HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRMinutes_2024_02_05Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Notes
February 5, 2024 5:30 PM
1.Call to Order
Erika Saunders called the meeting to order at 5:31 PM. Park Board Members Present: Erika Saunders, Steve
Berseth, Doug Smith, Nathaniel Condelli, Brenda Andersen, Cade Christianson, Erin Benz, Stacy Zerfas and
Jay Larsen. City of Brookings Employees Present: Park, Recreation and Forestry Director Kristin Zimmerman,
Asst. Park, Recreation and Forestry Director Joshua Bauman, and Park, Recreation and Forestry Office
Manager Ashley Johnson.
2.Approval of Agenda
Motion to approve Agenda made by Doug Smith, Brenda Andersen 2nds: Motion carried. Jay Larsen requested that
future agendas be more specific.
3.Approval of Minutes
Motion to approve January 2024 minutes made by Brenda Andersen, Doug Smith 2nds: Motion carried
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4.Call to the Public
Several members of the public attended the meeting to ask about updates on pickleball. They wanted to discuss the size of
the pickleball courts. Kristin will be providing an update.
5.Directors Report
Pickleball: the bids are now closed, so we are able to discuss it a little bit more. Engineer estimates came in over the dollar
amount allocated for the project so we needed to keep the project scope as small as we could. After more discussion we do
have some room for flexibility and increasing some room for the buffer area between the courts. We are going to meet with
the pickleball group next week to establish a want and need list of what we would like to do and will likely be able to work a
few things out. It will be a competitive level court with increased lighting. We will be able to do 34' by 64'. We received
the recommendation for the contractor that will construct the project. That will be going to council hopefully later this
month. 6 companies responded to the bid opening all of them had substantial completion by August of 2024.
Pioneer Bandshell: The bid was awarded and we are working towards potential relocation of events during construction. Per
the contract the substantial completion date is 4th of July weekend. It will impact the community band a couple of weekends but
we are working with our partnerships to find a suitable location for that. They will be improving the drainage on the stage,
adding an ADA ramp, stucco repairs and the front wall will be returned to stucco. The contractor will start as early as they can
in the spring. Once the project is started, we will have a better idea as to when they are done. It will be very weather dependent.
The completion date is a last possible date, we would prefer that it be sooner.
Prairie Hills phase II: Crews have been able to start on terrain cuts due to the nice weather. Both phase 1 and 2 went out
together and it is a grant-based project.
Tree Voucher Program: It is set to kick off on Earth Day, April 22nd. We are doing a 60% release for the tree voucher program,
1 voucher per household. This will make it more equitable across the board. We gave the vouchers out within a couple of hours
last year so we are trying to give more people the opportunity to receive a voucher. 60% will be given in the spring and the
other 40% as well as any unused spring vouchers will be given out in the fall. The allotment for the voucher program is $30,000.
Park Map: Kristin presented a draft of the map that we are currently working on, we would like to update the maps once it is
complete and it will be in the recreation guide this summer. It will also be online and in our offices. The map was created in our
GIS system so it was pulled out of our mapping software, we will look into making the map to scale. Nathanial Condelli suggested
that we note accessible areas on the map. Kristin wants everyone to look at the map and note anything that we may need to
add. Erika Saunders suggests denoting the entrances to the parks on the map as well.
Departmental Updates: We currently have two openings within our department. We have a Parks Supervisor and Forestry
Technician opening.
Community Garden Plots: Our plots are open to the public so people are able rent their garden plots.
Upcoming Programs and Events: There is an assessment going around about renovating the Activity Center and library to make
the space more useable. There is community outreach planning so that the community can provide their feedback. It is at the
Activity Center on February 15th from 1pm to 3pm. And the library from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM. There are also some online options
to give that feedback. Kristin will be meeting with the chamber to discuss downtown at sundown where we will likely be providing
children’s activities. We believe that will be a good outreach to the public.
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Frost Fest: Is the weekend of February 16th through the 18th we have activities going on at the Larson Ice Center. Due to the
weather, we are unable to do ice fishing or snowshoeing, however there will be sled hockey and open skate at the Larson Ice
Center.
6. Activity Center Updates
Angi Strohfus with the Activity Center gave updates on the center. She is she Senior Services Supervisor at the Activity
Center. She comes with many years’ experience in programing. The city purchased the building in 2011 and the
board of directors were doing all of the day-to-day operations. In 2023 the city took over those day-to-day
operations and Angi was hired. The vision is to create a place for seniors to create, thrive and be active. The center
offers programs to meet many needs. Angi makes sure that they have activities for both men and women of all ages
and abilities. She of course also has lifelong learning opportunities. The center has speakers that come in and educate
us on a variety of different things. One of Angi’s visions is to maximize the space. It is a little tight with the membership
growth. Since Angi has started in May of 2023 she has tripled the memberships. Currently they have 318
memberships. Memberships are $30.00 per year. Angi likes to collaborate with other people to bring more programs.
SDSU nursing program comes in and does free foot care and they also do blood sugars, blood pressures and other
essential things. This is all at not cost. The center is inclusive to ages 55 and older. Angi likes to include outings in the
programing. Due to the membership numbers increasing there are limits to some of the activities. She has created
themed events and has a monthly newsletter that goes out. The programs average around 55 ppl per activity so that
is great! Angi has partnered with the Wellness center as well! Mondays a trainer from the Silver Sneakers Program
comes to the center and on Wednesdays it’s a physical therapist that comes in to do some physical training with our
members. Angi is really big into community outreach so the activity center received a grant and made care bags for
foster children in the area. The center will work very close with any nonprofit organizations. The members have also
walked dogs. Angi has a passion for intergeneration programs. Angi would like to ask that if you have anyone in
your life that is 55 or older, please share the word and or join them at the Activity Center. You can go online to apply
for a membership. A majority of the projects are at no cost, the center does have a department of health grant that
helps and they also have money from United Way. The city also has a budget line to help with funding. Angi said
that currently they do have to overflow into the community room due to capacity. The Activity Center is currently
updating the Elks room as well. We hope that we will be able to update the Activity Center in order to produce more
useable room. Angi strives to meet the needs of everyone. Kristin and Josh speak very highly of Angi and are very
glad to have her at the Activity Center!
7. Park Rules
The Park Board has decided to table the park rules until March 2024 Board meeting for more discussion
8. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn by Doug Smith, Cade Christianson 2nds, Meeting adjourned at 6:12 PM