ITEM 3.3C Parks 4.15.2014 MinutesITEM 3_3C�
OTSEGO PARKS AND RECREATION
OTSEGO PRAIRIE CENTER
April 15, 2014
7:00 PM
Call to Order.
Chair Dehn called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Roll Call: Chair Angie Dehn; Commissioners: Peter Torresani, Charles VonBerg, Doug
Cassady, Jim Breitbach, Brian Fahey, Cara Husak, Susan Krekelberg and Corey Tanner.
Absent: Commission Member Doug Schroeder. City Council: Mayor Jessica Stockamp.
Staff: Ross Demant, Parks and Recreation Manager, City Planner Dan Licht, Amy
Stemler, Recreation Program, Connie Schwecke, Recreation Assistant.
1. Open Forum.
Justin Dedrick presented. This will be the third year they have sponsored a Suicide
Awareness fundraiser event (SAVE) at Prairie Park in honor of his friend. For this event,
they are planning a 5K walk, skateboard demo and barbeque. The first year they raised
$1200 and last year, with over 100 participants in the 5K, $6,000 was collected. All
proceeds would go to the local organization SAVE. He requested the commission to
waive the Prairie Park shelter fees for this event.
Commissioner Cassady motioned to approve waiving the shelter rental fees
for this fundraising event. Seconded by Commissioner Breitbach. All in
favor. Motion carried.
2. Consider agenda approval
Commissioner VonBerg motioned to add item 5.2 to the agenda and to
approve the amended agenda. Seconded by Commissioner Cassady. All in
favor. Motion carried.
3.1 March 12, 2014 Regular Meeting Minutes.
Commissioner Cassady motioned to approve as written. Seconded by
Commissioner VonBerg. All in favor. Motion carried.
4. Unfinished Business.
No Items
5. New Business.
5.1 Implementation of Park and Trail Plan:
City Planner Licht presented. He stated that when there is an increase in residential
development an increase in Park development follows. Developers are now platting
residential sites and are dedicating funds for parks. When choosing a site for a future
city park, staff looks for certain criteria in choosing suitable land. Otsego has many
ITEM 3.1
neighborhood parks but only one community park, Prairie Park. This park is very
popular because of its central location and all of its amenities. To add an additional
community park is costly, so in the future, the City hopes to work with the school
district in developing a plan where the school district would provide the park amenities
to use for a new school in Otsego and the City would provide the maintenance of it.
The school district did acquire 80 acres of land for a K-8 school on west side of Otsego.
One goal for the Parks and Recreation Department is to develop a fenced dog park in
additional off leash dog parks like the one at Carricks Waterfront Park.
5.2 Neighborhood Playfield Use
Park and Recreation Demant presented. Athletic groups are requesting to practice and
play at both Zimmer Park and Frankfort Park. Parking issues and safety concerns were
discussed.
Commissioner Cassady made a motion to use Zimmer and Frankfort fields for
practices and games. No seconds. Motion fails due to lack of a second.
6. Parks and Recreation Manager Update.
Park and Recreation Manager Demant presented. The summer program guide was e-
mailed in the beginning of April to all residents in the school district using mail chimp
and was found to be very successful and informative for staff. Rental use is going well.
Staff is in the process of designing a rental guide that will help promote the rentals to
the public. We had our first alcohol use rental. It was successful. The Easter Egg Hunt
Event was well attended and was deemed a success. For a more accurate count, Chair
Dehn suggested we look into purchasing a building use laser to count attendees.
Suggestions for the 2015 Egg Hunt:
1. Brian Richards, staff & volunteers create balloon animals.
2. For better visibility, hang double sided signs from ceiling.
3. Entrance and signage to meet the bunny.
4. CAER food and cash donation box in two locations. (inside & outside)
Demant discussed some of the park projects; court resurfacing and the cleaning splash
pad. Midwest land will most likely donate up to 20 trees which will be planted on the
east and west side of the property line of the new soccer fields.
7. City Council Reports.
Mayor Stockamp presented. Otsego Elementary discussed wanting to hook up to City
water to irrigate their fields. The Mayor gave the School the City contact info and it is
believed this is still in the planning stages.
8. Adjourn.
Commissioner Torresani motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner
Fahey. All in favor. Motion carried. Adjourned at 8:59 PM
Written by Connie Schwecke. Parks and Recreation Assistant