommendation.

Rita informed the Board that she hopes to bring back to the April Board Meeting a cost estimate for the expansion of the womenís locker room.

The Board discussed offering a 12 month payment plan at the Life Fitness Center with a $15.00 service fee.



Monty Yegge informed the Board that with the recommendation of Carol Barnes, Finance Director, the members that sign up for the 12 month payment plan, will no longer receive a renewal letter. Their membership will continue until they request their membership be cancelled. They sign up for a minimum of one year. A new contract will need to be drawn up by Greg Jager.

On motion by Glenn, seconded by Kamp, to approve the 12 month payment plan and service fee.



Roll call on motion: Ayes: Adamson, Kamp, Hutter, Glenn, and Makoben
Nays: None

Steve Grimes reviewed the administration monthly report, which is annex #7 to these minutes.

Steve informed the Board that the 4th grade class from Dixon, Iowa, needed a place to eat lunch on their class trip. Each one of the students wrote a thank you note, which is annex #8 to these minutes.



Steve reported that Bill Stradt, Sr., requested to donate a sculpture on a two-sided bench to be placed near the Centennial Garden.



The Board approved as long as the Centennial Committee approved.



Steve informed the Board that St. Peters Episcopal Church, located next door to the Life Fitness Center, is looking at doing major renovations or relocating. They wanted to know if we were interested in purchasing the property. Steve told them that we were probably not interested in purchasing the property, but would like to work with whoever may purchase the property. Parking has always been an issue at the Life Fitness Center.



The Board concurred.



Steve requested Board input for potential grant applications.



The Board requested Steve propose a SCRA grant for a traffic light on Devils Glen Road to address the safety concerns for children crossing the street to access Crow Creek Park.



Steve informed the Board that the city did budget for the traffic light.



The Board felt the SCRA would fund the traffic light and this would save the city money.



Commissioner Kamp updated the Board on the Skatepark Committee Meeting held on February 27, 2002.

Commissioner Kamp felt the biggest issue was getting the beginners away from the better skaters. They came up with a design and cost for an addition for the beginner skaters.



Other issues discussed: Trash and Litter ñ They felt this would always be a problem.
No one knew or has heard of any injuries.
The sign will be changed. Hours will be posted on a separate sign.
Skate Wave representative will assist reconfiguration of layout.


Lighting ñ Need funding.


Add an advanced area to the north.

Steve informed the Board that there is $25,000 left in the Skate Park capital project funding. Some of those funds will need to cover the cost of a drinking fountain, sidewalks, and improvements to parking areas.

Rita stated that the facility has not been open a full year. She recommended going through a summer, before doing anything else to the skatepark.

Commissioner Kamp stated that the skaters would like to have a competition like last summer and get the Recreation Department involved.

On motion by Hutter, seconded by Glenn, to accept the minutes as presented by Commissioner Kamp.

Roll call on motion: Ayes: Adamson, Kamp, Glenn, Hutter, and Makoben
Nays: None

The minutes of the skatepark meeting are annex #8.

On motion by Hutter, seconded by Makoben, to adjourn the meeting at 5:15 pm.