04-25-2023 PRC MinutesCHANHASSEN PARK AND
RECREATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
APRIL 25, 2023
Park and Recreation Director Ruegemer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Rob Swanson, Jim Peck, Don Vasatka, Scott Pharis, Dan Eidsmo,
Matt Kutz, Youth Commissioner Alex Jerdee.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Heather Markert.
STAFF PRESENT: Jerry Ruegemer, Park and Recreation Director; Priya Tandon, Recreation
Manager; Kim Meuwissen, City Clerk.
PUBLIC PRESENT: Judy Harder.
OATH OF OFFICE:
City Clerk Meuwissen led Rob Swanson, Jim Peck, and Scott Pharis in their Oaths of Office for
three-year terms ending March 31, 2026.
NOMINATION AND APPOINTMENT OF 2023/24 CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR:
Mr. Ruegemer noted Commissioners Vasatka and Markert indicated interest in the Chair and
Vice-Chair positions.
Commissioner Eidsmo moved, Commissioner Peck seconded to nominate Don Vasatka as
Chairman of the Park and Recreation Commission. All voted in favor and the motion
carried unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0.
Commissioner Kutz moved, Commissioner Pharis seconded to nominate Heather Markert
as Vice Chair of the Park and Recreation Commission.
Commissioner Peck noted his interest in the Vice Chair position.
Commissioner Eidsmo moved to nominate Jim Peck as Vice Chair of the Park and
Recreation Commission. The motion failed for lack of a second.
The motion to nominate Heather Markert as Vice Chair carried unanimously with a vote
of 7 to 0.
Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – April 25, 2023
2
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Commissioner Kutz 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:
Mr. Ruegemer shared about the Arbor Day event on May 6 at Bandimere Park.
VISITOR PRESENTATIONS: None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
APPROVE PARK & RECREATION MINUTES DATED MARCH 23, 2023
Commissioner Peck moved, Commissioner Kutz seconded to approve the Minutes of the
Park and Recreation Commission Meeting dated March 23, 2023 as presented. All voted in
favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
1. Recognize City Council Appointments to the Park and Recreation Commission
Mr. Ruegemer welcomed Commissioners Pharis and Swanson, and noted the re-appointment of
Commissioner Peck. He appreciates them serving their community. The new Commissioners
shared about themselves and the reason they are interested in getting involved with the
Commission.
2. Review Park and Recreation Commission Bylaws
Mr. Ruegemer would like to look at the bylaws annually rather than every five years to be sure
they are current. He asked the Commission to consider the start time that the meetings are held
and whether they want to change to an earlier time. Mr. Ruegemer spoke about including the
process of adding items to the Agenda within the bylaws.
The Commissioners discussed changing the start time of the meetings to 6:00 p.m., and to
include the process for adding items to the Agenda within the bylaws.
Commissioner Peck moved, Commissioner Eidsmo seconded, to include within the bylaws
the adjusted start time of the Park and Recreation Commission meeting to 6:00 p.m. and
the inclusion of the process for adding items to the Agenda. All voted in favor and the
motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0.
Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – April 25, 2023
3
Commissioner Pharis moved, Commissioner Swanson seconded, to adjust the review of the
bylaws from every five years to annually. All voted in favor and the motion carried
unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0.
REPORTS:
1. Easter Egg Candy Hunt Evaluation
Recreation Manager Tandon gave a review of the 40th annual Easter Egg Candy Hunt, noting it
was held on Saturday, April 8 in two waves at City Center Park. Over 2,000 people attended the
event this year. In total, 870 children registered for the event, which is the highest number of
participants seen to date. Of the total registrations, 706 were pre-registrations and 164 were day-
of with 39 being processed with the Square card-reading technology. The weather was in the 40's
and sunny, one of the first nice days of the year, which likely contributed to the high
participation. Due to wet and muddy field conditions left from the melting snow, the event was
moved to the parking area west of City Hall. The parking lot space was approximately 50% of
the size of the normal hunt area, which resulted in some crowding, but overall the switch in
location provided for a more positive participant experience. All participants received a goodie
bag to collect candy and eggs, and were divided into three age groups. In addition to candy and
eggs, kids had the opportunity to hunt for free custard tokens donated by Culver's Chanhassen,
and "golden eggs" that were redeemable for prizes. Ms. Tandon noted adjustments for 2024
including age-group adjustments and eliminating the goodie bags to purchase more eggs and
candy.
Commissioner Eidsmo noted he worked with a group from Eden Prairie High School and the
City did a good job in getting people from outside the community to volunteer.
Commissioner Pharis asked about the budget noting they went over the budget of $1,700. He
asked if that is due to the large participation.
Ms. Tandon replied that number is slightly outdated and is based on the 2016-2019 levels of
participation.
Mr. Ruegemer shared that they will discuss budget with the Finance Department to adjust
numbers accordingly for the following year.
Commissioner Kutz shared his desire for the revenues made by the event to stay within that
event’s budget.
Mr. Ruegemer explained if they make money on an event, it goes back in to the General Fund for
revenue; he noted the City does not make positive revenues on all events, such as the 4th of July
Celebration.
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Mr. Ruegemer spoke about the Park and Recreation Commission Handbook, which is a new
document created and reviewed at the February meeting. He will make changes to the bylaws
and meeting calendar.
COMMISSION MEMBER COMMITTEE REPORTS: None.
COMMISSION MEMBER PRESENTATIONS: None.
ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS: None.
ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Peck moved, Commissioner Pharis 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 7:39 p.m.
Submitted by Jerry Ruegemer
Park and Recreation Director
Prepared by Amy Weidman
Administrative Support Specialist