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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.11.19 Parks and Rec MinutesFarmington Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes from the September 11, 2019 Regular Meeting Members Present: Laurie Suchanek, David McMillen, Ashley Crabtree and Elizabeth Koss Members Absent: Brian Tennant Other’s Present: Recreation Supervisor Ryan Hayes, Recreation Supervisor Missie Kohlbeck, Parks and Facilities Supervisor Jeremy Pire and Parks and Recreation Director Randy Distad I. Call Meeting To Order Chair Suchanek called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Quorum was present. II. Approval of September 11, 2019 Meeting Agenda Moved by McMillen and seconded by Koss to approve the meeting agenda as written. All persons in favor (APIF). Motion carried. III. Meeting Minutes Approval A. Approval of July 10 , 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes The meeting minutes were approved with no revisions identified. IV. Presentations A. Recreation Programs, Facilities and Parks Report Recreation Supervisor Ryan Hayes shared information about the programs he ran this past summer. Recreation Supervisor Missie Kohlbeck shared information about the summer recreation programs she ran this past summer. She also provided a report on the first six months of Rambling River Center program and event participation and memberships sold. Parks and Facilities Supervisor Jeremy Pire shared information about summer ice revenues, expenses and learn to skate participation. He also provided information about the park improvement projects that occurred and the maintenance tasks completed on a daily basis by park maintenance staff. Commission members had some suggestions about how to increase attendance at programs and events. They also shared some thoughts on possible new program and event ideas they had. Commission members thanked staff for the work they have been doing. V. Business Items A. Finalize Agenda October 28, 2019 Meeting with Empire Township Park and Recreation Commission Director Distad shared he has been in contact with Mike Carey who is the chair of the Empire Township Park and Recreation Commission and they are requesting to add an item titled Empire Township celebration hightlights. Director Distad asked if the Commission members had any additional items they wanted on the agenda. It was suggested to have both Commissions share what their roles and responsibilities are as a Commission. Director Distad said he would add this to the agenda. Moved by Crabtee and seconded by Koss to approve the amended agenda with the two new items for the meeting with Empire Township Park and Recreation Commission. APIF. Motion carried. VI. Discussion Items A. Review Parks and Facilities Tour with the City Council The following comments were shared by Commission members about the tour: Suchanek – Thought it went well and was good to get to know the council members better who attended the tour McMillen – Shared it was nice to have kids on the playground for the ribbon cutting at Prairie Pines Park. Shared he thought it would have been nice to have all council members attend the tour, but understood that certain members could not attend due to other commitments. Crabtree – Would like to see if there is a way to encourage more participation by the City Council, so Commission members could have met all Council members. Koss – Felt the 2 hours was enough time and that there was a good mix of parks and facilities that were toured. B. Review 2019 Work Plan Chair Suchanek reviewed the work plan and the following updates were identified for the work plan since the last Commission meeting:  Goal #4 Objective #3 through #6 were completed tonight when park and recreation department staff made their presentations during the meeting  Goal #8 Objective #4 and #5 were also completed tonight when park and recreation department staff made their presentations during the meeting Director Distad informed Commission members the work plan will be updated prior to the next meeting identif ying which items on the work plan were completed. C. 2020 Work Plan Ideas and Topics Director Distad asked Commission members for some possible topics and ideas the Commission would like to consider for its 2020 work plan. The following items were identified:  Create Commission by-laws  Meet with City Council  Parks and facilities tour with the Rambling River Center Advisory Board  Identify what Bike Pedestrian Plan priorities to work on  2021-2025 Park Improvement Fund capital improvement plan  Have Communication Specialist share information about city’s social media posts  Staff presentations about programs, events, facilities, trails and parks  Promoting volunteerism in the parks and recreation department D. Commission Terms Expiring in 2020 Director Distad informed Commission members that the terms of members Suchanek and Koss will expire on January 31, 2020. He shared that if they are interested in reapplying for the Commission they should complete and submit a board and commission application that will be mailed to them in December. VII. Commission Roundtable Crabtree: Shared she would like to see more events pushed on the city’s Facebook page and through other social media areas. McMillen: Thanked the volunteers who helped with the Rambling River Center Garage Sale fundraising event. Made other Commission members aware that there is a Farmington Liquor Store wine tasting at Celts Pub tomorrow . Koss: Would like to see city playgrounds be built with accessibility in mind. She encouraged that the community garden in Evergreen Knoll Park be located adjacent to the concrete apron so people with disabilities could access the garden. She suggested to use volunteers to bus people to events. Chair Suchanek: Didn’t have anything to share. VIII. Staff Report A report was given by Director Distad on the following items:  Community garden Memorandum of Understanding was approved by the City Council and will be meeting with Jennifer Lothert to discuss a location for the garden in Evergreen Knoll Park  The 2020/2021 preliminary budget was approved by the City Council with a 0% levy increase  Prairie Pines Park is nearing completion and Marigold Park shelter construction has not been completed yet  Rambling River Center sends out a Mail Chimp on a weekly basis and Commission members will be added to the list to receive this weekly update about what is happening at the Rambling River Center  The city received funding approval from MN DOT for a trail to be constructed on the west side of MN TH 3 from 205th Street to Willow Street. The city also submitted a SHIP grant application to provide funding to cover a majority of the design cost of the trail and will know sometime in early October if the city will receive this funding  The four pedestrian bridges in Farmington will be inspected at a total cost of $3,200.00 and this inspection has not occurred for more than 17 years IX. October 9, 2019 Meeting Agenda Items The following items were identified by Commission members for its next meeting agenda: 1. Review 2019 work plan 2. Final preparation for meeting with Empire Township’s Park and Recreation Commission 3. 2020 work plan ideas X. Adjournment Moved by McMillen and seconded by Koss to adjourn the meeting. APIF. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Randy Distad Parks and Recreation Director and Recording Secretary