Parks & Recreation Commission on March 6, 2025
Agenda
7:00pm, City Council Chambers, 360 N Main Street, North Liberty, Iowa
- Call to Order
- Approval of Minutes
- Minutes from February 6, 2025 meeting.
- Reports
- Parks Report
- Recreation/Pool Report
- Questions, Concerns, Updates
- Community Center – Membership & rental rates proposal
- Discussion continues, see separate information provided.
- City Council discussion set for March 11 meeting.
- Community Input / New Ideas to Share
- Old Business
- Next Meeting
- Thursday, April 3, 2025
- Adjourn
Minutes
Present: Shelly Simpson, Brian Motley, Tim Hamer, Guy Goldsmith, Richard Grugin, Nick Arnold, Gwen Johnson, Kevin
Smith, Jeremy Parrish, Donglin Chai
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Minutes: Motion to approve February 6, 2025 minutes: Johnson; Second: Parrish. Approved via
unanimous consent.
3. Reports
Parks Report – Guy Goldsmith
• Goldsmith presented his written report to the Commission.
• Staff continued building and equipment maintenance in preparation for Spring.
• Staff refurbished the library guinea pig cage.
• Products for spring activities and planting have been ordered
• Spring landscaping work is underway, including clearing median on West Penn St.
• Staff training and certifications for pesticide application complete
• Seasonal employee hiring is underway
• Centennial Park landscaping work will be contracted for the build and then staff will maintain once completed
• Liberty Centre Pond reconstruction is in process. Pond has been dredged and depth increased. Work on
outcropping will continue and should be completed by end of April.
Recreation/Pool Report—Shelly Simpson
• February programs continued from January, including youth basketball, wrestling, soccer, and dance
• Aqua program and swim lesson registration continues to be high
• Approximately 70 children are enrolled in before and after school programs
• Boy Scout Chili supper and Magic School Bus event held this month at the Community Center
• Simpson reviewed the financial reports for the Center. There was no discussion.
• Motely stated the youth field lottery was held and all fields have been assigned. Some slots still remain. There
was discussion about field availability and renovations.
5. Questions, Concerns, Updates
• Chai asked Simpson about the policy regarding inclement weather impacting events or programs. Simpson
stated that refunds are offered if the facility is closed or make up sessions are offered.
• Grugin asked about parking issues when larger events are held at the Center. Motley stated those larger events
will likely be relocated to the Hy-Vee Center at Centennial Park once it is opened. There was discussion about
future events at Centennial Park.
6. Community Input / Ideas to Share
7. Upcoming Events
• Glow Mini Golf – March 21
• Euchre Tournament later this month
• Summer Activity Guide is available and program registration starts April 7
5. New Business
6. Old Business – Rec Center Membership Fee Conversation
2
• Simpson pointed to the new membership fee structure and information packet for Commission review. The
proposal will be voted on by City Council in March. There was discussion regarding making the information sheet
easier to understand.
• Arnold asked whether the subscription-based model for membership was under consideration. Simpson stated
that she was advised not to pursue that model. There was discussion on the reasons behind this direction.
Commission suggested that this model be examined in the future because it offers a flexible, cost saving option
for residents who can’t pay a full annual membership upfront but plan to retain membership month over
month.
7. Next Meeting
a. Thursday, April, 3, 2025
8. Adjourn Motion: Johnson; Second: Arnold. None opposed.
