HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.12.23 Parks and Rec Minutes Farmington Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes from the April 12, 2023 Regular Meeting
Members Present: Katharine Caron, Ashley Crabtree, Katie Putt, Megan Merricks, and David McMillen
Members Absent:
Other’s Present: Parks and Recreation Director Kellee Omlid and Finance Director Chris Regis
I. Call Meeting to Order
Chair Putt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Quorum was present.
II. Approval of April 12, 2023 Meeting Agenda
Moved by McMillen and seconded by Caron to approve the meeting agenda. All persons in favor (APIF).
Motion carried.
III. Approval of March 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. City Budget and Funding Sources Presentation
Finance Director Regis did a presentation on the city’s budget including fund types and revenue
sources and expenditures.
V. Business Items
A. Parks and Recreation Commission Group Photo
A group photo of the commission was taken in council chambers. The photo will be used for
public purposes including on the city’s website and in the parks and recreation department’s
annual report.
B. Fall Food Truck Event with Empire Parks and Recreation Commission
Director Omlid provided an update that the City of Empire Parks and Recreation Commission
discussed and approved the date of September 8, 2023 for the fall food truck event at Stelzel
Ball Fields. Commission member Crabtree volunteered to contact the food trucks again for the
fall. Moved by Merricks and seconded by Caron to hold the fall food truck event September 8,
2023 in Empire at Stelzel Ball Fields and for Commission Member Crabtree to contact food
trucks to see if they are interested in participating. APIF. Motion carried.
VI. Discussion Items
A. Review City Property Naming Policy
The commission reviewed the city property naming policy in the event there are
opportunities for naming amenities after donors for the Rambling River Park Improvements.
Chair Putt remembered the discussion from the Sunny Hills Park naming process regarding
eliminating a step in the naming process. From the City Property Naming Policy: “2. Once a
list of possible names is compiled, the PRC will narrow the list of possible names (the RRCAB
will narrow names associated with the Rambling River Center and will forward the narrowed
list to PRC) to no more than five but no less than three possible names. 3. At the next
regularly scheduled meeting of PRC will select a name for the city property and make a
recommendation to the City Council to officially approve the name.” The discussion was to
narrow and select a name in the same meeting. Director Omlid will refer to the minutes to
see what the discussion was.
B. Review Joint Work Session with City Council and Planning Commission
The commission reviewed the joint work session with city council and the planning
commission on park dedication. Commission thought HKGi presented the park dedication
information well and had a better understanding of the topic after the meeting. The work
session went off topic at times. Commission discussed the city can’t afford to keep putting
in new parks and/or to replace amenities and should look to develop more community
parks.
C. Jim Bell Park and Preserve Master Plan & Park System Analysis
Commission reviewed the draft report of the Jim Bell Park and Preserve Master Plan and
Park System Analysis. There was discussion regarding adding specific amenities to the park
system. The commission referenced Antlers Park in Lakeville and having larger shelters or
shade structures to host big events or picnics. Adding Wi-Fi to the park system is going to
be a game changer and an asset for park visitors.
D. Review 2023 Work Plan Progress
Chair Putt reviewed the progress of the goals and objectives of the 2023 work plan.
VII. Commission Roundtable
Crabtree: Asked about golf lessons not being offered this summer at Southern Hills Golf Course.
Director Omlid mentioned Southern Hills currently does not have a golf pro on staff to teach the lessons.
Staff reached out to Fountain Valley Golf Course to see if they wanted to partner on golf lessons, but
didn’t receive a response from them. Didn’t know about Parents Night Out program that was offered in
the spring. Director Omlid mentioned it will be offered again this summer and will do a better job of
promoting.
Caron: Didn’t have anything to share.
Putt: Mentioned the registration website wasn’t user friendly and difficult to navigate. Director Omlid
said the city will be migrating to a new recreation management software in fall 2023.
McMillen: Didn’t have anything to share.
Merricks: Didn’t have anything to share.
VIII. Staff Report/Updates
Director Omlid provided information on the following:
A. Farmington Currents Summer Edition
The summer edition of the Farmington Currents was delivered to homes last weekend and most
residents should have received it by now.
B. North Creek Greenway Trail Project
The North Creek Greenway Trail Project is anticipated to be authorized and advertise for bids in
April, awarding a contract in May, construction to begin in June or July, and completion in 2024.
C. Arena and Parks Maintenance Worker
The current Arena and Parks Maintenance Work is retiring April 28. A new Arena and Parks
Maintenance Worker was hired with city council to approve his appointment at their April 17
meeting.
D. Rambling River Park Master Plan
The kick-off meeting for the Rambling River Park master plan was last week. City staff met with
HKGi and then walked the park. Stakeholder meetings are next week. The first phase of public
input and engagement includes a brief online questionnaire and a social pinpoint map.
E. Removal of Emerald Ash Borer Infested Trees in Parks
Staff recently removed Emerald Ash Borer infested trees at Pine Knoll Park. A message was
posted on Facebook letting residents know a section of the trail was going to be closed. Staff
will let the commission know in advance in the event you receive questions.
F. Economic Development Initiative – Community Project Funding
Congresswoman Angie Craig and Senator Tina Smith visited the Rambling River Center last week
as part of the Congressionally Directed Funding award. They each said a few words and then
toured the facility. There were several Rambling River Center members, city council, planning
and parks and recreation commission members, and city staff in attendance to thank
Congresswoman Craig and Senator Smith.
G. Rambling River Center Raffle Fundraiser with Farmington Rotary
The Rambling River Center (RRC) is partnering with the Farmington Rotary on a raffle fundraiser.
Three hundred raffle tickets will be sold at $52 each. There will be weekly drawings for $100 for
52 weeks and quarterly drawings for $250. The proceeds after expenses will be split 50/50
between the RRC and Rotary.
IX. Meeting Agenda Topics
The following items were tentatively identified by the commission for its May 10, 2023 meeting agenda:
1.
X. Adjournment
Moved by Crabtree and seconded by Merricks to adjourn the meeting. APIF. Motion carried. The
meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kellee Omlid
Parks & Recreation Director and Recording Secretary