HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRMinutes_2020_09_14Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Minutes
Monday, September 14, 2020 5:30 PM
Call to Order
Board member Steve Berseth called meeting to order at 5:30 PM during a Parks facility tour upon a BATA bus.
Present: Steve Berseth, Andrea Hogie, Jay Larsen, John Maynes, Erika Saunders, Isaac Schulte, Doug Smith, and
City Staff - Dusty Rodiek, Darren Hoff, Stacy Claussen, Al Kruse, & Ronda May. Absent: Brittany Kleinsasser,
Carson Cody, & City Manager Paul Briseno.
Approval of Agenda and Minutes
Dusty asked that Tree Programs be added under New Business. Motion to approve revised agenda by Doug Smith,
seconded by Andrea Hogie; motion carried. Motion to approve June meeting minutes by John Maynes, seconded
by Doug Smith; motion carried.
Staff Highlights
Dusty referenced typed report.
Tour of some Dept of Parks, Rec & Forestry Facilities
A. Bob Shelden: Dusty showed Board the field’s synthetic turf as it was starting to be laid & reminded us the
Brookings Friends of Baseball is reimbursing the City for the expense & will continue to maintain it/be
responsible for replacement. Life expectancy for turf is 10-15 years. The Brookings High School sub-varsity
football field has been relocated to the high school’s field & track area so we helped with relocating the track
pits. As high school’s stadium is on City ground, we’d like to turn it back over to BSD. Dusty pointed out that
the dugouts are in & seeding started this week on the berm. Bleacher supports should go in this week, &
we’ll be changing roofs on some of the existing sheds.
B. Moriarty Park: Dusty mentioned that the drainage area seeding will be completed in next week or will do
dormant seeding in October, early November. The drainage has functioned as intended with the summer
rains. Dusty informed the Board that the Park recently received a significant amount of graffiti, & Al reported
it took staff a full day to take care of it.
C. Larson Park: The parking lot & road is scheduled to be replaced next year through the CIP budget. Dusty
said he has seen this park getting used a lot more. There is a disc golf league on Tuesday & doubles league
on Thursday. The newly replaced playground has been super popular this summer. An Eagle Scout just built
& installed a bike rack. Dusty mentioned there will be more work done around the monument yet this fall.
D. Hillcrest Park: Dusty showed us the new gazebo which was completed this summer after the pad was
poured 8-10 years ago. We built the gazebo with own in-house staff, & we repurposed light posts from 22nd
Ave. We normally generate $1,000-2,000 in yearly picnic shelter revenue. Power will eventually be put in
this gazebo like the rest. Dusty then showed us BORN Learning Area – it’s designed to be parent/child
interactive area that promotes early childhood learning. Rotary Club funded this area as well as the one in
McClemans Park & they’re helping us maintain the areas. Jay mentioned that he sees the pickleball courts
getting used a lot – these are courts 9 & 10.
E. Sexauer Park possible dog park: Dusty said we applied for a Land & Water Grant & this cycle ends Sept 15th.
We hadn’t applied for a grant since 2012 that he could find. There is $900,000 to distribute state-wide by
Congress. Next year there will be 3 million dollars. It’s a 50/50 match, & we would budget $50,000 in next
year’s budget for a 2nd dog park as current park gets used very much but rather small. New park would be
2.5 acres, L-shaped, have shade structures for people & pets, 2 puppy drinking fountains, benches, & a 5’
chain link fence. Darren did the application, & Dusty said the cost of this project would be around $102,000.
Another thing Dusty would like to see happen is the rec trail be tied in with the Sexauer Park Campground
bridge on W side of Sexauer Park. Eric Rasmussen & Steve Paula with the Bicycle Committee are working
on a Highway 14 study which would include the bike trail. Someone asked where people would park for the
dog park? Dusty said alongside the road going through the park.
Old Business: Reported by Dusty Rodiek unless otherwise noted
A. Bob Shelden Field Update: Tied in with the tour of that facility.
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B. Activity Center Update: Stacy said they’re hoping the Center re-opens in October with the possibility of
playing cards & offering coffee time.
C. Fall/Winter Projects & Programs: Al mentioned that 500-600’ of trail will be replaced at the Nature Park but
we were waiting until after Brookings Marathon to begin. Stacy mentioned she just hired a naturalist from
Sioux Falls that can work every Saturday from 9 AM – 5 PM which will help us do some free programming
& activities (scavenger hunts, etc). Looking at doing a full moon walk/kayaking around Halloween. Stacy
said the new hire has some great ideas so she’s excited! Darren said that we just found out, after meeting
with BSD’s Athletic Director Randy Soma, we received permission to use 5th St Gym again with same days
as previous years: Sunday 1-8 PM but starting at 6 PM Mon, Tu, Wed, & Th evenings. Darren emailed
volleyball groups to see if interested in playing. Could also have basketball, pickleball, or soccer. Volleyball
could be 6-on-6 or 4-on-4 league. Masks would be required into the gym & at all times when not playing.
There wouldn’t be a ref so would do their own & keep track of own scores. We would provide disinfectant
for the volleyballs. Darren reminded us that SDSU is scheduled to be done for the year at Thanksgiving.
Steve wondered if Mickelson Middle School’s extra gym will provide another gym space to use?
New Business: Reported by Dusty Rodiek unless otherwise noted
A. Sexauer Dog Park and Grant: Discussed during the tour.
B. Master Plan: Dusty reported that we can’t sign contract until the Council’s second reading. The 1st reading
was at last Council Meeting. The selected company would possibly start collecting data this week & hopefully
an on-site visit during 1st week of October. The selected company will complete an overview of operation
with program, staff, revenue streams, & fees. It would be a 9-month process with lots of opportunity for
interaction.
C. Art Project: Dusty reported that the Public Arts Commission’s (PAC) selected artist’s piece is now in the
main entryway (north) of the City/County Building. Dusty also informed us that the PAC received 71 entries
for the Bob Shelden artwork, and was narrowed down to 21 then 4 artists by a select committee. That
committee is now recommending their #1 pick to the entire PAC for their approval with that being constructed
next spring.
D. Tree Program: Dusty reported we’re currently working on the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) plan & it isn’t super
complicated but mechanically similar to the DED (Dutch Elm Disease) plan. He’s also exploring a different
tree planting model. Now, City residents call us to get placed on tree planting list, we buy the trees, & we
plant them. New model would involve local nurseries/businesses that we would approve to provide a list of
tree species to be planted, be funded by private donors then people get the approved tree choice list & go to
approved nursery/business, show us proof of purchase & we’d reimburse them their expense. This would
free up our staff & citizens might get a little extra to do their own planting in possibly boulevard or yard.
And, maybe the citizen might provide better initial proper care. Currently, we’re limited on number of trees
we plant yearly, & we’re responsible for long-term care. Erika asked if citizens could plant trees themselves
with new model? Yes but City would give citizens specific spots to plant their trees & the species list could
rotate.
Upcoming Programs & Events:
A. October Meeting: Monday, October 5th.
Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn at 6:54 PM by Erika Saunders, seconded by Doug Smith; motion carried.
Submitted,
Ronda A May
Ronda A May, Park & Rec Office Manager