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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.13.24 Parks and Rec Minutes Farmington Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes from the November 13, 2024 Regular Meeting Members Present: Katie Putt, David McMillen, and Megan Merricks Members Absent: Cody Fishman and Katharine Caron Other’s Present: Parks and Recreation Director Kellee Omlid and Parks and Facilities Supervisor Jeremy Pire I. Call Meeting to Order Vice-Chair McMillen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Quorum was present. II. Approval of November 13, 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 October 9, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes Moved by Putt and seconded by Merricks 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. Parks and Recreation Department Reports Parks and Facilities Supervisor Jeremy Pire presented the summer ice report for the Schmitz- Maki Arena and park and trail improvements and maintenance. Recent improvements at the Arena include installation of LED lights over the ice surface and concrete curbing and landscaping around the sign in front of the Arena. The rebate from Xcel Energy for the LED lights was significant, which reduced the cost of the lights and installation to less than $5,000. Parks Maintenance staff completed numerous projects in 2024 with the largest being improvements to Rambling River Park. Commission thought Rambling River Park looked great, staff did an impressive job, and thanked staff for all their hard work and efforts. V. Business Items VI. Discussion Items A. Depot Way Arts Park Commissioner McMillen provided an update on his conversations with Zion Tattoo. They would be interested in partnering if it was rotating art that was interactive. Commission members were hesitant on the art theme due to upkeep and who is going to manage it. If the Street Arts Class from Farmington High School is eliminated and/or teachers change in the future, will the art park turn into what is currently there. Long-term is maintenance and upkeep practical. There was interest in keeping the tiles at the entrances to the park and the other art pieces can be removed. Hammocking poles and more seating was recommended. Commissioner McMillen will contact the Dakota County Historical Society for information on the railroad, Vermillion River, and elevator. Director Omlid mentioned the Fire Department is looking for a park to install a first responder’s memorial and mentioned to them Depot Way Arts Park and Jim Bell Park and Preserve. Their initial thought was Rambling River Park next to the Veteran’s Memorial. Discussion on will Rambling River Park be too crowded, how large, and where. The Fire Department is planning to form a committee and will start to identify a location in 2025. B. 2025 Work Plan Ideas The commission reviewed the 2025 work plan ideas they suggested at their October 9, 2024 meeting. The consensus was it is a full work plan. There was discussion regarding meeting with the City of Empire Parks and Recreation Commission. Commission thought keep it in the rotation and were fine meeting with them in 2025 if they wanted to meet with us. The tour was great, but unless something changes don’t need to do it annually. Tour suggestions in the City of Rosemount included the skate park, splash pad, disc golf course, Steeples Center, and possibly the Community Center if renovations are completed. C. 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: Asked about not being able to reserve park shelters after October 1. Director Omlid stated the restrooms at Rambling River Park are usually winterized the first week in October and portable toilets might be removed from parks as it depends on the flag football schedule. Caron: Director Omlid red an email sent by Commissioner Caron for roundtable regarding Westview Park: “I spoke with Joe Sage quickly about if there would be any interest in working with BMS to help gear this park more towards a secondary level, and he said that would be great. We should decide if this is something we are interested in, is it even a good idea, etc.” Merricks: Didn’t have anything to share. Fishman: N/A VIII. Staff Report/Updates Director Omlid provided information on the following: A. Holiday Events in Farmington There are several holiday events happening in Farmington this season including, but not limited to, Toys for Town, Small Business Saturday, Rotary Tree Lighting, Holiday Lights Tour, Secret Holiday Shop, Homestead Church Carnival, Library Festivities, Dakota Village, Lighted Holiday Parade, Downtown Farmington Celebration, Toys for Town Wrapping Day, Skate with Santa, and Rotary Senior Holiday Luncheon. B. Rambling River Center Renovations Bids for the renovation project were due November 5; eight (8) bids were received. CM Construction Company, Inc. was the lowest bidder at $2,021,126. Staff checked references, which were positive. Accepting the bids and awarding a contract is on city council’s agenda for Monday. Hopefully, the preconstruction meeting for the project will be the week of December 2. C. Pilot Knob Road Trail Additional Underpass Evaluation and Trail Phasing Analysis The Second Amendment to the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) with Dakota County for additional underpass evaluation and trail phasing analysis was approved by city council on November 4. Bolton & Menk started on these additional trail design projects and staff should see the underpass re-evaluation results for Pilot Knob Road trail in December. D. Farmington Preliminary Greenway Design Dakota County contracted with KLJ Engineering for preliminary design of the Greenways through the cities of Farmington, Empire, and Rosemount. This includes the trails through Rambling River Park and the final segment of the North Creek Greenway, which will be new trail from Riverview Elementary School to Mystic Meadows. The kick-off meeting for the project will be on Monday and will include staff from the city, county, and KLJ Engineering. E. Dakota County’s 2050 Vision Plan – Parks, Greenways, and Natural Systems Dakota County is developing their 2050 Vision Plan for Parks, Greenways, and Natural Systems. Thus, city staff met with staff from Dakota County to provide input on parks and greenways. The county asked if there were ideas for community trail loops off the greenways. The county heard through the visioning process that trail loops are important to users. They have created a concept plan for a Farmington – Lakeville trail loop. The county is exploring a conservation area in Farmington, which may include trails and benches. City staff asked about partnering for Jim Bell Park and Preserve; the county was interested in exploring this opportunity. The draft plan will be presented in December at a city council meeting or work session. Suggestion was made to have it as a work session with both city council and the parks and recreation commission. F. Tobacco-Free Parks Policy The Planning Commission is working on an ordinance for potential zoning regulations for cannabis uses including cultivation, manufacturing, wholesale, retail, and transportation and delivery. This may or may not include smoking cannabis. Does the tobacco-free parks policy get combined with cannabis regulations? The planning commission and city council are meeting Monday in a work session to discuss cannabis legislation and regulations. G. Vermillion Grove Boardwalk At the October meeting, Commissioner Caron asked about the Vermillion Grove boardwalk and suggested a dock for bird and animal watching. The Vermillion Grove Park boardwalk was built / installed in approximately 2004. Parks and Facilities Supervisor Pire thought Parks Maintenance could build / add a sitting dock. IX. Meeting Agenda Topics The following items were tentatively identified by the commission for its December 11, 2024 meeting agenda: 1. Depot Way Arts Park X. Adjournment Moved by Merricks and seconded by Putt to adjourn the meeting. APIF. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Kellee Omlid Parks & Recreation Director and Recording Secretary