HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRMinutes_2020_12_07Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Minutes
Monday, December 7, 2020 5:30 PM
Call to Order
Steve called GoTo meeting to order at 5:33 PM. Verbal Roll Call - present: Steve Berseth, Andrea Hogie, John
Maynes, Erika Saunders, Isaac Schulte, Doug Smith, Jay Larsen, & City Staff Dusty Rodiek, Darren Hoff, Stacy
Claussen, & Ronda May. Not present: Carson Cody, Isaac Schulte, Al Kruse, & City Mgr Paul Briseno. Also on call
was guest Aaron Jorenby.
Approval of Agenda
Motion to approve agenda by Doug Smith, seconded by Andrea Hogie; motion carried.
Approval of Minutes
Ronda mentioned that the meeting was Monday, Nov 2 not Tuesday, New Business B – contacted/not contracted.
Motion to approve corrected minutes by Jay Larsen, seconded by John Maynes; motion carried.
Staff Highlights
Dusty asked how Board members were doing w/COVID & reported some staff have had it while some others have
quarantined. Time lost from quarantining has slightly affected us. Ski trails mowed & ready to go, waiting on snow.
LIC (Larson Ice Center) – started receiving a lot of requests for rental & actually had 1 this past weekend. We
have COVID requirements but will start requiring a COVID deposit (equal to 1 hr rental of $140) so if don’t follow
rink guidelines, forfeit deposit. Christmas decorations up on light poles by our staff over last couple of weeks.
Erika said decorations are very nice & are appreciated!
Old Business: Reported by Dusty Rodiek unless otherwise noted
A. Bob Shelden Field Update: Grandstand installed, minus roof which won’t go on until pressbox goes in.
Parking lot concrete completed, testing on light system went very well – Dusty will send a picture of the field
under the lights. Staff worked on concession stand & ticket booth areas. Looking at delivery of pressbox &
installation – delayed due to COVID. Supposed to be here late this week, early next, & hoping to have done
by Dec 16th. Final dirtwork & seeding completed next spring. Some fencing hasn’t been installed due to wait
on pressbox. John asked about parking lot trees – landscaping plan done last February, honey locust so
hardy tree. Jay asked about mound budget adjustments – completed & what is our warranty on mound.
Dusty said did Change Order on bullpen slopes as fine for high school on up but not younger players as
safety risk. Installation on turf is 1 yr warranty, Dusty believes. Jay asked what the standard is – 1 yr? Dusty
believes so – both quotes we received were both 1 yr on installation, turf itself has longer warranty period.
Hope is to get better than 10 years on turf but FOB is budgeting for 10 years replacement on turf.
B. Fall/Winter Programs (5th St Gym, LIC, Holding Barn): Darren said VB leagues running, court rentals picking
up, finished Learn to Skate session 1, advertising for session 2 shortly. Try to utilize Holding Barn – this
week is putting league for disc golf, possibly corn hole, and see what else is out there. Contacted Sioux Falls
Curling Club to see if interested to offer intro to curling possibly end-of-March, April when still have ice in 1
rink. Pickleball group using 5th St Gym in mornings, gone really well, & utilizing it heavily.
C. Parks Master Plan: Thanks for participating in stake holders interviews. Now starting to move into phase 2
of interview sessions – latter part of next week. Sending out invitations to user groups so they can visit with
consultants, see what they’re looking for, etc. Six different groups will be scheduled w/5-6 different
associations for each group. Tried to touch on all our users groups & those we partner with for interviews.
Phase 3 – concurrently working on benchmark invitation – Aberdeen, Watertown, Hayes KS, Kearney NE,
Laramie WY, and Winona MN to get a snap shot to compare to what we’re doing here. Phase 4 – consultants
doing statistically valid survey to put out to community & will ask this Board to get interest. Doug asked if
any input yet from first set on stake-holder interviews? Dusty said general comments & some similar to the
SWOT analysis – staffing challenges & lack of recreation space. Doug asked if anything’s changed for our
scheduling at 5th St? No, pretty limited but we program it when we can Dusty said.
D. Musical Playground at Larson Park: Rotary Club raised about $10,000 funds & PAC matching – adding
another piece on to playground. Dusty’s meeting on-site later this week with Ashley Ragsdale who works
at Arts Council to figure out square footage to work with, etc. & Dusty pointed out the link he sent out.
Installation next spring, get concrete contractor lined up, etc.
Page 2
New Business: Reported by Dusty Rodiek unless otherwise noted
A. Public Art Project at Bob Shelden: Dusty sent out full proposal that PAC received. They received 71 initial
proposals, selection committee created & narrowed down to 21, then to final 4, & they were invited to send
proposal & Reed Madden unanimously selected. Contract going to Council tomorrow evening. Doug said
looks nice but worried about kids climbing on stuff. Dusty said mitt is to be climbed on but Dusty said this
was the safest – asked for Erika’s input as she was part of the selection committee. Doug asked for possible
damage on the bouncing ball – Dusty said it shouldn’t be as it’s engineered for safety with anchoring system
& type of materials is durable enough so should take minimal abuse. John asked if money from City budget?
No, from PAC funded by capital projects & 1% of those in the City.
B. Fee Schedule Review: Primarily looking at golf course rates. Last year, increased HAC’s rates so won’t this
year as didn’t have season last year. Will increase others after Master Plan. Office staff & Greg met with
Gary last week – one item was rates. Course conditions better than been in long time, high use, & Dusty
wanted to look at our rates. Spreadsheet comparison of 2020 & proposed 2021 increased rates with similar
type SD courses rates in 2020. Dusty asked everyone please look at the spreadsheet & identify some areas
of adjustment, other areas we should increase more, is our early bird too much of a special? Golf course is
an enterprise fund so need to operate it as that. Historically, shortage been covered by liquor store profit
but goal to narrow that gap & make course break even & be a cash flow. Over next 10 days, please call or
email some adjustments you’d consider, Dusty will compile, & then have broader discussion & perhaps vote
next meeting. Doug asked what constitutes young adult? Darren said ages 19-25 & couple is 26-62. Darren
thought this was something Gary wanted. Dusty’s not sure if enough purchased memberships for young
couples. Doug asked how we did this year? Steve asked when Early Bird will start as our next meeting is
Jan 4th? Dusty thought probably same as this year – February. Darren, Ronda, Greg, & Gary looking at
software options where can still make tee times online but backside accounting needs to be easier & better.
This will also be on January’s agenda. John asked Greg about future capital improvements – hopefully make
cash flow. Doug asked if cart paths scheduled in 2021? Yes, but Dusty said irrigation system is more of a
need–piping itself underground is 40 years old & continues to create headaches for our staff. Jay asked
about early bird fees – Dusty said Greg got the other city’s fees but not sure if they have early bird. Dusty
thinks they are very good discounts, some too much. Jay asked that we ask if other cities have early bird &
John asked Greg to ask if they are also subsidized. Dusty said Mitchell was cash flow when he was there.
John asked if we’ll have end-of-year numbers by next meeting? Dusty said we’ll have 99% by January 4th.
C. Mini Golf Concept: Darren looked into some sites & Dusty sent links. Appears budget would allow purchase
under rec supplies of 9-hole course, roughly $15,000, & put in Holding Barn in winter & figure out a fee to
recover some costs to provide some winter activity. Doug thinks good idea & can be used year round,
especially in the winter. Erika had suggested during Nov’s meeting to move it around to some of our
neighborhood parks. Jay – how many people to staff & maintenance costs? Dusty said a lot could be utilized
by LIC’s staff & maintenance, a lot is astro turf but Dusty hasn’t done a lot of research yet. He’ll look into
maintenance costs & if everyone’s alright if costs are low to move forward. Doug Smith motioned to approve
purchase, Jay Larsen seconded; motion carried.
Doug asked about Holding Barn – hourly rate? Yes, $5/person. Anticipating min of 10 disc golfers so $50/hr.
Upcoming Programs & Events:
A. January Meeting: Monday, January 4, 2021
Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn at 6:36 PM by John Maynes, seconded by Doug Smith; motion carried.
Submitted,
Ronda A May
Ronda A May, Park & Rec Office Manager