08-24-2021-prc-sumCHANHASSEN PARK AND
RECREATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
AUGUST 24, 2021
[There was no audio for the first 8 minutes of the meeting; missing portions are highlighted
in yellow below.]
Chairman Tsuchiya called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Karl Tsuchiya, Sandy Sweetser, Matt Kutz, Jim Peck, Heather
Markert, Don Vasatka, and Scott Fischer
MEMBERS ABSENT: Youth Commissioner Chaehyun Lee
STAFF PRESENT: Jerry Ruegemer, Park and Recreation Director; Mitchell Czech, Recreation
Supervisor;
PUBLIC PRESENT: None
APPROVAL OF AGENDA. Commissioner Peck moved, Commissioner Sweetser 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.
Park and Recreation Commission gave an updated on the Rotary Club of Chanhassen’s Rotary
Car Parade on Monday, September 6, 2021.
VISITOR PRESENTATIONS. None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES.
APPROVE PARK & RECREATION MINUTES DATED JULY 27, 2021
Commissioner Sweetser moved, Commissioner Fischer seconded to approve the Minutes of
the Park and Recreation Commission Meeting dated July 27, 2021 as presented. All voted
in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0.
NEW BUSINESS.
2021-22 ICE SKATING RINK RECOMMENDATIONS
Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – August 24, 2021
2
Mitchell Czech, Recreation Supervisor, said in looking to the 2021-2022 skating season it is the
recommendation to flood 11 ice rinks at six different locations and maintain five warming
houses. He noted this is the same number as the past two years. Most locations have a hockey
rink and a pleasure rink and hours are weekdays 4 p.m.-9 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m.-9 p.m., and
Sundays 1 p.m.-7 p.m., with the exception of Roundhouse Park which is closed weekdays, and is
open Saturdays 12 p.m.-6 p.m. and Sundays 1 p.m.-6 p.m. He noted there are modified hours for
non-school days. He walked the Commissioners through the numbers for attendants and said in
previous years they had 24 rink attendants and wages totaled $19,719.69 with a total of 1,709
hours worked; however, there were modifications to attendants and wages during COVID.
The Commissioners discussed what it would take to look at the addition of a warming house.
Commissioner Kutz moved, Commissioner Peck seconded that the Park and Recreation
Commission recommend to the City Council that the following skating rink and warming
house locations be maintained for the 2021-2022 season: Chanhassen Rec Center (1 -
Pleasure Rink, 2 - Hockey Rinks), North Lotus (1 - Pleasure Rink, 1 - Hockey Rink), City
Center (1 - Pleasure Rink, 1 - Hockey Rink), Bandimere Park (1 - Pleasure Rink, 1 -
Hockey Rink), Roundhouse Park (1 - Pleasure Rink), Pioneer Pass Park (1 - Pleasure
Rink). All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0.
ARBORETUM/TRUNK HIGHWAY (TH) 5 REGIONAL TRAIL UPDATE
Park and Recreation Director Jerry Ruegemer updated the Commissioners and noted the project
is coming to an end after many years. He gave a presentation on the history of the project and
showed a drone video. Mr. Ruegemer noted that Carver County is the lead on the project with
50% of the project costs, Chanhassen at 25%, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum at 25%, and Life
Time Fitness donated the road right-of-way. After funding for the project was obtained, in 2018
the City passed and adopted a resolution supporting the regional Master Plan through Carver
County, and approved a memorandum of understanding between the City and Carver County for
construction of the regional trail and underpass. In 2019 they executed a Joint Powers Agreement
(JPA) for the design, construction, maintenance, and operations which spelled out the details.
The $1.2 million of the City’s portion has been paid and Carver County gave the City an interest-
free loan on the remaining $681,549; this balance will be spread out over five years.
Commissioner Sweetser asked if it will fall to Chanhassen to maintain the trails.
Mr. Ruegemer replied portions of it will as Carver County does not maintain trails. He clarified
that most of the trail system is within the Landscape Arboretum property and they will maintain
that; anything outside of the Arboretum, the City of Chanhassen will maintain. He showed a
drone video of the trail, boardwalk, and underpasses on screen, while noting the portions of the
trail that are open to the public and the portions that are still closed and under construction. Mr.
Ruegemer announced that the Grand Opening is scheduled for Tuesday, October 19 at 11:30
a.m.
Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – August 24, 2021
3
OLD BUSINESS. None.
REPORTS. None.
COMMISSION MEMBER COMMITTEE REPORTS.
Mr. Ruegemer noted they will do some touring in September and he will bring the
Commissioners to Lake Ann and tour the woods.
COMMISSION MEMBER PRESENTATIONS. None.
ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS. None.
ADJOURNMENT.
Commissioner Peck has had a few residents ask him if the Chanhassen Redbirds win a 4th Title
in a row, would the City put up a sign on each end of town that says “Home of the Redbirds…”
Mr. Ruegemer noted that has been discussed in the past. He will look into that as he does not
know if that is MnDOT or the City.
Commissioner Peck moved, Commissioner Markert 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 7:48 p.m.
Submitted by Jerry Ruegemer
Park and Recreation Director
Prepared by Jean Steckling