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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.08.22 Parks and Rec Minutes Farmington Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes from the June 8, 2022 Regular Meeting Members Present: Elizabeth Koss, Ashley Crabtree, and David McMillen Members Absent: Katharine Caron, Katie Putt Other’s Present: Parks & Recreation Director Kellee Omlid, Parks & Facilities Supervisor Jeremy Pire I. Call Meeting to Oder Vice Chair McMillen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Quorum was present. II. Approval of June 8, 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 May 11, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes Moved by Koss 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. Schmitz-Maki Arena’s Seasonal Reports Parks & Facilities Supervisor Pire presented the spring 2022 turf and event rental season and winter 2021-2022 ice season. This was the first season youth lacrosse paid $80 per hour to rent the facility. Prior to this, while paying off the purchase of the turf, the rental rate was $20 per hour. High school lacrosse rented eight hours this spring due to inclement weather. The arena just purchased a new skate sharpener, Sparx, which replaced a 20-year-old sharpener. Summer ice starts next week. The ice hours rented in 2021-2022 reflect a more typical season. V. Business Items A. Flagstaff Meadows Park Draft Master Plan and Feedback Director Omlid provided an overview of the draft park master plan and feedback process. The feedback shows strong support for the proposed trails, open space, and play area. It also showed some people didn’t prefer a nature playground. The pictures of the nature playground didn’t look exciting or interactive. There was discussion regarding a traditional playground structure with a nature theme, swings, and slides. Spinners, like the ones at Farmington Elementary School, were suggested. Moved by Crabtree to move forward with a nature theme playground structure, seconded by Koss. APIF. Motion carried. VI. Discussion Items A. Food Truck Event with Empire Township Parks and Recreation Commission Director Omlid reviewed the food truck event on May 20 at Stelzel Ball Fields in Empire. There were five food trucks and approximately 1,200 people who attended the event. Empire Township asked if Farmington wants to hold a fall event and if we would take the lead. There was discussion about a location to hold in Farmington. Boeckman Middle School was discussed as an option, but with the Spruce Street reconstruction project and not knowing the timeline it was decided to not pursue this option. The fairgrounds were also discussed, but thought Stelzel Ball Fields would be a better option. Commission prefers to hold the event on a Sunday late afternoon / early evening in September after Labor Day. Director Omlid will follow-up with Empire Township. B. Meeting with Empire Township Parks and Recreation Commission Commission identified October 10 as the preferred date and October 24 as the alternate for a joint meeting with Empire Township Parks and Recreation Commission. The commission discussed holding their October meeting on the same night at 6:00 p.m. and then meeting with Empire Township Parks and Recreation Commission at 7:00 p.m. The commission suggested the following topics for the joint meeting: • Food truck event(s) for next year • Park improvements • Jim Bell Park and Preserve • Update on Empire Township incorporating into a city • Shared programming and events Director Omlid will follow-up with the chair of the Empire Township Parks and Recreation Commission about the date, time, and agenda topics. C. Review 2022 Work Plan Progress Vice Chair McMillen reviewed the goals and objectives of the 2022 work plan. There was discussion regarding the bike pedestrian plan priorities and trying to achieve some of the educational programs (i.e., bike rodeo). Commission asked about the new fulltime Parks Maintenance Worker positions. Director Omlid stated one of the positions was filled, Austin Holm started yesterday. Will repost for the second position in September after Labor Day. VII. Commission Roundtable Koss: Didn’t have anything to share. Crabtree: Thanked Director Omlid for the email response on the update for the missing trail connection and boardwalk in Prairie Pines Park and attention to cleaning up fencing. Caron: N/A Putt: N/A McMillen: Farmington Liquors will be hosting Thirsty Thursday as part of Dew Days on Thursday, June 23 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. in the parking lot west of the Rambling River Center. VIII. Staff Report/Updates Director Omlid provided information on the following: A. Summer Programs Summer programs start Monday, June 13. Seasonal staff orientation started Monday and went through today. B. Music and Movies in the Park Music in the Park is the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at Rambling River Park. The May concert featuring Capri Bass Band was rescheduled to June 22 due to inclement weather. There will be two movies in the park including The Avengers and ET. C. Dew Days Dew Days is June 23 – 26 in downtown with several activities including Thirsty Thursday, Beer, Brats, & Bingo, Kiddie Parade, vendor fair, music, bed races, car cruise, train club open house, and the parade. D. Mystic Meadows Trail Reclamation Project A request for proposals (RFP) was posted to hire a firm to reclaim two sections of trail in the Mystic Meadows neighborhood. Proposals are due June 14 with project completion by October 15, 2022. The trails were originally constructed in 2005, but have reached the end of their useful life as the willows have broke through the trail. Included in the proposal is to add a weed barrier on the water side to keep the invasive species out. E. Pilot Knob Road Trail Reclamation Project Dakota County hired McNamara Contracting to reclaim the Pilot Knob Road trail from Hwy 50 to 195th St. July 9 – 13. F. Rambling River Center Facility Master Plan A request for proposals (RFP) was emailed to qualified firms to develop a facility master plan for the Rambling River Center. The facility master planning process is going to evaluate the layout and flow of the building and provide recommendations to better utilize the space. Proposals were due today and will be brought to the Rambling River Center Advisory Board in July. G. HKGi Progress on Maintenance and Replacement Schedule Staff had a virtual meeting with HKGi last week to review their progress and review all the parks master plans. They are focusing on finishing the park facilities maintenance and replacement schedule. H. Bike Pedestrian Plan The bike pedestrian plan discussion happened during review of the 2022 work plan progress. IX. Meeting Agenda Topics The following items were tentatively identified by the Commission for its July 13 meeting agenda: 1. X. Adjournment Moved by Koss and seconded by Crabtree to adjourn the meeting. APIF. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Kellee Omlid Parks & Recreation Director and Recording Secretary