Parks and Recreation Board Meeting

Unofficial minutes to be approved at the January 19, 2022 meeting December 8, 2021 A REGULAR MEETING OF THE SIOUX FALLS PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD was held on Wednesday, December 8, 2021, at 4 p.m. at the Falls Overlook Café. Roll Call and Determination of Quorum Members present: Jim Stavenger, Mike Begeman, Mick Conlin, Rick Weber, and Teresa Cauwels. Members absent: Ann Nachtigal and Brooke Wegener. Parks and Recreation staff present: Don Kearney, Director of Parks and Recreation; Jackie Nelson, Administrative Manager; and Rita Meyer, Administrative Assistant. Others present: Karen Leonard, City Attorney’s Office and Kris Denevan, Executive Director of Facilities, Sanford Health. Approval of Minutes (November 17, 2021) A motion to approve the minutes was made by Begeman and seconded by Cauwels. Motion passed unanimously with all present Board members voting yes. Public Input No public input. Unfinished Business None. New Business Sanford Sherman Park Parking Lot Usage Agreement: Kearney shared details of the Agreement. Kris Denevan shared details of upcoming construction at Sanford campus displacing employee parking and the need for this temporary usage agreement. A motion to approve the Agreement was made by Weber and seconded by Conlin. Motion passed unanimously with all present Board members voting yes. Election of Parks and Recreation Board Officers: Park Board President Jim Stavenger presented the slate of Park Board Officers for 2022. Nachtigal will serve as the new Board President, Begeman will serve as Vice President, and Cauwels will serve as Secretary. A motion to approve the Park Board Officers was made by Conlin and seconded by Weber. Motion passed unanimously with all present Board members voting yes. Report of Director of Parks and Recreation: Kearney shared that contracts are close to completion for 2022 for the concessions at ball fields and aquatic facilities. Agreements for the Falls Park Visitor Center, Zoo, and Arboretum have all been approved by the City Council. The Hayward Park concept planning and design has been finalized, and is very representative of the Master Plan previously approved for the park. This project will be bid after the first of the year, with construction to begin in the summer of 2022. Jacobson Plaza plans are also progressing nicely. Great Bear Recreation Park has begun making snow for the upcoming ski season, and they have already sold more season passes compared to all of last season. Our staff 1 December 8, 2021 has not yet begun flooding outdoor rinks due to the mild weather. A good reason to pursue refrigerated rinks. We are coming up on our fifth year of working with Landscapes Unlimited managing our golf courses. Both parties are supportive of the option of extending their agreement for an additional five years. Kearney addressed a question about the Great Plains Zoo and the Butterfly House & Aquarium announcement. Kearney shared that the two organizations have collaborated on several conservation efforts, including working with endangered species nearing extinction like the Black Footed Ferret and the Dakota Skipper. These two entities have a similar mission and are discussing the potential for partnering at a higher level. The announcement of the newly formed Parks Foundation has generated questions for future park developments/projects and potential donors. Kearney thanked Jim Stavenger for his leadership for the past two years serving as Board President. Items Added After the Agenda Deadline None. Reading of Communications to the Board None. There being no further business, Begeman made a motion to adjourn. Meeting adjourned. Secretary Approved by: President 2