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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-10-08 PARC MinutesDraft Minutes❑ Approved Minutes® Approved Date: I I / 13/2024 General Manager Bushland gave a brief history of Centennial Lakes Park and stated that over the past year, 410,000 people visited the park. The average stay for each visitor is 88 minutes. The busiest day in 2024 hosted 8,000 visitors. General Manager Bushland stated that Centennial Lake is a stormwater pond with 23 different inlets for stormwater. The DNR stocks the lake with fish, and a free fishing clinic is offered at different times during the summer. The park boasts 125 pots with annual plants throughout. For Arbor Day, 102 trees were planted this year. During the summer, the park hosts approximately five concerts per week that are free to the public. There is a $35,000 budget that makes this possible. This past year, there were 150 applications submitted for the 85 concert slots available. General Manager Bushland stated that there is a boat parade on the lake, and the park hosts a farmers' market. There is an 18-hole putting course where 490 rounds were played on July 6, 2024. For the season, there were 6,275 paddle boat trips taken in the park. Glow golf was an added activity, and lawn bowling is always a hit. Additional revenue comes in through the rental of the pavilion and the amphitheater, but the numbers have not yet returned to the pre -pandemic rate. Usually, in the winter, ice skating is offered. Last winter, the ice-skating season lasted only ten days. General Manager Bushland stated that Centennial Lake Park has a $1,600,000 budget, revenues are the fee -based activities, association fees, and Edina Liquor contributions. Expenses are mainly staffing, maintenance, and supplies. This past year, there were a lot of irrigation repairs made in the park. There were also some concrete repairs made. A bathroom interior face-lift was also made. Engineering is currently working on a pond. Some signage upgrades are in process. General Manager Bushland stated that there are five full-time staff members. There are two part- time staff members who work year-round. Depending on the time of year, the park employs anywhere from 5 to 50 part-time staff members. In the year 2028, the association fees are expected to cease, leaving a $450,000 deficit in funding for the park. Adapting to the weather was noted as the biggest challenge. 7.2 2024 Commission Work Plan Update Staff Liaison Vetter gave the following updates: Initiative 1.6.1 — Review and comment on Fred Richards Implementation. Staff Liaison Vetter indicated that the 30% Design Review with the Parks & Recreation Commission and the City Council has been completed. Based on feedback, the project is moving forward. He noted, the wetland banking put the schedule behind and also noted the food and beverage operation are the next step forward. Initiative 1.6.2 — Review and comment on Braemar Park Implementation. Staff Liaison Vetter stated that it is time for the Parks & Recreation Commission to have a tour. Work is still progressing in the athletic area and the trail system is open. Draft Minutes❑ Approved Minutes® Approved Date: I I / 13/2024 Initiative 1.6.3 — Review and comment on Braemar Arena Implementation. Staff Liaison Vetter stated that a kick-off meeting with all the architects was held last week. Planning will commence in earnest on this project. Initiative 1.6.4 — Community Garden Study and Report. No update given. Initiative 1.6.5 — Review and compare park shelter building amenities and function. Staff Liaison Vetter stated that there is a holding pattern while waiting for professional services to come through. Commissioner Luangrath explained to the Commission that he took the initial park matrix, listed the amenities and the dates that the amenities were constructed, then he went through the public comments made through Google and discovered some interesting facts. For instance, people genuinely appreciate the water fountains, the cleanliness of the restrooms, and the level of maintenance in the Edina Parks System. 8. Chair and Member Comments 8.1 Draft 2025 Work Plan Presentations Vice -Chair Pfuhl stated that she presented the draft to the City Council. The Mayor asked where the Parks & Recreation Commission is at with the Fred Richards Park Project. Initiative 1 — Review and comment on Braemar Arena Implementation. Vice -Chair Pfuhl stated that this is a continuation, and the City Council had no concern about the Parks & Recreation Commission continuing forward. Initiative 2 — Review and compare park shelter building amenities and function. Vice -Chair Pfuhl stated that this is a continuation, and the City Council had no concern about the Parks & Recreation Commission continuing forward. Initiative 3 — Review 2016 Parks & Recreation Strategic Plan content, identify key study areas to include in upcoming 2026 update for topics, research and potential data collection. Vice -Chair Pfuhl stated that there seemed to be positive nods from the City Council regarding the desire of the Parks & Recreation Commission to pursue this endeavor. City Council seemed to be pleased with the proactive nature of this initiative. Initiative 4 — Research and if feasible, develop action plan or further research of no more than two Alternative Funding Strategies (2023 Work Plan Item) to progress that initiative. Vice -Chair Pfuhl stated that the City Council seemed pleased with the proactive nature of this initiative. Initiative 5 — Review Climate Action Plan priorities and conduct research on external park agencies that are implementing projects that would be beneficial to the Edina Park system. Draft Minutes❑ Approved Minutes® Approved Date: I I / 13/2024 Vice -Chair Pfuhl stated that there was some conversation and some feedback regarding some of the objectives from the City Council. There was discussion regarding the differences between regular turf, artificial turf, and ground cover and how each fare with water consumption. Staff Liaison Vetter stated over the last year, Edina has been a member of the City Park Alliance, which does a lot of work with non-profit entities. At the end of the month, the City Park Alliance will be conducting a virtual workshop. Edina is registered because some of the staff wish to attend. The viewing will be hosted at City Hall on Oct. 23, 2024, from 1-4 p.m. The topic is Building an Effective City -Wide Nonprofit. The City Council will approve the Work Plans for all nine Commissions in December, and the Parks & Recreation Commission will be notified at their January meeting of approval. 9. Staff Comments 9.1 Upcoming Meetings and Events Staff Liaison Vetter gave the following updates: • The next Parks & Recreation Commission meeting will be Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. 10. Adjournment Motion made by Spanhake to adjourn the Oct. 8, 2024, meeting at 7:49 p.m. Motion seconded by Kane. Meeting adjourned.