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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.11.21 Parks and Rec and Empire Township MinutesCity of Farmington and Empire Township Park and Recreation Commission Minutes from the October 11, 2021 Joint Meeting Farmington Members Present: Katharine Caron, Katie Putt, and Ashley Crabtree Farmington Members Absent: Elizabeth Koss Empire Township Members Present: Jessica Boelman, Jordan Johnson, Nicole Bower, Mike Carey, and Mark Page Empire Township Members Absent: Josh Lindgren Other’s Present: Empire Township Deputy Clerk Dawn McCracken and Farmington Parks and Recreation Director Kellee Omlid Chair Crabtree called the meeting to order at 6:59 p.m. Quorum was present. Moved by Caron and seconded by Putt to approve the meeting agenda. All persons in favor (APIF). Motion carried. Agenda items discussed included: 1. Recent Park and Trail Projects • Empire Commission shared they are installing new playground equipment at Sach’s Park • Empire Commission is doing some general trail maintenance due to tree root damage • Empire Commission shared a project they are most proud and great addition to the community is the disc golf course • Farmington Commission shared the developer is working on the park at Fairhill Estate at North Creek Development, which includes a shelter, playground equipment, trails, grills, and small parking lot • Farmington Commission mentioned Flagstaff Meadows Park will be master planned this fall and built in 2022 • Marigold Park and Prairie Pines Park in Farmington were completed in 2019 • There are a number of trails in Farmington that have been damaged by willow roots and will need to be replaced 2. Future Park and Trail Projects • Empire Commission will be replacing the playground equipment at Town Hall Park in 2022 • Empire Commission plans to replace the playground equipment at Empire Preserve Park next, but is a few years out • Farmington Commission shared that with the Flagstaff Meadows Park development there will be a trail that connects the park to Farmington High School • Farmington Commission intends to do a community survey in early 2022 as plan to go for a referendum to build the Jim Bell Park in phases 3. Current and Future Program Partnerships/Collaborations • Information was shared about parks and recreation programs offered in Empire Township including Summer Park Adventure (SPA) and Puppet Wagon • Empire Commission is interested in partnering on a food truck night at Stelzel Ballfields parking lot perhaps on a Friday evening in the spring. It was agreed to continue exploring this idea 4. Music/Entertainment in Parks • Empire Commission shared information about their entertainment, which is held two Sundays a month at 6:00 or 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall Park and focuses on families • Farmington Commission mentioned Music in the Park is held the last Wednesday of the month in summer at Rambling River Park. Two movies in the parks were held with one in July and the second in September with both focusing on kids. Next year plan to host a family friendly movie to appeal to a larger audience 5. Stelzel Ballfields Usage • Empire Commission shared an overview of field usage which includes youth baseball and softball both renting the fields two nights (M/W & T/TH) a week and some weekend tournaments along with AAA leagues 6. New Residential/Commercial Developments • Empire has no residential or commercial projects currently; may eventually have a water treatment facility built • Farmington has a number of new housing developments going in now and others anticipated in the near future. A few new businesses have gone into vacant strip mall locations 7. Empire Township Celebration • Empire Commission provided information about its annual township celebration in August that featured activities, free food and entertainment, SWAT Team, and Ladder Truck • There were more than 550 people who attended the celebration this year • Empire Commission shared information regarding their holiday party, which is Saturday, December 4 from 10:00 a.m. – noon at the maintenance facility and features Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and activities 8. Dew Days • Dew Days was a one-day event in September due to COVID-19. Koo Koo Kangaroo and the FHS Marching Band were big draws. The plan is to host a three-day event the fourth weekend in June 2022. 9. Miscellaneous Items • Empire Commission offers exercise and yoga classes on Mondays and Saturdays at their maintenance facility that has been successful • Empire Commission shared information regarding their Story Walk and Story Walk contest that was well received by the community • Farmington hosted free yoga in the park this fall and asked if Empire Commission wanted to partner next summer and offer in both communities on a rotating basis • Farmington Commission mentioned the Halloween Walk will be Friday, October 29 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. outside behind Dodge Middle School Moved by Caron and seconded by Putt to adjourn the meeting. APIF. Motion Carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m. Submitted by Kellee Omlid Parks and Recreation Director and Recording Secretary