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PRC Minutes 09-24-24CHANHASSEN PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 24, 2024 Chair Peck called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Jim Peck, Chair; Dan Eidsmo; Rob Swanson; Scott Pharis; Kristin Fulkerson; Michael Leisen; Sean Morgan; Clara Christenson, youth. MEMBERS ABSENT: Michael Leisen; Aayan Shrestha, youth. STAFF PRESENT: Jerry Ruegemer, Park and Recreation Director; Adam Beers, Park Superintendent; Luke Kegley, Recreation Supervisor; Jodi Sarles, Rec Center Manager; Mary Blazanin, Senior Center Coordinator. PUBLIC PRESENT: None. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Commissioner Fulkerson 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: 1. Chanhassen Farmers Market Presentation Holly Bustle presented an overview of the Chanhassen Farmers Market. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1. Approve Park & Recreation Minutes dated August 27, 2024 Commissioner Pharis moved, Commissioner Swanson seconded to approve the minutes of the Park and Recreation Commission meeting dated August 27, 2024 as presented. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0. GENERAL BUSINESS: 1. 2024-2025 Ice Skating Rink Location Recommendations Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – September 24, 2024 2 Luke Kegley, Recreation Supervisor, reviewed the 2024-2025 skating season and recommended flooding 11 ice rinks at six locations. He summarized the skating locations and the warming house hours. He explained the expenses associated with the skating rink maintenance, wages, and warming house rentals. Commissioner Fulkerson moved, Commissioner Eidsmo seconded to approve the Park and Recreation Commission Staff’s recommendation to the City Council to approve the following ice-skating rink locations and warming house hours be maintained for the 2024- 2025 season. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0. 2. Pickleball Court Location Discussion Jerry Ruegemer, Park and Recreation Director, explained the requests that the Park and Recreation Department received to convert tennis courts to pickleball courts. He discussed the advantages and disadvantages of converting tennis courts to pickleball courts. He reviewed the current pickleball court and tennis court locations. He showed a video to demonstrate the noise associated with pickleball and explained the potential noise complaints of placing pickleball courts in a neighborhood. He commented that lawsuits about pickleball noise complaints do exist. Commissioner Eidsmo asked if there were regulations in Chanhassen related to the decibels of noise. Mr. Ruegemer answered that pickleball was recognized around 70 decibels. He stated that the sound of pickleball is annoying to residents. Commissioner Fulkerson stated that she lives two blocks from the Roundhouse pickleball courts and commented that they hear noise from the courts all day during the summer. Mr. Ruegemer suggested locating pickleball courts in community parks or at the recreation center to accommodate parking for pickleball games and to provide distance from residents to reduce concerns with the noise. Commissioner Pharis asked how much it cost to convert a tennis court to a pickleball court and how much it cost to put a pickleball court in from scratch. Adam Beers, Park Superintendent, answered that it cost around $1500 to convert a tennis court to a pickleball court. He commented that half of the pickleball population would complain about the height difference between a tennis net and a pickleball net. Mr. Ruegemer commented that to create four pickleball courts from scratch would be between $200,000 to $250,000. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – September 24, 2024 3 Mr. Beers stated that adding fencing, lights, and painting would be more than $200,000. Chair Peck asked about how many individuals played tennis and how many individuals played pickleball. Mr. Ruegemer answered that he did not know the exact number, but that pickleball is more popular. Commissioner Eidsmo asked about using the hockey courts as pickleball courts. Mr. Ruegemer responded that the conditions of the hockey courts was not suitable for a pickleball court. A skatepark would be relocated at the location of the hockey courts. Commissioner Morgan asked about the path of the motion and what action would occur. Mr. Ruegemer answered that the staff was seeking a recommendation from the Park and Recreation Commission so that the City Council could review the decision. The Park and Recreation Department is looking for clear direction moving forward. Commissioner Morgan questioned if there was an ideal ratio of pickleball and tennis courts. Mr. Ruegemer responded that they could meet the ideal ratio at the community parks through the creation of additional pickleball courts. Commissioner Morgan asked about a policy to set an ideal standard for the distance of a pickleball court to residents. Mr. Ruegemer answered that it is less likely to have a noise complaint in a community park, as many residents do not live directly near the parks. Commissioner Fulkerson stated that Roundhouse Park did not have a lot of parking, and the traffic had increased exponentially to access the pickleball courts. She commented that small neighborhood parks cannot accommodate the parking of pickleball. Commissioner Pharis asked how many pickleball courts would be at the new recreation center if it was approved. Mr. Ruegemer responded that there are nine proposed indoor courts. Commissioner Morgan suggested an amendment to the last clause to state “which will reduce noise complaints” because they cannot promise no noise complaints. He commented that there was a typo with the word ample. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – September 24, 2024 4 Commissioner Pharis moved, Commissioner Fulkerson seconded to approve the Park and Recreation Commission Staff’s recommendation to the City Council to approve that the city not convert neighborhood tennis courts to pickleball courts and adopt the practice of locating pickleball courts within Community Parks to create further distance from resident housing, which will reduce noise complaints, and where ample parking is more available. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0. REPORTS: 1. 2024 Lake Ann Park Concession & Watercraft Rental Evaluation Luke Kegley, Recreation Supervisor, summarized the concession and boat rental services for summer 2025. He noted the successful partnership with Grey Duck Outdoor to provide, license, and maintain all paddleboards. He reviewed the concession stand and the partnership with Boba Tonka Bubble Tea, noting that the digital menu boards had a technical issue, but the concession stand sales were still successful. He provided an overview of the best-selling items at the concession stand. He commented that the lack of lifeguards and the weather impacted the attendance at Lake Ann. Commissioner Eidsmo asked for more information about the lifeguard decision. Mr. Kegley responded that Lake Ann was able to operate at a desired population. Mr. Ruegemer stated that Chanhassen did employment campaigns to hire lifeguards but was unsuccessful. The staff expected a dip in attendance without the lifeguards. He thought that the numbers would increase in a few years and noted the poor weather throughout the summer. He stated they received minimal complaints about the lack of lifeguards and received feedback about parents better engaging with their children in the water. Commissioner Christensen said that she worked at the Lake Ann Camp, and they were able to adjust without lifeguards. Mr. Ruegemer commented that they tried to find lifeguards and it is difficult to find lifeguards across the nation. 2. Recreation Center Quarterly Update Jodi Sarles, Rec Center Manager, stated that they had finished the summer cleaning. They purchased new plastic chairs, which the staff can clean better after birthday parties. The rec center also replaced a few pieces of exercise equipment, including a bike, a stair stepper, and two ellipticals. She reviewed different activities that occurred at the rec center and noted the successes and the attendance. She said that she hired a part-time staff member as a coordinator at the rec center. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – September 24, 2024 5 3. Park Maintenance Quarterly Update Adam Beers, Park Superintendent, explained how trail projects are normally determined. He said that with the increased road construction, they were able to build additional trails at 101 North because of the MnDOT road project. He commented that they were able to redo 101 South from Highway 5 to Lyman with the County Road project. He reviewed additional trails that were being fixed, including Bluff Creek Preserve, Stone Creek Park connection, Galpin Road project, and the South Lotus Lake Park. He provided an overview of the park maintenance that crews were completing. He recognized the importance of seasonal staff. Commissioner Fulkerson asked if they could put up QR codes for the see, click, fix so people can report needed maintenance. Mr. Beers responded that they would consider this suggestion. Commissioner Morgan asked if they were working with Shorewood to extend the Galpin Road trail project. Mr. Ruegemer answered that this extension had been discussed, but it had been challenging to figure out a funding source. He stated that they would find out where the project stood with Shorewood and provide a report. 4. Senior Center Quarterly Update Mary Blazanin, Senior Center Coordinator, reviewed the Senior Center programs and the impact from the summer slowdown and the relocation to the Chanhassen Recreation Center. She explained the challenges with the bus trips, including the higher fees for attendees. They had to cancel a few trips for a lack of enrollment. She summarized the attendance for the different educational workshops, educational speakers, lunch and learn with Mayor Ryan, and activity groups. She provided updates from the Commission on Aging. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMITTEE REPORTS: None. COMMISSION MEMBER PRESENTATIONS: Commissioner Fulkerson presented information about the Windjammers Synchronized Skating Program, which held a retreat at Lake Ann Park. Commissioner Morgan presented information about electric bikes and noted different digital messages about safety recommendations. He asked about potential positive reinforcements or messages to encourage safety with electric bikes in a formalized manner. Chair Peck asked if the city had any ordinances. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – September 24, 2024 6 Commissioner Fulkerson said that people are supposed to be fifteen to ride the bikes, but it was not an ordinance. Mr. Ruegemer reviewed potential issues with electric bikes and noted different regulations that could be imposed. ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS: None. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Eidsmo 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 7:47 p.m. Submitted by Jerry Ruegemer Park and Recreation Director