HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-03-10 Parks & Rec Comm MinutesDraft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: 7/14/2020
Minutes
City Of Edina, Minnesota
Edina Parks & Recreation Commission
City Hall, Council Chambers
Tues., March 10, 2020
7 p.m.
I. Call to Order
Chair Ites called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
Staff Liaison Vetter introduced Matt Doscotch the newly appointed member of the Parks &
Recreation Commission. Commissioner Doscotch introduced himself to the commission
and gave a brief history of himself.
II. Roll Call
Answering roll call were Commissioners Doscotch, Miller, McAwley, Ites, Nelson and
Student Commissioner Osborne
Absent: Commissioners Good, Dahlien, Strother and Student Commissioner Lelas
Commissioner Willette arrived at 7:13 p.m.
Staff present: Staff Liaison Perry Vetter and Administrative Coordinator Janet Canton
III. Approval of Meeting Agenda
Motion made by Nelson to approve the meeting agenda. Motion seconded by
McAwley. Motion carried.
IV. Approval of Meeting Minutes
Commissioner Miller noted in the Feb. 11, 2020 minutes under section VI. B. it states the
motion was both made and seconded by Commissioner McAwley. The actual motion was
made by Commissioner McAwley and seconded by Commissioner Nelson.
Motion made by Miller to approve the amended Feb. 11, 2020 minutes. Motion
seconded by Nelson. Motion carried.
V. Community Comment
Joni Bennett, 4003 Lynn Ave., indicated she is speaking on behalf of the City of Edina
Complete Count Committee. She explained this is a group of volunteers appointed by City
Manager Neal to help our community learn more about and participate fully in the 2020 U.S.
Census. She went over what has and has not changed regarding the census.
VI. Reports/Recommendations
A. Courtney Fields Improvement Study
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Staff Liaison Vetter gave a presentation on the Courtney Fields improvement study. He
noted the study focused on ballfield conflict, lighting, site amenities and field playability.
He asked the commission for feedback in order to formalize a capital project request.
Commissioner Nelson suggested reaching out to the Edina Football Association because
they use some of those fields in the fall and it may be another place to tap into for
additional funds. Also, if there is better lighting, they may be able to use it more. She
added the irrigation is also something that bothers their field of play as well.
Commissioner Miller asked if this is part of the Braemar Master Plan or separate. Staff
Liaison Vetter replied certain components were identified in the plan and certain others
were not. He noted drainage, irrigation, additional seating with sun protection and a
future playground with ADA access were all very consistent with the original master
plan. There was no safety netting in the original plan. Lighting at fields 2, 3, and 4 were
not in the master plan. However, lighting at field 1 was in the plan and that has already
been completed.
Commissioner McAwley asked if they are working with the Energy and Environment
Commission on sustainability with the new lighting going in. Staff Liaison Vetter replied
not yet but once they develop the plan further, they will be looking at what it would
offset and see if that would allow them any additional grant or alternative funding
resources because of saving energy.
Commissioner Ites asked if the estimated cost is included in the local sales tax number
that was given to the legislature. Staff Liaison Vetter replied portions of it were.
B. 2019 Parks & Recreation Commission Work Plan Update
Staff Liaison Vetter asked the commissioners who haven’t already to go in and update
their 2019 Work Plan initiatives in the document provided. He commented some
initiatives have a next step to bring the initiative to the City Council and others are just
to study and report.
C. 2020 Parks & Recreation Commission Work Plan Update
Chair Ites asked Commissioner Doscotch if he had any personal interest in any of the 2020
Work Plan initiatives. Commissioner Doscotch replied Initiatives #3, #4 and #5 were at the
top of his list of the initiatives he felt fit his skill set and added that he is more than happy to
help in any way the commission sees fit. After much discussion by the commission it was
decided Commissioner Doscotch will be added to Initiative #1, #3 and #4 and Commissioner
McAwley will switch from Initiative #4 to Initiative #3 due to quorum guidelines.
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Initiative #4 – Develop criteria that incorporates sustainability and equity for
prioritizing capital improvements for park infrastructure needs, including playground
equipment, warming houses and core amenities for expansion and replacement. Parks
and Recreation Commission will create the criteria and both Energy & Environment
commission and Human Rights & Relations commission will appoint up to 2 members
for feedback on final criteria before it goes to council.
Staff Liaison Vetter informed the commission they did host a meeting and looked at examples
from other communities as well as talked about their own internal process. They looked at the
current process of other communities and how they prioritize capital. It was also discussed
briefly should it be more of a priority or should it be a scoring/ranking system. Commissioners
felt they should head down the path of just a priority and not get into scoring projects.
Commissioner Nelson went over a list in terms of what they felt the topics should be
considered for prioritization to be further defined. They include:
1 Safety
2 ADA compliance
3 Protecting assets
4 User experience and community interest,
5 Existing assets versus new assets
6 Non-revenue facilities and amenities versus revenue facilities and amenities
7 Park by park approach versus the amenities by amenities approach
8 Neighborhoods wants versus park system wants
9 Enhancing the underutilized space for future growth
10 Leveraging partnership funds
11 Cost and expense levels
12 Race and equity goals
13 Sustainability improvements in saving offsets
Staff Liaison Vetter pointed out none of the topics listed have been ranked. The next steps will
be to further define what each of them means. They will look at available funds and will do a
priority listing and not scoring. He added this is something that will evolve over time.
No other initiative updates were given.
VII. Chair and Member Comments
Commissioner Nelson informed the commission she wants to make sure they are being
proactive with the COVID-19 situation such as do they have enough hand sanitizers at
the parks, etc. Staff Liaison Vetter replied staff is planning a response for the COVID-19
and are gathering information from the CDC Department of Health as well as their own
internal environmental health. He noted they will be deploying some additional
strategies as they head into their busy season.
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Chair Ites asked if any signage has been placed at Arden Park with regards to dogs. Staff
Liaison Vetter replied some temporary signs have been put in the area to remind people
of the rules and regulations. He noted they are also putting in a few of the temporary
signs along the Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail.
Chair Ites informed the commission that Commissioner McAwley and he attended the
Ikola Dedication of the Statue at Braemar Arena and it was a good event.
VIII. Staff Comments
The City Council passed a Resolution of Support to the state Legislature requesting the
authorization to have a referendum for a local option sales tax. On Feb. 20
Representative Heather Edelson sponsored House File 3594, which supports the City of
Edina’s request for that authorization. Council Member Anderson, City Manager Neal,
Recreation Supervisor Bushland, City Management Fellow Casella and he were in
attendance for the hearing. He noted several questions and comments were made;
however, it did pass that initial step of going through the local property tax and local tax
committee on the House side and was laid over for possible inclusion and a future bill.
A date has not yet been scheduled for a hearing in the Senate. He noted typically this is
a bonding year for the state legislature so they are not certain whether there will even
be a tax bill. A lot of procedural steps at the state legislature remain to be seen;
however, the first hearing went well which is a positive sign.
The 2020 spring/summer registration opened on Wednesday, Feb. 19. There were
approximately 2,400 registrations in the first two hours online. It went well and he
complimented the staff and registrants for a great job done.
There were 63,000 people who went through Braemar Arena in February and 5,700
who through on Super Sunday.
There are several special events listed in the packet from March through May.
The outdoor ice rinks closed on March 1. They did extend six of the 12 locations for
an additional week. There were approximately 31,000 skaters based on the attendance
stats so there was quite a bit more than the 2018-2019 season. Recreation Supervisor
Bushland will attend the April Parks & Recreation Commission meeting to give you a
more detailed report.
They are currently hiring for summer positions; you can text jobs to 57838 where you
will be connected to employment information that the city offers.
The packet also includes a quick rundown of the 2020 meeting and events that you
should be aware of.
IX. Adjournment
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Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: 7/14/2020
Motion made by Nelson to adjourn the March 10, 2020 meeting at 7:42 p.m.
Motion seconded by McAwley. Motion carried.