Parks and Recreation Board Meeting

Unofficial minutes to be approved at the December 16, 2020 meeting November 18, 2020 A REGULAR MEETING OF THE SIOUX FALLS PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD was held on Wednesday, November 18, 2020, at 4 p.m. at the Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum. Roll Call and Determination of Quorum Members present: Jim Stavenger, Ann Nachtigal, Mike Begeman, Mick Conlin, and Rick Weber. Members absent: Todd Sundleaf. Parks and Recreation staff present: Don Kearney, Director of Parks and Recreation; Jackie Nelson, Administrative Manager; Kelby Mieras, Operations Manager; Mike Patten, Park Development Specialist, and Rita Meyer, Administrative Assistant. Others present: Karen Leonard, City Attorney’s Office; Becky DeWitz, Executive Director, Great Plains Zoo; Mike Cooper, Interim Director Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum; as well as several dozen private citizens. Kearney opened the meeting by introducing Becky DeWitz, the new Executive Director of the Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum. Becky shared a bit of her background with the Board and audience members. Approval of Minutes (October 21, 2020) A motion to approve the minutes was made by Nachtigal 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. The Park System Planning and Development Committee met and discussed all items on the agenda. The Partnerships and Recreation Committee did not meet. Unfinished Business No unfinished business. Under New Business Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum Management Agreement: Nelson shared details of the agreement. This agreement was approved by the Wegner Arboretum Society on October 8, 2020. A motion to recommend approval of the management agreement was made by Weber and seconded by Nachtigal. Motion passed unanimously with all present Board members voting yes. Tuthill House and Saaken House Demolition Resolution: Mieras shared details of the resolution. After much public input and Board discussion, a motion to recommend approval of the resolution was made by Begeman and seconded by Nachtigal. Motion passed with Stavenger, Nachtigal, and Begeman voting yes, and Conlin and Weber voting no. 1 November 18, 2020 Amendment to Sponsorship Agreement for Midco® Aquatic Center: Mieras shared details of the amended sponsorship agreement with Papa John’s Pizza at the Midco® Aquatic Center. A motion to recommend approval of the amended agreement was made by Nachtigal and seconded by Weber. Motion passed unanimously with all present Board members voting yes. Terrace Park Historic Marker Placement Request: Patten shared details of the placement of this historical marker by the Terrace Park Neighborhood Association. A motion to approve the request was made by Weber and seconded by Nachtigal. Motion passed unanimously with all present Board members voting yes. Report of Director of Parks and Recreation: Kearney shared that Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation has successfully been reaccredited by the Commission for the Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies. He stated that we received our award virtually through an online presentation. Our agency achieved a perfect score on our accreditation application for the first time in our department’s history. Work is being done in the Terrace Park Japanese Gardens to restore the pergolas and the lion’s den area at Upper Terrace Park. The bid process has been completed for the chair lift at Great Bear Recreation Park and will be awarded to Skytrac. The Falls Park design competition will be launched after the first of the new year. Items Added After the Agenda Deadline None. Reading of Communications to the Board A letter of advocacy from the Sioux Falls Board of Historic Preservation was shared with the Board regarding the Tuthill House. There being no further business, Nachtigal made a motion to adjourn. Meeting adjourned. Secretary Approved by: President 2