Parks and Recreation Board Meeting

Unofficial minutes to be approved at the October 21, 2020, meeting September 30, 2020 A REGULAR MEETING OF THE SIOUX FALLS PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD was held on Wednesday, September 30, 2020, at 4 p.m. at the City Center. Roll Call and Determination of Quorum Members present: Jim Stavenger, Ann Nachtigal, Todd Sundleaf, Mick Conlin, Rick Weber, Mike Begeman, and Lorrae Lindquist. Members absent: None. Parks and Recreation staff present: Don Kearney, Director of Parks and Recreation; Jackie Nelson, Administrative Manager; Kelby Mieras, Operations Manager; and Rita Meyer, Administrative Assistant. Others present: Karen Leonard, City Attorney’s Office; Brandon Huether, City Communications and Marketing Office; Steve Sanford, President, Great Bear Management; Dan Grider, Great Bear Recreation Park; Cathy Harr, Auditor, Thurman, Comes, Foley & Co. LLP; and Trevor Mitchell, Argus Leader. Approval of Minutes (August 19, 2020) A motion to approve the minutes was made by Lindquist and seconded by Weber. Motion passed unanimously with all present Board members voting yes. Public Input No public input. Report of Standing Committees The Marketing and Public Needs Committee met and discussed all items on the agenda, as well as fall programming and a golf course update. The Park System Planning and Development Committee had no report. The Partnerships and Recreation Committee did not meet. Unfinished Business No unfinished business. Under New Business Great Bear Audit and Annual Report: Cathy Harr shared details of the Great Bear audit. In summary, there were no significant findings. She did mention the usual notation that the segregation of duties is difficult to achieve given the small staff size. Dan Grider provided the Board with an overview of last year’s operations. Last season was a great year financially for operations. He also shared that they have purchased rental equipment to replace some of their aging inventory. Many events were canceled this summer due to Covid-19, and many events that are still taking place at the Chalet have significantly scaled back their km006 1  Unofficial minutes to be approved at the October 21, 2020 meeting September 30, 2020 number of attendees. Steve Sanford shared details regarding the fund-raising efforts for the chairlift replacement project. After some discussion, a motion to accept the audit and annual report was made by Weber and seconded by Lindquist. Motion passed unanimously with all present Board members voting yes. Great Bear Rate Increases: Grider shared details of a proposed lift ticket rate increase for the upcoming 2020–21 season. These increases will help offset additional expenses due to Covid-19 safety measures. Despite the increases, our lift ticket rates are well below the industry in our region. After some discussion, a motion to accept the proposed rate increases was made by Weber and seconded by Begeman. Motion passed unanimously with all present Board members voting yes. McKennan Park Utility Easement: Miedema shared details of a proposed underground electrical easement with Xcel Energy and Verizon Wireless to service a small cell installation consistent with the City’s master license agreement with Verizon. This small cell will be mounted to a new light pole near the parking lot. After some discussion, a motion to recommend approval of the easement request was made by Lindquist and seconded by Nachtigal. Motion passed unanimously with all present Board members voting yes. Report of Director of Parks and Recreation: Kearney shared that the RFPs for the Great Bear chairlift procurement are due early in October with work on the lift beginning at the close of the 2020/21 ski season. Additional paving has occurred this fall to provide more space for vendor sales at the Levitt. There is also a small storage building that will be constructed on the back side of the stage to support additional storage needs. Landscapes Unlimited has reported that golf rounds are up 16 percent year-to- date over budget through August. Bridge replacements at Sertoma Park and Dunham Park are moving forward with bridge delivery scheduled for late November. Internal trail improvements are being completed with asphalt walkways being replaced with concrete walkways at Harmodon Park. Work on the Terrace Park lion’s den and pergolas has been bid out and work will start late October with completion by early spring. Half of the Terrace Park ball fields were updated last year, and the remaining half of the fields are in the process of being updated this fall, including fencing and backstops as well as some drainage work. km006 2  Unofficial minutes to be approved at the October 21, 2020 meeting September 30, 2020 The Zoological Society has appointed a new director, Becky Dewitz, who will start late October. Items Added After the Agenda Deadline None. Reading of Communications to the Board City Council has recommended that a task force be created regarding the future of the Municipal Band. The Park Board has been asked to have representation on that task force, and Ann Nachtigal has agreed to be the Park Board representative. There being no further business, Weber made a motion to adjourn. Meeting adjourned. Secretary Approved by: President km006 3