HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRMinutes_2016_04_04Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
April 4, 2016 (approved)
A meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board was held on Monday, April 4, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. at
Larson Nature Center with the following board members present: Erik Dahl, Brittany Kleinsasser, Erika
Saunders, and Brian Brunner. Others present included: Darren Hoff (Recreation Manager) 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 March Park Board Meeting Minutes. Brunner made the
motion to approve the March meeting minutes. Motion was 2nd by Kleinsasser. All present
voted yes; motion carried.
3. Additions to and Approval of Agenda. Approval of the April Park Board Agenda. Brettschneider
suggests adding an additional item “terms for board members” to the end of the agenda.
Kleinsasser made the motion to add and approve the April Agenda. Motion was 2nd by Saunders.
All present voted yes; motion carried.
4. Staff Reports. Pederson reported that we were at the end of the recreational basketball and
volleyball season. He reported that East Dakota Water gave us a water exhibit to use as a free
exhibit. He will be working on additional exhibits going forward. Hoff reported that the Ice
Arena was down to one sheet of ice and that soon the blue rink will be turned into a holding
barn. The red rink will have ice until the Blizzard is done with games. He also reported that the
golf course is fully open with all holes being playable with flags and directions on drainage
improvement areas. Kruse reported the parks staff is busy building the first tee shed. Staff is
also working on tearing out old playground equipment at Indian Hills; we’ve already got
replacement equipment. Forestry staff is working on planting trees at Larson’s Hill.
Brettschneider reported that he and Paul Erickson are working on a meter issue at the High
School-working on converting 1 meter to 3. Brettschneider also reported that the BISA
Agreement is in the works and he is still waiting on final details. He also reported that the doors
at the Larson Nature Center will be replaced at some point.
5. Indoor Recreation Center Update. Brettschneider reported that there isn’t too much new for
an update, just to wait on the Vote on April 12th. Brettschneider reported that there was a
“Vote Yes” committee open house at the Old Armory building with several in attendance both
for “Vote Yes” and “Vote No.” Brettschneider reported that the City Council made the decision
to have the potential Recreation Center be at Fishback Soccer Complex. At the time the Park
Board was asked, Fishback wasn’t on the list of options. There will be a City Council meeting on
April 26th regarding the Old Armory building and will have more to report at the May meeting.
6. Raised Garden Bed Project. Brettschneider reported that a local Eagle Scout will be
constructing an accessible raised garden bed pilot project at the Community Gardens to create
2-4 beds. Details of the construction of the garden beds are currently being worked on. A draft
rental policy on who could rent the plots will be developed in conjunction with the raised
garden beds.
7. Dog Park Update. Brettschneider reported that the current dog park located at 12th and 7th
could potentially expand to 25,000 sf. The expansion would be built off donations. This is all
still in the works and will be a continued item on the future agendas.
8. Bike Friendly Brookings. Brettschneider reported that the bike racks are in and 18 will get
installed at facilities that don’t already have bike racks. Locations will vary. There is a request
out for a RFP for a bicycle master plan. There are residents who have come forward with
questions and concerns. Brettschneider mentioned that is good to hear from the residents.
9. Monarchs/Prairie Burn Project. Pederson reported that this project is a National movement
and Brookings would be the first City in South Dakota to take the pledge to bring back habitat in
our green spaces to help pollinators. Pederson also reported that there would be milkweed
planted at the some park Gateway signs for to attract Monarchs.
10. Park Board Member Terms (Addition to Agenda). Brettschneider reported that Dahl, Sorbe,
Kleinsasser, Saunders and Bordewyk’s terms are up as of May 1st. An email will be sent out as
far as procedures going forward. Applicants are solicited and Mayor Reed decides who fills the
spots. If you want to renew your term, you need not apply.
11. Adjourn. Dahl adjourned the meeting at 6:53 p.m.
Next scheduled meeting. Monday, May 2, 2016 at 5:30 pm.