Bettendorf Park Board Minutes 10/23/02

MINUTES
BETTENDORF PARK BOARD
OCTOBER 23, 2002

The Bettendorf Park Board held a regular meeting on October 23, 2002 at 7:00 pm in the Canteen Room at the Herbert D. Goettsch Community Center.

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

Chairman Adamson 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 Hutter, seconded by Kamp, that the minutes of the special meeting held on September 9, 2002 and the regular meeting held on September 11, 2002 be approved and placed on file for future reference.

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

Dan Candler was present to address the Board regarding his Eagle Scout project completed at Crow Creek Park. He presented a picture album of the 14 nature signs explaining the scientific names of the trees and where the trees are located within the park. He also presented a handout breaking down the hours of the ten scouts that worked and the total cost of the project. This handout is annex #1 to these minutes.

The Board thanked Dan Candler for the project and informed him that he made Crow Creek Park a nicer place for the visitors.

Cecilia Barnes, representing the Junior League, was present to be recognized by the Board for their contribution toward the new playground in McManus Park.

Mrs. Barnes introduced Elizabeth Norwood, the newly elected President of the Junior League.

Chairman Adamson and Commissioner Hutter presented an appreciation plaque to the Junior Board Members. Chairman Adamson stated that the Bettendorf Park Board was pleased to be a part of the project. The playground is busy and makes Bettendorf a nicer place and gives children a great opportunity.

Mrs. Barnes stated that the Board and park employees helped a lot with the playground and she felt the amount of community support behind this project was the greatest part.

The budget and revenues reports for September 2002, are annex #2 to these minutes.

Steve Grimes informed the Board that he and Greg Adamson met with Rob Fick from Mel Foster to discuss property at 53rd and Middle Road as a potential park site. He is interested in working with us for a neighborhood park. The housing development is a couple of years out at this time and Steve recommended having the City Attorney draw up a letter of intent to purchase. Mr. Fick is interested in donating the one and one-half acre detention area and possibly selling two lots north of the detention site at their cost. Their cost is approximately $20,000 to $25,000 per one-third acre lots.

Commissioner Hutter stated that he is concerned about the maintenance of a detention pond and paying that kind of money that we don’t have.

Commissioner Makoben indicated that the Board does not have to exercise the intent to purchase. The Board will have the first right of refusal for a set price.

Chairman Adamson stated that there is a possibility of expanding the proposed park site further north of 53rd Street for potentially having a good size park.

Steve informed the Board that the Special Event Policy has not been revised yet. A couple of minor corrections have been made to the variable room rental at the Community Center. The City Attorney recommended the changes.

Greg Jager explained that it is very hard to give a price differential to a church, if you do not give it to other agencies. It is best to charge a uniform price.

Steve informed the Board that there is a request from a Boy Scout Troop on the Agenda for a Lock-In on December 13, 2002 and to waive all fees. If we do it for one group, it will be hard to do it for others. Sleepovers have been popular for the Community Center facility. The policy can be amended to allow sleepovers for non-profit organizations.

Commissioner Hutter recommended amending the policy to include another category to cover overnight groups, and as long as they are non-profit charge a flat fee that will cover utilities and have them responsible to do the clean up.

On motion by Hutter, seconded by Makoben, to table action on rental fees.

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

On motion by Hutter, seconded by Makoben, to approve the Special Event Request from Jeff Bozman’s Boy Scout Troop for a Lock-in on December 13, 2002 at the Community Center and to waive all fees.

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

The Special Event Request is annex #3 to these minutes.

On motion by Glenn, seconded by Hutter, to approve the refund policy as presented by staff.

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

The refund policy is annex #4 to these minutes. A resolution will be brought back to the Board in November for approval along with the changes to the variable rental fees and special event policy.

Steve informed the Board that benches were donated by A & S Tool and Manufacturing and installed along the Duck Creek Recreation Trail. The owner, Steve Swisher, was requesting plaques for recognition.

On motion by Hutter, seconded by Makoben, to approve plaques for the benches located along the Duck Creek Recreation Trail.

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

Commissioner Hutter recommended the Chairman send a thank you letter to A & S Tool and Manufacturing for their donation of the benches.

Steve recommended to the Board approval of a farm lease for property located in Pigeon Creek Park.

On motion by Hutter, seconded by Makoben, to approve a lease for farming of property in Pigeon Creek Park on a year-to-year basis for $1.00.

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

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

On motion by Kamp, seconded by Glenn, to receive and file the Bettendorf Park and Recreation Foundation meeting minutes for August 15 and September 26, 2002. The minutes are annex #5.

On motion by Kamp, seconded by Glenn, to receive and file the Bettendorf Trees Are Us Committee minutes for September 11, 2002. The minutes are annex #6.

On motion by Kamp, seconded by Glenn, the receive and file Gene Meer’s observation report for Splash Landing dated September 6, 2002. The report is annex #7 to these minutes.

On motion by Kamp, seconded by Glenn, to adopt Resolution #63-02, approving payment #5 to General Constructors, Inc., for work completed on the Splash Landing Project in the amount of $71,253.90. Resolution #63-02 is annex #8 to these minutes.

On motion by Kamp, seconded by Glenn, to adopt Resolution #64-02, approving payment #5 to Hometown Plumbing and Heating for work completed on the Splash Landing Project in the amount of $97,080.30. Resolution #64-02 is annex #9 to these minutes.

On motion by Kamp, seconded by Glenn, to adopt Resolution #65-02, approving payment #5 to Hy-Brand Industrial Contractors, Ltd. for work completed on the Splash Landing Project in the amount of $33,874.42. Resolution #65-02 is annex #10 to these minutes.

On motion by Kamp, seconded by Glenn, to adopt Resolution #66-02, approving payment in the amount of $3,125.l69 to Burbach Aquatics, LLC, for professional services completed on the Splash Landing Family Aquatics Center. Resolution #66-02 is annex #11 to these minutes.

On motion by Kamp, seconded by Glenn, to approve the request dated September 26, 2002 to extend the USA Trampoline and Tumbling Center contract through August of 2003. The letter is annex #12 to these minutes.

On motion by Kamp, seconded by Glenn, to approve the Special Event Request dated September 20, 2002 from Rhythm City/Isle of Capri to permit a United Way Fundraiser at Middle Park Bandshell on October 27, 2002. The Special Event Request is annex #13 to these minutes.

On motion by Kamp, seconded by Glenn, to approve a landscape memorial in memory of Bob O’Malley at the Palmer Hills Golf Course 14th tee requested by Carl Anderson and dated September 27, 2002. The letter is annex #14 to these minutes.

On motion by Kamp, seconded by Glenn, to approve the Iowa DOT Transportation Enhancement Agreement for the River Drive Recreation Trail funds. Agreement is annex #15 to these minutes.

On motion by Kamp, seconded by Glenn, to approve the Special Event request from the Quad City Chariots dated October 7, 2002 to host a cross-country meet at Crow Creek Park on Sunday, November 3, 2002. The Special Event Request is annex #16 to these minutes.

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

Greg Jager informed the Board that this is the time for collective bargaining of all four unions this year. The unions have agreed to meet with the city collectively regarding benefits and whatever we come up with will have to be citywide. This is a good thing.

Steve informed the Board that we have not received the proposal from Pepsi.

Monty Yegge informed the Board that Ruth Hitch***** of Bettendorf donated a swing bench for Crow Creek Park that will be installed near the quarry in Crow Creek Park.

Commissioner Glenn stated that he noticed McCubbin has started the work on #11 at the golf course and wanted to know how that was going to affect play.

Steve stated that the hole has been cut down to a par 3 and eventually will have to be shut down entirely.

Commissioner Glenn also asked what the results were in offering the sundown rate at an earlier time.

Steve stated that Jon Waddell has seen some increase, but it has not been substantial. There are so few golfers out there now.

The Board requested to compare the rounds of golf last year to this year with the reduced fees. Also, check into what the other golf courses are doing and recommended starting the sundowners fee at 1:00 pm instead of 2:00 pm.

Commissioner Kamp asked if the property owners along River Drive have been notified to remove their personal property from the riverfront.

Steve stated that he would be sending out a letter to the property owners along River Drive to remove their property by a certain date.

Commissioner Kamp also asked if there have been any traffic counts on 25th Street?

Chairman Adamson stated that he will be talking on Monday to Sergeant Beine.

Commissioner Hutter asked if everything was going according to schedule on the Splash Landing project.

Steve stated that there was some concern about getting it painted this Fall. They need a 40-degree temperature at night to do the painting.

Commissioner Glenn asked if we have heard from Pool Tech about repairs needed on the zero depth pool.

Steve stated that we are going to hold off until Spring to do those repairs.

Commissioner Hutter expressed his concerns about making sure areas are set aside for parks on the rezoning map of the City, particularly in the area from Devils Glen Road to Interstate 80.

Greg Jager explained to the Board that along Middle Road there is an issue on the design standards for how businesses will develop along the roadway. They want a boulevard look, which will mean bigger setbacks. The Land Use map is being put together by an advisory committee. Greg did not recall seeing any specific section for a city park. The document does say you should have so much green space in certain areas.

Commissioner Hutter stated that we cannot forget about the parks in the land use plan. We end up paying more for the land once it is developed. We want to be in the plan at the beginning.

Steve informed the Board that the Capital Improvement Plan would be reviewed in November. The cost estimates for the cardio expansion are not ready and will be on the November Agenda. Even with the reduced size, we are still looking at a draw down of almost the entire balance in the enterprise fund.

Commissioner Makoben asked when the traffic signal on Devils Glen Road and Tanglefoot would be installed.

Steve stated that it is planned to be installed this Fall.

Commissioner Glenn inquired about a list of potential cuts for the next budget year and would like to be a part in prioritizing them.

Steve informed the Board that at the Department Head level, at the request of Decker Ploehn, they came up with a list of potential cuts.

The Board Members requested a copy of the potential cuts.

Greg Jager informed the Board that the budget cannot be determined until the rollback information is received and that will not be available until December. The budget process will not begin until December or January. The Department Heads are only brainstorming at this time regarding potential cuts.

On motion by Makoben, seconded by Hutter, to adjourn at 8:10 pm.

Adamson (Chairman)

Kamp (Vice Chairman)