DATE: July 17, TO: Marion Mayor & City Council

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1 DATE: July 17, 2018 TO: Marion Mayor & City Council Park Board Activity Request to Vend in Thomas Park: Gunardi Saputra and his two sons, ages 7 and 5, requested to sell lemonade in Thomas Park. Mr. Sapurtra is trying to teach his sons about money and business. The board considered his request and recommended they have their lemonade stand at the Marion Farmers Market at Taube Park. The boys will be donating the profits to the Linn-Mar School District. Birding Trail: Linn County Conservation Board member John Hanson, an avid bird watcher, presented Connected by Wings. On a recent trip to Norway, he met Tormod Amundsen who is also passionate about birding and an architect. Amundsen s company, Biotope, designs pro nature projects to draw people to experience nature and wildlife. Linn County is developing a scope of services to have Amundsen come to Linn County and design several bird hides (bird watching shelters). Hanson, a Marion resident, would like Marion to have a bird hide of its own. The board was receptive to the idea; staff will contact Linn County for more details. Butterfield Park Skate Park: Two skate park designs from Spohn Ranch were presented to the board. Both designs had elements of desire, but the Y shape layout was selected. Receive & File: The board received and filed a notice from Creekside Gardens, LC, giving notice they will not be renewing the flower bed maintenance service agreement for FY2019. Capital Improvement Projects: The fiscal year capital improvement projects were reviewed. Department Report General Park Maintenance & Construction Projects: The Park s operations staff have been busy this past month with mowing, trimming, trail repairs, cemetery grave repairs, ball field maintenance, playground maintenance and care of flower beds. Splashpad maintenance and repair was also performed. At the request of the Engineering Department, Park staff reworked and reseeded the entire 7 th Avenue and 7 th Street roundabout area. Work program projects included construction of concrete bag toss games to be installed on the old shuffle board court in Hanna Park. Work has begun on replacing the Cemetery Sexton House steps and repairing or replacing split rail fencing throughout the park system. Repairs to the City Hall entrance sign were started and repairs to a leaky McGowan House roof was completed. LED lights were installed to luminate the Prairie Revival art sculpture 1 P a g e

2 at Lowe Park. The walk bridge between the parking lots at the Lowe Arts and Environment facility was replaced with a 5-foot-wide sidewalk; the walk bridge was in poor condition and repairing was not an option. Final seeding and erosion control fabric was installed at Waldo s Rock Park. Skate Park: Geotechnical work has been completed at Butterfield Park for the new skate park. Test results have indicated that the first two feet of soils are not suitable for building the skate park on and will need to be removed. The department is currently working up a project to address this item. Two conceptual drawings for the skate park have been completed and will be reviewed at the July Park Board meeting. Lowe Park Development: General contractor Tricon Construction has submitted a construction schedule and plans to start utility work the second week of July. Prairie Pollinators: Four acres of prairie pollinator seed mix was drilled at Waldo s Rock Park as part of the 1,000 Acre Initiative commitment. Due to wet weather the 29 th Avenue basin seeding has been delayed. Citizen Requests Tree Issues: There were 26 citizen requests in June regarding right-of-way trees, and two cases regarding private trees. One private tree and eleven of the right-of-way tree issues were resolved. Citizen Requests Tall Grass and Weeds: There were 23 citizen contacts received about properties with tall grass and weeds in June. After the initial inspection, 2 did not require any follow-up, and 21 were sent certified letters. The department mowed 10 properties during the month and closed 44 cases. Oak Shade Cemetery: There were four burials and two spaces sold last month. Tree Grants: The Alliant Branching Out Grant was submitted for the Fall 2018 cycle. The project includes planting approximately 60 trees in the right-of-way along 35th Street between 29 th Avenue and 35 th Avenue. AmeriCorps: Between 10 to 20 AmeriCorps personnel spent three days doing conservation work at Faulkes Heritage Woods. The fourth public volunteer day hosted 25 attendants to complete a half-day of service. Tasks included trailhead and frontage cleanup, footpath clearing and improvements and invasive Japanese Barberry removal. Forestry Operations: Watering of trees has increased with the warmer weather. Multiple tree concerns were addressed resulting from June rain and high winds. Summer right-of-way tree maintenance has begun including removal of poor conditioned trees, Ash mitigation to lower susceptible population to EAB, and general trimming. Swimming Pool: Leak detection update, the Marion Water Department will assist with the repair of a leak on the return line to the filter room near the baby pool. Karlene is working on a scope of service for the pool inlet repair within the pool. 2 P a g e

3 The pool water heater hasn t been operational during June. It was determined the failure was due to improper fall maintenance and was not a manufacturing issue. The heat exchanger will be replaced the second week of July. The Marion Sharks Swim Team consists of 64 swimmers. Marion hosted a swim meet on June 19 and will host another in July. The season runs through July 21. Two sessions of swim lessons have been completed. Session 1, June 4 to 15, with evening classes, had 188 swimmers. Session 2, June 18 to 29, with morning classes, had 243 swimmers. This is 73 less swimmers compared to Youth Recreation Programs: PeeWee Baseball, Softball, and Blastball have had some rainouts and cancellations due to extreme heat warnings; this will push the season out an additional week. Currently July 17 will be the last day of games for baseball and softball, and July 26 for the 3- to 4-year-old Blastball. Little Kickers Kickball concluded after some make-up classes due to weather. The 32 kids, ages 3 to 4 learned how to play the game while having fun learning and socializing with other kids their own age Lil Chippers Golf wraps up on July 9 with a make-up class due to weather (rain and heat). There were 43 kids who participated in this growing program for kids ages 6 to 10 Summer Art Camp: Mr. Brandt s popular Summer Art Camp wrapped up the final sessions at the end of June. A total of 119 kids participated in this interactive camp at Lowe Park. Summer M.U.S.I.C. Camp: Eight campers took part in a week of M.U.S.I.C. (Movement, Understanding, Singing, Instruments, and Creating) which was held the last week in June. Ride to Wrigley: The 3 rd annual Ride to Wrigley chartered bus trip made it safely to Wrigley Field and back on June 20. It was beautiful day at the ballpark to take in a Cubs victory over the Dodgers. This program is done in partnership with the City of Hiawatha and the bus sold out for the 3 rd consecutive year. Sunrise Yoga: Sunrise Yoga continues to go strong at Lowe Park on Saturday mornings. This free community program is going on its 4 th summer already. Crowd sizes are typically ranging anywhere from 70 to over 100 participants. Program meets every Saturday morning (June to August) at 7:30 a.m. and is completely free to attend. 3 P a g e

4 Dogs of Society, The Ultimate Elton Rock Tribute: This dynamic group from the St. Louis area rocked the stage of the Klopfenstein Amphitheater at Lowe Park on June 23. An estimated crowd of 1,800 people were in attendance for the free concert. This concert was sponsored in part by the Marion Hotel/Motel Grant Program. Tennis: Youth and adult tennis begins the second session of the summer on July 9. Forty kids ranging from age 5 to adults are participating in this program held at Marion High School s Tennis Courts. UPCOMING Programs: Happy Feet Soccer begins July 10 at Butterfield Park for 3- to 4- year-olds. A total of 68 kids have registered across a morning and evening program. Lil Pigskins Football beings July 10 at Butterfield Park for 4- to 6-year-olds. A total of 39 kids have registered for the football camp which will be held in the morning and evening. Start Smart Lacrosse beings July 10 at Butterfield Park for 6- to 10-year-olds. A total of 20 kids have registered for the football camp which will be held in the morning and evening. ISU Day Camps will be held again in July. On July 10, Farm to Fork: Plant Detective, and on July 17, Farm to Fork: Food and Ag Connections. Both programs will be held at Lowe Park. Pianopalooza (Dueling Pianos) hits the Klopfenstein Amphitheater stage July 14. The free concert begins at 6 p.m. and is sponsored in part by the Marion Hotel/Hotel Grant Program. Arts Council: Parks Operations staff installed three lights around the Prairie Revival art sculpture at the Lowe Park entrance. The June 16 Picnic on the Prairie performer was Pieta Brown with around 200 people in attendance. The hot weather may have played a part in the lower than normal attendance. The fall Picnic on the Prairie will be August 18 featuring locals Bernemann Brothers. The art exhibit at The Gallery features works by the Vinton Artist Guild in the lobby and Gordon Kellenberger in the hallway. These can be viewed through June. The next exhibit is from Goodwill. Master Gardeners Report from Phil Pfister: We grew 5,208 flowers and vegetables this spring in the Lowe Park Greenhouse. The breakdown of where the plants are used is as follows: Plant sale: 717 individual blooming flowers and herbs, 81 hanging baskets, succulent gardens, patio pots and basket gardens. 871 tomato, pepper, eggplants and miscellaneous veggies. Donation: 310 tomatoes, 170 peppers, and some miscellaneous veggies. Donations were made to the Marion Food Pantry and community garden, HACAP for distribution to various food pantries, New Bo, Hiawatha Elementary, Marion High School, and to replace some Feed Iowa First tomatoes. Lowe Park Demo Gardens: 2,986 flowers, herbs, and succulents for the various demonstration gardens at Lowe Park. 48 tomatoes, and 21peppers, and 4 eggplants, representing all the varieties grown in the 4 P a g e

5 greenhouse, are growing in the raised beds at the greenhouse. Produce will be donated to HACAP for distribution to the food pantries, and used in the tomato, pepper tasting during the Swamp Fox Festival. Our thanks to all the Master Gardeners who have volunteered their time at the Lowe Park Greenhouse SAFE ROOM & ARTS CENTER USAGE JUNE Events with alcohol permits: 6 AV Equipment Rentals: 4 Some reservations use more than one room. Room Paid Free Safe Room 8 2 Amphitheater 0 9 Lobby/Gallery 0 3 Art Room 0 16 Sunburst Hickory White Oak 0 5 Red Oak 3 1 Red & White Oak Entire Facility 1 2 Outdoor (Pond) / Greenhouse MONTHLY TOTAL MONTHLY TOTAL Activity Type Monthly Usage Number of Attendees* Gallery Open / Arts Council Activities Seniors Bingo /Dance / Cards Parks / Recreation 31 1,446 Meetings / Work / School / Church Blood Drive 1 21 Family Gatherings / Showers Rehearsal/Wedding/Reception Graduation 19 2,420 Encore Café Kiwanis BBS Rendezvous 1 3,000 Cedar Rapids Municipal Band Concert Freedom Festival Bike Ride Yoga P a g e

6 Library Story Time Election MONTHLY TOTAL , MONTHLY TOTAL 108 9,457 *Art Gallery visitors not reflected. PAVILION RESERVATIONS JUNE Pavilion Free Paid TOTAL Attendance* English Thomas Park ,015 Begley #1 Thomas Park Begley #2 Thomas Park Hanna Park Depot - City Park ,585 Taube Park TOTALS , Totals ,248 Does not include attendees to: Farmers Market (Taube Park), Marion by Moonlight (Depot) Marion Community Band Concert (Depot), and Uptown Marion Market (Depot). Freedom Festival Picnic at Depot June 23 had 2,000 attendees. MARION PARK BOARD MINUTES June 13, 2018, 4:00 P.M. Thomas Park Administration and Operations Facility ROLL CALL: STAFF: Chair Amy Hussel, Patty Wise, Kyle Martin, Terry Speral, John McIntosh Mike Carolan, Karlene Hummel, Darcie Coberly Minutes: Moved by Wise and seconded by Martin to approve the May 9, 2018, regular Park Board minutes. All in favor, motion carried. Reports: The May Financial Report was reviewed. Moved by McIntosh and seconded by Speral to approve the May Financial Report. Staff noted overall revenues are ahead of budget and expenditures are under budget. All in favor, motion carried. The May Invoice Report was received, discussed, and filed. Staff reviewed payments made to Bjornsen Pond Mgt. ($1, for Waldo s Rock pond stocking), City Tractor ($41, for equipment repairs and two equipment purchases), Reinaldo Correa ($555 for the Prairie Revival sculpture final payment), Iowa Parks & Recreation Assoc. ($735 for the Spring Conference), Kirkwood Community College ($65 for staff training), P&K Midwest ($13, for equipment repairs and Z997R purchase), and Plumb Supply Co. ($183 for pool leak detection items). Public Input: None. Soccer Goal Bids: Bids were solicited for the purchase of three sets of replacement soccer goals; Spartan Athletic Co. $4,256.85, Net World Sports $5,099.96, Epic Sports $5,244.74, and BSN Sports $6, P a g e

7 Moved by Hussel and seconded by Speral to accept the bid from Spartan Athletic Co. to purchase three sets of replacement soccer goals in the amount of $4, All in favor, motion carried. Pool Water Heater: As the pool water heater was being primed for the season, water began leaking from the unit making the water heater non-usable for the season. Bids were solicited for the emergency replacement of the heat exchanger from Modern Piping in the amount of $20,943, and BG Brecke in the amount of $17,880. The water heater was purchased in Staff are reviewing the warranty and evaluating the cause of the leaks. On June 7, the City Council approved the heat exchanger replacement for the pool water heater and installation to be completed by BG Brecke for $17,880. Shipping will be around 20 days and the pool may be closed for two days during installation. Receive and File: Receive, file and discuss an from Amy Polfer regarding splash pad hours of operation. Carolan stated the posted hours of operation for the Thomas Park and Gill Park Splash Pads are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Last year the timers were extended by one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening but not officially announced. The extra water usage at both locations weighed heavily on the budget line item and Carolan directed the timers be set back to the posted hours for the start-up of this season. Water usage will be monitored over the next few weeks to see if the hours could be expanded yet this summer. Receive and file a thank you from Indian Creek Elementary PTO for a voucher donation, and a thank you from Stephanie & Joe McHale for staffs time dedicated to the mass swim lesson registration day in April. Other Items: The City Council will act on a request from the Residences at the Park, Home Owners Association to vacate the trail easement on their property. The easement was requested during the development stage, but with installation of a detention basin and sewer lines, the grade won t allow a trail to be installed. The easement is located between Cemar Court and the Boyson Trail. Carolan recently talked with Dennis Johnson regarding last summer s discussion of parkland donation near the Peg Pierce Softball Complex. Johnson indicated he will be talking with his family about the donation and then move forward from there. A sample of the poured in place surface material for the Lowe Park playground were shown to the board. Staff Report: The staff report was presented. The largest leak at the pool was located and blocked off. Other smaller leaks are still being chased. Locating and blocking the large leak will greatly reduce the water loss over the summer. Staff are putting together a repair project to be scheduled this fall. Board Discussion Time: McIntosh said he likes the Rotary clock near the Depot on 6 th Avenue. He also noted the food vendors at the BBQ Rendezvous indicated they didn t have a water source nearby. Carolan pointed out there is a hydrant at the back of the amphitheater they could have used. Hussel said the Hills Bank recognition bench at Lowe Park looks very nice. Martin has been selected as the chair of the Imaginext committee tasked with funneling the ideas not selected as the Big 4 to the appropriate people, departments, or groups. He indicated many ideas centered around the Parks Department and therefore he may be bringing some of these to the board. Wise indicated the Swamp Fox Festival has new people involved and some new events will be added to the festival this year. 7 P a g e

8 Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 4:43 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 11, 2018, at 4:00 p.m. at the Thomas Park Administration and Operations Building. Kyle Martin, Secretary MARION TREE BOARD MINUTES June 13, 2018 Thomas Park Safe Room ROLL CALL: ABSENT: STAFF: Chair Marilyn Tormey, Scott Hansen, Rodney Bluml, Mollie Lorenz, Tom Ryan, Sunshine McDonald Mark Sanderson Mike Cimprich, Pat Carlson Minutes: Motion by Lorenz and seconded by Bluml to approve the May 9, 2018 minutes. All in favor, motion carried. Financial Report: The financial report was received and filed. Cimprich advised the monies from the Rockwell Collins Green Communities grant award had been received and a plaque was completed for a memorial tree at Lowe Park. Action/Discussion Items: No receive and file items. Other action or discussion: To follow up on a question raised at a previous meeting, Cimprich reported he received an from Kesha Billings of planning advising the round-a-bout project at Seventh Street and Seventh Avenue has been accepted. Staff Report: Cimprich reported 20 trees were planted to complete the annual spring street tree replacement program. There were many citizens that declined the offer to have trees planted in the ROW of their property. Staff is in the process of removing smaller ash trees throughout the city. The detention basin at 29 th Avenue and Indian Creek has been cleared and will be over seeded with a pollinator mix. There were storm damage issues due to heavy wind and rain which required staff time for tree trimming and clean ups. During the One Day in May event there were 58 trees planted with the assistance of Marion High School students. AmeriCorps has work days scheduled at Faulkes Heritage Woods Wednesday, June 20 through Friday, June 22, with Saturday, June 23 as an opportunity for public volunteers to assist with clearing Barberries. Adjournment: Moved by McDonald and seconded by Lorenz to adjourn the meeting. All in favor, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:25 a.m. Next Meeting: The next meeting will be held Wednesday, July 11, 2018, 7:00 a.m. at the Thomas Park Safe Room. Rodney Bluml, Secretary 8 P a g e