Arts, Parks, and Recreation Committee

ARTS, PARKS, & RECREATION COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS March 5th, 2024 The Amery Arts, Parks, and Rec. Committee met on March 5, 2024, at the Amery City Center. The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. Present: Members Tommy Dusek, Colleen Adams, Joyce Schaefer, Denise Johnson and Ex Officio Member Mike Manor. Others Present: Clerk-Treasurer, Taylor Larson; Public Works Director, Jeff Mahoney, and Justin Runberg - Amery Free Press. 1. Approval of Minutes from January 4th, 2024. Motion by Schaefer; seconded by Adams; to approve the minutes as presented. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion Carried. 2. Election of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson – The committee select a new chair and vice-chair. Motion by Adams, seconded by Dusek; to name Joyce Schaefer as Chair Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Motion by Adams, seconded by Schaefer; to name Denise Johnson as Vice Chair Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 3. Christmas Decorations Discussion: It had been suggested that the committee should investigate ideas for new Christmas Decorations for Amery. The City hasn’t received any booklets about lights at this time. Motion by Adams, seconded by Johnson to table the discussion until June’s meeting. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 4. Parks Update – Public Works Director, Jeff Mahoney was present to discuss some things that have been happening in the parks. He also explained that in the budget Parks and Rec are one line item. a. The new slides have been installed in North Park and the equipment is back open for use. More woodchips will be added to the playground soon. b. Jorgenson field is in the process of being sold to the school district for $96,000. The council has said that they would like the sale proceeds to be used for parks. c. The City Crew will install the docks as time allows now that the ice has gone out. d. The City Crew will be replacing legs as needed on the shelter at South Twin. e. The small pavilion at North Park has been rewired, so it is ready for use this summer. f. The bathrooms in the dam building at Michael Park will remain open, so Michael Park will have two sets of bathrooms. 1  g. The Pickleball Courts have been fully removed, the ground has been dug down, a membrane has been added, and new fill has been added and packed. The blacktop has been ordered, but it will be installed based on Monarch’s schedule. h. Jeff is planning to investigate adding cameras to S. Twin Park to look over the bath houses and the Pickleball Courts. 5. Splash Pad Discussion – The committee has been investigating putting a splash pad at S. Twin Beach. Jeff spoke to Cameron about the splash pad they have. When they installed it in 2014 the cost was $184,000. Cameron also has someone from the city crew at the splash pad three times a day for a total of around 6 hours. Jeff projects that the cost to do one here would be 2-3 times more since the price of concrete has increased so drastically as has the price of the pieces that go on the splash pad. Jeff also spoke with the DNR and they can’t give any answers about a potential project until plans are actually in place. The committee feels they are not in a position to continue pursuing a splash pad at this point. The committee feels that instead it may be better to revamp S. Twin with smaller things once cameras are added, like opening the bathrooms and potentially adding some small playground equipment. Motion by Dusek, seconded by Adams to revisit the splash pad discussion in 2025 and currently look at revamping South Twin with playground equipment, cameras, a new dock, and opened/updated bathrooms. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Motion by Dusek; seconded by Schaefer; to adjourn at 5:16 p.m. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Taylor Larson Clerk-Treasurer March 8th, 2024 2