10-09-13 PR ITEM 3.1
OTSEGO PARKS AND RECREATION
OTSEGO PRAIRIE CENTER
October 9, 2013
7:00 PM
Call to Order.
Chair Torresani called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Roll Call: Chair Peter Torresani; Commissioners: Charles VonBerg, Angie Dehn, Doug
Cassady, Mike Brumm, Susan Krekelberg and Brian Fahey. City Council: Mayor Jessica
Stockamp; Absent: CM Doug Schroeder. Staff: Ross Demant, Parks and Recreation
Manager, Connie Schwecke, Recreation Assistant and Sandy Lindenfelser, Special
Licensing. Pat Launderville, Parks and Recreation Lead arrived at 7:57 PM.
1. Open Forum.
No Items.
2. Consider agenda approval. Commissioner Krekelberg requested to add Item 5.4
Alcohol and Smoking Policy.
Commissioner Krekelberg motioned to approve as amended. Seconded by
Commissioner Cassady. All in favor. Motion carried.
3.1 September 11, 2013 Regular Meeting Minutes.
Commissioner Krekelberg motioned to approve as written. Seconded by
Commissioner Fahey. All in favor. Motion carried.
4. Unfinished Business.
No Items
5. New Business:
5.1 Ice Rink Locations.
Parks and Recreation Manager Demant presented. At this time the plan is to install a
hockey rink to the north of the pleasure rink. Commissioner Brumm asked how we
were sitting on hockey nets. Parks and Recreation Manager Demant said that the City
of Elk River will allow us to borrow the extra nets and boards. Commissioner Brumm
said that this may be a way to acquire them at a good rate. Parks and Recreation
Manager Demant will check but also see if this is something that could be fit into the
budget. News of the hockey rink will be advertised in the Otsego View and on the City
website. A small area between the parking lot and the rink will be flooded for easier
access for those already wearing skates. Parks and Recreation Manager Demant will
bring pictures of possible locations for a second pleasure rink to the November meeting
for discussion and decision by commissioners.
Chair Torresani recommend that City Council accept the donation on a
temporary basis of hockey boards from the City of Elk River for the hockey
rink. Seconded by Commissioner Cassady. All in favor. Motion carried.
5.2 Waterfront East Signage and Entrance.
Parks and Recreation Manager Demant presented. Trees, park benches and garbage
containers have been added the park at Waterfront East. A name for the park and a
more central location for a park entrance is needed. Commissioner Krekelberg thought
the water fountain near Cold Stone would be a good location for an entrance. Cost for
an additional paved trail from the parking lot to the main trail would be approximately
$5,000 and would be put in the budget for 2015. Parks and Recreation Manager
Demant said to take into consideration that there will be more commercial development
in the future. Commissioner Cassady said there could be direct access to the park from
each building. Commissioner Krekelberg noted that it would be nice to have signs
showing how far you are, maybe imprints, painted pictures or directional arrows on the
path for kids to step on. Commissioner VonBerg asked whether or not the decision to
not pave at this time complies with ADA regulations. Parks and Recreation Manager
Demant said it states a surface needs to be firm and stable, so yes it complies. The
Heritage Preservation Commission is researching the area and will come up with some
names for the Parks and Recreation commission to choose from at the next meeting.
5.3 Initial Planning for the Park in Mississippi Cove.
Parks and Recreation Manager Demant presented. The park, which measures about
16 acres is wooded, with a creek flowing through it and has a natural entrance with
approximately half mile dirt trail that loops around and a bituminous trail that leads to
the Davis farm. Parks and Recreation Manager Demant would recommend keeping the
trail as natural as possible, as a nature trail in the summer and possible skiing in the
winter. He will also check with the Heritage Preservation Commission on names for this
park and bring those back for discussion at the next meeting. Staff will work with
volunteer groups to develop both a plan and possible projects for the park.
Commissioner Cassady will discuss with the Otsego Lions about volunteering on this
project. Commissioner Krekelberg asked if there could be archery in this park. Parks
and Recreation Manager Demant said that currently this is in a no discharge zone but
could be changed if brought to City Council.
5.4 Alcohol and Smoking Policy.
Commissioner Krekelberg was approached by residents in her neighborhood about
teens smoking in the pavilion at Frankfort Park and wondered what our alcohol and
smoking policy entails. Parks and Recreation Manager Demant said that most city parks
are tobacco free although smoking and alcohol are allowed in our parks noting that it is
difficult to enforce no smoking in parks. A no smoking policy will be brought to the
November Commission for review and recommendation to the City Council.
6. Parks and Recreation Manager Update.
Parks and Recreation Manager Demant gave an update.
7. City Council Reports.
Mayor Stockamp gave an update.
House fire at 81 Street NE and Page Avenue NE due to an air exchanger. There is a
recall on this air exchanger. City Planner Dan Licht is working on a press release with
information for residents on this air exchanger recall. Amy Stemler, also known as
2
"Miss Amy ", who created the "Little Free Library" in Otsego's parks, will be awarded
the Lifetime Achievement Award for service at the Three Rivers Community Foundation
Gala October 10, 2013.
8. Adjourn.
Commissioner Dehn motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner
Krekelberg. All in favor. Motion carried. Adjourned at 8:36 PM.
Written by Sandy Lindenfelser, Special Licensing
3