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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-07-13 Parks & Rec Comm MinutesDraft Minutes☐ Approved Minutes☒ Approved Date: 9/14/2021 Minutes City of Edina, Minnesota Edina Parks & Recreation Commission VIRTUAL MEETING July 13, 2021 7 p.m. I. Call to Order Chair Ites called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. II. Roll Call Answering roll call were Commissioners Doscotch, Good, Haas, Miller, Nelson, Strother, Willette and Ites Absent: Commissioner McAwley and Student Commissioners Mork and Nahlovsky Student Commissioner Sorem arrived at 7:10 p.m. Staff present: Staff Liaison Perry Vetter, Assistant Director Parks & Natural Resources Tom Swenson and Administrative Coordinator Janet Canton III. Approval of Meeting Agenda Motion made by Nelson to approve the meeting agenda. Motion seconded by Good. Roll call vote. Motion carried. IV. Approval of Meeting Minutes Motion made by Miller to approve the June 8, 2021minutes. Motion seconded by Haas. Roll call vote. Motion carried. V. Community Comment None VI. Reports/Recommendations A. 2021 Work Plan Discussion Chair Ites debriefed the commission on the joint work session with the City Council. Updates were given on the following initiatives. Initiative #1 – Review and comment on proposed plan to identify barriers for participation and reach communities of color through different modes and feedback. Staff Liaison Vetter indicated this remains at the staff level. Staff has been working on this and a draft plan has been completed but staff has been prioritizing the Just Deeds project. He reviewed the process for residents to be involved with Just Deeds. Initiative #2 – Create presentation to share information about Parks & Recreation facilities, services, and systems with up to six community groups. Commissioner Nelson updated the commission on the progress of this initiative including trying to condense four larger topics into one smaller topic Draft Minutes☐ Approved Minutes☒ Approved Date: 9/14/2021 and keeping it at a high level. Staff Liaison Vetter noted he talked to the communications staff which is considering the request to do a series. Initiative #3 – Report and provide recommendations on alternative funding sources for park related improvements including parks, facilities, and enterprise upgrades. Chair Ites updated the commission on what the different commissioners are working on regarding this initiative. He noted this is one initiative that will probably have some carryover into 2022. Initiative #4 Study and report on options to categorize underutilized park amenities/areas and identify park amenity needs. Commissioner Doscotch recapped the initiative and noted there was dialogue with staff and he received additional direction from the director on how the commission might provide additional guidance and work on this initiative in a way that will be of value. He indicated he planned on updating the materials that are already created for the group to review and also will be setting up a group meeting to discuss this initiative further. Initiative #5 – Study and report evaluating options for determining benchmarks (park amenities, operations, service areas) the commission started studying in 2020. Commissioner Good reviewed the progress on this initiative. He noted of the nine benchmarks, there has been input on seven of the nine and two are ongoing discussions (capital spending and funding sources as well as annual expenditures on planning and development). B. 2022 Work Plan Development Discussion Staff Liaison Vetter reviewed the 2022 Commission Work Plan calendar. He noted at the August meeting the commission should try to have their recommended initiatives finalized to bring those forward to the Engagement Coordinator and then to the City Council October work session. Chair and Member Comments  Chair Ites noted a resident asked him how many trees were being removed at the golf course and he indicated he was not sure about the count but assured the resident that an approximate number similar to that was replaced.  Commissioner Good explained regarding the parking lot set of ideas, he got the impression that the Edina residents thought the city had a great park system, which he thought was correct, and the residents are letting everything that needs to be done up to the park system and the park group. He wondered if there was some way the City can, without a lot of money, work on some philanthropy program to connect residents more to their local parks. Staff Liaison Vetter added he would like to have more philanthropic discussions regarding the park system.  Commissioner Good indicated he would like to review and continue working on the strategic plan.  Commissioner Haas would like to bring back some other ways, a work item to look at, how the City can connect people safely through the community using way finding in relation to the park system such as what is on page 18. Commissioner Strother agreed with the way finding piece and connecting the parks for pedestrians. She noted the challenge has always been working with the Transportation Commission and looking at Draft Minutes☐ Approved Minutes☒ Approved Date: 9/14/2021 how the Parks Commission can integrate their desires with the Transportation Commission’s work. Chair Ites suggested the commissioners send their ideas to Staff Liaison Vetter to put them into the parking lot set of ideas in the Work Plan. VII. Chair and Member Comments VIII. Staff Comments Director Vetter updated the Commission on the following items:  City Council actions and activities.  Arden Park supplemental equipment was authorized for ages 2 to 5.  Park system activity has picked up.  Braemar Ice Arena hosted the City of Lakes Figure Skating Club Annual Competition  The Beauty League at Braemar Ice Arena is starting up again.  A grant was received for $25,000 at the arena to help support the dehumidification project.  Braemar Golf Course continues to be busy in all aspects. Lessons and junior programs continues to be popular.  The Leagues and activities being offered at the Courtyard are full.  Centennial Lakes Park has been a busy location with the upcoming Torchlight Concert and the Yacht Club Lighthouse in August and the Fall in the Arts Festival will be conducted in September which will be a full-scale festival without restrictions.  Several popular art fairs have been cancelled.  Edina Aquatics Center continues to be a busy location.  Several programs continue in the city as well and the city is in the process of filling the Recreation Supervisor position.  Senior Center has opened to full capacity.  A city website refresh is being planned. Staff Liaison Vetter reviewed upcoming Park Commission calendar events. IX. Adjournment Motion made by Nelson to adjourn the July 13, 2021 meeting at 8:15 p.m. Motion seconded by Haas. Roll call vote. Motion carried.