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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.10.24 Parks and Rec Minutes Farmington Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes from the July 10, 2024 Regular Meeting Members Present: Megan Merricks, Katharine Caron, Cody Fishman, Katie Putt, and David McMillen Members Absent: Other’s Present: Parks and Recreation Director Kellee Omlid, Dakota County Parks Director Niki Geisler, and Dakota County Greenways Manager Tony Wotzka I. Call Meeting to Order Chair Fishman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Quorum was present. II. Approval of July 10, 2024 Meeting Agenda Moved by McMillen and seconded by Putt to approve the meeting agenda. All persons in favor (APIF). Motion carried. III. Approval of June 10, 2024 Work Session Meeting Minutes Moved by Putt and seconded by Merricks to approve the meeting minutes with no revisions. APIF. Motion carried. Approval of June 12, 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. B. Dakota County Parks Overview Niki Geisler, Dakota County Parks Director, introduced herself. Geisler provided an overview of Dakota County parks mission, services provided, 2024 highlights and projects, White Tail Woods Regional Park long-range plan to be updated in 2025-2026 and return on investment study on additional camper cabins, and recent upgrades (water, lights, paved parking lot, and hazard tree removal) at Dakota Woods Dog Park. Tony Wotzka, Dakota County Parks Greenways Manager, introduced himself. Wotzka provided an overview of greenway 101 including the County’s plan for more than 200 miles of trails linking cities, schools, parks, and townships. Farmington is the “hub” of the system as four (4) greenways run through Farmington including Lake Marion Greenway, North Creek Greenway, Vermillion Greenway, and Vermillion Highlands Greenway (future Chub Creek Greenway). Dakota County Parks partners with cities, townships, and schools to build greenways. The current cost share is 85% county / 15% city with some flexibility. The County has an interactive map, Greenway Status Viewer, which shows the latest in Greenway status information. V. Business 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 Wednesday, August 28 at 6 p.m. We will meet at city hall and walk to Depot Way Arts Park to start the tour. Motion by McMillen and seconded by Merricks to approve the parks and facilities tour schedule and locations. APIF. Motion carried. B. Flagstaff Meadows Park Ribbon Cutting Most of the park improvements at Flagstaff Meadows Park have been completed. To celebrate, staff would like to hold a ribbon cutting. Motion by Putt and seconded by Fishman to hold the ribbon cutting on Wednesday, August 14 at 6 p.m. at Flagstaff Meadows Park. APIF. Motion carried. VI. Discussion Items A. 2024 Work Plan Progress Chair Fishman reviewed the progress of the goals and objectives of the 2024 work plan. VII. Commission Roundtable McMillen: Didn’t have anything to share. Putt: Shared a Parent Family Directory brochure, which she picked up at a Subway in Burnsville. Rambling River Park and Westview Acres Park were highlighted in the brochure. Caron: Didn’t have anything to share. Merricks: Didn’t have anything to share. Fishman: Didn't have anything to share. VIII. Staff Report/Updates Director Omlid provided information on the following: A. Public Park, Trail and Open Space Dedication Ordinance The public hearing for the Public Park, Trail and Open Space Dedication Ordinance was held last night at the Planning Commission. There were no questions or comments from the public. The Planning Commission had a few questions for staff and were very appreciative of the city’s park and trail system and all the work the parks and recreation commission has done. The Planning Commission recommended city council approve the draft ordinance regarding Public Park, Trail and Open Spaced dedication with a vote of 5-0. It is on the agenda for Monday’s city council meeting. B. Rambling River Park and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Outdoor Recreation Grant Staff learned in early July the City’s application for design and construction of a skatepark wasn’t funded. The DNR received over $16.5 million in grant requests for an available $4.6 million in funding. We’ve asked the DNR for feedback on our application to correct for next year. Staff will continue to look for grant opportunities for the skatepark and other improvements in the park. Discussion on the ribbon cutting for the playground equipment; staff will look at July 31 at 6:30 p.m. (prior to Music in the Park) and follow-up with commissioners if the date works. 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. We meet biweekly to discuss design progress. D. Rambling River Center Raffle Fundraiser with the Farmington Rotary The Rambling River Center is partnering with the Farmington Rotary again for a raffle fundraiser. Three hundred (300) raffle tickets will be sold at $52 each. There will be 52 drawings for $100 and four (4) drawings for $250. All winning tickets will be thrown back in so have a chance to win multiple times. Once the gambling permit is received, raffle tickets will be printed and start to sell. E. Parks and Recreation Month July is Parks and Recreation Month. To celebrate, we will be hosting Party in the Park on Friday, July 26 at 7 p.m. at Lake Julia Park. Kidsdance will start at 7 p.m. with Shrek shown at dusk (approximately 8:40 p.m.). There will also be games, crafts, and face painting. F. Farmington Feed Podcast The July podcast is out and focuses on parks and recreation including the new playground equipment at Rambling River Park. Thanks to commissioner Putt for being on the podcast; she did great! G. North Creek Greenway Farmington-Lakeville Segment Progress continues on the North Creek Greenway Farmington-Lakeville segment. Still anticipating August completion. H. Parks and Facilities Tour with Empire Parks and Recreation Commission Reminder The parks and facilities tour with the City of Empire Parks and Recreation Commission is Tuesday, August 6 at 6 p.m. We will meet at Town Hall Park in Empire. If you want to ride in the passenger van to Empire, please be at the Rambling River Center by 5:45 p.m. IX. Meeting Agenda Topics The following items were tentatively identified by the commission for its August 14, 2024 meeting agenda: 1. X. Adjournment Moved by Caron and seconded by McMillen to adjourn the meeting. APIF. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:28 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Kellee Omlid Parks & Recreation Director and Recording Secretary