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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 02/03/2020APPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, FEBUARY 3, 2020 7:00 P.M. CITY CENTER Heritage Rooms PRNR COMMISSION MEMBERS: Larry Link, Chair; Patrice Erickson, Vice Chair; Cecilia Cervantes, Kim Harris, Andy McGlasson, Leonard Pesheck, John Rahman, Ken Ross, Kirk Spresser PRNR STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Shay Ginuga, Riley Marble, Tanay Salunke, Zachary Spears, Simon Vergara CITY STAFF: Jay Lotthammer, Parks and Recreation Director Lori Brink, Recreation Manager Matt Bourne, Parks and Natural Resources Manager Valerie Verley, Community Center Manager RECORDING SECRETARY: Jodie Fenske I. INTRODUCTIONS Chair Link called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Roll call was taken. Commission Members Harris and Ross, as well as Student Representatives Riley Marble, Zach Spears, and Simon Vergara, were absent. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Erickson moved, seconded by Pesheck, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 7-0. III. APPROVAL OF PRNR MINUTES Motion: Cervantes moved, seconded by Rahman, to approve the January 6, 2020 minutes as presented. Motion carried 7-0. IV. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION Lotthammer reported on actions recently taken by the City Council. A. DONATION FROM LIONS CLUB TO OUTDOOR CENTER Council adopted a resolution accepting $1,000 from the Lions Club to the Outdoor Center to purchase equipment and program supplies. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES February 3, 2020 Page 2 B. DONATION FROM SENIORS HELPING SENIORS Council adopted a resolution accepting $250 from Seniors Helping Seniors to the Senior Center to be used for programming. V. REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION VI. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATION A. HANDOUTS OF UPCOMING EVENTS Brink presented handouts of the following events. 1. Summer Camp Kickoff. Early day camp registration will begin on Wednesday, February 5, at 7:00 a.m. In order to help families plan their summer schedules and meet camp and Community Center staff, a kickoff event will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 4, at the Community Center. Brink noted summer registration is starting five weeks earlier than last year to keep up with local competing summer camp registrations. 2. Senior Center Valentine’s Day Breakfast. A catered breakfast will be provided to participants at this annual event being held on Friday, February 28, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Senior Center staff members Sue Bohnsack and Josh Rockey will provide an overview of the Senior Center and future plans and programs. A portion of this event is sponsored by The Waters of Eden Prairie, a senior living facility. The event is being held a few weeks after Valentine’s Day due to construction at the Senior Center. 3. Part-Time/Seasonal Job Fair. Attendees can learn about open Parks and Recreation Department summer positions on Monday, February 17 (President’s Day), from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Community Center. Staff will be available to answer questions, assist in applying online, and offer onsite interviews. VII. NEW BUSINESS VIII. OLD BUSINESS IX. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF A. PARKS AND RECREATION EXPERIENCES Staff and Commission members shared recent parks and recreation related experiences. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES February 3, 2020 Page 3 Pesheck noticed orange tags on trees and even some trees that have already been removed. Bourne informed the trees were being removed as part of the Emerald Ash Borer and Dutch Elm oak wilt preemptive removal. Spresser noticed ice huts on Lake Riley. Bourne noted the boat launch is plowed but the lake is not plowed. Erickson complimented staff on the new electronic sign at the Community Center. Rahman attended the Winter Blast at Staring Lake Park and was impressed by the huge turnout. He provided feedback that signage directing patrons to the Nordic ski lessons would be helpful. Pesheck inquired if a lake carnival or art shanty, along with food trucks, could be considered in the City. Lotthammer stated the City has shied away from such events in the past. B. RECREATION SERVICES MANAGER C. COMMUNITY CENTER MANAGER D. PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGER E. PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR 1. 2019 Accomplishments and 2020 Goals. Lotthammer displayed a PowerPoint presentation of 2019 Accomplishments and 2020 Goals and Priorities. He noted it is similar to the presentation Chair Link will present Tuesday evening, February 4, at the Council Workshop. 2019 accomplishments included the completion of the Staring Lake Park building, new marketing efforts, expanded public art, improved Emerald Ash Borer inspection plan, Community Center improvements, and technology improvements. New marketing efforts included targeted social media, a free- standing kiosk advertising Staring Lake Amphitheater events, and a streamlined program brochure. Community Center exterior improvements included new pavers and upgraded benches, trash cans, equipment, and tables and a new electronic sign board. Lotthammer noted the new sign allows targeted messages to different audiences arriving at the facility. Fifteen new cardio fitness equipment pieces were installed indoors. Spresser suggested offering old equipment for sale prior to trade-in to the vendor. Technology improvements were made possible in part to a shared intern with the Communications Department. In addition, a marketing consultant provided insight into how the City’s message is relayed to the public and made suggestions for improvements. Technology improvements included new scheduling software, the Community Center customer service team utilizing One Note, additional PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES February 3, 2020 Page 4 license for door security software, new user interface for RecTrac, and public Wi-Fi at Round Lake Park. Lotthammer continued his presentation by highlighting goals and priorities for 2020, to include finalizing the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, expanding the PeopleFest! Celebration, continuing outreach efforts to underrepresented populations in the City, completing trail connections, expanding equity and inclusion efforts, increasing the Parks and Recreation division’s marketing footprint, and enhancing communications channels. Expansion of the PeopleFest! Celebration will be accomplished by building awareness, partnerships, and attendance; offering stipends to performers in order to expand diversity and quality; and broadening the definition of culture to include abilities, identities, and traditions. Outreach efforts to underrepresented populations will include expanded free targeted events, improved Passport to Fun assistance program by maximizing marketing and ease of use, and expanding marketing methods of all free seasonal events. Throughout his presentation, Lotthammer noted ways the PRNR Commission’s input aided in the achievements and will assist with future goals. 2. Master Plan Forecasting Discussion. Lotthammer asked Commission members and student representatives to break into three groups of three to four people each. He asked each group to review one of three different scenarios. Each scenario placed the group into the position of the Parks and Natural Resources Manager, the Recreation Services Manager, or the Community Center Manager. Groups were asked to brainstorm the biggest obstacles these managers will face in the next three to ten years and how to prepare for/address the obstacles, the biggest obstacles in the next 15 to 20 years and how to prepare for/address the obstacles, and the strengths in the respective areas the managers should leverage and build upon. After brainstorming for 20 minutes, Commission members shared their ideas with the managers and the rest of the Commission. The managers took note of the ideas and asked additional questions. 3. 2020 PRNR Work Plan. Lotthammer provided an updated work plan indicating Commission input on playstructure selection will be requested at the March meeting. X. NEXT MEETING The next PRNR Commission meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 2, at 7 p.m. in the PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES February 3, 2020 Page 5 Heritage Rooms at City Center. XI. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Cervantes moved, seconded by Erickson, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 7-0. Chair Link adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m.