HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRMinutes_2021_08_16Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Special Minutes
Tuesday, August 17, 2021 5:30 PM
Call to Order
Steve Berseth called meeting to order at 5:29 PM. Present: Steve Berseth, Andrea Hogie (Zoom), John Maynes,
Doug Smith (Zoom), Erika Saunders (Zoom), Jay Larsen, Carson Cody (Zoom), Isaac Schulte (Zoom); & City Staff
Dusty Rodiek, Greg Redenius, Stacy Claussen, Darren Hoff, & Ronda May. Also present via Zoom: Leon & Will
Younger and Lyle Pudwill. Guest: Harry Mansheim. Not present: Board Member Ashley Ragsdale, Parks &
Foresty Supt Al Kruse, & City Mgr Paul Briseno.
Approval of Agenda
Motion to approve agenda by John Maynes, seconded by Jay Larsen; motion carried.
New Business: Reported by Dusty Rodiek unless otherwise noted
A. Parks Master Plan – Aug 2021 Update: Leon – next step is to wrap up in Sept. Focus on how do we get there.
Revisited the themes of the Master Plan. Level of Service: largest need is Indoor Rec & Aquatic Center but
we’re meeting the community’s needs. Recommendations: community mandates/priorities,
financial/revenue, levels of service, partnerships, standards, & governance/organizations. Vision Statement
& Mission Statement created. Then created a 30-page document which they’ll send to us.
Initiative #1 – Well Maintained & Safe Parks & gave park recommendations.
Int #2 – High Performing & Facility Management & gave recommendations. Ten percent of work hours should
be performed by volunteers.
Int #3 – Enhance Programs, Services, & Expectations & gave recommendations. Do true feasibility study is
highly recommended by Leon. Cost-of service study helps us take care of what we’re creating & not take
away from other programs.
Int #4 – Enhance Financial Mgm’t & gave recommendations. Requires long-term funding strategy to take
care of our amenities. Consider creating Park Foundation as have very giving community. Most cities they
work with have land dedication ordinance–something they suggest we do as well as impact fee on new
development.
Lyle–CIP: put improvements into 3 tiers: critical/sustainable (deferred maintenance, lifecycle replacements),
expanded services alternative – existing needs but add amenities (trail expansion, new park features), &
visionary alternative – fiscally unconstrained desire by community (complete renovations, development of
new parks/facilities). These are usually done in conjunction w/private partner. In 5 & 10 year CIP, added 45
new improvements totally $2.6 million in critical, $1.5 mill in expanded, and $33.8 mill in visionary.
Feedback from us: Jay–analysis of what Fishback Indoor Training Fac, Larson Ice Center new area, &
possibly 5th St. Leon-typically community center has 2 gyms w/4-5 courts, walking track, level of aquatic
facility w/at least 3 different water areas (warm for rehab, fitness water, play water, and competition water),
& usually wellness/fitness component, a community space that serves all different types of programs for all
ages. Harry–what is a Miracle Ballfield? Leon–people in wheel chairs/disabled are able to use rubberized
surface field & play the game without injury for kids & adults to use & being mobile. Harry–be put inside for
year found? Leon, yes & are normally supported privately. Lyle–Miracle Ballfield organization that combines
inclusive playground so destination. Doug–if we have bunch of facilities, any reason why we couldn’t have
Special Olympic competitions in Brookings? Leon–yes, could do now w/out Miracle Field as have facilities.
Dusty–typically Miracle Fields are outdoors. Multi-ages, multi-functional concept. John–do any financial
comparisons w/peer communities? Leon–yes, in report. Jay–advancement in Brookings population going S
which was agricultural; how do we appeal to these developments to have ordinance/impact fee or don’t ask
for acceptance as more developments mean more parks, more staff. Leon–parks system should grow
w/developments & we have some existing land that could help us. Have ability to use imp fees to make
some new amenities. Leon–does this make sense what we’ve done?
Page 2
Steve–we seem to have real high ratio of park land in comparison to other communities our size. How does
this element fit into the plan? Leon- having more park land is ok but biggest thing is having land no one uses
that we maintain. Need to setup spaces for positive experiences to celebrate outdoors & general organized
play. Jay–any potential benefit w/20th St and I29 interchange? Leon–gives us another opportunity to connect
town & open up more development so need to decide how we service. Important to include parks in
infrastructure … when roads go in, parks follow & important component for the future.
Doug–if we develop indoor rec/aquatic center, where do we place it? Leon–look at residents first to make
sure well served then look at demographics of users. Feasability study looks at 3 things & want to maximize
as most we can. Harry–saw that largest need is indoor rec/aquatic center. What’s your suggestion to have
complete rec center for many amenities built & paid for? Leon–usually bond issue, 50-60 year buildings so
touch generations of use. Multi-functional & multi-age so everyone can see themselves using it while not
make it sports focused to get more support. Look at partnerships–we did Sioux Falls plan & had a lot of
partnerships. Feasibility study will find those partners (hospitals for rehab purposes & wellness
components, YMCA, private groups who want to invest, school districts & universities, & organizations that
want to pay for 1 major piece). Need wider age investment. John–any analysis of existing tax burden in
Brookings? Leon–yes, & everyone’s aware of it. Best system in US have best balance of year round usage.
Steve–a lot of adult participation through membership in Wellness Center–more focus on youth for indoor
center? Leon–good balance between all ages, singles/couples/families. Need to program how ages feel,
doesn’t duplicate senior center, generated around active seniors. Doug–Wellness Center cost prohibitive,
when school in session, hard to get in, & intimidating for older folks to use when students there. Doug would
like facility for all ages & not intimidating. Leon–always space for people to access.
Dusty – maybe next meeting will share more pieces of action plan, revise some dates possibly. It’s a
living/working document, & we can prioritize further down-the-line & modify as we go based on the
conditions.
Adjournment:
Dusty mentioned tour on Sept 7th. Action Plan will be working document & we’ll look at on annual basis. Hope by
Sept 11 to have CIP in little more easy-to-read format. Will go through & prioritize by different categories. How
to keep amenities, replacement schedule, & added amenities (pickleball, etc). Hope to bring to next meeting for
review. John–when is meeting w/Council? Dusty–final presentation, maybe 2nd Council meeting in Sept. Harry-
who is everyone so those he didn’t know introduced to him.
Meeting adjourned at 6:21 PM.
Submitted,
Ronda A May
Ronda A May
Parks, Recreation & Forestry Office Manager