HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRMinutes_2019_11_04Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
November 4, 2019
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board met on Monday, November 4th 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, Jay
Larsen, and Carson Cody. Board members absent: Brittany Kleinsasser, Sean Binker, John Maynes, and a high school
student as it is vacant. Others present included: Dusty Rodiek (Parks, Rec & Forestry Director), Darren Hoff (Recreation
Manager), Stacy Claussen (Recreation Manager), Al Kruse (Parks & For Supt), and Ronda May (Parks & Rec Office
Manager).
1. Call Meeting to Order: Steve Berseth called meeting to order at 5:32 PM. Motion to approve agenda by Doug Smith,
2nd by Jay Larsen; motion carried.
2. Staff Highlights:
Al Kruse: Guys have been planting trees yet this fall, removing tree stumps, put in last 2 poles at SouthBrook,
trying to get some things done @ LIC with some tidying. Will probably have Total Maintenance come out and do
some cleaning from McKinstry and then we’ll take over from there. Have all bathrooms winterized and the old
armory also as it lost the roof this summer & needs to keep heat. Paul E has had soccer still going on & Al thinks
1 more game so that bathroom still open. Campground has electricity but no water. Soccer bathroom does have
some heat as Doug asked if we do. Jay said SDSU hosts Summit League Soccer Tourney. Doug asked if we
take out the stakes and tie downs on blvd trees - yes & try to reuse all of it. Planted trees at Fishbach given to us
by Conservation District. Al said if we have a nice Nov we’d get a lot done yet but will see. Steve said he thinks
we’ve done a marvelous job the past couple of years under the weathe r conditions. Al doesn’t think we’ve gone
5 days without precipitation.
Stacy Claussen: Nature Park is starting a program on Wednesdays with early outs from 2:45 - 5:00 PM. Tried
last year but trying again this year. Learning about the outdoors w/animal habitats setup for 5 weeks. Stacy did
send some emails out to those who have previously done DNP programs for ages 8-12. We have a rat at DNP
so taking care of that, dock has been dismantled, beaver still around. Steve asked if have critters at Sexau er?
No, Al hasn’t seen them lately.
Darren Hoff: Leagues going with BB starting Wed as volleyball already going, games scheduled for rink, BISA
doing practices, waiting on tourney schedule at LIC, not sure if we have SDSU hockey team or not but we’re
billing them as they reserved rink but only been there once. Figure skating first session lessons going also.
Darren’s hoping that BISA gets their tourney schedule booked soon as someone from Omaha contacted him
today about renting ice so needs to know if we have ice available.
3. Old Business:
a. LIC Update: Dusty reported that mechanical system up & running, staff doing daily checks but have 1
compressor not operating at 100% so they’re coming back to check on it as want to make sure it’s operating
properly. Cleaning - getting old Blizzard locker rooms ready for BISA to move into. Setup weekly meeting with
Kelly Koenig w/BISA between him & Bill on facility, face to face w/work plan put together to address issues
proactively.
b. Bob Shelden Field Update/Preliminary Design: Matt & Dusty had mtg w/RDG Consultants. They’re working
on cost estimates on different pieces. Erika asked if any decisions made on grandstand options? Yes, the curved
one in the back w/the awning which is what we’re probably basing the des ign on. May have them present at a
Council Meeting in December.
c. Indoor Park/Turf Facility: Really not much movement. Revenue & cost estimates related to 35,000 sq ft facility
were produced by facility stakeholders.
4. New Business:
a. Proposed Mowing Reduction: Dusty would like to take concept to Sustainability Committee. Jay Larsen
motioned to present to Sustainability Committee the reduction of mowing per our Board, Doug Smith 2nd; motion
carried.
b. Disc Golf Course Redesign: Tuesday night league members have agreed to help with some of the labor in the
spring. The design change will give us the opportunity to host sanctioned tourneys. Design will include 20 baskets
to accommodate recreational players for 20 holes but for tourneys need the additional holes for 18-hole layout.
Original designer in favor of redesigning the course.
c. 2020 Community Olympics: Last Tues & Wed Darren, Stacy, & Dusty ran down to Kearney NE. When Dusty
was there working, had a special event in summer called Community Olympics. Different groups put together a
team & it’s a weekend full of events. Would start Friday afternoon w/intent to get people moving, be active, and
have fun. Start w/participation event and then different events at different park settings. Planning on next week
to talk w/Hospital to hopefully partner with them. Some are competitive events while others are participation
events. Teams build points throughout weekend - pickleball, adventure relay, basketball, etc. & try & get people
to different facilities, wrap up with barbeque on Sunday. Chelsea w/City met today with the 3 and is getting things
ready. Erika asked if have dates set? Yes, end of June. Doug asked if similar to Sr Games? Somewhat but
different as point system. Kearney has max of 40 teams and have had up to 38 teams. Kearney’s been doing it
for 25 years & Dusty knows how fun it was. Brookings has the spirit to embrace it. Doug asked if every person
participates in every event? No. Different team members would do different events. Team events like kickball,
volleyball, etc. This year we’ll probably have each team design their own banner but Kearney does different
pieces to the weekend to help get people onboard, get a community feeling. Erika thought great idea. We
learned from Kearney after meeting with them. Jay asked if age & gender grouped? Eighteen years old to
participate and some events will be broken down by age group. Steve asked if local deal or geographical area?
No, open to anyone but most teams will be Brookings at the core but other towns’ members can still participate.
Hopefully have logo from Chelsea by next meeting along with events, etc. Ronda sked if Sr Games still
happening? Yes, not meant to replace them.
d. Golf Cart Lease: Bid opening tomorrow. Bruce has gotten some preliminary data.
e. Retirement: Bruce Hovelson, Golf Course Superintendent, retiring end of December. Doug asked if we’d still
have 2 full time people? Yes, but rate of pay won’t be where Greg is currently. Doug asked if enough of a need
for 2 full time? No, will also help in other areas of our dept - forestry, LIC, etc. For 2020 both salaries coming
out of golf course but can be utilized in other places. Golf Course isn’t a true cash flow but is better at quality of
life. Dusty will talk with HR and see what is the process to fill this position.
5. Upcoming events: In January, we will start meeting in Room 241. Dusty said RFP’s put out on Armory back in Aug
& we rcv’d 2 responses & did interviews on those 2 last Thur & Fri. Select committee met and did some scoring and
chose 1 of the 2. Now has to go to Council, get a developmental agreement, historical items but at least moving.
Looking at our budget, we have the opportunity to roll over some money over into 2020 and maybe able to replace
playground equipment at Larson Park which is in the worst condition. Will probably do a 3500 sq ft, single component
similar to Pioneer’s instead of 2 areas. Vendors will submit an RFP back to us and selective committee meets so
most will come back within budget. By doing RFP, it gives vendors creativity to look at their different pieces they offer
and then present to us which falls in our scope but lets them be creative. Jay left meeting at 6:14 PM. Erika and
Carson volunteered to be on the selective committee. The last Park Master Plan was done in 2010 by Mike Struck.
If we’re going to get a consultant will probably budget for it in 2021. In meantime there are lots of t hings we can do
as staff and Board that we’d like to see in new plan. Get additional 40 acres at Fishbach? Dusty asked Board to
start dreaming. Offer 2nd community garden location? Create showcase park? Dusty would love to hear Board’s
ideas. Going to invite our staff to start thinking also. Steve asked if our pickleball people are happy with their courts
at Hillcrest? Yes, but Dusty said their courts are still on, just pushed back. Doug asked if they’re using 5th St Gym
this winter? Yes, if they rent it Darren said. Doug asked about lawsuit on Larson’s Hill sledding accident? Yes,
Mayor has been served with outside attorney and insurance provider working on it. Doug asked if Park & Rec needs
to do something due to this? Yes, no sledding signs have been reposted. When accident happened, the sign was
not posted as it was stolen but Josh did put it in. Doug asked about golf course short course? Dusty is evaluating it
at this time & nothing more as he needs to gather more information.
6. Adjourn. Meeting ended at 6:30 PM.
Submitted,
Ronda May
Parks & Rec Office Manager