Parks and Recreation Commission

Meeting Location: Farmington City Hall 430 Third Street Farmington, MN 55024 PARKS AND RECREATION REGULAR MEETING AGENDA Wednesday, August 13, 2025 7:00 PM Page 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. APPROVE AGENDA 3. APPROVE MINUTES July 9, 2025 Meeting Minutes 3-6 Agenda Item: July 9, 2025 Meeting Minutes - Pdf 4. PRESENTATIONS 4.1. Public Comments 7 Agenda Item: Public Comments - Pdf 5. BUSINESS ITEMS 6. DISCUSSION ITEMS 6.1. Review Tour of City of Rosemount Parks and Recreation Facilities and 8 Amenities Agenda Item: Review Tour of City of Rosemount Parks and Recreation Facilities and Amenities - Pdf 6.2. Review Community Outreach and Engagement at National Night Out 9 Agenda Item: Review Community Outreach and Engagement at National Night Out - Pdf 6.3. Depot Way Arts Park Open House 10 - 13 Agenda Item: Depot Way Arts Park Open House - Pdf 6.4. 2025 Work Plan Progress 14 - 18 Agenda Item: 2025 Work Plan Progress - Pdf 7. COMMISSION ROUNDTABLE 7.1. Round Table Format 19 Agenda Item: Round Table Format - Pdf Page 1 of 21 8. STAFF REPORT/UPDATES 8.1. Informational Updates 20 Agenda Item: Informational Updates - Pdf 9. MEETING AGENDA TOPICS 9.1. Possible Items for September 10, 2025 Meeting Agenda 21 Agenda Item: Possible Items for September 10, 2025 Meeting Agenda - Pdf 10. ADJOURN Page 2 of 21  PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA MEMO To: Parks and Recreation Commission From: Kellee Omlid, Parks & Recreation Director Department: Parks & Recreation Subject: July 9, 2025 Meeting Minutes Meeting: Parks and Recreation Commission - Aug 13 2025 INTRODUCTION: Attached are the draft minutes from the parks and recreation commission’s July 9, 2025 meeting. Commission members are asked to review the minutes and provide any corrections or additions that are needed at the meeting. ATTACHMENTS: July 9, 2025 PRC meeting minutes Page 3 of 21  Farmington Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes from the July 9, 2025 Regular Meeting Members Present: Doug Pewowaruk, David McMillen, Katie Putt, and Megan Merricks Members Absent: Katharine Caron Other’s Present: Parks and Recreation Director Kellee Omlid I. Call Meeting to Order Chair Putt called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Quorum was present. II. Approval of July 9, 2025 Meeting Agenda Moved by McMillen and seconded by Merricks to approve the meeting agenda. All persons in favor (APIF). Motion carried. III. Approval of June 11, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes Moved by McMillen and seconded by Pewowaruk to approve the meeting minutes with no revisions. APIF. Motion carried. IV. Presentations A. Public Comments There were no public comments shared at the meeting. V. Business Items A. Parks and Facilities Tour Schedule with the Rambling River Center Advisory Board and City Council The parks and facilities tour with the Rambling River Center Advisory Board and city council is Thursday, August 21 at 6 pm. The tour will start at the Rambling River Center. Motion by McMillen and seconded by Merricks to approve the parks and facilities tour schedule and locations. APIF. Motion carried. VI. Discussion Items A. Depot Way Arts Park The commission decided to hold the open house on Wednesday, September 10 at 6 pm in Depot Way Arts Park; this would be prior to the parks and recreation commission regular meeting. City Hall will be the back-up if the weather is inclement. Invitations will be mailed to nearby residents and businesses. Chair Putt offered to make concept boards for the open house to start the discussion with attendees. Concept boards would include one about the history of Farmington, one showing the opportunity to partner with Farmington School students for painting of a mural, and one showing potential amenities (e.g., more seating, hammock poles, concrete lawn games). The commission discussed the importance of making improvements to the park that are low maintenance. B. Community Outreach and Engagement The commission and staff will be participating in National Night Out (NNO) on Tuesday, August 5 from 5- 8 pm. Director Omlid will email details of the event once they are received from the Police Department. Page 4 of 21 The commission discussed participating in community outreach and engagement at natural occurring events like NNO and Movies in the Park. Consensus was to try get into schools as it is great for community outreach and engagement, but also an opportunity to educate the students. C. 2025 Work Plan Progress Chair Putt reviewed the progress of the goals and objectives for the 2025 Work Plan. VII. Commission Roundtable McMillen: Didn’t have anything to share. Putt: Didn't have anything to share. Caron: N/A Merricks: Asked what the rules are on scooters. Staff replied representatives from Parks and Recreation, Police, and Planning will be meeting soon to discuss e-bikes and e-scooters. Suggestion was to partner with Farmington Schools to help educate youth on rules of the road. Top the Tater Days is looking to ban scooters and bikes around the event next year. Pewowaruk: Didn’t have anything to share. VIII. Staff Report/Updates Director Omlid provided information on the following: A. Rambling River Center Grand Reopening and Ribbon Cutting The Rambling River Center Grand Reopening and Ribbon Cutting event will be Wednesday, August 13 at 10 am. Staff will send email invitations, but please mark calendars to attend if available. B. Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) Proposals for Environment and Natural Resources Funding Unfortunately, the city’s LCCMR proposal for Environment and Natural Resources Funding is no longer being considered for funding. The LCCMR received 400 proposals requesting approximately $359 million. Approximately $103 million is available for recommendation for funding. C. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Outdoor Recreation Grant Staff learned the city’s application for a skatepark with support facilities was funded! The DNR received 60 applications, funded 20, and the city’s application scored the second (2) highest one point behind the highest scoring proposal. D. Tour City of Rosemount Parks and Recreation Facilities and Amenities Meet at the Rambling River Center at 5:45 pm on Wednesday, July 30. We will pick up Rosemount’s Parks and Recreation Director at 6 pm to start the tour. E. Dirt Bikes and Golf Carts on Trails The city is seeing increased use of dirt bikes on the trails. In addition, the speed and recklessness of youth on e-bikes and e-scooters is a problem. Staff from Parks and Recreation, Police, and Planning will be meeting soon to discuss this issue, which will be brought to a future parks and recreation commission meeting for discussion. Several other cities are also trying to address these issues. Page 5 of 21 IX. Meeting Agenda Topics The following items were tentatively identified by the commission for its August 13, 2025 meeting agenda: 1. X. Adjournment Moved by Merricks and seconded by McMillen to adjourn the meeting. APIF. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:11 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Kellee Omlid Parks & Recreation Director and Recording Secretary Page 6 of 21  PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA MEMO To: Parks and Recreation Commission From: Kellee Omlid, Parks & Recreation Director Department: Parks & Recreation Subject: Public Comments Meeting: Parks and Recreation Commission - Aug 13 2025 INTRODUCTION: This agenda item allows the public to speak to commission members about any item that is not on the agenda. When speaking to the commission it must be in a respectful and non-threatening manner. Anyone wishing to provide public comments must provide their name and address for the record. Public comments shall not exceed five minutes. The commission will not respond to the comments and a formal written response will be sent prior to the next commission meeting to the person who made the public comments. Under no circumstances will any formal action be taken on the public comments that are provided to the commission. Page 7 of 21  PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA MEMO To: Parks and Recreation Commission From: Kellee Omlid, Parks & Recreation Director Department: Parks & Recreation Subject: Review Tour of City of Rosemount Parks and Recreation Facilities and Amenities Meeting: Parks and Recreation Commission - Aug 13 2025 INTRODUCTION: One of the parks and recreation commission’s 2025 work plan goals is to “Tour City of Rosemount Parks and Recreation Facilities and Amenities to learn more and see options for desired improvements.” On Wednesday, July 30, the parks and recreation commission toured the amphitheater, splash pad, skatepark, Schwarz Pond, pickleball courts, site of future dog park, and Amber Fields in Rosemount. The City of Rosemount Parks and Recreation Director was our tour guide. He talked about the parks and amenities, provided construction costs, and answered questions. Commission members should be prepared to discuss the tour, amenities they saw, and if they would like to add tours of other cities in the future. Page 8 of 21  PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA MEMO To: Parks and Recreation Commission From: Kellee Omlid, Parks & Recreation Director Department: Parks & Recreation Subject: Review Community Outreach and Engagement at National Night Out Meeting: Parks and Recreation Commission - Aug 13 2025 INTRODUCTION: One of the parks and recreation commission’s 2025 work plan goals is to “Participate in Community Outreach and Engagement.” An objective of this goal is to decide what the commission wants to know / learn and where and how to reach and engage. The parks and recreation commission participated in National Night Out (NNO) on Tuesday, August 5. The commission visited four (4) gatherings. Commission members should be prepared to discuss National Night Out, if they thought it was beneficial, and if it is an outreach and engagement event they would want to participate again in the future. Page 9 of 21  PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA MEMO To: Parks and Recreation Commission From: Kellee Omlid, Parks & Recreation Director Department: Parks & Recreation Subject: Depot Way Arts Park Open House Meeting: Parks and Recreation Commission - Aug 13 2025 INTRODUCTION: The parks and recreation commission’s work plan for 2024 and 2025 includes a goal to “Participate in the process of identifying and making improvements at Depot Way Arts Park.”. The park is 0.7 acres and in the heart of downtown Farmington and an underutilized park. It hasn’t had improvements in several years and most of the art has been removed due to poor condition and not being able to repair. At their July 9, 2025 meeting, the commission decided to host the open house to seek ideas for improvements to Depot Way Arts Park on Wednesday, September 10 at 6 pm. The open house will be held in the park. City hall is the back-up location if the weather is inclement. Invitations will be mailed to area residents and businesses. The open house will also be promoted on the city’s website and social media. The commission discussed having panels in the park showing the history of Farmington and one that could be used for students to paint a mural. Discussion also included additional seating and incorporating items in the park that are low maintenance. Chair Putt volunteered to make concept boards for the open house to start the conversation with attendees. The concepts are included in the packet. The commission should come to the meeting prepared to discuss and provide input on the concept boards and discuss final details for the upcoming open house in Depot Way Arts Park. ATTACHMENTS: History Panels Concept Board Future Concept Board Green Space Concept Board Page 10 of 21  DNR fish stocking Learn Built in about the 1894 railroad Vermillion HISTORY PANELS Watch the train River Farmington beginnings Originally Dakota City Page 11 of 21  Partner with the schools Yearly Art installations themes Encourage VISION BOARD Community involvement ownership Street Art Class at Partner the with local middle businesses school Page 12 of 21  Concrete Games New seating DEPOT options WAY ARTS Hammock Poles PARK Explore Downtown Enjoy the green space Page 13 of 21  PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA MEMO To: Parks and Recreation Commission From: Kellee Omlid, Parks & Recreation Director Department: Parks & Recreation Subject: 2025 Work Plan Progress Meeting: Parks and Recreation Commission - Aug 13 2025 INTRODUCTION: The commission’s updated 2025 work plan is included in the meeting packet. Shown in bold red are work plan items completed either at or since the last commission meeting held on July 9, 2025. Items that are in bold black have been completed. Commission members should be prepared to review the work plan to identify any other additional items that have been completed and then discuss other work plan items it would like to work on at future meetings. ATTACHMENTS: 2025 Parks and Recreation Commission Work Plan August Update Page 14 of 21 FARMINGTON PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION 2025 WORK PLAN Goal #1: Provide the City Council a recommended 2026-2030 capital improvement plan for the park improvement fund. Objectives: 1. By April 1, the Commission will have discussed and identified a preliminary list of five-year capital improvement projects for the park improvement fund that will include a list of parks, costs, and schedule to be completed in the years 2026 to 2030. Status: Completed. The commission discussed and approved a recommendation to city council to approve a five-year CIP for the park improvement fund for the years 2026-2030. 2. By August 1, the Commission will finalize the five-year capital improvement projects for the years 2026-2030 and make a recommendation to the City Council for approval. 3. Status: Completed. The commission discussed and approved a recommendation to city council to approve a five-year CIP for the park improvement fund for the years 2026-2030. 4. By December 31, the improvement projects recommended for funding from 2026-2030 will be included in the City Council’s approved 2026 final budget. Goal #2: Participate in a parks and facilities tour with the Rambling River Center Advisory Board and City Council. Objectives: 1. By March 1, the Commission, Advisory Board and City Council will have identified a date to have a tour. Status: Completed. August 20 has been set for the tour. 2. By May 1, a draft list of parks and facilities to tour will be reviewed by the Commission. Status: Completed. The Commission recommended parks and facilities to tour at their March 12, 2025 and June 11, 2025 meetings. 3. By June 1, a final list of parks and facilities to tour will be approved by the Commission. Status: Completed. The Commission approved the tour sites and schedule at their July 9, 2025 meeting. 4. By October 1, a parks and facilities tour will have occurred. Goal #3: Participate in a work session with City Council. Objectives: 1. By February 1, a date to have a work session with City Council will be identified. 2. By May 1, a list of work session topic(s) will be approved by the Commission. 3. By October 1, a work session with City Council will have occurred. Status: Completed. A work session with the Economic Development Authority (EDA) was held on February 18 for the Wayfinding Plan presentation and a work session with City Council was held on March 3 for Dakota County’s 2050 Vision Plan for parks, greenways, and natural systems presentation and discussion. Page 15 of 21 Goal #4: Participate in the process of replacing the playground equipment and swings (5-12 years) at Westview Acres Park. Objectives: 1. By February 1, the Commission will have discussed and decided on preferences for playground equipment style, play features, etc. Completed. The commission decided at their February 12 meeting they preferred a ninja/obstacle course for the playground equipment style and involve the students at Boeckman Middle School (BMS) in selecting the new equipment. 2. By April 1, the Commission will have reviewed playground equipment proposal(s) and made a recommendation to the City Council on the purchase and construction of new playground equipment. Status: Completed. At their June 11 meeting, the Commission reviewed seven (7) playground proposals and made a recommendation to city council to purchase the equipment including installation from Northland Recreation. 3. By May 1, City Council will have approved the purchase and construction of new playground equipment. Status: Completed. City Council approved the purchase and installation of new playground equipment at their June 16 meeting. 4. By October 31, installation of the new playground equipment at Westview Acres Park will have been completed and a ribbon cutting ceremony will have occurred. Goal #5: Identify Bike Pedestrian Plan Priorities to Accomplish in 2025. Objectives: 1. By March 31, the Commission will have reviewed the priorities identified in the Bike Pedestrian Plan. Status: Completed. The Commission reviewed and discussed the priorities identified in the Bike Pedestrian Plan at their March 12 meeting. 2. By May 15, the Commission will have developed and approved a list of priorities to work on and complete in 2025-2026. 3. By December 31, Commission members will have worked with staff to accomplish the Bike Pedestrian Plan priorities it identified to complete. Goal #6: Participate in the process of identifying and making improvements at Depot Way Arts Park. Objectives: 1. By March 1, the Commission will have decided if art remains a focus of the park and have set a date for the open house. Status: Completed. The Commission decided art could be a part of the park, but not necessarily the focus and set Wednesday, September 10 at 6 pm as the date for the open house. 2. By May 1, an open house seeking ideas for improvement will have been held. 3. By July 1, the Commission will have given input on potential improvements. 4. By August 1, cost estimates and potential funding sources will be identified and shared. 5. By November 1, improvements that can be completed by staff and/or volunteers will be finished. Page 16 of 21  6. By July 1, 2026 all other improvements will have been completed and a ribbon cutting ceremony will have occurred. Goal #7: Host food truck event in the spring with the City of Empire Parks and Recreation Commission. Objectives: 1. By February 1, the date and location for the spring food truck event will be approved. Status: Completed. Friday, May 16 from 5-8 pm at Stelzel Ballfields in Empire was approved by commission at their January 8 meeting. 2. By May 15, Commission members will have decided who will help at what times with the spring food truck event. Status: Completed. The Commission decided at their April 9 meeting who would work from 4:45 – 6:30 pm and 6:30-8:15 pm. 3. By May 31, the spring food truck event will have happened. Status: Completed. The spring food truck event was held on May 16 with seven (7) food trucks and over 600 attendees. Goal #8: Participate in Community Outreach and Engagement. Objectives: 1. By April 1, the commission will have discussed community outreach and engagement, what the Commission wants to know / learn, and where and how to reach and engage. Status: Completed. The Commission started the discussion on community outreach and engagement at their April 9 meeting and decided to continue the conversation at the May meeting. 2. By May 1, community outreach and engagement opportunities and details will have been finalized. Status: Completed. It was decided to participate in National Night Out on August 5, 2025 and develop an organize a plan this year for community outreach and engagement and then implement it in 2026. 3. By December 1, community outreach and engagement will have occurred. Status: Completed. The Commission participated in National Night Out on August 5, 2025 by visiting four (4) gatherings. Goal #9: Develop a Smoke-Free Parks Ordinance. Objectives: 1. By March 1, the Commission will have reviewed the draft smoke-free parks ordinance and made recommendations for edits. 2. By April 1, feedback on the draft ordinance will have been received from Dakota County Public Health and Tobacco-Free Alliance. 3. By April 15, further discuss and revise the ordinance, if needed, based on feedback from Dakota County Public Health and Tobacco-Free Alliance, and forward to City Council for approval. 4. By May 1, the ordinance will have been presented to City Council for approval. Page 17 of 21 Goal #10: Receive periodic presentations from each of the parks and recreation department’s professional staff members about programs, parks, facilities and trails and a presentation from the Finance Director on the budget and a presentation from the Planning Manager on new housing and business developments. Objectives: 1. By April 15, Commission members will have received a presentation from the Finance Director on the city’s budget and funding sources. 2. By May 15, the Commission will have received a presentation by professional staff members of the Department’s 2024 Annual Report. Status: Completed. The Annual Report was presented at the March 12 meeting. 3. By June 15, Commission members will have received a presentation from staff on the results of the Schmitz-Maki Arena’s winter ice season. Status: Completed. Parks and Facilities Supervisor Jeremy Pire presented the results of the Schmitz-Maki Arena’s 2024-25 winter season at the April 9 meeting. 4. By July 15, Commission members will have received a presentation from the Planning Manager on current and future developments. 5. By September 15, Commission members will have received a presentation from staff on the first half operations of the Rambling River Center. 6. By October 15, Commission members will have received a presentation from staff on the results of the summer programs offered. 7. By December 15, Commission members will have received a presentation from staff about the spring turf season and summer ice season. 8. By December 15, the Commission will have received a presentation from staff about maintenance and improvements to parks and trails. Goal #11: Tour City of Rosemount Parks and Recreation Facilities and Amenities to learn more and see options for desired improvements. Objectives: 1. By March 1, the Commission will have identified a preferred and backup date for the tour and draft list of facilities and amenities to tour and see respectively. Status: Completed. The commission identified July 30 as the preferred date and July 31 for the backup date for the tour. Recommended tour stops included the splash pad, amphitheater, skatepark, Schwarz Pond, Amber Fields, and pickleball courts and dog park. 2. By May 1, a date and final list of facilities and amenities to tour will be approved by the Commission. Status: Completed. Wednesday, July 30 is the tour with stops including the splash pad, amphitheater, skatepark, Schwarz Pond, Amber Fields, pickleball courts, and dog park. 3. By October 1, a tour of City of Rosemount Parks and Recreation Facilities and Amenities will have occurred. Status: Completed. The Commission toured the amphitheater, splash pad, skatepark, Schwarz Pond, pickleball courts, site of future dog park, and Amber Fields on July 30. Page 18 of 21  PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA MEMO To: Parks and Recreation Commission From: Kellee Omlid, Parks & Recreation Director Department: Parks & Recreation Subject: Round Table Format Meeting: Parks and Recreation Commission - Aug 13 2025 INTRODUCTION: The round table agenda item allows commission members to share information or ask staff about items not on the agenda. No formal decisions are made during this agenda item. Page 19 of 21  PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA MEMO To: Parks and Recreation Commission From: Kellee Omlid, Parks & Recreation Director Department: Parks & Recreation Subject: Informational Updates Meeting: Parks and Recreation Commission - Aug 13 2025 INTRODUCTION: This agenda item is an opportunity for staff to provide informational updates to commission members. These items are informational only and no formal decision can be made during this agenda item. Staff will provide an update during the meeting about the following: 1. Parks and Facilities Tour with Rambling River Center Advisory Board and City Council 2. DNR Outdoor Recreation Grant for Skatepark 3. Smoke Free Parks Ordinance 4. Cannabis and Hemp Retail Registration Ordinance 5. Round-a-abouts on 195th Street at Pilot Knob Road and Akin Road 6. County Road 31 and County Road 74 Study 7. E-Bikes and E-Scooters on Trails Page 20 of 21  PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA MEMO To: Parks and Recreation Commission From: Kellee Omlid, Parks & Recreation Director Department: Parks & Recreation Subject: Possible Items for September 10, 2025 Meeting Agenda Meeting: Parks and Recreation Commission - Aug 13 2025 INTRODUCTION: The following are possible topics staff has identified for commission to consider for its September 10, 2025 meeting agenda:  Rambling River Center Operations Report  Depot Way Arts Park  Review Parks and Facilities Tour with Rambling River Center Advisory Board and City Council  Smoke Free Parks Ordinance  E-bikes and E-scooters on Trails  2025 Work Plan Progress Commission members should come prepared to identify other possible topics for the September 10, 2025 meeting agenda. Page 21 of 21