HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.13.19 Parks and Rec MinutesFarmington Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes from the November 13, 2019 Regular Meeting
Members Present: David McMillen, Elizabeth Koss, Brian Tennant, and Ashley Crabtree
Members Absent: Laurie Suchanek
Other’s Present: Parks and Recreation Director Randy Distad
I. Call Meeting To Order
Vice-Chair McMillen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Quorum was present.
II. Approval of November 13, 2019 Meeting Agenda
Moved by Tennant and seconded by Crabtree to approve the meeting agenda. All persons in favor (APIF).
Motion carried.
III. Approval of October 9, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes
The meeting minutes were approved with no revisions identified.
IV. Approval of October 28, 2019 Meeting Minutes from Joint Meeting with Empire Township Pa rk and
Recreation Commission
The meeting minutes were approved with no revisions identified.
V. Presentations
None
V. Business Items
A. Board and Commission Reception Attendance
Director Distad shared the reception will occur on Thursday, December 5 at 6:30 p.m. and will be held at the
Bourbon Butcher in Farmington. He asked for a show of hands who is planning on attending the reception so
this information could be provided in the planning of ordering appetizers for the event. Members who are
planning on attending were:
McMillen
Crabtree
Tennant
Koss
Members not attending the reception included the following:
Suchanek
Director Distad shared because Chair Suchanek will not be able to attend the reception, this means Vice-Chair
McMillen will be providing information about what was accomplished by the Commission in 2019. He
identified Vice-Chair McMillen could use the 2019 work plan for the presentation because it identifies the goals
and objectives completed in 2019.
B. Draft Master Plan for Neighborhood Park in the Fairhill Estate at North Creek Development
Director Distad reviewed the master plan the developer submitted. He noted that the park complies with the
neighborhood park standards that they city uses in order to create an equitable park system. He noted while it
would have been nice to include some kind of a court in the park, the current grades of the park are not
conducive for a court.
He shared that staff feels the master plan should also include the following additional park amenities:
installation of two charcoal grills one on each side of the shelter
installation of two waste containers by the playground and one container by the shelter and additional
waste containers wherever other park benches are located in the park
installation of a bike rack next to the trail by the playground
installation of an additional bench in the small park area west of Colonial Trail and have the bench face
west since this will be a higher elevation and will provide a view from this location
installation of pet waste stations in the park areas wherever trails intersect one another
installation of a park sign by the parking lot, installation of one park sign by the intersection of Colonial
Trail and Cloverleaf (NE area of the larger park area) and installation of one park sign where the park
trail intersects with the MN TH 3 trail
Moved by Crabtree and seconded by Koss to approve amending the park master plan to include the additional
park amenities identified by staff. APIF. Motion carried.
Director Distad informed Commission members he would communicate to the developer to add the additional
park amenities in the master plan before the city council approves it.
VI. Discussion Items
A. Review Joint Meeting with the Empire Township Park and Recreation Commission
Commission members provided the following comments about the meeting:
McMillen thought it was a good meeting and that good information was shared back and forth between the two
groups.
Tennant said he learned a lot about what extra work the Empire Park and Recreation Commission does on an
annual basis.
Crabtree shared it was good to learn about the partnerships that have been formed and it is good to talk about
these partnerships.
Koss commented she was surprised by how much extra work the Empire Park and Recreation Commission does
and that they have a bigger role in planning and facilitating programs and events than the Farmington Park and
Recreation Commission does. She noted that this is due to the township not having park and recreation
professional staff members to do this work like Farmington has.
B. Review 2019 Work Plan
Vice-Chair McMillen reviewed the work plan and identified that all goals and objectives that could be
completed on the work plan, have been completed. The only goal not completed was due to lack of funding.
C. 2020 Work Plan Ideas
The following item was identified to be added to the list of ideas that were developed during previous meetings:
Work session early in 2020 with the city council to discuss timing of the development of Jim Bell Park
and Preserve
D. December Meeting Format
Vice-Chair McMillen shared that in the past the December meeting minute focused on preparing a final draft of
next year’s work plan. He informed others who are new to the Commission that this has also been a meeting
where Commission members each provide a food item to share during the meeting. He asked if the
Commission would like to continue with this tradition. After some discussion, it was determined by consensus
to just order pizza and split the cost between the Commission members and staff. If anyone wanted to bring
cookies or other treats, it was okay to do so. Director Distad shared he would provide plates, napkins, eating
utensils, cups and beverages to drink.
VII. Commission Roundtable
Tennant: Asked if the city had a skate park in the past. Director Distad said there was one at the hockey rink in
Rambling River Park that included above ground attractions. He share because of the condition of the metal
structures, they were removed a few years ago due to safety concerns.
Crabtree: Asked if the city was building a second sheet of ice because she saw this on Facebook. Director
Distad shared that the city is undertaking a site survey and wetland delineation study to determine if there is
space for a second sheet of ice on the east side of the existing ice arena. There is currently no plan to construct
a second sheet of ice.
Koss: Didn’t have anything to share.
McMillen: Reminded Commission members about the Trains and Treats event being held at the Rambling
River Center on Saturday, November 30 from 9:00 a.m. to noon. He also informed Commission members about
the Secret Holiday Shop event that will be occurring on Saturday, December 6 from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the
Rambling River Center. This is an event that allows kids to shop for other family members and friends.
VIII. Staff Report
A. Park Projects
Marigold Park shelter concrete slab was poured and covered. Site grading around the shelter will have
to wait until next year.
B. Trail Projects
Survey work on the MN TH 3 trail is being completed by Bolton and Menk, which will then be used to
design the trail.
C. Facilities Projects
Rambling River Center ceiling was painted white, but the contractor painted some of the sprinkler heads
which will need to be replaced at the contractor’s expense
New flooring materials have been purchased for the Rambling River Center banquet room, are currently
being stored at city hall and will be installed this winter by city staff
D. Rambling River Center Fundraisers
The Dad’s Belgian Waffle Breakfast and Silent Auction fundraiser was held on October 26 and it
appears that a little more than $3,100 will be the final net profit from the fundraiser
IX. December 11, 2019 Meeting Agenda Items
The following items were tentatively identified by Commission members for its November 13, 2019 meeting
agenda:
1. 2019 Work Plan review
2. Approve Park and Recreation Commission 2019 meeting attendance report
3. Review Draft 2020 Work Plan
4. 2020 approved city budget
X. Adjournment
Moved by Koss and seconded by Tennant to adjourn the meeting. APIF. Motion carried. The meeting was
adjourned at 7:42 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Randy Distad
Parks and Recreation Director and Recording Secretary