HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 03-28-16 PARKS � RECREATION COMMISSION
March 28, 2016
Regular Meeting
DRAFT
Members Present: Maureen Bartz,Mike Elia,son,Barb Farrell,Lincoln Tilson,Jim Young
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Dan Schultz,Director of Parks and Recreation and Sonja Honl,Recording
Secretary
Others Present: Paul Kangas,Principal Architect,Loucks
1. CALL TO ORDER: Elia.son called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
2. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: None.
3. APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 22,2016 MEETING MINLTTES: MOTION by Bartz to
approve the minutes of the February 22, 2016 meeting. SECOND by Young. Apes: 5 Nays: 0
Motion passed.
4. AUDIENCE INPUT: None
5. DISCUSSION (Response to Audience Input): None
6. NEW BUSINESS: None
7. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Parks and Recreation Facilities Referendum—Schultz provided the Commissioners with an
update on where we're at as far as the upcoming referendum that will be held on Tuesday,May 17.
Schultz reviewed the pla.ns that were included in the March Commission packet for the four
proposed improvements: an ice ska,ting/events plaza and new play area at Central Park;two
additionallighted ball fields at UMore/Dakota County Technical College;four additional fields for
soccer,la,crosse and football at the Flint Hills Athletic Complex;and a new indoor ice arena. City
sta,ff is in the process of creating an informational brochure that will be distributed to Rosemount
residents and businesses regarding the referendum. Schultz will provide the Commissioners with a
copy of the brochure as soon as it's available. There will be two informational meetings that
xesidents can attend to find out more about the referendum. Schultz reviewed the 2016
Referendum Project Costs list that was included in the packet. The projected total for the four
, improvements is $14,291,811. Schultz explained that funding from the Mighty Ducks program may
be available for the ice arena and the Rosemount Area Hockey Associa,tion may also be donating
money for this project. There was discussion about the improvements to the Flint Hills Athletic
Complex which include adding fields,parking lot and road access,but not the park building.
Schultz mentioned that Dakota Rev is interested in helping to fund a tizrf field at the complex. The
Central Park improvements were discussed next. Including one or two zip lines along the border
of the park was suggested,as the one at Ailesbury Park is very popular and is used a lot. The
Commission asked about the priority for completing the foux projects. Per Schultz,the Central
Park improvements will probably be the last project,and the second sheet of ice will also require
extra pla.nning and the purchase of land.We are looking at various sites that would be suitable. It
would be nice to build it in the vicinity of the field house that is proposed to be built by Dan Corley.
Public Park Planning in the Greystone Development—Two concept plans for this park were
included in the March packet. Paul Kangas,Principal Landscape Architect from Loucks Inc.,was
- 1 -
PARKS 8� RECREATION COMMISSION
March 28, 2016
Regular Meeting
present to review the amenities in each paxk pla,n and answer questions. Concept Pla,n A includes a
playground, sun shelter,gaga.court,half-basketball court, open play area,hockey rink, small free-
ska,te rink,loop trail,an asphalt pad for a temporary warming house and a parking lot. Concept
Plan B includes a playground, sun shelter,gaga.court,half-basketball court, open play area,youth
baseball field,pollinator garden,native gxass area,loop trail and paxking lot. The Commission liked
the loop trail, and the gaga court.T'hey asked if the pollinator garden could be moved away fxom
the playground area as a precaution because of children who may have allergies to bee stings.
There was discussion about a variety of ideas for the this park:would the need for a ball field be
filled if the referendum passes, do we need the hockey rink, could the park cater to people who
have an interest in sports,but not team sports? Other suggestions were to include a zip line,
incorporate skateboaxd elements along the trail loop,have a pla,ce for parents to teach their kids
how to skate,have open space where soccer ox la,crosse could be pla,yed,and have more seating
areas for parents. Keeping noisier activities away from homes along the edge of the paxk was
discussed. There was also discussion about how much parking is needed and how that changes
based on the amenities that are included in the paxk. Schultz mentioned that every park doesn't
need to have a ball field or rink and that we could put these in a larger neighborhood park. He said
that the open green space at Birch Pa,rk is always busy and is a flexible space that's used for pick-up
games of baseball and touch football,and for a variety of other sports. (Young left at 8:30 pm)
Another suggestion was to include community gardens at this paxk, and to provide a watex souxce
for the gardens, as well as drinking fountains for people and water for dogs.
b. Director's Report-T'he park improvement fund balance as of February 29,2016 was
$413,851.73. Dedication fees of$3,400 were received. There were no grants or donations.
Interest was $3,599.13. T'here were e�cpenditures of$3,149.80 for planning for the UMore ball
fields.
Highlights of Last Month-There was a Rosemount Area Hockey Association tournament at
the Community Center Ice Arena,the free Family Fun Fest event was held on February 26,and
City staff are continuing their efforts to remove ash trees as a preventa,tive measure against
potential emerald ash borer infestation.
Schultz announced that the Parks and Recreation Commission will increase by two members in
April, from five to seven Commissioners. The new Commissioners are Bryan Feldhaus and
David Speich. Schultz introduced Feldhaus,who was in attendance at the meeting.
Farrell recommended the book"The Adventure Gap"by James Edwaxd Mills. The book
explores why..."minority jio�iulations are nauch les.r likely to.ceek recrecrtion, adventure ancl.rolace in our
outdoor aa�ilderne.r.r.c�aces':
8. ADJOURNMENT -MOTION by Bartz to adjourn the meeting. SECOND by Farrell.
Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 8:44 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by
Sonja Honl,Parks and Recreation Secretary
-2 -