Parks and Recreation Board

Maple Grove Parks and Recreation Board Regular meeting January 18, 2024 Regular meeting The Regular Meeting was called to order by Chair, Bill Lewis at 7:00 p.m. Board members present Present in the chambers were Chair Bill Lewis, Vice Chair John Ferm, Board Members Ken Helvey, Deb Syhre, Kelly Cunningham, and Krista Kuhnly. Board members Board Member absent: Andy Mielke absent Also present Also present in the chambers were: Council Representative Hanson, Chuck Stifter, Director; Ben Jaszewski, Parks and Planning Superintendent; Aimee Peterson, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director; and Angie Dehn, Community Center Manager. Approval of agenda Chair Lewis called for any changes to the agenda. Director Stifter replied there are none. Motion made by Vice Chair Ferm, seconded by Board Member Kuhnly to approve the agenda for the January 18, 2024 meeting as presented. Upon call for the question, on a voice vote, there were six ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Public comments No requests were received. Special business No items to present Park Board member oath Councilmember Hanson administered the oath of office to of office Board Members Bill Lewis and John Ferm. Park Board election of Director Stifter requested the Park Board elect a chair, vice officers chair and executive secretary for 2024. Park Board Meeting January 18, 2024 Page 2 Motion made by Board Member Ferm, seconded by Board Member Helvey to elect Bill Lewis Chair of the Park Board for 2024. Upon call for the question, on a voice vote, there were six ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Motion made by Board Member Helvey, seconded by Board Member Syhre to elect John Ferm Vice Chair of the Park Board for 2024. Upon call for the question, on a voice vote, there were six ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Motion made by Board Member Ferm, seconded by Board Member Helvey to elect Chuck Stifter Executive Secretary of the Park Board for 2024. Upon call for the question, on a voice vote, there were six ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Board member reports Board Member Syhre explained she recently attended Tanya Huntley’s celebration of life service. She thanked Ms. Huntley for being a dedicated servant in the community and stated she would be dearly missed. Chair Lewis stated he also attended Tanya Huntley’s celebration of life service. He explained he appreciated the heartfelt comments that were offered at this event and agreed that Ms. Huntley would be dearly missed. Chair Lewis reported he attended the Maple Grove Age Friendly Celebration last week. He indicated Councilmember Johnson and Councilmember Janigo were in attendance. He thanked Ms. Peterson and Ms. Faust for their efforts on this award winning program. Staff reports Director’s report: Director Stifter stated the city hosted the Senate Finance Committee at the Community Center this morning to discuss the Community Center renovation and expansion project and to request additional funding. Park Board Meeting January 18, 2024 Page 3 Director Stifter discussed how the Board reviewed park dedication fees for subdivisions and explained staff recommendation for a cash dedication would continue to be placed on the Consent Agenda for Board consideration. He noted subdivisions requiring the acquisition of land for future parks and trail would be placed on the agenda for consideration under New Business. Director Stifter explained a joint work session would be held with the City Council on Thursday, February 1 to discuss project estimates and value engineering options for phase one of the Community Center. He noted materials for this meeting would be available on Monday, January 29. Director Stifter congratulated Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Peterson for being honored with the Gerald B. Fitzgerald Leadership Award at the MRPA Annual Meeting. Assistant Parks and Recreation Director’s report: Aimee Peterson discussed the Age Friendly open house kickoff event that was held last week. She noted the 2024 through 2026 action plan was presented at this event. Ms. Peterson explained Wonders of Winter would be held at Central Park on Saturday, February 3 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. She reviewed all of the activities that were being planned for this event. Ms. Peterson commented on the Black History Month Film Festival noting movies would be screened every Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. at the Community Center. She encouraged the public to participate in this free event. Ms. Peterson invited the public to participate in a dodge ball league that would be running February through April. In addition, she noted winter pickleball classes were available. Ms. Peterson reported the Community Garden lottery is open now through January 31. She explained 48 people have enrolled in lottery to date. Park Board Meeting January 18, 2024 Page 4 Ms. Peterson noted staff was gathering data on participation statistics for 2023. She reviewed the information she had gathered to date with the Park Board. She noted Central Park has seen more visitors in 2023 than in 2022. Vice Chair Ferm stated he was pleased to see the positive response from the public for the community garden. He supports the city looking into a second location for our next community garden. He recommended the board also discuss how plots will be allotted in future years. Board Member Cunningham thanked the city for providing skate rental and skate trainers at the skate loop. She suggested the city consider holding a special needs hour at the skate loop for families of need who are seeking recreation opportunities. Ms. Peterson stated this was something she could look in to. Board Member Helvey supported the city pursuing a second site for a community garden. Parks and Planning Superintendent’s report: Ben Jaszewski reported the Gleason, Weaver Lake, Maple Grove Middle School and Cedar Island ice rinks were now open for use. He noted the remaining rinks would be opening on Friday, January 19. He explained staff continues to work on the crokicurl rink and it would be open for use on Tuesday, January 23. Mr. Jaszewski stated Parks and Recreation staff would be meeting with the school district to discuss the Evanswood School/neighborhood park in Park Service Area 6N. Community Center Manager’s report: Angie Dehn explained staff has seen over 7,000 people attend the open gym and open pickleball events. She thanked her facility maintenance coordinator for scheduling and managing these events. Ms. Dehn discussed the MRPA General Meeting and Awards Luncheon that was held on Friday, January 12. Ms. Dehn reviewed the upcoming events that were scheduled for the Community Center and Ice Arena. Park Board Meeting January 18, 2024 Page 5 Council Liaison’s report: Council Member Hanson stated she had nothing to report. CONSENT BUSINESS Consent business Motion made by Board Member Helvey, seconded by Board Member Syhre to approve the Consent Items as presented. A. Minutes – December 21, 2023 regular meeting B. Approve claims C. 2023 Fourth quarter Community Center participation report D. 2023 Fall recreation participation report E. Authorize to recruit recreation specialist – special events F. Subdivision – Rush Hollow 3rd Addition G. Accept grant – Hennepin County Youth Sports Facility H. Accept grant – Hennepin County Youth Sports Equipment Chair Lewis commended staff for receiving two different grants from Hennepin County for youth sports equipment and facilities. Upon call for the question, on a voice vote, there were six ayes and no nays. Motion carried. OLD BUSINESS No items to present. NEW BUSINESS New Business, Item A Director Stifter stated the Park Dedication ordinance provides 2024 Park Dedication the City Council annual review and establishment of the park rates dedication rates for residential, industrial and commercial subdivisions in lieu of a land dedication. Staff reviewed the council action form to be considered by City Council at their first meeting in February and asked for feedback from the Park Board. Park Board Meeting January 18, 2024 Page 6 The consensus of the Board was to support the rates as presented. Adjournment Motion made by Vice Chair Ferm, seconded by Board Member Kuhnly to adjourn. Upon call for the question, on a voice vote, there were six ayes and no nays. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Chuck Stifter, Director Parks and Recreation Board City of Maple Grove