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03-28-2023 PRC MinutesCHANHASSEN PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MARCH 28, 2023 Chairman Tsuchiya called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Karl Tsuchiya, Heather Markert, Don Vasatka, Dan Eidsmo, Jim Peck (arrived at 7:10 p.m.) MEMBERS ABSENT: Matt Kutz, Scott Fischer, Youth Commissioner Alex Jerdee. STAFF PRESENT: Jerry Ruegemer, Park and Recreation Director; Priya Tandon, Recreation Manager; Mitchell Czech, Recreation Supervisor; Jodi Sarles, Recreation Center Manager; Adam Beers, Park Superintendent. PUBLIC PRESENT: None. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Commissioner Vasatka moved, Commissioner Markert seconded to approve the agenda as presented. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 4 to 0. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS: Park and Recreation Director Ruegemer shared about the Arbor Day Celebration and invited the Commissioners to the event on Saturday, May 6, 2023. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: APPROVE PARK & RECREATION MINUTES DATED FEBRUARY 28, 2023 Commissioner Markert moved, Commissioner Eidsmo seconded to approve the Minutes of the Park and Recreation Commission Meeting dated February 28, 2023 as presented. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0. GENERAL BUSINESS: 1. Don Schwartz Recognition Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – March 28, 2023 2 Recreation Supervisor Czech stated on behalf of the Park & Recreation Department, he would like to recognize Don Schwartz for his service and dedication to the City’s Adult Softball League. He noted Mr. Schwartz worked 4,506 softball games during his 29-year umpire career. He spent 23 years in Chanhassen as an umpire and served as the Adult Softball Umpire Coordinator for 32 years. Mr. Czech noted the leagues truly would not have been possible without Mr. Schwartz. Mr. Schwartz was presented with a plaque in recognition of his service. 2. Receive 2022 Park and Recreation Department Annual Report Park and Recreation Manager Tandon gave a presentation and shared the 2022 Annual Report with highlights, including the Rec Center Community Day, 55+ Senior Expo, and expanded youth program offerings. She shared about park, trail, and facility projects, community events, and youth, adult, and senior programming. She noted the full Annual Report will be available on the City website in April. Commissioner Eidsmo noted it is very impressive regarding what the City and Park and Recreation Department can do. He thanked them for their work. Commissioner Vasatka moved, Commissioner Eidsmo seconded to approve the Park and Recreation Commission recommend that the City Council receive and approve the 2022 Park and Recreation Annual Report. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0. 3. Erhart Farms Future Trail Alignment Park and Recreation Director Jerry Ruegemer gave an overview of the future trail plan showing illustrations on screen. He shared about Foxwood Preserve with natural trails and a ghost plat noting the Erhart Farms development will also have natural features with outlots and permanent open space. Mr. Ruegemer shared about future phasing, connecting trails, and showed a ghost plat of the development and trail system on screen. The developer would like the trail alignment to go through the Foxwood Preserve, and staff would like to continue the trail to the south. Mr. Ruegemer shared about difficulties in connecting to the south, and that potential retaining walls and boardwalk due to a wetland would be expensive. Commissioner Eidsmo asked if the developer will pay for any of it or if it would be City expense. Mr. Ruegemer noted it would be City expense and showed a layout on screen that had been discussed. He noted currently there is not an identified funding source. Staff recommends remaining on the corridor they are looking at on the ghost plat near Eagle Ridge Road and the southern corridor; he noted the northern alignment could be connected at some point in the future if the City saw fit and had funding. Mr. Ruegemer stated the property is very beautiful and he is excited to continue the trail. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – March 28, 2023 3 Commissioner Vasatka explained his avid use of trails in the City noting he prefers to use trails that are not just adjacent to roads. He would rather have one trail than send his kids on a trail that has 50+ driveways and crosses multiple roads. He would like to look at all options and give the City flexibility to get something through to Foxwood Preserve. Mr. Ruegemer agreed and stated if the City comes up with additional funding for the boardwalks they could definitely look at that in the future. Commissioner Vasatka asked if it is possible to make the trail with natural elements such as wood chips. Mr. Ruegemer replied in the affirmative noting that could be done with a 6-foot nature or turf trail and that could be done in-house; they could gain access to that area and connect it to the existing Foxwood Preserve. Commissioner Vasatka asked about the timeline and whether the Commission can discuss it again. Mr. Ruegemer noted they do have some time as the first phase will be starting in the spring but it is already earmarked for the trail alignment. Commissioner Vasatka thinks the first phase makes a lot of sense. Commissioner Markert asked if the trail went to the south of the body of water, would that need to be a boardwalk? Mr. Ruegemer replied the City does not currently have that property for access. He thinks the topography in that area is a little steeper but he can look into it. Chair Tsuchiya asked if the developer would be open to a discussion on the southern side of the body of water as an alternative. Mr. Ruegemer would be happy to have that conversation with the developer. Commissioner Markert agrees with Commissioner Vasatka’s comment regarding the trail and the driveways that make it feel less like a trail. It would be helpful to know how many people it would impact or be helping to put some merit behind the cost. Mr. Ruegemer clarified this is a ghost plat and is not set in stone. If the Commission would like to have the southern corridor, the ghost plate would probably change. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – March 28, 2023 4 Commissioner Eidsmo moved, Commissioner Vasatka seconded, to table action on the item for further discussion. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0. REPORTS: 1. Easter Egg Candy Hunt Preview Recreation Manager Tandon shared about the Easter Egg Hung at City Center Park and draws between 500-800 children and families. Tickets are $6 per child and accompanying adults are free, the City offers pre-registration as well as registration the day of the event. She thanked the Chanhassen Fire Department and local Key Clubs for volunteering at the event. 2. 4th of July Celebration 40th Anniversary Commissioned Logo Recreation Manager Tandon shared the 40th Anniversary logo designed to celebrate this historical milestone and 40 years of the City's most highly-anticipated community event. Artist Adam Turman was commissioned to design the 2023 4th of July Celebration event logo. Mr. Turman is a well-known Minnesota artist based in Minneapolis. He is an illustrator, muralist, and screen printer whose bold illustrations "celebrate a distinctive Midwestern love of the great outdoors." She stated merchandise with the artwork will be available prior to the celebration and shared a sneak preview of the logo with the Commissioners. 3. Chanhassen Recreation Center Quarterly Update Recreation Center Manager Sarles gave an update noting the movable walls are scheduled for installation on April 26-28, she shared about HVAC updates, and new controllers within the facility. She explained daily fees and punch card fees, and shared program updates including Dance for Fun, Rec Center Sports, Super Hero Party, Bunny Yoga, Painting classes, Fit for Life, and Pickleball lessons. 4. Park Maintenance Quarterly Update Park Superintendent Beers gave an update noting park maintenance staff has completed all routine maintenance on the small equipment fleet, crews have been getting ready for spring start- up, the City works with Sentence to Serve to assist with trash collection and mulching, and the department is in the process of hiring seasonal staff for the upcoming summer season. They are currently hiring a full-time staff member to replace John Wickenhauser who transferred to the streets division. Mr. Beers also shared about the Roundhouse Park playground dismantling and assembly of the new playground. 5. 2022-2023 Ice Rink Season Evaluation Recreation Supervisor Czech gave an update noting it was a challenging year, but overall this year's ice skating rink season ran from December 27, 2022 to February 21, 2023. During the season, the warming houses were open for 50 days and closed for 7 days due to large amounts of snow. Roughly 5,293 participants were recorded during supervised hours. Mr. Czech shared Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – March 28, 2023 5 about warming houses, rink attendants, recorded participants, and expenses throughout the ice rink season. 6. Senior Center Quarterly Update Mr. Ruegemer gave an update for Mary Blazanin, noting the Senior Center has many weekly programs. He shared about the Coffee with the Cops Sessions, Meals on Wheels, trips to the MN Vikings Museum and St. Cloud Paramount Theater, lunch celebrations, and lifelong learning classes. 7. Recognized Outgoing Park and Recreation Commissioners Karl Tsuchiya and Scott Fischer Mr. Ruegemer recognized Karl Tsuchiya for serving on the commission since 2017 and thanked him for his work on Lake Ann and having served the community well. Mr. Ruegemer thanked Scott Fischer for his term on the commission, his contributions, and having served the public well. Mr. Ruegemer mentioned that Scott Pharis and Robert Swanson were appointed to the Park and Recreation Commission, and that Jim Peck was reappointed as well. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMITTEE REPORTS: None. COMMISSION MEMBER PRESENTATIONS: None. ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS: None. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Vasatka moved, Commissioner Peck seconded to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0. The Park and Recreation Commission meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Submitted by Jerry Ruegemer Park and Recreation Director Prepared by Amy Weidman Administrative Support Specialist