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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-02-07 P & R WS & Minutes - Approved Approved CITY OF CENTERVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE WORK SESSION & MEETING MINUTES Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City of Centerville’s Parks & Recreation Committee held a scheduled meeting on February 7, 2024, in the Council Chambers at the Centerville City Hall and live streamed at: https://northmetrotv.com/channel-15-live-stream. WORK SESSION I. CALL TO ORDER 1. Roll Call Present: Chairperson Heidi Errickson-Grahek Committee Member Emem Akpan Committee Member Ashley Fuchs Committee Member Brian Peterson Committee Member Suzanne Seeley Also Present: City Clerk, Ms. Teresa Bender City Council Liaison, Mr. Terry Sweeney (Arrived at 5:13 p.m.) City Administrator, Mr. Mark Statz Absent: Committee Member Kathy Freiermuth II. ITEMS OF DISCUSSION 1. 2024 Strategic Planning 2. Capital Equipment Replacement City Administrator Statz provided an overview of the items that were contained in the Committee’s packet and stated that he would reappear before them in two months. He stated that the intent of the information is for the Committee to complete forward thinking, goals and planning for the future. III. ADJORNMENT Chair Errickson-Grahek Adjourn the Work Session at 6:28 p.m. REGULAR MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER City of Centerville Park and Recreation Committee WS & Meeting Minutes February 7, 2024 Chair Errickson-Grahek called the February 7, 2024, meeting of the Parks and Recreation Committee, to order at 6:38 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Centerville City Hall. 1. Roll Call Present: Chairperson Heidi Errickson-Grahek Committee Member Emem Akpan Committee Member Ashley Fuchs Committee Member Brian Peterson Committee Member Suzanne Seeley Also Present: City Clerk, Ms. Teresa Bender City Council Liaison, Mr. Terry Sweeney City Administrator, Mr. Mark Statz Absent: Committee Member Kathy Freiermuth II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion made by Committee Member Peterson, seconded by Committee Member Errickson- Grahek to add the following items: III. Appearances – Ms. Katya Ports regarding playground equipment in the parks and V. New Business – Logo Contest for Fete des Lacs and to approve this agenda as amended. All in favor. Motion carried. III. APPEARANCES Ms. Katya Port, 7013 LaMotte Drive and Ms. Deanne Loomis, 7248 LaValle Drive, appeared before this committee to express their concerns and suggestions regarding primarily the playground equipment in the Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park. They would like to see more and better equipment in this park and suggested that perhaps play equipment from other parks could be moved there to enlarge the playground area plus install ADA equipment making the LaMotte Park a more community friendly environment for the residents. In addition, it was suggested that it might be helpful to section off areas of the playground for different age children and plant more trees and flowers around the area. Regarding maintenance – Ms. Port provided photographs of some of the equipment and stated that if there was a delay with the upgrades/renovation they would like to see more immediate checks for safety of the equipment. Also with the warm weather, the ground area under the equipment is chunky and not safe. Another concern was the spraying of chemicals to eliminate weeds around the playground equipment with signs warning to keep kids and pets off the areas. Mr. Statz stated that given the option, the product selected is more environmentally friendly and dries very quickly so it is not a hazard and perhaps the signage should be taken down within hours of the application rather than a day or two later. There are other areas of the playgrounds where vinegar is used. Page 2 of 6 City of Centerville Park and Recreation Committee WS & Meeting Minutes February 7, 2024 IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Hidden Spring Rain Garden – Reestablishment & Maintenance City Administrator Statz gave a brief history of Hidden Spring Park which was developed in 2007. The design of the park included a large rain garden, shoreline plantings and two intermittent creek beds leading from the rain garden and the “hidden” spring. Since then, the maintenance of the park, specifically it’s natural features, have consisted mostly of an annual mowing in the fall. The shoreline area was given more specialized maintenance in the first few years to ensure the establishment of native species. However, it has been at least 10 years since any active management of this area. Because of this passive management, some areas have become overrun with weeds, trees and other non-native species. In 2023, city staff met with two contractors with backgrounds in native landscapes and quotes were provided for multi-year plans for re-establishment of the rain garden and other areas, including routine maintenance. There had been concerns as to proper plantings for the Rain Garden, if the location was truly constructed as a Rain Garden, proper drainage, soils or natural landscaping, etc. Mr. Statz addressed those questions from the committee members. The company selected, Prairie Restoration, provided a 2-year bid/contract that has the options of extending the contract annually. In addition, there is an option for the city to provide volunteers needed in the fall of 2024, for 1 to 2 days for planting, which would save approximately $700 in contract costs. This option will be reviewed closer to the time of the plantings to determine whether or not the city will utilize this option. Motion made by Committee Member Errickson-Grahek, seconded by Committee Member Fuchs to recommend to the City Council to approve the bid/contract, as presented, with Prairie Restorations for the reestablishment of the Rain Garden & other areas and ongoing maintenance services in 2024 ($7,770) and 2025 ($1,425), with the option to provide volunteer help as outlined in the contract. All in favor. Motion carried. 2. Name a Snowplow Contest Committee Chair Errickson-Grahek read off the 29 submitted entries. City Council Liaison Sweeney selected 3, the Public Works employees selected 2 and the committee members selected their favorites during the meeting. The top three entries were selected by the total number of votes and the winner for this year’s “Name a Snowplow” is Ms. Erin Rehnke, with the entry name of “Clearopathra”. Motion made by Committee Member Seeley, seconded by Committee Member Akpan to provide the winner with their prize of $50 and to allot $50 for the cost of the magnetic sign/decal to be applied to the snowplow. All in favor. Motion carried. Page 3 of 6 City of Centerville Park and Recreation Committee WS & Meeting Minutes February 7, 2024 3. Main Street Market City Clerk Bender informed committee members that a permanent sign is allowed per city code and has made efforts to obtain a quote from the person who previously provided a sign for the Bald Eagle Water Ski Club but has not yet received a reply. She will continue to follow up. She estimates the sign shouldn’t be more than $300 and to help defray this expense, there is a $5 fee increase for each event. Currently there are 3 vendors who have signed up. Motion made by Committee Member Peterson, seconded by Committee Member Errickson- Grahek to recommend to the City Council to approve the expenditure of up to $300 for the purchase and installation of a permanent sign for Main Street Market. All in favor. Motion carried. VI. NEW BUSINESS 1. Park Permit Application A second application was received on behalf of Scout Troop 136 to use the hockey rinks, lighting and warming house at Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park on Saturday, February 17th from 9:00 am to 11:30 am. The request for the use of the park facilities in January had been withdrawn due to the warm weather. Motion made by Committee Member Errickson-Grahek, seconded by Committee Member Akpan to recommend to the City Council to approve this Park use application with the caveat that depending on the condition of the lawn area that someone speak with Mr. Paul Palzer regarding this issue. All in favor. Motion carried. 2. Logo Contest for Fêté des Lacs 5/8 K Runs and Paddle Event T-Shirts This community festival has been co-coordinated by the City of Centerville and the Centerville Lions Club. In 2024, the Lions Club will be coordinating the “Lions Share” of the Fete des Lacs festivities. They will continue to not be involved in the P & R run or paddle events. Ms. Lonnie Olson has been coordinating the Logo Contest the past few years but is looking to step down from this role. In the past, the P & R Committee has allocated $350 as prize money for winners from both the elementary and middle schools: $100.00 each for first place winners, $50.00 each for second place winners and $25.00 each for honorable mention winners. If a volunteer from the P & R Committee would be willing to coordinate the Logo Contest, then that person could work with the Lions regarding their theme for the festival, contacting the schools and finding people to judge the entries, among other duties. Staff will provide entry forms, letters, certificates, and other support as needed. As a Lion, Council Liaison Sweeney will check with the Lions, at their next meeting, if they would like to continue to use the winning logo(s) on the Fete des Lacs marketing materials. Page 4 of 6 City of Centerville Park and Recreation Committee WS & Meeting Minutes February 7, 2024 VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes of October 4, 2023 Motion made by Committee Member Seeley, seconded by Chair Errickson-Grahek to approve the minutes of the October 4, 2023, meeting of the Park and Recreation Committee as presented. All in favor. Motion carried. 2. Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes of November 1, 2023 Motion made by Committee Member Seeley, seconded by Chair Errickson-Grahek to approve the minutes of the November 1, 2023, meeting of the Park and Recreation Committee as presented. All in favor. Motion carried. 3. Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes of January 3, 2024 Motion made by Chair Errickson-Grahek, seconded by Committee Member Fuchs to approve the minutes of the January 3, 2024, meeting of the Parks and Recreation Committee as presented. All in favor. Motion carried. VIII. UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS 1. Staff Updates – No Report 2. Committee Member Updates February Skate Night was being cancelled due to weather conditions. Wargo Nature Center has been notified to cancel the rental equipment. It was suggested to give the ingredients for the smores to the Scouts. 3. Council Liaison Update – Council Member Mr. Terry Sweeney a. City Council members held their Strategic Planning Meeting on February 3, 2024 b. Council discussed the current condition of St. Genevieve’s Church, which is not used often and needs repairs. It is old and historic. If not saved by preservationists, the lot might make a good site for a new Community Center c. Council is working to proceed with the current project on the Lalond property d. The issues with traffic and parking with Amazon have been resolved e. The Lions are now a 501c3 1. The Lions have time and some money to invest with Parks & Recreation 2. Placement of a heater in the Public Works building 3. The hockey rink needs to have boards replaced; the Lions may be able to help fund a new hockey rink with maintenance-free materials 4. The ballfields need work & the Lions would like to help with the renovations/improvements City Clerk Bender suggested that for additional funds to check with the Centennial Youth Hockey Page 5 of 6 City of Centerville Park and Recreation Committee WS & Meeting Minutes February 7, 2024 and Little League for donations. Chair Errickson-Grahek shared that she had spoken with Lion Katie Hogan and the Lions would like to work with P & R on some park projects. She asked that Ms. Hogan list some of the ideas the Lions had and then invited her to attend a future meeting to present those ideas to the P & R committee members. VII. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Committee Member Peterson, seconded by Chair Errickson-Grahek to adjourn the February 7, 2024 P & R meeting at 7:59 p.m. All in favor. Motion carried. Original transcription: submitted by Linda Neudecker, Recorder Reviewed and modified by City Clerk, Teresa Bender Page 6 of 6