Loading...
10-25-2022 PRC MinutesCHANHASSEN PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 25, 2022 Chairman Tsuchiya called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Karl Tsuchiya, Don Vasatka, Scott Fischer, Dan Eidsmo, Matt Kutz, Heather Markert, Youth Commissioner Alex Jerdee. MEMBERS ABSENT: Jim Peck. STAFF PRESENT: Jerry Ruegemer, Park and Recreation Director; Priya Tandon, Recreation Coordinator; Mitchell Czech, Recreation Supervisor. PUBLIC PRESENT: None. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Commissioner Markert moved, Commissioner Eidsmo 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: APPROVE PARK & RECREATION MINUTES DATED SEPTEMBER 27, 2022 Commissioner Kutz moved, Commissioner Fischer seconded to approve the Minutes of the Park and Recreation Commission Meeting dated September 27, 2022 as presented. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0. GENERAL BUSINESS: 1. 2022 Lake Ann Park Preserve Update Park and Recreation Director Jerry Ruegemer gave an update and shared the results of the recent open house with the Commission. Prior to the open house, the City sent 230 postcards to the neighborhoods abutting the preserve. The City Facebook page did eight posts, reached over 3,100 people, and had 50 likes, comments, or shares. There was a link to the Parks project page Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – October 25, 2022 2 on the website with the information regarding the feasibility study and design. He shared about Instagram and Twitter posts, Chan-Happenings, and analytics regarding the number of people reached on those platforms. Mr. Ruegemer noted 50% of the people that received information opened the email or looked at the information which is far above the U.S. average of 10-19% open rate. This tells the City that their community is very engaged, and in-all on social media the City reached over 6,000 people. Mr. Ruegemer noted they are looking to give people the information and allow them to have a voice; 35 people attended the open house including Task Force and Park and Rec Commissioners, as well as neighborhood representatives. The online survey stayed open for one week after the open house to solicit more input. The key takeaway from the open house is to keep that area the way it is; people like the natural feel, enjoy unplugging, and being in a nature setting. Another takeaway is the desire for the trail to go all the way around Lake Ann which shares the City’s vision for future development of the trail. Mr. Ruegemer shared about the wetland delineation noting the report should be done in the next couple weeks. Design work has been in process and they are looking at trail alignment; he clarified 60% of that design work needs to be done before the City starts applying for permits, which should happen in November. They would like to have a pre-agency meeting with the Riley Purgatory Watershed District, the DNR, Army Corps of Engineers, and Met Council to demonstrate what the City is thinking, then those agencies can review the project for compliance. Once permits are in-hand they are valid for three years, and the City can apply for a one year extension if needed. Staff and consultants talked about priorities with the goal of better connection, a phased approach utilizing $1,300,000 of ARPA funding allocated from the City Council, and the main focus will be the access point. Other improvements include rebuilding the main trail from Lake Ann Park to Greenwood Shores, reconstructing the trail on the north side, habitat enhancements, and interpretation signage which will be part of a future phase. Next steps are the bituminous trails, boardwalks, and a bridge with paving done in 2023-2024. Chair Tsuchiya noted many of the feedback concerns regarded safety. He asked if Mr. Ruegemer can confirm the claims of “illicit activity” in the area. Mr. Ruegemer noted they are probably thinking about the Greenwood Shores area and during Covid there were some high school kids back there partying. In looking at comments, a lot of it had to do with speed within the neighborhood and narrow streets, which does not have anything to do with the Lake Ann project. Commissioner Fischer asked about the farmland and whether there is a reason for the increased No Trespassing signage. Mr. Ruegemer does not know that it has been increased and acknowledged the property owners have had those signs up for years. He noted the boundary is very well-defined in that area and it may be a bit proactive on the owners’ part to establish that line. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – October 25, 2022 3 Commissioner Kutz spoke about the southwest boardwalk area and asked why they would want to cut through the marsh area instead of going around. Mr. Ruegemer showed a map on screen and noted that area is not the City’s property. Commissioner Kutz thinks they may want to plan for that in the future if it does ever become the City’s property. He feels it is a pretty big expense to go across the marsh. Commissioner Markert asked about signage. Mr. Ruegemer noted there are grants available for signage and they are currently looking for partners to share expenses. REPORTS: 1. Halloween Party Preview Recreation Coordinator Tandon shared that the 38th Annual Halloween Party will be held Saturday, October 29th at the Chanhassen Recreation Center from 5:30-7:30pm. This is the final of four community events held throughout the year and is open to kids ages 12 and under, plus their families. Typically around 350-400 kids attend the Halloween party, with 800 total including family members. Events include trick-or-treating, carnival games, face painting, hayrides, refreshments, a spooky room, and a magic show. There are eight local businesses participating in the Halloween Party this year. Ms. Tandon shared the City will be utilizing the Square processing system for payment, as well as cash/check. Many volunteers are helping with this event, and although they have 40-50 volunteers, more are needed for the event. 2. 2022 Picnic Season Evaluation Recreation Supervisor Czech noted they had a successful picnic season with 138 reservations in total. The most popular site this season was the Klingelhutz Pavilion at Lake Ann, (50 reservations) followed by the Lakeside Pavilion at Lake Ann, (49) and the Picnic Shelter at Lake Susan (39). The reservations generated $19,456.25 in revenue. These paid reservations resulted in the city hosting over 10,704 picnickers. Mr. Czech stated this year they utilized an online reservation system with approximately 98 reservations submitted online. At the conclusion of a picnic the City sends out a survey for feedback on the process, and the majority of guests had a positive experience. Survey results are attached and roughly 29% of people completed the feedback with common critiques being full garbage/recycling cans, difficult online reservation system, and inadequate signage. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – October 25, 2022 4 3. Establish 2023 Picnic Reservation Fees Recreation Supervisor Czech stated that the Park and Recreation Commission reviews many aspects of group picnic reservations, such as: total revenue, reservation categories, customer types, and other related items on an annual basis. A large-group fee for groups of 100 or more was implemented in years past to cover the additional expense related to these groups. The large- group fee has not been met with opposition and should continue. Reservation fee comparisons with local agencies showed that the City of Chanhassen's fees are comparable, and a majority of feedback found that customers believe the fees are reasonable. The City of Chanhassen's picnic reservation fees were last increased in 2020, and staff recommends not increasing the group picnic reservation fees for 2023. Commissioner Vasatka noted they saw $19,000 in revenue the previous year and asked about the added expense for the maintenance portion. Mr. Ruegemer replied it is roughly $2,300-$3,000. Commissioner Vasatka asked if the extra money goes into the Parks Budget or general City funds. Mr. Ruegemer replied general City funds. Commissioner Kutz moved, Commissioner Eidsmo seconded that the Park and Recreation Commission recommends the City Council to approve the 2023 picnic reservation fees for group picnics. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMITTEE REPORTS: Commissioner Vasatka asked how much buckthorn was taken out during the removal day. Mr. Ruegemer replied there was a lot of buckthorn removed and the people who were there expressed interest in multiple events. He noted they chipped the buckthorn and hauled it away. Mr. Ruegemer also shared that a contract for the walls at the Rec Center was approved at a City Council meeting. Commissioner Vasatka asked if the company can use the existing tracks for the walls. Mr. Ruegemer replied in the affirmative. COMMISSION MEMBER PRESENTATIONS: None. ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS: None. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – October 25, 2022 5 ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Kutz moved, Commissioner Eidsmo 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 8:14 p.m. Submitted by Jerry Ruegemer Park and Recreation Director Prepared by Amy Weidman Administrative Support Specialist