[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6071047,"mediaKeyId","3048183-4c5be8c1976ce0b0e022c2a8bb65ded5","parentId",3048183,"title","Votes at a glance: meeting opened, approval of minutes sought and meeting adjourned","audioSeconds",1342,"startMs",7680,"endMs",1349825,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048183-4c5be8c1976ce0b0e022c2a8bb65ded5&start=7&end=1349","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048183-4c5be8c1976ce0b0e022c2a8bb65ded5/thumbnail_7680.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6071047/Iowa-City/Johnson-County/Iowa/Votes-at-a-glance-meeting-opened-approval-of-minutes-sought-and-meeting-adjourned","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071047-b8d8b3a8ace860010cf689878bbcfd2c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771024316&Signature=DAJnFSZv14YwGqliaTYxjBikIoqJ7JV~831NV~aImvVEhFpMECsm3uKt6gLHpr7ddzdP4dmm3APzmbdWLbuLCOfI7Fnc8Bz3-wIKxYc9QbpRtrttx-UarLnIPsjpuPNsN8xGNh7y501lrgpNgHwdos9i3ZZIIRRc0P91CCOvQ7WjvJRLF~BwViPhNNMtTBGM5uJ175QHu1EAIEYzPYD5ml7WJmv2VadUuQ4wv65yFW1yG1uZoXmf~vfu9ryU~vCj62u~RX-ZrTU4lloJv8M~i7UAMR7LTsrDSbf1fOC1DU-Bm1kzRRc9vxOCIFh6ZwRTlElMaut5opobG75BArf8cw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Iowa City ","date","2025-03-12T00:00:00Z","article","The Parks & Recreation Commission opened the Feb. 12 meeting and called for approval of the Jan. 8 minutes. A second was recorded; the transcript does not include a recorded vote tally or an explicit outcome for that motion.

Later in the meeting, a commissioner moved to adjourn and a second was recorded; the chair announced the meeting adjourned.

Votes at a glance
- Motion: Approve Jan. 8 minutes. Mover: not specified. Second: recorded. Vote tally: not specified. Outcome: not specified in transcript.
- Motion: Adjourn meeting. Mover: not specified. Second: recorded. Vote tally: not specified. Outcome: meeting adjourned (announcement recorded).

Procedural context: The transcript records the motions and seconds but does not provide named movers for the motions or a roll-call vote on the minutes. The adjournment was announced after a motion and second.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Iowa City Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of March 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission called the meeting to order, sought approval of Jan. 8 minutes (no recorded outcome in the transcript) and later moved to adjourn. The adjournment motion was moved, seconded and the meeting ended.","taxTitle","Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa","taxId",4187,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6071051,"Commission raises website navigation concerns as city works toward ADA compliance",168,835275,1003935,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048183-4c5be8c1976ce0b0e022c2a8bb65ded5&start=835&end=1003","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048183-4c5be8c1976ce0b0e022c2a8bb65ded5/thumbnail_835275.jpg","/articles/6071051/Iowa-City/Johnson-County/Iowa/Commission-raises-website-navigation-concerns-as-city-works-toward-ADA-compliance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071051-99240ca861117aad93669900bf447d5d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771024316&Signature=k9uFKxgRkpabs45YI9SEof~gwkbOZPFZ~HMCu7Eg-GSjQfWXKqwGfg9Rf13dFeaUu7oytYqVn6~jpr2h7AuZmO9Op8JtSMCONY7~zP9IEa03KJqDNYiuYCbZa9QbQD7p5V3-ULPGI-u8qJp7q9OdGWXsK3Q9ytAbviVtz4TbqKNfR6cAnoaEpk-yaJ1HJEs~jImZgOIKJi0rehbfvAv7E7fVplwgWGTZGYQXVqIgVt1nWpEMa~~2pgVjDyHa5wPv~5PgmY2VzMPvcrZ~X5zB-HGV6D8j1hZTP6vZ107RUHMDAEOz7Eb0Kz4qh0N~WDqHovyTVaAY3EWfnAqW8sdhkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A commissioner asked at the Feb. 12 Parks & Recreation Commission meeting whether the city solicits public input on website navigation and when the site was last rebuilt; city communications staff said the site was overhauled two to three years ago and that the city is now working to ensure linked pages and documents meet ADA requirements ahead of an April 2026 deadline.

The commissioner said residents report the city website can be difficult to navigate and asked whether the parks department receives and forwards specific feedback. A parks staff member said department pages are updated by Parks & Recreation but that the overall website platform and design are managed by the city communications division in the city manager’s office.

Brad, who the meeting identified as a communications staff member, said the city is being proactive: “April 2026, I believe, is when all municipal, state, and federal websites have to be fully ADA compliant,” and that the communications team is working to ensure PDFs and linked documents are accessible and that third-party vendors are brought into compliance when necessary.

Staff said that some site navigation issues can be addressed at the department page level and encouraged commissioners to gather specific examples of where residents experience difficulty. The communications staff added they do not expect a full redesign immediately and estimated the next overhaul may be several years away.

What’s next
Commissioners said they will try to collect specific examples of navigability problems to share with staff. Parks staff suggested phone and in-person assistance remain available for residents who cannot use the site to register for programs or access information.","A commissioner asked how the city collects public input on website usability; city communications staff said an overhaul occurred a few years ago and that the city is working to make linked documents and pages ADA-compliant ahead of an April 2026 deadline.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6071056,"Iowa City parks report: arborist certifications, pruning, prescribed burns and Ashton House improvements",295,148290,444205,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048183-4c5be8c1976ce0b0e022c2a8bb65ded5&start=148&end=444","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048183-4c5be8c1976ce0b0e022c2a8bb65ded5/thumbnail_148290.jpg","/articles/6071056/Iowa-City/Johnson-County/Iowa/Iowa-City-parks-report-arborist-certifications-pruning-prescribed-burns-and-Ashton-House-improvements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071056-27e0a145d902c2e3476c317fde33b93b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771024316&Signature=cz7P6oRRw0FZ7LSFC2eZLKcWFpGH78ieF3Vvjp-gOT8uOSz8xvP7sASKckOYrKhPyPBHfw8RuN-A1UhI-kJc5Pxg3vKl84UXQ51oU9H4v2SmvIVmf7Y3pE4WSS~x8~jlWV3o52VSyQYk7zK-r7NYkFgqUaR4jjeIRtU13whKAOmlY3kQX6hb5kUhmDediP7p-xDw9y4nHURpkCJ34BdDdXLssvGeWoTEzDftK85rEByOhXpNoM56TXvg0i6RQ-oi2zXyMFpRO81c88xu6nXQ~u~8X0d9-9yCj2WZ6AWZCn-X14SvDUbHk6KlOPppD7smUXghL3WTGZmgE9vuZvn1Vg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Iowa City parks staff told the Parks & Recreation Commission on Feb. 12 that the department has grown its professional certifications, completed winter pruning on thousands of street trees, started prescribed burns to manage prairies and put an Ashton House Grounds REAP-funded project out to bid.

Staff said the department now has 10 International Society of Arboriculture-certified arborists among forestry and parks staff, and that Alex, the assistant superintendent of parks, recently became a certified parks and recreation professional through the National Recreation and Park Association. The commission heard that staff pruned about 2,000 street trees this winter to guide young growth and avoid future problems.

The department also reported the building that hosts parks operations will receive a new roof shortly; staff said they have obtained the go-ahead and expect the work to take a few days.

Prescribed burns and prairie management
Parks staff said they have started small prescribed burns, including three areas in Hickory Hill Park on the first burn day, and that additional burns took place the following day where conditions allowed. Staff emphasized that burns are scheduled only in appropriate weather windows and are conducted by trained personnel to reduce risk and benefit prairie quality.

Ashton House Grounds REAP project
Staff described an Ashton House Grounds project funded by a REAP grant that is out to bid and estimated at about $200,000. The work includes a spur from a bike trail toward the river with the city’s first bird blind, a fire pit in a less wooded area, an accessible trail connection and features such as a bike fix station, benches and bike racks.

Garden plots and memorial benches
Parks staff said garden plots are popular: the city manages 271 plots across four parks and has renewed 214 (about 80%). Renewals open to the public on March 18 for remaining plots. The commission also discussed the memorial bench program; staff said the program accepts donations for benches and plaques, is limited by staff capacity (10–12 benches per year) and is currently filled for the year.

Volunteer features and Water Works Park
A commissioner asked about tree swallow houses at Water Works Park; staff said those structures were installed by a community volunteer and may not have been replaced this season because the volunteer may be unavailable. Staff suggested contacting Tyler for volunteer coordination.

What’s next
The Ashton House project is out to bid; staff will evaluate responses and return with recommendations. Parks staff said they will continue planned pruning, burns and park maintenance and will publicize garden plot availability on March 18.","Parks staff told the commission they now have 10 certified arborists on staff, conducted extensive winter pruning, began prescribed burns at Hickory Hill Park, will replace the building roof and have a REAP-funded Ashton House project out to bid for about $200,000. Staff also gave garden-plot and memorial bench updates.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6071060,"Iowa City leaves City Park Pool bids open as design tweaks and staffing questions continue",738,27540,766399,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048183-4c5be8c1976ce0b0e022c2a8bb65ded5&start=27&end=766","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048183-4c5be8c1976ce0b0e022c2a8bb65ded5/thumbnail_27540.jpg","/articles/6071060/Iowa-City/Johnson-County/Iowa/Iowa-City-leaves-City-Park-Pool-bids-open-as-design-tweaks-and-staffing-questions-continue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071060-6ecbefc47f3d8dc91b7210cf01519a8e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771024316&Signature=fiwsp49b8Ar~znmS93p1m2yNrcENbE7VTLefnEhzuETFZ1CcPSNuUix6wkgTBBJOLcYnZDWMCUUO-s5b1yPmwuDh2icE1kndW8Oslp4nmCH~ozIRJ3LdzzmwWKe3j4C~A4s1Tb1l8GqLXoNXdz~CjV1ftmVx6BFU5YEKoByJJFOknhfNYF11U1Y7PoDJx92kq49ZsxLQ9I-28g0z4ZJ9HQgaiFl7FjTRgXSifpbrP2ZsjVd8eFMYvMuAlGtuLbylA0KsqRW5k3itC5wrpwzr-5yMjyqYaAEr2E0jQCJzjN62KCOqtuqrVsQBfmHc8uaeVA3ba7OdCkg9O3wsFKt~jQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Iowa City parks staff said bids for the City Park Pool renovation are due next week and that the approved design has been mirrored and split from the council-approved concept, but officials cautioned uncertainty remains over final costs and staffing needs.

The update came during the Feb. 12 Parks & Recreation Commission meeting when a staff member said the pre-bid meeting drew about nine general contractors and several subcontractors despite a winter storm, and that bids are due “a week from next Tuesday.” The staff member added, “fingers crossed,” and said crews have kept the existing City Park Pool infrastructure in place so the city can reassess if bids are too high or if responses are insufficient.

Why it matters: The city said it is keeping options open because national factors — including tariffs and labor availability for seasonal construction crews — could push bids above budget. That uncertainty affects whether the city will proceed, re-bid or return to the drawing board.

Commissioner question and design change
A commissioner asked how much the design had changed from the council-approved plan. The staff member said the council had approved “design A with the option of splitting the pool,” and that the current plan flips the layout into a mirror image and, aside from the split, keeps lane counts and general sizes “not significantly” changed.

Staffing and seasonal operations
Parks staff also connected the construction timeline to hiring plans. Kaylee, identified in the meeting as the program supervisor, said the department has been accepting lifeguard applications but is holding off on mass hiring until the city knows whether City Park Pool will be available this coming season. Kaylee said the department expects to know more by March or early April and is positioning itself to pivot to a larger hiring push if the project proceeds.

Pool closures and certification
Staff reported two recent pool closures at the Robert E. Lee pool after incidents that forced the facility to be closed for at least 24 hours for treatment. A parks staff member said that under the new City Park Pool layout — which will have multiple pools — a contamination in one pool would not require shutting the entire facility.

The commission also discussed lifeguard training. A commissioner asked whether the city is Red Cross-certified for lifeguard training; staff replied that Iowa City is a Red Cross provider.

What’s next
Bids for the City Park Pool project are due the week following the Feb. 12 meeting; staff said they will evaluate responses and may re-bid if results are unsatisfactory. The department also said it will signal hiring needs once the city has a clearer construction outcome.

Votes at this meeting related to the pool were procedural and did not decide the contract. No final construction contract award was recorded during the meeting.","City parks staff said bids for the City Park Pool renovation are due next week and that the design has been mirrored and split from the version approved by council. Staff warned bids could vary widely because of tariffs, labor and other federal changes, and described contingency plans and staffing implications for lifeguards and seasonal hires.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: meeting opened, approval of minutes sought and meeting adjourned

Commission raises website navigation concerns as city works toward ADA compliance

Iowa City parks report: arborist certifications, pruning, prescribed burns and Ashton House improvements

Iowa City leaves City Park Pool bids open as design tweaks and staffing questions continue