All right, good to go. >> We're the fun group, right? >> All right, >> you put the >> I'll call the meeting to order at 6:30. Uh, first item is to adopt tonight's agenda. >> I'll make motion. >> Second. >> Motion's been made and seconded to adopt
tonight's agenda. All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> And the agenda has been adopted. Item three, approve the minutes from the October meeting. >> So long. I see my my name is spelled wrong again, Nate. It's correct at the very top, but throughout the the
minutes, it's not a big deal as long as it's correct at the top and with the legal documents and everything. It's just, you know, I like to make sure it stays accurate. >> Yeah, I'll have to get >> sometimes we like just follow the rules. >> I can make those changes and edit that
one, but >> I'm I'm fine approving it as is, too. So, >> you just say you can approve with the correction of your name on there. >> Yeah, that'll work. >> I'll second it. >> All right. A motion's been made and seconded to approve the minutes from the
October meeting. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> And those are approved. Item four, park financials. >> These are not 100% to the end of the year. They're still trying to wrap up the end of the year building, but uh
it's pretty close for for what we have. We came in under budget on our parks operations budget came pretty close this year again. So, we're our budgeting is pretty accurate. Um we always talk about storm winter storms that can make a big difference on
here. We do have a lot of overtime this year so far, but some of that's reflected in here already. >> I was going to say you must applowed quite a bit. A lot of these little pitily storms are enough. We still have to go out and scrape the roads and salt and these rain events that turns to ice. We have to try
and go as much that as we can before it freezes. So, they're not huge snowtorms, but they take a lot of lot of man hours. >> Sure. >> Um, any questions on the operations budget? >> Nice work on it.
>> Yeah, good year. Came close. Very good. >> Then the capital improvement budget. We've got a pretty healthy balance in both of those. Some of that is talk about tonight for the Viking Meadows Golf or uh park and
the uh our other project we have planned for6. So >> we're doing a carryover or no >> what's that? >> Is there any carryover? >> This will always Yeah, these carry over from year to year. >> I always ask. >> Yep. >> Thank you.
>> We'll have a transfer of uh for 115,000 this year for the park capital. >> What was that again? How much? >> I think it's 115. Going up 5,000 a year, I think. >> Okay. [snorts] >> And if I recall correctly, the city
council passed the trail fund. So, we'll start seeing that soon, too. >> Yep. That's all been good to go. We have that in the P schedule that kicked off on January 1st. >> Okay. >> All right. Cool.
>> Any other questions on the capital budgets? >> Kudos to public works for keeping it going. >> Absolutely. >> Yep. >> Anybody have anything else on the park financials?
>> Looks good. All right. Item five, playground equipment, Viking Meadows Park. >> Consider a recommendation to city council on the playground equipment for Viking Meadows Park. Park Commission has begun planning the new park in Viking Meadow subdivision. Park dedication fees
upon complete build of the development are projected to be this number on here was three. Was it 363? 360. The uh homes that we were building that number
It's 242 homes and we're using 248. Um, so that's actually [snorts] a little bit high. Today, the city has approved the first two phases of the park dedication amount of 162,000. The park commissioner recommended beginning the development process by getting the playground equipment designed in order for
installation in 2026. The budget for the first phase of this park was set at $130,000. staff contacted three local local playground design and supply companies and requested designs that remain below that $130,000 budget. Quotes are
included in the attachments. Other improvements planned for the park include $25,000 for a zip line that will be incorporated within the playground area, $20,000 for lawn irrigation, and then future we're going to have picnic tables, shelters, benches, trees,
landscaping, and natural play areas. staff is seeking a recommendation on playground design park commission council for their approval. One more thing to add to this capstone and the city met and discuss how we're going to actually fund this park going
forward. Um today we've only have the park dedication from the first phase. The other one is set to go into February. Um Capstone is offered to help done some of this stuff ahead of time uh before their park
dedication fees are due to get this park developed. So, our kind of our working plan is to get this playground ordered up and design ordered up right away. We'd also like to look at getting the shade structure designed and installed
this summer as well. Um, we're going to bring that back to you once I get some designs, probably February hopefully, and then work with Capstone, see what kind of funding we're going to require and then they kind of uh us in to help fund that ahead of time. So, they'll depend on their
participation as well for that part of it to get that whole part kind of built up right away. So, it's ready to go for future developments in there. But, this Tom, like I said, is with Capstone. He's here to answer any questions you have. But we have the free uh park designs that are in there. I know it's a lot of
information, but it's a big packet you got this morning. >> Well, and it was interesting that the designs how you can tell they all have different versions that they're doing their renderings with. So, >> so if you want, we can just go through the three designs and you guys can give
me what you think. Uh first one is from Sequo Recreation, the company that manufacturer. So, just the one design it's got incorporate some cam or fabric shade structures
separate kind of requested a separate playground or swing set I mean with uh two bays one for older kids and one for infants and topplers we also requested net climbing structure
at some point Burke is also the company that uh builds that we use for the zip line. So, we're going to order the zip line from them already. >> Where is that going to go? >> The zip line is it within that structure. >> It'll be connected to this. So, the
border will be a little bit wider and will go along side. >> It's going to depend on which design we choose. >> Okay. >> Just curious. And I know that the um cloth shades are cheaper, but how long do they actually
You take them down on their other parts down every winter >> and then you have to put them up every spring. >> So what is I mean what is the price difference between a permanent shade and >> Well, it's hard to break some of the way they kind of did is kind of hard to tell. >> Yeah, that's what I was kind of curious
about. >> Yeah. >> I have a question about the the bigger structure. >> I had a really hard time telling. Is there a way to come off the ground and just walk up it for a younger child that
wants to be in it but can't do that climbing because there's so many climbing pieces. >> So the transfer here would be how you get on first level. >> How high is that first step? >> It's it's kind of deceptive because that
bottom line where they do the measurement is ground. >> I was really having a hard time with this one. So it's it's designed for ages 5 to 12. 5-year-old should be able to Okay. Okay. >> You step on here on the platform and this is the small one. Sorry.
They have actually two structures. >> Yeah. It's the bigger one that I was wondering about. I just remember over, you know, when we had that older structure at Lake um that you guys had put in for a while and there were no steps to get up to that
one side. You had to climb. and I had young grandkids and they just couldn't get up there unless I lifted them. And I just want to make sure that there's a way for the younger kids to get onto some of these things. >> I'm not 100% sure.
>> Yeah, that one's a little was difficult for me to kind of figure it out, >> right? Because it looks like it has a climbing tower on. >> Yeah. Yeah. I just that one I just wasn't sure of. Okay, enough of that. So this is the this this part here.
So I guess they have to go up this top. How high this is? I guess I can't tell from >> right. >> They're supposed to be all built for ages 5 to 12. So right to 12. And the small one is designed for younger kids.
Okay. >> Yeah, >> that's the B design. >> Okay. >> Is that a ramp or a slide? >> This part, this part's a ramp. >> It's like a walkway to hang on to. Oh, so I looked at a side
view. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, there would be a way. >> Okay. >> Answer the longevity on the cloth. >> I don't know the length on them to be honest. We we put some up in Ham Lake
and they're still using them on the >> 20 years. >> It's been 20 years on those. >> Okay. So, we're getting close to the kind of thing. >> Yeah, it's kind of 25 30 years we've been replacing these structures.
>> How many of this uh brand do we have throughout the city? >> Yeah. >> Zero. >> Zero zip lines. We have >> just a zip line. >> Yeah. >> They do have a lot in other cities around here. >> Okay.
>> And then the colors I can go with uh Yeah, I just found that, too. >> I'm a little concerned about >> that's 24 ft high. >> Yeah, >> we don't have a ladder truck.
>> That's one of my concerns here. >> Yep. Got it. Thank you. >> 130,000 right on the right on the number. >> Funny how that works. So, they had to calculate that discount pretty tight
include shipping and then that's with our our employees doing the installation. >> All these include our employees doing the installation. >> That that has been the plan, right? >> Yeah. Save the city some money. They're pretty good. >> But they have a person here to ser to
help. >> Some of these we have we get a supervisor for like two grand to come in to help with it. Overseed, I guess, is what I'm using. >> The next one is from Landscape Structures. Um, this is they made two designs.
>> And is this similar to the one in Blaine? I'm looking at the colors. >> That is a landscape structure design you're talking about. >> Yep. >> Yep. >> I like this one. >> This does not include
I know. I like this one. The first one. >> This is the rope climbing tower structure. The colors we would do all these I think we'd agree upon as our standard colors. The brown tan because they we've had so many of these fade so fast.
>> Yeah. The colors seem to last longer and they kind of blend in. They're not real anymore. >> So, I noticed that um and I know Bonnie likes these. The springers aren't in any of these. the bouncy animals and that kind of thing. Is that something we can
add later? >> We can add those later. Yes. >> So, is there extra room built in? So, you have your balls clearance spaces or whatever. >> You have to add that in the footprint of the edging. Yeah.
>> Okay. >> Most of our parks use the um it's modular edging you can adjust pretty easy. concrete edging, then you're kind of stuck with the footprint. >> It looks nicer, easier to maintain.
[clears throat] This one has fabrics as well. >> Those aren't quite as high, are they? >> No, they're just over the the uh picnic area. Yeah. So, it does not include the shelters. It's just these two on here.
>> Oh, it doesn't include the shelters. >> This design does not include the shelters. >> Okay. So, not those. >> This is the >> And on these shelters, were we running electricity? No,
>> we could. We're going to have it on site. It hasn't been I guess we haven't really talked about it. Probably wouldn't hurt. >> Well, I just think about all the things that we could be doing that if we had it there already, we can expand on
>> it'll cost less now than after we finish everything, >> right? >> Yep. It's easier to do it. >> What about lighting? Did we talk about lighting at all? I can't remember. >> There's no lighting in at this point.
There isn't. We have We have money left over for development still. >> This first phase was just looking at the playground, right? >> So in their plan they threw they threw in the shade structure. These are futures.
So, so these shade structures that we see are not part of this correct plan. >> The the picnic ones. >> The picnic ones. Oh, okay. But the other ones over >> playground are >> they are okay. Got it. >> So, with their discount, that plan came
in at 114 >> for option one, right? concrete curve was about 16,000 do just the curve around the edge with concrete. Some of these other designs they include the edging in the quot >> that's why we kind of like to use and
then modular edging we can expand really easy >> and replace when they get damaged. >> Are those concrete as well? They're like a for plastic. >> This is their second design from
landscape structures. Flagship recreation is the company that's the brand of landscape structures. We do the park in Booster West is landscape structure. They're made they're manufactured in
>> most of ours are be the last option Wisconsin playground >> a little bit different design these are clamp on so the uh the post and it clamps onto the post the game time and the bird design
they have tapped screws that directly attach to the What is easier for you guys if we need to replace a slide? >> They're horse. >> Same thing here. We got a big rope climbing structure. A couple slides.
The hard plastic say I like the hard plastic top and I like the climbing structure on this one. >> Yeah. This one didn't have any tunnels to crawl through though, right? No, just a spider web.
Couple free standing structures, two child seats, and two swings. Same thing with this one. They show one for our budget >> for phase two. >> Did the RFP ask for that as an alternate? >> What's that?
>> Did the RFP ask for that as an alternate? >> No, we just mentioned that it's something we're going to be looking at in the future and they just give us an idea. We're going to be looking at those areas here. >> There's a lot of different designs you
can do on those. They have wooden stone on those. Total cost again is about 113 on that one budget. Yeah. So for them to install that would have been $19,000.
I think it was 20ome time. >> This is their charge for for supervisor. So they're about 9,000 supervisor. >> Yeah, I saw that. Was that like they stayed here for the whole time? >> They come and stay. And how long is this pricing good?
>> Do you know >> it's good till the spring? Yeah. >> Okay. >> And even that even though that price is on a separate quote, it was included, right? >> It's not included on that. >> It wasn't included. Okay. >> So, we'd have to add that on. >> Okay. >> That's all they
>> The last one is from Minnesota Wisconsin playground. Again, the colors are a little bit This one has a little bit clear tops on it. Pretty good size structure. >> Seems like there'll be a little bit more for the kids to do on this
>> on this one. >> Does that one come in our colors? >> Yep. This is the So, Minnesota Wisconsin playground is the game time that's we have in most of our parks. >> So if we needed to if we were to change
a design then we could transfer those parts to any of the existing structures >> once they're in. You're kind of stuck with it. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Everything's cemented and there's not a lot of wiggle room to replace stuff. We do keep some of our old slides and tubes
and and panels. We do have We have a few that we can try and squeeze in there, but >> So these must have the tapped mounting holes on the pillars and stuff rather than the clamp on. >> Correct. Yeah. So this one was the 125
837 that included the edging their supervised bill. >> I don't see it on here. >> It keeps us under 130. I think it was like 2500 pretty 25
37 [clears throat] >> tried to limit how much they actually send a lot more on all these designs, but it got to be just too much information. [laughter] >> I can't even imagine getting this via email.
[laughter] >> Well, they've done a really good job. Nice. Very nice. So now what do we do? I like this top down. beautiful picture. I like that that one
has two two levels. It's kind of cool. >> I also like that if you have a kid that doesn't like to really climb, they can walk over to the right. >> I have a question kind of it's related to the park, but not necessarily the equipment. We talked about leaving a
section of the park open for pickle ball court. What was the timeline on that piece? Is that part of the $163,000 original budget or is that was that something for future plan? >> So, originally I kind of discussed that
with the park design. It gets a little tight in there with how much room we have and uh kind of looking at doing all the pickle ball courts at Booster West. >> Um there is some neighborhoods where they have those where they don't like the noise going on.
>> If you're going to put them in, you should have in before the houses are in there so people know they're buying a house. It's not a loud noise, but the click click click click post could be annoying, >> especially if you have early risers out there. >> There's nobody around Booster Park that would complain about it, right?
>> I never complain. >> Most of the >> even when the skateboarders are out there, I don't complain about that. >> I know. Okay. >> Most of the um groups that we've talked to, people talk about pickle ball, they want lots of group courts together for
>> so they can do their own tournaments. Okay. >> Yep. They like to have >> all the parks I visited, they had weekdays where it was I couldn't believe how many people there was in Rapids. >> Yeah, that was one of them. Kuna Rapids Force they turn to
>> And when you have high school students playing pickle ball and you know it's pretty popular. >> They don't like to play with their parents but amongst each other. >> Well, yeah. >> Yeah. Grandma and grandpa are playing this. [laughter]
going to get caught caught playing with those guys. >> It was It was affordable, but >> yeah, I didn't see it anywhere. [snorts] >> And we've most of their parts we don't use their supervisors stuff. We do it
all ourselves. We've done a lot >> because you're familiar with the product. >> The one thing on that one we If you were to go with that design is that rope structure, we probably need somebody to show us how to do that. >> Lead time. You won't have a problem getting them here in time.
>> We ordered uh well depends on caps and particulation. And you're hoping to have a decision tonight on one of these four? >> Yes, that would be ideal. >> I like the game time one. >> I agree. >> I do too.
>> I'm leaning towards an easy decision. >> This could be really cool. I like that it's something similar to what we already have and something you guys are familiar with, >> right? Makes it go a little faster that they're familiar with us, too. >> Yeah. And I think the the design just
looks like it's got a lot more Yeah. >> for the kids to do of of all the varying ages, >> right? >> Tim and Tom, feel free to jump in on the conversation, too. If you have opinions on the equipment or anything else to add, >> you want me to go here?
>> Yeah, sure. Real quick, I found the quote. It's $2,000 for the >> Oh, okay. Okay, >> it's a twoday supervised bill, so pretty. >> Well, good evening, Miss the chair and the commissioners. My name is Tom Bertis again, one of the land project managers
for Capsule Homes. And you know, we're been talking with the city for quite some time, and we're really excited about getting this park done this year as we're doing our second phase. >> As you might know, we've already paid 71,000 and some change for the first phase. Second phase will be paid on the
16th of February when we do our land closing or excuse me, our finance closing. And so that'll be another $91,000 which will equate to about $162,000. So we got 134 lots left to develop, which equates to about $21,000
uh remaining to pay to the city for uh future park dedication. So, when we came in and talked to Nate and Matt about it, we said, "Well, we'd be willing to fund it if we can get this thing done uh all this fall, you know, we'd be willing to
pay some dollars, especially if we can include the shelter." So, tonight you're looking at the play equipment. Um, in regards to the play equipment, definitely that last one has more bang for your buck, I think, but that's just my opinion. Um but in regards to the
shelter, uh Nate said that it is possible to get that done this fall and if we could advance some funds and that will be decided down the road here, we are willing to do that to make that happen. So we really want to have our residents uh uh ready to have a park there and and it's a nice area too
because you have some full >> mature trees and so forth, some open area. As you remember, there's 50 acres of open space throughout this whole neighborhood. So, um, I think we've done a good job designing it and so forth. So, we're excited about getting this
park going as soon as possible. And so, that's what I have for you. >> All right. Okay. >> Sounds like we're all on the same page. >> Trails are in for the first part there. The bridge is in that connects kind of active portion of the park to a more open green space area. It's going to be
more passive recreation. Um, we're going to mow the grass there. It's the ninth fairway of the golf course. If you're that do some cutting out there this fall to try and keep that the grass is good if we can salvage it to do much to that mow it people want to go out there and
go first whatever it's be dry enough for most time in the springtime it's little soft in there and then trails connect all the way over behind the other phases and over to Alivage so that it's going to be a nice recreational
area got a lot of people install as well. >> Oh, good. >> Check it out. >> Getting a lot of positive feedback when you're out talking. >> That's great. >> Yeah, I think there was some apprehension early on about this and I
think when people see how nice the product they put in so far, they got that nice big rock retaining wall you see there on San Parkway. We heard a lot about >> Yeah, it looks nice. Definitely. >> So, those are our four designs and uh
Yeah. >> You need a motion or what do you need? >> Yes. >> Are we all aligned? >> Motion that we use the game >> proposal for that part. >> I'll second that. >> Motion's been made and seconded to
approve uh the item four, the game time proposal. >> All right. >> All those in favor say I. I >> I think the only thing we need to decide on is sticking with the brown and green, right? >> Why wouldn't we? >> Yeah. >> Well, I'm just >> Do you have to have a motion for the color or you
>> No, I mean, if you want just We can just discuss that. Yeah. >> Kind of think >> I'm fine with >> Yeah. >> through the same Yeah. stayed consistent. >> Swap parts or whatever if you need to and whatever. >> Well, maintain some consistency through the parts,
>> right? blends well with the woods and the grass and sand and >> Y >> works for me. >> It doesn't fade as bad as the blue. >> Exactly. >> Or the red. >> Another deal. >> So, typically it's um brown
platforms, dark green or kind of forest green plastic slides and tubes and then post kind of a combination of those for the rest of the stuff too. >> Excellent. [clears throat] >> I can't wait to see it. from here once
we receive that money we'll be ready to start early Awesome. >> Yeah. >> Well, thanks for coming, Tom. >> Yeah, really appreciate it.
>> All right, item six, 2026 athletic field requests. >> My favorite chart. So, this is our annual uh request for our ball fields. Um, pretty similar to last year, actually. Um, a couple of the
teams wanted to go earlier in the year. Um, we extended them in the spring a little bit. I don't know if that'll be the case this year if they can use them. They got spoiled the last couple winters. They were out there pretty early. But, uh, I've spoken with most of them, almost all of them now, and kind of explained
to them pretty close. we had last year. There is a huge interest for more ball fields. SPAA is going to bring a proposal to the park commission maybe at our February meeting. Um they are looking to develop
forplex with uh I think a lot of their funding it sounds like. >> Oh, really? That's interesting. >> They're looking at Bondi Park. They want >> Oh, excellent. >> They want they want to do another um like 200 foot fence fields that they use
fast pitch softball. I did I also was approached by St. Francis baseball. They are looking for more grass baseball fields. So obvious to discuss as we kind of go forward, but right now we have everything that we have spoken for is on
here. So >> we got irrigation yet? >> We do not. We had it in our budget and for the soccer fields back in the day and they decided they didn't want >> so we move that money So, it can be done there. >> Yeah.
>> What's nice about Bondi, it's kind of uh there are some houses nearby there, but it's not like in it's not in a neighborhood per se, >> right? >> Pure Sugar Sands. There's no wetland issues. Move a lot of the material around in there. >> More parking.
>> They'd have to need they need off street parking. We might have to move that playground in there, make proper. >> So, just kind of keep that on your radar. I think that's going to be coming there. board has met talk about it. They're putting together a design. So >> So does that mean that um this is in
addition to the Soderville field there? Baseball field. They need more. >> Well, the the baseball field is from St. Francis baseball. >> Oh, okay. >> They currently use the high school fields. Having a hard time with uh >> I don't know if it's maintenance on some
of them and getting them >> Well, some of them are water logged. >> Yeah. Well, they don't m after school's done. >> Yeah. I think that's a big They they want to use our field as much as possible. SDA has it rented every night right now. We put those two in
touch to talk about it. St. Francis baseball was happy this year staying with uh the high school fields and the school fields, but they would like they would like to get on our field. >> So, I think we've got them a piece for this year, but that might come up in the
future. They kind of need a field for the 13. >> Yum. >> Yep. Those are kind of hard to come by. So they use this shorter base path. >> But one of the fields in St. Francis, if you hit a home run, it goes right out on the road.
>> So we just kind of brainstorm and kicked around the idea if we were to build another forplex, let's say a body, maybe transanging one of our fields into a grass baseball field for use for the team. They did that at the Ham Lake Park, county park. One of their fields
is change it over to a grass and field for that midlevel baseball. That's kind of what they need >> or build five at >> Yeah, it gets a little tight in there when we kind of threw the numbers in there. You can get a forlex with 200
foot fields kind of with parking. You need parking there. >> Definitely. You can park about six cars now. >> Yeah. We would still would it still accommodate the some sort of the low equipment down the road? >> Yeah, we like we might have to move that
make that parking lot work that corners or something. >> Yeah, that one's new there. >> We have taken them out and moved them. It's a lot of work, but I think we can do it. >> That one's not super huge. So,
So just keep that in mind going forward. But here um I've included all their applications but it's kind of the same. We don't have many tournaments. We only have one tournament which is >> I think a lot of them have gone away. >> Yeah, I know.
>> It is interesting. We only have one fast pitch team though this year. In the past, we've had the snow pads. >> Those all >> those are going away. >> Yeah. >> So, St. Franc St. Francis fast pitch, they actually requested four fields. We
were only accommodate only able to accommodate three for them. >> Can they use the one down at Lake? >> No, that one is still with the uh speed. >> Okay. Just checking. >> Well, you mentioned it. So, they have
that Monday through Friday. Are the weekends available or >> weekends are available? They have it Monday through Friday. >> Okay. Because that always comes up with the locals. >> Yep. That was part of the agreement that they could not keep it on the weekends. It had to be open for public.
>> Okay. So, MP is Monday through Friday reserve and weekends are available. >> Y what equipment still left in? There was at one time benches and >> h there's two
>> pretty old back stops and some wood wood benches. >> So there's a there's a small picnic shelter there that's >> I remember when we drove through there you could tell the park hadn't been used very much. >> It's not a lot of sands in there.
>> That shelter is full. That would just >> I had one question about the band that I saw correctly. They're only playing twice a year or something. >> They've got three uh >> No, actually, no, they did. They lost
one because it was on the tournament weekend. Yeah, they only have two on here. They wanted they wanted one of these days for the game. These first two are just practices. They're going to they need lights for their fields, >> right? >> So, they're not they using Sorry about that. >> They're using the high school.
>> Yeah, they they do the high school. >> It's nice to have them back in East Bethl though. >> Get L over there. They would come back and >> back full time. >> Thing would be uh probably have to raise the rates on it. Be pretty in demand.
That's in our plan. We just have to fund it some St. Francis Fast Pitch has thrown out the idea of trying to do like the Minnesota Speed and help develop maybe a neighborhood park, but I've given him something to look at and I haven't really heard back from. We have uh North
Manor Park, which is decent. It's in a neighborhood is kind of a problem. >> They do come and use the fields behind the building here. >> Yeah. Yeah. So they get field eight and then three and four. SBA they pay for all of
them and rent them, but they don't always use them all. So I kind of told the other organizations that they don't maybe just contact them directly. >> There was a softball team, an adult softball team that practice practices on
Wednesday nights over here, but I don't think that they go through here. just come in, >> just look for an open field and jump on >> and I'll pretty much go through the end of July. We'll deal with fall ball as that comes, but typically that's
not nearly as bad. >> Yeah. What is the group that's now >> speed >> smoke was the old team and they folded in the speed of speed to go over that lease agreement?
>> Yep. That is um cat >> right >> how long is that agreement for again? >> Uh three years. and we're on the >> we're on their second >> and that's
1012 104 throw something out there for people to look at and I can't remember what it is. >> It's either U14 I think it might be U14. Some of the kids are on the high school team because they don't they don't usually start until after the high school starts over.
>> So you think it's 14 or might be Well, when they get they go more for the regulated size fields 16 and up. >> Yeah, this is their team. >> Yeah, we can look in I can look into
that. I'm not sure what >> I don't know. Maybe you remember, Tim. >> Well, the only changes in fast pitch is the rubber for the pitching rubber >> goes from like 35 ft per 103T.
>> Other than that, the bases are still >> got 200 foot. >> That makes it easy for fast pitch pretty much all the same. >> Makes it easy for us too when we have to set the fields up the bases all >> like for baseball. Oh, we have to move
them every day. >> All right, you guys ready to approve it or you want more discussion? >> I'll make a motion to approve the schedule as submitted. >> Second, third. >> And Nate, I just have to tell you, you
do a great job putting that together. >> Awesome. >> Thanks. Hopefully we keep every Not everybody's 100% happy, but they're mostly happy. So, as long as you're not all 100% happy. We're good. >> So, [laughter] so do you go back? >> If one organization is happy, then we've
probably got a problem. >> So, do you go back and negotiate with all these teams to make something work or do you put some of them together to work stuff out? >> Over the years, we have and then they're kind of used to it now that >> this is kind of what we have and this thing we >> Yeah, because not any of them gets 100%
what they want, right? >> All right. A motion has been made and seconded to approve uh the athletic field requests. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Motion passes. >> Awesome. Items seven and eight. Tim and
Denise are due for ter renewals. >> Sure. >> Sure. Did you say >> sure >> making making a motion to nominate himself? Do we have to have separate motions for this? >> Yeah, just for the record. Item seven is
uh the term for Tim Hoffman. The current term for Commissioner Hoppin is set to expire on January 31st. Commissioner Hoffman has submitted a letter seeking to serve an additional three-year term that would expire on January 31st, 2029.
>> They're considering a recommendation for Tim Hoffin to serve another term to make that motion. Or you can, if you don't want him on here, you could uh [laughter] I'll make a motion because he's my sidekick. >> I'll second. >> All right. A motion has been made and
seconded to >> keep uh Tim on on the on the board. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Congratulations, Tim. >> Thank you. >> How many years is that, Tim? >> Uh three. >> No. >> Up until [laughter] now.
>> How many have you been? >> How many long have you been on? >> I don't remember. I don't remember. >> Can't remember. >> I know. I came up and complained one time and then I ended up on here. >> Oh, [laughter] there you go. >> I asked to use the field and I got on.
[laughter] >> Oh, that's funny. >> Do we do the oath then tonight, too, or? >> No, that'll be in the next. >> It has to go [clears throat] to city council for approval. >> Okay, got it. >> And uh it'll begin in February. >> All right. Item eight.
>> Item eight. Same thing here. The current uh term for Commissioner is set to expire on January 31st, 2026. Commissioner Ojinski has submitted a letter seeking to serve an additional three-year term that will expire on January 31st, 2029. Consider a
recommendation for to serve another term. >> I'll make a motion to have her >> second the motion. >> Motion's been made and seconded to keep Denise on the board. All those in favor say I.
>> I. >> Thank you. Congratulations, Denise. >> Thanks for sent both of you for serving another term. >> Our third member whose term was up is Sue Jefferson, and she unfortunately is going to be leaving the park commission
because she's moving out of the city. >> Um, we are going to uh I guess uh give her an award or >> some kind of for that many years. We already ordered all that up. We talked about it earlier, but she's 35
years. >> 1990 is when she started. So, >> I think I was in >> some dedication there. >> Young at that time. So, >> thanks for reminding me. [laughter] >> Say hell yog was in middle school maybe.
[laughter] >> And I'm just going to ask too, not that we can replace Sue, but is there a plan to kind of post? And >> if anybody knows, we'll be taking applications for the open seat. be posted officially uh >> after her term expires. >> Yes. Y
probably actually post it now. >> It'll be on the community board and the city web page and if anybody knows anybody wait for somebody to come in and complain and >> guess [laughter] what the new capstone residents will come in.
[laughter] >> There you go. Let them know there's an open seat. >> Once you get on, you never get off. >> Are we looking at a day or something for Sue? >> Um, it depends on her schedule. I've
kind of mentioned it to her. She's going to try and come to a February meeting just to say goodbye to everybody. I'd kind of like to do it here and then maybe at the city council. Um, a recognition there, too. So, >> that'd be cool. >> Carrie ordered up a pl
>> Let us know. Yeah. >> All right. Item nine, council reports and other business. Tim, what do you got for us? I tell you what, uh, first meeting of the year and some time goals and priorities
with [snorts] our community. We want to ensure that remain welcome, safe, accessible for all residents of all ages and abilities. We like to balance that recreational use of
families, youth, seniors, individuals, [snorts] so they all feel like parks. We want to keep encouraging respectful use of park spaces that reflect community values, maintenance, and stewardship. Maintain parks at a high
standard of cleanliness and safety with proactive planning. rather than just reactive fixes. Protect existing investments by prioritizing routine maintenance and family repairs and support long-term stewardship of
natural features such as trails and trees and all. going through thoughtful improvements in planning, evaluating park improvements based on community benefits, sustainability and cost effectiveness.
Planner upgrade with an eye towards long-term maintenance needs, not just installation. Coordinate park planning with other city departments to maximize the efficiency and impacts. Community input engagements, but seek meaningful public input to ensure park
decisions reflect how residents actually use Improve communication so residents understand projects timelines and our encourage volunteer involvement partnerships appropriate responsibility
use the taxpayer resources responsibly by project explore grants partnerships and phased approaches to stretch park further to prioritize projects that deliver the greatest community value for their investment.
Going with environmental responsibility, preserve natural spaces while allowing for appropriate recreation, promote environmentally responsible practices and park operations improvements and protect our wildlife habitats and natural landscapes and care for this
community. collaboration and governance foster foster a respectful productive community culture focused on problem solving and shared goals. This is one of the best committ really good. Provide clear
recommendations to the city council based on research, community input, and your long-term vision and support transparent decision making that builds trust with residents. When I wrote down all these goals looking in to 2026,
this committee does this, every single one of them, and you guys should continue to set that bar. So, all I could come up with for a closing thought was my goal is that our parks continue to reflect the best of our
community. well cared for, thoughtfully planned and enjoyed enjoyed by residents today and for generations to come. I think that's even better. >> Mark, good job. Well, when we started, Tim and I and Bonnie, there was no
money, so it was very tough. Yeah, we had to watch pretty careful. >> We could use more money though. >> Well, we got the increase >> that fast. So, I mean, I'm looking forward to money in the future
as we grow. >> Yeah, the park dedication will be a little bit more now and the trail dedication will help them. So, and the new developments coming in um for park from our Sorry, Tim, you with your stuff? >> Yeah, almost cut you off there. Uh for
outdoor recreation activities, we did groom the out the cross country ski trails, but the the snow and melting and rain has kind of messed them all up. Same with our outdoor rink. People are skating on it. It's not 100% open yet, but we're hoping to have it here next week. Looks cold without snow. We can
finally uh get that thing 100% opened up. >> The indoor thing looked pretty successful. >> The the New Year's Eve skate was packed. Um, we've got a lot of open skate times if anybody wants to check those out. They're going to on our uh they're going
to be available on our city website. There's just random times you can go skate for free there. It's free to >> out >> inside. Inside as well. >> Yep. Okay, good. >> Have to bring your own skates. We don't have any skate rental or anything yet, but uh we do have a we get calls just
about daily on open skate time. So, >> that's great. >> We don't charge for that. It's just kind of a benefit to the people who are residents in the in the area. Um, >> and kudos to whoever is putting it out on Facebook because they keep it updated all the time what's available. >> There's a lot of uh community members
who are doing taking care of that are part of the youth hockey association. So, they still have >> No, they uh they paid their fees and they ended up not having enough players. They plan on coming back next year, but
they they quit. They folded in late November, I think. That was they had a lot of people that like going to those games. They just they couldn't keep enough skaters. I guess if you have to play on those teams, it's pretty expensive. You have to pay a lot of money to play on the >> Of course, the first year is always the
roughest, too. >> Yeah. Yep. >> How are they posting the open times? >> It's on the city. >> I mean, you said Facebook. >> It's No, it's on the city website. >> There is a Facebook page out there that we don't know who created. Um, we don't have
>> They are posting it like on the city. There there's several groups that have city of respectful information >> as far as like the like weekly daily >> the open skates >> make a plan. >> Um they're really random. >> Okay. >> It's not there's not a set time >> and then the community board when you
enter East Bethl on biking there it's on there. >> If you follow any of the community like the city of East Bethl um community Facebook page people post it on there but it is on the city website too. Like I said, there is a Facebook page. We
don't know who who who uh created it. It has my name on it. So, [laughter] >> good job. >> So, they're supposed to if they call me, I just forward it to Jason who handles our scheduling. So, his his is the official ice rink number to call to get information on that.
>> Do you know if it's nights or the week? You don't >> It's random. I'm just thinking >> it's it's after work hours. So, it be like after >> 2:00 p.m.
>> There's nothing during the day. >> So, like 2 to 2 to 10 there's during the week and then there's some on the weekends once too. It's pretty much times that we haven't sold that they that we that are in between blocks that they open up for skating. If we can sell them, we try and sell
them because we that that building needs to make money. It's run like a business to be profitable. So if we can sell, they do sell them. But some of these are times that haven't been sold. So >> what else you got, Nate?
>> Uh, I think that's pretty much it. >> I got one more moving forward in 2026. Make the same offer I made when I started. Anything you guys want to talk about my on my card to take it. I'd be more
than happy. I don't talk policy with anybody and I don't argue with anyone. I don't swear anyone. I don't raise my voice. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and every resil doesn't matter what the topic is
basically policy and I'd be happy to discuss any decision forward. >> I do have an equipment question. Are they going to be replacing the sound system? Do you know in the city hall area here?
>> I don't know >> the chamber because a lot of the feedback we're getting is that you can't hear or see when you're looking at the YouTube videos. >> I know. I know. The other night we had session.
Uh I hope so. We've been going since for three years. >> Well, it's because everything's hodge podgeed together. So, I didn't know my mic turned off. So, >> [laughter] >> The city is getting quotes on that right now. >> Okay. I was just curious because >> it's just it's just a budget thing. It's
expensive and they're trying to get by. >> I mean, we kind of have the heating system fixed now. So, maybe >> Yep. Some of the some of the stuff we have is no longer supported, too. So, it's >> We just had to that camera. We just replaced the drive motor in the back for
that. So, >> because I can hear the ticking again over here. It's all Anybody else have anything? >> Oh, the uh EBFD auxiliary pancake breakfast is coming up. I don't
remember the exact day though. >> 30 31st, something like that. Whatever that Saturday is. >> Yep. 8 to 11 I think it is >> at station one again. >> Yep. Station one. I believe Route 65 cooks the food.
They're looking for vendors because they want to set up like a little market area. >> That's all I have. >> Yeah, Route 65 does a nice job on the food on that. >> Yep. >> They do a good job. >> Anybody else?
>> That's what I heard. >> Take a motion to adjurnn. >> I'll make a motion. >> Been made. Second >> and seconded to ajourn. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Meeting adjourned.