HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.08.17 Parks and Rec MinutesFarmington Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission
Minutes from the March 8, 2017 Regular Meeting
Members Present: Laurie Suchanek, Hannah Simmons, David McMillen, John Moore and Dustin Johnson
Members Absent: None
Other’s Present: Recreation Supervisor Missie Kohlbeck and Parks and Recreation Director Randy Distad
I. Call Meeting To Order
Chair Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Quorum was present.
II. Approval of March 8, 2017 Meeting Agenda
Moved by McMillen and seconded by Moore to approve the amended meeting agenda with the presentation item of Mike
Haley recognition pulled because he was unable to attend. All persons in favor (APIF). Motion carried.
III. Approval of February 8, 2017 Regular Meeting Minutes
The meeting minutes were approved with no revisions noted.
IV. Presentations
A. Introduction of New Commission Members
Laurie Suchanek and Hannah Simmons introduced themselves as the newest members of the Commission.
B. 2016 Park and Recreation Department Annual Report
Director Distad and Recreation Supervisor Kohlbeck presented information that highlighted the following Department
accomplishments in 2016:
• Troy Hill Park playground replacement
• Tamarack Park basketball court resurfacing project
• North Creek Park hockey board replacement project that included a partnership with the Farmington Youth
Hockey Association
• Outdoor skating rinks usage
• Trail maintenance
• Outdoor pool attendance and projects
• Schmitz Maki Arena program and event participation, ice rentals and improvement projects
• Recreation programs offered and participation numbers
• Events offered and attendance at the events
• The number of people and hours community volunteers provided for recreation programs
• Puppet wagon project
• Rambling River Center number of volunteers and hours volunteered in helping with building operations,
programs, events and fundraisers
• Rambling River Center program participation
• Rambling River Center memberships sold
• Rambling River Center Advisory Board member recognition and accomplishments
• Park and Recreation Commission member recognition and accomplishments
V. Business Items
A. Approve Selection of Prairieview Park Playground Equipment
Commission members reviewed seven proposals submitted by six vendors. After comparing the proposals to the selection
criteria, the Little Tikes Commercial playground equipment seemed to have the most unique features and offered the most
play value when compared to other proposals submitted. Moved by Simmons and seconded by Moore to recommend to
the City Council the purchase of the Little Tikes Commercial playground equipment that was proposed by Northland
Recreation for Prairieview Park. APIF. Motion carried.
B. Approve Selection of Prairieview Park Shelter
Commission members reviewed three different park shelter proposals. After comparing the proposals to the selection
criteria, the Poligon shelter proposal was the largest shelter proposed and therefore had the lowest per square foot cost of
the three proposals based on all three proposals estimated costs being $35,000.00. Moved by McMillen and seconded by
Suchanek to recommend to the City Council the purchase of the Poligon shelter that was proposed by Northland
Recreation for Prairieview Park. APIF. Motion carried.
C. Commission Member Photo
Commission members gathered for a group photo that will be posted on the Commission’s webpage that is contained on
the city’s website.
VI. Discussion Items
A. Review 2017 Annual Work Plan
Chair Johnson reviewed the 2017 Annual Work Plan and identified items having been completed since the plan was
approved in January. Director Distad shared he would update the document to show which items have been completed
based on the discussion that occurred and will include the updated document in the next meeting packet.
B. City Council Parks and Recreational Facilities Tour
The Commission discussed and determined it would like to have the tour on Wednesday, August 9 starting at 6:00 p.m. so
it fell on a regular Commission meeting night and the tour started early enough to allow for the tour to be completed in
daylight.
The Commission discussed possible park and recreational facilities to tour. Based on the past practice of touring parks
that have received recent improvements along with future parks that have been identified for improvements, the following
parks were identified for possible inclusion in the tour:
Pine Knoll Park
Fair Hills Park
Troy Hill Park
Prairie Pines Park
Marigold Park
The Commission also discussed possible recreational facilities to tour and determined that the Rambling River Center and
Schmitz-Maki Arena were the two preferred facilities to tour with the City Council. Commission members expressed an
interest in having further discussion about the tour during the April 2017 meeting.
VII. Commission Roundtable
Johnson: Welcomed members Simmons and Suchanek to the Commission.
Moore: Welcomed members Simmons and Suchanek to the Commission. Asked if a couple of play pieces could be
added to the playground equipment that are more accessible. Distad shared he could ask, but it would increase the price
of the equipment.
McMillen: Reminded everyone about the Pond and Park Clean-Up Day event that was occurring on Saturday, April 29,
2017 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. and encouraged other Commission members to volunteer and get involved with this event.
Simmons: Thanked everyone for a warm welcome.
Suchanek: Didn’t have anything to share.
VIII. Staff Report
A. 2040 Comprehensive Plan
Shared the city has gone through a Request for Proposal process to hire a consultant to help with writing the 2040
Comprehensive Plan. There were three proposals submitted and staff are in the process of scoring and selecting one
consulting firm to be recommended to the City Council to hire for this work.
B. Prairie Pines and Marigold Park Master Plans
Shared both master plans were approved by the City Council at the March 6, 2017 meeting.
C. Recreation Supervisor Position
Informed Commission members that Ryan Hayes started in this position on Monday, March 6 and he will be invited to
attend a future meeting to meet Commission members.
D. Vermillion River Bank Stabilization and Habitat Restoration Project
Shared the city and the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization partnered on a grant application and were
awarded $255,000.00 to address erosion issues that have occurred over the years in Rambling River Park. The erosion
has caused the river to move quite close to the trail in several locations. The project will adjust the channel further away
from the trail and at the same time stabilizing the bank of the river so it doesn’t erode away in the future. This project
will cause the trail to be closed in July and August when the project work will be completed. After the project work in
the river is finished, the trail section will be removed and replaced at an estimated cost of just under $30,000.00.
IX. April 12, 2017 Meeting Agenda Items
The following items were identified by Commission members for its December 10, 2014 meeting agenda:
1. 2017 Annual Work Plan review
2. 2040 Comprehensive Plan
3. Prairieview Park playground and shelter status
4. City Council tour and schedule
5. Schedule parks tour with Empire Township Park and Recreation Commission
6. 2018 park improvements
7. Dew Days
X. Adjournment
Moved by McMillen and seconded by Simmons to adjourn the meeting. APIF. Motion carried. The meeting was
adjourned at 8:21 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Randy Distad
Parks and Recreation Director and Recording Secretary