HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-11-13 Parks & Rec Comm MinutesDraft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: 12/12/2023
Minutes
City of Edina, Minnesota
Edina Parks & Recreation Commission
Braemar Golf Course
November 13, 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, Pfuhl, Spanhake, and Student Commissioner
DiLorenzo
Commissioners Absent: Luangrath, Weaver and Ytterbo
Commissioner Welsh and Student Commissioner Holtey arrived at 7:19 p.m.
Staff Present: Staff Liaison Perry Vetter, Assistant Director Recreation & Facilities Tracy Petersen,
and Administrative Coordinator Janet Canton
Staff Liaison Vetter informed the Commission that at this time they have four voting members and
are waiting for the fifth to have a quorum. They can start the meeting but will not be able to take
action on items requiring a motion.
III. Community Comment
None
IV. Reports/Recommendations
A. 2023 Work Plan Initiative 1.6.5: Comparable Community Parks/Recreational
Opportunities
Commissioner Pfuhl gave an update on the comprehensive work done by the Parks & Recreation
staff in going through comparisons. She noted there are also supplementals in the report. Staff
Liaison Vetter informed the Commission that a lot of the comparison work was put together by
Sam Ure, Parks & Recreation Summer Intern, and gave background on the research done.
Commissioner Pfuhl informed the Commission the subcommittee would like to receive feedback
on the packet to then be melded into a report by the subcommittee, and then be presented to the
City Council.
The Commissioners asked questions and discussed a community center, accessibility issues, fee
comparisons, and overall desires for what the report consists of.
B. 2023 Commission Work Plan
Draft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: 12/12/2023
Initiative #1 – Support Fred Richards Park Implementation. Staff Liaison Vetter updated the
Commission that they are proceeding with getting authorization for the wetlands banking portion,
before moving into other design considerations.
Initiative #2 – Support Braemar Park Implementation. Staff Liaison Vetter updated the
Commission that the City Council added a few items regarding seating and netting with the users of
Courtney Fields.
Initiative #3 – Support Braemar Arena Implementation. Staff Liaison Vetter updated the
Commission that now the referendum has been passed the scope and size of the project has been
defined to begin professional services selection. He also noted that the referendum was approved by a
large percentage.
Initiative #4 – Alternative Funding Sources. This item is on the agenda.
Initiative #5 – Comparable Community Parks/Recreational Opportunities. This item is on the
agenda.
There was a quorum at 7:19 p.m.
V. Approval of Meeting Agenda
Motion made by Pfuhl to approve the meeting agenda. Motion seconded by Spanhake.
Motion carried.
VI. Approval of Meeting Minutes
Motion made by Pfuhl to approve the Sept. 12, 2023 minutes. Motion seconded by Welsh.
Motion carried
VII. Reports/Recommendations
A. Proposed Parks & Recreation Fees for 2024
Assistant Director Petersen asked for the Commission to review and recommend fees for 2024.
She informed the Commission they are looking to retain high-quality staff, the appropriate number
of staff, incentive offerings, fair hourly wages, high levels of customer service, and maintain safe and
clean operations. She outlined the specifics for certain facilities, including a 5% increase in the price
of season passes for the Aquatic Center, increase in player’s cards that would be limited this year
to uphold value and usability for the Braemar Golf Operations, a 3% increase in primetime and
non-primetime skating at Braemar Arena, minimal increases for concessions and rentals at
Centennial Lakes Park, a 3% increase for track memberships at Edinborough Park, and a 10%
increase in the Play Park annual membership. They are also recommending a decrease in the
Youth Athletic Association gymnasium user fee.
The Commission asked questions regarding the number of golf carts, advertising at Braemar,
player’s cards, and the Aquatic Center pricing increase.
Draft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: 12/12/2023
Motion made by Ites to recommend the proposed 2024 Parks & Recreation fees be
adopted by the City Council. Motion seconded by Pfuhl.
Motion Carried.
B. 2023 Work Plan Initiative 1.6.4: Alternative Funding Sources Study and Report
Review and Comment
Chair Doscotch gave a brief overview of the report and asked for input for recommendations on
evaluation. He also discussed the three categorizations on the summary page and their purposes.
The Commission asked questions regarding removing recreation-generating activities and tree
preservation from the summary section of the report, current naming, and evaluating and selling
naming rights.
The following changes were made: eliminate the section and summary of alternate strategy option
line item on tree preservation, modify “recreation-generating activities” to “revenue-generating
activities” on the summary of alternate strategy option, and put a check box in recommend.
Motion made by Ites to recommend for approval for the City Council presentation and
consideration with the modifications as noted. Motion seconded by Spanhake.
Motion carried
VIII. Chair and Member Comments
A. 2024 Work Plan City Council Presentation Recap
Chair Doscotch informed the Commission that he attended the City Council presentation and
presented the five Parks & Recreation initiatives for 2024 and gave a brief overview of what was
discussed.
IX. Staff Comments
A. Upcoming Meetings and Events
Staff Liaison Vetter updated that there is one meeting remaining for the year. He also
updated that in 2024 there will be three dates that do not follow the typical schedule,
those are the meetings held in May, August, and November. He also asked that if
Commission members know of certain dates that will not work for them, they should let
him know ahead of time to help with potential cancellations and rescheduling.
The Commission decided to cancel the July meeting due to traditional summer conflicts
and other commitments.
X. Adjournment
Motion made by Pfuhl to adjourn the Nov. 13, 2023, meeting at 8:22 p.m. Motion seconded
by Spanhake. Meeting adjourned.