Parks and Recreation Board Meeting

June 19, 2019 A REGULAR MEETING OF THE SIOUX FALLS PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD was held on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, at 4 p.m. at the Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum. Roll Call and Determination of Quorum Members present: Lorrae Lindquist, Ann Nachtigal, Mark Steinborn, and Todd Sundleaf. Members absent: Patti Abdallah, Jim Stavenger, and Mike Begeman. Parks and Recreation staff present: Don Kearney, Director of Parks and Recreation; Sky Smothers, Recreation Manager; Jackie Nelson, Administrative Manager; Kelby Mieras, Park Operations Manager; Mike Patten, Park Development Specialist; and Rita Meyer, Administrative Assistant. Others present: Karen Leonard, City Attorney’s Office; Diane Gildemaster, MJW Arboretum director; Sydney Trio, MJW Arboretum intern; Mary Ellen Connelly, MJW Arboretum Board; Vince Jones, Woods, Fuller, Schultz & Smith, P.C.; Pam Jansa, MJW Arboretum Board; Albert Schmidt, SF Planning Office; Joe Sneve, Argus Leader; Danny Brown, City Attorney’s Office; Ben Arndt, MJW Arboretum Board; and Ann Wilson, MJW Arboretum Board. Approval of Minutes (May 15, 2019) A motion to approve the minutes was made by Nachtigal and seconded by Steinborn. Motion passed unanimously with all present Board members voting yes. Public Input Mary Ellen Connelly spoke on behalf of the Japanese Garden Society and shared details about Ben Chu being in town this week for his annual pruning event at the Shoto Teien Japanese Gardens in Terrace Park. This is his 25th annual trip, and this year he is being accompanied by the Japanese Counsel General from Chicago. Connelly shared details of the events for the week at the garden. Diane Gildemaster shared details of the many events that occurred this past year at the MJW Arboretum, as well as the many new classes and events currently going on at the Arboretum. Report of Standing Committees The Marketing and Public Needs Committee met and discussed all items on this agenda. The Park System Planning and Development Committee met and discussed all items on this agenda. The Partnerships and Recreation Committee met but have no report. 1 June 19, 2019 Unfinished Business No unfinished business. Under New Business Access Easement for the Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum: Patten presented details regarding proposed access easements across MJW Arboretum and Perry Nature Area properties. The proposed easements would provide access to adjacent properties and emergency access for the adjacent neighborhood. After questions and Board discussion, a motion to recommend approval of the easements on the condition that the primary access to Tract 6 is removed was made by Nachtigal and seconded by Sundleaf. Motion passed unanimously with all Board members voting yes. Real Estate Purchase Agreement for the Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum: Patten presented a proposed real estate purchase agreement for approximately 6.7 acres of land abutting MJW Arboretum and Perry Nature Area properties. The land would be purchased by the City of Sioux Falls for the price of $1, with the condition that the proposed real estate purchase is contingent upon the Minnehaha County Commission granting approval of the access easements described in agenda item 6.a. After discussion from the Board, a motion to recommend approval of the Real Estate Purchase Agreement, subject to Exhibit B titled “Access Easement,” condition that primary access to Tract 6 is removed was made by Nachtigal and seconded by Steinborn. Motion passed unanimously with all Board members voting yes. Arboretum City Maintenance Building Electrical Service Gift: Patten shared details of a gift from the MJW Arboretum Society to the City of Sioux Falls for an electrical outlet to be installed on the outside of the City maintenance building. A motion to approve the gift was made by Steinborn and seconded by Nachtigal. Motion passed with all Board members voting yes. Augustana University Application for Permit to Charge Entry Fees: Smothers shared details for permit to charge entry fees at the Augustana Twilight Race on September 6, 2019. A motion to approve the application was made by Nachtigal and seconded by Sundleaf. Motion passed with all Board members voting yes. Sioux Empire Fast-Pitch Softball Association (SEFSA) Application for Permit to Charge Entry Fees: Smothers shared details for permit to charge entry fees at an upcoming SEFSA League Tournament on June 28–30, 2019. A motion to approve the application was made by Nachtigal and seconded by Sundleaf. Motion passed with all Board members voting yes. Report of Director of Parks and Recreation Kearney shared details about opening night at the Levitt Shell on June 14. We are off to a great start with the concert series with 4,000 on Friday night, 2,500 on Saturday night, and 450 for the children’s program on Sunday. He also 2 June 19, 2019 shared that Golfweek has rated Prairie Green Golf Course as the second highest rated public access golf course in the state of South Dakota. Patten gave several construction updates. The bike trail reconstruction project along Beadle Greenway is going well and is on track to be completed by the end of July. Marion Park is fine-graded and work is being done on irrigation and seeding with an expected completion date of next week. Planning work on the Nelson Park Master Plan is ongoing, including coordination with the Sioux Falls Skatepark Association. A public meeting scheduled for next week to gather public feedback on the proposed master plan update with discussion about the idea of building a new skatepark at this park. The Falls Park Viewing Platforms project is a bit behind schedule because of all the spring flooding and rains, but work is progressing and is expected to be completed in the next two weeks. Items Added After the Agenda Deadline None. There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made by Steinborn. Meeting adjourned. _________________________________ Secretary Approved by: ______________________________ President 3