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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.08.23 Parks and Rec Minutes Farmington Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes from the March 8, 2023 Regular Meeting Members Present: Katharine Caron, Ashley Crabtree, Katie Putt, and David McMillen Members Absent: Megan Merricks Other’s Present: Parks and Recreation Director Kellee Omlid, Parks and Facilities Supervisor Jeremy Pire, Recreation Supervisor Missie Kohlbeck, and Recreation Supervisor Emilee Shearer I. Call Meeting to Order Chair Putt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Quorum was present. II. Approval of March 8, 2023 Meeting Agenda Moved by Caron and seconded by Crabtree to approve the meeting agenda. All persons in favor (APIF). Motion carried. III. Approval of February 8, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes Moved by McMillen and seconded by Crabtree to approve the meeting minutes with no revisions. APIF. Motion carried. IV. Presentations A. Public Comments There were no public comments shared at the meeting. B. Parks and Recreation Department 2022 Annual Report Parks and Facilities Supervisor Pire, Recreation Supervisor Kohlbeck, and Recreation Supervisor Shearer presented the 2022 annual report. McMillen thanked staff for the presentation and thought the format was easy to understand and navigate. Crabtree asked if the department was fully staffed. Director Omlid said we are fully staffed now, but the Arena and Parks Maintenance Worker is retiring April 28. Interviews are Monday for this position. Crabtree mentioned staff has been doing a good job plowing the trails. It was asked if all parks are adopted. Jim Bell Park and Preserve was recently adopted, so have five park remaining to adopt including Prairie Pines. Crabtree inquired how archery was going. Recreation Supervisor Shearer stated she met with one of the archery instructors from Lakeville and he is interested in teaching in Farmington. The equipment investment is approximately $4,000, so looking for grants to apply for. V. Business Items A. Parks and Facilities Tour with Rambling River Center Advisory Board and City Council Director Omlid provided an overview of the parks and facilities tour with the Rambling River Center Advisory Board and City Council. The Rambling River Center Advisory Board at its February 13, 2023 meeting discussed the tour and preferred to have it August 23 or 30. Director Omlid discussed with City Administrator Gorski and the preferred date is August 30. Moved by Caron and seconded by McMillen for the parks and facilities tour with the Rambling River Center Advisory Board and City Council to be Wednesday, August 30 at 6 p.m. APIF. Motion carried. VI. Discussion Items A. Fall Food Truck Event with Empire Parks and Recreation Commission Director Omlid provided an overview of the fall food truck event with Empire Parks and Recreation Commission. The Farmington High School Homecoming week won’t be set until sometime in May when the Minnesota State High School League releases the football schedule for the next two years. There was discussion if waiting until May would be too late to secure food trucks. The consensus was Friday, September 8 at Stelzel Ball Fields in Empire was the best option. Director Omlid will reach out to the City of Empire regarding the date and will bring the information to the April meeting. There was discussion regarding incorporating a food drive for the food shelf into the event. B. Bike Pedestrian Plan Priorities Director Omlid reviewed the bike plan priorities completed in 2022 and items staff is currently working on including Safe Routes to School Plans and partnering with Dakota County to hire a consultant to develop 30% design plans for the trail gap on the west side of Pilot Knob Road and a trail on the east side of Pilot Knob Road from CSAH 50 to CR 64 (195th St.). Commissioner Crabtree recommended to wait on identifying priorities until the results of the Pavement Condition Index ratings of the trail segments are completed, which is by July 15, 2023. Commissioners Caron, Putt, and McMillen agreed with this approach. C. Review 2023 Work Plan Progress Chair Putt reviewed the progress of the goals and objectives of the 2023 work plan. VII. Commission Roundtable Crabtree: Didn’t have anything to share. Caron: Didn’t have anything to share. Putt: Mentioned the snow pile on the corner of Pilot Knob Road and 203rd Street is too high to see around the corner for oncoming traffic. Asked whose responsibility it is to move the snow. Feedback was it is Dakota County’s responsibility. McMillen: Asked when the Arts and Crafts Fundraiser for the Rambling River Center is. It is Saturday, May 6 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Schmitz-Maki Arena. Merricks: N/A VIII. Staff Report/Updates Director Omlid provided information on the following: A. Park Dedication Study The park dedication study was approved by city council. HKGi will be leading the study. The first work session with parks and recreation, planning commission, and city council is April 3 at 5 p.m. at City Hall. B. Rambling River Park Master Plan At their meeting Monday, city council approved the Professional Services Agreement with HKGi to develop an updated master plan for Rambling River Park. The public engagement plan includes meetings with stakeholders (Dakota County, Farmington Area Veteran’s Memorial Committee, Farmington School District, baseball and softball organizations, and skateboard community) and residents (survey and open house at Rambling River Park). The plan is to be completed by September 30. C. Emerald Ash Borer in Parks The Natural Resource Specialist applied for a MN DNR Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) grant for the parks. The maximum award is $50,000 through a competitive grant application process. The request was $42,000 to remove park ash trees and replant a diverse mix of tree species by spring 2025. EAB was discussed at the city council work session Monday. Staff was to determine approximately how many ash trees are along the trails. D. Economic Development Initiative – Community Project Funding Staff met with Dakota County CDA regarding them completing the Environmental Review (ER). No money from the grant can be spent until the ER is completed. The CDA thought they could do this in late April / early May and it would take about one month to complete. Staff is waiting to hear from the CDA on the cost to do the ER; grant funding can be used to pay for this. E. Fiber Projects in Parks Hiawatha Broadband Communications (HBC) is coming to Farmington. They agreed to run fiber to the parks, which includes free WiFi. The cost per WiFi location will be $10 a month. The city is responsible to provide electricity and a pole to mount the equipment including a security camera and light. F. Shade Structure for Flagstaff Meadows Park In 2019, a shelter was installed at Prairie Pines Park with the shelter costing $20,300 and installation for $14,700 for a total of $35,000. A quote for the same shelter for Flagstaff Meadows Park is $38,270 for the shelter and installation it $26,940 for a total of $65,210. Staff received two quotes for shade structures with custom sails that would provide shade for four and six picnic tables. The shade structures with installation are $52,295.40 and $56,098.21 respectively. Staff is waiting on a quote for shade structures from a third vendor. IX. Meeting Agenda Topics The following items were tentatively identified by the commission for its April 12, 2023 meeting agenda: 1. City Property Naming Policy 2. Fall Food Truck Event with City of Empire Parks and Recreation Commission 3. 2024 – 2028 Capital Improvement Fund for Park Improvement Fund X. Adjournment Moved by McMillen and seconded by Crabtree 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