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Park and Recreation Advisory Board, Meeting Minutes June 12015
Present: Erik Dahl, Brittany Kleinsasser, Erika Saunders, Brian Brunner
Absent: Trent Sorbe, Sean Binker, Beau Bordewyk | Vacancies: College rep.
1. Called to Order: at 5:40 pm by Eric Dahl. Introduction of new board member,
Brian Brunner, who replaces Abigail Howard. Brunner previously worked for
Central Michigan University but moved to Brookings to become an Assistant Athletic
Director at South Dakota State University. He previously served on the board for the
Michigan Humanities Club.
Approval of Minutes: Motion by Berseth, Seconded by Kleinsasser
2. Reports:
Al Kruse (Forestry Superintendent): Summer seasonal help overview. Pool is
up and going. Downtown flower baskets are being established today and
landscaping projects are progressing. Nature park hill is being planted and
will be established. Bases are in for softball light posts.
Pete Colson (Director, Park, Recreation & Forestry): Restructuring the
recreation department with Chase Ellis’s (Recreation Superintendent)
departure. We are going to create to Manager positions, Sports Manager and
Recreation Manager, since there is a natural divide of facilities, programs,
services, etc.
Dakota Nature Park attack and ongoing harassment. Been working
with the Brookings Police Department on ways to enhance the patrols in the
park and other safety initiatives.
Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) has been bringing tour groups,
including foreign visitor groups to Dakota Nature Park. Their goal is to
increase rest stop attendance coming through Brookings and also highlight
the park as a destination for visitors.
3: Additions to and Approval of Agenda:
Motion: Saunders, Second: Berseth; All were in favor.
4: Update on Edgebrook Golf Course Season:
Gary Moen (Clubhouse Manager): There have been two meetings of the Golf
Advisory Board; summaries of those 2 meetings provided.
Financial Report: There are a few more days of revenue that are not on the sheet
currently. 2012 was the best year of revenue at Edgebrook Golf Course. The next 2
years were up and down years. We are pretty optimistic regarding the financial
state of the golf course for the remainder of the 2015 season.
Moen: General feeling from club members is that changes have been positive. We
have been selling food and lots of beer. There have been days of over a 100 golfers.
We have emphasized treating the public the right way; involvement from the golf
staff has been great; leagues are full. Additionally, 180 kids are registered for the
First Tee Program with 8 paid staff plus volunteers helping out. Edgebrook has 10
tournaments set up and scheduled. Working on the small things.
Moen: Women’s League has been moved to a different night to allow for growth to
bring more ladies out. During Men’s league the front 9 is shut down while the back
9 is kept open for walk ins. Scramble League is happening on Wednesdays.
Colson: Complaints about the geese have been addressed by applying/being granted
a Depredation Permit from the Federal Government to thin out the population. The
permit is valid for 200 geese.
5: Update Summer Registration Enrollments:
Swimming lessons are full. Three additional Strider bike camps were added
due to demand. Overall, enrollment in all programs has been strong.
6: Update on Community Center:
Colson: The Ad Hoc Committee has met twice so far. The first meeting was
letting the committee brainstorm the amenities and there are not any surprises
there. The second meeting was focused on getting the public involved. An open
house will take place at the Middle School. There will be a brief project introduction
and seating tables to allow the community to visit with board members and express
their opinions using a ballot. There is a diverse group of individuals on the board, all
of whom are practical thinkers. Aquatics is being considered during this process.
There is broad support for this project but will come down to cost of the facility.
7: Update on Pump Track construction:
Pump Track was completed at Dakota Nature Park. News media covered the story.
Crew constructing track adapted initial plans to preserve/incorporate trees. Some
issues with use early on due to rains and dirt still settling.
8: Update on 2015 Dept. Projects:
List of the CIP projects, what has been completed and those that are in
progress was distributed. Projects noted as ‘on hold’ were moved to 2017. It was
noted that the repaving of the west lot at LIC was cancelled.
Adjourn at: 7:14 pm