HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-06-10 PARC MinutesDraft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: 08/12/2025
Minutes
City of Edina, Minnesota
Edina Parks & Recreation Commission
Braemar Golf Course
June 10, 2025
7 p.m.
1. Call to Order
Chair Pfuhl called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Answering roll call were Commissioners Bye, Hulbert, Kane, Pfuhl, Spaulding, Welsh, and Student
Commissioner Syed
Commissioner(s) Absent: Commissioner Garazatua, Wick and Student Commissioner Eilertson
Staff Present: Staff Liaison Perry Vetter, Assistant Director Recreation & Facilities Tracy Petersen,
Recreation Supervisor Laura Fulton, Recreation Supervisor Rachael Walters, Parks Intern Cullen
Arneson and Administrative Coordinator Janet Canton
3. Approval of Meeting Agenda
Motion made by Kane to approve the meeting agenda. Motion seconded by Spaulding.
Motion carried
4. Approval of Meeting Minutes
4.1 Minutes: Parks & Recreation Commission May 13, 2025
Motion made by Spaulding to approve May 13, 2025, minutes. Motion seconded by
Hulbert.
Motion carried.
5. Special Recognitions and Presentations
5.1 Introduction of Parks & Recreation Summer Intern
Recreation Supervisor Walters introduced the Parks & Recreation Intern Cullen Arneson.
Intern Arneson gave some background on what he is currently working on with the Parks &
Recreation Department. The commissioners introduced themselves to Intern Arneson.
5.2 Welcome Newly Appointed Parks & Recreation Commissioner.
Chair Pfuhl introduced new Commissioner Will Spaulding and each commissioner introduced
themselves to Commissioner Spaulding.
6. Community Comment
None
7. Reports/Recommendations
Draft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: 08/12/2025
7.1 Arts Programming Update
Assistant Director Petersen introduced Recreation Supervisor Laura Fulton. Recreation
Supervisor Fulton gave an update and presentation on the Edina Art Center. Commissioners
asked questions and made comments.
7.2 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
Chair Pfuhl informed the commission they were going to discuss 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”; however, Commissioner Wick was
called away at the last minute. Staff Liaison Vetter gave a presentation and informed the
commission that the city’s Sustainability Manager, Marissa Bayer, gave a presentation to the
Initiative Group a while back and noted the Climate Action Plan document is on the city’s
website. He explained the idea from this is to have the Initiative Group have a better
understanding of what’s in the Climate Action Plan and then look at external park agencies
outside of Edina in the metro, state, region or nationwide. What are some of the things they are
doing that we could learn from or experience or look into. Staff Liaison Vetter suggested to the
commission that as they are out and about this summer to keep an eye open as they head
across the country or visit others park. He indicated that the goal of this initiative is to have
another discussion in August and then the Initiative group will take some of those ideas and
move forward with this initiative.
7.3 2025 Parks & Recreation Commission Work Plan Updates
Initiative 1.5.1 – Review and comment on Braemar Arena Implementation. Staff Liaison
Vetter informed the commission now with the architect and construction manager onboard they
should be ready soon for some initial feedback on the schematic currently being worked on from
this Initiative’s group.
Initiative 1.5.2 – Review and compare park shelter building amenities and function. Staff
Liaison Vetter informed the commission the architect group has started taking all your feedback
given at the May meeting and they are updating the document. It will be brought back to the
commission at your August meeting to look over again and use it as a baseline document they all
agree on and can move forward.
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. Commissioner Kane informed the commission that he has sent out some notes to
Chair Pfuhl and Commissioner Welsh and they are bouncing some ideas around. He noted they
should be ready to present this initiative at the September Parks & Recreation Commission
meeting.
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.
Draft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: 08/12/2025
Chair Pfuhl informed the commission she has taken the lead on this initiative and at this point has
nothing to report. She noted she will be meeting with Staff Liaison Vetter, and they will get some
information out to the group. She hopes to present this initiative at the October or November
Parks & Recreation Commission meeting.
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. Already went over.
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 is something that will be added to the agenda once they receive it.
Commissioner Spaulding asked to be added to Initiatives 1.5.1 and 1.5.2.
Student Commissioner Syed asked to be added to Initiative 1.5.1
8. Chair and Member Comments
None
9. Staff Comments
9.1. Upcoming 2025 Meetings and Events
Staff Liaison Vetter gave the following updates:
Assistant Director Petersen has been very busy with summer activities, not just from
users but also programming implementations. They have a full complement of season
staff.
Assistant Director Swenson is starting to get all their seasonal staff on board for park
maintenance.
Reminded the commission the Farmer’s Market is held on Thursdays at Centennial Lakes
Park.
The Aquatic Center opened last Thursday, June 5, it was a slow start with the air quality
index and temperatures were not favorable, so it hasn’t been their traditional June start.
At the July 17 city council meeting there will be a hearing on a funding mechanism for the
pump room project at the Aquatic Center. Assistant Director Petersen, General
Manager McGrath and the Engineering Department have been working diligently on
having a plan together to improve the infrastructure behind the scenes.
He reminded the commission there is no July meeting.
10. Adjournment
Motion made by Hulbert to adjourn June 10, 2025, meeting at 7:45 p.m. Motion seconded by
Kane.
Meeting adjourned.