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PRC Minutes 08-27-24CHANHASSEN PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 27, 2024 Chair Peck called the meeting to order at 5:58 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Jim Peck, Chair; Dan Eidsmo; Rob Swanson; Scott Pharis; Kristin Fulkerson; Michael Leisen; Sean Morgan; Aayan Shrestha, youth; Clara Christenson, youth. MEMBERS ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: Jerry Ruegemer, Park and Recreation Director; Priya Tandon, Recreation Manager; Luke Kegley, Recreation Supervisor; Jenny Potter, City Clerk. PUBLIC PRESENT: Judy Harder. OATH OF OFFICE – YOUTH COMMISSIONERS Jenny Potter, City Clerk, administered the oaths of office to Aayan Shrestha and Clara Christenson. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Commissioner Pharis moved, Commissioner Swanson seconded to approve the agenda as presented. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 9 to 0. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS: Luke Kegley, Recreation Supervisor, introduced himself and summarized his background experience. He voiced excitement to work for Chanhassen. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1. Approve Park & Recreation Minutes dated June 25, 2024 Commissioner Fulkerson moved, Commissioner Pharis seconded to approve the minutes of the Park and Recreation Commission meeting dated June 25, 2024, as presented. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 9 to 0. GENERAL BUSINESS: Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – August 27, 2024 2 1. Chanhassen Bluffs Community Center Update Jerry Ruegemer, Park and Recreation Director, presented an update about the portions of Chanhassen Bluffs Community Center. He explained that the voter-approved one-half percent local option sales tax would finance the project and would be on the ballot on November 5, 2024. He reviewed the current facility uses and noted the proposed facility amenities. He summarized the funding source for the Chanhassen Bluffs Community Center. He explained how the sales tax would help fund the project. He noted that the sales tax would be up to 20 years but could be paid off early. Commissioner Morgan asked if the sales tax would automatically go up to the $40 million and then expire. Mr. Ruegemer responded that sponsorships and naming rights would be a separate source of money. Commissioner Morgan asked if the sales tax would not go up to $40 million or 20 years if additional funds, such as grants, were received. Mr. Ruegemer answered that if it gets to $40 million before 20 years, it will go away sooner. He said if the $40 million was paid off in fewer years, they could not utilize the tax for other projects. Chair Peck asked if the approval of the sales tax from the State of Minnesota was one-time only. Mr. Ruegemer confirmed this information and said that the city had two years to put it in a referendum. They did not have elections in 2023, so they elected to put the item on the ballot in 2024. He said if residents do not approve the tax levy, there will not be a project. He said that the staff is trying to communicate the project clearly to residents. Commissioner Leisen asked how the staff is building awareness about the project. Mr. Ruegemer answered that the staff is attending community events, will hold open houses in September, and will send out direct mailings in September. Commissioner Leisen asked how the residents have responded to the project so far. Mr. Ruegemer responded that many residents are excited about the project, but some residents are disappointed that there is no pool. He said that the pool had a large construction cost and has limited revenue. The city would need to subsidize the operating cost of the pool. Chair Peck asked if the school had expressed interest in buying the former recreation center. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – August 27, 2024 3 Mr. Ruegemer answered that there was some interest in purchasing the former recreation center but no formal conversations have take place at this time. Commissioner Pharis questioned how the facility construction was paid for in 1995. Mr. Ruegemer stated that he thought it was paid for by the tax increment financing district. He did not remember the cost of constructing that building and purchasing the land. He thought that there would be a high percentage of voter turnout for the elections in November. Commissioner Eidsmo asked if the vote was no, that the levy would not be initiated. Mr. Ruegemer answered that if it did not pass, the higher levy to cover the construction costs of the community center would not move forward. Commissioner Swanson asked how long this proposed location would last with the population growth. Mr. Ruegemer responded that he thought this new facility would carry Chanhassen into the future with no problems. Commissioner Swanson asked what perks the Chanhassen residents would have access to with the new facility. Mr. Ruegemer answered that they had not gotten to that level of detail, but there would likely be a break given to Chanhassen residents to use the facility verses non residents. Commissioner Fulkerson asked if the facility income would cover the deferred maintenance in addition to the operating costs. Mr. Ruegemer responded that they are proposing to cover the operating costs, but there would be additional discussions about the deferred maintenance. Commissioner Morgan encouraged focusing on elements of regional cost-sharing and not have a facility only funded by local levies was important. He said that the City highlighted these elements, and he encouraged the City to build awareness of the economic benefit of being a regional draw. Youth Commissioner Christenson asked about the staffing needs. Mr. Ruegemer responded that there would be increased staffing needs. Youth Commissioner Christenson asked when the community center would open. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – August 27, 2024 4 Mr. Ruegemer estimated that it would open in 2027. REPORTS: 1. 2024 4th of July Celebration Evaluation Priya Tandon, Recreation Manager, summarized the 4th of July Celebration. She reviewed the activities offered and different sponsors for the event. She noted the new activities at the celebration, such as a mobile book truck. Chair Peck asked if people buy the books at the mobile book truck. Ms. Tandon answered that they purchased the books, it is not a mobile library. The fire department provided a mister, which patrons enjoyed. She said that the mobile care center received positive feedback. She summarized the events that had to be canceled because of the bad weather. Commissioner Morgan asked what events had the sponsorship element. Ms. Tandon answered that the February Festival, the Easter Egg Candy Hunt, and the Halloween Party were also sponsorship events. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMITTEE REPORTS: None. COMMISSION MEMBER PRESENTATIONS: None. ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS: Chair Peck said that Ms. Tandon would not be at the next meeting since it was her wedding week. He wished her the best. He asked about the park north of the City Hall that was often empty and how to get more use out of that park. Mr. Ruegemer said that they need to balance the use with parking. He provided examples of how that park had been utilized in the past. Ms. Tandon said that some parks are out of use because of the heavy rain on July 4th, which caused major damage. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Leisen moved, Commissioner Morgan seconded to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 9 to 0. The Park and Recreation Commission meeting was adjourned at 7:02 p.m. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – August 27, 2024 5 Submitted by Jerry Ruegemer Park and Recreation Director