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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.08.24 Parks and Rec Minutes Farmington Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes from the May 8, 2024 Regular Meeting Members Present: Megan Merricks, Katharine Caron, Katie Putt, and David McMillen Members Absent: Cody Fishman Other’s Present: Parks and Recreation Director Kellee Omlid I. Call Meeting to Order Vice-Chair McMillen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Quorum was present. II. Approval of May 8, 2024 Meeting Agenda Moved by Putt and seconded by Merricks to approve the meeting agenda. All persons in favor (APIF). Motion carried. III. Approval of April 10, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes Moved by Caron and seconded by Putt 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. V. Business Items A. Parks and Facilities Tour Schedule with Empire Parks and Recreation Commission The parks and facilities tour with the City of Empire Parks and Recreation Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, May 22, 2024. Included in the packet is the schedule and locations for this year’s tour. Moved by Merricks and seconded by Putt to approve the parks and facility tour locations and schedule. APIF. Motion carried. VI. Discussion Items A. Parks and Facilities Tour Schedule with the Rambling River Center Advisory Board and City Council The parks and facilities tour with the Rambling River Center Advisory Board and City Council is scheduled for Wednesday, August 28 from 6-8 p.m. At the March 13, 2024 parks and recreation commission meeting, the commission discussed potential park and facility stops. The RRCAB discussed the parks and facilities tour at their April 8, 2024 meeting. Ideas they had for stops included Rambling River Park, Flagstaff Meadows Park, Depot Way Arts Park, and Westview Acres Park. The commission discussed Daisy Knoll Park as a tour stop in 2023, but eliminated it due to number of stops and time allotted for tour. They discussed it again this year, but decided to not stop there as nothing new to see and there is a lot of walking to get to the park. The commission discussed and decided the tour stops for this year would include Depot Way Arts Park, North Creek Greenway (189th Street), Westview Acres, Rambling River Park, Jim Bell Park and Preserve (removal of Emerald Ash Borer trees and buckthorn), and Fair Hills Park. Director Omlid will develop the schedule and present it to the commission for approval at a future meeting. B. 2024 Work Plan Progress Vice-Chair McMillen reviewed the progress of the goals and objectives of the 2024 work plan. VII. Commission Roundtable McMillen: VFW steak fry benefiting the Rambling River Center is Saturday, May 18 from 4-8 p.m. For $15, you get a Von Hanson’s grilled steak, baked potato, salad, and dessert. Putt: Thanked Director Omlid for visiting with the multiage classrooms at Riverview Elementary School about the Rambling River Park inclusive playground and surfacing. Caron: Dakota County has a Public Art Advisory Committee that we should connect with for funding opportunities and art ideas for Depot Way Arts Park. There was discussion about if we should keep it as an art park. We will have an open house when The Emery has residents and also invite downtown businesses owners to understand what amenities they would like to see in Depot Way Arts Park. Merricks: Didn’t have anything to share. Fishman: N/A VIII. Staff Report/Updates Director Omlid provided information on the following: A. Spring Food Truck Event with Empire Parks and Recreation Commission The spring food truck event with Empire Parks and Recreation Commission is Friday, May 17 from 5-8 p.m. Right now, there are eight (8) food trucks confirmed. Empire Parks and Recreation Commission (EPRC) is fine with us bringing bag boards. It was decided to bring two- three sets. EPRC also discussed future spring food truck events and they felt due to the logistics of parking it would not work for more activities to be added to the event except for bags. The thought was the food truck events were initially designed with the idea of a “grab and go” type event. With limited space, they don’t feel the fields would work well for an event that essentially encouraged families / individuals to stay longer since this in turn affects parking availability and traffic. If there is a location in Farmington that could work, EPRC is certainly willing to revisit the idea of more activities. B. Rambling River Park The installation of the playground started and the contractors are making good progress. The poured-in-place rubber surfacing will be installed after completion of the playground and should be within the next two weeks, weather permitting. C. Rambling River Center Renovations At their meeting Monday, the city council approved the contract with JLG Architects for schematic design through construction services. The project will be completed as a single phase including the Kraus-Anderson facility condition assessment items. The kick-off meeting with the architects and engineers is May 21. D. Helmet Heroes Parks and Recreation is partnering with the Police to offer Helmet Heroes. It is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, June 1 from 9-11 a.m. at Farmington Lutheran Church parking lot. We are waiting to hear from an area bike shop about a basic repair clinic. Helmets will be provided to children thanks to Children’s Minnesota. It was recommended to have a shorter and longer bike ride option. E. Sunny Hills Park The developer has a few punch list items to complete at Sunny Hills Park, which should be done in the next few weeks. Parks Maintenance staff will install the park sign and then we will schedule a ribbon cutting. F. New City Website and Farmington Fix The City’s new website and Farmington Fix launched in mid-April. Director Omlid showed the commission the new website and encouraged use and sharing of the new Farmington Fix. It is very helpful as staff can’t be in every park and/or trail daily. IX. Meeting Agenda Topics The following items were tentatively identified by the commission for its June 12, 2024 meeting agenda: 1. X. Adjournment Moved by Putt and seconded by Caron to adjourn the meeting. APIF. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Kellee Omlid Parks & Recreation Director and Recording Secretary