Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.04.17 Parks and Rec MinutesFarmington Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes from the October 4, 2017 Regular Meeting Members Present: John Moore, David McMillen, Laurie Suchanek and Dustin Johnson Members Absent: Hannah Simmons Other’s Present: Robert Wacholz, True Gravity Ventures; Kara Hildreth, Farmington Independent; Recreation Supervisor Missie Kohlbeck; Parks and Facilities Supervisor Jeremy Pire; and Parks and Recreation Director Randy Distad I. Call Meeting To Order Chair Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Quorum was present. II. Approval of October 4, 2017 Meeting Agenda Moved by McMillen and seconded by Suchanek to approve the meeting agenda. All persons in favor (APIF). Motion carried. III. Approval of September 13, 2017 Regular Meeting Minutes The meeting minutes were approved with no revisions identified. IV. Presentations A. Fairhill Estate at North Creek Development Park Proposal Rob Wacholz from True Gravity Ventures (Developer) presented information about the Fairhill Estate at North Creek development. He made a request of the Commission to be allowed to work with the Commission to develop a park master plan and then construct the improvements based on the master plan. He said he doesn’t have any pre-determined plan for what is constructed and included in the park, but would like to stay with a theme that fits the rural them of the development. Suchanek asked the Developer about a lack of sidewalks and trail connections being made from the west area of the development to the east area of the development. The Developer responded that there would be a gravel shoulder constructed that would act as a way for pedestrians to get from the west side of the development to the east side of the development in order to access the sidewalk and trail system. Moore shared he appreciated the Developer was going to use the existing grade as much as possible instead of grading everything flat. The Developer said that this was intentional but there will still need to be some grading done that may flatten out certain areas of the development in order for the different site grades to work together and for storm water to surface drain correctly. Moore asked how the mowed trails would be maintained in the winter and more specifically if they would be plowed so people could use them. The Developer responded the mowed trails would be set aside for the season during the winter and would not be plowed unless the homeowners association sees a need to have them kept open in the winter. McMillen asked the Developer to continue to communicate with the Commission about the park master plan. The Developer responded that the park master plan would likely be developed over the winter and then the park would be constructed in the fall of 2018. He said this schedule is not set for sure yet, but he hoped to have some grading done this fall yet for the entrance area to the development site. Motion by McMillen to approve allowing the Developer to work with the Commission to create a master plan for the public park and build the park with the following conditions to be met:  No additional city funds beyond what would have been collected as park fees from the development should be used to build the improvements in the park  Require a master plan be completed for the public park  The Commission would be allowed to provide input, review and approve the park master plan  The improvements built in the park should meet the Neighborhood Park Standards, as much as possible, the Commission identified and approved (a copy is attached)  All trails in the public park area are required to be paved Motion was seconded by Suchanek. APIF. Motion carried. B. Rambling River Center Six Month Report, Summer Programs, Outdoor Pool and Summer Ice Report Recreation Supervisor Kohlbeck, Parks and Facilities Supervisor shared information about the memberships sold and participation numbers at the Rambling River Center for the first six months of the year. She also shared information about the Financial Support Program including how many people have applied to access funds and how much in total funds were accessed through the first six months of the year. Recreation Supervisor Kohlbeck reviewed a table showing the summer programs and participation in the programs that occurred over the summer. Moore would like to see more publicity provided to the public about events and programs. He suggested that the Next Door platform be used to share information on a neighborhood level. Recreation Supervisor Kohlbeck shared she was informed the city’s communication policy does not allow the city to use this platform. She suggested that department staff could share information with Moore who could then go on Next Door and share it with his neighbors. Director Distad shared the Recreation Supervisor Ryan Hayes was not able to attend the meeting due to an event he was helping with. Director Distad reviewed the table shwoing attendance and participation information for the pool. Park and Facilities Supervisor Pire reviewed the maintenance items that were performed. Moore asked about the current condition of the pool and what should be done to improve it. Director Distad and Parks and Facilities Supervisor Pire identified a number of issues that should be addressed in the near term based on a recent facility study that was done and an aquatic feasibility study that was done a few years ago. The improvements included replacing the concrete deck around the large pool, bathhouse updates, exterior sidewalk issues, filtration system replacement and the coping and deck around the wading pool should be replaced. These improvements were estimated to cost about $1.2 million. Parks and Facilities Supervisor Pire reviewed the financial information about summer and August ice at Schmitz-Maki Arena. It was estimated that the both periods of ice showed operating expenses being covered by the revenues received. \ He informed Commission members that August ice rentals increased over last year, which was the first year ice rental was offered in August. He shared that summer ice is primarily rented for camps and clinics by the high school coaches. V. Business Items A. Approve Park Dedication and Trail Recommendation in Nicolai Addition Development Director Distad presented a summary about the 2.5 acre residential development. Because Prairie Pines Park is located only two blocks from this small development, staff is recommending that cash in lieu of parkland be taken. Additionally, he shared staff is recommending a trail section be constructed on the north side of 225th Street so that a gap in a trail connection that currently exists between 225th Street and Cambrian Way can be completed. Motion by Moore and seconded by Suchanek to approve recommending that cash in lieu of parkland be accepted by the city and that a trail be constructed on the north side of 225th Street so that a gap in a trail connection that currently exists between 225th Street and Cambrian Way can be completed. APIF. Motion carried. B. Outdoor Pool Director Distad informed the Commission that it might be best to make a recommendation to the City Council about whether to keep open or close the outdoor pool because city ordinance states the Commission is charged with making recommendations to the City Council concerning city park and recreation related mat ters. Suchanek felt that she does not have enough background information to make a recommendation and would like to find out from the City Council why the pool is being closed. Commission member Moore shared he would like to meet with the City Council to find out what the basis was for the decision being made to close the pool. He shared he wanted to find out what the plan is going forward to replace this important amenity in the community. Chair Johnson asked Director Distad if he could talk with the City Administrator to see if a meeting could be scheduled between the City Council and Park and Recreation Commission. Director Distad shared that he would talk with City Administrator McKnight to see if a meeting could be set up. VI. Discussion Items A. Review 2017 Annual Work Plan Chair Johnson reviewed the 2017 Annual Work Plan and identified items completed since the review that occurred at the September meeting. Director Distad shared he would update the document to show which items were completed based on the discussion that occurred and will include the updated document in the next meeting packet. B. 2018 Work Plan Possible Ideas and Topics Commission members provided the following possible items and/or topics to consider for the 2018 work plan:  Work with Fairhill Estate at North Creek developer to create a park master plan for the public park and to construct improvements in the park based on the master plan  Explore communication options for publicizing events and programs including reviewing the city’s communication policy  Meet with the City Council once to discuss park and recreation related topics  Determine and recommend park improvements to complete in 2019 in Prairie Pines and Marigold Park based on available funding  Finish park and recreation chapter for the 2040 Comprehensive Plan  Review current partnerships that parks and recreation has with local businesses and organizations C. Business Partnerships There was no discussion that occurred on this item because it was identified as a possible item for the 2018 work plan. VII. Commission Roundtable Suchanek: Didn’t have anything to share. Moore: Was curious about why the trail on the east side of Pilot Knob located in Lakeville does not connect with an existing trail located in Farmington. Distad said he would research this and see why this connection was not made. McMillen: Reminded everyone about the Dads Belgian Waffle Breakfast and Silent Auction fundraiser that will be occurring at the Rambling River Center on Saturday, October 28 from 8:30-noon. He encouraged Commission member to attend and show their support. Johnson: Didn’t have anything to share. VIII. Staff Report A. Vermillion River Streambank and Habitat Restoration and Trail Project Informed Commission members that progress is being made on the trail construction and the base material has almost entirely being placed. If the weather remains dry, the contractor is planning to pave the trail yet this week and then will complete the restoration work along the edge of the trail, seed this area and then apply an erosion control blanket. If the weather continues to be favorable he thought the trail could be opened up sometime the following week. B. Prairieview Park Informed Commission members the contractor has had to step back from completing the shelter construction because he has had to finish installing playground equipment at several school sites in the metro area. Once he has finished with the playground installations, the contractor will be back to install the metal roof and cupola. This work will hopefully occur by the end of September. C. Rambling River Center Roof Replacement Project Distad shared that a Garage and Jewelry Sale Fundraising event will be held on September 21 and 22. He also shared the annual Waffle Breakfast and Silent Auction fundraising event will occur on Saturday, October 28. D. Empire Township Park and Recreation Commission Thank You Card Director Distad shared with Commission members a card from Empire Township Park and Recreation Commission members thanking them for the parks tour and including them in the playground ribbon cutting at Prairieview Park. IX. November 8, 2017 Meeting Agenda Items The following items were tentatively identified by Commission members for its December 13, 2017 meeting agenda: 1. 2017 Annual Work Plan reveiw 2. 2018 Work Plan ideas 3. 2040 Comprehensive Plan 4. Holiday treats 5. Park and trail maintenance X. Adjournment Moved by McMillen and seconded by Suchanek to adjourn the meeting. APIF. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:43 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Randy Distad Parks and Recreation Director and Recording Secretary