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02.25.2025 PRC MinutesCHANHASSEN PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 25, 2025 Vice Chair Pharis called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Dan Eidsmo; Rob Swanson; Scott Pharis; Kristin Fulkerson; Michael Leisen; Clara Christenson, youth; Aayan Shrestha, youth. MEMBERS ABSENT: Jim Peck, Chair; Sean Morgan. STAFF PRESENT: Jerry Ruegemer, Park and Recreation Director; and Priya Wall, Recreation Manager. PUBLIC PRESENT: Evie Moran, Great River Greening; and Scott Grefe, Environment Commission. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Commissioner Fulkerson moved, Commissioner Swanson seconded to approve the agenda as presented. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS: None. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1. Approve Park & Recreation Minutes dated January 28, 2025 Commissioner Swanson moved, Commissioner Leisen seconded to approve the minutes of the Park and Recreation Commission meeting dated January 28, 2025, as presented. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0. GENERAL BUSINESS: 1. Great River Greening Lake Ann Park Preserve Project Update Jerry Ruegemer, Park and Recreation Director, introduced Evie Moran, the Project Lead for Great River Greening. He said they have worked for a year or two on the grant process, and the work started to clear the buckthorn in the Lake Ann Park Preserve. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – February 25, 2025 2 Evie Moran, the Project Lead for Great River Greening, presented background information on Great River Greening and described the purpose of their work to support diverse climate- resistant ecosystems. She explained the history of buckthorn in the United States and discussed the threat as it shades out native plants. She reviewed how Great River Greening receives grant funding for projects and how it will be utilized in the Lake Ann Park Preserve Project. Ms. Moran explained the pre-bid site visit with different vendors before finalizing the contract with the awarded contractor. She stated that the work to remove buckthorn had to happen in the winter, so the contractor was already at work. She presented a map to indicate the density of the buckthorn. She explained the processes of hand-cutting and forestry mowing to remove buckthorn, noting the buckthorn seeds remained in the seed bank for one to two years, so there needs to be continued follow-up to ensure buckthorn removal. She provided the status of the buckthorn removal at Lake Ann Park Preserve and explained that the debris needed to be processed. She described the removal of the debris and showed the process of biochar that uses kilns. She explained that the landscape was being revegetated by native plant species. Commissioner Leisen asked about the volunteers and how the Park and Recreation Commission could help find volunteers. Ms. Moran explained that she would work with the City of Chanhassen to find volunteers. Commissioner Leisen asked how long the current process would take. Ms. Moran answered that the initial removal was planned to happen in the winter. She explained that the work could only be completed in frozen conditions, so the current 50-degree weather was not favorable. If the work is not finished this winter, it will resume next winter. Commissioner Fulkerson asked if the Park and Recreation Commission would partner with the Environmental Commission on programming for volunteer events. Ms. Moran responded that volunteer events were flexible. Mr. Ruegemer shared that they were working with Jamie Marsh, Environmental Resource Specialist, on the project, so when the grant funding runs out, she will remain involved, and there will be volunteer work to remove the buckthorn. Youth Commissioner Christenson asked if the City could prevent this from happening again in ten to fifteen years. Ms. Moran answered that informing the public would help with invasive species. She stated that there are invasive pressures while living in the metropolitan area. She explained how comprehensive the follow-up was to control the situation. Mr. Ruegemer said that the City was taking a proactive response to buckthorn removal. They are teaching residents how to remove and treat buckthorn and tracking areas of concern that might need to have organized projects. Vice Chair Pharis asked if anything like this had been done in Chanhassen previously and how it worked. Ms. Moran answered that other cities had completed similar projects. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – February 25, 2025 3 Mr. Ruegemer explained that a similar project took place near the beach. He voiced favor for doing projects like this and emphasized the need for volunteers. Ms. Moran showed photographs from a similar project at Lebanon Hills in 2022. She explained that the site had a lot of native plant reestablishments. She showed another photo from a different project and explained the need for follow-up control on the project. Commissioner Eidsmo asked if this process addressed other invasive species. Ms. Moran explained that the site would tackle glossy and common buckthorn. She said that the site might have other invasive species. The continued control and reestablished native species should help prevent invasive species. Commissioner Eidsmo asked how to treat the invasive species with the manual version. Ms. Moran described the process to stump treat with herbicides. Youth Commissioner Shrestha asked about how other projects utilized volunteers. Ms. Moran explained how different tasks that the volunteers did to target smaller buckthorn. REPORTS: 1. February Festival Evaluation Priya Wall, Recreation Manager, reviewed the February Festival. She provided details of the fish caught and prizes awarded to participants. She thanked the Rotary for drilling holes for the contest. She thanked the Lion’s Club for helping with the event. She reviewed additional events, including ice skating, s’more making, snow yoga, and snow shoeing demonstrations. She reviewed the medallion hunt and revealed the location. She stated that Tonka Cycle and Ski hope to provide fat tire bike demonstrations next year and youth ice fishing demonstrations. She reviewed the feedback from participants to display the top fifty fishing prizes during the event. She discussed the event costs highlighted in the expense report. Youth Commissioner Christenson asked if the event was sponsored. Ms. Wall answered that there was a title sponsorship opportunity, but they had not had a title sponsor since 2022. They do receive sponsorship from businesses in the prizes. The event was also funded through general business donations throughout the year. Commissioner Fulkerson asked about working with the Sun Sailer to notify residents of the event. Ms. Wall explained that they send press releases to the paper, but they have not run as many ads with the paper. They can explore this option in the future. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMITTEE REPORTS: None. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – February 25, 2025 4 COMMISSION MEMBER PRESENTATIONS: Vice Chair Pharis announced he will be moving to Louisville, Kentucky, for a new job opportunity in the spring. He thanked everyone for the opportunity to serve on the Park and Recreation Commission. He stated that there would be three commissioners to replace this year. Jerry Ruegemer, Park and Recreation Director, confirmed that Dan Eidsmo would not seek another term. He explained that Chair Peck had health complications after a recent surgery, so he resigned his position. He commented that Chair Peck would be eligible for a Maple Leaf award at an April meeting. Vice Chair Pharis commented that he sat in on the Park and Recreation Commission interviews, which were positive. He provided background on the different candidates. Mr. Ruegemer said that there would be another round of interviews, and the City Council would appoint the next Park and Recreation Commissioners. Commissioner Fulkerson stated that there was Environmental Trivia on Friday evening and invited individuals to attend. ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS: None. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Eidsmo moved, Commissioner Fulkerson seconded to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0. The Park and Recreation Commission meeting was adjourned at 6:53 p.m. Submitted by Jerry Ruegemer Park and Recreation Director