HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-02-14 Parks & Rec Comm MinutesDraft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: 3/14/2023
Minutes
City of Edina, Minnesota
Edina Parks & Recreation Commission
Braemar Golf Course
February 14, 2023
7 p.m.
I. Call to Order
Chair Ites called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
II. Roll Call
Answering roll call were Commissioners Good, Haas, Ites, Pfuhl, Spanhake, Weaver and Student
Commissioner Horsager
Absent: Commissioner Strother and Student Commissioner Defor
Commissioner Welsh arrived at 7:03 p.m.
Commissioner Doscotch arrived at 7:08 p.m.
Staff Present: Staff Liaison Perry Vetter, Assistant Director Parks and Natural Resources Tom
Swenson, Assistant Director Recreation and Facilities Tracy Peterson, General Manager Braemar
Arena & Field Chad Eischens and Administrative Coordinator Janet Canton
III. Approval of Meeting Agenda
Motion made by Good to approve the meeting agenda. Motion seconded by Haas. Motion
carried.
IV. Approval of Meeting Minutes
Motion made by Haas to approve the Nov. 1, 2022 minutes. Motion seconded by Good.
Motion carried.
V. Community Comment
None
VI. Reports/Recommendations
A. Braemar Ice Arena/Braemar Field Program & Facility Update
Chad Eischens, General Manager of Braemar Arena and Field, gave a presentation on the
Braemar Ice Arena. Mr. Eischens gave an update on the programs taking place at the arena, prime
times for use, staffing struggles, utility issues, and customer interactions. Mr. Eischens also gave an
update on the Braemar Field and its dimensions and uses as well as discussed the increased
demand for use of the field, staffing models and successes of the new parking lot. The
Commissioners asked questions regarding the temperature inside the dome.
B. 2023 Work Plan
Staff Liaison Vetter pointed out to the Commission the new format and software system on the
2023 Work Plan. Staff Liaison Vetter urged the Commission to review each initiative.
Draft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: 3/14/2023
Commissioners asked questions regarding the word changes in the Work Plan and revisited
assignments.
Initiative #1 – Support Fred Richards Park Implementation. Commissioners Ites, Weaver, Welch
and Pfuhl; lead is Commissioner Ites.
Initiative #2 – Support Braemar Park Implementation. Commissioners Haas, Spanhake and
Student Commissioner Horsager; lead is Commissioner Haas.
Initiative #3 – Support Braemar Arena Implementation. Commissioners Doscotch, Spanhake and
Student Commissioner Horsager; lead is Commissioner Doscotch.
Initiative #4 – Alternative Funding Sources. Commissioners Doscotch, Weaver, Haas and Pfuhl;
lead is Commissioner Doscotch.
Initiative #5 – Comparable Community Parks/Recreational Opportunities. Commissioners Pfuhl,
Weaver and Student Commissioner DeFor; lead is Commissioner Pfuhl.
Initiative #6 – Parks & Recreation Presentations. Commissioners Weaver, Welch and Haas; lead is
Commissioner Weaver.
C. Annual Election of Officers
Staff Liaison Vetter introduced the nomination process for officer election. The floor was opened
for Chair and then Vice-Chair of the Parks & Recreation Commission.
Motion made by Good to nominate Commissioner Doscotch as Chair of the Parks &
Recreation Commission seconded by Haas. Roll call vote. Motion carried.
Motion made by Doscotch to nominate Commissioner Haas as Vice-Chair of the Parks &
Recreation Commission seconded by Haas.
Motion made by Ites to nominate Commissioner Pfuhl as Vice-Chair of the Parks &
Recreation Commission seconded by Good.
Called to vote:
Commissioner Haas – Commissioners Doscotch, Haas, Spanhake and Weaver
Commissioner Pfuhl – Commissioners Good, Pfuhl, Ites and Welch
Vote was tied and motions failed, Staff Liaison Vetter opened nominations again for Vice-Chair of
the Parks & Recreation Commission.
Motion made by Doscotch to nominate Commissioner Haas as Vice-Chair of the Parks &
Recreation Commission seconded by Haas.
Draft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: 3/14/2023
Commissioner Haas indicated to the Commission the experience he has with running meetings in
public settings.
Motion made by Ites to nominate Commissioner Pfuhl as Vice-Chair of the Parks &
Recreation Commission seconded by Good.
Commissioner Pfuhl indicated that she would be honored to serve as Vice-Chair. She also stated
her experience in leadership positions.
Called to vote:
Commissioner Haas – Commissioners Doscotch, Haas, Spanhake and Weaver
Commissioner Pfuhl – Commissioners Good, Pfuhl, Ites and Welch
Vote was tied and motions failed, Staff Liaison Vetter opened nominations again for Vice-Chair of
the Parks & Recreation Commission.
Commissioner Haas suggested they hold another round of elections
Motion made by Haas to nominate Commissioner Pfuhl as Vice-Chair of the Parks &
Recreation Commission seconded by Doscotch. Motion carried.
VII. Chair and Member Comments
A. Recognize Park & Recreation Commissioners Years of Service
Chair Ites recognized Commissioner Good on all his accomplishments and involvement on the
Commission since 2015 and thanked him for his service. The Commission also recognized
Commissioner Strother who was unable to attend.
VIII. Staff Comments
A. Informational Items
Staff Liaison Vetter gave the following updates:
The 2023 operating budget and capital improvement program have been finalized,
increasing the capital funding of park systems.
Need to spread news about summer hiring.
B. Upcoming Meetings and Events
Staff Liaison Vetter informed the Commission that at their next meeting on March 14 they will be
given an update on the Senior Center and Forestry Program.
IX. Adjournment
Motion made by Good to adjourn the Feb. 14, 2023 meeting at 8:15 p.m. Motion seconded by
Spanhake. Meeting adjourned.