HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.13.22 Parks and Rec Minutes Farmington Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes from the April 13, 2022 Regular Meeting
Members Present: Katharine Caron, Elizabeth Koss, Ashley Crabtree, David McMillen, and Katie Putt
Members Absent:
Other’s Present: Parks & Recreation Director Kellee Omlid, Planning Manager Tony Wippler
I. Call Meeting to Oder
Chair Caron called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Quorum was present.
II. Approval of April 13, 2022 Meeting Agenda
Moved by Crabtree and seconded by Koss to approve the meeting agenda. All persons in favor (APIF).
Motion carried.
III. Approval of March 9, 2022 Regular 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. Residential and Business Developments Report
Planning Manager Tony Wippler did a presentation on current and future residential and
business developments.
V. Business Items
VI. Discussion Items
A. Flagstaff Meadows Park Master Plan
The draft master plan of the park and costs estimates were reviewed and discussed.
Feedback on the plan included:
• Like shape of park better than thought would
• Expand nature playground
• Remove challenge course; look at for another park
• Show as much land as possible to the west for future park
• Too many trees; remove some especially those near trails
• Are natural benches a possibility?
• Reduce the number of picnic tables
• Shade structure to block west sun
• Install natural barrier (to slow kids down) to the stormwater pond to the south
B. Jim Bell Park and Preserve Master Plan
The draft concept plan and potential capital development costs were reviewed and
discussed. Feedback included:
• Skate park and bike skills park is necessity as have nothing for teens to do
• Dog park is a draw
• Not sure about splash pad; prefer above the ground spray features
• Like the plaza/amphitheater for events (i.e., music, farmer’s market)
• Prefer the picnic pavilion to be an inside facility; rentable; could potentially double
as warming house in winter
• Revenue generating facilities (fields, shelter, amphitheater, pavilion, dog park)
• Grants potentially available for some of the amenities
• Capital development costs too much in present time
• Scale back a bit as financial number is too big; want it to pass and not fail again
• No draw for someone without kids; the focus is on kids and sports
• What is the economic impact for community?
• Look at existing parks to add some of these amenities (i.e., skatepark, splash pad)
• Prefer to put splash pad downtown
C. Review 2022 Work Plan Progress
Review of the 2022 work plan progress was postponed to the May meeting.
VII. Commission Roundtable
Koss: Lakeville Parks and Recreation installed adult changing tables in their restrooms.
Crabtree: Didn’t have anything to share.
Caron: Didn’t have anything to share.
Putt: Didn’t have anything to share.
McMillen: The Liquor Stores are hosting a wine tasting tomorrow (April 14) from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at
Farm Town Brew Hall with the proceeds going to the Rambling River Center to put towards the purchase
of a new passenger van.
VIII. Staff Report/Updates
Director Omlid provided information on the following:
A. Food Truck Event with Empire Township Parks and Recreation Commission
The event will be held Friday, May 20 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Stelzel Ball Fields in Empire
Township. Have approximately six food trucks so far. Staff is creating a flyer so both entities
can promote the event.
B. Parks Maintenance Workers
City council approved the addition of two full-time parks maintenance workers. The last time a
full-time parks maintenance worker was added was 2006 and this position works six months in
parks maintenance and six months in facility maintenance.
C. Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in Parks
Parks and recreation staff identified trees in Hill Dee Park infected with Emerald Ash Borer
(EAB). These trees will be cut down in April and will be noticeable missing as large trees. There
are trees in Rambling River Park that have EAB as well.
D. Federal Regional Solicitation Grant Application for North Creek Greenway Regional Trail:
Downtown Farmington to 199th St. W.
Parks and recreation applied for a regional solicitation grant to complete the final gap in the
North Creek Greenway Regional Trail in Farmington. This 1.3-mile trail would start behind
Dodge Middle School and would end at 199th St. W. Although have applied for this grant
multiple times before and haven’t scored high enough to be funded, staff is hopeful it will be
this time as more funding is available.
E. Rambling River Center Upcoming Events
There are several events coming up benefitting the Rambling River Center including:
• Arts and crafts fundraiser: Saturday, April 30 from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the
Schmitz-Maki Arena
• VFW steak fry: Saturday, May 21 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. The cost is $15 which includes a
Von Hanson’s grilled steak, baked potato, salad, and dessert.
• Kiss the Pig: Saturday, June 25 at 4:00 p.m. on outdoor stage on Oak St.
• 40th Anniversary Celebration: Thursday, September 22; having a hog roast luncheon
F. Pond and Park Cleanup
Pond and Park Cleanup is Saturday, May 7 from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
G. Dew Days
Dew Days will be Thursday – Sunday, June 23 – 26.
IX. Meeting Agenda Topics
The following items were tentatively identified by the Commission for its May 11 meeting agenda:
1.
X. Adjournment
Moved by McMillen and seconded by Putt to adjourn the meeting. APIF. Motion carried. The meeting
was adjourned at 9:06 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kellee Omlid
Parks & Recreation Director and Recording Secretary