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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.08.25 Parks and Rec Minutes Farmington Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes from the January 8, 2025 Regular Meeting Members Present: Katharine Caron, Cody Fishman, David McMillen, Katie Putt, and Megan Merricks Members Absent: Other’s Present: Parks and Recreation Director Kellee Omlid and Doug Pewowaruk I. Call Meeting to Order Chair Fishman called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Quorum was present. II. Approval of January 8, 2025 Meeting Agenda Moved by McMillen and seconded by Caron to approve the meeting agenda. All persons in favor (APIF). Motion carried. III. Approval of December 11, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes Moved by Merricks 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. Recognition of Outgoing Commission Member Cody Fishman Director Omlid and commission members thanked Cody for his service to the parks and recreation commission, community, and city. He started on the commission in August 2023 as he finished an existing term. Cody is passionate about and an advocate for lights in parks and more access and promotion of the Vermillion River and trout stream. Cody will be missed, but we know we will see him using the parks and trails. V. Business Items A. 2025 Work Plan Director Omlid reviewed the draft 2025 Work Plan. The only change from the December 2024 meeting was Goal #9 from Develop a Tobacco-Free Parks Policy to Develop a Smoke-Free Parks Ordinance. Moved by Caron and seconded by Putt to approve the 2025 work plan. APIF. Motion carried. B. Spring Food Truck Event with City of Empire Parks and Recreation Commission The City of Empire Parks and Recreation Commission is proposing Friday, May 16, 2025 for the fourth annual spring food truck event. Commission discussed the event and asked if the new Kwik Trip in Empire would be interested in doing something for the event and if they could get matching t-shirts. Moved by Putt and seconded by Merricks to approve Friday, May 16, 2025 for the food spring truck event with the City of Empire Parks and Recreation Commission. APIF. Motion carried. C. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Outdoor Recreation Grant Program Director Omlid provided an overview of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Outdoor Recreation grant program. The program and requirements are the same this year as last year when the city submitted a grant application for the skatepark and support facilities. Staff’s recommendation is to apply again for the MN DNR Outdoor Recreation Grant with the major recreation facility being the skatepark to be constructed at Feely Fields within Rambling River Park. Commission discussed if the skatepark was still their priority and how it compares to the splash pad identified in the Rambling River Park master plan. Consensus was the skatepark was still their priority. Moved by McMillen and seconded by Merricks to recommend to city council to authorize the city’s grant application for the MN DNR Outdoor Recreation for a skatepark and support facilities with matching funds of $350,000. APIF. Motion carried. VI. Discussion Items A. Chair and Vice-Chair Elections During February Meeting The commission discussed the chair and vice-chair positions as the election will take place during the February meeting. In addition to running the meeting, the chair meets with Director Omlid a week prior to the meeting to set the agenda. McMillen and Putt are interested in the chair and/or vice-chair. Caron and Merricks are interested in the vice-chair. VII. Commission Roundtable McMillen: Didn’t have anything to share. Putt: Didn’t have anything to share. Caron: The City of Eagan Parks and Recreation Department developed a cool video with drone footage and interviews from community members explaining the “why” regarding larger projects and funding. They also constructed a linear park at Lexington-Diffley Park; this is an obstacle / ninja course. 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 Center Renovations Progress continues on demolition of items and spaces at the Rambling River Center. This includes ceiling tiles, flooring, casework, doors and wall bases, walls, ceiling grid, floor tiles, lights, electrical, jail cells, HVAC, ductwork, and cut and cap plumbing between jail cells for demolition. B. The Sons of the American Legion Omelet Breakfast The Sons of the American Legion are holding an omelet breakfast on Sunday from 8 am – noon at the Farmington VFW. For $16, you get made to order omelet, cheesy hashbrowns, toast, juice, and coffee. Proceeds to benefit the Rambling River Center. C. Outdoor Rinks and Warming Houses Outdoor rinks and warming houses opened Monday. Weather and ice conditions permitting, the warming houses will be open through Monday, February 17. D. Work Session on Wayfinding Plan with Economic Development Authority (EDA) A work session presenting the wayfinding plan will be held on Tuesday, February 18. This work session will be with the parks and recreation commission and Economic Development Authority (EDA). Staff is planning to apply for a T-Mobile Hometown Grant to kickstart the project of purchase and installation of signs in downtown Farmington IX. Meeting Agenda Topics The following items were tentatively identified by the commission for its February 12, 2025 meeting agenda: 1. X. Adjournment Moved by McMillen and seconded by Merricks to adjourn the meeting. APIF. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:49 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Kellee Omlid Parks & Recreation Director and Recording Secretary