HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRMinutes_2016_03_07Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
March 7, 2016 (approved)
A meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board was held on Monday, March 7, 2016 at 5:30 p.m.
at Larson Nature Center with the following board members present: Erik Dahl, Sean Binker, Trent Sorbe,
and Brittany Kleinsasser. Others present included: Mitch Pederson (Recreation Manager), Al Kruse
(Parks & Forestry Superintendent), Dan Brettschneider (Parks, Recreation & Forestry Director) and
Christi Weidemann (Office Manager).
1. Call Meeting to Order. Chair Dahl called the meeting to order at 5:36 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes. Approval of the February Park Board Meeting Minutes. Binker made the
motion to approve the February meeting minutes. Motion was 2nd by Sorbe. All present voted
yes; motion carried.
3. Additions to and Approval of Agenda. Approval of the March Park Board Agenda. Sorbe made
the motion to approve the March Agenda. Motion was 2nd by Binker. All present voted yes;
motion carried.
4. Staff Reports. Kruse reported that he’s ordered two light poles for the softball complex and they
should be here middle of March. The Parks staff is preparing for a Hockey Tournament. The
mechanic is getting the mowers and field equipment prepared and serviced for spring. Kruse
reported that he has been getting some questions on cleaning out under brush and trees at the
Dakota Nature Park. He mentioned that they are going to keep the park with its original
philosophy by creating habitat for wildlife. Discussed hire and re-hires for the summer and that
there aren’t a ton of applications yet possibly due to low starting wage on average of $8.75,
some higher and some lower depending on the position and grade. Pederson reported that
they are working on the summer brochure. Registration is set to start April 5th. Leagues and
tournaments are getting wrapped up around April 1st. They are working on new hires and re-
hires for the seasonal positions. A discussion was held on potentially putting together some sort
of system for kids to get their lifeguard training in Sioux Falls or Watertown. Brettschneider
reported that he has been meeting with a group regarding raised garden beds at the community
gardens. The City would potentially need to fund ½ the project, which could possibly be taken
from the funds from the Wellmark 3-point play Grant. Brettschneider discussed that the golf
course maintenance and clubhouse staff are keeping in contact and will watch the conditions of
the course to see when we can open.
5. Review of EdgeBrook 2015 Annual Report. Brettschneider went over the 2015 EdgeBrook
Annual Report. He highlighted that Bruce Hovelson, Golf Course Superintendant has been at the
course for 39 years. The board was interested in knowing more about past numbers.
Brettschneider stated that the baseline for EdgeBrook numbers will be the 2015 annual report
numbers as this was the first year with Moen Golf Management as the clubhouse manager.
6. Indoor Recreation Center Update. Brettschneider reported that the City Council is set to make
a decision on the site location on March 15th with the potential sites being the Wiese Property
and the Fishback Soccer Complex. Board members discussed their role in the process to date
and wanted it to be stated that the Fishback Soccer Complex site was not discussed as a
potential site when the Parks and Recreation Board members recommended the Wiese Property
as the preferred site at the January 2016 meeting. Board members discussed their role as a
board in regards to the Indoor Recreation Center moving forward. Brettschneider stated that if
the Opt Out vote is approved on April 12 that the Parks and Recreation Board would be involved
with the design and development stage for the facility, as to what exact extent remains to be
determined. Discussion took place regarding the Parks and Recreation Board and their role as a
volunteer body. The Parks and Recreation Board makes recommendations to the City Council in
order for them to utilize in their decision making process as well as helping guide the Parks,
Recreation and Forestry Department as a whole.
7. Bike Friendly Brookings. Brettschneider reported that 20 bike racks were purchased and will be
placed in various locations throughout the city. This topic will be an ongoing agenda item. The
Bike committee meets on a monthly basis. The Park board is interested in the idea of having the
Bike Committee come to a scheduled meeting to give a presentation.
8. Adjourn. Dahl adjourned the meeting at 7:09 p.m.
Next scheduled meeting. Monday, April 4, 2016 at 5:30 pm.