PRC SUM 2009 10 27
CHANHASSEN PARK AND
RECREATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
SUMMARY MINUTES
OCTOBER 27, 2009
Chairman Daniel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Jeff Daniel, Glenn Stolar, Steve Scharfenberg, Scott Wendt and Elise
Ryan
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Tom Kelly and Thor Smith
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Hoffman, Park and Rec Director; Jerry Ruegemer, Recreation
Superintendent; Greg Sticha, Finance Director; John Stutzman, Recreation Supervisor; and Dale
Gregory, Park Superintendent
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Michelle & Grace Laurent 8115 Erie Circle
Kelly Dunn 7001 Mill Creek Lane
Laura Hemken
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:Scharfenberg moved, Wendt seconded to approve the agenda
which was amended to include an update from Commissioner Ryan on the Youth Summit
and discussion regarding town baseball under Commission Member Presentations. 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: Stolar moved, Scharfenberg seconded to approve the
verbatim and summary minutes of the Park and Recreation Commission meeting dated
September 22, 2009 as presented.
PARK AND TRAIL ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT FINANCING, GREG STICHA, FINANCE DIRECTOR.
Greg Sticha provided an overview of the long term financial planning documents related to the
park and recreation commission, the park dedication fund history and projected future
performance of the park dedication fund which predicts a fund balance of approximately zero in
2014. Todd Hoffman clarified that the long range total estimated capacity to earn revenue in
park dedication is somewhere between $20 and $40 million dollars before the city is fully built
out. Commissioner Stolar asked about the assumptions used to project future revenues and Mr.
Sticha’s feeling on long term investments at this time. Commissioner Wendt asked the Finance
Park and Rec Commission Summary – October 27, 2009
Director to comment on the Park and Rec Commission’s current 5 year CIP plan. Commissioner
Ryan asked if there are ways to fund the park dedication fund other than through new
development.
RECOMMENDATION CONCERNING 2009/10 ICE SKATING RINK PROGRAM.
John Stutzman presented the staff report on this item which recommends closing ice skating
rinks at Roundhouse Park, Chanhassen Hills Park and Rice Marsh Lake Park. Chair Daniel
opened the meeting for public comment. Michelle Laurent, 8115 Erie Circle voiced her support
for keeping the ice skating rink open at Richard Marsh Lake Park. Kelly Dunn, President of the
neighborhood association for Cimarron, shared emails from Skip Peltier, Executive Director of
the Herb Brooks Foundation and residents within their neighborhood requesting that the ice
skating rinks at Roundhouse Park remain open with a compromise of not paying for a rink
attendant at the warming house. Grace Laurent, 8115 Erie Circle stated that keeping the ice
skating rinks is a positive outlet for people noting there are a lot of hockey players in their
neighborhood who would be at this meeting but they had hockey practice. Commissioner Ryan
asked about the City’s liability with not having rink attendants. Dale Gregory reviewed the
schedule for starting up and maintaining the city’s ice skating rinks. Commission members
discussed which rinks to close and options for saving money before making the following
motion.
Stolar moved, Ryan seconded that the Park and Recreation Commission recommend that
the City Council approve the following ice skating rink locations for the 2009/10 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
With Limited Attendant Hours
1 – Family Rink
1 – Hockey Rink 1 – Family Rink
Rice Marsh Lake Park with
Limited Maintenance
1 – Family Rink
All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
RECREATION PROGRAM REPORTS:
2009 RESERVATION PICNIC SITE EVALUATION.
Jerry Ruegemer presented the staff
report on this item. Commissioner Scharfenberg asked about maintenance or updates needed.
Commissioner Ryan suggested keeping reservations over the telephone to provide more
information to potential users versus online reservations.
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Park and Rec Commission Summary – October 27, 2009
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
ACCESSIBLE SIDEWALKS/TRAILS FOR PEDESTRIANS WITH DISABILITIES, U.S.
ACCESS BOARD.
1. PEDESTRIANS THAT USE WHEELCHAIRS.
2. PEDESTRIANS WITH AMBULATORY IMPAIRMENTS.
Todd Hoffman presented the staff report on this issue before showing a short video on
pedestrians who use wheelchairs. Commissioner Scharfenberg asked about the curb work being
down in the downtown. Commissioner Stolar asked about the letter dated July 14, 2009 from the
Department of Natural Resources addressing ADA issues.
COMMISSION MEMBER COMMITTEE REPORTS.
Commissioner Ryan reported on the
th
Youth Summit that she attended October 10 and asked for an update on the status of bringing
town baseball back into the community. Chairman Daniel and Commissioner Ryan volunteered
to be on the Board which is being organized to bring back town baseball to Chanhassen.
ADMINISTRATIVE PACKET.
Commissioner Scharfenberg asked for clarification on the
volunteer and service award nominations. Chair Daniel asked for an update on the Halloween
Party.
Commissioner Scharfenberg moved, Chair Daniel seconded to nominate Dale Rusch for the
Volunteer and Service Awards. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously
with a vote of 5 to 0.
Scharfenberg moved, Wendt 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 9:45 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Hoffman
Park and Rec Director
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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