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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.08.23 Parks and Rec Minutes Farmington Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes from the February 8, 2023 Regular Meeting Members Present: Katharine Caron, Ashley Crabtree, Megan Merricks, Katie Putt, and David McMillen Members Absent: Other’s Present: Parks and Recreation Director Kellee Omlid I. Call Meeting to Order Chair Caron called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Quorum was present. II. Introduction of New Parks and Recreation Commission Member Megan Merricks introduced herself to the commission. Commission members introduced themselves and welcomed Megan to the parks and recreation commission. III. Approval of February 8, 2023 Meeting Agenda Moved by Crabtree and seconded by Putt to approve the meeting agenda. All persons in favor (APIF). Motion carried. IV. Approval of January 11, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes Moved by McMillen and seconded by Crabtree to approve the meeting minutes with no revisions. APIF. Motion carried. V. Presentations A. Public Comments There were no public comments shared at the meeting. VI. Business Items A. Chair and Vice-Chair Elections Chair Caron asked for nominations for the chair position. Crabtree nominated Putt for the chair position and seconded by McMillen. APIF. Motion carried. Newly elected Chair Putt asked for nominations for the vice-chair position. Caron nominated McMillen for vice-chair and seconded by Putt. APIF. Motion carried. B. Park Dedication Study Director Omlid provided an overview of park dedication and park development fees. The city has an ordinance that pertains to dedicating lands for parks, trails, and open space. This ordinance was last amended in its entirety in 2003. Several text amendments were made to the ordinance in 2005 and 2007. Since there has been confusion with certain aspects and language in the ordinance and it hasn’t been fully reviewed in 20 years, staff reached out to HKGi to complete a park dedication study for the city. The study includes two joint work sessions with the planning commission and city council. Moved by Caron and seconded by Crabtree to approve the park dedication study and recommend city council approve a contract with HKGi to complete a park dedication study for the city. APIF. Motion carried. C. Rambling River Park Master Plan Proposal Draft Director Omlid provided an overview of the joint work session with parks and recreation commission and city council where consensus was to focus on Rambling River Park and the trails. Staff met with Dakota County staff to see what their interest and involvement would be in the process to update the master plan for Rambling River Park. Staff then met with HKGi to discuss scope and process to update the master plan. The proposal was included in the meeting packet. Commission members recommended more community input and earlier in the process. Commission asked if the improvements would be funded through referendum or bonds. At this point, the funding source hasn’t been identified. Adding pickleball courts and a skateboard park to the park system are priorities for the commission. Moved by McMillen and seconded by Crabtree to recommend city council approve updating the master plan for Rambling River Park. APIF. Motion carried. VII. Discussion Items A. Review Open Meeting Law The commission reviewed the open meeting law information from the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC). Director Omlid reviewed the reasons why meetings of public bodies must generally be open to the public and the responsibilities of commission members regarding the open meeting law. Director Omlid stated the best course of action is to discuss city business at the meetings and call staff with questions and/or if you need more information. B. Review Parks and Recreation Commission Bylaws The commission reviewed the parks and recreation commission bylaws. Commissioners Crabtree and McMillen were on the commission in 2020 when the bylaws were created and approved by both the parks and recreation commission and city council. They were developed to hold members accountable as a few members wouldn’t show up for meetings leaving the commission without a quorum. There weren’t rules in place to dismiss a commissioner due to missing multiple meetings. The bylaws will be reviewed annually in February as new members start their term in February. Merricks won’t be at the March meeting as she has a work trip. C. Review 2023 Work Plan Progress Chair Putt reviewed the progress of the goals and objectives of the 2023 work plan. VIII. Commission Roundtable Crabtree: Didn’t have anything to share. Caron: Didn’t have anything to share. Putt: Didn’t have anything to share. McMillen: Asked about plowing the trail on the east side of Pilot Knob Road. Director Omlid said parks maintenance staff plows the trail on the west side of Pilot Knob Road from 197th St. W. to 180th St. W. McMillen asked about the status of the grant the Rambling River Center received. Director Omlid said staff is waiting for an email from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with next steps. Merricks: Didn’t have anything to share. A question was asked about the status of the passenger van for the Rambling River Center. Director Omlid stated all the funds for the van have been raised, but don’t have a date for build and delivery. There was discussion on the fall food truck event and the date for homecoming. Director Omlid will follow-up with the athletic director from Farmington High School. IX. Staff Report/Updates Director Omlid provided information on the following: A. Outdoor Rinks and Warming Houses The outdoor rinks and warming houses have been going well. There have been a few days closed due to weather. Seasonal staff is scheduled through February 20, which is President’s Day. If the ice is good and weather cooperates, staff would look to extend the warming houses being opened as opened later in December 2022 than planned. B. North Creek Greenway Trail Project Final design of the trail is nearly complete. The goal is authorization and advertisement of the project in February, award the project in March, and construction starting in May through 2024. C. Farmington Currents Spring Edition Copies of the spring edition of the Farmington Currents were delivered to city hall today and should be in homes by February 13. D. 30% Design for Trails on Pilot Knob Road Staff is waiting for proposals from two engineering firms on 30% design plans for the trail gap on the west side of Pilot Knob Road and new trail on the east side of Pilot Knob Road from CSAH 50 to 195th St. This will be a city led project with support from Dakota County. E. Youth Sports Plus at Schmitz-Maki Arena Staff learned about a Coaching Video Service the Farmington High School Varsity Coaches were interested in having installed at the Schmitz-Maki Arena. Youth Sports Plus installed a mobile hot spot and camera at the Arena to offer the Coaching Video Service. Youth Sports Plus also offers live streaming services for games and practices. However, live streaming services weren’t included as the only fiber running into the Arena is the city’s and access can’t be provided to a 3rd party vendor to use the internet services on those lines. The mobile hot spot works well for high school and youth games for analysis, but fiber works best for the live streams. X. Meeting Agenda Topics The following items were tentatively identified by the commission for its March 8, 2023 meeting agenda: 1. XI. Adjournment Moved by Caron and seconded by McMillen to adjourn the meeting. APIF. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:28 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Kellee Omlid Parks & Recreation Director and Recording Secretary