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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-15 Draft Committee Chair Weberg Haneman called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. Members Present: Alex Nicholson, Holly Weberg, Jim Storms, Lindsay Haneman, Megan Kelley, Monica Joubert, Steve Henneberry, Mike Richards (alternate) Members Absent: NA Staff Present: Parks and Recreation Director John Hennen, Environmental Resources Specialist II Ann Messerschmidt, Environmental Resources Specialist Kelly Perrine, Recreation Manager Susan Johnson, Active Adults Recreation Program Coordinator Bridget Samson 1. Approval of January 4, 2023 minutes Motion was made by Joubert, seconded by Haneman to approve the January 4, 2023 minutes as written. Ayes: unanimous 2. Citizen comments No citizens were present. 3. 2022 Environmental Resources Year-in-Review Environmental Resources Staff provided their 2022 Year in Review that highlighted a number of department projects and initiatives including East Lake Habitat Improvement, North Creek Channel Improvement, annual lake projects at Valley, Lee, East and Kingsley Lakes, Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention, educational outreach and Watershed Cleanup Day & Earth Day Celebration. Department staff also organized and participated in volunteer activities that included, Valley Lake pollinator garden planting and maintenance, Master Naturalist Program, Wetland Health Evaluation Program, Adopt-a-Drain, buckthorn busts and Lakeville South STEM projects. A number of events are upcoming including Landscaping for Clean Water classes, Rain Barrel and Compost Bin sales, Earth Day Celebration and Watershed Cleanup, Ritter Farm Park After Dark and Nature Detectives programs. 4. Recreation and Heritage Center Department Updates and 2022 Program Review Recreation Manager Susan Johnson provided a year end review of 2022 program offerings. 2,748 participants signed up for classes, programs, activities, and events this past year. Participation numbers consistently met or exceeded pre-COVID numbers. Notable enrollments included RevSports (846), Stories in the Parks (421), Kamp Kermit (178), Lynch Camps (305), Easter Scramble and Egg Hunt (420), Safety Camps (102), EcoElsa programs (146) and many others. Staff also highlighted the Pan-O-Prog softball tournament that saw record turn out and enough women’s teams to organize a women’s division. Summer program registration opened on February 16, new programs in 2023 were highlighted and include Cricket Camp, Mini-Mermaid Paddleboarding, Women’s Golf Clinic, RevSports Quidditch Camp and inclusive nature program offerings to be held at Ritter Farm Park. Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources committee Meeting Minutes, February 15, 2023 Page 2 Johnson also shared that the warming houses closed operations as of February 15 due to the rise in temperature and forecasted rain. Active Adults Recreation Program Coordinator shared an update on everything happening at the Heritage Center. Samson joined the department in late August replacing Renee Brekken, she oversees operations at the Heritage Center including two part time administrative staff and works with the Lakeville Area Active Adults Advisory Committee. Current membership stands at 1,322 which exceeds pre-COVID membership. Popular offerings in 2022 included bread visits (4,818), coffee visits (716), fitness center visits (1,340), and pickleball (2,552 players). Groups that saw increased participation from 2021 included pickleball, walking, ladies’ golf, men’s golf, and biking. Samson shared that the Waffle Breakfast fundraiser made a triumphant after a two-year hiatus, Fire Department staff provided their time and equipment making the event more lucrative for the Active Adults. Committee Chair Weberg – Is the growing Active Adults population outgrowing the facility? Samson indicated that at times, the building does feel strained to staff, but members have not expressed this. 5. Park Projects Updates and Staff Report o Antlers Park Playground Staff shared the site plan and color renderings of the proposed Antlers Park playground. The concepts includes poured in place surfacing and 37 inclusive components. The contractor included interpretations of historical elements with a barn like façade and railroad tracks. Staff requested committee approval of the concept that will then be presented at the next City Council meeting. Construction of the playground would begin in mid-July. Committee Co-Chair Henneberry – Was there consideration for more swings and monkey bars? There are monkey bars included in the master plan, the footprint for swings takes up a considerable amount of space which needed to be taken into consideration when designing the park. Committee Chair Weberg – The colors of the playground seem more muted than at other parks, is there any concern that the neutral color scheme will become out of date? The colors were chosen in an effort to depict the historical elements in example, the white barn façade. Motion was made by Henneberry, seconded by Joubert to recommend approval of the Antlers Park playground as presented by City staff. Ayes: unanimous 6. Other Business – NRPA Follow Up Committee Member Storms presented three vides on the mission of NRPA and resources that are available. Motion was made by Nicholson, seconded by Haneman to adjourn the February 15, 2023 meeting. Ayes: unanimous 7. Adjourn Meeting adjourned 7:34 p.m.