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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-08-08 Parks & Rec Comm MinutesDraft Minutes☐ Approved Minutes☒ Approved Date: 9/12/2023 Minutes City of Edina, Minnesota Edina Parks & Recreation Commission Braemar Golf Course August 8, 2023 7 p.m. I. Call to Order Chair Doscotch called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. II. Roll Call Answering roll call were Commissioners Doscotch, Ites, Luangrath, Pfuhl, Spanhake, Weaver, Welsh and Ytterbo Absent: Student Commissioners DeFor and Horsager Staff Present: Assistant Director Parks & Natural Resources Tom Swenson, Assistant Director Recreation & Facilities Tracy Petersen, Recreation Supervisor Rachael Walters, Park Planner Rachel Finberg and Administrative Coordinator Janet Canton III. Approval of Meeting Agenda Motion made by Spanhake to approve the meeting agenda. Motion seconded by Pfuhl. Motion carried. IV. Approval of Meeting Minutes Motion made by Pfuhl to approve the June 13, 2023 minutes. Motion seconded by Weaver. Motion carried. V. Community Comment None VI. Reports/Recommendations A. Introduction of Recreation Supervisor Assistant Director Petersen introduced Recreation Supervisor Rachael Walters. Recreation Supervisor Walters gave information on her schooling and career background. B. Introduction of Park Planner Assistant Director Swenson introduced Park Planner Rachel Finberg. Park Planner Finberg gave a brief background on her schooling and career as well as informed the Commission on what her role consists of. Park Planner Finberg updated the Commission on the Fred Richards Park project master plan that was approved in July 2017, and funding was identified through the referendum. Confluence was hired as the design team earlier in 2023. The City Council also just approved the banking project for the 17-acre portion. The design and banking process is set at 12-18 months. Draft Minutes☐ Approved Minutes☒ Approved Date: 9/12/2023 Park Planner Finberg gave an update on the Braemar Park project that was approved in 2018. This project has two consultants; SRF is working on the trail system and facility improvements and RES is working on natural resources. There is an open house scheduled for Sept. 6, there will also be a review and comment at the open house. The Commission asked questions regarding the water treatment plant, redrilling wells, access points, and parking at Braemar Park. C. 2023 Commission Work Plan Chair Doscotch informed the Commission that Commissioner Haas resigned, so a new lead is needed for Initiative #2. Commissioner Spanhake has volunteered to take over as the lead in Commissioner Haas’ place. Initiative #1 – Support Fred Richards Park Implementation. None Initiative #2 – Support Braemar Park Implementation. None Initiative #3 – Support Braemar Arena Implementation. None Initiative #4 – Alternative Funding Sources. Chair Doscotch updated the Commission that there has been a list created of all the possible alternative funding sources and they are working on finalizing the report that will be submitted to the City Council. Initiative #5 – Comparable Community Parks/Recreational Opportunities. None Initiative #6 – Parks & Recreation Presentations. Commissioner Weaver gave an update on the draft and noted he will send it to Liaison Vetter and Assistant Director Petersen for them to look over the financials. D. 2024 Work Plan Development Discussion Chair Doscotch updated that the first three initiatives will be carried forward to the 2024 Work Plan, and no new initiative ideas have been sent to the Director at this time. The Commissioners discussed there could be opportunities with GS 2-8; LF 1-4; Local Food LF 1-2 and TL 3-4. The Commission also discussed external use analysis, CIP funds, and alternative funding sources. Chair Doscotch updated that the initiatives need to be finalized by the next meeting, and he will present their initiatives to the City Council in October. VII. Chair and Member Comments  Commissioner Ites asked if in future planning could there be an addition of a regular women’s restroom on the front nine of the golf course so the maintenance shack does not have to be used. VIII. Staff Comments A. Promotion of Human Services Task Force Assistant Director Swenson gave a brief overview of the Human Services Task Force initiative from the City Management Fellow. Draft Minutes☐ Approved Minutes☒ Approved Date: 9/12/2023 B. Upcoming Meetings and Events  Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. will be the recommendation of the 2024 Work Plan and regular meeting.  Tuesday, Oct. 3 is the City Council Work Session where Chair Doscotch will be presenting the 2024 Work Plan.  Oct. 10, Nov. 13, and Dec. 12 are the dates of the regular meetings through the end of the year. IX. Adjournment Motion made by Weaver to adjourn the Aug. 8, 2023 meeting at 7:52 p.m. Motion seconded by Spanhake. Meeting adjourned.