HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-06-13 Parks & Rec Comm MinutesDraft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: 8/8/2023
Minutes
City of Edina, Minnesota
Edina Parks & Recreation Commission
Braemar Golf Course
June 13, 2023
7 p.m.
I. Call to Order
Chair Doscotch called the meeting to order at 6:59 p.m.
II. Roll Call
Answering roll call were Commissioners Doscotch, Ites, Luangrath, Pfuhl, Spanhake, Welsh and
Ytterbo
Absent: Commissioners Haas and Weaver and Student Commissioners DeFor and Horsager
Staff Present: Staff Liaison Perry Vetter, Assistant Director Parks & Natural Resources Tom Swenson,
Assistant Director Recreation & Facilities Tracy Petersen, Recreation Supervisor Laura Fulton, Parks
Intern Sam Ure and Administrative Coordinator Janet Canton
III. Approval of Meeting Agenda
Motion made by Ites to approve the meeting agenda. Motion seconded by Pfuhl. Motion
carried.
IV. Approval of Meeting Minutes
Motion made by Spanhake to approve the May 9, 2023 minutes. Motion seconded by Pfuhl.
Motion carried.
V. Special Recognitions and Presentations
A. Introduction of Parks & Recreation Summer Intern
Assistant Director Petersen introduced Parks & Recreation Intern Sam Ure. Intern Ure updated
the Commission on the programs he has been assisting with in the community, including many
different Edina events. The Commission asked Intern Ure what made him desire to work in the
Parks & Recreation field.
VI. Community Comment
None
VII. Reports/Recommendations
A. Arts Programming Update
Assistant Director Petersen introduced Recreation Supervisor Laura Fulton. Recreation
Supervisor Fulton provided an update on the Art Center’s programming and reviewed the
different types of classes offered at the Art Center. She also noted two special events, Art
Together, to reach a wide variety of families, and Art on the Go, to store art supplies at
Centennial Lakes and Walnut Ridge Park. Recreation Supervisor Fulton also gave an update on
the potential partnership with Hennepin County to build a new art center on the second floor of
Draft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: 8/8/2023
the Library. The Commission asked questions concerning square footage in new building, relative
capacity, what would be done with the old Art Center, and overall programming.
B. 2023 Commission Work Plan
Chair Doscotch informed the Commission that Vice Chair Pfuhl and he attended the City
Council work session and went through the agenda items that were discussed.
Initiative #1 – Support Fred Richards Park Implementation. Staff Liaison Vetter updated the
Commission that at the next City Council meeting, they will be bringing forward the Professional
Services Agreement, to move from the Master Plan to Design Development.
Initiative #2 – Support Braemar Park Implementation. Staff Liaison Vetter updated the
Commission that they completed a site walkthrough and it went well. He noted a lot of the items on
the staff wishlist lined up with the user wishlist and they will be pulling together those concepts for the
Commission to see.
Initiative #3 – Support Braemar Arena Implementation. Staff Liaison Vetter updated the
Commission on the expansion request that was included in the legislative session and gave a brief
overview of the history behind the language on the initiative. Vice Chair Pfuhl asked a question
regarding the percentage of the vote for the referendum. The Commission discussed the potential for
more than one additional indoor rink to be added to Braemar Arena.
Initiative #4 – Alternative Funding Sources. Chair Doscotch updated the Commission that there is
a working draft of the document and he is planning to meet with Staff Liaison Vetter before the next
meeting with an updated document.
Initiative #5 – Comparable Community Parks/Recreational Opportunities. Vice Chair Pfuhl
updated the Commission that there was a lot of discussion from council members at their work
session. She informed the Commission they are putting together a report comparing differences across
communities.
Initiative #6 – Parks & Recreation Presentations. Chair Doscotch updated the Commission that to
his knowledge the group for this initiative is working on the content for the presentation.
Staff Liaison Vetter informed the Commission that the general intention for initiatives 4, 5, and 6 is to
complete the work by the end of 2023.
C. 2024 Work Plan Development Discussion
Staff Liaison Vetter informed the Commission they need to start work on shaping their 2024 Work
Plan in June, July and August. He indicated that a motion would need to be made at the September
meeting and that Chair Doscotch will present it to the City Council in October. Chair Doscotch
recommended to the Commission to look at the Comprehensive Plan and look for any gaps and to
start gathering ideas to compile a list and make selections.
VIII. Chair and Member Comments
No comments
Draft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: 8/8/2023
IX. Staff Comments
A. Informational Items
Staff Liaison Vetter gave the following updates:
Staff are very busy leading into the kickoff to summer; a lot of activities and projects
being set into motion.
There has been a lack of rain and other factors affecting programming.
B. Upcoming Meetings and Events
The Juneteenth Celebration will be held on Monday, June 19 at 4 p.m. at Centennial
Lakes Park.
The fireworks and the Fourth of July parade will be held on Tuesday, July 4.
X. Adjournment
Motion made by Spanhake to adjourn the June 13, 2023 meeting at 8:01 p.m. Motion
seconded by Welsh. Meeting adjourned.