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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-11-13 PARC MinutesDraft Minutes☐ Approved Minutes☒ Approved Date:01/14/2025 Minutes City of Edina, Minnesota Edina Parks & Recreation Commission Braemar Golf Course November 13, 2024 7 p.m. 1. Call to Order Vice-Chair Pfuhl called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. 2. Roll Call Answering roll call were Commissioners Garazatua, Kane, Luangrath, Pettit, Pfuhl, Spanhake, Welsh and Student Commissioners Ellertson and Syed. Garazatua joined remotely in accordance with state statute. Commissioners Absent: Weaver Staff Present: Staff Liaison Perry Vetter, Assistant Director Recreation & Facilities Tracy Petersen, General Manager Braemar Golf Course Joe Abood, Park Planner Rachel Finberg and Administrative Coordinator Janet Canton 3. Approval of Meeting Agenda Motion made by Welsh to approve the meeting agenda. Motion seconded by Spanhake. Roll call vote. Motion carried. 4. Approval of Meeting Minutes Motion made by Pettit to approve the Oct. 8, 2024, minutes. Motion seconded by Kane. Roll call vote. Motion carried. 5. Special Recognitions and Presentations 5.1 Welcome New Student Commissioners Staff Liaison Vetter introduced new Student Commissioner Emma Ellertson. The Commissioners introduced themselves. 6. Community Comment None 7. Reports/Recommendations 7.1 Braemar Golf Operations Update Staff Liaison Vetter reminded the Parks & Recreation Commission that Commissioner Garazatua is currently serving Active Duty in the United States Navy, and he is allowed by Minnesota State Statute to serve remotely as long as certain protocols are in place. Staff Liaison Vetter introduced General Manager of Braemar Golf Course Joe Abood. Draft Minutes☐ Approved Minutes☒ Approved Date:01/14/2025 General Manager Abood gave a general history of Braemar Golf Course. In 2013 the golf dome reopened after reconstruction due to the original dome having been burned down. In 2014, the golf course was losing approximately $400,000 per year and a decision was made to go from a 27-hole to an 18-hole golf course. General Manager Abood stated that the food and beverage portion of the business was outsourced in 2015 and 13.5% of the gross revenue goes back to the golf course. The City has contracted with the current catering company for five years with the potential for two additional five-year extensions. General Manager Abood stated that in June of 2016, the golf course was shut down for renovations and remained closed until May of 2019. In November of 2019, Top Tracer Range Technology was added to the golf dome, and it was a huge success. In addition, the golf dome yearly revenue went from $300,000 to the current revenue of $1.7 million. The next logical step is to begin a study for a clubhouse, which was approved in August of 2023 by the City Council. General Manager Abood stated that 77,513 rounds of golf were recorded this season. In greens fees, there is $2.1 million in revenue. General Manager Abood stated that the driving range was closed for a short period of time in 2015, it was re-opened in 2016, and this year there was $654,000 in revenue. The golf shop is one of the largest in the area and the year-to-date revenue is $399,000. Because the weather was so nice this year, the golf dome took a downward turn in revenue. General Manager Abood stated that the PGA Section Championship was held at Braemar Golf Course and approximately 140 of the top golfers from around the State played in it. The PGA Junior Golf Mini Tour as well as one of the largest Pro-Am’s from the State used Braemar Golf Course, in addition to many other events. General Manager Abood gave the results of a survey and noted that getting a tee time was one of the greater complaints as well as golf leagues. General Manager Abood stated that next year there will be a newly constructed restroom on hole number six, which will cost approximately $250,000. The conversation shifted to online tee times and pre-payments. Draft Minutes☐ Approved Minutes☒ Approved Date:01/14/2025 Safety concerns were raised regarding parking at the Golf Dome in the winter. General Manager Abood stated that additional parking is being considered. General Manager Abood stated that the golf course has been running in the black for the past four or five years. 7.2 Proposed Parks & Recreation Fees for 2025 Assistant Director Petersen gave the background on how the fees are created. An attempt is always made to cover the costs; however, some areas are more difficult than others. She noted staffing continues to be the greatest challenge. Assistant Director Petersen stated that no fee increase is recommended for the Aquatic Center; however, the plan is to offer the punch passes again for the upcoming season. Assistant Director Petersen stated that the online payment options for the golf course are going to be eliminated. The plan is to offer some different prepaid package options. In addition, there will be some slight increases to the 9-hole and 18-hole greens fees as well as an increase for league fees. Assistant Director Petersen stated that at the Ice Arena and Braemar Field, there will be increases. There is an additional $1 per participant fee for the hockey players and noted that these fees have not been raised in five years. Assistant Director Petersen stated that the rates for the Edina Senior Center have not increased since 2021 and therefore there are some adjusted incremental rates for 2025. Motion made by Spanhake to recommend the proposed 2025 Parks & Recreation Fees to City Council. Motion seconded by Garazatua. Roll call vote. Motion carried. 7.3 Discuss Special Project Request Process Staff Liaison Vetter stated that Special Project guidelines were established in 2020, and they were not used at all for the first three years. The purpose was to provide a community member a pathway to bring forward a request without a lot of red tape while providing solid ideas as opposed to wish list items. Park Planner Finberg explained that her position was created for the purpose of implementing some of the larger capital projects, but she also has an opportunity to speak with the residents about their ideas and goals for the Edina Parks System. Park Planner Finberg is present for the purpose of discussing ways to get more community feedback and community-driven projects. Additional discussion ensued. Draft Minutes☐ Approved Minutes☒ Approved Date:01/14/2025 7.4 Mid-year Officer Election Staff Liaison Vetter explained that Commissioner Doscotch has resigned due to personal and professional demands. His position will not be filled until March of 2024 when appointments are made for all Commissions. Therefore, it is now necessary to have an election for Vice Chair. Chair Pfuhl opened the floor for nominations for Vice Chair of the Parks & Recreation Commission. Spanhake moved to nominate Commissioner Kane as Vice Chair of the Parks & Recreation Commission. Motion seconded by Luangrath. Roll call vote. Motion carried. 8. Chair and Member Comments No comments were made. 9. Staff Comments 9.1. Upcoming 2024 and 2025 Meetings and Events Staff Liaison Vetter gave the following updates:  There will be no December meeting.  There will be no July meeting in 2025.  Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, is a deviation from the regular schedule due to Veteran’s Day. 10. Adjournment Motion made by Kane to adjourn the Nov. 13, 2024, meeting at 8:52 p.m. Motion seconded by Spanhake. Roll Call vote. Meeting adjourned.