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07-27-2021-prc-sumCHANHASSEN PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES JULY 27, 2021 Chairman Tsuchiya called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Karl Tsuchiya, Matt Kutz, Jim Peck, Heather Markert, Don Vasatka, and Scott Fischer. Sandy Sweetser was present via Zoom. MEMBERS ABSENT: Chaehyun Lee,Youth Commissioner STAFF PRESENT: Jerry Ruegemer, Park and Recreation Director; Priya Tandon, Recreation Coordinator. PUBLIC PRESENT: None. APPROVAL OF AGENDA. Chair Tsuchiya asked to hear about Avienda during Old Business. Mr. Ruegemer will share an update. Commissioner Peck moved, Commissioner Kutz seconded to approve the agenda as presented. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS. None. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS. None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. APPROVE PARK & RECREATION MINUTES DATED JUNE 22, 2021 Commissioner Kutz moved, Commissioner Markert seconded to approve the Minutes of the Park and Recreation Commission Meeting dated June 22, 2021 as presented. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0. NEW BUSINESS. DISCUSS CONCEPT OF PARK AND RECREATION REFERENDUM Park and Recreation Director Jerry Ruegemer said at the June City Council work session meeting they had a discussion on a park referendum. It was also mentioned during the strategic plan presentation by Mayor Ryan and City Manager Hokkanen. He noted they are trying to listen to elected officials and residents and looking at how they can plan for the future in a responsible Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – July 27, 2021 2 way. He noted the Lake Ann Feasibility Study completed in 2019 and the Park Recreation System Plan in 2017, which are the guiding documents leading the City through the area of a potential referendum. Mr. Ruegemer gave a presentation on screen and noted action is not needed tonight but rather he is starting the dialogue. The objective of the referendum is the betterment and enhancement of the park system within Chanhassen. Referendum priorities may include a Lake Ann Park Expansion (trail network, bridges, boardwalk, nature feature), facility improvements such as the Rec Center or a new Community Center, an aquatic feature (splash pad, water playground), or athletic facility improvements (sport courts, ballfield, lighting, modern bathrooms). Mr. Ruegemer walked through historical park improvement funding sources which include Park Dedication Fees: for any new development building permits that come in are assessed a fee which funds different improvements within the parks. Currently, with the Arboretum Trail project, the current fund balance is much lower than normal; however, with Avienda coming up and Erhart Farm, they will collect some additional funding to replenish the fund a bit. The Park Equipment Fund was started 4-5 years ago with excess funds from the General Fund of $250,000 annually. The Pavement Management Fund dedicates about $70,000 annually to trail/park and parking improvements. In 2019, there was a community survey and about 8 in 10 residents strongly or somewhat supported a permanent tax levy of $250,000 annually to fund the repair and refurbishment of existing City parks equipment, structures, and playgrounds at about $22/year per household. Other questions included a ballot question that would approve a property tax increase of approximately $5 per month on a home valued at $430,000 (he believes it has been brought down to $400,000) for general improvements to a number of community parks. Again, 78% of people somewhat or strongly supported that which is a good indicator that there is an appetite for park improvements. Mr. Ruegemer gave history of referendums within the City of Chanhassen from 1969 until today and spoke about municipal special election timing. Mr. Ruegemer noted the next steps would be that the City Council will appoint a task force of typically 12 appointed members who will define the mission and goals, identify projects based on community desires, and make recommendations. Later this fall they may bring the item back before the Park and Recreation Commission to begin the process of moving it forward. The Commission discussed taking tours of various parks and trail systems and progress within the city. Commissioner Markert spoke about water parks and splash pads nearby and noted she takes her children to other cities and spends money within those communities. Mr. Kutz replied that is the point of the referendum, to find opportunities to be unique, so they are not like other communities, and then they can also bring people into Chanhassen. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – July 27, 2021 3 Mr. Ruegemer noted they hear about these different opportunities from residents, people desire it, and they would love to have those types of amenities within the city. He believes it is important for the business community to bring people in, and it would be a source of pride for the City. Commissioner Sweetser asked if in past referendums have there been discussions about projects and the potential revenue, for example, if there was a new rec center with volleyball courts. Is that revenue taken into account when a project is being considered? She thinks there could be some wonderful additions and perhaps there could be some revenue opportunities for the City. Mr. Ruegemer replied it really depends on what amenities are included within a referendum. If it was something they could charge admission for that would definitely be looked at. Perhaps if there are ways to offset the expenditures with revenue collected the City Council would be all for that. OLD BUSINESS. AVIENDA UPDATE Mr. Ruegemer updated the Commissioners on Avienda, which is a partnership with the owner of Lifetime Fitness on the corner of Powers Boulevard and Lyman Boulevard. The development will be mixed-use of retail, hospitality, medical, lifestyle, some housing; somewhat of a community upon community. He noted there was talk about an Arbor Lakes shopping/retail destination and since the pandemic hit they have backed off that a bit. The grading process has started and the developer is in the process of securing tenants for the development. REPORTS. 2021 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION EVALUATION Priya Tandon, Recreation Coordinator, highlighted the 38th annual 4th of July celebration. Attendance was slightly down from previous years but all things considered they had similar attendance to previous years. Activities included Family Night, water wars, carnival, business expo, vaudeville performance, kiddie games and kiddie parade, the Chalk It Up contest, skateboard competition. Ms. Tandon stated they also had a first aid tent and there were no big incidents but a few heat-related incidents occurred and were taken care of. They also had a nursing and baby-changing tent to make it as family-friendly as possible. Taste of Chanhassen and the Beer Garden were presented by the Rotary Club. There were also bands with live music and dancing. On July 4th they had a fishing contest, face painting, classic car show, parade, historic plane flyover, and a 21-minute fireworks display. Ms. Tandon noted many people and organizations presented the celebration, the Parks and Recreation Department, the Rotary Club, the Southwest Metro Chamber of Commerce, Chanhassen Fire, Carver County Sheriff, Carver County Parks, the Parks Maintenance Department, and many different sponsors, all on very short notice. She noted they are very appreciative and pleased with how everything came together. They received a lot of positive feedback and excitement that they were able to have the celebration this year. Looking ahead to Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – July 27, 2021 4 2022, they want to bring back the 2019 event components that they were not able to include in 2021 such as bingo, t-shirt sales, promotional magazine, pony-rides, and other things, as well as recruiting more local Chanhassen restaurants to participate in the Taste of Chanhassen. Ms. Tandon noted she attached an expense report which is not fully accurate as there are still numbers coming in, but it gives a good picture of what the event and budget looks like. Commissioner Markert suggested having an event map at entrances describing where bathrooms, ticket sales, etc., are located. She noted it was a great event. Ms. Tandon also noted they put a short survey up on their Facebook page after the event and received great constructive feedback. It is nice to see the subtle things that City staff may not notice but having other people suggest improvements for future years. Commissioner Sweetser missed draft beer sales. Mr. Ruegemer noted the Rotary feels it is a lot easier to do cans, and noted seltzer was extremely popular this year. Commissioner Fischer heard from some neighbors that getting out of the fireworks was pretty terrible and took some an hour to get out and get home. He said if there are efficiencies there they can work on, although one does not have a choice in where to park as they may be directed to a spot all the way to the back. Ms. Tandon stated that is something they are looking at to improve for next year. Commissioner Markert went over to the park development and suggested letting people know of other popular spots to watch the fireworks. Mr. Ruegemer noted they usually let people figure it out themselves. Commissioner Fischer suggested having the baseball lights on for people to get settled and then turn them off when fireworks begin. Ms. Tandon noted they can look into that for the next year. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMITTEE REPORTS. None. COMMISSION MEMBER PRESENTATIONS. Commissioner Kutz asked if they can start incorporating the associations into their meetings again if they are available. He enjoys hearing from baseball, soccer, and other associations. It is always good to hear their input on the park systems. Chair Tsuchiya asked if anything has happened with the mountain biking group. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – July 27, 2021 5 Mr. Ruegemer noted it is right along the Highway 212 right-of-way in Chaska. It is all built and dedicated and is pretty active. Chanhassen has not been approached as of now. ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS. None. ADJOURNMENT. Commissioner Markert moved, Commissioner Vasatka seconded to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0. The Park and Recreation Commission meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m. Submitted by Jerry Ruegemer Park and Recreation Director Prepared by Jean Steckling