PR Minutes 08-15-23
OTSEGO PARKS AND RECREATION
Prairie Center
August 15, 2023
7:00 PM
Call to Order.
Chair Kitty Baltos called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Roll Call: Chair Baltos; Commissioners: Liz Benoit, Jessica Schaffer Kurt Baldry, and Norman Witteborg.
Absent: Commissioners: Angie Dehn and Matt Danzl
City Council: Council Members Brittany Moores and Ryan Dunlap
Staff: Nick Jacobs, Parks and Recreation Director and Connie Schwecke, Recreation Coordinator Kevin Martinez Del Arca, Recreation Intern.
1. Open Forum.
Donna Husbands 15555 83rd St NE, Otsego asked Parks and Recreation Director Jacobs which grass seed the city was planning to plant at School Knoll Park. Ms. Husbands stated she had
some concerns about establishing the grass at the park without proper irrigation. Parks and Recreation Director Jacobs deferred the question to Mr. Solomonson from HKGi who stated he
didn’t have the exact name of the drought resistant seed mix but would find out and let Mr. Jacobs know. Parks and Recreation Director Jacobs stated he would contact Ms. Husbands with
the information she requested.
2. Consider Agenda Approval.
Commissioner Benoit motioned to approve the agenda. Seconded by Commissioner Baldry. All in favor. Motion carried.
3. Consider Meeting Minutes.
3.1 July 18 Special Meeting Minutes.
Commissioner Schaffer motioned to recommend to the City Council to approve all meeting minutes as written. Seconded by Commissioner Benoit. All in favor. Motion carried.
4. Unfinished Business.
5. New Business.
5.1 Ashwood Park.
Parks and Recreation Director Jacobs introduced Tim Solomonson from HKGi who presented the Ashwood Plan.
Mr Solomonson discussed the new trends in recreation, opportunities and constraints of Ashwood Park program, design considerations, public engagement goals and project
schedule. Mr. Solomonson stated that this park with its heavily wooded area and wetland could be a unique park for Otsego based more on a nature theme.
After discussion, the commissioners agreed they wanted Ashwood Park’s Concept Design to be a unique neighborhood park focused more on nature base play areas, interpretive areas, trails
and wetland access.
6. Parks and Recreation Update.
Parks and Recreation Director Jacobs presented parks update. Recreation Coordinator Schwecke presented the recreation update.
7. City Council Reports.
City Council Member Moores presented City Council Report.
8. Adjourn.
Commissioner Witteborg motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Benoit. All in favor. Motion carried. Adjourned at 8:55P.M.
Written by Connie Schwecke, Recreation Coordinator