HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRMinutes_2024_06_03
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Notes
Monday, June 3, 2023 5:30 PM
1. Call to Order
Chair Erika Saunders called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM. Board members Present: Erika Saunders, Doug Smith,
Jay Larsen, Nathaniel Condelli, Steve Berseth and Stacy Zerfas. Board members Absent: Brenda Andersen. City of
Brookings Staff Present: Park, Recreation and Forestry Director Kristin Zimmerman, Assistant Director Parks, Recreation
and Forestry Joshua Bauman, Recreation Manger Darren Hoff and Park, Recreation and Forestry Office Manger
Ashley Johnson
2. Approval of Agenda
Steve Berseth makes a motion to approve June 2024 Agenda, Doug Smith 2nds motion; Motion Carried
3. Approval of Minutes
Nathaniel Condelli makes a motion to approve May 2024 Minutes. Stacy Zerfas 2nds motion; Motion Carried
4. Call to the Public
A member of the public spoke regarding the Dakota Nature Park and Brookings Prairie. He is concerned that
Brookings Prairie is already infested with volunteer growth. He is concerned that this isn’t being taken care of. He was
wondering why we didn’t burn it last year to control invasive species. He states that they are growing there now. He
is also concerned that there isn’t enough work being done on the invasive species at Dakota Nature Park. He would
like to see that those things be taken care of with more man power in the parks. He is also wondering about the water
project at Edgebrook Golf Course. He would like to know why the super intendent isn’t involved in the process of the
water sourcing project.
5. Discussion & Possible Action: Prairie Soul
Prairie Soul would like to do a Dog Yoga event at Pioneer Park June 4th. They expect about 40 people and dogs.
All dogs will be on leashes. There will be no alcohol. We are ok with the event, even though it was a last-minute
submittal. Jay Larsen motions to approve, Steven Berseth 2nds motion. Motion is carried.
6. Discussion & Possible Action: Brookings Area Chamber
No action will now be needed due to the event moving to an indoor area.
7. Discussion and Possible Action: Anderson Insurance
Anderson insurance is doing a customer appreciation event at Pioneer Park on June 13th. It is just a quick drive through
event to grab food while supplies last. They expect about 500 people, but this is the first year for the event. We
have no liability because it’s a pot luck event. Jay Larsen motions to approve, Steve Berseth 2nds Motion; Motion is
carried.
8. Discussion & Possible Action: South Dakota State University
SDSU is wanting to do a Child and Family resource fair from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on June 13th. Both events are
able to happen at the same time due to them being held in different areas. Jay Larsen motions to approve, Steve
Berseth 2nds; Motion is carried.
9. Discussion & Possible Action: Kite Festival
The Kite Festival will be held at the Fishback Soccer complex from 10 am to 8pm on June 22nd, 2024. This is an annual
event that draws in around 500 people through out the day. Jay Larsen motions to approve, Steve Berseth 2nds
motion; Motion is carried.
10. Discussion and Possible Action: Prairie Striders Longest day 10K
The Prairie Striders longest Day 10 k will also be happening the day of the Kite Festival, June 22nd, 2024. Estimated
attendance is unknown for the 10 k and it shouldn’t affect the kite festival at all. Jay Larsen motions to approve, Steve
Berseth 2nds; Motion is carried.
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11. Discussion & Possible Action: Comedy in the Park
Comedy in the Park with Wooden Legs Brewery. This will be on Thursday July 25th and they expect about 300 people
or more. Alcohol will be served and they have already secured their temporary alcohol permit through Bonnie. This is
an annual event, this being the 3rd year. This is something that is continuing to grow. Jay Larsen motions to approve,
Steve Berseth 2nds; Motion is carried.
12. Discussion and Possible Action: Hillcrest Shelters
Hillcrest School has an expansion and Hillcrest Shelters B and C have been impacted due to the addition. There is a
resolution and a City Council Memo that both reflect this request. One of the shelters is about 5 feet away from an
access drive. This is not an ideal location. The school has agreed that the shelters should be moved with concrete
poured underneath. We are asking for the Park Boards support in moving forward with this action item. There has
been some change over with organizations but we just want to make sure that we are getting your support. The
estimated cost is about $32,000. That includes moving the two shelters and the concrete that will be under the shelters
as well. They would be relocated over near where the pickleball courts will be located. The school district will also
have to cover the cost of the electrical changes in the shelters that are moved. Item B is the specific item that we are
going to be voting on. Doug Smith motions to approve Item B, to support that the school district move the two shelters
Nathanial Condelli 2nds motion; Motion is carried.
Doug Smith also makes a motion that the school also address the issue of the holding pond that is located right next
to the school. The recommendation would be to remove the standing water and regrade that northeast corner. Jay
2nds the motion. Motion is carried.
13. Capital Project Updates:
Pickleball courts: We have pickleball constructions meetings weekly on Thursdays, as of last Thursday they finished
the base course. They have left the perimeter open so that they can get the main post installed for the fencing and
the nets. Concrete is tentatively planned for the week of June 24th. Lighting equipment is planned to show up the week
of July 8th. Once the concrete goes down, there is 30-day cure time before they can come in and put the resurfacing
down. Right now, we are still on schedule and even with the rain that we have had everything is moving along as it
should. We hope to have a ribbon cutting in late August. We will be meeting with Public Arts commission next month
and they will put out a call to artist to design the windscreens. They will be 2 sided. We could possibly have a 3rd
side but wouldn’t recommend doing 4. Art will only go on the outside; the inside screen will be solid.
Pioneer Bandshell: The contractor was able to form around the scalloping at the bandshell. It has been poured. The
next step is the stucco and apron on the front. We are still on schedule to meet that completion date for July 4th
completion ahead of the Summer Arts Festival and some of the dates for the community band. We can look at what
the cost would be to add cameras to the bandshell to make sure that we are protecting all the new work that has
been put into it.
Edgebrook Water Source: We are exploring some additional options. We have ordered additional water testing for
the LG Everest Ponds and we are also doing our due diligence with some wells that are near the Out Door Adventure
Center that are only running at 25% of their capacity so BMU is going to be doing some studies to see if it would just
be quicker if we can upside that pump size and use those wells. We do have some core samples back from the when
they did the over pass. The original drillers stopped as soon as they hit clay. We think that it would be prudent to see
if we can go with another company to see if they could go further. The aquifer has shifted a little so it is a little bit
more in our favor. But we can’t say that it will stay that way, it could always shift back. If we could get a well on site
that would be best. Banner is the company that we are working with. We would have to purchase the water from
BMU, but we would have a little more control of the water as well. We would still need to bore under the road, but
it wouldn’t affect a major roadway like the interstate. If we were able to go with this method, we could possibly start
construction in Spring. We wouldn’t have to deal with water rights or permitting. USGA will be on site July 11th. We
would still be lining the ponds.
Prairie Hills Trials: we just had a walk through with our contractor and there are a few tasks that need to be completed.
There are two areas that need to be regraded and one section of concrete that needs to be replaced. Our final walk
through with Game Fish and Parks will be next week.
Brookings Inclusive Play Project: We do have new designs for the playground and it is about $100,000.00 less
expensive and it is more soccer centered. We are estimating that phase 1 will be about 1.7 million dollars, the
majority of that will be through CIP funds and we applied for a $500,000.00 grant and the rest would be raised
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through fundraising. Our play for all campaign is coming up with a catalog so that business will be able to sponsor
playground equipment or what ever their budgets will allow. We also want to make sure that a family is able to
donate, so everyone is able to be apart of the project. The city will be putting $900,000.00 in for the playground,
splashpad and bathrooms. There will be 4 family style bathrooms near the playground. It will also have a mechanical
room that would double for the pumphouse for the splash pad. There will not be any standing water so it will not have
to be guarded. We expect to have only two phases.
14. Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department Updates:
Recreation Manager Darren Hoff stated that we have 10 teams for kickball and last year we had 9 teams. Sand
Volley Ball we have 19 teams we had 16 teams, so we are up 3 teams. For T-ball we have 10 teams and 107 kids
are participating. We are down a few kids. We also do have SDSU Cricket Club will be playing out at Southbrook
this summer, they are renting the field. Kickball is out at Bob Sheldon. We have our financial suitability contract being
looked at right now by our attorney so that should be coming back to us quickly. The cost generally covers Darren’s
time and the leagues are very affordable.
2-5 Playgrounds: the surfacing is being installed today.
The pool is open and the glass coating helped sealed the hairline cracks. So, the pool is holding water better than
ever. This should help our utility cost. Everyone really likes it.
We are replacing some of the sidewalks downtown.
The week of June 17th the basketball parks will be surfaced, Pioneer, McClemons, first time at Sara Renea and
resurfacing at Lions Park.
Kristin was accepted into the first ever NRPA Suitability and practice cohort. They say we have a lot of great things
happening in our park areas that include no mow areas, no mow May, our urban forestry initiative. It is a partner
program so SDSU was actually a recipient so Robin from SDSU Extension will be helping us through this program.
They were awarded a $10,000.00 grant and it has to be used in Brookings.
Darren has also been participating in the NRPA Equity in Practice. It is all about best practices and making everyone
welcome and comfortable coming into our parks. They meet every other Tuesday for a 2.5 hour zoom call and then
1.5 hours on alone class time. It is a 12-week program. We are basically creating a plan for our parks to go above
average. It helps with language barriers, accessibility.
All of our annual plants are planted
If you do want to do a 4th of July Meeting it would be July 1st.
15. Adjournment
Steve Berseth Motions to adjourn, Nathaniel Condelli 2nds motion; Motion carried.