12-14-2021 prc sumCHANHASSEN PARK AND
RECREATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
DECEMBER 14, 2021
Chairman Tsuchiya called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Karl Tsuchiya, Sandy Sweetser, Jim Peck, Don Vasatka, Scott
Fischer, Heather Markert, Matt Kutz (6:50pm), Youth Commissioner Alex Jerdee.
STAFF PRESENT: Jerry Ruegemer, Park and Recreation Director; Priya Tandon, Recreation
Coordinator; Mitchell Czech, Recreation Supervisor; Jodi Sarles, Recreation Center Manager;
Mary Blazanin, Senior Center Coordinator
PUBLIC PRESENT: None.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA. Commissioner Sweetser moved, Commissioner Peck seconded
to approve the agenda as presented. All voted in favor and the motion carried
unanimously with a vote of 8 to 0.
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS. None.
VISITOR PRESENTATIONS. None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES.
APPROVE PARK & RECREATION MINUTES DATED NOVEMBER 23, 2021
Commissioner Sweetser moved, Commissioner Peck seconded to approve the Minutes of
the Park and Recreation Commission Meeting dated November 23, 2021 as presented. All
voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 8 to 0.
GENERAL BUSINESS
1. 2021 Year in Review Presentation
Recreation Coordinator Tandon gave a presentation highlighting the 2021 year in Parks and
Recreation, showing photos on screen. She noted they are excited for an eventful 2022.
REPORTS
1. Park Maintenance Quarterly Update
Park and Recreation Director Ruegemer gave a quarterly updated and stated they put new
playground equipment at Pheasant Hills and Carver Beach, a new basketball court at Lake Susan,
a new Chanhassen monument sign, and Staff rebuilt the Lake Ann fishing pier. He noted with
Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – December 14, 2021
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winter here Staff shut everything down, draining water, removing drinking fountains, and closing
the bathrooms. Skating rinks are on hold right now due to the warmer temperatures. Park
maintenance also did a lot of work prior to the snow on the trails to be ready for plowing and
they are ready to react to the weather one way or another.
2. Recreation Center Quarterly Update
Mr. Ruegemer gave an update, noting the removable walls are still not in, although the track
system is in and there is a temporary wall between rooms 3 and 4. The new walls are to be
delivered the following Monday and will take a couple of days to install. This will help
Recreation Center Manager Sarles as it has been difficult without the walls. Highlights include
the Artisan Fair with 31 vendors and 600 attendees and a food shelf collection and the Holiday
Boutique which had 40 vendors participating.
Ms. Sarles noted they partner with the City of Victoria for the Royal Ball and Anna and Elsa
from Frozen will be coming to the event. She stated they are in the annual December punch card
sale: if someone buys a 40 punch card they get 10 punches free and it is open for the fitness
center, open pickle ball, basketball, open gym, etcetera.
3. Senior Center Quarterly Update
Senior Center Coordinator Mary Blazanin stated this has been the busiest quarter in 2021 with
many fun, interesting, and educational opportunities being provided for the older adult
community. Three goals over the last quarter were to create new community connections, focus
on lifelong learning, and get resources and information out on important and relevant topics.
Events included an Octoberfest lunch, a trip to the theater, and a beginner’s mahjong class. They
also did an age well in place series and partnered with the Senior Commission for a three-part
series.
4. Tree Lighting Ceremony Review
Ms. Tandon showed a review video of the event, noting the event was held on Saturday,
December 4 and Councilmember Schubert flipped the ceremonial switch lighting up the park.
The weather was fantastic and helped with the attendance numbers of approximately 800 people
which was exciting. They had many great sponsors for the event including Buy Chanhassen,
Southwest Metro Chamber of Commerce, Mustard Seed Landscape and Garden Center,
Southwest Transit, and Garden by the Woods.
COMMISSION MEMBER COMMITTEE REPORTS. None.
COMMISSION MEMBER PRESENTATIONS. None.
Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – December 14, 2021
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ADMINISTRATIVE PACKET. None.
ADJOURNMENT.
Commissioner Sweetser moved, Commissioner Markert seconded to adjourn the meeting.
All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 8 to 0. The Park and
Recreation Commission meeting was adjourned at 7:12 p.m.
Submitted by Jerry Ruegemer
Park and Recreation Director