HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-09 Parks & Rec Comm PacketAgenda
Parks and Recreation Commission
City Of Edina, Minnesota
VIRTUAL MEETING
This meeting will be held electronically using Webex software. The meeting will be streamed
live on the City's YouTube channel, YouTube.com/EdinaTV or you can listen to the meeting
via telephone by calling 1-415-655-0001 access code 133 165 7279
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
7:00 PM
I.Call To Order
II.Roll Call: Nahlovsky, Sorem, Doscotch, Good, Haas, Miller, Nelson,
Strother, Willette, Mork, McAwley, Ites
III.Approval Of Meeting Agenda: Doscotch, Good, Haas, Miller, Nelson,
Strother, Willette, McAwley, Ites
IV.Approval Of Meeting Minutes: Doscotch, Good, Haas, Miller, Nelson,
Strother, Willette, McAwley, Ites
A.Minutes: Parks & Recreation Commission Feb. 9, 2021
V.Special Recognitions And Presentations
A.Welcome new member Brian Haas to the Parks and Recreation
Commission
VI.Reports/Recommendations
A.Recreation Programming Recap
B.2021 Work Plan Discussion
VII.Chair And Member Comments
VIII.Sta2 Comments
A.Informational Items
B.City Council Updates Feb. 17 and March 2
C.Upcoming Meetings and Events
IX.Adjournment: Doscotch, Good, Haas, Miller, Nelson, Strother,
Willette, McAwley, Ites
The City of Edina wants all residents to be comfortable being part of the public
process. If you need assistance in the way of hearing ampli8cation, an
interpreter, large-print documents or something else, please call 952-927-8861
72 hours in advance of the meeting.
Date: March 9, 2021 Agenda Item #: IV.A.
To:Parks and Recreation Commission Item Type:
Minutes
From:Perry Vetter, Parks & Recreation Director
Item Activity:
Subject:Minutes: Parks & Recreation Commission Feb. 9,
2021
Action
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
Approve minutes from the Feb. 9, 2021 Parks & Recreation Commission meeting.
INTRODUCTION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Minutes: Parks & Recreation Commission Feb. 9, 2021
Draft Minutes☒
Approved Minutes☐
Approved Date: Click here to enter a date.
Minutes
City of Edina, Minnesota
Edina Parks & Recreation Commission
VIRTUAL MEETING
Feb. 9, 2021
7 p.m.
I. Call to Order
Chair Ites called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
II. Roll Call
Answering roll call were Commissioners McAwley, Dahlien, Doscotch, Good, Nelson, Strother,
Willette, Ites and Student Commissioner Nahlovsky
Student Commissioner Sorem arrived at 7:09 p.m.
Absent: Commissioner Miller and Student Commissioner Mork
Staff present: Staff Liaison Perry Vetter, Assistant Director Parks & Natural Resources Tom Swenson,
Assistant Director Recreation & Facilities Tracy Petersen, Administrative Coordinator Janet Canton,
Recreation Supervisor Nicole Gorman, Water Resource Coordinator Jessica Wilson, Engineering
Services Manager Ross Bintner
III. Approval of Meeting Agenda
Motion made by Good to approve the meeting agenda. Motion seconded by McAwley. Roll
call vote. Motion carried.
IV. Approval of Meeting Minutes
Motion made by McAwley to approve the Jan. 12, 2021 minutes. Motion seconded by Good.
Roll call vote. Motion carried.
V. Reports/Recommendations
A. Senior Center Update
Recreation supervisor Gorman informed the commission the Senior Center has been closed
since March 13, 2020. Since then, they have offered alternative programming for their
participants including virtual offerings. She went over all the programs and offerings the Senior
Center has done during the past year. Recreation Supervisor Gorman pointed out the Senior
Center is going to start to phase in limited in-person programming which will start in March.
They are following the executive orders so there will be capacity limits. She is hopeful they will
be able to have more offerings in April and May and will continue to do virtual offerings.
Recreation Supervisor Gorman went over the facility improvements that have taken place since
the shutdown of the Senior Center.
Commissioners asked questions.
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Staff Liaison Vetter thanked Recreation Supervisor Gorman for all her help during the closure
and pointed out that she has also helped with a variety of other programs within the city. Staff
Liaison Vetter went over those programs.
B. Storm Water and Water Management Plan Update
Staff Liaison Vetter introduced Jessica Wilson, Water Resources Coordinator from Edina’s
Engineering Department. He informed the commission she will be giving an update on the
intersection of water resources with parks resources.
Water Resource Coordinator Wilson introduced Ross Bintner, Engineering Services Manager
from the Engineering Department. She then gave a presentation on how the Engineering
Department and the Parks & Recreation Department work together to layering services for the
community. She added they are very proud of what they have been able to accomplish in parks
spaces for water resources and natural resources as all recreation opportunities. She noted
within the Parks & Recreation strategic plan as it relates to natural resources within the plan it
identifies opportunities to protect, enhance and restore the city’s natural resources and natural
areas. It creates more resilient and sustainable park facilities and landscapes and protects and
restores Edina’s water resources.
Commissioners asked questions and thanked Water Resource Coordinator Wilson and
Engineering Services Manager Bintner.
C. Annual Election of Officers
Chair Ites opened the floor for nominations for chair of the Parks & Recreation Commission.
Motion made by McAwley to nominate Commissioner Ites as chair of the Parks &
Recreation Commission seconded by Good. Roll call vote. Motion carried.
Chair Ites opened the floor for nominations for vice-chair of the Parks & Recreation
Commission.
Motion made by Ites to nominate Commission McAwley as vice-chair of the Parks &
Recreation Commission seconded by Willette. Roll call vote. Motion carried.
VI. Chair and Member Comments
A. 2021 Work Plan Updates
2020 Work Plan Initiative #7, study and report on the strategic goal of 15% of Edina land
dedicated to parks and green spaces. Commissioner Good informed the commission he recently
met with Commissioner Miller, Staff Liaison Vetter and Assistant Director Swenson to wrap up some
inputs from last year. He noted they checked their current progress against the initiative and they are
at 15.5% with parks and natural resources areas included. He noted they talked about some ideas of
additional strategic and operational goals that would be worthwhile and would apply to both the
strategic plan and comprehensive plan in working with Initiative #5 in the 2021 Work Plan.
2020 Commissioner Comments
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Commissioner Strother stated regarding the RECtivity boxes she really appreciated the
creativity and thought that went into planning those. It was well done and they had fun.
Commissioner Nelson stated her kids and she did the Hunt for the Yeti and it was really
a fun activity for all of them. There have been a lot of very creative things that have come
out of the Parks & Recreation Department in the past year.
Commissioner McAwley thanked everyone on staff and the commission for coming
through a very difficult year. Everyone did everything they could to keep everyone in the
city having a positive attitude about the parks and they did the best they could with the
remote meetings in trying to move things forward. She stated Staff Liaison Vetter and his
staff have done a great job.
Commissioner Doscotch stated he appreciates staff for keeping paths open almost
immediately so people could continue to use them.
Chair Ites stated he would like to thank the person that keeps the ice very nice at Lewis
Park.
Chair Ites informed the commission on Saturday night there were 28 cars using the on-
street parking in addition to the lot being full at the golf dome. Staff has been doing a very
good job of keeping everything safe and clean and it is nice to see it open.
Chair Ites pointed out in their packet it is noted that Edina has the number one 2020
Toptracer of all their locations. He noted 52,000 people have played at the dome in 2020
and staff has done a great job.
Staff Liaison Vetter commented that Assistant Director Swenson and his staff put in
extraordinary efforts for the rinks and trails in Edina. There is no other city that puts in
an effort like Edina does for the hockey rinks, open skating rinks and trails. It is an
extraordinary effort. Commissioner Good added one of the metrics they identified in in
2020 Work Plan Initiative #7 is there is an outdoor sheet of ice for every 4.400 residents
in Edina. Staff Liaison Vetter also noted they have added two locations for general skating
rinks this year due to COVID; one is at Yancey Park and the other is at Wooddale Park
which are both being heavily used.
Chair Ites asked about plans for the Aquatic Center due to the COVID restrictions. Staff
Liaison Vetter replied their plan for this summer is to re-open. They have gained
experience from other entities in Minnesota as well as groups across the nation who
have shared some of their prevention and plans. He noted the restrictions around the
pandemic will dictate what it will look like and expects there to be occupancy limits and
social distancing guidelines as well as mask requirements in the common areas but not in
the pool.
VII. Staff Comments
A. Informational Items
Staff Liaison Vetter gave the commissioners the following updates:
The live stream option is now up and running at Braemar Arena.
The golf dome has been very busy and they have also added additional programming at the
golf course.
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There have been a few full moon snowshoe events at Braemar Golf Course; you can
either rent snowshoes at the golf course or you can take them to a nearby park.
They are having a Best in Snow contest.
They are recruiting for summer employment so if people are looking for jobs for the
summer they can go to the city’s website EdinaMN.gov /summerjobs.
The local option sales tax proposal they talked about last year as one of the methods with
alternative funding the City Council did update a revised resolution and that request is
with the state legislature. That is just the first step of a multi-long process but it is active
again for the 2021 legislative session.
Starting at noon on Wednesday, Feb. 17 registration for Edina residents will open for the
spring/summer activities.
Tonight is Commissioner Dahlien’s last meeting as a Parks & Recreation Commissioner.
He thanked Commissioner Dahlien on behalf of staff and himself for all his work over the
years. He went over a list of things Commissioner Dahlien was a part of during his tenure.
Commissioner Dahlien commented it is an honor to serve the community. He noted
parks are a passion for him and he will be supportive as well as a resource if anyone has
questions. He thanked everyone for the opportunity. He noted that two things that most
people think about when thinking about Edina are schools and parks. The parks are so
valuable to every single community person regardless of what your interests may be. He
hopes the commission can get the funding they desperately need in 2021 and beyond to
make an impact on things wanting to get done. He noted they really have an opportunity
to really change things for the better and to respond to the things that people are asking
the commission to do. The commission thanked Commissioner Dahlien for all his work.
B. Upcoming Meetings and Events
Staff Liaison Vetter informed the commission their next meeting is on Tuesday, March 9.
VIII. Adjournment
Motion made by McAwley to adjourn the Feb. 9, 2021 meeting at 8:33 p.m. Motion seconded
by Strother. Roll call vote. Motion carried.
Date: March 9, 2021 Agenda Item #: V.A.
To:Parks and Recreation Commission Item Type:
Other
From:Rick Ites, Parks and Recreation Commission Chair
Item Activity:
Subject:Welcome new member Brian Haas to the Parks and
Recreation Commission
Information
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
No formal action required.
INTRODUCTION:
Introduce and welcome Brian Haas to the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Date: March 9, 2021 Agenda Item #: VI.A.
To:Parks and Recreation Commission Item Type:
Report and Recommendation
From:Tiffany Bushland, Recreation Supervisor
Item Activity:
Subject:Recreation Programming Recap Discussion
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
None, informational only.
INTRODUCTION:
Recreation Supervisor, Tiffany Bushland, will provide a recap on winter programming and athletic association
use.
Date: March 9, 2021 Agenda Item #: VI.B.
To:Parks and Recreation Commission Item Type:
Report and Recommendation
From:Perry Vetter, Parks and Recreation Director
Item Activity:
Subject:2021 Work Plan Discussion Discussion
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
Provide updates to the 2021 Parks and Recreation Commission Work Plan.
INTRODUCTION:
Discuss and provide any updates to the 2021 Work Plan. Any quarter 1 updates will be provided to the City
Council at the end of March.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
2021 PARC Work Plan
Approved by Council December 1, 2020 [Do not modify fields except progress reports]
Commission: Parks & Recreation Commission
2021 Annual Work Plan
Initiative #1 Initiative Type ☒ Project ☐ Ongoing / Annual ☐ Event
Council Charge ☐ 1 (Study & Report) ☒ 2 (Review & Comment) ☐ 3 (Review & Recommend) ☐ 4 (Review & Decide)
Review and comment on proposed plan to identify barriers for participation and reach
communities of color through different modes and feedback.
Deliverable
Comment on the
plan
Leads
Strother (Lead)
Miller
McAwley
Target
Completion Date
Q4 2021
Budget Required: 2021 department funds are available to support various marketing materials to promote the events and opportunities to gather feedback.
Staff Support Required: Coordinate with R&E Coordinator.
Progress Q1: Parks and Recreation staff are working with the Race and Equity Coordinator to provide a draft plan for commission review.
Progress Q2:
Progress Q3:
Progress Q4:
Initiative #2 Initiative Type ☐ Project ☒ Ongoing / Annual ☐ Event
Council Charge ☐ 1 (Study & Report) ☐ 2 (Review & Comment) ☐ 3 (Review & Recommend) ☒ 4 (Review & Decide)
Create presentation to share information about Parks and Recreation facilities,
services, and systems with up to six community groups.
Deliverable
Presentation for
community groups and
summary report to
council
Leads
Nelson (Lead), Good,
Dahlien, Nahlovsky, Ites
Target
Completion Date:
Q4 2021
Budget Required: 2021 department funds are available to support various marketing materials to promote the events and opportunities to gather feedback.
Presentations, info sheets, marketing materials.
Staff Support Required: Communications support required for informational press kit, materials for presentations either for in person or electronic.
Communications made aware.
Progress Q1:
Progress Q2:
Progress Q3:
Progress Q4:
Approved by Council December 1, 2020 [Do not modify fields except progress reports]
Initiative #3 Initiative Type ☒ Project ☐ Ongoing / Annual ☐ Event
Council Charge ☐ 1 (Study & Report) ☐ 2 (Review & Comment) ☒ 3 (Review & Recommend) ☐ 4 (Review & Decide)
Report and provide recommendations on alternative funding sources for park
related improvements including parks, facilities, and enterprise upgrades.
Deliverable
Report to City Council
Leads
McAwley
Willette
Ites
Target Completion Date
Q4 2021
Budget Required: Funds not required.
Staff Support Required: None.
Progress Q1:
Progress Q2:
Progress Q3:
Progress Q4:
Initiative #4 Initiative Type ☒ Project ☐ Ongoing / Annual ☐ Event
Council Charge ☒ 1 (Study & Report) ☐ 2 (Review & Comment) ☐ 3 (Review & Recommend) ☐ 4 (Review & Decide)
Study and report on options to categorize underutilized park amenities/areas and
identify park amenity needs.
Deliverable
Report to Parks and
Recreation
Department
Leads
Good
McAwley
Doscotch
Target
Completion Date
Q4 2021
Budget Required: Funds not required.
Staff Support Required: Staff liaison.
Progress Q1:
Progress Q2:
Progress Q3:
Progress Q4:
Initiative #5 Initiative Type ☐ Project ☒ Ongoing / Annual ☐ Event
Council Charge ☒ 1 (Study & Report) ☐ 2 (Review & Comment) ☐ 3 (Review & Recommend) ☐ 4 (Review & Decide)
Approved by Council December 1, 2020 [Do not modify fields except progress reports]
Study and report evaluating options for determining benchmarks (park
amenities, operations, service areas) the commission started studying
in 2020.
Deliverable
Report to Parks and Recreation
Department.
Leads
Good
Sorem
Mork
Target
Completion Date
Q4 2021
Budget Required: Funds not required.
Staff Support Required: Staff liaison.
Progress Q1:
Progress Q2:
Progress Q3:
Progress Q4:
Parking Lot: (These items have been considered by the BC, but not proposed as part of this year’s work plan. If the BC decides they would like to
work on them in the current year, it would need to be approved by Council.)
Date: March 9, 2021 Agenda Item #: VIII.A.
To:Parks and Recreation Commission Item Type:
Other
From:Perry Vetter, Parks and Recreation Director
Item Activity:
Subject:Informational Items Information
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
None, informational only.
INTRODUCTION:
Attached are informational items of note for the March meeting.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Informational Items - March 2021
March 9, 2021
Park and Recreation Commission
Perry Vetter, Parks & Recreation Director
Informational Items
Information / Background:
Activity Directory/Spring and Summer Registration
• Registration opened for residents on Feb. 17 and non-residents on Feb. 24. More than $496,000 in
revenue was taken in for various parks and recreation programs. Many of the programs have
waitlists so staff will be working on how to best accommodate those moving ahead.
Braemar Golf Course
• The Braemar Golf Academy opened its 2021 Spring/Summer classes on Feb. 17 to record
registrations. In just the first hour, almost 800 golfers registered for the Academy’s 189 programs
with nearly 200 additional people on the waitlist. Staff is reviewing creative solutions to try and
accommodate as many as possible off the waitlists. The PGA Professional staff is led by Jay
Meyerhoff, who is entering his third season as Braemar’s Head Golf Professional.
Centennial Lakes Park
• Tom Shirley, General Manager, will be retiring April 29 after 30 years of service to the City of Edina.
Tom has had a fantastic 30-plus year career spanning from Edinborough Park to his current work at
Centennial Lakes Park, with many experiences and opportunities along the way. We thank Tom for
his dedication, commitment, and knowledge in making Edina Parks and Recreation a first-class
organization. Staff is developing a recruitment strategy.
Crown Castle Cellular Tower/Highlands Park
• Crown Castle has started construction this week for the replacement cell tower at Highlands Park
located at 5200 Doncaster Way. This project will replace the existing tower providing better
cellular service for the residents in this neighborhood. The existing hockey rink lighting located on
this tower will be upgraded to LED technology that will save energy, provide better light quality and
reduce light pollution around the rink. This construction will be complete in the spring of 2021.
STAFF REPORT Page 2
Edina Aquatic Center
• The Aquatic Center is currently hiring lifeguards and customer service staff. Lifeguard applicants do
not have to have a current certification, as the city provides all the training necessary to achieve an
Ellis and Associates lifeguard license. Online applications can be found at
https://www.edinamn.gov/236/JobsSeason.
• Season pool passes went on sale for residents Feb. 17 and non-residents on Feb. 24. Currently,
about 120 passes have been sold with 90% of those being resident passes. The Early Bird Special
offering the reduced rates is in effect through April 30. Staff is continuing to monitor/evaluate the
current COVID-19 guidance and capacity limitations and will need to look at possible alternatives
for reservation systems and guidelines for use if capacity issues remain in effect closer to opening of
the pool.
Edinborough Park
• During the months of park closure and limited availability, several major projects and improvements
were completed, including the restoration of park benches, floor stripping and sealing throughout
the facility, new padding for the Great Hall walls, updating of events in Adventure Peak and painting
throughout the facility. The locker rooms had extensive tile and grout work completed, ceiling
tiles/grids replaced and new paint. Significant pool maintenance included draining the pool to save
on heating and treating the water while the park was closed and professionally cleaning the pool
shell and stainless-steel gutters.
• The Adventure Peak (playpark) was able to re-open Friday, Feb. 12. Several modifications to our
operating procedures have been put in place to adhere to the current state guidance. The most
notable changes for playpark visitors are that we are offering specific session times in two-hour time
blocks, advanced online reservations are required for children and adults, and the capacity is
limited. From Feb. 12-March 2, 13 sessions were made available for reservation and 306 adults and
338 children visited. Families that have visited the playpark for a session since re-opening have been
very enthusiastic about being able to return to the park to play.
• The pool and track continue to be available to members and 10-time admission pass holders. Over
the last several months adjustments related to social distancing have been made to ensure
compliance with the current state guidance. Reservations for adult lap swimming are required and
can be made by calling Edinborough Park at 952-833-9540.
Local Option Sales Tax Submission
• Mayor Hovland and City Manager Scott Neil testified at the MN House Property Tax Committee on
March 4, 2021 in support of the LOST proposal.
Summer Employment Recruitment
• Seasonal employment recruitment continues for various positions throughout the department.
Position descriptions and details on how to apply can be found on the city’s website at
EdinaMN.Gov/SummerJobs
Date: March 9, 2021 Agenda Item #: VIII.B.
To:Parks and Recreation Commission Item Type:
Other
From:Perry Vetter, Parks & Recreation Director
Item Activity:
Subject:City Council Updates Feb. 17 and March 2 Information
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
INTRODUCTION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
City Council Updates Feb. 17 and March 2
City Council Updates
By Scott Neal
Feb. 17, 2021
Nothing to report.
March 1, 2021
Approved a slate of 19 appointments to the City’s advisory boards and commissions,
including Brian Haas to the Parks & Recreation Commission.
Date: March 9, 2021 Agenda Item #: VIII.C.
To:Parks and Recreation Commission Item Type:
From:Perry Vetter, Parks and Recreation Director
Item Activity:
Subject:Upcoming Meetings and Events
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
Discuss alternate May meeting date due to conflict with the Edina School District ballot election.
INTRODUCTION:
The May 11, 2021 commission meeting needs to be rescheduled due to a conflict with the Edina School District
ballot election. Please be prepared to select an alternate date that works best for commission members to
reschedule. Staff will then publish the revised date for meeting law compliance.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Upcoming 2021 Meetings and Events
March 9, 2021
Park and Recreation Commission
Perry Vetter, Parks & Recreation Director
Upcoming 2021 Meetings and Events
Date Meeting Time Location
Tues. March 9 Regular Meeting 7:00 pm Virtual
April 1 Quarter 1 Work Plan Progress Due - -
Tues. April 13 Regular Meeting 7:00 pm TBD
TBD Commission Member Annual Reception - TBD
May TBD Regular Meeting 7:00 pm TBD
Tues. May 18 Commission Work Session w/ City Council 5:30 pm TBD
Tues. June 8 Regular Meeting 7:00 pm TBD
TBD Chair and Liaison Annual Morning Meeting 7:00 am TBD
July 1 Quarter 2 Work Plan Progress Due - -
Tues. July 13 Regular Meeting 7:00 pm TBD
Tues. Aug. 10 Regular Meeting 7:00 pm TBD
Tues. Sept. 14 Regular Meeting 7:00 pm TBD
Oct. 1 Quarter 3 Work Plan Progress Due - -
Oct. 5 2022 Work Plan Review w/ Council (Chair only) 5:30 pm TBD
Tues. Oct. 12 Regular Meeting 7:00 pm TBD
Tues. Nov. 9 Regular Meeting 7:00 pm TBD
Tues. Dec. 14 Regular Meeting 7:00 pm TBD