01-28-2025 PRC Agenda Packet
A.6:00 P.M. - CALL TO ORDER
B.ROLL CALL
C.APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioners may postpone or remove items at this time. Commissioners may discuss adding
items to a future agenda during Commissioner Member Presentations.
D.PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
E.VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
Commission Procedures allow for presentations from the audience at this time. If a motion is
required, the item will be forwarded to the next available agenda to allow for publication and
review prior to consideration.
F.APPROVAL OF MINUTES
F.1 Meeting Minutes: December 10, 2024
G.GENERAL BUSINESS
G.1 Park and Recreation Commission Vacancy
G.2 Chanhassen Bluffs Community Center Update
H.REPORTS
H.1 2025 February Festival Preview
I.COMMISSION MEMBER COMMITTEE REPORTS
J.COMMISSION MEMBER PRESENTATIONS
AGENDA
CHANHASSEN PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION
TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2025
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 7700 MARKET BOULEVARD
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K.ADMINISTRATIVE PACKET
L.ADJOURNMENT
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Park & Recreation Commission Item
January 28, 2025
Item Meeting Minutes: December 10, 2024
Item No:F.1
Agenda Section APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Prepared By Kate Vogt, Admin Support Specialist
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve the Park & Recreation Commission meeting minutes dated December 10, 2024.
SUMMARY
BACKGROUND
DISCUSSION
RECOMMENDATION
Approve the Park & Recreation Commission meeting minutes dated November 26, 2024.
ATTACHMENTS
Meeting Minutes: December 10, 2024
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CHANHASSEN PARK AND
RECREATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
DECEMBER 10, 2024
Jerry Ruegemer, Park and Recreation Director, called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Dan Eidsmo; Rob Swanson; Kristin Fulkerson; Michael Leisen; Clara
Christenson, youth.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Jim Peck, Chair; Scott Pharis; Sean Morgan; and Aayan Srestha, youth.
STAFF PRESENT: Jerry Ruegemer, Park and Recreation Director; Adam Beers, Park
Superintendent; Priya Wall, Recreation Manager; Jodi Sarles, Rec Center Manager; and Mary
Blazanin, Senior Center Coordinator.
PUBLIC PRESENT: None.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Commissioner Swanson moved, Commissioner Eidsmo
seconded to approve the agenda as presented. All voted in favor and the motion carried
unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS: None.
VISITOR PRESENTATIONS: None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1. Approve Park & Recreation Minutes dated November 26, 2024
Commissioner Fulkerson moved, Commissioner Leisen seconded, to approve the minutes
of the Park and Recreation Commission meeting dated November 26, 2024, as presented.
All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
1. 2024 Year in Review Presentation
Priya Wall, Recreation Manager, showed a video to highlight the Year in Review.
REPORTS:
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Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – December 10, 2024
2
1. Recreation Center Quarterly Update
Jodi Sarles, Rec Center Manager, said that she attached a copy of the rental evaluation from late
November, noting they received 25 responses. She reviewed the different events held at the
Recreation Center, including the Puzzle Palooza. She commented that the Holiday Boutique was
next weekend. She discussed the current session of dance and the recital that would happen in
May. She said that pickleball was introduced to 172 players this year and there were options to
play pickleball at the recreation center. Ms. Sarles stated that the punch card sale was currently
happening.
2. Park Maintenance Quarterly Update
Adam Beers, Park Superintendent, said that three memorial benches and a memorial tree were
installed recently. He commented that he was working with the Chanhassen Athletic Association
on field upgrades, including covering the dugouts. They are installing two sheds for equipment
storage for the Chanhassen Athletic Association. He said that the Lions Club donated a lion’s
head drinking fountain at Bandimere Community Park. They tested a robotic lawn mower that
would be used at the recreation center before the completion of the Civic Campus. He said the
robotic lawn mower would come out every night to cut grass. They also tested a robotic line
stripper, which they can control from an iPad. The robotic line stripper can complete a field in
approximately twenty minutes. He said the facilities were closed for the season and the Parks
staff were working on annual repairs. The staff was working on the skating rinks and the
warming houses were soon to be installed.
Commissioner Eidsmo asked for information about the memorial benches. Mr. Beers responded
that there was a memorial bench program. They were large cement benches that came with a
plaque. A bench costs $1000 and a tree costs $500.
Mr. Ruegemer showed a picture to Commissioner Eidsmo and stated the program meant a lot to
families.
Mr. Beers said that there were about twenty memorial benches in the park system.
3. Senior Center Quarterly Update
Mary Blazanin, Senior Center Coordinator, said that there have been a lot of celebrations with
the Senior Center over the last three months. They reached 875 people with programs. She
reviewed different programs, including Octoberfest, a Veteran’s Day speaker, and an annual
Veteran’s Pancake Breakfast. The annual holiday celebration will be on December 13 at 11:30
a.m. She said the holiday cookies and sing-along would be on December 17. The Senior Center
will still provide foot care clinics and technology help for seniors. They hosted a flu and
COVID-19 vaccination and Medicare insurance counseling. They will host a vision loss support
group that will meet one Monday a month to share resources. They will also host an age-well
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Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – December 10, 2024
3
discussion group in partnership with University of Minnesota Pre-Med students who are
interested in working with senior citizens. She stated that the group was continuing to grow. She
is working on brainstorming a new name for the senior center that would give people a sense of
the purpose of the center.
4. Tree Lighting Ceremony Review
Priya Wall, Recreation Manager, reviewed the tree lighting ceremony. She thanked the various
groups who participated in the event to provide cookies, hot cocoa, s’more kits, and a visit from
Santa Claus. She stated that Santa’s mailbox would be there until December 23. They collected
donations for the Bountiful Basket Food Shelf. The map for the Tour of Lights was available
online for residents to visit residents’ light displays. She stated that the lights at City Center Park
would be on through January 15. If the family rink is up soon, people will get to skate
underneath the lights.
Commissioner Leisen mentioned that the event was well done.
Commissioner Eidsmo asked if the Feb Fest was going to happen this year. Ms. Wall said that it
was going to happen. They also planned to still do a version of the Tree Lighting Ceremony in a
modified form in 2025.
Youth Commissioner Christenson asked if they would move the event back to the new Civic
Campus. Ms. Wall answered that it would depend on where the construction fencing is located at
that time. The City Council decided they would plant a new holiday tree.
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 5 to 0. The Park and
Recreation Commission meeting was adjourned at 6:52 p.m.
Submitted by Jerry Ruegemer
Park and Recreation Director
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Park & Recreation Commission Item
January 28, 2025
Item Park and Recreation Commission Vacancy
Item No:G.1
Agenda Section GENERAL BUSINESS
Prepared By Jerry Ruegemer, Park and Recreation Director
SUGGESTED ACTION
SUMMARY
The City of Chanhassen is seeking applicants to fill vacancies on various commissions. The Park and
Recreation Commission has one vacancy (Dan Eidsmo) whose term expires in March. Terms begin in
April 2025 and are for three years unless otherwise noted. No prior experience is required to apply.
Applicants will be required to interview with the City Council and appointments will be made on March
10, 2025. Application forms are available online at www.chanhassenmn.gov/commissions.
Applications will be accepted until noon on Friday, January 24, 2025.
BACKGROUND
DISCUSSION
RECOMMENDATION
ATTACHMENTS
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Park & Recreation Commission Item
January 28, 2025
Item Chanhassen Bluffs Community Center Update
Item No:G.2
Agenda Section GENERAL BUSINESS
Prepared By Jerry Ruegemer, Park and Recreation Director
SUGGESTED ACTION
SUMMARY
Staff will provide an update regarding the project timeline.
BACKGROUND
DISCUSSION
RECOMMENDATION
ATTACHMENTS
8
Park & Recreation Commission Item
January 28, 2025
Item 2025 February Festival Preview
Item No:H.1
Agenda Section REPORTS
Prepared By Priya Wall, Recreation Manager
SUGGESTED ACTION
SUMMARY
The 32nd annual February Festival is scheduled for Saturday, February 1, from 12-3 pm on Lake Ann.
BACKGROUND
The last February Festival event that was held was on Saturday, February 5th, 2022. Due to
unseasonably warm weather and potentially unsafe ice conditions both years, February Festival was
canceled in 2023 and 2024.
DISCUSSION
The City of Chanhassen's 32nd annual February Festival will be held on Saturday, February 1st on Lake
Ann from 12-3pm. Admission to the event is free, and attendees can enjoy free activities such as
snowshoeing, kicksledding, bonfires, ice skating, snow yoga, horse-drawn wagon rides, children's
activities, and more. Free door prize tickets will also be available at the event (one per person), with
prizes exceeding $4,000 in total value. Food and drink concessions will be available for purchase. New
event components in 2025 include snow yoga ("snow-ga") by local nonprofit Onelove.yoga, a youth ice
fishing demo station from Future Anglers of Minnesota, and an interactive children's booth from Three
Rivers Parks.
The popular ice fishing contest runs from 1-3 pm, and over $6,500 in prizes will be awarded to the 50
largest fish by weight. Tickets are being sold for the contest at $10 each (limit 2) and are available
online, at City Hall, and at the event beginning at 10:30 am.
The February Festival Medallion Hunt, sponsored by Nicolet National Bank, will precede the event and
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begin Monday, January 27th at 9 am. Clues will be posted on the city website as well as the front door
of Nicolet Bank in Chanhassen.
February Festival would not be possible without the support of local businesses and service
organizations. The Chanhassen Rotary is coordinating hot concessions from Grill Star Catering and will
be selling hot beverages, beer, and snacks. They will also drill over 1,000 holes for the ice fishing
contest. The Chanhassen Lions Club will return as event marshals this year to enforce fishing contest
rules and DNR regulations. The Boys and Girls of Scout Troop #330 will be selling bait and s'mores
kits again this year. The Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District will be providing free
snowshoeing to event participants. Various other local businesses and organizations are providing
merchandise donations for the fishing contest and door prize drawing and the Carver County Sheriff's
Department and Chanhassen Fire Department will be present at the event to ensure safety.
A PowerPoint presentation will preview the February Festival 2025 in further detail.
RECOMMENDATION
ATTACHMENTS
FebFest Flyer 2025
2025 Contest Rules
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1. ONLINE at chanhassenMN.gov/febfest2. AT THE EVENT starting at 10:30 a.m.
32 nd Annual FebFest - Feb. 1THE CITY OF
CHANHASSEN’S
32ND ANNUAL
February Festival would not be a success
without the help and support from our
community sponsors. A special thank
you to the Rotary Club of Chanhassen
for drilling the holes and providing
concessions for our FebFest Fishing
Contest.
LAKE ANN
Top 50 Prizes
BY WEIGHT
FebFest
Saturday, Feb. 112-3 PM
Lake Ann Park
Ice Fishing Contest1-3 PM
Lake Ann
$6,500 +
IN TOTAL FISH PRIZES
One ticket per fishing hole with a limit of two tickets for each person fishing.
Prizes awarded to the 50 largest fish by weight of any legal species. Pursuant to DNR regulations, largemouth bass of
any length and northern pike between 24”-36” in length are NOT eligible for the contest. If caught, these fish must be
released immediately. No fish house sheds or enclosures are allowed within the contest or event area.
For a complete list of FebFest Rules & Regulations, visit chanhassenMN.gov/febfest
Tickets MUST be
affixed to y
o
u
r
fi
s
hi
n
g
pole or tip-
u
p
d
u
ri
n
g
fishing con
t
e
s
t!
FISHING CONTESTTICKETS
10 PERTICKET$
for Ice Fishi
n
g
C
o
n
t
e
s
t
1. Vexilar FLX-20 Pro Pack II Fishing System/
Automotive Unlimited
2. Strikemaster Lithium 24V Ice Auger (used to drill
contest holes)
3. Kenai Pro Thermal Fish House
4. Vexilar FLX-12 Genz Pack w/12 Degree Ice Ducer/
Vexilar
5. DeWALT 20V 4-Tool Combo Kit/Merlin’s
Ace Hardware
6. $250 Gift Certificate/The Mustard Seed
Landscaping & Garden Center
7. Craftsman 308-Piece Mechanic’s Tool Set/Merlin’s
Ace Hardware
8. $100 Gift Certificate/Lunds & Byerlys Chanhassen
9. Mr. Heater Big Buddy
10. Dinner & Show for 2/Chanhassen Dinner Theatres
11. Craftsman 1/2” Hammer Drill Kit/Merlin’s
Ace Hardware
12. Clam Trophy Thermal Tip-Up & Dinner for 5/
Chick-fil-A Chanhassen & Eden Prairie
13. Free Oil Change/Automotive Unlimited
14. $50 Gift Certificate/Pizzaioli
15. Apollo Household Tool Kit/Merlin’s Ace Hardware
16. $50 Gift Certificate/Houlihan’s Restaurant & Bar
17. $50 Gift Certificate/Lunds & Byerlys Chanhassen
18. 13 Fishing Tickle Stick
19. 10 Hours Lake Ann Watercraft Rental
20. Car Care Club Pack/Automotive Unlimited
21. iFish Pro
22. 13 Heatwave Rod/Reel Combo
23. $50 Gift Certificate/The Mustard Seed Landscaping
& Garden Center
24. $20 Gift Certificate & Chan Parks Longsleeve/
Cabin Fever Sporting Goods
25. Clam Shovel
26. Yeti Camino Carryall/Premier Pool & Spa
27. Clam 360 Fish House
28. DeWALT 1/4” Impact Driver Kit/Merlin’s Ace
Hardware
29. 13 Sonicor Rod/Reel Combo
30. Ace 6-Piece Screwdriver Set/Merlin’s
Ace Hardware
31. Clam Trophy Thermal Tip-Up & Dinner for 5/
Chick-fil-A Chanhassen & Eden Prairie
32. Free Oil Change/Automotive Unlimited
33. $50 Gift Certificate/Houlihan’s Restaurant & Bar
34. FebFest Crewneck & Dinner for 5/Chick-fil-A
Chanhassen & Eden Prairie
35. Craftsman 63-Piece Mechanic’s Tool Set/Merlin’s
Ace Hardware
36. Vexilar Glo-Ring
37. $100 Gift Certificate/Lunds & Byerlys Chanhassen
38. DeWALT Laser Measurer/Merlin’s Ace Hardware
39. $50 Gift Certificate/The Mustard Seed
Landscaping & Garden Center
40. $25 Gift Certificate & Chan Parks
Sweatshirt/Pizzaioli
41. 5 Hours Lake Ann Watercraft Rental
42. Trophy Angler 8-Rod Ice Bag
43. $50 Gift Certificate/Lunds & Byerlys Chanhassen
44. Craftsman 20-Piece Mechanic’s Tool Set/Merlin’s
Ace Hardware
45. $50 Gift Certificate/Pizzaioli
46. Craftsman 14-Piece Screwdriver Set/Merlin’s Ace
Hardware
47. Hi-Tech Fishing Tackle Tote
48. Dinner & Show for 2/Chanhassen Dinner Theatres
49. $250 Gift Certificate/The Mustard Seed
Landscaping & Garden Center
50. Strikemaster Lithium 24V Ice Auger (used to drill
contest holes)
chanhassenMN.gov/febfest
FISHING CO
N
T
E
S
TTICKETS
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FebFest
Saturday, Feb. 1
12 -3 PM | LAKE ANN PARK
Ice Fishing Contest
1 -3 PM
SNOW YOGA - ON
E
L
O
V
E
.
Y
O
G
A
THE BOYS AND G
I
R
L
S
OF SCOUT TROOP
#
3
3
0
WAGON RIDES
& SKATING
Medallion Hunt
Sponsored by
$500 Prize Package
Begins Monday, January 27
Find clues and contest rules online atChanhassenMN.gov/Febfest
10:30 AM -1 PM
Door Prize Tickets FREE!
Over $3,000 in prizes!
One ticket per person. Drawings begin at 1:00 p.m.
MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN.
12-3 PM
Snowshoeing FREE!
Provided by Riley Purgatory Bluff
Creek Watershed District
Ice Fishing Demos FREE!
Provided by Future Anglers of MN
Horse-drawn
Wagon Rides FREE!
Kicksled Demos FREE!
Provided by Carver County Parks
Open Ice Skating FREE!
Bring your own skates and skate the loop at Lake Ann
S’mores Cookout
S’mores kits for sale. Sponsored by the boys
and girls of Scout Troop #330
Concession/Beer Sales
Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Chanhassen
Live Bait for Sale
Sponsored by the boys and girls of Scout Troop #330
12:30-1:15 PM
Snow-ga (Snow Yoga)
Bring your own yoga mat and enjoy cold-weather
“Snow yoga” provided by Onelove.yoga
1-3 PM
Ice Fishing Contest
$10 per ticket, two tickets per person, maximum
one ticket to a hole. Prizes awarded to the top 50
fish by weight.
Over $6,500 in prizes!
BONFIRES SNOWSHOEING
RILEY PURGATOR
Y
B
L
U
F
F
C
R
E
E
K
WATERSHED DIST
R
I
C
T
SNOW-GA
S’MORES KITS
& LIVE BAIT SALE
CONCESSION
& BEER SALES
chanhassenMN.gov/febfest
ROTARY CLUB OF
C
H
A
N
H
A
S
S
E
N
FUTURE ANGLER
S
O
F
M
I
N
N
E
S
O
T
A
CARVER COUNTY
P
A
R
K
S
ICE FISHING
DEMOS
KICKSLED DEMOS
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2025 FEBRUARY FESTIVAL ICE FISHING CONTEST RULES
1. The contest is scheduled for Saturday, February 1, 2025 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. on Lake Ann in
Chanhassen.
2. Contestants may purchase one or two tickets, giving each contestant the opportunity to fish with
one or two lines. One ticket per line, and one line per hole. Tickets must be attached to fishing
poles or tip-ups by rubber bands, which will be provided on the ice.
3. No fish houses, fish house sleds, enclosures, wind breaks, coolers, large containers, glass bottles,
ice augers, or ice chisels are allowed in designated fishing area. Chairs, heaters, five-gallon
buckets with gear, bait pails, depth finders, thermos containers, fishing poles/sticks, and other
miscellaneous small gear is allowed.
4. No motorized vehicles/ATV’s allowed in the designated fishing areas other than those being used
by emergency personnel.
5. Contestants are allowed to set up in the fishing area prior to contest, but no pre-fishing is allowed.
In order to claim a fishing hole, a fishing pole or tip-up with an attached fishing ticket must
be present. Weighted lines without hooks or bait can be used to check depth prior to 12:45 pm.
No lines are allowed in the water from 12:45 pm to the start of the contest. No underwater cameras
are allowed in the water after 12:45 pm. Contest marshals will strictly enforce compliance. All
fishing must take place within the contest area.
6. To enter a fish, bring it to the judge’s stand immediately upon catching it. Fish must be alive in
order to be eligible. All eligible fish will be returned to the water after weigh in.
7. Pursuant to DNR regulations, all largemouth bass and northern pike from 24”-36” must be
immediately returned to the water. These fish are ineligible for the contest and DNR
regulations will be strictly enforced.
8. All “largest fish” prizes are determined by weight and will be awarded following the contest. You
may enter all the fish you catch, but only one “largest fish” prize will be awarded per person. In
the event of a tie in weight, the contestant with the first entry wins the higher prize, the second fish
places next.
a. Please note: In the event that a portion of the “largest fish” prizes are not awarded using this
method, a drawing from all fishing ticket stubs will be held to determine winners. Each
winner will be asked a trivia question – if they answer the trivia question correctly, they
will be awarded the prize. If they answer incorrectly, a new ticket stub will be drawn.
9. Only fish you personally catch are eligible for the contest. Fish that are caught by one individual
and given to another person are NOT eligible. No sharing fish.
10. All fish must be registered or on the way to the judges station when the siren signifying the end of
the contest is sounded at 3:00 p.m.
Flip over for more rules
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11. Fishing licenses are required for all individuals 16 years of age and older. No licenses will be sold
on the lake. Must have prior to competition.
12. All contestants must obey State of Minnesota fishing laws and contest rules.
13. Ethical and sporting conduct is mandatory. Failure to comply with any contest rules subjects
contestants to disqualification and removal from competition site, as determined by contest
officials. Right to refuse to sell and/or revoke competition ticket to anyone is hereby reserved.
Please be considerate of your fellow contestants and enjoy the contest.
14. All Feb Fest attendees are eligible to receive one free door prize ticket from 10:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
The drawings will take place from 1:00-2:30 p.m. Winners will be announced by loud speaker. To
claim a door prize, bring your ticket to the door prize station. Winners must be present to win.
15. Parking will not be available on the lake. Parking is available throughout the park, within walking
distance of the contest. Handicapped parking is available in the boat launch parking lot.
16. In the event of a severe weather cancellation the contest may be held on Sunday, February 2 from
1:00-3:00 p.m. If the weather is in question, call (952) 227-1128 for more information.
17. Each person attends the contest/festival at their own risk. The City of Chanhassen or its
agents/independent contractors shall not be liable for any personal injuries sustained including
those caused by negligence of the sponsoring agencies.
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