HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-09-24-Work Session Minutes_Joint Park Board MeetingWAUKEE CITY COUNCIL AND PARK BOARD
JOINT WORK SESSION MEETING
September 24,2012
A)Call to Order -The joint work session meeting of the Waukee City Council and Park Board was
called to order by Mayor Pro Tem Blanchard at 6:02 p.m.at Waukee City Hall.
B)Roll Call by City Council -The following were present:Council Members Shane Blanchard,Dan
Dutcher,Shelly Hughes.Absent:Mayor William F.Peard;Council Members Casey L.Harvey,Mike
Watts.
C)Roll Call by Park Board -The following were present:Board Members Chris Andrews,Todd
Dohrmann,Matt Hackett,Brian Harrison,Brian Hughes,Ethan Owens,Jerry Slagter,Robin Spear,
Troy Taylor.Absent:None.
Also present:Interim City Administrator Brad Deets,Director of Finance Linda Burkhart,Parks and
Recreation Director Matt Jermier,Recreation Supervisor Josh VandeKamp,Recreation Supervisor
Sheri Penney,Deputy City Clerk Rebecca D.Schuett.
D)Agenda Approval by City Council -Council Member Dutcher moved to approve the agenda;
seconded by Council Member Hughes.Results of vote:Ayes:Blanchard,Dutcher,S.Hughes.
Nays:None.Absent:Harvey,Watts.Motion carried 3 -0 -2.
E)Agenda Approval by Park Board -Results of vote:Ayes:Andrews,Dohrmann,Hackett,Harrison,
B.Hughes,Owens,Slagter,Spear,Taylor.Nays:None.Motion carried 9 -O.
F)Discussion:
1)Recreation programs update -Parks and Recreation Director Jermier presented on
recreation programs,including program participation,festivals,shelter rentals,Eagle Scout
projects,golf course revenues and leagues,trail signage and status,and implementation of the
Parks-Recreation-Open Space Comprehensive Plan.Council Member Blanchard asked about
adding Granny Basketball to the senior citizens'programs;Mr.Jermier replied that basketball
facilities were difficult to secure and finance.Mr.Jermier noted that the Parks and Recreation
Department has been fielding requests to add programs for special needs children and that
staff was considering the matter.Council Member Blanchard asked if the addition of a fall girls'
softball league would lead to fewer teams in the spring;Mr.Jermier replied in the negative.
Council Member Hughes asked about the most immediate need for the Parks and Recreation
Department;Mr.Jermier replied that facilities were most needed,followed by staffing -
specifically,a Parks and Recreation receptionist.There was much discussion regarding the
procedures for ballfield reservations,including possible rental fees.
Board Member Andrews stated that Waukee was significantly behind other metro communities
in parks and recreation facilities and asked how such concerns ranked as a priority for the City,
specifically development of the Copeland Recreation and Sports Complex.Council Member
Blanchard replied that nothing was moving forward with the complex due to lack of funds for
development and that the City needed to explore other possibilities in the short term.Board
Member Hughes noted the distance between Waukee and the Copeland Recreation and Sports
Complex property,asking if the complex was the priority it once had been.Council Member
Dutcher responded that the City cannot sell the complex property for more than it was
purchased by contract and that it was good to keep the property with a long-term development
goal.He agreed that the City should explore the purchase of parkland closer to the city limits,
but that such land would come at a premium and would still need to be developed.He
concluded that the Alice's Road Corridor project would require a great deal of City funding and
that development along that corridor would hopefully generate enough tax dollars to allow for
parkland development.Board Member Slagter expressed the opinion that people would
willingly drive out to the Copeland Recreation and Sports Complex in order to use the facilities,
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as they already drive significant distances to take part in sports programs.Board Member
Andrews agreed,adding that the City should appoint a task force to explore funding options to
develop the complex property.Board Member Hughes stated that money would be wasted
simply providing utilities to the complex property.Council Member Blanchard replied that park
and recreation facilities were not meant to be moneymakers for the City and expressed interest
in a funding task force.There was much discussion on funding possibilities and the
membership of a funding task force,with both the City Council and Park Board agreeing that
the Park Board would act as the task force.
Council Member Hughes suggested working with the City of West Des Moines to purchase and
develop a joint park and recreation complex;Mr.Jermier noted possible issues with such a
proposal,including divisions of use and maintenance of a jointly-owned complex.Council
Member Hughes also noted that she had received correspondence from Scott Koch with the
Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau,who has offered to meet with the City to
discuss parks and recreation facility development;Mr.Jermier agreed to contact Mr.Koch
about the matter.
2)Parks update -There was some discussion on Waukee's responsibility regarding upkeep of
the Walnut Creek Little League facility,with Director of Finance Burkhart explaining that the
facility was not in Waukee and therefore not within the City's taxing jurisdiction.
G)Adjournment by Park Board -Board Member Slagter moved to adjourn;seconded by Board
Member Owens.Ayes:All.Nays:None.Motion carried 9 -O.
H)Adjournment by City Council-Council Member Blanchard moved to adjourn;seconded by
Council Member Hughes.Ayes:All.Nays:None.Motion carried 3 -O.Meeting adjourned at 7:20
p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
R.Schuett,Deputy City Clerk
Attest:
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