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PRC 2008 08 12 CHANHASSEN PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 12, 2008 Chairman Daniel called the meeting to order at 7:50 p.m., following a work session that was held from 6:00 to 7:50 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Jeff Daniel, Tom Kelly, Glenn Stolar, Steve Scharfenberg, Thor Smith and Dan Campion MEMBERS ABSENT: Scott Wendt STAFF PRESENT: Todd Hoffman, Park and Rec Director; Jerry Ruegemer, Recreation Superintendent; and John Stutzman, Recreation Supervisor APPROVAL OF AGENDA:Kelly moved, Smith seconded to approve the agenda as presented. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 6 to 0. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS: Ruegemer: Just one quick one. Miracle Kids Triathlon is this coming weekend out at Lake Ann Park. Had a couple of meetings with Tony Schiller and some race organizers for that. Everything seems to be progressing with that. Looks like the weather’s going to be, looks like a little bit nicer now to the weekend so there’s that coming up on Saturday starting around 8:00 out at Lake Ann, so it’s going to be very busy out there so last weekend for concessions and lifeguards at Lake Ann. Daniel: This is the last week. Weekend. Ruegemer: Last weekend. Daniel: Okay. Excellent. Thank you Jerry. I don’t see any visitors so I don’t think there’s any presentations. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Stolar: Just have a quick question. Tom, were you at the meeting in July. Kelly: There was no meeting in July. Stolar: Oh June. Daniel: Excuse me, approval of Minutes from July 22, 2007. So we need to have a correction on that? Park and Rec Commission - August 12, 2008 Hoffman: Yes, June 24. Sorry. Stolar: Of 2008. Daniel: June 24, 2008. So there it is. Stolar: So actually, so in June, were you at the meeting? Kelly: I don’t remember. I think, I’m not sure. Why? Stolar: Because you aren’t listed as being present or absent. Daniel: You are just a void. Stolar: So I would like corrections to put Mr. Kelly in the appropriate box. th Kelly: I believe I was there because I signed up for the 4 of July. Stolar: Okay, so we’ll add Mr. Kelly there. Kelly: Thank you Glenn. Ruegemer: My mistake. th Daniel: Please note that Commissioner Kelly did attend June 24’s meeting of 2008. Last meeting. Smith: And I did not attend the meeting. Daniel: Jerry. Kelly: Just guessing. Daniel: We’d be happy to do the July 22, 2007 attendance. Hoffman: Didn’t think they’d get you? Ruegemer: I didn’t actually. They’re so thorough. Daniel: So the question becomes, do we actually approve the minutes since? Hoffman: Yeah. Ruegemer: With the changes. Daniel: With the changes. Approval of the Minutes? 2 Park and Rec Commission - August 12, 2008 Scharfenberg: I move for approval of the minutes with those changes regarding members present. Daniel: Okay. Campion: Second. Scharfenberg moved, Campion seconded to approve the Summary Minutes of the Park and Recreation Commission meeting dated June 24, 2008, amended to reflect that Tom Kelly was present and Thor Smith was absent. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 6 to 0. APPROVE RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL - PARK AND TRAIL ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP). Hoffman: I’ll go ahead and let you pick it up right now at 2009. Daniel: For 2009, from what we’ve just spent and talked about, we’re going to be adding the CIP program. Evaluation or at least possibility of a backstop, replacement of the backstops both on fields 4, 5 and 6, is that correct? Hoffman: Yeah. I’d recommend 150 for that inclusive. Stolar: So that’s ballfields 4, 5 and 6 improvements. Hoffman: Yes. Stolar: Safety and improvements. Hoffman: 150 on stairways, two sets $100,000. Daniel: Down to, from the picnic shelter area? Hoffman: Yep. Two sets. Daniel: Down to the beach? Hoffman: Yeah. And then the trail projects that are scheduled at a million 735. Stolar: A million 735? 1125. And then the, there’s park monies committed. Hoffman: Corrected. Stolar: The high school trails parks, yeah. 3 Park and Rec Commission - August 12, 2008 Stolar: Oh the trails and parks. All they committed was 11, 1736. Hoffman: Yeah, 36. Daniel: And then in addition to that will be the $600,000. Or is that extra? Stolar: No, that’s everything, and then adding to that 250 for the Lake Ann 4, 5 and 6 ballfield safety and improvements and the stairways. Daniel: Okay. Fantastic. Alright, and then Todd do we want to talk about 2010 or should we just strictly focus on 2009? Hoffman: No. 2010 we have Bluff Creek trail, Pioneer Trail, Highway 5 trail to the Arboretum, Highway 101 north trail for a million dollars. Daniel: Okay. Hoffman: 2011 so far the underpass to Highway 41 matching grant money. The 250 and the tennis court at 125. And previously I know you guys are looking forward, previously on that day. Stolar: The shelter, or Lake Ann ballfield restrooms. Hoffman: Yep. And that number has been dropped from 750 to 500. Daniel: Alright. Then do we want to talk about 2012, 13, 14? Hoffman: Yep. Right now your job as a commission is either someone make a proposal for the remaining 3 years, or just sit and talk about each one. Stolar: The Roundhouse tennis courts we said though were 2011 we thought? Hoffman: 2011, 125 yep. Stolar: Okay. And that was what, 125? Kelly: Talk about the Rice Marsh Lake trail extension. We didn’t discuss that in our work session for 375. I mean what’s a realistic time? What would be the realistic timeframe for that? Hoffman: In that 5 years, yep. Daniel: And is that, are we dependent upon any other. Hoffman: We’re depending upon MnDot. The City of Eden Prairie, and so it’s going to be a collaboration, yes. 4 Park and Rec Commission - August 12, 2008 Daniel: A collaboration between 3 entities, okay. Stolar: Is that a 2012 thing? Hoffman: Yeah, 2011, 2012, 2013. 3 to 5 years is, I just had a phone conversation with a resident a couple of days ago and that’s the timeframe I put it in. She called and said I’ve been walking by that sign for 8 years. Is it really going to happen? Daniel: The sign at the end of the trail? Hoffman: Yeah. It says this trail shall be extended in the future, yeah. Or will be extended. Want to go for 2012? Daniel: 2012. Stolar: The highway 41 gap trail, is that also a gap connecting and looping things? Hoffman: Highway 41? nd Stolar: South. The one that goes 5 to 82. Hoffman: It’s the section of trail from Highway 5, yeah. But it’s going to, it would be a temporary trail section because that road’s going to be taken out. Daniel: The hill? Hoffman: Yeah. Daniel: So maybe that’s something we can just. Hoffman: Wait on? Daniel: Wait on. I think we should. Because we’re too dependent upon what MnDot’s going to do. Hoffman: Tom, I think you’re onto something when, one way to pick these out is just go through that list and the things that really jump out at you that you have been on your radar screen and bring them to the top. Kelly: One thing we also hadn’t talked about but I know it’s on the comprehensive plan or whatever, is looping Lake Ann. Completely you have trails going completely around Lake Ann. I know that’s on I think the 20 year. I know it’s on some map. Is that something we should consider here is it way too early for that? 5 Park and Rec Commission - August 12, 2008 Hoffman: Right now staff’s working on a comprehensive plan mapping tool for density transfers and a variety of things like that so we’ll bring that to you. But it doesn’t need to be in the capital budget right now. Daniel: But again there’s nothing we can do until properties are sold. Hoffman: Correct. Stolar: What was it that we said the Lake Harrison Park should be listed? The water treatment. Hoffman: Yeah, the water treatment plant schedule. Stolar: 12 wasn’t it? Hoffman: 2012 I believe. Stolar: So Pioneer should probably should be in that timeframe or do we say the year after? Say 2013? Daniel: Oh that would be the Pinehurst? Stolar: Yeah. Daniel: Yeah. That’s $250,000. Those are kind of in conjunction? Stolar: 2012? Scharfenberg: Well and I raise the issue of the park south of 212. Was that something that we should be thinking about in the next 5 years too? Hoffman: I would hang it on 2013 just, you know. Scharfenberg: Okay. Hoffman: It’s a significant place holder. It has to happen. Scharfenberg: Right. Stolar: And where do we have that on the list? Scharfenberg: I don’t think we do. Campion: I don’t think it’s on here, is it? Hoffman; Southern park preserve. Oh no, hang on. 6 Park and Rec Commission - August 12, 2008 Stolar: Page 1 development? Hoffman: It should be in here? 2005 MUSA area neighborhood park acquisition. $400,000. Campion: You put that on 13? Hoffman: Yep. Daniel: It’s not the Fox is it? Hoffman: No. The Fox is the southern park preserve Phase I development, half a million. Stolar: Is that in the same timeframe or is that after? Hoffman: Probably after. Kelly: The Bandimere Community Park Shelter restrooms, is that all contingent on the expansion? Can nothing happen until? Hoffman: No, it’s not contingent. Stolar: That was one of the ones I was thinking we throw in with the, when we start looking at whether there are ways to raise funds that we’ll talk with those two in… Hoffman: Not contingent. But it’d be a good time to do it as long as you were in there. Kelly: Okay. Daniel: Are you talking Tom about the, just the shelter itself? Kelly: And restrooms, yeah for Bandimere. Daniel: This is separate obviously from the plans that we had talked about. Hoffman: Expansion plans. Daniel: Expansion plans. Hoffman: Separate but you could wrap it into the contract. Daniel: Sure. Hoffman: If you got to the point where you’re doing that expansion and you wanted to have the ability, you might as well wrap it in. 7 Park and Rec Commission - August 12, 2008 Daniel: Yeah, and that expansion can be anywhere from 5 to 10 years from now. If not longer. Okay. Hoffman: So now you’re getting into some pretty strong numbers and if there’s anything you want to round this out with. Daniel: How important are the safety fences, backstops at Bandimere? Is that also an issue equal to the ones in Lake Ann? Scharfenberg: Bandimere are pretty safe. I mean I don’t. Hoffman: Yeah, we’ve had a number of complaints from Bandimere. It’s the Field 3 is the softball field. 1, 2, 3. Ruegemer: Number 1 is the short field. 2 is the big field. Hoffman: 1. Number 1. They come out of 1 and. Well they come out of all. They come out the baseball fields. We tried to do some of that netting. Scharfenberg: If you’re going to do anything on safety I’d say do it at, you maybe want to look at it Bluff Creek because there’s one in fields 1 and 2. There’s quite a bit of activity right there and then those other two fields. The other ones further down so if you’re going to do anything, I’d leave Bandimere and I say I would look at additional dugouts or something at Bluff Creek. Hoffman: We get calls on all these every year and then we get first hand accounts of people getting hit every year. You have to temper that with these are ballfield complexes. This is going to happen so. But again, when you’re the person getting hit or your child’s getting hit, it’s a different set of circumstances when they’re on the phone with you. Stolar: Do you see any significant difference in choosing one over the other? So for is Lake Ann more active so that more frequency is there or it’s just you know nail them one at a time as you can get them? Scharfenberg: Yeah. Daniel: Well I think because Lake Ann’s an adult, or there are adult leagues there, there’s. Ruegemer: I don’t know if…related to the adults. Our biggest is when kids tournament play that are using 4 and 5. I think that’s when there’s overhand pitching. Daniel: Okay. So it is a baseball issue then more than softball? Ruegemer: I believe it’s more youth related than adult related. Daniel: Okay. 8 Park and Rec Commission - August 12, 2008 Hoffman: And Bandimere they get tournament time, they get hit a lot. There’s a lot of spectators. Stolar: So I’m trying to, for 2011 right now we have about a million, right? Total? Hoffman: 2011 I’ve got, yeah the Pinehurst. 2011 I have 375. What else did we get snuck in there that I missed? Stolar: Well the shelter is already there and the. Hoffman: Oh, yep. I’m not considering those. Stolar: Okay, you’re leaving those off? Hoffman: Clean slate, yep. With this clean slate. Stolar: So then I guess I’d like to propose the Bandimere ones and if we feel Bluff Creek needs to be added to that, put those in 2011 for some of the safety nets. Hoffman: So Bandimere and Bluff Creek safety netting. Stolar: How did that new field work out at the? Hoffman: Great. So those both in one year, in 2011 or do you want to do them next year? Daniel: 2012? Stolar: I say in 2011 if we only have 375 there. Campion: So why are you not counting the Lake Ann ballfield shelter and restrooms… Hoffman: Yep, just want you to start from scratch. If you want to add it, just say we want to keep it in there but every time we look at this we want to make sure that we’re re-assessing where values are. You know things change and so, if you want to stick with it, then that’s a decision you make again tonight that you want to stick with it. Stolar: I guess in relation to that, I’d like to see how we can approach it so it doesn’t hit the CIP and not put that in right now. And then if we have to next year, we’ll put them back in. So if you aren’t doing them right away anyway so. Daniel: And these are on, we don’t necessarily schedule Todd but we can still put on our wish list correct? That we can track in or out based on the project? Stolar: Maybe put those 3 items in 2013? Daniel: Put them out there far enough? 9 Park and Rec Commission - August 12, 2008 Stolar: Yeah, the Bandimere shelter. The Lake Ann shelter and the Lake Ann auditorium and that way they’re attached still on the CIP. Daniel: Yeah, the only thing we have in the 2013 is the, well we’ve got the shelter. Well safety netting, excuse me. Bandimere safety netting in 2013 and then we have the downtown railroad trail, if you guys remember that. Stolar: The safety netting we moved earlier. Daniel: Correct. Smith: No, I agree. Daniel: …direct line right into Lake Susan from downtown. Essentially that’s what that’s going to do. Still need to evaluate, there’s a lot of if’s with that one more so than some of the other projects. Stolar: I see where I was wrong and put Roundhouse tennis courts twice in 2011. No, I did. Daniel: The only other projects that we have currently scheduled in 13. 9, 10, 11, 12, so we’ve got 5 years already with planning. Do we want to go beyond that Todd? Hoffman: No. Daniel: So let’s just stick with where we’re at with 2013. Glenn, so we’re going to put in Bandimere. Just put them up potentially? So those are in there correct…shelter. Stolar: We’re moving the Lake Ann, which is now 500 instead of 750, out to 2013. Daniel: Okay. Campion: And adding the amphitheater just as a tag. Hoffman: Yeah, so 900 for Lake Ann, 500 for Bandimere for building. 400 for the south park for 2013. You go to 2012, we have two items at 375 and 250. That’s the Bluff Creek, Pinehurst Park and then. Daniel: Rice Marsh extension. Hoffman: Rice Marsh. Stolar: Are there any playgrounds that we think we need to tag that might need replacement by then or are we pretty well covered with all the safety on those? Hoffman: Yeah. 10 Park and Rec Commission - August 12, 2008 Smith: How, one of the items on here was the skate park ramp replacement. I’m not familiar with you know the condition of it or the age of it and how long them ramps normally last. Hoffman: They’re getting wore out. Daniel: Yeah, I suppose we should give some attention to our single most popular park in the city. Stolar: Should we put that in 2012 then too? Smith: I think it makes sense to keep that in as good a shape as absolutely possible. To keep that draw. Stolar: In 2011 we only have 625 right? Smith: You’re talking $75,000. I think that’s money very, very well spent. Scharfenberg: Why don’t we, I mean it’s in 2017 right now. We could move it up to 2013. Stolar: Or 2012 we have less expenditures. Daniel: Yeah, I think we could put that at 2013 because that could be a slide rule. I mean if the equipment all of a sudden degrades rapidly over the next couple of years, we move it up. If coming 2012 we determine we can get a couple more years out of it, then we slide it out. Campion: But I don’t know what would be hurt by putting it 2012 where we don’t have much on. Daniel: Okay, we can do that. That’s fine. Hoffman: Is that 12 or 11 you’re talking about? Daniel: 12. Stolar: 11’s still a low year but. Hoffman: Somebody give me the numbers that you attached to Bandimere and Bluff Creek safety netting in 2011. Daniel: The Bandimere we have $40,000 for the safety netting. Is that about right Todd? And the shelter was $100,000. I think that’s a little bit, is that? Stolar: What’s the shelter? 11 Park and Rec Commission - August 12, 2008 Hoffman: Bluff Creek safety netting 40 and then we’re going to do the same at, no. Bandimere was 40. We’ll do the same at Bluff Creek, another 40? Daniel: I’m sorry, that was a picnic shelter. Hoffman: So that would be $80,000 in safety netting in 2011, plus a tennis court at Roundhouse at 125 plus an underpass at Highway 41 at 250. Stolar: So a little bit lighter of a year. Kelly: Did we miss anything in 2011? Hoffman: Skate Park, the amount is 75. Stolar: Oh and then the disc golf we said just leave at 20. We were going to put that at 2011 right? Daniel: That’s what I have. Stolar: That’s $20,000. So I’m sorry, so we were saying the skate park then 2012 or 2011? Smith: 2012. Stolar: 2012. Hoffman: And what’s the number on the railroad trail is? Scharfenberg: 250. Hoffman: 2013 got big. So is it 900 and 900 and 50. Stolar: 2 million right? Hoffman: $2,050,000. Daniel: Okay. We’re set? Hoffman: I think you’re good. Daniel: Yeah and you know Todd, you know this certainly falls under but I guess I’ve talked about wanting to have some discussion quickly on thoughts or ideas for Herman Field Park and that certainly is a park that I think is way off the beaten path, which can either be a benefit or certainly a problem right now because it’s not getting the usage but one of the thoughts I had, and something you had tasked us. What could we do with this park? Is right now we have an archery range over at Lake Susan, correct? 12 Park and Rec Commission - August 12, 2008 Hoffman: Yep. Daniel: Has there been any concerns at all, public concerns, how’s the usage of the archery range? Hoffman: At Lake Susan? Daniel: Yeah. Maybe give a thought of moving that from Lake Susan, since over to, and making it more, making Herman Field more than just another archery range but if it’s a park with literally no designation and no reason to go there, give the public something to go to and one of the thoughts, possibly making it more of a you know outdoors type of park. You know sportsman park. Outdoor sportsman park. I mean not necessarily trap, clay shooting, stuff like that but you know archery range. Elevated archery. You know natural versus having something fixed but like you know with, because most archers shoot down. Expanding that and turning, putting maybe, putting up some of the fields and putting in a small you know 50 yard by 50 yard field. Grass, natural grass for field training for dogs and I mean something that will at least, as I would see it, it’s a trend that’s very popular right now and there’s a number of organizations that have a lot of money that are willing to do, to help out an establishment of a public sportsman, outdoor sportsman park that I really, I would see is taking something and, taking nothing and turn into something I’d say. You know we’ve got the privacy. You’ve got the seclusion. You don’t have to worry about, especially from an archery standpoint, you some of the safety issues. Not that I don’t think we ever had one at Lake Susan anyways, have we? I mean those who are shooting them are pretty good. And I think there’s berm behind there anyways, but still there’s different things that you can designate and I certainly haven’t done all the research but certainly it’s something that we can think about. And again, it turns that park into something that you can partner with Cabin Fever. You can get money from Gander Mountain. I mean, or at least talk to Gander Mountain about sponsoring certain segments of it. I mean Cabela’s, whoever it may be and having you know something that’s useful. Something that’s safe for the outdoor sportsman and that’s one segment of the population that we just have not really targeted, besides you know the naturalist, the dog park. It’s right next to the dog park so I mean there’s I guess a natural transition too. But again you open it up for field training. You could open it up for archery and some other segments. You know we can certainly look more into it but like I said, I think that’s a perfect location given it’s seclusion. Hoffman: I would, I completely agree with the whole concept but, and my opinion is you would fill this chambers times 4 with neighborhood opposition. Daniel: Really? Even with something literally moving the existing structures that we have and putting them in that park? Hoffman: Yeah, well you would be taking out the playground. You would have to allow for the neighborhood walking path to the regional park still, and then you would be building this whole concept of, you know what the neighbors are going to say now you’re bringing all these people with bows and arrows and guns. Daniel: Well I’m not saying there’d be guns. 13 Park and Rec Commission - August 12, 2008 Hoffman: No, no guns. Dogs. Daniel: There’s limitations on that. Hoffman: Dogs through our neighborhood and you’re going to put them in our park and they’re just going to come unglued. Daniel: And you know because again if we’re trying to figure out how we’re going to use that park, that’s like I said one segment of the outdoor recreation group. You know obviously Lake Susan addresses it a little bit. That we really don’t have a focus on it, I think would be unique. Hoffman: Absolutely, and. Daniel: And I agree with you. I thought about… Hoffman: Maybe have a neighborhood meeting and talk about it. You know right now those people are on all our parks. They’re training their dogs at Lake Susan, Lake Ann. You know they’re shooting bows at the archery range at Susan, which for location is a much better obviously. Getting to Herman Field Park is a challenge. You’ve got to drive around… Daniel: Oh yeah. Hoffman: So the archery range is very successful. You could re-create a whole another experience up there with what they call the, you know the 3D shooting ranges. But that’s a whole other concept and, not a bad proposal. Daniel: Yeah, and I certainly as far as you know sporting clays and stuff like that, I don’t think that’s the right area obviously. There’s no way. Hoffman: Yeah. Would people want it and use it? Absolutely. Would the neighborhood allow it to go in that neighborhood? I’m not sure. You were around for the public hearings. Scharfenberg: It seems to me that maybe, if we could ever get funds somehow to have somebody do a study on that park and make some recommendations to us as to, you know send somebody in there to look at it and say you know this would be a good park for this. That would be something to do in the future with that park. Hoffman: It would be a great park for that. It’s just, are you going to. Daniel: Yeah what type of resistance are we going to get? Stolar: Do we need to have somewhat of an open session where we come with a few proposals and invite the neighborhood or go to the neighborhood and have a session at that park and say here’s some ideas and get some feedback. You know we can bring this idea. We could bring a couple of others that we just thought about. I remember when we were over there, we talked 14 Park and Rec Commission - August 12, 2008 about community garden. Can we turn that into another community garden? It’s got that beautiful sun lit area. No water but. And I think propose all of these things. There’s advantages and disadvantages. Maybe just go out there and meet with them in a working session. Campion: Where is the disc golf going to go? Hoffman: Hopefully in the regional park. Stolar: That’d be an easy course because it’s open. Daniel: There’s a lot of open space. No, it’s just too small. It’s what, 20 acres? Stolar: Although we could turn it into a chipping range. Smith: Leave it the way it is. Stolar: Well I mean that’s an option. Just leave an open field. Hoffman: You know once you get that kind of level of sponsor, that’s a regional draw and so now you’re bringing people from a regional area back into a neighborhood and they’re just going to go. Stolar: No way. Hoffman: Yeah. Let’s put it on our planning study for this winter. We’ll put some ideas together. Bring the neighborhood in and get a flavor for what they’re thinking. We talked to some of them during the comp plan process and we know the neighborhood connection to the regional park is their number one really use of that facility right now. People right now are coming from Minnewashta Parkway, up along Highway 7 and into the regional park, and they’re doing their activities in the regional park and then they’re going back home so it’s a draw. That trial connection’s a draw for that whole area. And then people are coming from east of Highway 41, across the little trail connector and down into the same area so. That’s the number one amenity right now is that connection to the park. The numbers I have are 2009, a million 986. 2010, a million. 2011, 475 in 2011. 700 in 2012. And is it 2 million, 2 million 50 in 2013. Stolar: If my revenue projections are right at that point we go negative. In our balance. But not by much. By like $100,000. Hoffman: Okay. We’ll advance that. We may actually bring in, I may be able to bring it back here for a spot check next time before I advance it to the council. Depends on the schedule. Need a motion. Daniel: Motion. Motion to approve? 2009 through 2013 CIP improvements. Hoffman: Recommendation. 15 Park and Rec Commission - August 12, 2008 Daniel: Recommendation. Stolar: So moved. Campion: Second. Stolar moved, Campion seconded that the Park and Recreation Commission recommends that the City Council approve the 2009 through 2013 Park and Recreation Capital Improvement Program. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 6 to 0. CONSIDER YOUTH REPRESENTATION ON PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION. Hoffman: Chair Daniels, members of the commission. This is a topic of discussion that’s been bantered around for, well it just comes up now and again. Mayor Furlong is also interested in this topic. Commissioner Stolar is interested in this topic. Mitch Johnson, our intern did a nice job putting together a survey of a variety of places. Apple Valley has this particular model. So does Bloomington has this particular model. They see it as a value. It’s something that if the commission wants to consider it, then we should really take a look at it across the board for the Environmental, Planning, Parks and Recreation and study whether or not those commissions would like to do this as well. In this type of scenario they would be here somewhere. Hopefully up on the podium with you folks and then it’s you know, are they, they’re participatory members so they would get into the conversation. That’s how I’ve seen it happen. Eden Prairie has this as well and so I’ll leave it open for conversation and give some direction on how you would like to see it move forward or not. Daniel: Thor? Smith: I think it’s a phenomenal idea. I fully support it. I assume it will be some type of age restrictions on it obviously. We’re looking for you know, mid teens or early teen. Hoffman: Yeah probably sophomore, junior, senior, yeah. Smith: Yeah. I just think it’s a great perspective to have. Daniel: Dan. Campion: I think it sounds like a great idea. So would you contact maybe student government bodies or? Hoffman: Yeah, there’s a variety of ways that we’d do it. Campion: Get the word out. Hoffman: Yeah. 16 Park and Rec Commission - August 12, 2008 Daniel: Glenn? Stolar: Equally supportive and I think as I mentioned previously, we did it in Eden Prairie. It was not so successful there. The 2 years, 3 years I served on the board there. I think maybe 1 of the 3 students that served over the 3 years really participated. But then in Minnetonka I served on a commission there for the school board. We’ve had student members for 3 years there and they are just phenomenal. They are just active. Very, and unfortunately both of them graduated this year so we’ve got to find 2 as good as they were but I mean they were on for 2 years and then the previous year actually I joined late so I didn’t know if there was a student member on it but they were just phenomenal in helping giving input. Hoffman: Community Ed? Stolar: No, this was in the teaching and learning advisory committee to the school board. So yeah, I’ve seen it work. So I think Mitch’s research is correct. You’ve seen it work well and you’ve seen it not work so well. I think it would take effort and, but I think we should do it. I think it’s worth a try. If after a couple of years it doesn’t work, fine. As far as whether all commissions need to do it, you know maybe it’s worth doing it with one first and seeing if it works. If we can get the response. I think something like Park and Rec, people are going to be interested. You know Eden Prairie I just think it happen to be the wrong people at the wrong time. Hoffman: Yeah. Probably Environmental and Park and Rec would be the most natural. Planning Commission’d be a little dry. Stolar: Unless someone knows right now they want to be a city planner. Hoffman: That’s right. Daniel: Civil engineering. Steve. Scharfenberg: No, I think it’s a good idea. It sounds like again it’s going to be hit and miss on how you do it but I think it’s something that’s beneficial. Daniel: Tom? Kelly: I’m iffy on it. I’m basing a lot on, I mean if I read into Mitch Johnson’s conclusions, it sounds like he wasn’t too positive about it at the end. It seems to be, it didn’t seem to work. It didn’t seem to work most of the time so I’m not really excited about it. I don’t think I would want this person to have a voting say on the commission at all. Hoffman: I think the most value would come in perspective. Kelly: Okay. 17 Park and Rec Commission - August 12, 2008 Daniel: Would be input and I couldn’t agree with you more Tom. I think it’s a great idea. I think there should be somebody representing the, that age segment. We are blessed with 3 schools within our school district, let along the private schools that we can certainly tap and solicit and get applications for I think what should be a 1 year term. Whether it be with age limits, 16 through 18. And I do also do agree with you Tom that they wouldn’t be a voting member but they’d be a very active and vocal participant in this process. But and if anything, based off of 3 schools and 4 if you include right now Southwest but I think they’re moving. But that would be a great opportunity I think for those who are interested in government to really, truly participate as far as both input and I think we really do need to do a good perspective from the youth on some of the activities, especially in recreation. And more importantly they certainly will give us some input that many times I’m sure were overlooked and even though if some of us have teenage kids, as you know as parents, don’t listen very well. So they will at least get their voice heard on recreation programs. And again maybe on some of the other, would it be CIP or park programs. Areas that they may see as an issue. They can certainly bring a different perspective and I think a positive perspective so if we do, if we were to move forward, which I hope we would, after some good planning, then we’ll definitely need to work closely I think with both Minnetonka, Chaska, and eventually Chanhassen on these programs, and tap those students. Actually I suppose it’s primarily Chanhassen because I think all of Chaska will go to Chaska, correct? So it’d just basically be Chanhassen and Minnetonka I should say. So Chanhassen, Minnetonka and I know there’d be a lot of. Hoffman: …Chanhassen, whatever school they go to. Daniel: Whatever school they go to but you know again, we have access to those student body populations and those interested in government to participate in these and I think environmental would be very hot and probably a first for everybody. Park and Recreation, I would hope that we’d get somebody who is really interested in wanting to participate, and again reading through Mitch’s report here, there were some hits and misses and we may have that as well. But I think if we get enough applicants. If we do enough outreach to schools as well as any other student body in this, student body population within the school, or within the city here, we should be able to find I think some good applicants so. Stolar: Quick comment on the voting. I think Eden Prairie did an advisory vote so they got to vote so they felt like they were a part of it but their vote didn’t count in the official tally. It was always kept, it was noted the student member voted this. Kelly: That’s a good idea. Stolar: That way they don’t feel like they’re left out. It’s hard to get them to discuss if they don’t get to vote too. Hoffman: And we’d always give them a time during you know like commissioner presentations they’d have a student commissioner presentation so they could come and bring ideas. Hopefully that’s what they’re really going to do is bring a lot of ideas. This is what the kids are talking about. 18 Park and Rec Commission - August 12, 2008 Stolar: Say John you work a lot with you know teenagers. Is this something you think they would be interested in? Stutzman: I think the commission’s touched on it quite a bit. I think it really depends on the personality of the people that are approached. Based on the kids that I’ve worked with that are involved in the park and rec as both employees or the ones that are volunteers, or even the baseball players that I know, they’re all very sports heavy so I don’t know that, one that they would, my first concern would be the time to do something like this would be a concern. But then again they’re so active in so many things that I wouldn’t say that they would be the people that I would see coming forward for something like this. I think it’s been touched on that this is a very unique and could be a very beneficial idea but in reading through Mitch’s proposal as well, I kind of some of it, like he was a little unsure, kind of where, which way to go and I guess I kind of feel the same way. It’s tough to say in advance what would be the outcome. I think it would, as you mentioned, completely depend on the personality of those that were chosen but as Chair Daniel said, you know with so many resources that’s also a benefit that we would have as well. Daniel: So is there any motion at all you want me to do Todd? Hoffman: I would make a motion to recommend that the City Council consider this program. Daniel: Anyone? Stolar: So moved. Daniel: Yeah, why don’t we make an official motion to move recommendation of youth representation to the Park and Recreation Commission. Scharfenberg: And would that be something that would be effective this coming, starting this coming fall or? Hoffman: Probably April of 2009. Stolar: I guess that’s one question, given a school year situation, you would eliminate the role of a senior. And I’m not saying that that’s bad because sometimes seniors are getting ready for college and all that stuff and lose their interest. Hoffman: Yeah, they would have to be a freshman, sophomore, junior at that point. Stolar: Right. So is that, do we want to do it in conjunction with that, or in conjunction with the school year? Scharfenberg: I would say in conjunction with, I kind of like that. That it’s just during the school year. Kelly: School year, yeah. September to May. 19 Park and Rec Commission - August 12, 2008 Hoffman: They’re going to be here, you’re going to want them here during the summer as well. So if you bring them on in April, it’s just. Daniel: Should we do a September through August? Hoffman: A senior’s going to be leaving. The seniors would leave in April and go onto graduation and the juniors would come in in May of their. Daniel: I think you’d have to do it from August through July because if we have a meeting end of August, typically they’re already, many schools are, many of the students will be off to school. College. Smith: He’s saying that as a junior, or as a sophomore you’d start in May and work through that summer and then you’d be done the end of your junior or your senior year. Daniel: Your senior year. Okay. Hoffman: We’ll come up with a recommendation. Stolar: But for a one year term. We’re recommending it be a one year term. Advisory vote. Daniel: Yep. Okay. Hoffman: Stolar moved. Campion: Second. Stolar moved, Campion seconded that the Park and Recreation Commission recommend that the City Council consider having youth representation on the Park and Recreation Commission for one year with an advisory vote. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 6 to 0. Stolar: Is Mitch gone now? He’s probably back at school. Stutzman: No, Mitch has graduated. He’s still with us for another few weeks. Stolar: Thank him for the work. Hoffman: You bet. 2008/09 OUTDOOR HOCKEY/SKATING RINK PROGRAM. Ruegemer: Kind of looking at getting our winter newsletter information here put together. As part of that process we will be advertising our skating rink locations and schedule here for the upcoming year. Our information I believe is due. 20 Park and Rec Commission - August 12, 2008 th Stutzman: September 5. th Ruegemer: September 5. So we’re working on that right now. That schedule. I’d like to review that with the council tonight. The schedule is, it’s identical to last year’s schedule but I’d like to take a look at adding a possible rink location at Rice Marsh Lake. That would be a real simple rink area. Kind of hit another pocket of our population that is maybe challenged a little bit by physical boundaries with Highway 5 and some other areas. And basically you know there used to be rinks down in that area and kind of through the process it kind of disappeared and focused more on community type of rink locations. But with the addition of Chanhassen Hills in the past, other neighborhood areas, we’re looking at you know staff is, would like to discuss tonight with the commission about the possibility of adding the Rice Marsh Lake location to the 2008 and 2009 schedule. So that is the recommendation to the commission to consider tonight. Scharfenberg: Jerry you said that, in your report that there’s been requests. Is that, I know last year we didn’t have one at Rice Marsh so have those people kind of resurfaced and said yeah, we want? Ruegemer: No, I think just through general conversations with you know pockets of the population. Hoffman: Kids that said they used it every day when it was there. Most every day and what happened to our rink. Stolar: That was one though that it came in fairly low in the numbers. Ruegemer: Yeah it did. Campion: But you would do so without the, without a warming house? Ruegemer: Correct. Hoffman: It never had one. Stolar: We did a couple, a few years ago we did what, we did Rice Marsh, Chanhassen Hills and one other one. Hoffman: Pheasant. Stolar: Yeah, as a test and you know the counts. It was a bad winter but they counts were not great, except for Chan Hills was okay but because it had lights we decided. Hoffman: And a warming house, yeah. Stolar: Chan Hills didn’t have a warming house. 21 Park and Rec Commission - August 12, 2008 Hoffman: Not that year? Scharfenberg: No. Stolar: No. Ruegemer: It has had a warming house in the past. Stolar: But it also has the lights right there so it was able to be used at night a little bit easier than, so we decided to keep that one and not Rice Marsh. Scharfenberg: I guess I’m fine with adding Rice Marsh if people expressed a concern and wish to have that. We can watch it again and see what sort of activity we get down there. Daniel: I guess my only comment on Rice Marsh. Is there any issues with regards to water runoff or melt off in the spring? Hoffman: No. Daniel: And I know that area has been many times horrendous, because obviously it’s marsh. They built on top of for water drainage. Now it’s fine? Scharfenberg: Just flood the field now. Campion: What’s the cost of adding one of those warming house trailers? Hoffman: It’s an opportunity cost. We don’t do other things so you’re not adding additional costs. It’s the same people doing, they’re just not doing something else. Trails might not be plowed as early that day. You’re just pushing other things off. It’s an investment of time. Scharfenberg: But did you ask about a warming house? Campion: Yeah, warming house sorry. I was just thinking of the Chanhassen Hills Park, if that was used more. Ruegemer: What’s the average? 12. 1,200-1,500. Stutzman: Yeah, it’s $1,200 to $1,500 plus the staffing for that. Scharfenberg: So yeah, I would say. Hoffman: That’d be a lonely rink attendant. Scharfenberg: Yeah. 22 Park and Rec Commission - August 12, 2008 Ruegemer: Plus that are I think we don’t have the necessarily, I’ll call it infrastructure either for 220 power for the heaters, that sort of thing so there’d be additional costs for that so. Campion: Okay. Just asking. Daniel: Okay. Scharfenberg: I would propose adopting staff’s recommendation for 2008-2009 ice skating rink locations. With the inclusion of Rice Marsh Lake. Daniel: Second? Smith: Second. Scharfenberg moved, Smith seconded that the Park and Recreation Commission recommend the City Council approve the following ice skating rink locations for the 2008/09 season. Chanhassen Rec. Center-Warming House North Lotus Park-Warming House 1 - Family Rink 1 - Family Rink 2 - Hockey Rinks 1 - Hockey Rink City Center Park-Warming House Roundhouse Park-Warming House 1 - Family Rink 1 - Family Rink 1 - Hockey Rink Chanhassen Hills Park Rice Marsh Lake Park 1 - Family Rink 1 - Family Rink All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 6 to 0. RECREATION PROGRAM REPORTS: TH 2008 4 OF JULY CELEBRATION EVALUATION. Stutzman: Thank you Chair Daniels. While this feels like forever ago at this point, even though it was only a month ago, it was quite the celebration. I’d just like to start off by thanking all the staff and all the commission members for all their help and input on this celebration. It was a very fun celebration. It was great to be a part of it and of the four celebrations that I’ve been a part of so far in my various roles with the city, this was quite an event so. Overall it was up from the past few years. Staff estimates as far as people, I would say we probably had about 10,000 rdth people there on the night of the 3. About 12,000 to 15,000 there for the parade on the 4 and then probably about another 10,000 in Lake Ann Park watching down the fireworks so, attendance was very, very impressive. It was very packed all the time which was wonderful to see on such a milestone celebration for us and anniversary that what it was and just to see it all come together was really cool with that many people. We did have a lot of things going on this 23 Park and Rec Commission - August 12, 2008 year. Overall events were up significantly. Probably the most notable that I heard some rd feedback from commission members on the night of the 3, as well as from staff members, was having the Chan Jam winners out there. I thought that was, I personally thought that was a wonderful addition. I think the band that was able to participate this year was fantastic, and I look to continue to do this in the future just because I really think this personifies a community event that we have by inviting the local musicians to help us open up the celebration. And as I said, Karmel did a wonderful, wonderful job of playing to the crowd. I think it shows a lot of intelligence on their’s when they thought, when they added the Purple Rain to their set list. To know their audience of who to play with so. They were also very, very professional to work with which was, I mean they were on time. They were there. They were ready. Did everything we asked of them which was really cool so that was a really fun event. Other big and very notable additions this year was the new location of the Taste of Chanhassen as well as the car show on th July 4. The car show, lots and lots of feedback about the location. That it was a fantastic location for the car show. Centralized it more. Brought it in with everything else. Lot of feedback. Clark Horn, the person from the Rotary who chairs this event was raving about the location. Few things to continue to work with as far as signage and just kind of getting a little bit more awareness about the move I think will come in the future but I think it’s a nice piece with the Taste as well. Some of the feedback from the vendors was they did prefer to be along the parade route. My feelings towards this, as well as I believe the rest of the staff is, that a lot of this year was just a one year kind of getting them used to you know hey, they’re not gone. They’re just in a new spot and I believe that it will be just fine next year in this location. I think th as the celebration as a whole it’s much more beneficial having the Taste up there on the 4. It definitely pleased the carnival company. Their numbers were significantly up and they were very pleased with how things went this year so I would continue to do that up there and I do believe that now that people are accustomed to that being up there, I don’t think there will be any th concerns with that in the future. The other new additions this year were the live music on the 4 th and the 25 anniversary mini-carnival out at Lake Ann. The mini-carnival was a very nice success. Didn’t really know what to expect out of this one but had some people there mainly prior to the fireworks. The early hours were a little tough but the later hours were very, very well attended. The problem, the small problem with this was just finding people to staff at the volunteer group that I coordinated kind of had a late rush to help us out a little bit but weren’t quite able to commit quite what I had hoped, but it was a nice addition for the anniversary th celebration. As was the live music up here at City Center Park on the 4. Items next year that I think are going to need some consideration is just removing a few events that I kept for this year for the purpose of the anniversary celebration but in the future I don’t, I think the way the celebration is growing there’s no need for these just due to the lack of current interest in these. Tommy’s Concessions. One of the concessions that we brought in. We had a small problem with them and I think it’s easiest just to part ways but with that we also lose Kaptain Kirby’s Train Ride because they are owned by the same people. I don’t foresee this being an issue because I have talked to the carnival company already to expand the carnival to make up for that, and they were all for that. They were very excited about getting more opportunity to bring a few more rides in, and they even commented to me saying that was one of the things that they had noticed so I don’t anticipate that being a problem. Stolar: Would they be looking at trying to bring in a young kids ride that? 24 Park and Rec Commission - August 12, 2008 Stutzman: Actually it would be just the opposite. We do have several younger kids rides out there. We actually don’t have enough older kids rides. Out of the I believe 10 rides they had, I believe 4 were currently for the younger kids. Including this year the kiddie coaster that they brought in, which was a very nice addition as well. So, but we can definitely coordinate that to figure out which way it will serve us best. Right now we’re talking about bringing in 3 additional rides so, and we can mix and match however we need to do. Mostly just to keep the lines down as they were quite packed back in that area so that has been talked with them as well. The other addition is the free throw contest. I just believe that one is declining in interest each year. I mean it’s, this year it was for about 10 minutes they had about 15-20 kids out there. It was done in 20 minutes and that was that. As I said I kept it this year because we didn’t want to take anything away for the celebration this year, but in the future I just think we can reallocate the prize funds that we do and the man hours that we put into that and reallocate them somewhere else better. In the better interest of the celebration overall so. Stolar: Do you have, where’s the chalk contest? Stutzman: Chalk It Up is in the hockey rink next to the skate park. That continues to be a success. It’s not as full as it used to be but we continue to get 35 to 40 people. Very, very creative designs each year and I do enjoy that and I think that is a very nice aspect that offers a different sort of aspect of the celebration. Offering that artistic and creative side of things so that one I do believe is still beneficial to the celebration. Other things that I would like to do in the future, as I mentioned, expanding the carnival area and I have contacted them as well in putting this. They actually contacted me first with the offer of a 3 year contract to stay involved for the next 3 years. We’re working out the details of how exactly that would work right now but I have told them you know we are interested in bringing them back once again next year and we’re just trying to make or work through all the details of who wants what and make sure we get everything spelled out if we were to go with a 3 year contract on them as well. The other thing that we looked at expand that staff has talked about is expanding the fishing contest. The adult fishing contest. Making that a 3 hour contest starting at 7:00 and going until 10:00 a.m. Every year this is full. We have to decline people because we just don’t have the capacity. Even this year with the increased registration fee, it was packed and I had to turn people away so adding this, adding a little bit more time to this and allowing them a little bit more time to participate in th a nice activity like this on a, hopefully continued nice days on the 4, I think is a nice addition as well. As far as the numbers go, we did report some of the highest revenues that I could find in any of the records for the past few years. Just based on the increased carnivals, or carnival revenue which was up to $3,500 this year which was up about $1,300 from last year so they were very busy this year. T-shirt sales were through the roof this year. We had a monster, or we had the highest t-shirt sales I found out of any year this year which was very cool to see. So I think partly the pre-sales helped with that as well since we did start a month in advance and I think the two colors also helped as well so. Stolar: And the varied sizes because when I was selling them, there were a lot of kids came by looking at them too so I think that helped. Stutzman: Yep. So that was really nice to see the revenue obviously with the anniversary. The expenses were up as well but for the most part they were, what they were expected to be so there 25 Park and Rec Commission - August 12, 2008 was nothing out of the ordinary with the expenses so. Overall once again it was a wonderful celebration and the notes have already started being compiled for next year and looking forward to another one next year. Any questions on anything? Campion: One thing I noticed was, during the parade is, it’s difficult to get to the Taste of Chan area and the carnival rides. However if you got there with a young kid or young kids it was great because you could have your pick of the rides with no lines and the food and all that but during the parade I think most of that area sat idle for you know it was a few hours or so, so I don’t know if there’s any way to design access to that. Because from where most of the parking is, to get in there and over to that area during the parade is next to impossible so I don’t know if that. Stutzman: That is something we can look into. All of the vendors were, from the carnival to the food vendors were kind of informed you know hey, from 2:30 to 4:00 don’t expect a whole lot because they’re going to be watching the parade. And all of them understood that and went into that understanding. However I can see you know offering that opportunity to at least give them, if they’ve seen part of the parade or need to move on, is a possibility that we can look into. Campion: Yeah it was just an observation. Stolar: A note on the kids extending or having a second set of wrist bands for the earlier times for younger kids I think you’ve got to press for that because it was really, yeah. I mean and we talked a little bit about this I think when we did our tour in July that it’d just be a lot easier if you go there in the afternoon to the early evening and your kids want to do the rides, they can get the wrist band and just go and do it. …multiple lines to go and get your tickets and then go. Stutzman: That is something that we are, I am negotiating with them right now is expanding their wrist bands into earlier in the evening. To start right away at the celebration so that is something that is being discussed. Stolar: Or having two separates. You know even one that says you know this is a wrist band, I’ve seen this happen where you have one that’s 5:00 to 8:00 and the ones for 8:00 to 11:00. And if you’re going to be there for 6 hours, you buy two. But you use different colors to. Stutzman: We are also looking into the possibility of pre-sales as well. As far as selling the wrist bands prior to, to keep the lines down so the concern that the carnival company has is that people might lose it and they kind of said you know, it’s kind of catch-22. They either, their idea was you know we can give them a ticket and then they can go stand in line the night of. I said well that doesn’t solve any problems so. They said well what if they lose it? I said well you know, it’s kind of a catch-22. You buy it early. Take a chance of losing it. If you don’t buy it early, you stand in line so. Those are all details that we are kind of looking at right now to help improve that experience for the carnival since it is obviously a growing part of our celebration right now. Campion: I’d like to just add a comment though. I mean this is my first year attending and with my one year old daughter and it was amazing. It was quite the show and I’ll definitely encourage my extended family to attend in the future years so, great job. 26 Park and Rec Commission - August 12, 2008 Stolar: And I had comments. I saw a couple of neighbors that this was the first year that they stayed in town and the first time they went and they were like, oh my gosh. This was great. Kelly: It was great. Oh I did receive a couple comments from, when we were working in the booth on, about the dancers and I kind of agree with your comment that, I mean it was okay to happen this year but I don’t think that’s a necessity to keep having that as part of the show. Because some of the neighbors were questioning that. Stutzman: Yeah, I think it was a nice addition for the anniversary but not necessary to continue. I think that it wasn’t exactly what I had anticipated. I didn’t anticipate that they would be going on for the full half hour either. I think there was going to be a down time so that is one thing that as I mentioned that I just, it was fun but I think we can kind of go, continue to highlight CBO instead. Stolar: Speaking also, in the back you couldn’t hear Mayor Furlong at all. And even when the band was signing, it seemed like the mic’s for the voices were not actually up enough for you to hear as well as the rest of the band. Daniel: Steve? Scharfenberg: No. Good job John. Stutzman: Thank you. Daniel: Yeah, and I’d say John it was fantastic. Just a couple questions I have. How we’d do on the fund raising? Or the raffle. Stutzman: The fund raising for the raffle we did $1,400. That was listed on the prize board. Daniel: Oh, okay. Stutzman: So we did $1,400 which was up as well from last year so. Daniel: Okay, it was? Stolar: Where did that go? Did we donate that this year? Stutzman: To the Huffman Foundation, yep. Stolar: Okay. Kelly: That’s an improvement, and maybe I just missed it. People would ask, kept asking me where this money was going for the raffle tickets and I pretty much said, me. The Park and Rec Board. I didn’t know so. So it’d be nice to have a sign that kind of saying, donate, just say where the money’s going so people know what they’re… 27 Park and Rec Commission - August 12, 2008 Campion: There were signs weren’t there? Stutzman: There were some signs out there. They weren’t huge signs. They were. Stolar: How about debriefing the park staff as well. Daniel: Like I said, it was fantastic. Again another success. Everyone I talked to absolutely had a blast. In fact I had so much fun I got to leave at 9:00 as soon as the shift was over because it was becoming too much fun. But it was great. I absolutely love the concept of having the band, a band beforehand. I wouldn’t even hesitate even having a second band before them. I mean really because depending upon when it falls on, whether it be a weekend or a Friday or Thursday even where people are getting off work early. They’re going up early and obviously, I got there at 5:00 and it was practically packed. You know so, and I think they started at 5:30. Stutzman: They started at 6:30. Daniel: Or 6:30, okay. So I mean. Stutzman: No, 6:00 pardon me. Daniel: Okay. So even having you know, even the second place possibly playing, if at all interested, but still I think that was just a great concept. They were fun. Everyone, at all ages complimented how well they played and again that’s, you’ll only know what you get based on who went to Chan Jam, and what that music will be playing. This year happened to roll just the perfect combination. They did a great job. If crowd size didn’t feel like it, which I think is a compliment as well. So you didn’t feel like it was too packed. The lines weren’t, I mean again from an adult perspective, not too long for anything that you wanted to do, including the bathrooms, which was again more bathrooms the merrier. That seemed to be an old stereotype that got push away now. I mean you have to wait once, that’s about it. Or one person so that was good. That was well planned. What more can I say? Unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to see the parade this year but regardless my parents were there and they said they had, it was really th well done and very well organized so again compliments to another successful, especially 25 th anniversary celebration and I’m looking forward to 26. So I realize that we’re starting to plan out and quite frankly I’m much more comfortable talking about this than ice house breaks in August but you’re right, we’ve got to do what we got to do. You can almost feel the chill coming down right now so, but again John and Jerry and Todd, the entire staff and all those who participated and helped for this celebration, I want to obviously thank you guys and I know the commission would like to thank you because it is just another continued success and it’s a nice to have a blueprint that we can work off of year after year and more importantly instead of having to regress, we’re able to grow and that’s I think positive. And I guess the only last comment, how were we compared to budget? Stutzman: To budget, we were on budget. Daniel: Fantastic. That’s great. 28 Park and Rec Commission - August 12, 2008 Stutzman: And with the increased revenues, that helped significantly so. Daniel: Okay. Stutzman: But we were within the budgeted amount so. Daniel: Excellent. Stutzman: Chairman Daniel, one other thing I’d like to add too, since you touched on the music th there. Actually one of the bands that we had play on the 4 from Chan Jam as well was probably even better than Karmel was actually. They didn’t even, they weren’t even top 3 as far as the recognition from Chan Jam. They were one of my personal favorites but I mean they really stole thth the show on the 4. They played on the 4 and were absolutely unbelievable and they’re all freshman at Minnetonka actually so they will be, I would go ahead and say they will be the winners next year. I mean it would be very difficult to beat next year. th Daniel: Okay. Well great. Any other comments with regards to the 4 of July? Is there anything else anybody would like to add? Todd, your staff at all? Alright, well let’s, again thank you John. Wonderful job. Jerry and everybody else. Already looking forward to summer more so than ice rinks. Of next year 2009. FALL SOFTBALL LEAGUE REPORT. Ruegemer: Just real quick. The fall softball season did start tonight out at Lake Ann. Hopefully we were playing through the rain. I’m hoping. Had my fingers crossed, but ended up with leagues on Tuesday and Thursday night. Start tonight. Go through, what was it the third week in September with that. Just abbreviated schedule. 12 more games. Seems to be excited to be out there again and get out there before the snow flies and that’s really about it. Really not much more to add. Daniel: Okay. DAVE HUFFMAN 5K MEMORIAL RUN REPORT. Daniel: And then the Dave Huffman Memorial Race. That’s the next event for the city here. I suppose the triathlon will be this weekend but I guess after that. Ruegemer: Yep, as a race committee have been meeting more frequently with that. Shirts were ordered this year. A lot of the details, sponsors have been secured. Just kind of keep moving forward with that. A lot of the key players still involved with the race and that sort of thing and so just looking to advertise more. Get additional runners with that. Everything else is kind of falling into place as far as, you know around safety standpoint and other types of facets to the race. Did change the entry fee a little bit this year. We did increase that. We also then added a family race this year as well to make it a little bit more cheaper if you had multiple family members running so. That’s about it for now. 29 Park and Rec Commission - August 12, 2008 Kelly: Can I ask you a quick question? St. Hubert’s is having a 5K this weekend. Are you advertising this run in, at their run or not? Ruegemer: We have not at this point. Daniel: That’s a real question… What actually, the money raised for the memorial, Dave Huffman Memorial Fund, what do those funding, what does that funding go to? Ruegemer: The revenue raised from the race? Daniel: Yeah, what do they use that? Ruegemer: It goes to a number of different. It goes normally to the Boy Scouts. We’ve donated to the Landscape Arboretum in the past. Most recently now the last about 2 or 3, 4 years now we’ve donated $1,000 to the student scholarship fund for the Chamber of Commerce. So then students then get a scholarship to go onto going to college. Daniel: Okay, great. Ruegemer: That’s really been my, that’s been a real big kind of push of mine was get involved in the students scholarships for education because it was important to Dave and his family so. Daniel: Okay, great. Alright, thank you Jerry. ADMINISTRATIVE: RE-SCHEDULING OF SEPTEMBER MEETING. Daniel: It looks like administratively we have a re-scheduling of the September meeting from rdth the 23 Todd to the 16. Hoffman: Correct. I’ll answer any questions. I know we’ve been juggling meetings around this summer and we’re asking for one more. Kelly: Going to bump up against your tee time I guess huh for Brainerd? Hoffman: We will be departing for Brainerd Tuesday. And if we depart after this meeting… Daniel: No problem. Is it Madden’s? Ruegemer: Craggen’s. Daniel: Alright, well enjoy it. I know you guys will look forward to it and I’m sure bring back all sorts of new ideas. Hoffman: Do we have your approval? 30 Park and Rec Commission - August 12, 2008 th Daniel: Absolutely. Well so far my schedule’s, I know on the 16 is clear. Stolar: Actually it might work out well because Terry may actually be going up to that so I may need to be home. So could work out. Daniel: Okay. Anything else Todd you would like to discuss or point out with regards to administrative section beyond what we’ve discussed? Hoffman: Administrative packet, any questions? Safety Camp. A juvenile wrote an apology for burning a trash can. A note on snowmobiling from a resident. And then lots of news about dogs lately in both Minneapolis and Minnetonka. Daniel: Okay. Thank you very much. COMMISSION MEMBER PRESENTATIONS: Scharfenberg: The only other thing I’d like to note is, I attended this last Thursday, the last Lyrics in the Park session. It was very well attended. I commend again the staff for putting that on. I think it’s a wonderful use of City Center Park. Bringing the community together with music and I just think it’s, I encourage staff to continue that into the future because I think that’s a wonderful opportunity for the community and it’s a good use of our park. Hoffman: And another good use is the Barkus Parade which is on. Ruegemer: Next weekend. Hoffman: Did we talk about that? Ruegemer: I just handle it. Not tonight. But 150ish, 200 people were involved with that. Sue Bill with our Senior Center sold biscuits, dog biscuits. Bones. So it was kind of a fund raiser for the senior center. So yeah, just worked with Jen and Kitty in our library staff with that and they’re very excited and pleased with the numbers that were down there. They had the Teddy Bear Band play after the parade itself so, and I think the numbers were down a little bit for the parade itself but 50 to 80 I think I heard but, I think it was well received. Nice day. Hoffman: Farmers market continues on Saturdays, right up to October so now is the harvest season. Make sure to come on down on Saturday and visit the farmers market. Daniel: Excellent. One more Todd, Veterans memorial. Hoffman: Monument, yep. Spoke to Gary Boyle today and he’s ready to go and he’s going to give me a call back tomorrow and let me know what his schedule is. He wants to break ground. Daniel: Excellent. And I did speak with Kevin. The painting is just about done. So it only took him, I think he’s on week number 3 ½ which is very, very long for him. 31 Park and Rec Commission - August 12, 2008 Hoffman: Yeah, that’s impressive. Daniel: And I do believe they’re trying to put together some thoughts so I think at some point as far as promotional side, raising awareness, and I guess in general kicking off both from a PR standpoint and then putting together I guess a plan. Hoffman: The unveiling, absolutely. Daniel: Yeah. Again more importantly with the PR. Local news. All that as far as where funding’s going to go. Not only for the local monument, which is where it started out, but also raising money for the American Legion and the VFW so, that should take place fairly quickly here. So I think at some point if you talk to Gary, you may want to have him touch base with Kevin so they can sort of, because Kevin’s not a marker. But he’s certainly getting ready, he’s excited about this. And from what I heard it’s pretty amazing. At one point he had 2 or 3, and I’ve only heard about this, National Guardsmen in his backyard fully dressed. Yeah, in full fatigues and weapons and certainly created a stir amongst the neighbors and the golfers so. He said it was very interesting but at the end it worked out perfect and he got exactly what he was looking for and so as they start to move forward, this should be able to cover any costs that they will be shortfalled, and then some. For the American Legion as well as the memorial, so just an update. Hoffman: You guys familiar with Kevin Daniel? Artist. Daniel: Yeah, local artist as well as my uncle, as you can tell. Alright, anything else? Alright. Motion to adjourn. Scharfenberg moved, Campion seconded to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 6 to 0. The Park and Recreation Commission meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Submitted by Todd Hoffman Park and Rec Director Prepared by Nann Opheim 32