03-22-2022 PRC MinutesCHANHASSEN PARK AND
RECREATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
MARCH 22, 2022
Chairman Tsuchiya called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Karl Tsuchiya, Jim Peck, Don Vasatka, Scott Fischer, Matt Kutz,
Heather Markert, Youth Commissioner Alex Jerdee.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Sandy Sweetser.
STAFF PRESENT: Priya Tandon, Recreation Coordinator; Jodi Sarles, Recreation Center
Manager; Adam Beers, Park Superintendent; Mitchell Czech, Recreation Supervisor; Mary
Blazanin, Senior Center Coordinator.
PUBLIC PRESENT: None.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA. Commissioner Kutz moved, Commissioner Peck 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.
Chairman Tsuchiya thanked Sandy Sweetser, noting her term on the PRC is coming to an end.
He congratulated Commissioner Kutz who was reappointed by the City Council and noted Dan
Eidsmo will be taking the vacant seat on the Commission.
VISITOR PRESENTATIONS. None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES.
APPROVE PARK & RECREATION MINUTES DATED JANUARY 25, 2022
Commissioner Kutz moved, Commissioner Markert seconded to approve the Minutes of
the Park and Recreation Commission Meeting dated January 25, 2022 as presented. All
voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0.
GENERAL BUSINESS.
1. Receive 2021 Park and Recreation Department Annual Report
Recreation Coordinator Priya Tandon shared the Annual Report. She summarized highlights of
the report and noted some of the revenues, expenses, program numbers, and attendance were a
bit lower in 2021 due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic although they were a little higher than
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2020. She stated most financial information in the report is accurate but it is still to be finalized
so may have some minor adjustments. Ms. Tandon shared that the Parks and Recreation
department has a total of 95 Staff. Projects completed in 2021 included the Highway 5 Regional
Trail Project and Senior Center and Rec Center improvements. She shared about concessions,
boat rental, picnic shelter reservations, and the 10 community events hosted with 80,000+
attendees.
Commissioner Vasatka moved, Commissioner Peck seconded that the Park and Recreation
Commission recommends that the city Council receives and approves the 2021 Park and
Recreation Department Annual Report. All voted in favor and the motion carried
unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0.
REPORTS.
1. Easter Egg Candy Hunt Preview
Ms. Tandon stated the annual Easter Egg Candy Hunt is held at City Center Park and draws
between 400-800 children and their families. The 2022 Hunt will be held on Saturday, April 16,
2022 at 9:00 a.m. and is for kids ages 12 and under. She thanked the Chanhassen Fire
Department, and the Chanhassen, Chaska, and Eden Prairie High School Key Clubs for
supporting and volunteering at the event. Tickets are $6/child and the City encourages pre-
registration online. The City is also hosting a coloring contest.
2. February Festival Evaluation
Ms. Tandon reviewed the annual February Festival and it was estimated that about 1,500 people
attended the event. A total of 680 ice fishing contest tickets were sold with 54 fish caught and
over $6,000 in prizes given away. She thanked the Rotary Club for drilling over 1,000 holes for
the ice fishing contest. Ms. Tandon highlighted the Chanhassen Lion’s Club members who
volunteered to be ice contest marshals, the Rotary Club coordinated concession sales, and shared
that 13 local businesses contributed to the 2022 door prizes. The medallion hunt was held the
week prior to Feb Fest and was sponsored by Charter Bank in Chanhassen. Ms. Tandon shared a
recap video of Feb Fest on screen.
3. Recreation Center Quarterly Report
Recreation Center Manager Jodi Sarles gave a report, noting the wall project is moving forward
but some walls were miscalculated on measurements and she is still waiting for those to be
installed. This has caused some juggling of events and reservations. She shared about backboard
replacement and rental fees.
From 00:27 minutes through 00:36 minutes there was no audio.
4. Park Maintenance Quarterly Update
Park Superintendent Adam Beers stated they are transitioning from winter mode to spring mode.
The department has been going through equipment and getting things ready, the pickleball and
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tennis nets are out about a month early, and they are in the process of hiring seasonal staff. Mr.
Beers worked with the Planning Department to secure a grant trough the Watershed District and
will replace the center island irrigation from Kerber to Powers Boulevard. Regarding 2022 CIP
items they will be installing a new hockey rink at North Lotus and a new playground at
Roundhouse Park.
5. Senior Center Quarterly Report
Senior Center Coordinator Mary Blazanin updated the Commissioners noting the Senior Center
is a welcoming place for people 55 and older to socialize, have a meal together, explore new
hobbies, listen to speakers, and receive assistance for a variety of age-related needs. Historically
the first quarter of the year is slower and in spite of that the Center served over 350 people in a
number of programs. Defensive driving is still a popular class which is offered in a hybrid
format. Ms. Blazanin shared about events including Mah Jong, coffee with the cops, foot care
clinics, Medicare counseling, and free tax aid through AARP.
6. 2021-2022 Ice Rink Season Evaluation
Recreation Supervisor Mitchell Czech shared that a successful ice rink season just wrapped up
and was open from December 30 through February 28 for a total of 58 days with only 4 closures.
In total during supervised hours there were 5,844 participants with warming houses available at
City Center Park, North Lotus Lake, the Rec Center, Roundhouse Park, and Bandimere Park. Mr.
Czech also shared revenue and expense totals for the season.
COMMISSION MEMBER COMMITTEE REPORTS. None.
COMMISSION MEMBER PRESENTATIONS. None.
ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS. None.
ADJOURNMENT.
Commissioner Kutz 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 8:04 p.m.
Submitted by Jerry Ruegemer
Park and Recreation Director