2025.06.17 Park and Recreation Meeting MinutesOTSEGO PARKS AND RECREATION
PRAIRIE CENTER
JUNE 17, 2025
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, Stephanie McCool, Kurt Baldry,
Jessica Schaffer and Joe Tyberghein.
Absent: Commissioners Matt Danzl and Norman Witteborg.
City Council: Council Members Michelle Lund, Corey Tanner and Ryan Dunlap.
Staff: Nick Jacobs, Parks and Recreation Director and Connie Schwecke, Recreation
Supervisor.
1.Open Forum.
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 May 20, 2025 Meeting Minutes.
Commissioner Tyberghein motioned to recommend to the City Council
to approve the May 20 meeting minutes as written. Seconded by
Commissioner Baldry. All in favor. Motion carried.
4.Unfinished Business.
5.New Business.
5.1 Removal of Parks and Recreation Commissioner.
Parks and Recreation Director Jacobs presented memo.
Commissioner Baldry motioned to recommend to the City Council to
remove Commissioner Norman Whitteborg from the Parks and
Recreation Commission and replace his seat with alternate Joe
Tyberghein. Seconded by Commissioner Dehn. All in favor. Motion
carried.
5.2 Prairie Park Master Plan Phase One.
Director Jacobs presented a memo outlining the Prairie Park Master Plan and Phase 1
improvements.
The commissioners reviewed the plan and provided the following suggestions:
Open-Air Shelter: Commissioners agreed on the open-air shelter option as the open-
air shelter was the less expensive than the architecturally designed building.
Commissioner McCool stated an indoor reservable space would be better
incorporated into a Community Center in the future. Commissioners emphasized the
ITEM 3.1
importance of its placement, noting concerns about proximity to the playground and
splash pad. Commissioner Dehn suggested locating the concession area and
changing and restrooms closer to the splash pad to minimize public traffic through
rented shelter areas and providing extra tables near the restroom area for personal
belongings.
Playground Design: The commissioners agreed to propose a hybrid model,
combining traditional play elements with nature-based features for broader appeal
using more natural color schemes consistent with Lake Rebecca Park.
Ball Field Improvements: Commissioners recommended including ball field
improvements in Phase 1 of the Master Plan.
Commissioners agreed to hold a joint meeting with the City Council at a later date to
further discuss the Master Plan and next steps.
Commissioner McCool motioned to recommend to the City Council staff to
develop a presentation from this meeting’s discussion and prepare materials
for a joint meeting with the City Council at a future date. Seconded by
Commissioner Tyberghein. All in favor. Motion carried.
6.Parks and Recreation Update.
Parks and Recreation Director Jacobs presented the parks update. Recreation
Supervisor Schwecke presented the recreation update.
7.City Council Reports.
City Council Member Lund presented the City Council Report.
8.Adjourn.
Commissioner Dehn motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner
McCool. All in favor. Motion carried. Adjourned at 8:04 P.M.
Written by Connie Schwecke, Recreation Supervisor