Parks and Recreation Commission on March 4, 2021
Agenda
7:00 p.m., via Zoom
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, public health and safety concerns require City of North Liberty public meetings to be held electronically, so as to limit the spread of the virus. The public is invited to submit questions and comments in advance of the meeting for consideration submitting them to the City Clerk Tracey Mulcahey via email at [email protected].
This meeting may be accessed live by the public on the internet at northlibertyiowa.org/live, on Facebook at facebook.com/northliberty or on YouTube at www.youtube.com/channel/UCrCw6ipAPjJnd-olpRgPJcg. You can also attend by phone; call 1 (312) 626 6799 with a touch-tone phone and to enter the meeting ID 8349211 0943 and nine-digit meeting password 928973987. Meetings are rebroadcast on cable and available on-demand on northlibertyiowa.org.
- Call to Order
- Approval of Minutes
- February 4, 2021
- Reports
- Parks Report
- Recreation/Pool Report
- Questions or Concerns
- Next Meeting
- Thursday, April 1, 2021 at 7:00pm.
- Adjourn
Minutes
1. Call to Order
7:00 pm by Richard Grugin
2. Approval of Minutes
February 4th, 2021
Motion by Craig Sundell, second by Jeremy Parrish. Motion carried.
3. Reports
A.Parks Report
• Time at Ranshaw House finishing trim. Goal is to be out by mid-
March.
• Working with Shive-Hattery on Pool Heating Project
• Continuing to pick up pet-waste station.
• Dog park closed at 2 pm on 3/4/21 to help give a break and reestablish
good turf grow. Dormant seed was placed last Fall.
1. Jeremy asked about signage explaining what is going on at
dog park. Guy confirms that there is a sign up. Working on
permanent signage. Lining up things for a grand opening
when it reopens soon.
2. Jeremy recommends adding more bold visualization on the
dog park to notify residents.
3. Shelly asked about barricades at the dog park – will not place
barricades as people are allowed to still gather out there
because they like the view and to spend time enjoying the
area.
4. Guy voiced concerns about keeping healthy grass at the dog
park.
• Equipment maintenance on snow equipment, and seasonal
equipment.
• Considerable time to snow removal to city parking lots, sidewalks,
trails, roundabouts and Hwy 965.
1. Richard gave kudos to the department for snow removal.
• Continue to work with Kirkwood and other local
universities/colleges to hire seasonal help. Some interviews and
offers have been completed. Anticipate more applicants. Par is 12
seasonal staff.
• Shive-Hattery on landscaping on Phase 5 of Ranshaw Way.
1. Shannon asked about underpass which will be just north of
City Hall.
• Dubuque street enhancements including demo.
• Finalizing FY 21-22 budget which has been submitted, but a few
tweaks being made.
• Upcoming event is the Muddy Creek Clean Up scheduled for April
10th, at 9 am starting at the Rec Center. Boy/Cub Scouts and
tree/storm water board members will participate in addition to
City Staff. Asking for any community volunteers.
• Allowing shelter rentals this year.
• Splash pads will be open.
B. Recreation/Pool Report
• Opened the rec facility for weekends in February.
1. Total of 4 weekends so far, which has gone well.
2. Continue to open little by little.
• Provide use with social distancing, masking and safety protocols in
place. It has been a slow transition, which has added to
questioning from the public.
• Hit a bump in the road 2/22 which was caused by a snow load on
the roof. It caused damage to the gas lines to some of the roof top
units, and the pool unit which is new.
1. Down in the pool area for about 1 day.
2. Using 2 of the 4 burners of the innovent unit in the pool, the
other 2 are isolated and turned off. All rooftop units are off
at this point. May feel some temperature changes in the track
and exercise areas, but the warmer weather has helped with
this.
• There were concerned community members during the “police
event” and the rec center helped provide support to house
children from local childcare centers and facilitated parent pick
up.
• Facility usage: 230 users per day.
• BASP numbers are slowly on the uptick but continue to do
afterschool only.
• March swim lessons resumed, with low turnout, likely due to
parent having to be in the water with the child.
• Looking at summer programming. Will open the outdoor pool but
unsure to what extent. Considering residents only, residents with
memberships and residents, drop in, non-residents, etc.
• Planning to operate as two separate facilities with separate
entrances (indoor versus outdoor pool) – so separating aqua
fitness and lap swim indoor, and lessons for kids outdoor.
1. Biggest concern is locker rooms, common areas, groupings,
etc.
2. Will continue to provide details as more decisions are made.
3. Craig asked about reduced capacity, research, and spread.
Shelly notes that they have been looking at different capacity,
tier system, and comfort level for gathering groups of people.
This applies to both outdoor and indoor pool use. Working to
come up with Plan A, B, etc. While individuals are on the pool
deck, in the locker rooms, or going to concessions, they will
be expected to wear masks.
C. Questions or Concerns
• Shannon asked about City Staff being vaccinated. The City has sent
out a survey to assess interest.
1. Police and fire are done with their second shot.
2. BASP staff are anticipated to be in the next tier.
3. Lifeguards and the remaining staff don’t have a timetable yet.
• Jeremy reports that Diventures now has face shields for teachers
and went away from parents in the pool.
1. Ashley is aware of this and is evaluating options.
2. Right now, target date to open outdoor pool is 6/12 due to
ICCSD school schedule.
• Jeremy asked about porta-potty placement at certain parks. They
will be placed at Centennial, Koser Park, and any other place that
does not have a restroom close by.
4. Next Meeting
Thursday, April 1st, 2021 at 7:00pm.
5. Adjourn: Motion to adjourn by Amalia, Second by Shannon. Motion
carried.
