HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 10-27-14PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
October 27, 2014
Regular Meeting
DRAFT
Members Present:
Maureen Bartz, Mike Eliason, Barb Farrell, Lincoln Tilson
Members Absent:
Jason Eisold
Staff Present:
Dan Schultz, Director of Parks and Recreation and Sonja Honl, Recording Secretary
Student Volunteers:
None
Others Present:
None
1. CALL TO ORDER: Eliason called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: None.
APPROVAL OF THE SEPTEMBER 29, 2014 MEETING MINUTES: MOTION by Farrell to approve
the minutes of the September 29, 2014 meeting. SECOND by Tilson. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Motion passed.
4. AUDIENCE INPUT: None
5. DISCUSSION (Response to Audience Input): None
6. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Old Business — Dog Park — Schultz included a Dakota Woods Dog Park information
brochure and the City of Eagan's Off Leash Dog Area Rules and Regulations and Permit
Application in this month's packet for the Commission to review. There was discussion
about which parks in Rosemount would work best for an off -leash dog park. Schwarz Pond
Park seems to be an adequate site, but considerable funds have been invested in the last few
years to make this a native prairie area. It also might be a good location for expanding the
disc golf course in Rosemount. Schultz noted that we did have an off -leash area at Schwarz
Pond Park to the east of the skate park before Connemara Trail and the senior housing
complex were completed, and that Schwarz Pond Park is a good location because it is
centrally located in Rosemount. Other options discussed included the Flint Hills property—
too far east, UMore—too close to the Dakota Woods Dog Park in Empire, and Biscayne Park,
which has a lot of open space, but only street parking. The CAP agency has a parking lot
next to Biscayne Park, but we don't have an agreement with them for using it. There also is
concern that neighbors with homes next to this park might object. (There was recently an
article in the paper regarding Cleary Lake Dog Park and complaints by neighbors about
barking dogs.) Schultz also looked at the area around the Connemara water tower, but there
is a lot of traffic going 40 mph on this street and there is no parking for people who would
want to drive there. There was discussion regarding the importance of having the dog park
patrolled by police to make sure dogs are licensed, have had vaccines, are under control, and
that users have a pass and are following rules, picking up after their dogs, etc. Schultz
mentioned that Alba Nowlin, a Rosemount resident who is running for City Council, had told
him that she had asked residents who live around Jaycee Park if they would like a dog park
there and very few were in favor of it. The Commission asked if there could be an area
designated for smaller or more nervous dogs. Wherever we decide to locate the dog park, a
neighborhood meeting would be held to get feedback before making a decision. This item
will be discussed further at an upcoming Commission meeting.
7. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Review of Parks and Recreation Fees — Each year staff reviews the fees and fee policy to
make sure we are in line with what other cities are charging for similar facilities. We usually get
three comparisons: parks/shelter rental fees, community center/Steeple Center rental fees and
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PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
October 27, 2014
Regular Meeting
ice arena rental fees. Schultz will bring back a comparison to next month's meeting. Eliason
asked if we could specifically check AV rental fees (microphones, overhead pro)ectors) as ours
seem to be some of the lowest out there.
b. Director's Report -The Parks Improvement Fund Balance as of September 30, 2014 was
$261,979.78. Dedication fees of $9,891 were received. Giants/ Other of $20,725 were
received. Interest for the month was $9.28. There were no donations. There were
expenditures of $30,290.32 for Erickson Park Tennis Courts.
ADJOURNMENT - MOTION by Bartz to adjourn the meeting. SECOND by Tilson. Ayes: 4
Nays: 0 Motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by
Sonja Honl, Parks and
Recreation Secretary
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