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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.14.22 Parks and Rec Minutes Farmington Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes from the December 14, 2022 Regular Meeting Members Present: Katharine Caron, Ashley Crabtree, Elizabeth Koss, Katie Putt, and David McMillen Members Absent: Other’s Present: Parks & Recreation Director Kellee Omlid and Parks and Facilities Supervisor Jeremy Pire I. Call Meeting to Order Chair Caron called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Quorum was present. II. Approval of December 14, 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 November 9, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes Moved by McMillen and seconded by Crabtree to approve the meeting minutes with no revisions. APIF. Motion carried. Approval of November 30, 2022 Work Session Minutes Moved by McMillen and seconded by Koss 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 Reports Parks and Facilities Supervisor Pire presented the Schmitz-Maki Arena 2022 summer ice report and an overview of the parks maintenance projects completed this past summer. There were fewer ice hours rented in August and Learn-to-Skate lessons were down from the previous year. Electric and natural gas were up significantly compared to the last two summers. Parks maintenance completed several projects this summer. Staff is currently trimming trees in the parks and along trails. Commission mentioned they noticed the tree work and the parks and trails are looking good. V. Business Items A. Approve 2022 Meeting Attendance Report The 2022 meeting attendance report was reviewed and commission was reminded the report would be updated to reflect member’s attendance at tonight’s meeting. Moved by Crabtree and seconded by Putt to approve the 2022 meeting attendance report with the additional attendance added to the report for members attending the meeting tonight. APIF. Motion carried. B. Recommend Purchase of Playground Equipment for Flagstaff Meadows Park Director Omlid reviewed the Request for Proposals (RFP) for playground equipment for Flagstaff Meadows Park. Reminded commission they identified a nature themed playground and are innovative and offer unique playground equipment to the city. Commission members reviewed the proposals and preferred the equipment from Northland Recreation. They felt it met the nature theme and offered different pieces of equipment we don’t have. In addition, commission liked the separate structures for 2-5 and 5-12 year old children, higher slides, variety of swings, and umbrella sunshade. The playground equipment also aligned with the identified criteria in the RFP: play opportunities, cost vs. relative play value, and unique play opportunities compared to existing structures within the park system. Moved by Putt and seconded by Koss to recommend city council approve the purchase and installation of playground equipment from Northland Recreation. APIF. Motion carried. VI. Discussion Items A. Review Joint Work Session with City Council and Jim Bell Park and Preserve Advisory Committee The commission discussed Rambling River Park and not squeezing a lot of amenities in a little area. It is the gateway into the community and downtown. There are three parks within walking distance in the Middle Creek area. Decommissioning a park(s) could be an option as can’t afford to keep renovating parks every 20 years. Don’t pick the park(s) blindly, but potentially use streetlight data so based on number of visits. Fewer parks that are awesome and have unique amenities (i.e. poles for hammocks) was suggested. B. Draft 2023 Work Plan The commission reviewed the draft 2023 work plan. There were no changes to the draft plan. Commission members felt it was extensive and participating in a work session with city council should happen more often. If commission has changes or additional goals, can be done prior to approval of the plan at the January meeting. C. Review 2022 Work Plan Progress Chair Caron reviewed the progress of the goals and objectives of the 2022 work plan. VII. Commission Roundtable Koss: Didn’t have anything to share. Crabtree: Didn’t have anything to share. Caron: Didn’t have anything to share. Putt: Said her kids loved Trains and Treats. It was awesome and a huge hit. They also went to the Secret Holiday Shop, but didn’t quite understand the purchasing of gifts. McMillen: Didn’t have anything to share. VIII. Staff Report/Updates Director Omlid provided information on the following: A. Safe Routes to School Plan for Boeckman Middle School City staff participated in a Safe Routes to School Planning Workshop on November 30, which also included school district, county, and state staff. The following day the group observed dismissal at Boeckman Middle School. B. Rambling River Center Passenger Van Minnwest Bank presented the Rambling River Center Advisory Board with a check for $16,000 at their board meeting Monday. The money is going towards the purchase of the new passenger van. The last $5,000 needed will be given to the Rambling River Center in January. C. Outdoor Rinks and Warming Houses Staff is planning to start flooding outdoor rinks Monday (December 19). Hopefully, will have a good skating surface by Friday, December 23 so we can open the warming houses. D. Winter Events There are several upcoming winter events including Toys for Town (Saturday), holiday lights tour, the Expo (January 28), and S’mores & More (January 29). E. 2023 City Budget City council approved the 2023 city budget including the parks and recreation fees and charges at their December 5, 2022. The tax levy increase is less than six percent. IX. Meeting Agenda Topics The following items were tentatively identified by the commission for its January 11, 2023 meeting agenda: 1. Purchase of Shade Structure for Flagstaff Meadows Park X. Adjournment Moved by Koss and seconded by McMillen to adjourn the meeting. APIF. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:18 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Kellee Omlid Parks & Recreation Director and Recording Secretary