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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 02-25-13PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION February 25, 2013 Members Present: Maureen Bartz, Jason Eisold, Mike Eliason, Barb Farrell Members Absent: JoAnne Cope 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 7:04 p.m. 2. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: None. 3. APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY 28, 2013 MEETING MINUTES: MOTION by Farrell to approve the minutes of the January 28, 2013 meeting. SECOND by Bartz. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Motion passed. 4. AUDIENCE INPUT: None 5. DISCUSSION (Response to Audience Input): None 6. OLD BUSINESS: Naming of Parks at UMore and Flint Hills — At last month's meeting, Schultz had asked the Commissioners for suggestions for names for the Flint Hills and UMore complexes. As discussion of this item began, he informed the Commission that as part of the City's agreement with Flint Hills, F§nt Hills Resources has to be included in the name for that site (unless both parties agree otherwise). Akron Fields seemed to be the best name suggested for the UMore site, and the fields there could be individually named for people. As far as the Flint Hills site, F§nt Hills Athletic Complex seemed to be the best fit. Including Resources in the name made it seem really long, and the Commission wondered if it could be shortened to FIz'nt Hills Athletic Complex. Schultz will discuss the naming of the donated property at Akron Ave. and Bonaire Path with Flint Hills Resources staff and bring back their answer to the next meeting. MOTION by Bartz to name the fields at UMore Akron Fields. SECOND by Eisold. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Motion passed. b. 2013 -14 City Council Goals — Schultz included a copy of the 2013 -14 City Council goals along with May 23, 2011 and July 25, 2011 Parks and Recreation Commission Executive Summaries and meeting minutes. Farrell asked that buckthorn removal at Carroll's Woods be added to the goals. Schultz handed out a Parks Dedication Fees spreadsheet for 2001 -2012. Eisold noted that if it wasn't for the resourcefulness and creativity in finding and working with partners in the community, we would really be in trouble. We have done a lot with the funds we had available. With only parks dedication fees, we've done a really good job keeping up with fields and building neighborhood parks, but we can no longer keep up. We will need to look at the list of goals and decide what our priorities for amenities are. 7. NEW BUSINESS: a. Director's Report -The Parks Improvement Fund Balance as of January 31, 2013 was $488,982.24. Dedication fees of $27,200 were received. No grants were received. There was no interest for the month, there were no donations, and there were no expenditures. Banquet Hall /Restroom Remodel — The remodel is nearly complete. We will hold an open house sometime in the spring. Winter Family Fun Fest — This event took place on February 8. Approximately 650 people attended. -1- PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION February 25, 2013 Daddy /Daughter Dance — This event was cosponsored by the South of the River Recreators (SORR) consisting of Eagan, Rosemount, Farmington, Lakeville, Apple Valley, Savage and Burnsville. The event filled to capacity well before the deadline. Because we had so many people on the waiting list, we were able to offer an additional dance. Approximately 200 couple attended both events. Walking Track /YMCA Facility — Farrell asked if we could consider adding a walking track in Rosemount. Possibly this could be included in discussions for the DCTC /YMCA joint venture. Schultz showed a plan for the facility and explained what would be included. The estimated cost is approximately $20,000,000. Schultz will bring back to a future meeting the results of a survey that is being funded by the City, the YMCA, DCTC and possibly ISD 917. The City would have to look at the cost /benefit to residents before deciding to partner on this project. Design Work — Flint Hills Site — We received a soil report and found that there is a lot of clay in the soil, which was not expected and isn't ideal for fields. We are in the process of figuring out how to alleviate this issue. Patnerships with ISD 196 — Staff met today with ISD 196 representatives to discuss possible partnerships that would benefit the whole community. RAAA — Schultz attended a RAAA board meeting on February 18 and gave an update on where we are with projects. RAAA was very supportive of the City's efforts. Schultz also gave an update on the tennis courts. RAAA asked where we were at as far as this decision. Schultz told them that no decision had been made, that the project was still in discussion, and that we would let them know when the final decision is made. Splash Pad — A variety of locations for a splash pad have previously been discussed, including the Flint Hills site, Schwarz Pond Park and Central Park. Schultz provided an aerial view of Central Park and pointed out that the splash pad could be located in the hockey rink area. We would have to remove a storage building, and the two rinks would need to be relocated, as well as the playground equipment. Brockway Park was suggested as an alternative to Central Park. Another suggestion was north of the fire station at Meadows Park. The Commission asked about the status of the land across Hwy 3 from the high school. DCTC was also suggested, as well as Jaycee Park. Schulz will talk with the City Administrator go get his ideas on Meadows Park as a possible site and to find out the status of the property across Hwy 3. Our goal should be to relocate as few amenities as possible. Schultz suggested that we could possibly build multiple, smaller splash pads. It was asked if we have looked into doing an RFP for locations so that an expert could give us an idea of the size needed and what parks would be suitable. Looking into recycling the splash pad water to be greener and save water was mentioned. It was also asked if the City would consider land banking for future needs, and looking at property that is for sale that might work. Schultz will talk to the Community Development staff and get their input. He will look into the Commission's suggestions and bring back more information to a future meeting. March Meeting - The regular March Parks and Recreation Commission meeting takes place during spring break. Schultz asked the Commissioners whether they'd be available if the meeting was moved up a week or postponed a week. He will send an e -mail to the Commissioners regarding the meeting date once everyone checks their schedules and gets back to him. ADJOURNMENT - MOTION by Eisold to adjourn the meeting. SECOND by Bartz. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 8:23 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Sonja Honl, Recording Secretary -2-