ITEM 3.4A Parks 1.8.2014 MinutesITEM 3_4A
OTSEGO PARKS AND RECREATION
OTSEGO PRAIRIE CENTER
January 8, 2014
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, Doug Cassady, Jim
Breitbach and Brian Fahey. Absent: Commissioners Angie Dehn and Susan Krekelberg.
City Council: Mayor Jessica Stockamp and Commission Member Doug Schroeder.
Staff: Ross Demant, Parks and Recreation Manager, Connie Schwecke, Recreation
Assistant and Sandy Lindenfelser, Special Licensing.
1. Open Forum.
No Items.
2. Consider agenda approval
Commissioner Cassady motioned to approve as written. Seconded by
Commissioner VonBerg. All in favor. Motion carried.
3.1 December 11, 2013 Regular Meeting Minutes.
Commissioner Cassady motioned to approve as written. Seconded by
Commissioner Fahey. All in favor. Motion carried.
4. Unfinished Business.
No Items
5. New Business.
5.1 Parks & Recreation Commission Event Dates:
Parks and Recreation Manager Demant presented. Partnering with groups and
organizations is new for the Parks and Recreation Department. Chair Torresani said he
feels that these events are put on by the Parks and Recreation department, and would
like to continue to do so, Mayor Stockamp agreed.
The events for 2014 have been scheduled as follows: Easter Egg Hunt to be Saturday
April 12, 2014, Pumpkin Patch on Saturday, October 11, 2014 and Santa Day On
Saturday, December 13, 2014. Also the Easter Egg Hunt for 2015 is on Saturday,
March 28, 2015.
5.2 2013 Parks and Recreation Review.
Parks and Recreation Manager Demant presented. Prairie Center is nearing completion
and there have been a few rental inquiries for this year. The Parks and Recreation
Department has hired Connie Schwecke as Parks and Recreation Assistant. Connie is a
great asset to the Parks and Recreation Department, taking care of the programming,
scheduling numerous events along with the many other duties involved with this
position.
The Otsego Festival this past year was a huge success. Mayor Stockamp said through
Otsego Rod and Custom Club, there were 235 cars were registered at this event, a
large increase from the previous year. Along with the opening ceremony was the
dedication of the Veteran's Memorial, an Eagle Scout project completed by Jacob
Postuma. Fox Tailers Snowmobile Club offered snowmobile training for youngsters
again this year with sixty students in attendance, doubling their attendance from last
year.
Parks and Recreation Manager Demant noted a couple other fun and successful events
for 2013 were the first ever Kick Ball Tournament and Dred in the Shed wrestling.
Another great highlight is the Three Rivers Volunteer of the Year award for the City of
Otsego was given to Amy Stemler, founder of the Free Little Library in the City of
Otsego. Mayor Stockamp also noted that Ms. Stemler was the most current volunteer
receiving this award, additional recipients were chosen from previous years of volunteer
service. TRSA donated $100,000 towards the new soccer fields. Ground breaking
dedication ceremony was held at the site, north of City Hall.
5.3 2014 Parks and Recreation Preview.
Parks and Recreation Manager Demant presented. Parks and Recreation Assistant
Schwecke reported that there have been over 1,500 registered for our Parks and
Recreation programs. The craft sale held on December 21, 2013 housed 33 venders
and a steady stream of shoppers, noting this well -attended for a first time event. Event
Coordinator Brandy Savilla, assisted in organizing this event. Our summer event
program should be completed by the next meeting. With Prairie Center now open, it
gives us a better opportunity to advertise our program. Parks and Recreation Manager
Demant would like to see future events like a game fair, father/son firearms training,
more sports camps, senior programs to name a few. Mayor Stockamp said maybe
there should be a mother/daughter or father/daughter event added to the program too.
Something for middle school age girls. Commission member Fahey asked about a flag
football program. Parks and Recreation Manager Demant stated that was low in the
past but can look into it again. Mayor Stockamp said she would like to see it be
promoted differently in case the program gets cancelled, this way it gives them the
opportunity to register for something else instead of missing out on another program.
6. Parks and Recreation Manager Update.
Parks and Recreation Manager Demant gave an update. One of the goals for 2014 is to
update our Pride in our Parks program. Currently we only have Cole's Martial Art's
taking care of Carrick's Waterfront Park. $20,000 has been set aside for the tear out
and installation of a new wood play structure at School Knoll Park. Installation of water
and electricity at the Prairie Park baseball/softball complex is also on the list.
Commission member Cassady said that Rogers Baseball will be donating $2,300 to be
dedicated towards improving the fields. Direction from the City Council regarding usage
fees will be discussed with organizations going forward to help maintain and expand
what we currently have. This information will be brought to the next parks and
recreation meeting.
7. City Council Reports.
Commission Member Schroeder gave an update.
8. Adjourn.
Commissioner Fahey motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner
Breitach. All in favor. Motion carried. Adjourned at 8:10 PM
Written by Sandy Lindenfelser, Special Licensing
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