HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-08-13 Parks & Rec Comm MinutesDraft Minutes☐
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Approved Date: 9/10/2019
Minutes
City Of Edina, Minnesota
Edina Parks & Recreation Commission
Centennial Lakes Park
Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019
Lawn Games 5:30 p.m. and Meeting 7 p.m.
I. Call To Order
Chair Good called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
II. Roll Call
Answering roll call were Commissioners Dahlien, Good, McAwley, McCormick, Miller, Strother and
Student Commissioner Osborne
Absent: Commissioners Ites, Nelson and Student Commissioner Anderson
Late arrivals: Patrick Willette arrived at 7:05 p.m.
Staff present: Staff Liaison Perry Vetter, Administrative Coordinator Janet Canton, Centennial Lakes
General Manager Tom Shirley, Centennial Lakes Assistant Manager Laura Fulton and General
Manager Braemar Golf Course Joe Abood
III. Approval Of Meeting Agenda
Motion made by Strother to approve the meeting agenda. Motion seconded by Miller.
Motion carried.
IV. Approval Of Meeting Minutes
Motion made by Miller to approve the July 9, 2019 minutes. Motion seconded by Dahlien.
Motion carried.
V. Community Comment
None
VI. Reports/Recommendations
A. Centennial Lakes Park Update -
Centennial Lakes General Manager Shirley introduced Centennial Lakes Assistant Manager Fulton
and then gave a quick update to the commission on what has been happening over the summer.
Commissioners asked questions.
B. Braemar Golf Dome – Technology Upgrade
Braemar Golf Course General Manager Abood informed the commission the golf dome is
looking at adding some new technology. The company is called Top Tracer Range.
General Manager Abood gave a presentation of the product and explained how it came to be and
how it works. He also explained the financial aspect to it and noted there are no up-front costs
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for the technology and that it is a lease based system to which they are looking at a three year
contract. He explained how it’s a win/win for the golf dome.
Commissioners asked questions.
C. Update on Open Streets
Chair Good informed the commission that if they would like to be a part of the Open Streets
event like last year they need to register by the end of the week. The event will take place on
Sunday, Sept. 22. Staff Liaison Vetter noted a few changes that will be happening at this year’s
Open Streets.
Commissioners Good, Strother and McCormick who were at the event last year stated people
were looking for maps, especially walking and bike trails.
The commission agreed they will participate again this year in the Open Streets event. It was
suggested for those who would like to participate to meet and bring ideas to next month’s
meeting to finalize with the commission.
D. Park Assignment Discussion
Chair Good informed the commission that park assignments is something the commission has
done in the past which he felt had limited to moderate success on keeping it up. He noted he
met with Staff Liaison Vetter and they both decided it was worth bringing up to see if there is any
interest. They don’t want to make it too formal but would like it a little more structured.
The commissioners and Staff Liaison Vetter had a discussion and gave suggestions with regards to
park assignments. It was decided the commission is interested in doing this but would like it
more definitive on what is expected from the commissioners so they know what the purpose is.
Chair Good and Staff Liaison Vetter indicated they had discussed taking a tour on three or four
parks, however, they need to determine how to make it a publicly accessible meeting if they
were to do it.
E. Parks & Recreation Work Plan
Staff Liaison Vetter informed the commission their work plan proposal needs to be presented by
the chair to the City Council at their Oct. 1 work session. He noted a discussion about the 2020
Work Plan is scheduled for the Sept. 9, 2019 Parks & Recreation Commission meeting.
Commissioners were asked to review the annual work plan and gauge what items are likely to be
completed and what will likely carry over. Staff Liaison Vetter asked the commissioners to
consider:
What could we do?
What should we do?
What will we do for the 2020 Work Plan?
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The commission had a discussion and gave suggestions for the 2020 Work Plan.
The following updates were given on the 2019 Work Plan Initiatives:
Initiative 1 – Chair/co-chair a cross-commission committee to review the naming of a public facility
in the Grandview area after the BC and Ellen Yancey. Commissioner Dahlien informed the
commission he is waiting to hear back from the Human Rights and Relations Commission
(HRRC) on whether or not they came up with a recommendation at their most recent
meeting.
Initiative 2 – Serve on a cross-commission committee in partnership with communities of color to
identify barriers for participation in programming. Commissioner Strother informed the
commission they did meet with the HRRC and had a discussion about different ways to engage
communities. One thing they talked about was holding an open house where people could be
proactive in telling them what they see as barriers and what they see as welcoming to engage
with the park system. She noted another question they had was they need feedback on what
they are gathering. Are there any metrics on usage based on the demographics and if there
were ways to do that it would be helpful for the discussion.
Staff Liaison Vetter indicated that he talked to Heidi Lee, Race and Equity Coordinator, who
has been working the HRRC committee to see what they have planned, what does the
engagement look like and what questions should be asked. Staff Liaison Vetter also pointed
out they need to work closely with the school districts because they do collect that data.
Commissioner Strother wants to make sure they stay looped in with the HRRC Committee
because it’s going to be impacting Parks & Recreation and they could use that information
when they are talking about their work plan items in the future and their priorities, etc.
Initiative 3 – Chair/co-chair a cross-commission committee to develop a draft plan on Edina Grand
Rounds, including wayfinding. Chair Good informed the commission that the Parks & Recreation
Commission Committee met with the representative from the Transportation Commission
Committee on developing a draft plan for the Edina Grand Rounds. Their intent is to have a
draft to connect the four quadrants of Edina, to improve a network of means to connect
across Edina for both bikes and pedestrians that could go from park to park including
enterprise facilities as well as improve general wayfinding for bikes and pedestrians.
Initiative 4 – Complete a study and report for fields, courts and rinks capacity and utilization from
the data provided by staff. Chair Good informed the commission he did get all of the details on
what is available for the most recent utilization and went over that information.
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Chair Good indicated now is an opportunity for the committee to get together and see what
the information tells them, what do they want to do about it and what could they examine to
potentially either broaden the utilization or change the impact of it.
Initiative 5 – Investigate possible alternative funding options to support future growth and
development of Edina’s parks, programs and green spaces. There is nothing to report this month.
Initiative 6 – Review and comment on the Race and Equity policy statement developed by city staff.
Staff Liaison Vetter informed the commission that Heidi Lee, Race and Equity Coordinator, will
be at the September Parks & Recreation Commission meeting to give an update on this
initiative.
Initiative 7 – Serve on a cross-commission committee to complete requirements for Edina to receive
the AARP City Designation. Commissioner McCormick indicated she doesn’t have an update but
that she has reached out to the Community Health Commission representative and is waiting
to hear back.
VII. Chair and Member Comments
• Chair Good informed the commission that with regards to park maintenance an item came up
on social media with regard to mowing at Birchcrest Park. Staff Liaison Vetter indicated he
would follow-up with maintenance staff.
VIII. Staff Comments
Staff Liaison Vetter gave the following updates:
• There has been progress made at Arden Park; the weather has been a bit of a
challenge but they are still looking at a fall completion date.
• The project at Fred Richards Park is going well; the playground equipment should be
done in September and the shelter should be here by the end of October.
• The Lewis Park warming house has been repainted.
• The tennis courts were resurfaced at Highlands Park and Utley Park.
• Instead of having five storage containers at Highlands Park for the Edina Football
Association they now have a smaller building that was relocated from Pamela Park to
Highlands Park.
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• The City Council did approve the contract for the paving project at Cornelia School
Park.
• Summer programs are wrapping up.
• Registration for residents for fall and winter programs will start on Aug. 19 and for
fall skating will start on Aug. 20.
• It’s been a hard summer dealing with the weather for some of the enterprise facilities
and gave kudos to staff for running their operations because it’s been a challenge.
They need to come up with a definitive message moving forward with regards to
lightning and inclement weather for the safety of the customer.
IX. Adjournment
Motion made by McAwley to adjourn the Aug. 13, 2019 meeting at 8:58 p.m. Motion seconded
by Miller. Motion carried.