HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-01-09 Parks & Rec Comm MinutesDraft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: 02/13/2024
Minutes
City of Edina, Minnesota
Edina Parks & Recreation Commission
Braemar Golf Course
January 9, 2024
7 p.m.
I. Call to Order
Chair Doscotch called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
II. Roll Call
Answering roll call were Commissioners Doscotch, Ites, Luangrath, Pfuhl, Spanhake, and Student
Commissioners DiLorenzo and Holtey
Commissioners Absent: Weaver and Welsh
Staff Present: Staff Liaison Perry Vetter, Assistant Director Parks & Natural Resources Tom Swenson,
Park Planner Rachel Finberg, and Administrative Coordinator Janet Canton
III. Approval of Meeting Agenda
Motion made by Pfuhl to approve the meeting agenda. Motion seconded by Spanhake.
Motion carried.
IV. Approval of Meeting Minutes
Motion made by Pfuhl to approve the Dec. 12, 2023 minutes. Motion seconded by Spanhake.
Motion carried.
V. Community Comment
None
VI. Reports/Recommendations
A. 2024 Commission Work Plan
Staff Liaison Vetter went through the 2024 Work Plan that was approved by the City Council.
The commissioners revisited their assignments.
Initiative 1.6.1 – Review and comment on Fred Richards Implementation. Commissioner
Pfuhl will take the lead on this initiative with Commissioners Weaver and Welsh.
Initiative 1.6.2 –Review and comment on Braemar Park Implementation. Commissioner
Spanhake will lead this initiative with Commissioner Luangrath.
Initiative 1.6.3 – Review and comment on Braemar Arena Implementation. Commissioner
Spanhake will lead this initiative with Chair Doscotch. Student Commissioner DiLorenzo asked
to be added to this initiative.
Draft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: 02/13/2024
Initiative 1.6.4 – Community Garden Study and Report. Chair Doscotch will lead this
initiative with Commissioner Welsh. Commissioner Pfuhl asked to be taken off this initiative.
Student Commissioner Holtey asked to be added to this initiative.
Initiative 1.6.5 – Review and compare park shelter building amenities and function.
Commissioner Luangrath will lead this initiative with Commissioners Pfuhl, Weaver and Welsh.
B. 2023 Work Plan Initiative 1.6.1: Support Fred Richards Park Implementations
Park Planner Finberg gave the commission an update on Fred Richards Park Master Plan. She first
gave a brief history noting that the project was implemented with a vision plan in 2014. In 2016
the Master Plan began with four community open houses and in July of 2017 the City Council
approved the Master Plan. The funding was identified in the 2022 Referendum and In April of
2023 the funded was received. The design team began to gather information in the fall of 2023,
and the concepts are beginning to be refined.
The Commissioners asked questions.
Park Planner Finberg informed the Commission that the goal is to be at 30% designed by the end
of January or beginning of February. After receiving comments from the Parks & Recreation
Commission and City Council they will move to the design and development phase of the
project, which should go through this summer and into the fall. Construction will hopefully begin
late fall or early winter of 2024 and is expected to take 12 to 16 months.
Park Planner Finberg gave a quick update on the Braemar Master Plan and noted that the work
will be done in phases.
Park Planner Finberg gave a quick update on Courtney Fields and noted that the lights should be
up and running by the start of the baseball season.
VII. Chair and Member Comments
Chair Doscotch informed the Commission he is going to be participating in a session and giving a
presentation about Parks & Recreation at Point of France on Jan. 30 at 5 p.m. He noted others are
welcome to attend.
Commissioner Pfuhl asked if there was any feedback from the City Council regarding the
Commission’s Work Plan. Staff Liaison Vetter replied there were positive comments and noted
that he received an invitation to meet with Council Member Risser and Former Mayor Maetzold
regarding philanthropic efforts.
VIII. Staff Comments
A. Upcoming Meetings and Events
The April 9, 2024, meeting has been moved to Monday, April 8, 2024, because of a city-
observed holiday.
The three new Parks & Recreation Commissioners will start their terms on March 1.
Draft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: 02/13/2024
The election of officers will be held at the February Parks & Recreation Commission
meeting.
Assistant Director Swenson explained to the commission what staff does and what goes
into the process to prepare the ice rinks and are hoping to have a few rinks open this
weekend.
It was noted in looking at the winter break at Centennial Lakes that there was a revenue
loss of over $40,000 due to not having ice.
Staff Liaison Vetter informed the Commission that because Commissioner Ites is unable
to attend the February meeting, he would like to recognize him at this time for his
service for the past six years on the Parks & Recreation Commission. He pointed out
that before that he chaired the task force that guided the golf course renovation and
improvements.
IX. Adjournment
Motion made by Ites to adjourn the Jan. 9, 2024 meeting at 7:58 p.m. Motion seconded by
Pfuhl.
Meeting adjourned.