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11-28-2023 PRC MinutesCHANHASSEN PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 28, 2023 Chair Vasatka called the meeting to order at 5:59 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Don Vasatka, Chair; Heather Markert, Vice Chair; Dan Eidsmo; Matt Kutz; Jim Peck; Rob Swanson; and Youth Commissioner Nischay Pattanashetty. MEMBERS ABSENT: Scott Pharis. STAFF PRESENT: Jerry Ruegemer, Park and Recreation Director; Priya Tandon, Recreation Manager; Mitchell Czech, Recreation Supervisor; Laurie Hokkanen, City Manager. PUBLIC PRESENT: None. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Commissioner Peck moved, Commissioner Markert 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: Jerry Ruegemer, Park and Recreation Director, reminded the Park and Recreation Commission the next meeting will be moved to December 12 and will be followed by a holiday social. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None. GENERAL BUSINESS: 1. Civic Campus Project Update Laurie Hokkanen, City Manager, shared updated renderings of the Civic Campus Project, including images of City Hall and different park amenities. Ms. Hokkanen mentioned the design of the band shell is still under consideration. Commissioner Kutz asked if the band shell area was flat or gradually declined. Ms. Hokkanen shared it is flat because it can be used for ice skating in the winter, but the back area has some terraced seating for individuals to place lawn chairs. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – November 28, 2023 2 Ms. Hokkanen shared there was a lot of pavement during the design process and there has been a move to restore green space. There will be a public open house for individuals to look at these renderings. The first bid packages go out in late December, with the goal of construction for certain areas to start in May 2024 and finalize in 2026. Commissioner Peck inquired about the projected cost. Ms. Hokkanen stated $33 million. This estimate could change if an elevator was installed. There were cost estimates of $300,000 to $900,000 for this elevator. Jerry Ruegemer, Park and Recreation Director, shared the elevator would be located on the southside of the parking ramp. Chair Vasatka asked if the pickleball space was too close to the concert space and if the noise would disrupt concerts. Mr. Ruegemer stated if there were acoustic panels or screening they could install, they would consider it. Ms. Hokkanen shared that individuals questioned whether to switch the pickleball courts with the skatepark, but both areas produce noise. Chair Vasatka questioned whether the park building would be rentable. Mr. Ruegemer shared this option remains to be explored but is dependent on the finalized designs. Commissioner Markert asked if there was anything else slated in the park building space. Ms. Hokkanen stated there would be a large lobby to be used for a warming area during skating. The building space has been scaled back due to budgetary concerns, but she did not have a finalized floor plan. There will be one large room, bathrooms, a storage closet, and concessions. Chair Vasatka asked about the size of the park building. Mr. Ruegemer said the building was scaled back from 4000 square feet to 2000 square feet. Commissioner Markert inquired if there was a continuous path around the park and whether there would be an opportunity to rent rollerblades. Ms. Hokkanen appreciated the suggestion and will add the idea to the list. Chair Vasatka asked about the irrigation opportunity and storm water usage. Ms. Hokkanen provided an update that there is a storm water study in process, but she is not entitled to speak on this information at the time. Commissioner Markert questioned whether the building and park area would be lit up at night. Ms. Hokkanen shared it would be and they would use LED lights. Commissioner Kutz inquired whether there would be drinking fountains. Ms. Hokkanen shared individuals could enter the building to access water but would continue to consider additional water options. 2. Wildlife Management Plan Development Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – November 28, 2023 3 Mr. Ruegemer shared the wildlife management plan, and focused specifically on deer population management, property protection, and vehicle safety. He reviewed the process to develop the plan. He addressed potential downfalls to the plan. Mr. Ruegemer detailed the population management process, which includes bait stations and professional sharp shooters with silencers to dispose of the deer in the evening between January and April. Commissioner Kutz asked whether the population management process would be published in the paper. Mr. Ruegemer confirmed the plan would be publicly shared and there would be public meetings prior to the adoption of the wildlife management plan. Commissioner Peck asked if the wildlife management plan would be a People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Issue or a general safety issue. Chair Vasatka pointed out this is the United States Department of Agriculture and Department of Natural Resources recommendation. Commissioner Eidsmo asked whether this plan would be implemented in Spring 2024. Mr. Ruegemer shared they need to determine population counts and then file a permit to determine eligibility, so it would be implemented January 2025. Commissioner Eidsmo noted the state has encountered chronic wasting disease in the deer population and inquired about whether this would be considered. Mr. Ruegemer stated Chanhassen is not in a chronic wasting disease zone. Mr. Ruegemer shared the action steps would be to adopt the plan, including the goals and measures; obtain a permit; and notify residents of population reduction. Chanhassen will not focus on goose or turkey management reduction. Commissioner Kutz said there are hunters that hunt in Chanhassen who will be upset by this management plan. Mr. Ruegemer stated to hunt in Chanhassen, individuals need to be on ten- acre parcels, so there are limited opportunities to hunt in the city. Commissioner Swanson asked about the placement of the bait station. Mr. Ruegemer shared it would likely be on public property, but if it were on private property, the city would need to receive property owner permission. Commissioner Kutz shared the project seems costly and wondered whether there was data available already regarding vehicle accidents with deer. Chair Vasatka asked what the Department of Natural Resources considered to be suitable habitat in the deer population count. Mr. Ruegemer shared an example of Eden Prairies’ map to demonstrate the process for the population count. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – November 28, 2023 4 Commissioner Swanson asked for clarification of the numbers provided on the map. Mr. Ruegemer stated the numbers reflect the deer in the specific location. There would be a similar map produced for Chanhassen after a flyover is completed. Commissioner Markert appreciated the city setting up a framework for this process. Chair Vasatka asked whether the plan considered recommendations on deer feeding. Mr. Ruegemer communicated this could be something to implement and consider and other cities have a feeding ban. Commissioner Eidsmo shared he has not seen many deer throughout Chanhassen and wondered about the population in the city. Mr. Ruegemer confirmed a portion of the plan was to determine the deer population count. Mr. Ruegemer shared the current practices for goose management, which includes water quality testing and frequent beach cleaning. Chair Vasatka asked when a goose management plan would be implemented. Mr. Ruegemer shared the plan provides options for goose management. Commissioner Markert asked for the standards that would indicate a problem with the goose population. Mr. Ruegemer shared if geese became a nuisance, the plan would provide an avenue for citizens to help control the population. The plan would allow different associations to address geese populations. Commissioner Eidsmo asked if there was any hunting availability within Chanhassen. Mr. Ruegemer stated there would be very few options. Commissioner Markert asked about the rules for bow hunting. Bow hunters are required to have ten-acres available to hunt deer. Commissioner Swanson questioned whether coyotes or other nuisance animals were considered in the wildlife management plan. Mr. Ruegemer shared other nuisance animals, including beavers and coyotes, are not currently listed but could be implemented in the future. REPORTS: 1. Halloween Party Evaluation Priya Tandon, Recreation Manager, shared the Halloween Party was a record-breaking event. She reviewed the activities provided during the party. The most popular activities included trick- or-treating and carnival games. Student volunteers helped at the party. Chair Eidsmo asked about how to establish the volunteer process. Commissioner Markert suggested providing an announcement to each High School to receive more volunteers. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – November 28, 2023 5 Chair Vasatka asked about the investment in advertising in the Villager. Ms. Tandon would like to see data from multiple events in the Villager to better understand advertising’s effectiveness. Commissioner Kutz asked if there would be electronic signs throughout the city for advertisement purposes. Ms. Tandon shared they considered purchasing a portable electronic sign, but the cost was significant. Mr. Ruegemer stated they reviewed multiple electronic sign options, but the cost was too high. The public works department is purchasing signs similar to this and can be used for community events as well. Commissioner Markert shared an A-frame sign that is not always out for advertising catches her eyes more often. Ms. Tandon stated many of the A-frame signs are only put out for significant events. 2. Tree Lighting Ceremony & Holiday Events Preview Ms. Tandon shared Santa’s Workshop would be displayed throughout the holiday season. There is also a Letters to Santa mailbox for children and families. She shared that submissions are open for the annual gingerbread house decorating contest. There will be additional holiday events, including the holiday boutique, tree lighting with live reindeer, tour of lights, and the 55+ holiday party. Chair Vasatka shared the QR code on the website for the tree lighting was not working. Ms. Tandon will fix the QR code. Commissioner Swanson appreciated the tour of lights the last few years. 3. Picnic Reservation Fee Update Mitchell Czech, Recreation Supervisor, considered the picnic reservation opportunities and provided a report with charts to determine the feasibility of a half-day rental option. He shared staff would need an hour of transition time to allow for half-day rentals. There would be obstacles with maintenance staff providing transitions for these half-day rentals. Based on the data and duration of picnics, there would be less value in providing half-day rentals. Staff does not recommend half-day rental options for summer 2023. Chair Vasatka thanked Mr. Czech for the data and analysis. He requested there be a question about interest in half-day rentals in the surveys for summer 2023. Commissioner Swanson asked if there was a lot of interest in half-day rentals. Mr. Czech will continue to collect data for future consideration. Commissioner Kutz observed there is a bare spot near Lake Ann Park near the north of field three. He asked whether the space could be utilized for another rental. Mr. Ruegemer shared the challenge for this location would be parking. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – November 28, 2023 6 COMMISSION MEMBER COMMITTEE REPORTS: None. COMMISSION MEMBER PRESENTATIONS: None. ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS: None. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Eidsmo moved, Commissioner Swanson 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