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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.09.22 Parks and Rec Minutes Farmington Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes from the November 9, 2022 Regular Meeting Members Present: Ashley Crabtree, Elizabeth Koss, Katie Putt, and David McMillen Members Absent: Katharine Caron Other’s Present: Parks & Recreation Director Kellee Omlid, Recreation Supervisor Missie Kohlbeck, and Recreation Supervisor Emilee Shearer I. Call Meeting to Oder Vice-chair McMillen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Quorum was present. II. Approval of November 9, 2022 Meeting Agenda Moved by Putt and seconded by Koss to approve the meeting agenda. All persons in favor (APIF). Motion carried. III. Approval of September 14, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes Moved by Crabtree and seconded by Putt to approve the meeting minutes with no revisions. APIF. Motion carried. Approval of October 10, 2022 Special Meeting Minutes Moved by Putt 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. Recreation Programs and Events Report Commission members introduced themselves and then Recreation Supervisor Emilee Shearer introduced herself. Recreation Supervisors Kohlbeck and Shearer presented information and participant numbers for spring through fall recreation programs. There was discussion on Music in the Park and having the FHS Band play in summer 2023. Commission member Crabtree asked about offering archery camp as driving to Lakeville for it. Staff will explore it. Movies and Music in the Park expenses are mostly offset by sponsorships. Commission member Koss suggested a movie for adults to be shown around Halloween as this would give adults something to do. Hocus Pocus 2 was suggested, but currently can’t rent it due to movie licensing. Commission member McMillen suggested showing a movie in the banquet room at the Rambling River Center. V. Business Items A. 2023 Parks and Recreation Department Fees Director Omlid reviewed the proposed 2023 department fees and explained the increases for park development, Rambling River Center memberships and rentals, Schmitz-Maki Arena ice rental, skate sharpening, and skate rental, and summer outdoor use fee. The fee increases were to help offset increasing operational expenses. The proposed fees at the Rambling River Center were reviewed and recommended for approval by the Rambling River Center Advisory Board. Moved by Koss and seconded by Putt to approve the 2023 parks and recreation department fees and recommend City Council approve the fees. All persons in favor (APIF). Motion carried. VI. Discussion Items A. Review Joint Meeting with Empire Township’s Parks and Recreation Commission The consensus was the joint meeting with Empire Township’s Parks and Recreation Commission was beneficial and it went well. They are receptive to new ideas and do a lot for their residents and community. Next year the meeting will be in Farmington. B. Jim Bell Park and Preserve Master Plan & System Analysis There was discussion on the revised concept plan for the Jim Bell Park and Preserve. It was mentioned there is a lot in the plan for half the cost of the first concept plan, but we are still going to have to build a road. It was asked if a secondary access is necessary. Commission discussed their priorities, which included pickleball courts, a skatepark, replacing existing trails, Rambling River Park, and a large rentable shelter with amenities. It was consensus we should update existing parks instead of completing the improvements at Jim Bell Park and Preserve. We need to improve what we have and could put the estimated $9 million to make the improvements at Jim Bell Park and Preserve into the existing parks. HKGi will present the key findings of the parks system analysis and revised concept plan at the joint work session with city council, parks and recreation commission, and the Jim Bell Park and Preserve advisory committee on November 30. C. 2023 Work Plan Ideas Ideas suggested for the 2023 work plan include (1) meet with Empire Township’s Parks and Recreation Commission, (2) build and complete the improvements at Flagstaff Meadows Park, (3) review and identify items in bike pedestrian plan to complete, (4) meet with city council in a work session, (5) parks and facilities tour with the Rambling River Center Advisory Board and city council, (6) approve 2024 parks and recreation department fees, (7) Rambling River Park improvements, and (8) department and city (Planning Manager and Finance Director) staff reports. D. Review 2022 Work Plan Progress Vice-chair McMillen reviewed the goals and objectives of the 2022 work plan. VII. Commission Roundtable Koss: Mentioned it will be nice to have the new trail on the south side of Spruce Street. Crabtree: Didn’t have anything to share. Caron: N/A Putt: Asked if there were going to be arrows / loops in the Schmitz-Maki Arena west parking lot as getting in and out of the parking lot is difficult. Paint directions so folks know, which direction to go. McMillen: Trains and Treats is November 26 from 9 a.m. to noon. Participants can see the model railroads and build a Twinkie train. Santa will arrive at 10:30 a.m. The Secret Holiday Shop is December 3. VIII. Staff Report/Updates Director Omlid provided information on the following: A. Safe Routes to School Plan for Boeckman Middle School A Safe Routes to School Planning Workshop is scheduled for November 30 and will include city, school district, county, and state staff. The plan is anticipated to be completed by June 2023. B. Spruce Street Reconstruction Work on Spruce Street is nearly complete for this year. The drop-off lane at the Schmitz-Maki Arena and the trail on the south side of Spruce Street won’t be completed until next year. C. Dakota County CIP and Trail Projects The trail projects that were asked to be included in Dakota County’s 2023-2027 Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) weren’t included for funding. However, the county has trail gap funds available and are interested in partnering to get 30% design plans for the trail gap on the west side of Pilot Knob south of 197th St. and a trail on the east side of Pilot Knob Road from Hwy 50 to 195th St. W. Director Omlid is getting quotes from engineering firms to develop 30% design plans. D. Winter Special Events The Secret Holiday Shop is December 3. Registration for the holiday lights tour is due by December 4 and the map of homes will be available December 12. E. Parks Maintenance Worker Position The second of the two new full-time parks maintenance worker positions have been filled. John Carpenter was hired and we are excited for him to join our team Monday (November 14). IX. Meeting Agenda Topics The following items were tentatively identified by the commission for its December 14 meeting agenda: 1. X. Adjournment Moved by Crabtree and seconded by Putt to adjourn the meeting. APIF. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:02 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Kellee Omlid Parks & Recreation Director and Recording Secretary