Loading...
09-27-2022 PRC MinutesCHANHASSEN PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 27, 2022 Chairman Tsuchiya called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Karl Tsuchiya, Jim Peck, Don Vasatka, Dan Eidsmo, Heather Markert, Matt Kutz,, and Youth Commissioner Alex Jerdee. MEMBERS ABSENT: Scott Fischer. 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; Adam Beers, Park Superintendent. PUBLIC PRESENT: None. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Commissioner Vasatka moved, Commissioner Peck 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: Mr. Ruegemer shared about a community buckthorn removal day at Greenwood Shores on October 8, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Gloves and tools will be available to clean the buckthorn in the new Lake Ann Park Preserve. They will be cutting it and treating chemically. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: APPROVE PARK & RECREATION MINUTES DATED AUGUST 23, 2022 Commissioner Eidsmo moved, Commissioner Markert seconded to approve the Minutes of the Park and Recreation Commission Meeting dated August 23, 2022 as presented. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0. GENERAL BUSINESS: 1. Carver County Southwest Regional Trail Master Plan Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – September 27, 2022 2 Park and Recreation Director Jerry Ruegemer stated Marty Walsh, Parks and Recreation Director for Carver County is present tonight. He noted Chanhassen has partnered with Carver County in the past on many projects. Mr. Walsh gave a presentation on the Master Plan. He gave history on the Southwest Regional Trail going back to 2006, noting in 2016 they entered another Master Plan for the section of trail in Chanhassen between Bluff Creek Drive and Highway 61. Mr. Walsh noted Chaska has an active project this fall at the intersection of Highway 41 and will put an underpass at that location. Commissioner Kutz asked if it is more desirable to have the blue trail rather than the green trail along the river. Mr. Walsh replied there are pros and cons to each. He spoke about the trail options. They see this as a safety benefit for people who want that corridor and are trying to access some destination features such as the grocery store, McDonald’s, and other convenience areas. The green trail will remain as part of the City trail system so that option will be available, they are not eliminating that option, but are eliminating some of the issues. Mr. Walsh said again, they are showing that section of trail, the solid blue line, the rail corridor, and eventually staying on the trail long enough it would go to Hopkins, then to Minneapolis, and Stillwater. Commissioner Vasatka asked how far east the trail would go, and whether it would be to the border of Carver and Hennepin County. Mr. Walsh replied in the affirmative. Commissioner Markert asked about a master plan of all the trails Carver County has. From what she can tell, many of the trails go around Chanhassen and asked if any trails go through north/south or east/west. Mr. Walsh replied the one trail they thought about years ago was if the Twin Cities Western Rail would ever abandon itself, it was identified as a potential east/west trail corridor. That is not the case anymore so they are now asking what are the east/west trail corridor possibilities. Commissioner Markert clarified the one they are talking about runs through Chanhassen near Potbelly. She asked about how they work with neighboring counties such as Hennepin County. Her children go to school in Excelsior on Highway 7 and they have done extensive surveys trying to figure out how to better connect the south side of Highway 7 with downtown Excelsior to make that more pedestrian-accessible. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – September 27, 2022 3 Mr. Walsh spoke about Three Rivers Park District and conversations about that, and noted when one gets to the Metropolitan Council level all the implementing agencies have a chance to take a look at what is being proposed. Commissioner Markert noted citizens have to go to the edge of Chanhassen to get to most of these trails. Mr. Walsh noted through the local trail system they would be able to access the trail system. Commissioner Markert stated signs would also be helpful in the future. Mr. Ruegemer noted with the Arboretum Trail going through that was a major gap that was missing and is now added to the east/west corridor. He said people can kind of hop on the local trail system to carry them east and west with multiple underpasses underneath Highway 5. They are putting segments in place to house people going east/west and north/south. Commissioner Markert asked with all the trail systems managed by different people (local, county, regional), if someone wants to bike somewhere how can they piece it all together to see what the options are. Mr. Walsh stated they are working on a mapping system to communicate trail sections. Commissioner Markert suggested interacting between the County and City websites, as well. Mr. Ruegemer noted they are also trying to do the same with the City trail map in making it more interactive versus just a PDF. He spoke about agreements for plowing trails noting they have worked on a winter-use agreement with the County, Park and Rec Commission, and County Board and it is all ready to go. The City of Chanhassen will be plowing that corridor to make it accessible in the southern part of the community. Commissioner Kutz is trying to understand if Mr. Walsh is trying to build consensus because none of this really affects Chanhassen or is happening within Chanhassen. Mr. Walsh noted a portion of the corridor in Chanhassen is paved from County Road 61 to Bluff Creek Drive and there is a section that is not paved. By bringing this fully into the regional park system it makes them eligible to [inaudible]. He said there is a small parking lot facility off Bluff Creek Drive and that would also become eligible There are opportunities for some interpretation off the regional corridor to highlight that particular feature. Commissioner Kutz moved, Commissioner Vasatka seconded that the Park and Recreation Commission makes the motion that the Chanhassen City Council draft a resolution of support of the Carver County Southwest Regional Trail Master Plan. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – September 27, 2022 4 REPORTS: 1. 2022 Lake Ann Park Concession & Watercraft Rental Evaluation Recreation Supervisor Czech noted Lake Ann is a very popular destination and concession and watercraft rental is very popular. Despite inclement weather, sales remained strong throughout the summer. He shared they had just under $23,000 in watercraft revenue, a little over $17,000 in food sales revenue, a $3,000 payment to Great Outdoor Paddleboard, just under $3,000 in sales tax, and a new expense for Square transaction fees. Overall the City received $33,758 in total revenue. Mr. Czech spoke about the agreement with Great Outdoor Paddleboard noting they had 502 rentals this summer. He stated they also added a Square cash register for people to utilize cards and 33% of sales were made with a card. They added a tandem kayak which was rented 63 times over the season bringing in $1,300 in revenue which has already accounted for the purchase. Mr. Czech spoke about candy and ice cream additions, as well as healthier options for concessions. He is looking to reinstate the Concession Manager position which went unfilled over the summer again and Mr. Czech took on some of those duties. They are looking at purchasing another tandem kayak and potentially reducing the canoe fleet, updating signage, and getting a new trolling motor. He shared a breakdown of graphs and reports noting Square will allow him to pull many reports to compare years, and that will help with ordering. The Commissioners discussed the success of the Square platform, possibly extending hours of rentals for paddleboard in the evening, the addition of an Icee machine, and adding freeze pops, carbonated water, and coffee. 2. Recreation Center Quarterly Report Recreation Center Manager Sarles gave updates noting air handling units have been on their last legs and due to supply chain issues that has been pushed to the next year. She noted the previous week it was 77 degrees and people were not happy to work out in the fitness center. She hopes this will be resolved in the spring. She spoke about the STAR program for those 18-21 with special needs and had two students who come twice a week to help out and learn job skills. Ms. Sarles shared about Community Day in August, the Barnyard Boogie, and the 23 classes currently happening at the Rec Center with 199 registrations. Numbers have been up this year for activities and sports programs. She noted pickleball lessons are popular. It is a growing sport and she cannot keep up with it; people love it. Ms. Sarles noted the Chanhassen Bone Adventure where one can get out on the trails, take a picture of their dog with the bones, and then bring it to Chuck and Don’s for a treat and to be entered into a prize drawing. This Thursday, sponsored by Kwik-Trip is a Start Your Engines: Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – September 27, 2022 5 Healthy, Fit, and Thriving 55+ Expo, and Ms. Sarles shared about the upcoming 2022 Artisan Fair on Saturday, November 5, and the 2022 Holiday Boutique on Saturday, December 3. 3. Park Maintenance Quarterly Update Park Superintendent Beers shared they are in the process of rebuilding the Lotus Park hockey rink replacement and noted the playground replacement at Roundhouse Park will not be delivered in time to install it this fall. He noted regarding the 78th Street irrigation system they were able to receive a grant through the Riley Purgatory Watershed District for just over $20,000 to help with the project. Overall they expect to see a 20% savings in water use which is a benefit for all. Mr. Beers shared about maintenance including fall fertilizing, over-seeding, fall tree pruning to prepare for winter plowing, and the irrigation shutdown including maintenance checks and repairs. He spoke about seasonal employees on the maintenance team and gave kudos to them for how important they are to the operations. 4. Senior Center Quarterly Report Senior Center Coordinator Blazanin shared about many trips taken this summer noting the y have all filled very quickly and she has had a positive partnership with Chaska Park and Recreation Lodge. She noted over the summer she worked hard on gathering and re-connecting events, including: Coffee with the Cops and Detective Josh Baker, who is very popular, Coffee and Rolls on the plaza, weekly game clubs, and wellness related programs. All of which leads to an average of 350 people utilizing the Center per month. Ms. Blazanin noted an inter-generational event with the Chanhassen Library over the summer to bring local teens together with seniors to share stories and life lessons or skills with each other. There was not a huge turnout but those present asked to have the event again, and they will work on how to market the event and get word out a little better for a better turnout next year. She spoke about the 30th Anniversary Celebration in August, noting 125 guests attended. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMITTEE REPORTS: None. COMMISSION MEMBER PRESENTATIONS: None. ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS: Mr. Ruegemer thanked the Commissioners that came tonight before the open house to represent the City and the Park Commission. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Kutz moved, Commissioner Vasatka 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 8:20 p.m. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – September 27, 2022 6 Submitted by Jerry Ruegemer Park and Recreation Director Prepared by Amy Weidman Administrative Support Specialist