HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRMinutes_2020_06_08Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Minutes
Tuesday, June 8, 2020 5:30 PM
Call to Order
Chair Brittany Kleinsasser called meeting to order at 5:34 PM outdoors at the Larson Nature Park. Present: Steve
Berseth, Carson Cody, Andrea Hogie, Brittany Kleinsasser, Jay Larsen, John Maynes, Erika Saunders, Isaac
Schulte, Doug Smith, and City Staff - Dusty Rodiek, Darren Hoff, Stacy Claussen, Al Kruse, and Ronda May. City
Manager Paul Briseno not present.
Approval of Agenda and Minutes
John asked that Manpower be added under New Business, Item D. Motion to approve revised agenda by Doug
Smith, seconded by John Maynes; motion carried. Motion to approve May meeting minutes by Doug Smith,
seconded by John Maynes; motion carried.
Introduction of New Board Member
Andrea Hogie and each of us introduced each other as we were physically meeting.
Staff Highlights
Dusty referenced typed report.
Old Business: Reported by Dusty Rodiek unless otherwise noted
A. Bob Shelden Field Update: Project moving forward. Working on drainage - series of drain tile. They’ve
done the berm in R field & made sure during progress meeting this would be mowable.
B. Master Plan Update: One of Council’s priorities is for us to have departmental Master Plan. Approved to
go ahead, did RFP, & received 5-6 proposals. Funds are frozen now until further notice due to COVID.
C. Board Attendance: Dusty said City is looking at attendance policy for all boards/commissions. Erika
Saunders made motion to approve proposed policy, Doug Smith seconded. Dusty said that Board has
leeway to look at special circumstances. Vote – motion carried. Here is the approved policy: Each member
is expected to attend all regularly scheduled meetings either in person or through phone/teleconference
capabilities. If any member is absent from 3 meetings during a 12-month period (2 excused absences & 1
unexcused absence) without advanced notice to the Board through the chair or Park Dept staff, the Board
will vote at the next scheduled meeting on whether to retain or remove the member. If any member is
absent 50% of meetings for a given 12-month period, regardless of advanced notice to the Board, the
member is considered to have resigned & will be notified of such in writing by the chair or Park Dept staff.
D. Summer Rec Programs & Aquatic Center Operations: Staff chose to not operate pool this summer.
Decision was based on financial considerations, expected poor attendance, proposed restrictions, and staff
training concerns. Staff trying to offset with summer programs with adaptations, free range kids program,
and visiting with Fire Chief for hydrant parties. Trying a lot of new things. Erika said after last meeting
she didn’t think as a parent we should open the pool so supports our decision & Steve seconds that. If
anyone has any ideas, please forward to staff.
E. Food Pantry: Food Pantry Board has design firm to work on multi-use facility housing Food Pantry,
Backpack, United Way, & possibly Salvation Army for one-stop shop. Doug asked if location in mind? Dusty
said potentially.
F. Larson Park:
1) Playground Project: Equipment installed & staff working on ADA sidewalk. Seeding still left to do but
new equipment getting favorable feedback! Jay asked about sculpture area. We’re working with Public
Arts Commission (PAC) on this. They approved funding to cut back & create landscape border around
it to highlight it more.
2) Disc Golf Redesign: Completed about a week ago so now 20-hole layout utilizing other pieces of the
park, creating new challenges that weren’t there before. We’re hosting lower tiered first disc golf
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tourney June 20th. Brittany had some safety concerns of the blind spots. Yes, simple signage will be
put up for the players.
G. 2021 Budget: Staff meeting (Dusty, Stacy, Darren, Al, Greg, Paul, Erick, & Jake) on Thursday. Staff have
provided numbers over last couple of months, will discuss these, & capital improvement plan. General
fund/operating budgets fairly close but capital will be more of a hurdle.
New Business: Reported by Dusty Rodiek unless otherwise noted
A. Summer Events: Darren mentioned what hasn’t been cancelled – Kite Festival & tennis tourney in July.
Fishbach Soccer Tourney just cancelled. Swiftel Center added cattle shows in July & will be using red rink
at LIC for meals. We’re in talks with different groups in the community. He & Stacy involved with weekly
State Parks & Rec Zoom meetings & aquatic discussions. Sport partners – adult baseball/softball, etc.
sent us plan & have been very helpful in doing it. June 20th Prairie Striders starting at Fishback as normal.
Doug asked if a lot of pickleball getting played? Yes, if nice outside. Doug asked if we have BB hoops out
yet? No, neither VB nets but possibly this or next week.
B. Activity Center: Roof & Doors - roof went out for bid & came back at $73,000. Stacy explained door situation
– new stove ordered by 60s+ Dining, company assumed 2 front doors get propped open but don’t because
of pole in middle. Current doors removed & now boarded up. Hopefully opening after July 4 weekend.
C. Musical Playground at Larson Park: Working with PAC, & Rotary Club funding proposal to have interactive
musical playground-dedicated space with art element. Putting in Larson Park with new playground.
D. Staff/Manpower: John asked why detention areas are on Park & Rec? Dusty explained developers develop
site, they still own it, stop paying taxes, then goes to City, & City takes the land. City Manager not in favor
of this so looking at creating new model – whether fee to developer or funds to hire staff to take care of
them. He wants to change the standard operating procedure. John’s frustrated we’re not getting any new
staff to help maintain & compensation not getting made to Park & Rec. Doug suggested John go to City
website & click on link to send email to all Councilors.
John Maynes made motion we convey to the City Manager & to Eng Dept that we want adequate manpower
to deal w/drainage problems that have been created, seconded by Jay Larsen. Doug mentioned Paul
inherited a lot of problems & City Council is who needs to be talked to. Steve suggested adding City Council
to motion – amended to include City Council. Vote – taken by arm vote; carried unanimously. Dusty
reported that a City Development Review Team has been made & will be looking into new developments.
John thinks Nature Park is getting overgrown with brush & a lot remains to be done but requires manpower.
With dry year, now is the time to take care of some of this growth. Steve asked about philosophy of Nature
Park versus City park? Mission statement of DNP was to not to do anything to interfere with nature.
Brittany said Pete, former director, wanted to start Friends of Nature Park to help with maintenance. Dusty
said money is a limited resource, & a lot of John’s concerns are on our list, we need to prioritize. John
wonders why not allow private people come in, go through necessary requirements, & do the work? No
one’s expressed an interest Dusty & Stacy said. We do yearly spring cleanup but didn’t happen this year.
John mentioned mountain bike area is getting developed nicely – done by Mountain Bike group.
Upcoming Programs & Events:
A. No July Meeting
B. August Meeting: Monday, August 3rd. Doug asked about 20th St Interchange – no change from last month.
Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn at 6:58 PM by Doug Smith, seconded by Erika Saunders; motion carried.
Submitted,
Ronda A May - Ronda A May, Park & Rec Office Manager