Bettendorf Park Board Minutes 5/13/03

Park board meeting of 5.13.2003

MINUTES

BETTENDORF PARK BOARD

SPECIAL MEETING

MAY 13, 2003

The Bettendorf Park Board held a special meeting on May 13, 2003 at City Hall in the Council Chambers at 4:00 pm.

Present: Kamp, Glenn, Beckman, and Worley

Absent: Makoben

Stu Smith reviewed the park maintenance monthly report, which is annex #1 to these minutes. He explained that the vandalism of the fishing pier and overlook in Crow Creek Park has caused problems with the railings and may have to be replaced with an iron railing. The vinyl plastic does not hold up to the abuse.

Stu also informed the Board that he has received bids for the equipment being replaced in 2004. All the bids came in under budget. This will be brought back to the Board, if the funding is available.

Rita VanWetzinga reviewed the recreation monthly report, which is annex #2 to these minutes.

Rita requested Board direction on the Middle School Drop-In program for next fiscal year. Three options were presented in her report.

On motion by Glenn, seconded by Worley, to approve option 1; only open on Wednesdays during the months of December, January and February, require a pass for all (Bettendorf residents only allowed) at a cost of $10.00, and no Life Fitness Center Memberships will be accepted.

Roll call on motion: Ayes: Kamp, Glenn, Beckman, and Worley

Nays: None

Rita reported that the state inspection went well at Splash Landing. The main pool is ready to open.

Chairman Kamp asked Rita what she thought would be problems if the school districts go to a year-round schedule.

Rita stated that the biggest impact to the recreation department would be Splash Landing. The schools will only have a six week summer break and a lot of the staff are high school students. She will be meeting with the recreation department in Rock Island at the end of the summer to review their experiences. Rock Island went to year-round school this year.

Brad Peterson reviewed the golf maintenance monthly report, which is annex #3 to these minutes.

Commissioner Beckman asked Brad when #11 would be open to the public.

Brad reported that hole #11 is coming along and anticipates opening it up by mid or end of July.

Chairman Kamp asked Brad about #15 tee.

Brad explained that #15 tee may be open sooner.

Jon Waddell reviewed the golf administration monthly report, which is annex #4 to these minutes.

Jon recommended issuing medical flags and a form that explains the areas where no carts will be allowed on the days the golf carts are restricted to the cart path for the golfers with special needs. Brad and Jon will reserve the right to restrict all carts to the path on days it is too wet for maintenance equipment to be on the course. The medical flags have not been purchased yet and Jon plans to start issuing medical flags on May 15.

Jon recommended the Quad City Radio Group trade an equal amount of green fees for advertising. The amount has dropped to $1,000, because they were not playing enough golf.

On motion by Glenn, seconded by Worley, to accept Quad City Radio Group’s proposal for $1,000 worth of trade for green fees at Palmer Hills Golf Course for advertising.

Roll call on motion: Ayes: Kamp, Glenn, Beckman, and Worley

Nays: None

Jon recommended approval of Pleasant Valley School Booster’s Club request for a shotgun start on Sunday, September 7, 2003. They will not be allowed to start their event until after the standing tee times are over. They are guaranteeing 144 golfers.

Steve Grimes stated that this is a deviation with the policy because of it being on a weekend. However, September is a slower time. This is an opportunity to keep the course busy on a Sunday afternoon without disrupting standing tee times.

On motion by Beckman, seconded by Worley, to approve the request from the Pleasant Valley Booster Club to have a short gun start at Palmer Hills Golf Course on September 11, 2003.

Roll call on motion: Ayes: Kamp, Glenn, Beckman, and Worley

Nays: None

The Board reviewed Steve Grimes’ monthly administration report, which is annex #5 to these minutes.

The Board agreed to take the fax machines out of their homes and convert correspondence to e-mail. Commissioner Glenn stated that he did not want the fax machine in his home, due to all the advertising he had been receiving. He would like to be called and would pick up information at the Community Center.

The parks tour was rescheduled for Tuesday, May 20 at 1:30. The Board will meet at the Public Works annex building.

Commissioner Beckman informed the Board that three residents were selected to serve on the Ad Hoc Committee for marketing Palmer Hills Golf Course: Steve Lynch, Matt Mooney, and Jessica Johnson.

The Board authorized Steve Grimes to send a letter to the committee members informing them of their appointment to the committee.

The Board requested Commissioner Beckman inform them of the date of their first meeting.

The Board reviewed the two proposals received for the Pigeon Creek Park wetland plantings project. The project involves spraying a herbicide to get rid of the canary grass to develop a nesting island.

Stu Smith informed the Board that he has used both companies for park projects. He recommended the proposal submitted from Bush Seeding Company because he has had more contact with them on other park projects and they are a certified wetland contractor.

On motion by Glenn, seconded by Worley, to approve the proposal from Bush Seeding Company in the amount of $4,019.85, for the wetland plantings in Pigeon Creek Park.

Roll call on motion: Ayes: Kamp, Glenn, Beckman, and Worley

Nays: None

The proposal will not have to be approved by resolution, because it is under $5,000.00.

The Splash Landing dedication will be held on May 31, 2003 at 10:00 am. Invitations will be sent to the news media, Mayor and City Council, Scott County Regional Authority, contractors working on the project, Park Board and City Employees.

The Board discussed the elimination of security at Splash Landing. An e-mail from Greg Trudell, Police Department, is annex #6 to these minutes.

Steve Grimes informed the Board that the projected cost for security at Splash Landing is $15,000. In the past, police officers or the Scott County Sheriff’s department furnished the staff for the security. In light of the enterprise fund and the need to be as cost efficient as possible, the staff suggests dropping the police security. If we have problems, we can bring it back.

Rita VanWetzinga stated any problems outside the pool fence, the police will be called. The staff can only handle what is going on inside the pool fence.

Steve Grimes stated that the police would make their presence known when the pool first opens. Greg Trudell indicated in his e-mail that the police department’s response time is good.

Steve Grimes informed the Board that the staff came up with some ideas for budget adjustments. He summarized them and sent them to Decker Ploehn, City Administrator. The Department Heads met with Decker Ploehn last Friday to review them. There are a wide variety of ideas. What is selected will be difficult to determine, until they are all put together. The City Council will be discussing the budget cuts and will have to move quickly. It effects the July 1, 2003 budget.

Commissioner Worley requested Steve Grimes contact the Board to attend the Council Meeting in order to have the opportunity of being involved in the discussions concerning cuts to the park’s budget.

Commissioner Glenn stated that times are hard and we have to look at cuts. We need to hold the line and take care of our citizens. Raising fees should not be the answer.

Chairman Kamp welcomed Representative and Past Park Board Commissioner and Chairman Joe Hutter to the meeting.

Joe Hutter stated that it was a pleasure to be back home again after being gone for four months. He was interested in seeing how the budget will be effected for the City and will take the message back to DesMoines on how it effects the community.

Chairman Kamp adjourned the meeting at 4:45 pm.

Kamp (Chairman)

Glenn (Vice Chairman)