HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-03-12 Parks & Rec Comm MinutesDraft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: 4/9/2019
Minutes
City Of Edina, Minnesota
Edina Parks & Recreation Commission
City Hall, Council Chambers
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
7 p.m.
I. Call To Order
Chair Good called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
II. Roll Call
Answering roll call were Commissioners Ites, McAwley, Miller, Good, Dahlien, Nelson and Willette.
Absent: Commissioners McCormick, Strother, Burke and Student Commissioner Anderson
Late arrivals: Student Commission Osborne arrived at 7:40 p.m.
Staff present: Staff Liaison Susan Faus and Administrative Coordinator Janet Canton
III. Approval Of Meeting Agenda
Commissioner Good asked to amend the agenda and move agenda item VII.C. Election of Officers to
agenda item VII.A.
Motion made by Nelson to approve the amended meeting agenda. Motion seconded by
Miller. Motion carried.
IV. Approval Of Meeting Minutes
Motion made by Willette to approve the Jan. 8, 2019 minutes. Motion seconded by Nelson.
Motion carried.
V. Special Recognitions and Presentations
A. Better Together Edina
MJ Lamon, Community Engagement Coordinator, gave a presentation on a new website that the
city has launched, Better Together Edina. She talked about the strategies and benefits behind it
as well as introduced some projects.
Commissioners asked questions and gave some feedback.
VI. Community Comment
None.
VII. Reports/Recommendations
A. Election of Officers
Motion made by Dahlien to nominate Good to continue as Chair of the Parks & Recreation
Commission seconded by McAwley.
Motion Carried.
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Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: 4/9/2019
Motion made by Good to nominate Dahlien to continue as Vice Chair of the Parks &
Recreation Commission seconded by Willette.
Motion Carried.
B. Arden Park Construction Update
Laura Domanycich from the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District gave the commission an
update on the construction phase of the Arden Park restoration project. She discussed some of
the successes and challenges that they’ve faced throughout the construction phase.
Staff Liaison Faus gave a brief update on phase two of the project, which includes the shelter
building. It was noted City Council awarded the bid for the construction of the building to
American Liberty Construction. It also included a bid alternate that included the trail and rink
lighting. Construction will begin the middle of May.
Commissioners asked questions.
C. Park Signage and Wayfinding
Staff Liaison Faus reminded the commissioners that phase two of the internal park signage
replacement project includes a sign assessment, signage concepts, design intent and
recommended materials of the wayfinding and park regulation signs. Teri Kwant from RSP
Dreambox gave a presentation and then went over two design options.
Staff Liaison Faus asked the commissioners for feedback on the signs so that they can narrow the
design option down to one and then continue to tweak it until they are pleased with the final
design.
Commissioners asked questions and gave feedback. Ms. Kwant will take the commissioners’
feedback and will come up with a new design.
D. Comprehensive Plan Review
Chair Good informed the commissioners their draft of the Comprehensive Plan was accepted
and their formal input is now complete. He added the Planning Commission held an open house
on Tuesday, March 11getting some input and listening to some comments of other
commissioners as well as the community. The Planning Commission will hold public hearings in
April, May and November. The Comprehensive Plan will be approved by the City Council no
later than December of this year.
Chair Good thanked the commissioners for all of their help on Comprehensive Plan.
E. Parks & Recreation Commission Work Plan Update
Commissioner Miller gave an update on Initiative Five: Investigate possible alternative funding options
to support future growth and development of Edina’s parks, programs and green spaces. He noted the
committee will be meeting in a couple of weeks with some outside people who can bring in some
perspectives that they have in doing this in other places. They will also be meeting with some people
Draft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: 4/9/2019
from the Minneapolis People From Parks to get their perspective on what they’ve done in the past. In
addition, they will also be talking to the city attorney about any legalities or issues they need to be
aware of as they move forward.
Chair Good reminded the commission that their work session with the City Council will be held on
Tuesday, April 2. He asked the commissioners for any thoughts on the work plan they would like to
bring to the City Council at their work session.
Commissioners gave their thoughts and suggestions.
VIII. Chair and Member Comments
• Chair Good indicated that Edina High School just won their 7th First Place State
Championship Title for the school year. Chair Good congratulated the Girls Tennis, Boys
and Girls Swimming/Diving, Boys Cross Country, Girls Hockey, Boys Hockey and Boys
Alpine Skiing for taking home first place championships.
• Chair Good congratulated Tom Swenson, Assistant Director of Parks & Natural
Resources, who was recently also given the title of Assistant Weed Inspector for the City
of Edina.
• Chair Good stated in Community Engagement Coordinator Lamon’s presentation on the
new website he saw the Fred Richards playground. He informed the commission that item
came up to the City Council and the council decided to dedicate some funding to it. He
noted he thinks that this is one project the Parks & Recreation Commission will need to
gather around and have a better understanding on what is happening and where it’s going.
IX. Staff Comments
Staff Liaison Faus gave the following updates:
• Because of the weather the outdoor ice rinks had a longer and very successful season;
there were 24,694 skaters (approximately 2,400 more than last year). Staff Liaison Faus
noted Pamela and Countryside parks were the most popular rinks.
• Parks & Recreation Department is in full swing hiring for all of the summer seasonable
positions; if you know anyone who may be interested in these positions please have them
check out the city’s website and apply online.
• Commissioners should have received their save-the-date for the grand opening of
Braemar Golf Course; more information will follow on the weeklong grand opening
activities and events that the golf course staff are currently planning.
• The Braemar Sports Dome has been having issues heating issues; several contractors have
been working on it and they think they have identified the issue and are hoping to get it
resolved yet this year.
X. Adjournment
Motion made by Miller to adjourn the March 12, 2019 meeting at 8:52 p.m. Motion seconded by
McAwley. Motion carried.