HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRMinutes_2020_11_02Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Minutes
Tuesday, November 2, 2020 5:30 PM
Call to Order
Dusty reported Brittany’s resigning due to work commitments & not being able to attend meetings. Steve called
GoTo meeting to order at 5:32 PM. Verbal Roll Call-present: Steve Berseth, Carson Cody, Andrea Hogie, John
Maynes, Erika Saunders, Isaac Schulte, Doug Smith, Jay Larsen, & City Staff Dusty Rodiek, Darren Hoff, Stacy
Claussen, Al Kruse, & Ronda May. Not present: Brittany Kleinsasser & City Mgr Paul Briseno. Also on call was
guest Aaron Jorenby.
Approval of Agenda
Motion to approve agenda by Doug Smith, seconded by John Maynes; motion carried.
Staff Highlights
Stacy: Nature Park happenings – had trick or treaters Sat night, few couples at date night, none for owl program
but offering again, & this coming weekend is Thanksgiving project. Darren: starting Sunday coed VB, Monday open
VB, & Tuesday women’s VB. Only 1 VB season this year due to COVID - going through mid-Dec, break, back in Jan,
& go until SDSU’s Spring Break. Down couple of teams in every league but not as bad as anticipated. Court rentals
should start shortly after scheduling conflicts worked out by Randy Soma. Finalized BISA league schedule so
their games ready, & Darren sent schedule to tourney coordinator to start scheduling tourneys. Stacy said new
Walking Club starting at LIC – started today with 4 signed up, going 7:30 AM–3:30 PM. Facility will be open to
public & $10/mth to walk around Red Rink. Pickleball in mornings at 5th St – anywhere from 12–15 people each
day, Mon–Friday. Al: finished concession shed at Shelden except for painting, started on other shed today & will
get it enclosed before weather changes again. Also did snow removal. In process of replacing overhead doors in
cold storage shed–will be bigger & wider to get equipment in easier. Cleaning up gardens this week if stays dry
& marked out trees on 6th St in yards–close to 30 trees planted but not by us. Forestry guys trimming & removing
stumps-took out 150 in last month. Backfilling around newer sidewalks concrete & at Nature Park.
Old Business: Reported by Dusty Rodiek unless otherwise noted
A. Bob Shelden Field Update: Dusty met w/engineer today, been meeting regularly virtually but made site
visit to do early walk through. Mid-month will be early punch list. Grandstand structure going up, roof not
on yet but coming when press box goes up. Delays due to COVID w/suppliers. Press box scheduled to be
here & installed mid-month. Upcoming light test. Pouring a lot of concrete in parking lot. Sod appears to
be taking pretty well but several areas have to go back & seed in spring. Detention area by skate park still
needs some work & Dusty’s having ongoing talks w/engineers. John asked about the parking lot ‘islands’,
assuming plantings? Yes, small bushes, trees, & Dusty thought lower growing brush but plans not in front
of him, & some permeable pavers will go in middle. Paul Erickson has done several walk-throughs already.
Dusty said a lot of crews out today prepping for concrete pour near grandstands this afternoon/evening-
they’re hustling. Doug asked about previous tennis courts area? Dusty said that’s school property so up
to them. John asked about pitching machine area? Anything on school side’s of tennis courts is school’s.
B. Activity Center Update: Stacy said back open Mon, Wed, Fri, 11 AM–3 PM w/60s+ dining & w/several
limitations, following strict plan. Pool players playing but this population slowly coming back. Voting there
tomorrow.
C. Fall/Winter Programs (5th St Gym, LIC, Holding Barn): Darren already went over 5th St & Stacy informed
about Walking Club. Dusty said looking at multi-uses for our facilities due to limited indoor use. Perhaps
offer curling at LIC, work w/Swiftel Center operations to maximize some use? Holding Barn has lights &
enough heat to keep it 50 degrees so may program this space this winter? Indoor disc golf putting league,
corn hole league w/Swiftel, remote control cars course - not weekly but all ideas. Dusty asked for ideas.
Erika said do some outreach to community for other hobbyists & minor sports that could utilize space.
Doug thought about miniature golf, maybe charge to play, wouldn’t take up a lot of space, socially distance,
kids could do it. Dusty said maybe look at portable course costs to rent, maybe eventually purchase. Erika
said if we purchase, could have pop-up mini golf at parks during summer. Dusty appreciates thoughts!
D. Sexauer Dog Park & Grant: Dusty said no announcement from State yet so no new news.
E. Parks Master Plan: Thanks to those attending & discussion last week - consultant thought good discussion.
Met next day w/staff, City Mgr, CFO, Mike Struck & did quick SWOT analysis for dept & had really good
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discussion. Able to identify challenges & opportunities we face/have. They’ll engage each Board member,
as well as Council members, and user groups, etc. Will be reporting back to Board & Council throughout
process.
F. EAB Plan: Dusty sent out draft plan last month – chance to review or any questions? EAB has NOT been
identified yet in Brookings Co but wanted to be proactive for if/when it arrives so we have a plan. John
asked how many ash trees we took down this year? Al thought 50-75 +40 more from HC Park. John thinks
number should get forwarded to City Mgr/Council. Dusty said we report quarterly for tree removal but
likes this suggestion to break down ash tree counts.
New Business: Reported by Dusty Rodiek unless otherwise noted
A. Staff Changes: Pat Ammann, building trades specialist, took position as building inspector for City so left
open position w/opportunity to look at our needs & see if we’re staffed effectively in many places. Dusty
spent time considering how to utilize current staff to provide better service. Way it was wasn’t bad but
dissolving building trades area. It was valuable but we also have park areas not seeing attention they
should so moving Brett Torgrude to park tech as was also building trades. Dusty’s created different
sectors–5 on park side plus sports complex side which will remain unchanged to certain degree. Each
tech assigned a sector, will have 4-6 parks they’re assigned, & will have seasonal staff assigned to each
tech. That’s the model we’re moving forward with & some of more complicated building projects may have
to be contracted out. But, we’d gain higher park standards. Steve wondering if we’d still put together
playground apparatus? Yes, we could still manage some in-house projects but not more intricate stuff.
Also allows staff to focus on just our parks & rec areas. Dusty has breakdown of different sectors & is 90%
sure on the different staff assigned to each. Doug thought good idea & asked for copy of the breakdown,
& John asked for organization chart. Dusty will send those out.
B. 6th St Tree Program: We were contracted by 1st Bank & Trust who was interested in tree replacement after
6th St corridor work. They asked for our help–we provided property owners & addresses & then worked
w/property owners, & utilities, on where to plant trees. 1st Bank & Trust paid for trees & installation.
C. Musical Playground – Larson Park: This year, we put new playground in at Larson Park. Public Arts
Commission (PAC) & Rotary Club wanted to do addition – a musical playground. This will be 100%
accessible playground equipment & looks like it’s going forward. PAC had offered to match Rotary’s grant
if successful & Dusty believes $10,000 grant with $5,000 each locally & regionally, & PAC matching. Putting
adjacent to new playground. Dusty will be working w/Ashley Ragsdale & Darla Biel for 2021 installation.
Great having these community partners!
D. 5th St Gym: Wanted to touch base after visiting w/consultants as we use it for winter programming. Dusty
hears rumors it might come available from time-to-time. He has viewed 5th St as significant asset to our
dept as we don’t have any other indoor space. He’s wondering if space ever becomes available, should we
pursue it? Yes! John asked who’s current owner? Brookings School District. Jay asked if this would come
open for discussion to outside clubs such as tennis club, etc.? Yes, certainly bring in other outside groups
if ever becomes reality. Dusty’s not sure how much deferred maintenance on building, operating costs,
etc. - more of a discussion item at this point.
E. Sports Association Advertising Concept: Nothing we have to take action on–Dusty has handout from
Daktronics about possible advertising. Dusty thinks we’ll get good info from Master Plan on funding, how
to recoup some of our costs.
Upcoming Programs & Events:
A. December Meeting: Monday, December 7
Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn at 6:15 PM by John Maynes, seconded by Andrea Hogie; motion carried.
Submitted,
Ronda A May - Ronda A May, Park & Rec Office Manager