HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-06-11 Parks & Rec Comm PacketAgenda
Parks and Recreation Commission
City Of Edina, Minnesota
Braemar Golf Course
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
7:00 PM
I.Call To Order
II.Roll Call
III.Approval Of Meeting Agenda
IV.Approval Of Meeting Minutes
A.Minutes: Parks & Recreation Commission May 13, 2024
V.Special Recognitions And Presentations
A.Introduction of Parks and Recreation Summer Intern
VI.Community Comment
During "Community Comment," the Board/Commission will invite residents to share relevant issues
or concerns. Individuals must limit their comments to three minutes. The Chair may limit the
number of speakers on the same issue in the interest of time and topic. Generally speaking, items
that are elsewhere on tonight's agenda may not be addressed during Community Comment.
Individuals should not expect the Chair or Board/Commission Members to respond to their
comments tonight. Instead, the Board/Commission might refer the matter to sta% for
consideration at a future meeting.
VII.Reports/Recommendations
A.2024 Commission Work Plan
VIII.Chair And Member Comments
IX.Sta- Comments
A.Upcoming Meetings and Events
X.Adjournment
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 ampli2cation, an
interpreter, large-print documents or something else, please call 952-927-8861
72 hours in advance of the meeting.
Date: June 11, 2024 Agenda Item #: IV.A.
To:Parks and Recreation Commission Item Type:
Minutes
From:Perry Vetter, Director Parks & Recreation
Item Activity:
Subject:Minutes: Parks & Recreation Commission May 13,
2024
Action
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
Approve minutes from the May 13, 2024 Parks & Recreation Commission meeting.
INTRODUCTION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Minutes: Parks & Recreation May 13, 2024
Draft Minutes☒
Approved Minutes☐
Approved Date: XX/XX/2024
Minutes
City of Edina, Minnesota
Edina Parks & Recreation Commission
Braemar Golf Course
May 13, 2024
7 p.m.
I. Call to Order
Vice-Chair Pfuhl called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m.
II. Roll Call
Answering roll call were Commissioners Kane, Luangrath, Pfuhl, Weaver, Welsh and Student
Commissioners DiLorenzo and Holtey. Commissioner Garazatua arrived virtually at 7:06 p.m.
Commissioners Absent: Doscotch, Pettit, and Spanhake
Staff Present: Staff Liaison Perry Vetter, Assistant Director Parks & Natural Resources Tom Swenson,
Assistant Director Recreation & Facilities Tracy Petersen, Park Planner Rachel Finberg, Recreation
Supervisor Rachael Walters and Administrative Coordinator Janet Canton
III. Approval of Meeting Agenda
Motion made by Kane to approve the meeting agenda. Motion seconded by Weaver. Motion
carried.
IV. Approval of Meeting Minutes
Motion made by Weaver to approve the April 8, 2024, minutes. Motion seconded by Welsh.
Motion carried.
V. Special Recognitions and Presentations
A. Welcome New Member to the Parks & Recreation Commission
Staff Liaison Vetter introduced Commissioner Garazatua, who is active-duty-military and
currently serving in Spain. Commissioner Garazatua is attending virtually, as allowed by State
Statute. The Commissioners took turns introducing themselves.
VI. Community Comment
None
VII. Reports/Recommendations
A. Edina Girls Fastpitch Association Special Project Request: Pamela Park Softball
Fields Lighting
Staff Liaison Vetter gave a brief introduction of the term Special Project Request. Special Project
Requests are used when people have specific requests or changes they would like to implement
within the parks system. The goal is to show that some thought has gone into the request
without being overly burdensome.
Draft Minutes☒
Approved Minutes☐
Approved Date: XX/XX/2024
Vice-President of EGFA Mike Ganley and President of EGFA Laura Helferich were introduced
and gave a presentation. The EGFA request is for lighting at softball fields 1, 2, and 3 at Pamela
Park.
Commissioner Kane inquired about the potential parking issues that the additional games and
practices could impose as well as local buy-in from the neighbors. Mr. Ganley replied there
should not be an increase in the number of cars parked, but the cars will remain parked for a
longer duration.
Commissioner Luangrath stated that there are two requests. The primary ask is for lighting and
the secondary ask is an overall modernization so that the girls’ facilities are at the same level of
the boys’ facilities in the park system. Commissioner Luangrath requested an approximate time
line for when the overall modernization should occur after the lighting is installed in Pamela Park.
These questions need to be addressed by staff after some investigation.
Commissioner Pfuhl stated that the needs are clearly present. The lighting is the first step. Having
the potential capital requests and a timeline would be helpful. Commissioner Pfuhl inquired about
the feasibility of supplemental funding. It was noted that the hope is to take advantage of some
grant funding, funding provided by the city, and perhaps some small parent contributions.
Commissioner Pfuhl inquired about the attrition of the younger girls in the program. It was
pointed out the program has been designed in such a way that it is easy for the girls to ascend to
the next level. There is naturally some loss from the girls who give it a try and decide to pursue
something else or the girls who play softball as their secondary activity.
Commissioner Welsh asked why the rink and turf have lights but the fields don’t. Staff Liaison
Vetter replied there is nothing in the official record that states the reasons why those decisions
were made. Commissioner Welsh asked where the funding came from for the boys’ facilities.
Staff Liaison Vetter replied the most recent improvements were funded by the Local Option
Sales Tax Referendum in conjunction with the Braemar Master Plan of 2019.
Commissioner Garazatua stated that he likes the idea of more children being involved in the
program.
Student Commissioner DiLorenzo asked if the fields are being used by club teams; and, if so,
would that also increase. It was pointed out the club teams are not technically allowed to be
“affiliated” with the Recreational Teams, but there is a club team that uses Pamela Park.
Staff Liaison Vetter reminded the Commission that 2024 is a capital improvement planning year
and it critical to discuss improvements during the capital improvement planning year. All the
Athletic Associations are private non-profit organizations, but they have a relationship with the
city. The city charges the Athletic Associations $13 per participant per season to offset the
maintenance costs associated with their use of the city facilities.
Draft Minutes☒
Approved Minutes☐
Approved Date: XX/XX/2024
Staff Liaison Vetter pointed out that if scheduled correctly, lighting could allow for the spacing of
games in such a manner as to alleviate any potential parking issues if turnover time is
incorporated by the association. Additional conversation ensued.
Staff Liaison Vetter indicated that at a minimum they would need to have a Better Together Edina
project page, photometric lighting study and a community meeting where EGFA presents their
proposal and then gauge what those next steps would be.
B. Edina Baseball Association Special Project Request: Countryside Baseball Field
Upgrades
Staff Liaison Vetter introduced Shawn Travis and Josh Johnson from the Edina Baseball Association. Mr.
Travis stated that over the past five years, the Edina Baseball Association has increased 38%, going from
27 traveling teams to 39 traveling teams. Due to this explosion in growth, there are no longer enough
baseball fields to meet the current demand. There are approximately 468 kids ranging in age from nine
years-old through high school. The request is for turf at Courtney Fields Complex and Countryside
Park along with additional netting for the backstops to prevent the balls from escaping, and two
scoreboards. Mr. Johnson stated that these projects are fully funded by the Edina Baseball Association.
Mr. Johnson indicated that the Edina Baseball Association is currently losing an average of 100-150
players per year because of the lack of playing fields. Ideally, the Edina Baseball Association would like
to begin the project in the fall so the fields are ready to go the following spring. The plan is to turf the
infield only, which will save a lot of money.
Additional conversation ensued regarding the logistics and how the growth of athletics will impact the
neighborhood parks.
Staff Liaison Vetter indicated that at a minimum they would need to have a Better Together Edina
project page and a community meeting where EBA presents their proposal and then gauge what
those next steps would be. If lights are officially proposed a photometric light study as well.
VIII. Chair and Member Comments
None
IX. Staff Comments
A. Upcoming Meetings and Events
Staff Liaison Vetter gave the following updates:
Staff Liaison Vetter informed the commission there are no Work Plan Updates but there is
a schedule change. The May 21 Joint Session with the City Council will be postponed. The
date has yet to be selected, but it will be moved to later in the summer or during the fall.
For the month of June, the Parks & Recreation Commission meeting will return to Tuesday
evening. There will be no July meeting and the August meeting will be on a Monday.
X. Adjournment
Motion made by Luangrath to adjourn the May 13, 2024, meeting at 8:44 p.m. Motion
seconded by Weaver. Meeting adjourned.
Date: June 11, 2024 Agenda Item #: V.A.
To:Parks and Recreation Commission Item Type:
Other
From:Tracy Petersen, Assistant Director - Recreation and
Facilities Item Activity:
Subject:Introduction of Parks and Recreation Summer Intern Information
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
None, informational only.
INTRODUCTION:
Kaitlyn Smith will be present to introduce herself as the Parks and Recreation Summer Intern.
Date: June 11, 2024 Agenda Item #: VII.A.
To:Parks and Recreation Commission Item Type:
Report and Recommendation
From:Perry Vetter, Parks and Recreation Director
Item Activity:
Subject:2024 Commission Work Plan Discussion
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
Commissioners are asked to discuss and provide any updates to the 2024 P arks and Recreation Commission
Work Plan. Commissioner assignments are able to be adjusted based on new member appointments.
INTRODUCTION:
Attached is the City Council approved 2024 Work Plan for the Parks and Recreation Commission. Again this
year all commission and city council work plans and related progress will be posted publicly.
Up to four regular commissioners and unlimited student commissioners can be assigned per initiative.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Commission 2024 Work Plan
PARC Commission report
2024 Commission Work Plans
Report Created On: Jun 04, 2024
Report Legend Council Charge No Update Overdue
Commission Name 1.6
Parks & Recreation Commission
The Commission participates in park planning, reviews operations of parks and facilities and advises the City Council on policies, parks, programs and facilities.
Plan Label And Number Description Initiative Type Deliverable Leads Last Update
Initiative 1.6.1 Review and comment on Fred Richards Park Implementation
In support of the Fred Richards Park master plan implementation
e orts assign members to the various stakeholder/focus group
input opportunities as needs are identified to bring the
community perspective to the process. Potential Areas:
Playground process
Facility/Food and Beverage Operations
Public Art
Project Council Charge 2: Review and comment.Pfuhl (L), Weaver,
Welsh, Pettit,
DiLorenzo (S)
Awaiting further guidance from regulatory agencies. Initiative
group will review modified layouts of the park design and a
community open house will be scheduled.
Initiative 1.6.2 Review and Comment on Braemar Park Implementation
In support of the Braemar Park master plan implementation
e orts assign members to the various stakeholder/focus group
input opportunities as needs are identified to bring the
community perspective to the process. Potential Areas:
O trail and pedestrian trail system development
Athletic and active area development
Natural Resource restoration
Project Council Charge 2: Review and comment.Spanhake (L),
Luangrath,
Garazaua, DiLorenzo
(S)
Trail construction continues. Initiative members will review
partnership agreements for long term trail operations.
Initiative 1.6.3 Review and Comment on Braemar Arena Implementation
In support of the Braemar Park master plan implementation
e orts for Braemar Arena assign members to the various
stakeholder/focus group input opportunities as needs are
identified to bring the community perspective to the process.
Potential Areas:
Infrastructure replacement
TBD if Arena expansion will be in scope
Project Council Charge 2: Review and comment.Spanhake (L),
Doscotch, Kane,
DiLorenzo (S)
Request for Qualifications for Architecture and Engineering has
been issued. Upon selection stakeholder engagement will begin.
#
Plan Label And Number Description Initiative Type Deliverable Leads Last Update
Initiative 1.6.4 Community Garden Study and Report
In support of the Climate Action Plan Strategy LF 1-2, the
commission will study the opportunity and access to Community
Gardens within the park system and if applicable the broader
Edina community.
Climate Action Plan Strategy LF 1-2: Support existing school and
community gardens and provide opportunities to expand
community growing spaces with a focus on youth, immigrant, and
people with lower incomes or who are experiencing food
insecurity.
Project Council Charge 1: Study & Report.Doscotch (L),
Weaver, Welsh,
Holtey (S) [OPEN]
Commissioners received an update on progress at the May 2024
meeting.
Initiative 1.6.5 Review and compare park shelter building amenities and
function
The upcoming capital improvement program identifies several
park shelter building replacements. Part 1: The commission will
study and report on user experience enhancements, amenities
and style of facility approaches that are successful in current
Edina parks and surrounding communities to help guide future
replacement projects. Part 2: The commission will evaluate Edina
Parks that have and those that do not have park buildings and
propose criteria for constructing or decommissioning at each site.
Project Council Charge 1: Study & Report.Luangrath (L), Pfuhl,
Weaver, Welsh
Sta provided inventory level detail to the initiative group and is
working on professional services for planning.
Date: June 11, 2024 Agenda Item #: IX.A.
To:Parks and Recreation Commission Item Type:
Other
From:Perry Vetter, Parks & Recreation Director
Item Activity:
Subject:Upcoming Meetings and Events Information
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
None, informational only.
INTRODUCTION:
Upcoming meetings and events for 2024 P arks and Recreation Commission activity.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Upcoming Meetings and Events
June 11, 2024
Park and Recreation Commission
Perry Vetter, Parks & Recreation Director
Upcoming Meetings and Events
Date 2024 Meeting Dates Time Location*
Tues. Jun. 11 Regular Meeting 7:00 pm Braemar Golf Course
Tues. July 9 No Meeting - -
Mon. Aug. 12** Monday Regular Meeting
• 2025 Work Plan Discussion 7:00 pm Braemar Golf Course
Tues. Sept. 3
Joint Work Session with City Council
• Annual work plan discussion
Recommended, not required attendance
5:30 pm City Hall Community Room
Tues. Sept. 10 Regular Meeting 7:00 pm Braemar Golf Course
Tues. Oct. 1 2025 Work Plan Presentation to City Council
• Presentation by Chair Doscotch 5:30 pm City Hall Community Room
Tues. Oct. 8 Regular Meeting
• 2025 Work Plan Discussion 7:00 pm Braemar Golf Course
Wed. Nov. 13** Wednesday Regular Meeting 7:00 pm Braemar Golf Course
Tues. Dec. 10 Regular Meeting 7:00 pm Braemar Golf Course
Date 2024 Events Time Location*
Thurs. July 4 Independence Day Parade and Fireworks 10:00 am
Mon July 8 Fred Richards Park Community Open House 5 - 8 pm
Sept. 7 & 8 Fall Into the Arts Festival 10a – 5p Centennial Lakes
* Regular Commission meetings will be held in the Hoyt and Blanchard Room, lower level of Braemar Golf
Course, 6364 John Harris Drive, Edina.
** Date Adjustments – In accordance with the 2024 Observed City Calendar.