04-10-13 PR ITEM 3_1
OTSEGO PARKS AND RECREATION
OTSEGO PRAIRIE CENTER
April 10, 2013
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, Susan Krekelberg,
Mike Brumm, Doug Cassady and Angie Dehn; City Council: CM Doug Schroeder and
Mayor Jessica Stockamp. Staff: Ross Demant, Parks and Recreation Manager and Sandy
Lindenfelser, Special Licensing.
1. Open Forum.
No Items
2. Consider agenda approval.
Commissioner VonBerg motioned to approve as written. Seconded by
Commissioner Dehn. All in favor. Motion carried.
3. Consider the following minutes.
3.1 March 13, 2013 Regular Meeting Minutes.
Commissioner Cassady motioned to approve as written. Seconded by
Commissioner VonBerg. All in favor. Motion carried.
3.2 March 13, 2013 Special Meeting Minutes.
Roll Call for this meeting was incorrect. Commissioners Charles VonBerg, Rose
Cassady, Kathy Roberts and Triste Freeberg were not in attendance. Commissioners
Angie Dehn and Doug Cassady were present.
Commissioner Cassady motioned to approve as Written. Seconded by
Commissioner Dehn. All in favor. Motion carried
4. Unfinished Business.
No Items
5. New Business.
5.1 Justin Dedrick's Skate Contest Request.
Mr. Justin Dedrick presented his plan for a skate contest and possible 5K fundraiser for
Suicide Awareness Voices for Education (SAVE) scheduled for Saturday, July 20, 2013.
Parks and Recreation Manager Demant said that he was present at last year's event and
stated that it was well attended and there were no issues that day. Commissioner
VonBerg asked how long this event would last. Mr. Dedrick said the event would begin
around 9:00 am or 10:00 am and last approximately until 5:OOpm. Commissioner
Brumm stated that a 5K is a great idea, but a lot of work. It was noted that SAVE did a
5K in St Michael last year and may be willing to help with this event here. Chair
Torresani asked how much money was raised at last year's event. Mr. Dedrick said just
over $1,000.00. Parks and Recreation Manager Demant said that a Special Event
Permit will be required and Wright County Sheriff's Office will need to be notified as
well. Mr. Dedrick asked that the Parks and Recreation Commission waive the shelter
fee for this event.
Commissioner Brumm motioned to allow Justin Dedrick to host a 5K run and
a skate contest in the Prairie Park Skate Park to be held on Saturday, July 20,
2013 and to waive the shelter fee for the event. Seconded by Commissioner
Krekelberg. All in favor. Motion carried.
5.2 Pick a Date for the Otsego Park System Tour.
Parks and Recreation Manager Demant said it's time to start our capital improvement
projects by looking at what was completed last year and what can be done this year.
He suggested changing the time of the next Parks and Recreation Meeting to 6:00 pm,
shortening the agenda and then going on a tour of the City Parks following the
meeting. Commissioner Krekelberg said it would be good to do a full assessment of
each park. Parks and Recreation Manager said this would also be a good opportunity to
have Randy Welch set up the batting cages; this would give a better look at which
location best fits these cages.
5.3 Tour of the Otsego Park System and Flagship Recreation Tour.
Parks and Recreation Manager Demant informed the Parks and Recreation Commission
of a tour being offered by Flagship Recreation, a playground manufacturer based out of
Delano MN. During this three (3) to four (4) hour tour, Flagship Recreation will show
the design and safety of playground equipment. This tour will be for the City of Otsego
and geared towards our needs. Commissioner Krekelberg asked how this would help
us. Parks and Recreation Manager Demant said as our parks start to age, our
playground equipment will age and they will retrofit what is there. Commissioner
VonBerg thought this would be a good idea for the future and would be interested in
attending this tour. Parks and Recreation Manager Demant said that all commissioners
are welcome but not required to attend.
6. Parks and Recreation Manager Update.
Parks and Recreation Manager Demant updated the commission on the Easter Egg Hunt
stating that it was a huge event. The Boy Scout volunteers did a fantastic job. Chair
Torresani noted that next year at least one (1) adult should assist three (3) to four (4)
kids spreading out the eggs so they are not all in one area. Parks and Recreation
Manager Demant wondered what kind of turnout they would have if they decided to
charge a $1.00 fee per child for this event. Connie Schweke, Parks and Recreation
Assistant delivered the leftover candy to CAER in Elk River.
Parks and Recreation Manager Demant stated that in February there was discussion of
reallocating time for the shelter rental and this went live Tuesday, April 9, 2013 on the
City's website under Parks and Recreation. Parks and Recreation Manager Demant
explained how the reservations were typically taken before this online procedure was
set up and stated how much easier this will be. Commissioner Brumm asked if this was
something created by staff. Parks and Recreation Manager Demant said that the City
purchased the Rec Desk program, what is there was created by him and that the Bank
of Elk River will process all transactions.
2
In the future, the purchaser will get a confirmation number and a permit sent out to
them that they will be required to bring along the day of the rental.
Parks and Recreation Manager Demant said that they are still moving forward with the
festival. They have six (6) or seven (7) sponsors at this time. The Otsego Festival
website is being completed by Kim Welter who is donating her time. Once this site
goes live in about a week, Parks and Recreation Manager Demant will send a link to the
Parks and Recreation Commission. Parks and Recreation Manager Demant also said
that anyone who would like to be on the Festival Committee is more the welcome, they
would like as many as possible.
The Prairie Center Subcommittee met last week with the discussion of hiring Kinghorn,
the same company that remodeled City Hall, to draw up some general sketches for
Prairie Center. Possible changes discussed included activity rooms for seniors,
bathrooms and other rooms for activities. The large carpet room on the Council
Chambers side and the tile room work out well and will not have any changes.
Parks and Recreation Manager Demant met with Otsego Little League, Rogers /Otsego
Youth Baseball, and Northwest Diamonds regarding the scheduling of ball fields and
thought the process went well. Parks and Recreation Manager Demant also met with
area Special Olympics noting there are 30 athletes in the Otsego /Elk River area stating
they are a great group to work with but considering the demand for fields there is a
shortage.
7. City Council Reports.
No Items.
8. Adjourn.
Commissioner VonBerg motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner
Brumm. All in favor. Motion carried. Adjourned at 7:48PM.
Written by Sandy Lindenfelser, Special Licensing
3