HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRMinutes_2019_06_03Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
June 3, 2019
A meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board was held on Monday, June 3, 2019 at 5:30 PM at
the Brookings City County Government Center, Rm 300 with the following board members present: Steve
Berseth, Doug Smith, Erika Saunders, John Maynes, Sean Binker, Jay Larsen, Carson Cody, and Brittany
Kleinsasser. Board members absent: a high school student as it is vacant. Others present
included: Darren Hoff (Recreation Manager), Stacy Claussen (Recreation Manager), Al Kruse (Parks & Rec
Supt), Paul Briseno (City Manager), and Ronda May (Parks & Rec Office Manager).
1. Call Meeting to Order: Chairperson Brittany Kleinsasser called the meeting to order at 5:32 PM.
2. Approval of Minutes: Motion by Doug Smith, 2nd by Erika Saunders; motion carried.
3. Approval of Agenda: Motion by Sean Binker, 2nd by Steve Berseth ; motion carried.
4. Staff Highlights: Stacy – summer programs started today and have 2 interns at DNP – Paige
who worked last year & shared w/Brookings Co and Jacob. We get a grant from GF & P and they
pay ½ salary, us ¼ and Co ¼ for Paige. Paige is getting her masters. Jacob interested in different
area of programming. Four new staff members at DNP. Pool opened last Saturday, everything
going well, a little bit of heating issue in leisure pool – brand new last year and MCR here today
and might be flying someone in from Chicago. Eased into pool being open, not super busy but
Club & G.A.P. will be coming in this week. Hired 24 new lifeguards.
Darren – summer programs kicked off today. Adult VB starts this Thur, kickball started Sunday,
and tennis league tonight. Soccer extended their spring season to mid-June due to weather. June
15th, 2 groups using Fishback – soccer and Longest Day Marathon. Both groups aware both using
Fishback. We should be fine but will have some cones out helping people to know where to go.
Swim meet this weekend so 50 m pool shut down Friday afternoon through Sunday. State Swim
Meet here this summer also. Marcus is our summer rec intern working w/us on Dakota Games.
Al – water’s been a big issue. Even w/finishing playground at Pioneer - has been in-touch
w/builder & hopefully coming up this week & hoping to work on Southside also. He’s from Lincoln
NE and hoping to make 1 trip. Pouring concrete at softball complex from storm damage – concrete
pads & walkways, City water there from softball association paying for it – good bunch to work with.
Two poles to go up yet so when dry should be able to go up. Backstops up, bleachers made, &
things going along pretty good out there. Flowers planted and a lot of maintenance to be had with
dryer conditions. Slight storm damage about 3 weeks ago. Been borrowing dirt from MMS – 120-
150 loads of dirt from there & free to us. Rounds Construction took rest after yesterday. Doug
asked where dirt goes for us? To west tree nursery – west of BMU. We stock pile it out there.
Hoping to get screener from Todd w/Landfill to screen dirt. It may cost us some to haul it out but
will give us good dirt. Should get us by for a couple of years but always looking for more dirt as it’s
expensive to buy. Forestry planting trees for next couple weeks and then trimming & removal after
that. Jay wanted to highlight that PRF Dept saved the Brookings Marathon – thank you!!
Darren – golf course. Can tell it’s wet out there like most places. Rounds are down due to wetness
but think people are wanting to play. This past weekend was busy w/3 golf tourneys. First Tee will
start soon out there. Did have yoga request to use Edgebrook but going to Moriarty Park instead.
John asked how much damage done to golf course w/wet conditions & maint equipment? Darren
said we’re getting stuck, we can’t mow everywhere. Pretty minimal damage, and Doug said it’s
been mainly in the roughs. Doug said it really hasn’t hurt us much. Doug asked Carson to
introduce himself to rest of Board as college rep.
Paul on director’s position – 50-60 apps, 9 phone interviews, & 3 in-person interviews from SD,
MN, and KS but 1 withdrew so only 2 interviews. Doug sat in both sets of interviews thought both
candidates very qualified. Employment offer made to an applicant. Paul very impressed with this
pool of applicants we received. Paul also mentioned that City Council did pass temporary art
exhibit which will be displayed in several of our parks in collaboration with Arts Commission which
gets 1% of CIP with $180-190,000 in their fund.
a. CIP Project List: Paul highlighted the Parks CIP list for 2020. A lot is subject to change as this
was made 2 years ago. Changes we’ll be making will make it easier for everyone to understand.
We’ll be meshing 3 different documents together. All CIP will be in one fund. Bob Sheldon –
couple million aside but City approved bond and they’ll decide if they’ll use it for Bob Sheldon.
Erika asked if for other park infrastructure or any city infrastructure? Any city infrastructure, Paul
said. Jackie Lanning going to lay out everything for Council next week for about $300,000. Paul
wanted Council to look at little area N of current parking lot if any potential to use as an inclusive
challenger field for those who are disabled. The firm we end up hiring will put out to bid and then
we’ll decide. This is coming up at next week’s Council Meeting. We have $3.7 million put aside
from the bond. We have a 5 year CIP plan & we’ve been putting aside money for a rec center. The
new CIP will be 10 years out & based on priorities. Paul had Council Retreat last week and talked
about prioritization of projects. Doug wondered why we hadn’t heard anything about indoor rec
center discussion as he was informed by a City Council member? Paul answered with an update
of indoor turf discussions.
5. Continued Pickleball Discussion: Darren gave update – talked w/person who’s resurfacing
tennis court this summer who recommended we paint lines for pickleball which won’t slow him
down. We have portable nets and pickleball group have them. They can use courts 9 & 10 short-
term and hoping to get courts painted in next 2 weeks, staff & weather permitting. Last group
Darren spoke with strongly suggested keeping courts at Hillcrest if at all possible. Darren said
we’ve looked at a couple different parks. Darren sent email out to National Pickleball Association
to see what costs involved to build court, etc. but hasn’t heard anything back. Our local group said
80-90 people currently playing. Once courts get ready we’ll send something out media/social wise.
If CIP plans stays in-place for 2020, we’ll know where we’re headed and waiting to hear back from
Nat’l Pickleball Assn to see what costs involved. Appears our group wants to be in 1 central
location for sense of community. Darren’s reached out to school district about their tennis courts
but not sure where they’re sitting. Steve brought up blurb in Star Tribune about pickleball complex
w/bocce ball courts. Steve wondered if we should research bocce and see if good to tie in both
activities? Darren mentioned that badminton is big thing on campus so that could be another
activity to tie-in. Brittany said we’ve done a good job trying to accommodate our local group’s
requests. Jay asked about collaborative funding from our local group? Darren sad he thought at
one time there was interest in helping with this project but not sure where we are currently –
probably depends on costs, etc.
6. Larson Ice Center Update: Paul discussed this – right on-track to be completed. Al said we’re
having a walk through tomorrow. Sean asked with Blizzard leaving, does this change anything?
No. Paul mentioned that Blizzard is leaving & will now be out of St Cloud. BISA might be doing a
capital campaign & hoping to negotiate to keep with facility for upgrades. John asked if the
$1,000,000 for Bob Sheldon has been used? No. Sean’s wondering if we need to get any revenue
replaced w/Blizzard leaving? Yes, for advertising Paul said.
7. Bob Shelden Field Updates: Paul already gave update above under CIP item.
8. Continued Cyclo-Cross Bike Race Discussion: Darren – has had a little more conversation
w/John but still waiting for map of Pioneer Park. Brittany said she thought he was waiting on Chief
Erickson from PD about using shared space for their hog roast. Paul said Dave tried calling him
but voice mail not set-up. Officer Damian in-touch with John. Hog roast won’t be same date due to
police foundation. Darren will follow-up with John. Event scheduled for Aug 24-25th. Brittany said
John is excited to host the event. Darren said they also discussed Larson Park. Brittany
concerned about time constraints. Steve thought if switch location, Park & Rec Dept and City can
make that decision. Brittany reminded everyone to save the date!
9. Upcoming Programs & Events: Stacy – swim meet this weekend. Doing 4 swimming lesson
sessions, 2 weeks M – F as didn’t think able to use BHS pool. Some evening lessons, M - W
evenings, 2 weeks session at BHS pool. Need to have indoors to have this work. Nature Park
programs start tomorrow and are Tu – Th, Fishing Friday’s, and kayaking on weekends. DNP
open summer hours are Wed – Sun, closed Mon & Tues. Tennis started today, soccer tomorrow,
and have 74 part-time employees. Stacy thought public arts display should be fun – will be made
out of exercise balls which can be made into a lot of different things – 2300 balls total. Sounds like
Hillcrest and possibly Moriarty Parks used but nothing concrete. Getting paperwork signed.
Downtown at Sundown & Farmers Market also for sure – doing 5 events. John asked if DNP open
on July 4th? Yes, as it’s on Thursday. Doug asked if mountain bike area open? No, too wet. Jay
said in past years FB posts went to him but he’s not getting them – are we still doing them? Yes,
maybe check FB settings. Doug asked when Senior Games? July 19-20 weekend. (After meeting,
Staci looked and they’re actually July 26-27 weekend.) Our rec intern is working on the flier.
Trying to add bowling and golf.
Brittany asked if we meet in July? No, normally take July off. Will meet Monday, August 5th for our
next meeting.
Paul asked if this board is involved in budget process? Paul asked if there are opinions on fees?
Paul asked if we would be interested in user fees, facility fees. Put a group together? Yes, 2-3
board members. Doug asked if this includes golf course? No. Paul said a comprehensive fee
schedule is looking to happen. Steve said go easy on kids fees and look at adults more so. Paul
said some components should have a fee based on operational costs, etc. Doug volunteered to be
on committee. Brittany suggested sending out email to Board asking for feedback. Sean asked
who’s facilitating email? Ronda offered and will send it out this week.
10. Adjourn. Motion to adjourn by Doug Smith at 6:33 PM, seconded by Sean Binker; motion carried.
Meeting adjourned.
The next meeting will be Monday, August 5th at 5:30 p.m. at the City County Government Center,
Room 300.
Submitted,
Ronda May
Parks & Rec Office Manager