Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.08.26 Parks and Rec Packet Meeting Location: Farmington City Hall 430 Third Street Farmington, MN 55024 PARKS AND RECREATION REGULAR MEETING AGENDA Wednesday, April 8, 2026 7:00 PM Page 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. APPROVE AGENDA 3. APPROVE MINUTES March 11, 2026 Meeting Minutes Agenda Item: March 11, 2026 Meeting Minutes - Pdf 3 - 6 4. PRESENTATIONS 4.1. Public Comments Agenda Item: Public Comments - Pdf 7 4.2. Parks and Recreation Department 2025 Annual Report Agenda Item: Parks and Recreation Department 2025 Annual Report - Pdf 8 5. BUSINESS ITEMS 6. DISCUSSION ITEMS 6.1. Parks and Recreation Commission Group Photo Agenda Item: Parks and Recreation Commission Group Photo - Pdf 9 6.2. Food Truck Event with Empire Parks and Recreation Commission Agenda Item: Food Truck Event with Empire Parks and Recreation Commission - Pdf 10 6.3. Police Open House Agenda Item: Police Open House - Pdf 11 6.4. 2026 Work Plan Progress Agenda Item: 2026 Work Plan Progress - Pdf 12 - 17 7. COMMISSION ROUNDTABLE Page 1 of 20 7.1. Round Table Format Agenda Item: Round Table Format - Pdf 18 8. STAFF REPORT/UPDATES 8.1. Informational Updates Agenda Item: Informational Updates - Pdf 19 9. MEETING AGENDA TOPICS 9.1. Possible Items for May 13, 2026 Meeting Agenda Agenda Item: Possible Items for May 13, 2026 Meeting Agenda - Pdf 20 10. ADJOURN Page 2 of 20 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA MEMO To: Parks and Recreation Commission From: Kellee Omlid, Parks & Recreation Director Department: Parks & Recreation Subject: March 11, 2026 Meeting Minutes Meeting: Parks and Recreation Commission - Apr 08 2026 INTRODUCTION: Attached are the draft minutes from the parks and recreation commission’s March 11, 2026 meeting. any provide and minutes the asked to are members Commission review corrections or additions that are needed at the meeting. ATTACHMENTS: March 11, 2026 PRC meeting minutes Page 3 of 20 Farmington Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes from the March 11, 2026 Regular Meeting Members Present: David McMillen, David Barr, Doug Pewowaruk, and Katharine Caron Members Absent: Katie Putt Other’s Present: Parks and Recreation Director Kellee Omlid I. Call Meeting to Order Chair McMillen called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Quorum was present. II. Approval of March 11, 2026 Meeting Agenda Moved by Caron and seconded by Pewowaruk to pull Parks and Recreation Commission Group Photo and approve the meeting agenda. All persons in favor (APIF). Motion carried. III. Approval of February 11, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes Moved by Pewowaruk 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 VI. Discussion Items A. Parks and Recreation Commission Group Photo Pulled from agenda and moved to April 8 meeting. B. Electrical and Motorized Use on Trails The commission had a good discussion about electrical and motorized use on trails. Public education could include messages in school newsletters, partnering with Youth Athletic Associations, and at the Food Truck Event. Suggestion to share national statistics regarding injuries and deaths involving e-bikes, e-scooters, and e-motos. Other ideas included registering the e-equipment, hosting educational classes, and having a reward system (e.g., free ice cream cone) for those abiding by State Statutes. Commission thought, at minimum, signage is a must. This could include slowdown, blind corner ahead. Could look at trail design approaches to naturally slow down users. Staff will work on signage options and visit with the engineering firm working on the Jim Bell Park and Preserve trail project to see if they can incorporate anything into the design and construction to slow down bicyclists, including e-bikes, and e- scooters. C. Community Outreach and Engagement Commission discussed gathering input and feedback on how parks and recreation is doing regarding parks, trails, programs, and facilities. Perhaps joining one of the local Walking Clubs for one of their walks or have a Walk with the Commission. Another idea was to ask the Farmington Library if we could Page 4 of 20 engage families at a program they host on Saturday mornings. Commission is interested in participating in National Night Out (Tuesday, August 4) again this year. There was discussion about hosting the June parks and recreation commission meeting in one of the parks that has WiFi. D. Playground Equipment for Prairieview Park Commission would like to include students in the selection of new playground equipment for Prairieview Park. The date that worked best to meet with the students at Farmington Elementary School was Thursday, April 9 from 8:30 to 10:30 am. The commission also directed Director Omlid to check with the Farmington Library to see if we could visit with families at the Library and have the children vote on their favorite playground equipment for Prairieview Park. E. Bike Pedestrian Plan Priorities Director Omlid provided an overview of the Bike Pedestrian Plan priorities that have been accomplished, ones that we are currently working on, and priorities there wasn’t support for. Commission asked about the 1st Street reconstruction and a trail to safely get users to Westview Acres Park. It is anticipated there will be a bike lane on 1st Street. It was suggested for the trail map to be more user friendly. Provide a link to the Parks and Open Space Map, interactive map to view amenities, to the homepage of the City’s website. F. 2026 Work Plan Progress Chair McMillen reviewed the progress of the goals and objectives for the 2026 Work Plan. VII. Commission Roundtable McMillen: Didn’t have anything to share. Putt: N/A Caron: Didn't have anything to share. Barr: Didn’t have anything to share. Pewowaruk: Didn't have anything to share. VIII. Staff Report/Updates Director Omlid provided information on the following: A. Skatepark The skatepark design survey was open through Sunday (March 8). The survey included the three conceptual design options for the project and encouraged all to review the proposed concepts and complete the online survey to share their preference. Option #3 was overwhelmingly selected as the preferred choice. Spohn Ranch is reviewing the comments to see if any feedback can be incorporated into the final design choice. The final design reveal will be presented to the community in a virtual meeting on March 23 at 6 pm. B. Park Usage The security cameras in the park can provide information about how many people are detected in the park each day. A report can be generated by setting the days you want to count people in the park. The system also has a loitering function where you can set a certain time and if there is someone in the park after the set time the Police will get an email. The email has a link to get Page 5 of 20 live footage from the security camera. The Police used this function and responded to Tamarack Park Monday evening as kids were playing basketball at 10:45 pm. C. Jim Bell Park and Preserve Trails City Council approved an agreement with Bolton and Menk to provide professional engineering services for a trail reclamation project for the Jim Bell Park and Preserve trails. This project will be in collaboration with Dakota County as the main trail through Jim Bell Park and Preserve will be the interim alignment for the North Creek Greenway. The cost share for the project will be 50/50. The kick-off meeting for the project was last Friday. D. City Council Seat Council member Nick Lien was appointed Mayor at the March 2 city council meeting. Mayor Lien vacated his council seat. The city council will formally declare and approve the council vacancy at their March 16 meeting. Applications for the open council seat will be accepted from March 17 through March 30. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for April 6 and city council will appoint the selected candidate at their meeting on April 20. The applicant appointed by city council will serve through December 31, 2026. IX. Meeting Agenda Topics The following items were tentatively identified by the commission for April 8, 2026 meeting agenda: 1. Parks and Recreation Commission Group Photo X. Adjournment Moved by Barr and seconded by Caron to adjourn the meeting. APIF. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:23 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Kellee Omlid Parks & Recreation Director and Recording Secretary Page 6 of 20 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA MEMO To: Parks and Recreation Commission From: Kellee Omlid, Parks & Recreation Director Department: Parks & Recreation Subject: Public Comments Meeting: Parks and Recreation Commission - Apr 08 2026 INTRODUCTION: This agenda item allows the public to speak to commission members about any item that is not on the agenda. When speaking to the commission it must be in a respectful and non-threatening manner. Anyone wishing to provide public comments must provide their name and address for the record. Public comments shall not exceed five minutes. The commission will not respond to the comments and a formal written response will be sent prior to the next commission meeting to the person who made the public comments. Under no circumstances will any formal action be taken on the public comments that are provided to the commission. Page 7 of 20 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA MEMO To: Parks and Recreation Commission From: Kellee Omlid, Parks & Recreation Director Department: Parks & Recreation Subject: Parks and Recreation Department 2025 Annual Report Meeting: Parks and Recreation Commission - Apr 08 2026 INTRODUCTION: Each year, the Parks and Recreation Department (Department) creates an annual report about the following: •Programs and events offered •Parks, trails, and facilities projects completed •Maintenance work performed in parks, on trails, and in facilities Department staff have created an annual report for 2025, which is the 23rd consecutive year the Department has provided an annual report. Parks and Facilities Supervisor Jeremy Pire, Recreation Supervisor Missie Kohlbeck, and Recreation Supervisor Emilee Shearer will be in attendance to help present the annual report. Commission members are asked to listen to the 2025 annual report and are encouraged to ask questions during and after the presentation. Page 8 of 20 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA MEMO To: Parks and Recreation Commission From: Kellee Omlid, Parks & Recreation Director Department: Parks & Recreation Subject: Parks and Recreation Commission Group Photo Meeting: Parks and Recreation Commission - Apr 08 2026 INTRODUCTION: Annually a group photo of the commission is taken, so it can be used for public purposes. The photo will be posted on the city’s website and used in the Parks and Recreation Department’s annual report. Commission members should come to the meeting prepared for a group photo, so it can be posted to the city’s website. Page 9 of 20 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA MEMO To: Parks and Recreation Commission From: Kellee Omlid, Parks & Recreation Director Department: Parks & Recreation Subject: Food Truck Event with Empire Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting: Parks and Recreation Commission - Apr 08 2026 INTRODUCTION: The fifth annual spring food truck event with Empire Parks and Recreation Commission is May 15, 2026 from 5 to 8 pm at Stelzel Ball Fields, 19200 Centerfield Court, Empire. Currently, there are seven (7) food trucks confirmed for the event including: •Byblos Mediterranean Express •California Dip and Eat •Chick-fil-A •D & D Goodies •Ol’ Smokey BBQ •The American Dream Machine •Waffle Bar Empire is still seeking two (2) additional food trucks to participate including a dessert- focused option. At the January 14, 2026 meeting, the commission discussed having music at the event, whether it be a DJ or just speakers with a playlist. Director Omlid followed up with Empire regarding music. Empire is supportive of having music at the event if there is no cost for them. Commission members should be prepared to discuss the spring food truck event, music, and who is available to help at the event. Shifts will be from 4:45 to 6:30 pm and 6:30 to 8:15 pm. Page 10 of 20 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA MEMO To: Parks and Recreation Commission From: Kellee Omlid, Parks & Recreation Director Department: Parks & Recreation Subject: Police Open House Meeting: Parks and Recreation Commission - Apr 08 2026 INTRODUCTION: Each year, the Farmington Police Department hosts an open house in conjunction with Police Week. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. This year’s Police Open House will take place on Saturday, May 16 from 11 am to 2 pm at the Police Station. Police staff contacted Director Omlid to invite participation, including the opportunity to showcase the new skatepark. In addition, the Police Department is planning to include information and displays related to e-bikes, e-scooters, and e-motos. One of the parks and recreation commission’s 2026 work plan goals is to “Participate in Community Outreach and Engagement.” The Police Open House is an opportunity to connect with residents regarding the skatepark, electrical and motorized use on trails, and share other relevant information. The commission should come prepared to discuss whether they would like to participate in the event and, if so, what topics they would like to focus on. Page 11 of 20 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA MEMO To: Parks and Recreation Commission From: Kellee Omlid, Parks & Recreation Director Department: Parks & Recreation Subject: 2026 Work Plan Progress Meeting: Parks and Recreation Commission - Apr 08 2026 INTRODUCTION: The commission’s updated 2026 work plan is included in the meeting packet. Shown in bold red are work plan items completed either at or since the last commission meeting held on March 11, 2026. Items that are in bold black have been completed. Commission members should be prepared to review the work plan to identify any other additional items that have been completed and then discuss other work plan items it would like to work on at future meetings. ATTACHMENTS: 2026 Parks and Recreation Commission Work Plan April Update Page 12 of 20 FARMINGTON PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION 2026 WORK PLAN Goal #1: Provide the City Council a recommended 2027-2031 capital improvement plan for the park improvement fund. Objectives: 1. By June 1, the Commission will have discussed and identified a preliminary list of five-year capital improvement projects for the park improvement fund that will include a list of parks, costs, and schedule to be completed in the years 2027 to 2031. 2. By August 1, the Commission will finalize the five-year capital improvement projects for the years 2027-2031 and make a recommendation to the City Council for approval. 3. By December 31, the improvement projects recommended for funding from 2027-2031 will be included in the City Council’s approved 2027 final budget. Goal #2: Participate in a parks and facilities tour with the Rambling River Center Advisory Board and City Council. Objectives: 1. By March 1, the Commission, Advisory Board and City Council will have identified a date to have a tour. Status: Completed. August 19 has been set for the tour. 2. By May 1, a draft list of parks and facilities to tour will be reviewed by the Commission. 3. By June 1, a final list of parks and facilities to tour will be approved by the Commission. 4. By October 1, a parks and facilities tour will have occurred. Goal #3: Participate in a work session with City Council. Objectives: 1. By February 1, a date to have a work session with City Council will be identified. 2. By May 1, a list of work session topic(s) will be approved by the Commission. 3. By October 1, a work session with City Council will have occurred. Goal #4: Participate in the process of replacing the playground equipment (5-12 years) at Prairieview Park. Objectives: 1. By February 1, the Commission will have discussed and decided on community engagement efforts in helping to select the new playground equipment. Status: Completed. The Commission decided to engage the students at Farmington Elementary School to assist with selecting the new playground equipment. They also directed staff to see if we could seek input from families visiting the Farmington Library. 2. By March 1, the Commission will have reviewed playground equipment proposal(s) and made a recommendation to the City Council on the purchase and construction of new playground equipment. 3. By April 1, City Council will have approved the purchase and construction of new playground equipment. Page 13 of 20 4. By September 1, installation of the new playground equipment at Prairieview Park will have been completed and a ribbon cutting ceremony will have occurred. Goal #5: Identify Bike Pedestrian Plan Priorities to Accomplish in 2026. Objectives: 1. By March 31, the Commission will have reviewed the priorities identified in the Bike Pedestrian Plan. Status: Completed. The Commission reviewed the priorities identified in the Bike Pedestrian Plan at their March 11 meeting. 2. By May 15, the Commission will have developed and approved a list of priorities to work on and complete in 2026-2027. 3. By December 31, Commission members will have worked with staff to accomplish the Bike Pedestrian Plan priorities it identified to complete. Goal #6: Participate in the process of identifying and making improvements at Depot Way Arts Park. Objectives: 1. By February 1, the Commission will have decided what improvements will be made. Status: Completed. At their January 14 meeting, the Commission decided to begin with park cleanup, pruning trees and shrubs, removing the structure on the park’s northwest side, replacing sidewalks and benches, and installing a pet waste station. 2. By April 1, cost estimates and potential funding sources will be identified. 3. By August 1, improvements that can be made by staff and/or volunteers will be finished. 4. By September 1, improvements contracted out will be finished 5. By October 1, a ribbon cutting ceremony will have occurred. Goal #7: Host food truck event in the spring with the City of Empire Parks and Recreation Commission. Objectives: 1. By February 1, the date and location for the spring food truck event will be approved. Status: Completed. Friday, May 15 from 5-8 pm at Stelzel Ballfields in Empire was approved by the Commission at their January 14 meeting. 2. By May 15, Commission members will have decided who will help at what times with the spring food truck event. 3. By May 31, the spring food truck event will have happened. Goal #8: Participate in Community Outreach and Engagement. Objectives: 1. By April 1, the commission will have discussed community outreach and engagement, what the Commission wants to know / learn, and where and how to reach and engage. Status: Completed. At their March meeting, the Commission discussed several engagement opportunities including having their June meeting in a park, hosting a walk with the Commission or participating with a Walking Club, and participating in National Night Out. Page 14 of 20 2. By May 1, community outreach and engagement opportunities and details will have been finalized. 3. By December 1, community outreach and engagement will have occurred. Goal #9: Address Electrical and Motorized Use on Trails. Objectives: 1. By March 1, the Commission will have discussed, decided, and finalized a public education campaign. Status: Completed. The Commission discussed and decided to see if we can educate at the Spring Food Truck Event, school newsletters, with Youth Athletic Associations, and explore having a reward system (e.g., coupon for ice cream cone) for e-users complying with Minnesota Statutes. 2. By March 15, the public education campaign will have been initiated. 3. By April 1, the Commission will have reviewed, discussed, decided, and - if applicable - recommended a speed limit for trails. 4. By July 1, the Commission will have discussed, reviewed, and - if applicable - recommended an update to the Park Regulations (Ordinance) to address electrical and motorized use on trails. 5. By December 1, the Commission will have reviewed progress on addressing electrical and motorized use on trails. Goal #10: Receive periodic presentations from each of the parks and recreation department’s professional staff members about programs, parks, facilities, and trails and a presentation from the Planning Manager on new housing and business developments. Objectives: 1. By April 15, the Commission will have received a presentation by professional staff members of the Department’s 2025 Annual Report. 2. By June 15, Commission members will have received a presentation from staff on the results of the Schmitz-Maki Arena’s winter ice season. 3. By July 15, Commission members will have received a presentation from the Planning Manager on current and future developments. 4. By September 15, Commission members will have received a presentation from staff on the first half operations of the Rambling River Center. 5. By October 15, Commission members will have received a presentation from staff on the results of the summer programs offered. 6. By November 15, Commission members will have received a presentation from staff about the spring turf season and summer ice season. 7. By December 15, the Commission will have received a presentation from staff about maintenance and improvements to parks and trails. Goal #11: Continue to build and strengthen relationships with City of Empire’s Park and Recreation Commission (EPRC). Objectives: 1. By July 1, a date for the joint meeting with EPRC will be set. Page 15 of 20 Status: Completed. Monday, October 26 at 7 pm was set for the joint meeting. 2. By August 1, discuss and formulate a list of discussion topics for a joint meeting agenda with EPRC. 3. By September 1, approve a list of discussion topics for a joint meeting agenda with EPRC. 4. By December 1, a meeting will be held with EPRC. Goal #12: Participate in the master planning process for the new park in the Vermillion Commons development. Objectives: 1. By July 1, collaborated with staff and consultant to host a public input meeting to receive community input on the development of the Vermillion Commons park master plan. 2. By September 1, received a presentation from staff and consultant on draft master plan for the park in Vermillion Commons, allowed public input on the draft during the meeting and then forwarded recommended master plan to the City Council by October 1. 3. By November 1, City Council will have reviewed the recommended master plan, allowed additional public input, and approved the master plan. Goal #13: Collaborate with city staff on the city’s 2050 Comprehensive Plan Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Systems Plan Update. 1. By April 1, a joint work session with the Planning Commission and Rambling River Center Advisory Board will have happened. 2. By May 1, developed an outline for the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Chapter in the city’s Comprehensive Plan that can be used as the framework for the city’s 2050 comprehensive plan. 2. By June 1, existing and proposed local parks, trails, and facilities will have been described and mapped. 3. By August 1, the five-year Park Improvement Fund’s Capital Improvement Plan will have been updated. 4. By September 1, possible future dedicated funding sources for parks and trail development or redevelopment will have been analyzed and determined. 5. By December 31, a public engagement event to present and receive feedback on the draft plan from the public will have been conducted. 6. By January 15, 2027, review of the draft executive summary will be completed. 7. By March 15, 2027, review and approval of the final version of the executive summary and existing and proposed park, trail, and open space plan map will be completed. 8. By spring 2027, the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Chapter will be completed. Goal #14: Participate in the process of designing and constructing the skatepark at Feely Fields in Rambling River Park. 1. By February 1, the second design workshop (public engagement) will have happened. Status: Completed. The second design workshop was held on Monday, February 9. 2. By March 1, the commission will have provided feedback on the skatepark concept. Status: Completed. The commission reviewed and provided feedback on the three conceptual designs at their February 11 meeting. Page 16 of 20 3. By May 1, Parks Maintenance will have broke ground and started demolition / rough grading of the site. 4. By June 1, skatepark construction will have started. 5. By October 15, construction of the new skatepark will have been completed and a ribbon cutting ceremony will have occurred. Page 17 of 20 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA MEMO To: Parks and Recreation Commission From: Kellee Omlid, Parks & Recreation Director Department: Parks & Recreation Subject: Round Table Format Meeting: Parks and Recreation Commission - Apr 08 2026 INTRODUCTION: The round table agenda item allows commission members to share information or ask staff about items not on the agenda. No formal decisions are made during this agenda item. Page 18 of 20 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA MEMO To: Parks and Recreation Commission From: Kellee Omlid, Parks & Recreation Director Department: Parks & Recreation Subject: Informational Updates Meeting: Parks and Recreation Commission - Apr 08 2026 INTRODUCTION: This agenda item is an opportunity for staff to provide informational updates to commission members. These items are informational only and no formal decision can be made during this agenda item. Staff will provide an update during the meeting about the following: 1.Skatepark 2.Prairieview Park Playground Equipment 3.Depot Way Arts Park 4.Spring Events 5.Minnesota REjournal Real Estate Awards Finalist Page 19 of 20 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA MEMO To: Parks and Recreation Commission From: Kellee Omlid, Parks & Recreation Director Department: Parks & Recreation Subject: Possible Items for May 13, 2026 Meeting Agenda Meeting: Parks and Recreation Commission - Apr 08 2026 INTRODUCTION: The following are possible topics staff has identified for commission to consider for its May 13, 2026 meeting agenda: •Schmitz-Maki Arena’s Seasonal Reports •Playground Equipment for Prairieview Park •Parks and Facilities Tour with City Council and Rambling River Center Advisory Board •Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting in June •2026 Work Plan Progress Commission members should come prepared to identify other possible topics for the May 13, 2026 meeting agenda. Page 20 of 20