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Home My WebLink About2025-04-08 PARC Packet Meeting location: Braemar Golf Course 6364 John Harris Dr. Edina, MN Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Agenda Tuesday, April 8, 2025 7:00 PM Accessibility Support: 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 amplification, an interpreter, large-print documents or something else, please call 952-927-8861 at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Meeting Agenda 4. Approval of Meeting Minutes 4.1. Minutes: Parks & Recreation Commission March 11, 2025 5. Special Recognitions and Presentations 6. Community Comment During "Community Comment," the Board/Commission will invite residents to share issues or concerns that are not scheduled for a future public hearing. Items that are on tonight's agenda may not be addressed during Community Comment. 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. 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 staff for consideration at a future meeting. 7. Reports/Recommendations 7.1. Braemar Ice Arena & Field Facility Update 7.2. City Forester Update 7.3. 2025 Parks & Recreation Commission Work Plan Updates 8. Chair and Member Comments Page 1 of 24 9. Staff Comments 9.1. Upcoming Meetings & Events 10. Adjournment Page 2 of 24 d ITEM REPORT Date: April 8, 2025 Item Activity: Approve Meeting: Parks & Recreation Commission Agenda Number: 4.1 Prepared By: Perry Vetter, Parks & Recreation Director Item Type: Minutes Department: Parks & Recreation Item Title: Minutes: Parks & Recreation Commission March 11, 2025 Action Requested: Approve minutes from the March 11, 2025 Parks & Recreation Commission meeting. Information/Background: See attached minutes. Supporting Documentation: 1. PARC Minutes 3-11-2025 Page 3 of 24 Draft Minutes☒ Approved Minutes☐ Approved Date: XX/XX/2024 Minutes City of Edina, Minnesota Edina Parks & Recreation Commission Braemar Golf Course March 11, 2025 7 p.m. 1. Call to Order Chair Pfuhl called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. 2. Roll Call Answering roll call were Commissioners Bye, Hulbert, Kane, Luangrath, Pfuhl, Welsh, Wick and Student Commissioners Eilertson and Syed Commissioner(s) Absent: Garazatua and Weaver 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 3. Approval of Meeting Agenda Motion made by Kane to approve the meeting agenda. Motion seconded by Luangrath. Motion carried. 4. Approval of Meeting Minutes 4.1 Minutes: Parks & Recreation Commission Feb. 11, 2025 Motion made by Wick to approve the Feb. 11, 2025, minutes. Motion seconded by Kane. Motion carried. 5. Special Recognitions and Presentations 5.1 Welcome Newly appointed Parks & Recreation Commissioners Chair Pfuhl introduced the two new Commissioners, Tyler Bye and Peter Hulbert and each Commissioner introduced themselves to the new Commissioners. 6. Community Comment None 7. Reports/Recommendations 7.1 Outdoor Ice Rink Season Recap and Preview of Summer Sports Programming Assistant Director Petersen introduced Recreation Supervisor Rachael Walter. Recreation Supervisor Walter gave a recap and presentation of the past outdoor ice rink season and gave a preview of the summer sports programming. Commissioners asked questions. 7.2 2025 Park Project Updates Page 4 of 24 Draft Minutes☒ Approved Minutes☐ Approved Date: XX/XX/2024 Staff Liaison Vetter, Assistant Director Swenson and Park Planner Finberg gave a presentation and update on Fred Richards Park, Braemar Park, Braemar Arena, Playground Projects and Park Improvement Projects. Commissioners asked questions and made comments. 7.3 2025 Parks & Recreation Commission Work Plan Updates Staff Liaison Vetter informed the Commission there are still spots open to be on Initiatives #1, #4 and #5. Initiative 1.5.1 – Review and comment on Braemar Arena Implementation – Staff Liaison Vetter informed the Commission it is still early in the process and there is nothing at this time for the group to be working on. Initiative 1.5.2 – Review and Compare Park Shelter Building Amenities and Function – Staff Liaison Vetter informed the Commission that staff is working with Snow Kreilich Architects on putting together some early data and are getting ready for the group to meet with the architecture firm and provide their feedback. Initiative 1.5.3 – Review 2016 Parks & Recreation Strategic Plan content, identify key study areas to include in upcoming 2026 update for topics, research and potential data collection – Staff Liaison Vetter explained to the Commission why they do a strategic plan He noted the group will review the 2016 Strategic Plan and decide what they want to update and replicate as well as new things to start thinking about. Initiative 1.5.4 – 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. Staff Liaison Vetter informed the Commission this group will work on no more than two alternative funding strategies. Initiative 1.5.5 – 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. Staff Liaison Vetter informed the Commission this group will work with the City’s Sustainability Manager for actions relating to the Park System. Commissioners will research external park agencies that are implementing projects successfully and see if they are relevant for consideration and planning in Edina. Initiative 1.5.6 – City Code Update – Article III. Boards, Committees and Commissions, Division 7. Parks & Recreation Commission – Staff Liaison Vetter informed the Commission this initiative will come from the City’s Clerk office. Commissioner Bye stated that he would like to be on Initiative #5 and Commissioner Hulbert indicated that he would like to be on Initiatives #1 and #4. 8. Chair and Member Comments  Chair Pfuhl shared with the Commission that Assistant Director Tracy Petersen recently received the Clifton E. French Service Award. This award is given by the Minnesota Recreation Parks Association and is their highest honor. The Commissioners congratulated Assistant Director Petersen. 9. Staff Comments 9.1. Upcoming 2025 Meetings and Events Staff Liaison Vetter gave the following updates: Page 5 of 24 Draft Minutes☒ Approved Minutes☐ Approved Date: XX/XX/2024  Commissioners received a mailing from the Three Rivers Park District that annually invites them to their State of the Parks address.  The upcoming meetings in April, May and June are regular meetings and the November meeting will be on Wednesday, Nov 12 . 10. Adjournment Motion made by Kane to adjourn the March. 11, 2025, meeting at 8:37 p.m. Motion seconded by Welsh. Meeting adjourned. Page 6 of 24 BOARD & COMMISSION ITEM REPORT Date: April 8, 2025 Item Activity: Information Meeting: Parks & Recreation Commission Agenda Number: 7.1 Prepared By: Tracy Petersen, Assistant Director Parks & Recreation Item Type: Report & Recommendation Department: Parks & Recreation Item Title: Braemar Ice Arena & Field Facility Update Action Requested: None, informational only. Information/Background: General Manager, Jesse Buchholz, will provide an update on programs and operations at Braemar Arena & Field. Supporting Documentation: 1. Braemar Arena and Field Presentation 2025 Page 7 of 24 EdinaMN.gov Braemar Arena & Field Parks and Recreation Commission Presentation Jesse Buchholz – General Manager April 8, 2025 Page 8 of 24 Braemar Arena Key Facts •≈ 100 staff members •7 Full-Time staff members •≈ 500,000 visitors/year •Three Permanent Ice Sheets, One Seasonal Backyard Ice Rink •Braemar Ice Show, Braemar Competition, and Holiday Pops Exhibition figure skating events hosted annually. •Learn to Skate program offered year-round •Host of the Da Beauty League (NHL/PRO/NCAA Summer League) •Dubbed the “Center of the Hockey Universe” by ESPN Page 9 of 24 Braemar Arena Main User Groups Learn to Skate Program •1,158 participants Edina Youth Hockey Association •Over 1,200 players and 80 teams Braemar City of Lakes Figure Skating Club •Around 150 club members Edina High School Hockey •Boys Varsity, JV, Girls Varsity, JV •Boys Varsity (14 State Championships) •Girls Varsity (5 State Championships) Page 10 of 24 Braemar Arena Opportunities •Investigation of the East Rink Floor Condition •Work Management System for Facility Preventative Maintenance •Inventory and Asset Management of all Building Equipment and Systems •Braemar Arena Renovation/Expansion Project Page 11 of 24 Braemar Arena Renovation/Expansion Project What? •$45.2 million expansion and renovation project •Edina voters approved a 19-year, half-percent sales tax increase to fund this project along with investments to Braemar Park and Fred Richards Park Why? •Insufficient ice time to meet the demand of our core Edina User Groups. •Inadequate parking for events and unsafe drop-off •Replace aged building equipment and infrastructure that is costly to repair past intended lifecycle, increase accessibility for residents with disabilities, and improve systems to be more energy efficient. When? •The City of Edina selected JLG Architects as the architect of the project in October 2024 •The City of Edina recommended Knutson Construction to city council as the Construction Manager at Risk for the project in April 2025 •The project is currently in early schematic design Page 12 of 24 Braemar Arena Challenges •Aging equipment that needs frequent repairs •Warm Winters and the effect on the Backyard Rink •Implications of the expansion/renovation project on ice availability and determining which groups have ice priority Page 13 of 24 Braemar Field Key Facts •Operates seasonally from November-April •Full size soccer field, walking track & 3 batting cages •≈ 12 Part-Time Seasonal Staff Members •17 acres of outdoor space •100,000 sq. ft. of indoor space •≈ 100,000 visitors/year Page 14 of 24 Braemar Field Main User Groups •Edina Baseball Association •Edina Football Association •Edina Soccer Club •Edina Lacrosse Page 15 of 24 Braemar Field Opportunities •New Turf Grooming/Cleaning Equipment •Assessment on blower efficiency •Emergency Action Plans Page 16 of 24 Braemar Arena Challenges •Stormwater Retention •Inclement Weather •Aging Dome Fabric, Turf, and Blower reaching its standard lifecycle Page 17 of 24 Braemar Arena and Field Upcoming Projects •2 Month Closure of East Rink to investigate rink floor condition •Exterior Landscaping Touch-Ups •Power wash all interior Locker Rooms •Dome Takedown •Dome Blower Evaluation •Sport Court Installation on the Backyard Rink •Renovation/Expansion Project •Work Management Software Implementation Page 18 of 24 BOARD & COMMISSION ITEM REPORT Date: April 8, 2025 Item Activity: Information Meeting: Parks & Recreation Commission Agenda Number: 7.2 Prepared By: Tom Swenson, Asst Dir-Parks & Nat Res Item Type: Report & Recommendation Department: Parks & Recreation Item Title: City Forester Update Action Requested: None, informational only. Information/Background: City Forester Luther Overholt will provide an update to the commission on forestry initiatives. Supporting Documentation: None Page 19 of 24 BOARD & COMMISSION ITEM REPORT Date: April 8, 2025 Item Activity: Discussion Meeting: Parks & Recreation Commission Agenda Number: 7.3 Prepared By: Perry Vetter, Parks & Recreation Director Item Type: Report & Recommendation Department: Parks & Recreation Item Title: 2025 Parks & Recreation Commission Work Plan Updates Action Requested: Review the 2025 Commission Work Plan for any updates. Information/Background: Attached is the 2025 Commission work plan. Please advise on any updates or planning that has occurred. Supporting Documentation: 1. 2025 PARC Work Plan_April Page 20 of 24 Page 1 PARC Commission report_PV 2025 Commission Work Plans Report Created On: Mar 27, 2025 Report Legend Council Charge No Update Overdue Commission Name 1.5 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 Leads Initiative 1.5.1 Review and Comment on Braemar Arena Implementation In support of the Braemar Park master plan implementation eorts 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 Arena expansion Project Kane (L), Wick, Weaver, Hulbert Initiative 1.5.2 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 Luangrath (L), Weaver, Wick, Garazatua, Syed (S) Initiative 1.5.3 Review 2016 Parks & Recreation Strategic Plan content, identify key study areas to include in upcoming 2026 update for topics, research and potential data collection. The Parks and Recreation Department completes a strategic plan every 10 years prior to the development of the Comprehensive Guide Plan. The strategic plan informs the parks chapter of the comprehensive guide plan and is used as a pathway to prioritize and further develop the park system. This initiative will review the content of the 2016 plan, identify areas to add or modify for the upcoming work. Project Weaver (L), Pfuhl, Welsh, Kane Initiative 1.5.4 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. The commission delivered a report on alternative funding methods that could be considered to supplement financial contributions to the park system. This initiative will revisit that report and do an in-depth analysis on no more than two methods to provide greater analysis for consideration by the City Council. Project Luangrath (L), Pfuhl, Welsch, Hulbert Initiative 1.5.5 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. The commission will review the Climate Action Plan with the Cityʼs Sustainability Manager for actions related to the Park System. Commissioners will then research external park agencies that are implementing projects successfully to address items in the plan that are relevant for consideration and planning in Edina. On-going / Annual Wick (L), Welsh, Pfuhl, Bye, Eilertson (S) # Page 21 of 24 Page 2 Plan Label And Number Description Initiative Type Leads Initiative 1.5.6 City Code Update—Article III. Boards, Committees and Commissions, Division 7. Parks and Recreation Commission In preparation for the comprehensive plan update, Administration will propose updates to city code. Project All Page 22 of 24 BOARD & COMMISSION ITEM REPORT Date: April 8, 2025 Item Activity: Information Meeting: Parks & Recreation Commission Agenda Number: 9.1 Prepared By: Perry Vetter, Parks & Recreation Director Item Type: Other Department: Parks & Recreation Item Title: Upcoming Meetings & Events Action Requested: None, informational only. Information/Background: Attached are the upcoming meetings and events for 2025. Supporting Documentation: 1. 2025 Upcoming Meetings and Events Page 23 of 24 April 8, 2025 Park and Recreation Commission Perry Vetter, Parks & Recreation Director Upcoming 2025 Meetings and Events Date 2025 Meeting Dates Time Location* April 8 Regular Meeting • Arena Season Recap • Forestry Update 7:00 pm Braemar Golf Course May 13 Regular Meeting • Senior Center and program update 7:00 pm Braemar Golf Course June 10 Regular Meeting • Introduction of summer intern • Art Center program update 7:00 pm Braemar Golf Course July NO MEETING Aug. 12 Regular Meeting 7:00 pm Braemar Golf Course Sept. 9 Regular Meeting 7:00 pm Braemar Golf Course Oct. 14 Regular Meeting 7:00 pm Braemar Golf Course Wed. Nov. 12** Wednesday Regular Meeting 7:00 pm Braemar Golf Course Dec. 9 Regular Meeting 7:00 pm Braemar Golf Course Date 2025 Events Time Location* May 7 Board & Commission Appreciation Event 6:00 pm Braemar Golf Course * 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 2025 Observed City Calendar. Page 24 of 24