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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks & Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 02-08-2024 1 Approved Minutes February 8, 2024 Approved Minutes Park & Recreation Advisory Commission Thursday, February 8, 2024 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Vita Wilson, Vice Chair James Kuznia, Commissioners: John McCulloch, Jessica Montgomery, Hannah Wegner MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioners: Ann Hoekstra, Nicholas Beecher STAFF PRESENT: Director Jennifer Tomlinson, Organizational & Equity Partner Paul Johnson, Parks & Forestry Manager, Jason Goehring, Office Support Lead Genny Layne COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES: None present CALL TO ORDER Chair Vita Wilson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. PUBLIC FORUM PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLIC INFORMATION ANNOUNCEMENTS APPROVE AGENDA (4.1) Approve Agenda Motion by Commissioner Jessica Montgomery and seconded by Commissioner Hannah Wegner recommending approval of the February 8, 2024, Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission agenda. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Consent Agenda (5.1) Adopt proposed Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes Motion by Commissioner John McCulloch and seconded by Vice Chair James Kuznia recommending approval of the January 11, 2024, Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission minutes. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. General Business Reports and Staff Recommendations (7.1) Organizational Development Update Organizational & Equity Partner, Paul Johnson presented an update on equity efforts by the city. City of Choice was one of the Council and city’s strategic priorities. The position was created as a continued commitment to offering high-quality, cost-effective, equitable and inclusive policies and service operations. This job is more internally focused, working with departments, leaders, and directors, with the goal of that having an outward effect to the city, as well. A discussion was had about the meaning of DEI. Diversity, equity, and inclusion were defined, and examples given verbally and visually. One component of implementing DEI is developing an Employee Engagement Committee to represent employees and create a survey to improve input from employees on the workplace environment, including what is working now and what could be improved upon. 2 Approved Minutes February 8, 2024 (7.2) Parks & Forestry Update Parks & Forestry Manager, Jason Goehring presented an update on Parks & Forestry. There are 28 full time staff members, staffed 7 days a week, year-round. 24 seasonal/temporary employees are hired during the peak summer season. Parks & Forestry are responsible for the operations, maintenance, and repair of over 1800 acres of park land and 175 miles of trails throughout Plymouth. 2023 projects: • Zachary Playfield pickleball courts • Bass Lake Playfield baseball renovation • Reclaimed, graded, compacted, paved and restored 3.13 mile of trails • Elm Creek Playground retrofit • Bass Lake Building renovation • Plymouth Creek batting cage donated by Plymouth Wayzata Youth Baseball Association The historic warm temperatures this year allowed crews to install and remove the holiday lights at the Hilde and City Hall easily. Ice rinks were not able to open until January 17 and then closed two weeks later. No rinks were opened on the lakes or pond this year due to the ice not being thick enough. Crews have been busy performing structural tree trimming in the parks and working with the street department to trim trees for right of way. Playground inspections are ahead of schedule due to the warmer temperatures. Discussion was had about Emerald Ash Borer tree removals and locations throughout the city. 2024 projects: • Parkers Lake Fountain Pond improvements • West Medicine Lake median renovation • Parkers Lake Field C soccer renovation • Parkers Lake Field 1 subsurface drainage Trail projects in 2024 include Aspen Ridge, Sunrise, Rolling Hills, Mission Hills, and Schmidt Woods Connectors. Crews will continue to work on Zachary concessions building upgrades, including exterior concrete, floors, painting, plumbing and electrical. Manager Goehring described the Green Tree Island Prairie restoration that was an idea presented by the neighborhood. There was information presented about the volunteer event led by one of our AmeriCorps members to plant 10,000 perennials around Hilde pond. (7.3) Special Events 2024 Director Jennifer Tomlinson presented upcoming special events and updates, including the following: • 55+ Winter Bingo • Presidents Day $10 Open Play at PCC • Discover Plymouth vendor applications • Tree and Shrub Sale • Pie Day Adjournment 3 Approved Minutes February 8, 2024 Motion by Commissioner Wegner and seconded by Commissioner Montgomery recommending adjournment of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting. With no objection, Chair Wilson adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m.