Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.09.24 Parks and Rec Minutes Farmington Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes from the October 9, 2024 Regular Meeting Members Present: Cody Fishman, Katie Putt, David McMillen, Megan Merricks, and Katharine Caron 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 Fishman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Quorum was present. II. Approval of October 9, 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 September 11, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes Moved by Putt and seconded by McMillen 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. Rambling River Center Operations Recreation Supervisor Missie Kohlbeck shared information and numbers for program participation, rentals, and memberships at the Rambling River Center (RRC). This included annual numbers from January 2017 through August 2024. Program participation numbers are better this year than the last two, but not back to pre-covid numbers. Rentals are down as lost two regular renters. There have been more crucial conversation type classes (i.e., living wills, fraud prevention) this year and fitness classes remain popular. There was a question on rental costs and costs to sponsor a room. Rental costs depend on room renting and the costs to sponsor a room were from when the center moved into its current location in 2009. The banquet room is the only room remaining without a sponsor name. C. Recreation Programs and Events Report Recreation Supervisor Emilee Shearer and Recreation Supervisor Missie Kohlbeck presented information and participant numbers for spring through fall recreation programs and special events. Recreation Supervisor Shearer highlighted this is the first year all three age groups for in-house soccer were run, Safety Camp, Helmet Heroes offered with Farmington Police, additional Muddy Waters art classes, all parks are currently adopted, archery lessons, and Halloween Havoc Tour. Recreation Supervisor Kohlbeck highlighted Breakfast with the Bunnies, Firearms Safety Class, new littles camps, and adding a Puppet Wagon stop at Rambling River Park again in 2025 as very busy daily with new playground equipment. Staff thinks program participation numbers are down due to the switch in registration software from ActiveNet to RecTrac. Received phone calls they couldn’t register and/or find programs; during discussion realized were trying to register on ActiveNet though we had switched already. Question regarding if camps need to have a licensed instructor. The Rambling River Model Railroad Club would be interested in helping with a class; a suggestion was a presentation on railroad safety at Safety Camp. V. Business Items VI. Discussion Items A. Depot Way Arts Park Commissioner McMillen hasn’t been able to connect with Zion Tattoo yet. Commissioner Caron provided update that Street Art Class is interest partnering somehow, but not sure what the collaboration looks like. Will continue to visit with Street Art Class instructor. Director Omlid provided update on site visits and conversations with Kevin at Wettrock Co. and Emily at Muddy Waters. Discussion on history of Farmington on panels. Commissioner McMillen will contact the Historical Society for information. Leave a few panels blank for students to paint, spray paint, etc. Suggestion was there could be a seasonal or yearly theme. Discussion on who owns the theme and consensus was parks and recreation commission were best as they are consistent from year to year. Idea to get more kids involved and invested in community. Boy Scouts and 4-H were suggested. B. 2025 Work Plan Ideas The commission started the discussion of what should be included in the 2025 Work Plan. Ideas include: • Depot Way Arts Park • Community Engagement • Park and Facilities/Rambling River Center Tour • Connect with City Parks and Recreation Departments. Rosemount was suggested. • Playground replacement at Westview Park • Items that are regularly included in the work plan, such as Capital Improvement Plan for the Park Improvement Fund, Bike Pedestrian Plan Priorities, Food Truck Event with Empire Parks and Recreation Commission, and Presentations from Parks and Recreation Department staff members about operations. C. 2024 Work Plan Progress Director Omlid reviewed the progress of the goals and objectives of the 2024 work plan. VII. Commission Roundtable McMillen: Didn’t have anything to share. Putt: Didn’t have anything to share. Caron: Asked when the Vermillion Grove Park boardwalk was built. Director Omlid didn’t know but will find out. Suggested adding a dock for bird and other animal watching. Inquired about adding equipment for middle school students when replacing the 5–12-year-old playground equipment at Westview Park. Perhaps a ninja obstacle course. The students at Boeckman School regularly ask if they can go play at the park. Going to check with the principal to see if taking the students to the park is an option. 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. Rambling River Park The area where the playground equipment was hydroseeded today. The bathrooms will be winterized and closed for the season next week. B. Rambling River Center Renovations City council approved the Plans and Specifications and authorized the Advertisement for Bids at their meeting Monday. Bidding is from October 8 – November 5. The Rambling River Center is moving to Fire Station 1 and the fitness center to city hall during the renovation. C. Rambling River Center Breakfast and Silent Auction Fundraiser The breakfast and silent auction fundraiser is Saturday. Breakfast is $12 per person, which includes egg bake, cinnamon rolls, fruit, juice, and coffee. Breakfast is from 8:30-10:30 am and silent auction ends at 11 am. D. Pilot Knob Road Trail Additional Underpass Evaluation Bolton and Menk will explore up to two different locations for an underpass on Pilot Knob Road. Staff is just waiting for the second amendment to the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) from Dakota County. E. North Creek Greenway – Farmington and Lakeville Segment Staff met with the Greenways Manager and Grounds Maintenance Manager to discuss maintenance on the Greenway. This includes plowing, mowing, trimming, and trash removal. Dakota County pays cities a cost per mile for equipment and labor activity on the Greenway trail. The County is going to get the cost per mile information to staff to decide who will take care of the maintenance on the new Greenway. The County is exploring adding lights to this section of the Greenway and asked if the city was interested. Staff stated we would be interested in lights on the Greenway. F. Halloween Walk The Halloween Walk is Friday, October 25 from 5:30-7 pm at Dodge Middle School parking lot. G. Downtown Lighted Holiday Parade The city, Farmington Rotary, and Homestead Church is organizing a downtown lighted holiday parade for Saturday, December 7 at 7 pm. The preliminary parade route is starting at Walnut Street and Fourth Street, north on Fourth Street to Oak Street, west on Oak Street to Third Street, south on Third Street to Maple Street. There will be a tree lighting on Saturday, November 30 (Small Business Saturday); the tree will be in Homestead Church’s green space. H. Preliminary 2025 Budget The preliminary tax levy increase is just under six percent (6%). The preliminary budget includes increasing the Rambling River Center Program Assistant hours from 20 to 28 per week and changing one of the Parks Maintenance Worker positions to a Parks Maintenance Foreman. IX. Meeting Agenda Topics The following items were tentatively identified by the commission for its November 13, 2024 meeting agenda: 1. X. Adjournment Moved by Merricks and seconded by McMillen to adjourn the meeting. APIF. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:33 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Kellee Omlid Parks & Recreation Director and Recording Secretary