HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.13.23 Parks and Rec Minutes Farmington Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes from the December 13, 2023 Regular Meeting
Members Present: Katharine Caron, Katie Putt, Megan Merricks, Cody Fishman, and David McMillen
Members Absent:
Other’s Present: Parks and Recreation Director Kellee Omlid, Recreation Supervisor Missie Kohlbeck, and
Recreation Supervisor Emilee Shearer
I. Call Meeting to Order
Chair Putt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Quorum was present.
II. Approval of December 13, 2023 Meeting Agenda
Moved by Merricks and seconded by Fishman to approve the meeting agenda. All persons in favor
(APIF). Motion carried.
III. Approval of November 8, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
Moved by McMillen and seconded by Caron to approve the meeting minutes with no revisions. APIF.
Motion carried.
IV. Presentations
A. Public Comments
There were no public comments shared at the meeting.
B. Recreation Programs and Events Report
Recreation Supervisor Missie Kohlbeck and Recreation Supervisor Emilee Shearer presented
information and participant numbers for spring through fall recreation programs and special
events. Recreation Supervisor Kohlbeck highlighted Firearms Safety which fills quickly and is
taught by volunteers, Water Park Camp that was offered for two weeks this summer due to
demand, and Trains and Treats, which was attended by the most people ever this year.
Recreation Supervisor Shearer highlighted the classes with Muddy Waters Studio, Sprouting
Sports, which is a sports sampler for ages 3-5 years, Hyperspace Starcade Video Game Truck,
Halloween Havoc Tour, and Learn to Skate Lessons. Recreation Supervisor Kohlbeck mentioned
the Rotary and Seniors Holiday Party was yesterday and Finch & Daisy Consulting paid for all the
meals. Neil Anderson, Market President and SVP of Commercial Banking for Minnwest Bank,
Farmington, surprised the Rambling River Center Advisory Board at their December 11 meeting
with a check for $50,000 to build an outside patio complete with furnishings at the Rambling
River Center! Recreation Supervisor Shearer mentioned she collaborated with Dakota County
Public Health staff to write a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) No Child Left Inside Grant
to purchase snowshoes and archery equipment. We will find out in the spring if awarded the
grant. The Commission thanked staff for their hard work, great programs, and encouragement
for participant numbers increasing.
V. Business Items
A. 2023 Meeting Attendance Report
The 2023 meeting attendance report was reviewed and the commission was reminded the report would
be updated to reflect member’s attendance at the boards and commissions reception on December 7
and tonight’s meeting. Moved by McMillan and seconded by Fishman to approve the 2023 meeting
attendance report with the additional attendance added to the report for members attending the
boards and commissions reception last week and tonight’s meeting. APIF. Motion carried.
B. Rambling River Park Playground Equipment
Director Omlid provided an overview of the playground equipment being proposed for Rambling River
Park. The playground equipment would be inclusive and contain several play features that would be
new to the park system including the cyclo cone plus climber, glide along, and inclusive whirl. The
surfacing is a poured-in-place (PIP) rubber surface that is ADA approved, slip-resistant, and porous. The
PIP rubber surface comes in four standard colors including blue, tan, green, and terra cotta. The
Commission discussed the color options and decided the PIP surface should be tan with the blue river.
Commission is very excited about the new playground and surfacing and it looks different from our
other parks. Moved by Fishman and seconded by Caron to have the PIP rubber surface be tan with the
blue river and recommend city council to authorize purchase and installation of the playground
equipment for Rambling River Park. APIF. Motion carried.
VI. Discussion Items
A. Review Tobacco-Free Parks Overview
Commissioner Fishman asked the other commissioners if they were swayed to pursue a
tobacco-free parks policy after the Tobacco-Free Parks Overview presented by Dakota County
Public Health and Tobacco-Free Alliance. The commissioners were now interested in pursuing a
tobacco-free parks policy not only due to the presentation, but they didn’t realize vaping was
such an issue in middle school. They mentioned Dakota County Public Health and Tobacco-Free
Alliance will help with signage, which will hopefully deter tobacco use in parks and folks visiting
parks would appreciate the community’s values to keep park goers safe. There was discussion
about if there would be situations, we wouldn’t want to have tobacco-free parks and would it be
just for parks. Director Omlid let the commission know this would be decided by the
commission when developing the policy at future meetings. Development of a tobacco-free
parks policy will be added to the 2024 Work Plan.
B. Rambling River Center Facility Master Plan
Director Omlid provided an overview of the draft concept for the Rambling River Center.
Suggestions included adding an adult changing table in one of the new restrooms, adding glass
windows in the train room looking at the patio for more natural light, and ensuring the facility is
accessible. The consensus from the commission is the plan looks great. Comments and
recommendations from the Rambling River Center Advisory Board, parks and recreation
commission, and staff will be sent to JLG Architects. JLG will then make the updates and work
on cost estimates with the facility master plan to be presented to city council on Tuesday,
January 16, 2024 at 7 p.m.
C. 2024 Work Plan Ideas and Draft Plan
Director Omlid reviewed the 2024 Work Plan draft. Development of a tobacco-free parks policy
will be added as a goal. Director Omlid suggested for Goal #6 Participate in the process of
identifying and making improvements at Depot Way Arts Park to push that to later in the year
and carry into 2025, so can have an open house with residents of the Emery Apartments to
understand what they would like in the park. Commission thought should have at least
brainstormed potential improvements, ideas, partners, etc. Director Omlid will update the draft
plan to be approved at the January 10, 2024 meeting.
D. Review 2023 Work Plan Progress
Chair Putt reviewed the progress of the goals and objectives of the 2023 work plan.
VII. Commission Roundtable
McMillen: Wished everyone happy holidays and happy new year.
Putt: Didn’t have anything to share.
Caron: Didn't have anything to share.
Merricks: Didn’t have anything to share.
Fishman: Excited for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to come to the January meeting to
present about the Vermillion River and trout fishing.
VIII. Staff Report/Updates
Director Omlid provided information on the following:
A. Holiday Lights Tour
There are 23 homes on this year’s holiday lights tour with three (3) tuned to radio stations for
music and two (2) collecting donations for the food shelf. This year the city’s GIS Specialist
created an online map for the tour.
B. 2024 Budget
City council approved the 2024 budget at their December 4 meeting. The tax levy increased by
9.87% which included several items including two new public works maintenance workers and a
half-time grant coordinator position, new finance/accounting/payroll/utility software, increase
in Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) management activities, and continue to make progress to reach
adequate funding levels in several areas including street maintenance, trail maintenance,
building maintenance, and fleet replacement.
C. Outdoor Rinks and Warming Houses
Staff were trained last evening. The outdoor rinks and warming houses were scheduled to open
Friday (December 15), but haven’t started flooding due to warmer temperatures. Hopefully, will
be able to start flooding after the holidays. Weather permitting, the outdoor rinks and warming
houses will be open through February 19.
D. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) No Child Left Inside Grant
Staff collaborated with Dakota County to write a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
(DNR) No Child Left Inside Grant to purchase snowshoes (45 pairs) and archery equipment (28
bows). We will find out in March 2024 if awarded the grant, which was for $13,373 for the
snowshoes and bows.
E. Regional Solicitation Grant (North Creek Greenway – Downtown Farmington Segment)
The segment from behind Riverview Elementary School to Mystic Meadows is approximately 1.8
miles and the only segment remaining of the North Creek Greenway in Farmington. Dakota
County provided the grant writing services to the city at no charge; HKGi is writing the grant
which is due Friday. The estimated cost to construct the trail which includes one bridge is
$1,974,720.
IX. Meeting Agenda Topics
The following items were tentatively identified by the commission for its January 10, 2024 meeting
agenda:
1.
X. Adjournment
Moved by Fishman and seconded by McMillen to adjourn the meeting. APIF. Motion carried. The
meeting was adjourned at 8:37 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kellee Omlid
Parks & Recreation Director and Recording Secretary