Parks and Recreation Board Meeting

Unofficial minutes to be approved at September 15, 2021 meeting August 18, 2021 A REGULAR MEETING OF THE SIOUX FALLS PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD was held on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, at 4 p.m. at the Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum. Roll Call and Determination of Quorum Members present: Jim Stavenger, Ann Nachtigal, Mick Conlin, and Teresa Cauwels. Members absent: Rick Weber, Mike Begeman, and Brooke Wegener. Parks and Recreation staff present: Don Kearney, Director of Parks and Recreation; Kelby Mieras, Operations Manager; and Rita Meyer, Administrative Assistant. Others present: Karen Leonard, City Attorney’s Office; Abby Bischoff, Executive Director, Stockyards Ag Experience; Mike Cooper and Sue Aguilar, Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum. Approval of Minutes (July 21, 2021) A motion to approve the minutes was made by Nachtigal and seconded by Cauwels. Motion passed unanimously with all present Board members voting yes. Public Input No public input. Unfinished Business None. Under New Business Arboretum Update: Mike Cooper, Interim Executive Director, shared details about the first ten years of the Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum, and some of the upcoming things happening with the Arboretum. This includes finishing off the lower level for added classroom and event space, as well as additional outdoor improvements incorporating the Perry Nature Area and Historic East Sioux Falls landmarks. He also shared some literature showing details of the upcoming projects, all of which fall into place with the Arboretum Master Plan. Gate Fee Applications: Mieras shared details about three applications for permits to charge entry fees for upcoming sporting events at several parks. A motion to approve the gate fee applications was made by Conlin and seconded by Nachtigal. Motion passed unanimously with all present Board members voting yes. Horsebarn Lease: Mieras shared that the Stockyards Plaza, Inc. is exercising the option to extend their agreement with the City for the lease of the horsebarn for the Stockyards Ag Experience. This extension runs from January 2022 to December 2024. Abby Bischoff shared additional information about the Stockyards Ag Experience, their programming, the historic exhibits on the upper level, and the interactive area in the lower level. A motion to approve the agreement extension was made by Cauwels and seconded by Conlin. Motion passed unanimously with all present Board members voting yes. Report of Director of Parks and Recreation: Kearney shared that budgets were recently presented to the City Council for their consideration. The Sioux Falls for All 1 August 18, 2021 Initiatives were approved at last night’s City Council meeting, which includes additional funding for various wide-reaching projects, such as with the Arboretum, the Tennis Association, and a new skateboard park. Just one outdoor pool, Terrace Park Aquatic Center, remains open this week. It will then continue to be open on weekends through September 5. The Sea Dream Sculpture placement will be presented to the City Council on September 14, and this will be the final step of this sculpture installation at Prairie Green Golf Course. The installation of the chairlift at Great Bear Recreation Park is progressing well. All the chairs are installed, and next week a load test will be done to ensure proper operation of the chairlift when loaded to capacity. Finishing touches will be happening in the next few weeks, and the lift will be fully operational for this upcoming snow season. Items Added After the Agenda Deadline None. Reading of Communications to the Board None. There being no further business, Nachtigal made a motion to adjourn. Meeting adjourned. Secretary Approved by: President 2