Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.08.23 Parks and Rec Minutes Farmington Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes from the November 8, 2023 Regular Meeting Members Present: Katharine Caron, Katie Putt, Megan Merricks, and David McMillen Members Absent: Cody Fishman Other’s Present: Parks and Recreation Director Kellee Omlid, Kjirsten Anderson, Dakota County Public Health, and Elyse Levine Less, Tobacco-Free Alliance I. Call Meeting to Order Chair Putt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Quorum was present. II. Approval of November 8, 2023 Meeting Agenda Moved by McMillen and seconded by Merricks to approve the meeting agenda. All persons in favor (APIF). Motion carried. III. Approval of October 23, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes Moved by Carron and seconded by Merricks to approve the meeting minutes with no revisions. APIF. Motion carried. IV. Approval of October 23, 2023 Special Meeting Minutes Moved by McMillen and seconded by Caron to approve the meeting minutes with no revisions. APIF. Motion carried. V. Presentations A. Public Comments There were no public comments shared at the meeting. B. Tobacco-Free Parks Overview Kjirsten Anderson, Dakota County Public Health, and Elyse Levine Less, Tobacco-Free Alliance presented a tobacco-free parks overview. The presentation included rationale for tobacco-free parks, role modeling and social norms, and dangers of secondhand smoke and tobacco litter. Information was provided on e-cigarettes and vape waste. They also described and showed the commission popular vape devices. The levels of tobacco-free policy coverage were described with level 1 being the most comprehensive and level 5 the least comprehensive. The current outdoor air landscape of the cities in Dakota County was presented. Enforcement of a tobacco- free park policy is usually through signage, self-compliance, and self-enforcement. Signs would be provided to the city and can be modified based on the city’s policy and can include city logo. The commission will review the tobacco-free parks overview at their December meeting and Director Omlid will follow-up with Kjirsten and Elyse. VI. Business Items A. Subcommittee for Fall Food Truck Event Director Omlid provided a recap of the October 23, 2023 joint meeting with Empire Parks and Recreation Commission and the decision to form a subcommittee to work out the details of the fall food truck event. Staff’s recommendation is to have one parks and recreation commissioner be on the subcommittee with Emilee Shearer, Recreation Supervisor, and appoint an alternate. Empire is planning to have two parks and recreation commission members on the subcommittee. Commissioner Caron volunteered to be on the subcommittee and Commissioner McMillen volunteered to be the alternate. Moved by Merricks and seconded by Putt to approve Commissioner Caron to be on the subcommittee for the fall food truck event and Commissioner McMillen to be the alternate. APIF. Motion carried. VII. Discussion Items A. Review Joint Meeting with Empire Parks and Recreation Commission Commission reviewed the joint meeting with Empire Parks and Recreation Commission and thought the meeting was good and attended by almost everyone. We discuss the same things every year, so gets repetitive. There is only so much you can discuss, but is important and helpful to meet. It was suggested to tour parks as it would be helpful to see them and know what we have been discussing. Perhaps do a tour in 2024 and rotate with a meeting the following year. A spring (May) tour was suggested as then could discuss improvements coming. Director Omlid will follow up with Empire to see if they would be interested in a tour in 2024 visiting the three parks in Empire and two-three parks in Farmington along the Hwy. 3 corridor. B. 2024 Work Plan Ideas Director Omlid reviewed the 2024 Work Plan ideas that were suggested at the October 23, 2023 parks and recreation commission meeting. Chair Putt proposed a presentation from Dakota County about events and information from surrounding communities. Through discussion it was decided to ask Dakota County to present about events they are hosting, how parks are developed, and Greenway trail plans. A draft of the 2024 Work Plan will be discussed at the commission’s December meeting. C. Review 2023 Work Plan Progress Chair Putt reviewed the progress of the goals and objectives of the 2023 work plan. VIII. Commission Roundtable McMillen: Trains and Treats is the Saturday after Thanksgiving from 9 a.m. – noon at the Rambling River Center. The event is sponsored by the Rambling River Model Railroad Club. In addition to the trains, attendees can make a Twinkie train for $3, and visit with Santa Claus (starting at 10:30 a.m.). Secret Holiday Shop is the following Saturday (December 2) from 9 a.m. – noon at the Rambling River Center. Caron: Asked whose responsibility are streetlights on 206th Street and what the process was to get one added. It is very dark on 206th Street between Abbey Lane and Cypress Drive. Director Omlid will find out and follow-up. Putt: Didn’t have anything to share. Merricks: Homestead Church will be hosting their Christmas Carnival on Saturday, December 9 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. There will be games, hot chocolate, cookies, and Santa. Fishman: N/A IX. Staff Report/Updates Director Omlid provided information on the following: A. Favor Farmington Expo Over the past few years, there have been challenges securing enough businesses to participate, as well as with overall community involvement and attendance. Thus, the Expo will be paused for 2024 to evaluate the future of the event. B. Rambling River Center Facility Master Plan An input session with Rambling River Center members and facility users/groups was held on October 31. Unfortunately, it was the first snow of the season which kept some people from attending. Attendees shared their favorite and least favorite things about the Rambling River Center. The facility master plan and study report should be completed the end of December and presented to city council in January. C. Jim Bell Park and Preserve 2024-2029 31.5 Acres Farm Lease The current lease to farm the 31.5 acres at Jim Bell Park and Preserve ends March 31, 2024. Staff advertised for farm lease proposals for 2024-2029 and received one proposal. Devney Family Farms submitted the proposal for $40,477.60 over the five-year period. The lease income will be deposited into the Park Improvement Fund. D. Farmington Currents Winter Edition The Currents winter edition is at the printers and expected to be delivered to homes November 20-21. E. RecTrac Management Software The Parks and Recreation Department is moving to new registration and reservation software, RecTrac, in late November / early December. Residents and facility users will need to create a new household account. F. Trail and Sidewalk Snow Removal Map The trail and Sidewalk snow removal map was included in the packet. It shows the trail snow removal priority. The map was recently updated adding the new trail from Flagstaff Meadows Park to Farmington High School. X. Meeting Agenda Topics The following items were tentatively identified by the commission for its December 13, 2023 meeting agenda: 1. XI. Adjournment Moved by Caron and seconded by McMillen to adjourn the meeting. APIF. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:41 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Kellee Omlid Parks & Recreation Director and Recording Secretary