BETTENDORF PARK BOARD
SPECIAL MEETING
JANUARY 11, 1999
The Bettendorf Park Board held a Special Meeting on January 11, 1999, at the HDG Community Center in the Canteen Room at 4:00 p.m.
Present: Brown, Hutter, Adamson, Glenn, Makoben
(4:15 p.m.)
Absent: None
Steve Grimes requested Board input for a new sign to be placed at the new entrance in Middle Park off 23rd Street near the Band Shell.
The Board agreed with the recommendation of Middle Park 23rd Street Activity Area.
Commissioner Hutter asked Rita if she had any trouble getting lifeguards at the $5.30 an hour rate.
Rita stated that she can get 16 year olds to apply. She is losing the trained veteran staff to the private clubs because they pay more. This is forcing us to have a younger staff each year.
Commissioner Hutter stated that experience may limit the amount of problems that may occur.
Rita stated that it is a problem. However, our rates are comparable with other public facilities. It is the private facilities that we are losing our staff to.
Commissioner Hutter stated that the people that work in the concession stands are being paid the same as the lifeguards that have to be certified. They should be making a higher level of pay.
Rita stated that this issue was brought up a year ago and nothing was done. The Board requested that Rita do the research of the other municipalities and private clubs and resubmit a request for increasing the level of pay for lifeguards.
Commissioner Makoben asked Brad Peterson what has been done on #14 at the golf course.
Brad stated that McCubbin Construction has a good start on the project. They were slow to start the project because they were waiting for the ground to freeze. They have been moving a lot of rock and excavating the hillside.
Steve Grimes informed the Board that the Bettendorf Chamber of Commerce presented a Beautification Award for the HDG Community Center. The award will be placed in the display case. Also, the Jaycee banquet will be held on January 21, 1999.
Steve requested Board recommendations to submit to the Iowa Park and Recreation Association for possible recognition of an individual or organization for their annual awards program.
Steve informed the Board that the Iowa Park and Recreation Association has an annual election of officers. He has been asked to place his name on the ballot for the President Elect position. He has discussed this with the City Officials, Chairperson Brown, and members of the staff and they felt comfortable for him to be a nominee for this position.
Steve asked that if there were any concerns, please see him.
Steve informed the Board that the City is reviewing the Capital Improvement Program over the next two weeks. One issue will be the aquatic facility. The exact details still need to be worked out. If there are any issues with the park and recreation allocation, they will be discussed next Tuesday, January 19, 1999. Steve will get back to the Board about the time of the meeting.
Steve presented a preliminary plat for a new subdivision off of 30th Street near Walnut Court. There are 22 lots proposed in the development. The land needed for the recreation trail has already been acquired in this area. Other green space near the development is Hollowview Park and Wessel Park.
The Board felt there was enough green space in the area and was not interested in pursuing any additional land in the area.
Steveís monthly report is annex #1 to these minutes.
Brad Peterson reviewed his monthly report, which is annex #2 to these minutes.
Brad requested Board approval for a landscape memorial project in the name of Dick Ross on #15 tee. The group working on the project has $1,500 and we are going to match that, for a total of $3,000. The plan has not been finalized at this time.
On motion by Glenn, seconded by Makoben, to allow the memorial project for Dick Ross at Palmer Hills Golf Course.
Roll call on motion: Ayes: Brown, Hutter, Adamson, Glenn, Makoben
Nays: None
Jon Waddell was present to review the proposed golf course fee increases for the 1999 season. A copy of proposed fee increases and comparisons of other golf courses in the area are annex #3 to these minutes.
Commissioner Hutter recommended increasing the $13.50 18 hole fee to $14.00.
There was discussion on the trend to have a higher fee for weekends and holidays.
Also, the recommended increase brings Palmer Hills in line with the other golf courses in the area for the 1998 fees. Jon felt the other golf courses would probably be increasing their fees in 1999.
On motion by Hutter, seconded by Makoben, to accept the 1999 recommendation as presented with the exception of the 18 hole fee to be $14.00 and gift certificates already sold will be honored at the 1998 prices.
Roll call on motion: Ayes: Brown, Hutter, Adamson, Glenn, Makoben
Nays: None
Steve recommended to the Board considering only increasing the weekend and holiday green fees that next golf season.
Steve informed the Board that a meeting was held with the School staff a couple of weeks ago. At this point, the staff recommendation is to go with the asphalt overlay, which would fit with the budgeted amount of $270,000. A public meeting will be held to review the recommendations and the research that has been done to see if there are any comments.
Steve also informed the Board that he is working on a new 15 year lease agreement between the schools and parks to maintain the tennis courts at Middle School and the High School. This will be brought back to the Board in March for recommendations to renew lease agreement and proceed with the renovations.
Commissioner Hutter asked who would be responsible to see that the work is done on the tennis courts.
Steve stated that the schools will oversee the project because the tennis courts are on their property.
Chairperson Brown thanked Rita, Steve, and Commissioner Adamson for the hours spent on the pool project. A lot of time and work was spent on the project.
Chairperson Brown presented a proposed time line for the pool project, which is annex #4 to these minutes. This will be discussed further at the Wednesday night meeting.
Commissioner Hutter asked if a consultant is needed for the project.
Steve stated that a consultant is needed for the development of specifications, the bid process, and making sure everything fits well.
Rita asked if the Board was going to try and have the bath house done before opening this season? If so, we need to move quickly.
The Board authorized staff to proceed with the process of getting the improvements completed on the bathhouse for the next swim season.
Chairperson Brown recommended Larkin as the consultant, since they have done all the new pool facilities in Iowa. This will be decided at the Wednesday meeting.
The Board reviewed the request from the Scott County Humane Society to hold their annual doggie dash in Middle Park. The letter is annex #5 to these minutes.
Steve informed the Board that we already have other activities scheduled in the park, soccer and girls softball. They estimated 700 dogs and owners participating. There is not enough parking to accommodate that number of people.
The Board recommended the Scott County Humane Society look at a school site.
Chairperson Brown suggested Scott Community College. They have a two mile cross country trail and have plenty of parking.
All other staff reports are annex #6 to these minutes.
On motion by Adamson, seconded by Makoben, to adjourn at 4:55 p.m.
Brown (Chairperson)
Hutter (Vice Chairperson)
MINUTES
BETTENDORF PARK BOARD
SPECIAL MEETING
JANUARY 5, 1999
The Bettendorf Park Board held a special meeting on January 5, 1999, at the HDG Community Center in the Canteen Room at 7:00 p.m.
Present: Brown, Hutter, Adamson, Glenn, Makoben
Absent: None
Steve Grimes updated the Board on what has developed since the last discussion with the City Council on the progress of an aquatic facility. We knew the 7.2 million-dollar facility was not going to work and after numerous meetings with the subcommittee on down sizing the facility, and with the information received from Larkin on renovation costs of current pool; the options determined are as follows:
Larkin has determined three options with the current pool:
Minimum repairs of pool to keep in operation for a couple of years: $20,000
Complete renovation to bring up to code and make repairs for facility to remain in operation for 10-15 years: $800,000
To do above repairs and additional renovations to enhance the operation with some amenities: $1,700,000.
A report was received from Tim Downing, Architect, to renovate the bath house to make some improvements and bring it up to ADA compliance at a cost of $80,000. This alters above options as follows:
$100,000
$900,000
$1,800,000
Steve informed the Board that Williams Associates submitted re-estimates for the new aquatic facility at 3.9 million dollars today after comparing revised construction costs for the Quad City area.
Chairperson Brown reported after meeting with the staff and the subcommittee last week and discussing issues and reports received, she felt the Board has two options: Pursue the 3.9 million dollar facility or another option that was suggested by the staff at City Hall, would be to take the money that was set aside from the riverboat and use the 1.8 million needed to completely renovate the existing pool and use the balance to construct a four lane pool at the Life Fitness Center, which would address the indoor needs. Then perhaps the City and Park Board could start setting aside money over the next ten years for a new facility.
Commissioner Makoben was concerned about the location of the lap pool and how the humidity from the pool may effect other parts of the facility.
The Board received a copy of the drawing of the proposed lap pool and how it fits on the current facility. This drawing is annex #1 to these minutes.
Rita explained that the drawing was prepared by Leisure Services. The facility would have four 25 yard lanes with a six foot deck around it. A memo on how the lap pool would be utilized is annex #2.
Commissioner Hutter asked if the Board would decide to go with just fixing up the existing pool to get through a couple more years, can we still go with the lap pool at the Life Fitness Center?
Chairperson Brown stated that would be up to the City Council.
Commissioner Hutter stated that the community needs an indoor pool that can be used 12 months a year by all ages.
On motion by Hutter, seconded by Makoben, to pursue construction of a pool at the Life Fitness Center.
Roll call on motion: Ayes: Brown, Hutter, Adamson, Glenn, Makoben
Nays: None
Commissioner Adamson stated that it was his impression that the indoor pool was not a separate issue.
Commissioner Hutter stated that after going through all materials, he has a lot of questions and has difficulty making a decision on what to do for an outdoor pool, but has no doubts about the need for the indoor pool.
Commissioner Makoben stated that he is reading that the new pool is being thrown out.
Chairperson Brown stated that the City staff needs to be concerned with other issues, such as, downtown development, bonding, and they would like to see the money set aside ahead of time for the new pool facility.
Commissioner Makoben stated his concerns about going back to the Health Department year after year for permission to recycle the water and maintain water quality.
Steve explained that with the major renovations, these areas of concern will be corrected and also adds the: depth, water slides, and meet code for the diving area.
Rita explained that she felt comfortable with the 1.8 million dollar recommendation to completely renovate the existing pool and add amenities to attract more users for a facility that will be usable for the next ten years. She felt there was a commitment to replace the pool within the next ten years and a willingness to set aside the funds on an annual basis so there is a plan in place.
Commissioner Hutter stated that there is something that needs to be done to the existing pool. You can look at it and see there is something wrong. The consultants have reported that there is a great deal of water being lost.
Ms. Castro wanted to know what percentage of the Park Budget is spent on capital improvements.
She was told that approximately 20% of the budget is for CIP projects. However, the Board went many years without any CIP funding.
Pete Castro stated that there is a lose of three million gallons of water at the facility, each season, of which, two million gallons is recycled. Bettendorf is not unique to losing water. All pools in the area experience water lose. He also suggested increasing the admission fees to cover the loses experienced.
Rita explained that as long as the water quality is acceptable, the Health Department will allow recycling of the water. However, they can terminate this procedure at any time.
Steve stated if the renovation and added amenities are approved for the existing pool, we will be looking at increasing admission fees.
Mike Swartz stated that he moved to Bettendorf because of the facilities offered, such as, the Library and Learning Campus. He hopes that as a Park Board, you don't get talked out of getting a first class facility. If you are convinced about renovating the existing pool, go for it. But, you have the responsibility to give your best recommendation about what is appropriate for your community. He would hate to see the Park Board, giving anything less than the best most positive recommendation, because of how it will fit with everything else.
Chairperson Brown stated that the pool facility has been frustrating. We prefer to have the 3.9 million dollar pool, but due to other circumstances within the city, we have to look at other options.
Mr. Swartz stated that if you are saying 1.7 or 1.8 million dollars to get the community through the next ten years or 3.9 to get you through the next 30 years; that makes this plan more expensive than doing the new pool.
On motion by Makoben, seconded by Hutter, to recommend enhanced renovation of existing pool with consideration of budgeting for a new aquatic center as a cooperative effort with the City Council and Park Board in the future.
Roll call on motion: Ayes: Brown, Hutter, Adamson, Glenn, Makoben
Nays: None
Commissioner Hutter stated as a point of clarifications that the enhanced renovation comes from the Larkin Report.
On motion by Adamson, seconded by Hutter, to adjourn at 8:10 p.m.
Brown (Chairperson)
Hutter (Vice Chairman)
