PR Minutes 7-16-24OTSEGO PARKS AND RECREATION
Prairie Center
July 16, 2024
7:00 PM
Call to Order.
Chair Kitty Baltos called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Roll Call: Chair Kitty Baltos. Commissioners: Angie Dehn, Jessica Schaffer, Kurt Baldry
and Stephanie McCool.
Absent: Commissioners Matt Danzl and Norman Witteborg.
City Council: Council Members Brittany Moores, Ryan Dunlap, Jeff Dahl and Mayor
Jessica Stockamp
City Council Absent: Tina Goede
Staff: Nick Jacobs, Parks and Recreation Director and Connie Schwecke, Recreation
Coordinator.
1.Open Forum.
Kyle Dahlheimer who lives at 8856 Mason Ave NE Otsego requested to add a
pollinator garden at Prairie Park. Mr Dahlheimer discussed various locations within
Prairie Park, budgets, and expectations.
After discussion, the commissioners agreed to proceed with a pollinator garden at
the trail intersection in Prairie Park
Commissioner Dehn motioned to recommend to the City Council to
approve a pollinator garden at the trail intersection at Prairie Park.
Seconded by Commissioner McCool. All in favor. Motion carried.
2.Consider Agenda Approval.
Commissioner Dehn motioned to approve the agenda. Seconded by
Commissioner Schaffer. All in favor. Motion carried.
3.Consider Meeting Minutes.
3.1 April 16, 2024 Meeting Minutes.
Commissioner Baldry motioned to recommend to the City Council to
approve all meeting minutes as written. Seconded by Commissioner
McCool. All in favor. Motion carried.
4.Unfinished Business.
4.1 Review of Prairie Park Master Plan
Parks and Recreation Director Jacobs presented the memo, discussed the timeline of the
Prairie Park Master Plan, and thanked all the people who helped with the development of
the plan, the advisory committee, Parks and Recreation Commissioners, and City Council
Members.
Gabrielle Grinde from HKGi presented the Prairie Park Master Plan.
Commissioner Dehn questioned if the sledding hill would be relocated. Parks and
Recreation Director Jacobs stated it would be relocated to the proposed sledding hill
location in phase one.
Commissioner McCool asked if the old playground equipment could be sold or donated.
Parks and Recreation Director Jacobs stated he would check into the donation process
but also noted that the playground equipment was at end of life and if deemed unsafe
would likely be sold as scrap metal.
Commissioner Dehn questioned if there were any upgrades to the splash pad. Parks and
Recreation Director Jacobs said there were no upgrades to the plan since we just had
added features a few years ago.
Commissioner Baldry asked for clarification on the pavilion building. Ms. Grinde stated
that there would be four unisex restrooms, a multipurpose room, storage, and a small
concession area that also would be used as a warming house.
Chair Baltos questioned the rental use of the building and if staff could oversee the extra
rentals and cleaning. Parks and Recreation Director Jacobs stated that the rental
software we currently use is sufficient for renting the multipurpose room and the added
maintenance component would be manageable. Chair Baltos also questioned if the
multipurpose room would be used for programming. Director Jacobs said yes.
Commissioner Dehn and Chair Baltos approved the new placement of the dog park.
Parks and Recreation Director Jacobs read Commissioner Danzl request to move the dog
park fence to the east of the proposed plan to keep dogs out of the creek for ecological
reasons and to prevent creek bank failure.
Commissioner Dehn requested to keep GaGa pit. Director Jacobs agreed and stated it
would remain.
Commissioner Schaffer motioned to recommend to the City Council to
consider and adopt the Prairie Park Master Plan as presented. Seconded
by Commissioner Dean. All in favor. Motion carried.
5.New Business.
5.1 Naming of Ashwood Park.
City Council member Moores presented a report from HPC Commission
3 options of the name:
Ashwood Park
Big Woods Park
Friedrich Park
Commissioner Dehn motioned to recommend to the City Council to
name Friedrich Park Seconded by Commissioner Schaffer. All in favor. 3
a yes and 2 nays . Motion carried.
6.Parks and Recreation Update.
Parks and Recreation Director Jacobs presented the parks update. Recreation
Coordinator Schwecke presented the recreation update.
7.City Council Reports.
ITEM 3.1
City Council Member Moores presented the City Council Report.
8. Adjourn.
Commissioner Dehn motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner
McCool. All in favor. Motion carried. Adjourned at 8:22P.M.
Written by Connie Schwecke, Recreation Coordinator