HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRMinutes_2022_11_07Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Notes
Monday, November 7, 2022 5:30 PM
Call to Order
Chairperson Erika Saunders called meeting to order at 5:30 PM. Present: Steve Berseth, Doug Smith, Jay Larsen, Erika
Saunders, Isaac Schulte, Lindsay Borer, & City Staff: City Manager Paul Briseno, Al Kruse, Greg Redenius, Stacy Claussen,
Darren Hoff, & Ronda May. Absent: Ashley Ragsdale, John Maynes, & Andrea Hogie. Guests: Mondell Keck w/Register &
Lawrence Novotny.
Approval of Agenda
Moving New Business Item 6B up in the agenda due to presenter needing to leave meeting early. Motion to approve
amended agenda by Steve Berseth, seconded by Doug Smith; motion carried.
Approval of Minutes
Ronda mis-spelled Mondell’s last name. Motion to approve corrected minutes by Doug Smith, seconded by Steve Berseth;
motion carried.
A. New Business Item 6B - Pioneer Park Rental – June 3, 2023: Lawrence Novotny with Brookings Pride said they’d lke to
host a pride event w/band shell & time frame approximately from 11 AM – 4 PM. Few food trucks & vendors w/tables
set-up, family friendly drag show, & speakers. Will need permit for food vendors, Paul reminded Lawrence. Steve asked
if bandshell will be ready by then w/renovations? Al isn’t sure so Lawrence said they’ll adapt. Motion to approve the
event by Jay Larsen, 2nd by Doug Smith; motion carried.
Staff Highlights
Stacy-hopefully get to groom the trails this year if get snow but they’ve been mowed. A lot of rentals this year at Nature
Center. Erika asked what’s most popular rental? Have had 6 weddings, retirement & birthday parties, candle making craft,
SDSU coming back now too–a lot of different events! Erika–any parking issues? Yes, sometimes but able to use the fire
training area as Stacy calls for permission. Also have parked at SouthBrook w/driver. HAC–leak found, fixed, & pretty sure
good-to-go. Al-couple spots of concrete need to be filled by pool house & he’s 90% sure it’s fixed. We plugged inlets this
yr for winterizing so to help possible freezing in the pipes. Stacy-unable to find pool comp to come so thanks to our staff &
BMU for their help!
Darren–all leagues started now. VB open, womens, & started coed Sunday and BB this week. Darren & Josh at SDPRA
conference in Custer. Box Elder supposed to get to 25,000 people w/Air Force base & Sioux Falls Falls Park development
both had interesting presentations. LIC–both sheets going, Learn to Skate lessons & hockey pract going, curling & adult
hockey started, & Jacks hockey making comeback w/other adult style groups inquiring about renting on a consistent basis.
Erika–how’s curling taking off? Darren said very well & they want to start kids curling & reach out to SDSU too. Michael’s
Fence repaired Hillcrest tennis courts last week.
Al–LIC has boiler coming & hopefully put in so can have floor heat in locker rooms. Think control board coming for
dehumidification system but not sure here before tourney. Forestry–planted all our trees, finished today but still some
stumps out there & if weather holds will get them done. Trail by Prairie Hills–still waiting on box culvert & should be here
anytime. Hired new forestry tech & new forestry supervisor as Ryan Burggraff promoted. He’s been in forestry FT 10 yrs &
worked w/Larry in his personal tree business. Trees straightened at Pioneer that John expressed interest in but had to wait
on weather.
Greg–we didn’t take out all the trees on #9 but quite a few. A lot of projects were completed w/good fall weather. Still in
process of getting them up here to do new test well closer to property line. Staff will get together, see what are our best
options, & will present at future Park Board meeting. Paul–he & Greg discussed it this morning. He’d like to hire a hydrologist
that truly knows ground. Doug’s concerned about starting spring dry but as Paul explained if we want to invest into Course,
we’ll have to find revenue source from other area in Parks. Greg–Course is 160 acres but irrigation system only waters 35
acres. How did we do on list from Norby John wanted to know via Doug? Greg–very well & started moving some tee boxes.
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Old Business:
A. Project Updates:
1) LWCF Grant–Pickleball: Darren–grant we applied for did come back & it’s recommended by State LWCF so going to
Nat’l Park Service. Hopefully hear something official in spring.
2) Lions & McClemans Playgrounds: Al–we’ve received the lions. Got equipment for McCleman’s but nothing installed
until next spring. Doug–no issues w/storing everything? No, equipment & can stay outside unless it can freeze along
w/lions inside.
3) Bandshell: Revised 11-1 Review: Al & Darren–what we sent for drawings for add’l space they’re wanting more
detailed drawings. We have 6 mths to respond through local Historic Preservation per Ryan Miller City Planner.
Probably won’t be able to apply for next round of grant apps. Erika–put us back by year? Possibly only half a year.
Need updated scale & elevation drawings. Paul–who are we working with on drawings? Al thought Dusty just drew
up himself so Paul said we’ll have to hire a firm. Jay–T Mobile grant is 4x/year & is 5 yr grant so good option to get
up to $50,000 grant.
4) Prairie Hills Trail: Phase 1 Construction: already covered.
5) Edgebrook Golf Course–water source: already covered.
6) Hockey Performance Center: Darren–delays like everything else & hoping for January all finally done. Outside
painted, bathrooms close, & suites done. Some inside equipment hasn’t arrived yet.
7) Larson Ice Center Repairs: Al–boiler, control panel, tube heating. Erika–control panel take care of dehumidification
system? Yes. Doug–expensive deal? Yes. Paul–control panel around $5,000 & Al said hoping to move system into
blue rink. Costs have almost doubled.
8) HAC Leisure Pool Water Loss: already covered.
9) Hillcrest School Proposed Land Use: Paul–City Attorney Steve Britzman has done a lot of analysis & found how the
transfers of land occured. School interested in 3 different tracts: 1-purchased by City in 60’s from School but they
have option to buy it back, 2nd tract NE section right off 17th originally purchased for baseball field so since we have
Bob Shelden now it could be transferred, & 3rd tract by parking lot & tennis courts was purchased specifically for
park land so would need to go to a vote. Paul told them to develop their plan & then talk with us. Doug–who
provides playground equipment? Paul brought up current agreement & BSD is responsible for equipment. We have
staff that goes out to inspect equipment. Jay asked if Lions & Rotary Clubs have been notified of losing the shelters?
Paul said not yet.
10) Board Members Helping w/Director Opening: Erika said John would like to be on hiring committee. Paul would like
1 member to serve directly & 2-3 to help w/tours. Paul–position closes tomorrow & he’s received 31 applications,
moved forward 9 individuals for phone interview w/15-20 minutes per person next Monday (Nov 14), & hopefully
bring in top 3-4 in next couple of weeks. Good pool of applicants. Paul wants someone for phone interviews & then
for final interviews after Thanksgiving. Doug also interested. Paul said he’ll include full Board during tour portion
& Jay volunteered to do tour. Paul has talked w/some Parks staff on what we’d like & Jake has sent out survey to
all staff also. Paul asked Board to consider what Community would like to see. Doug would like to see new director
live in or within 15 miles.
11) Park & Rec Board’s Mayors Awards: Ronda expressed City Clerk’s Bonnie Foster’s requested deadlines. Erika will
present & Jay will help w/compiling information. Ronda will get pictures.
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New Business:
A. Edgebrook Clubhouse Management Contract: Darren–Moen Mgm’t has done great job over years & we’re exploring to
continue on through 2025. Doug asked if he could re-apply again in 2025? Paul–depends on whether both parties
happy. Doug asked if we’re negotiating w/Gary? Dusty already had & they changed some figures to benefit the City.
Agreement will go to City Attny’s office.
Doug – cart problems? Greg said NB coming to get half & take back. They have warranty & so many man hours but we’re
running out because we have a lot of use. Next yr could be expensive w/batteries. Doug–better off to get more carts or
some reasonable solution? Greg–currently in 5 yr lease, just completed yr 3, & being explored doing a rotation after 4
yrs & starting new contract after 4 yrs. Doug would like to invite Gary to meeting to express his thanks.
B. Pioneer Park Rental – June 3, 2023: already covered.
C. Fees Addition for Nature Park & Activity Center: Stacy–2023 Nat Park fee schedule document brought up. Stacy did
some research. We’ve found when we rent Atrium, we can’t be open so increase to $75/hour & add hrs when available.
Stacy highlighted blue event package area on displayed doc. Full Facility would be $500 for full day & Full Facility &
Outdoor Green Space $800.00 for full day w/setup. Stacy went through all our former wedding rentals & almost same
cost but now more description on what’s available. Steve appreciated the info but thinks we can do this internally. Stacy
agrees but wanted to make Board aware as will be doing a fee schedule amendment. Also taking over Activities Center
in January so those will be coming forward. Doug–who’s taking over Act Center, have we hired someone? Stacy–no,
she’s been working & we’ve been helping. Paul–City Council approved hiring someone FT so working on job description
& hopefully out in 2 weeks, probably open another month so hoping by Jan 1 might have someone hired.
Doug–BMU has run into issues w/water plant? Are they still doing along 20th St w/trees getting removed? Al said some
will still stay. Will there be sidewalk all along 20th? Not sure how far sidewalk goes. Paul–BMU going in right-of-way
but both N & S are packed full of utilities so going inside the road so no option to get hiking/bike trail. We do have TIF
from Main to Medary so hiking/bike trail there & hope to do future on 20th St.
Upcoming Programs & Events: (reported by Dusty unless otherwise indicated)
A. Next meeting: Dec 5 at 5:30 PM
Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn meeting by Doug Smith, 2nd by Lindsey Borer; motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:40 PM.
Submitted,
Ronda A May
Ronda May
City of Brookings Parks, Rec, & Forestry Office Manager