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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.12.24 Parks and Rec Minutes Farmington Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes from the June 12, 2024 Regular Meeting Members Present: Megan Merricks, Katharine Caron, and David McMillen Members Absent: Cody Fishman and Katie Putt 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 June 12, 2024 Meeting Agenda Moved by Caron and seconded by Merricks to approve the meeting agenda. All persons in favor (APIF). Motion carried. III. Approval of May 8, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes Moved by Merricks 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. V. Business Items A. Parks and Facilities Tour Schedule with Empire Parks and Recreation Commission The parks and facilities tour with Empire Parks and Recreation Commission was scheduled for May 22, 2024, but was cancelled due to flooding at the disc golf course in Empire and Rambling River Park in Farmington. At their meeting Monday, Empire Parks and Recreation Commission decided on Tuesday, August 6 and Wednesday, August 21 as potential dates for the rescheduled tour. Commissioner Putt is available on both dates and Commissioner Fishman is available August 6. Motion by Caron and seconded by Merricks to have the parks and facilities tour with Empire Parks and Recreation Commission on August 6, 2024 at 6 p.m. APIF. Motion carried. B. Sunny Hills Park Ribbon Cutting All the park improvements at Sunny Hills Park have been completed. To celebrate, staff would like to hold a ribbon cutting. There was discussion about holding it prior to a parks and recreation commission meeting. Motion by Merricks and seconded by Caron to hold the ribbon cutting on Wednesday, July 10 at 6 p.m. at Sunny Hills Park. APIF. Motion carried. C. 2025 – 2029 Park Improvement Fund CIP Director Omlid reviewed the proposed projects in the 2025 – 2029 Park Improvement Fund CIP. The five-year CIP is annually included in the approved city budget. The most important year is the first as projects can move back or forward. Proposed projects for 2025 include a skate park at Rambling River Park if the city is awarded a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Outdoor Recreation grant, improvements at Depot Way Arts Park, and new 5–12-year-old playground equipment and swings at Westview Acres Park. Consensus from the commission was to focus on Rambling River Park and continue to build momentum there. There is concern about waiting three years for pickleball courts as there is demand for them now. There was discussion about holding an open house for Depot Way Arts Park in October or early November. Commission asked about Evergreen Knoll Park and the parking lot. The parking lot is in terrible condition, but not included in the CIP. The master plan for the park includes a splash pad in the location of the former pool and an expanded parking lot. Staff’s recommendation is to wait on replacement and possible expansion of the parking lot until we know if a splash pad or another amenity will be added in the future. Moved by Caron and seconded by Merricks to approve the 2025-2029 Park Improvement Fund CIP. D. Public Park, Trails and Open Space Dedication Ordinance Director Omlid asked if there were any questions on the park dedication findings and recommendations that were presented by HKGi at the joint parks and recreation and planning commission meeting. Commission didn’t have any questions and thought the draft ordinance was cleaner and easier to read. Consensus was we shouldn’t go lower on the dedication requirements including the acres of land dedicated per person and we need to continue to add more trails and connect to existing trails. The commission thought the draft ordinance was good, logical, and protected future parks. Moved by Merricks and seconded by Caron to approve the draft public park, trails and open space dedication ordinance and recommend planning commission to hold a public hearing. APIF. Motion carried. VI. Discussion Items A. Review Food Truck Event with Empire Parks and Recreation Commission Commission reviewed the food truck event with Empire Parks and Recreation Commission that was held on May 17. Consensus was it was a great event and weather likely played a factor in the high attendance numbers. The commission thought we could add a few more food trucks and more activities, but also understand to keep the event simple. Attendees played bags, so continue to bring two sets. The City of Empire emailed a short survey (approximate number of people served, interested in returning, and other comments/suggestions) after the event to participating food trucks and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Vice-Chair McMillen asked about getting t-shirts for the commission to wear to the event; Empire commission members have matching t-shirts. Director Omlid thought it was a good idea and can investigate it for next spring’s event. 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: Didn’t have anything to share. Putt: N/A Caron: Didn’t have anything to share. Merricks: Didn’t have anything to share. Fishman: N/A VIII. Staff Report/Updates Director Omlid provided information on the following: A. Pilot Knob Road Trail Preliminary Design City and Dakota County staff met with Bolton and Menk to discuss the pedestrian underpass evaluation findings. The pedestrian underpass is possible, but to comply with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) will need rest areas as the slope is 8%. There will also need to be retaining walls on both sides of Pilot Knob Road, which significantly drives up the cost. The total estimated construction cost for the pedestrian underpass is $1,610,000. Bolton and Menk is working on the feasibility report, which will be presented to city council in July. B. Dew Days Dew Days is June 20 – 23, 2024. New events this year include Family Movie Night (Sandlot) at Homestead Church lot, FFA Alumni Tractor Drive, FFA Petting Zoo, Free Yoga Class at Homestead Church Lot, and Farmtown Hoedown. The Rambling River Center’s Model Railroad Club will host an open house Saturday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Rambling River Center. C. Rambling River Center Renovations JLG Architects and the engineers (electrical, mechanical, and structural) continue to work on design for the Rambling River Center renovations. The second site visit will be Monday and the interior designer will be attending as well. D. Helmet Heroes Helmet Heroes was held on Saturday, June 1 from 9-11 a.m. Forty-five (45) bicycle helmets were given to children. They also received lights for the front and back of their bicycle. Children’s Minnesota fitted the children for new helmets and provided instructions on proper wearing of helmets. Downtown Bicycles, Northfield, educated the attendees on safe bike riding, bike care, and provided water bottles. Children’s Minnesota already committed to providing bike helmets next year, so will host Helmet Heroes again! IX. Meeting Agenda Topics The following items were tentatively identified by the commission for its July 10, 2024 meeting agenda: 1. X. Adjournment Moved by Caron and seconded by Merricks to adjourn the meeting. APIF. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:01 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Kellee Omlid Parks & Recreation Director and Recording Secretary