All right, welcome everybody. My name is Kurt Johnson. I'm the chairperson of this meeting and I call to order the regular April 13, 2026 meeting of the city of New Alm Park and Recck Commission. At this point, I would like to take the
roll call of the commissioners. Commissioner Golden, will we start with you? >> Jeff Golden, Commissioner. >> Uh Dave Christian, council leazison. >> Ann, Commissioner K. >> Johnson, chairperson. >> Amy Johnson, commissioner. >> Greg Glover, commissioner.
>> Jim Jensen, commissioner. >> Cheryl Corman, staff. >> And Joey Schugle, staff. >> All right. Thank you. You have in your uh me uh documents, commissioners, the
agenda for our April uh uh 13, 2026 meeting. Uh I would ask for a motion to approve amend that agenda. >> So moved. >> Is there a second?
>> I'll second. There's been a motion and second to approve the agenda for the regular meeting of the park and rec commission on April 13, 2026. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> I.
>> Opposed. Motion carried. Next on our agenda is the approval of the minutes from um the last meeting which was March 3rd, 2026.
>> March. Those also were in your uh packet. Do I have a motion to approve those minutes? >> I'll make a motion that we approve the minutes of the >> Is there a second? >> I'll second that. >> Motion has been made and seconded to
approve the uh minutes of the park and wreck commission regular meeting on May n May March 9th 2026. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carried.
>> Next matter on our agenda is the city council recap. Uh director Schugle, do you have anything to say about that, please? >> Thank you, Mr. Chair, commissioners, a few items to go over this month. So, at the March 17th regular city council meeting, the trap range building proposal uh with professional services
contract was approved. Also at the April 7th then meeting uh that um up the council approved plans and specification advertisement for bids. So we're currently out for bid right now with the trap range building.
Back to the March 17th meeting. Uh the council approved their interest in the field maintenance shop as well as the armory. Uh the maintenance shop that item comes up because the maintenance shop is potential uh for potential space for park and wreck. Uh but we'll see how
that process plays out here in the coming months. Also, at the March 17th date, there was a work session and at that work session, council was presented the Herman Monument reconstruction cost estimate from staff. That was not from McDonald and Mack yet during this work
session. This was just to get uh the council uh briefed on that uh cost estimate. And then at the April 7th meeting, uh the council did have um a presentation from McDonald and Mack on
that cost estimate uh that that came uh to roughly approximately 11.6 million. More on Herman Monument as we get into the regular meeting. And then park and wreck surplus property was approved at that April 7th meeting as well.
Any questions? >> All right. Thank you, Director Schugle. Uh, I'd entertain a motion to receive and order filed the city council past action report. >> I'll make that motion. >> There second. >> Motion's been made and seconded to
receive and order file the city council past action report. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Motion carried. Next on the agenda is item six. I see no old business. Um,
Director Schugle, is there anything we need to talk about there? >> Uh, Mr. Chair, no old business on this on this meeting. >> All right. Item number seven is new business. The park and wreck donations. Uh, Director Schugle, please. >> Yes, Mr. Chair, commissioners, uh, two
items, uh, looking for approval, both for German park paverstones. One from Janice Walner honoring Harold and Janette Schugal family for $200 and the other one from James Simpson honoring Mike and K. Simpson for $200. So that is a total of 400.
Thank you, Director Trugal. Uh, do I have a motion to recommend to the city council and offer a resolution and wave the reading to accept the following are those donations offered by the city of Newm through the park and rec direction
for the uh identified person per purposes. >> So moved. >> Second. >> I have a motion and a second to do that. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carried. The recommendation of the city council to is
offered to uh wave the reading and accept the following donations with great thanks uh offered to the city of Newm through the park and rec commission as for the purposes identified by the by chairman
uh Schugle. Item 72 uh is the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council U flexible support grant acceptance. Deputy or Director Sugle, please.
>> Mr. Chair, commissioners, uh this is uh looking for approval or to accept uh a grant from the Prairie Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council. These grant funds are in the amount of $3,865 and those would be used to support the summer concert series at German Park.
Uh, as many of you know, this is a long-standing um event series partnered with KUJ at German Park. We are now on Thursday nights throughout the summer. This is our second year we've we've sought funding from uh the Prairie Rake
Lakes Regional Art Council. Uh so we are very grateful for uh the opportunity to receive funds and those funds go to pay for the entertainment. They also go to promotion uh of the event and uh and to expand the arts uh in our community as
well. So we would be looking for acceptance from that. And then there would be a final report requirement with this grant once complete. >> All right. Thank you, Director Schugle. Uh, this also is included in your packet and I'd ask for a motion to recommend
the city council to approve the acceptance of the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council Flexible Support Grant with great thanks. Do I have that motion? >> I move. I can second it. >> Motion has been made and seconded to
recommend to the city council to approve the acceptance and of the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council flexible support grant. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. Same sign. Motion carried. With
great thanks to city, we approve the acceptance of the PR Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council Flexible Support Grant. Item number 73, uh, the Bicycle Friendly Community
Award. Dep Director Sugle. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair, commissioners. Uh I'm happy to announce that uh New Alm has been designated as a a bronze level bike friendly community uh for the second time. And um all of I want to say
all of that work uh a great deal of that work has been done by our new home bicycle club representatives with an application helping uh to identify policy change throughout the community as well to meet that criteria. And we do have two representatives here today to
talk more about that. It's a 5-year process uh to be a bike friendly community or 5-year designation. and Alice Johnson and Bob Beck are both here today to uh give a a little more in-depth report if you'd like to accept that.
>> Great. You want to come forward, guys? >> Good afternoon. Who's your good evening? Yeah, whatever. Anyway, um I'm Bob Beck and this is >> I'm Alice Johnson >> and we're representative of the new own bicycle group. We've been together
for what about six, seven years now? >> I was going to say, yeah, I've been in the group for 6 years. You've been there for much longer. >> Yeah, since its beginning. Um, anyway, the new bicycle group, our our main function is to um make new a more safe and friendly place to bicycle and for
pedestrians to walk. And we do that through uh educational activities. We have we sponsor bike rides and events. Um uh and also we've worked with the city uh engineer staff to uh adopt the what
is it that the um uh >> different safe routes to school and other >> safe routes to school >> and other policies to make complete streets >> and the complete streets policy which has been adopted by the the city and so some of the new projects you're seeing
around town the street projects have are are seeing that uh result already. So particular the North Island extension, the roundabouts are an example of of that also. Um anyway, we we uh
back the the designation began in 2017 and we came back to renew it again and it was renewed by the League of American Bicyclists. It's a a national uh uh advocacy group for bicycling in the
United States. and they uh have this application process where you can become bicycle friendly community three levels bronze a silver and and a gold and um uh so through that application process
which you have an I believe was in your packet of information there you it was fairly lengthy we relied on a lot of partners to help us provide some of the information there uh from the city of Newome the planning staff the city engineer the police department, >> the schools,
>> the schools, um um heart of New uh provided information. Region 9, uh gave us a lot of information. You'll see there's a lot of demographics in there, a lot of other detailed engineering type things in there. So um so new new was
recognized as a uh by them as a bronze level and New is one of 33 communities in New in Minnesota that have received at least a bronze level of of uh bicycle friendly. Some of the other ones nearby
um are Marshall Albertly Hutchinson Jackson uh Mano and North Mano also. So that's just some of the ones that are nearby. So if you walk go to those communities, you see lots of stuff that looks similar to what's happening here. That's the reason why
>> um so it was a uh it took us about four months to fill out the proc fill out the Yeah. >> Every month going through all of the things. We met once a month and then went through a section on the on the plan involved with the five E engineer
engineering, education, encouragement, evaluation, um >> environment. >> And what? >> Environment, I believe. >> Environment. Yeah. So, and and we have in your list here is a list of all the things that we've done in the past here. Um >> a small portion of
>> small portion of things. Yeah. So, we've been pretty busy. Um uh in the next 5 years some of the things we'd like to we're going to work on as a group was they uh work with the Herman Express to provide an interotal
system for a stationary bike racks where the bic the bus stops are or even possibly uh put a bike rack on one of the buses um that they have on there. Um um reduced we were interested in
reducing the speed limits in the school zones uh from 30 to 25 for 20 I believe it is uh and increase the number of bicycle friendly businesses uh especially downtown to get more people uh riding their bicycles for uh not just
for recreation but also for transportation. Go ahead. one of the smaller towns up north is actually the highest um bic has the highest number of bicycle friendly businesses in the nation and so um Warsaw no
>> Biji >> no yeah um so it just shows that like you don't have to be a big town to have bicycle friendly businesses uh new is probably four times the size of that town um and then also with the reducing
speed limits it's not very popular however reducing from 30 to 25 reduces the mortality rate from like 90% to like 20%. So um it does make a big difference just those five miles. So
>> so other you know other benefits are for uh having this designation is it's posted nationally. So um which makes no more attractive to citizens for a place to visit. Uh some of the rides that we've sponsored have had half the people
on them were from out of town. So they came on they saw it posted I believe one of our sites and and then they showed saw came and joined us on a ride. Um and it benefits all the citizens of New I mean it's for their their personal and
physical health. Uh it's environmentally friendly. It improve the environment. uh uh and includes um community investment. Um >> also shows that if it's a safe enough place for a lot of bikes, it's safe
enough place for kids, safe enough place for families. So not just tourism, but actually staying here and living here. Um promotes that. Yeah. Um so, um we put together, uh on our bike on
our we have a a Facebook page if you're interested in uh for people to join join us. Uh and it's no membership fees. It's anybody can join. You don't even have to be a bicyclist to join. If you're just interested and want to see what's going on, what what sort of things we do uh in
the community, uh you're free to join us on on the Facebook page and we p we post our uh our ride schedule and we have the whole summer already set up and we'll be posting that probably sometime this week. So once a month we have some kind
of activity um open to the public. Our rides get posted um online, but we also put them on the chamber website as community events. That's where a lot of people will find them. Um that we post them at the rec center on their scrolling board um and other various
places throughout town just during the during the bicycle season, April through October. Um but then we do have a standing meeting every Thursday um at the rec center at 5:00 pm and that's year round to again work on policy
changes um as well as the event stuff and just trying to do different projects throughout town um to promote bicycle friendly um activities. Um, so yeah, like Bob said, pretty much anybody can can join us. And if you
can't find our our events, um, always let us know. You guys have more information in your little handout that we >> Thank you, commissioners. Any questions? >> Well, I I'd just like to say uh I just think what you guys are doing is tremendous. And you know, I know there's
a lot of enthusiasm for bicycling in the community and a lot of people like to do it. It's healthy. It's good for you. Uh but but one thing I was wondering is what does it take to get to Silver? >> Um lowering the speed limit. Um a lot of
like checking in is kind of a big thing that we're finding difficulty with because we need data. So like how many bicyclists use the trail, how many people bike to work, those sorts of data things are what's on the application and that's just really hard for us to collect as generic citizens, right? um
we put up bike counters and they've gotten stolen or they've gotten taken down by the city and um various things. So, it's just kind of harder to to track and those are the data points that they're looking for. Um and then like even with the complete streets, we can
prove that we've adopted that policy, but um you know, how is that being evaluated on an ongoing basis that we're making changes to this in the streets and those sorts of things. So, >> yeah. And then like some of the logistics of new make it harder too.
>> Are you working with the schools for bicycle safety and helmet? >> Yep. So the school does have um a pretty standard curriculum. We do promote there are some um there's a walk bike fun curriculum um that's available for free for training um to have them implement.
So that is part of um part of the application. It's part of what we um encourage and help them. But then that is implemented by the school. Um there used to be a safe routes to school coordinator that did um some of that. That position has been dissolved. That
was another thing that would help get us more points. Um, but like that was back when I started that was Sam Gutton and he got the um like lines drawn on the parking lot so the kids can practice and and those >> I was just wondering about helmets for
disadvantaged children or is that part of your program at all or is that through >> I wouldn't say it's hugely on our radar. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah. It's just um >> helmets are are like the police office stuff. >> Yeah. police department has has so there
is a program that they can take advantage of then. Okay. Thank you. >> When they've had the in the past when they've had the vehicle fair over at the is that where it is campus down there they the police department had uh at one time had helmets available and I'm not
sure if they're going to do that. >> Are you promoting the bicycle club through other events that we have like the home show or any of those places? We did the park and wreck show um at the rec center this last year. Um otherwise
Hanu um the heart of Newote group as well. Um what other group? >> Yeah, that's about it I think. >> Okay, thank you. >> I'd say we could network more. That would be a good thing. >> Yeah, that was one of our things is to
more publicity. So Okay. There's a small group so volunteers, >> you know how that goes. >> We did talk with the League of American or the League of Women Voters last year. We did an interview with them. >> Good. Any other questions or comments?
All right. Well, congratulations on this award. It's great. And thank you very, very much for your hard work. Uh, commissioners, I'd entertain a motion to receive an order filed the bicycle friendly community award designation
um and accept the report from the uh new bicycle club. >> So moved. I'd second that. >> All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed same sign. >> Thank you.
>> Hearing that, >> thank you. The motion passes and thank you very much again for all your work. >> This is a big deal. >> Thanks. >> All right. Item number 7.4 is the Herman Monument Use Assessment. Um,
Director Schugle. >> Yes, Mr. Chair, commissioners. Uh each year Herman Monument uh prior to opening for the season which would normally start in first weekend in May is the site is inspected by a structural engineer. So uh Mr. Brent Cronin over
the last number of years has been our uh structural engineer who's inspected the site. So very familiar with Herman Monument, inner workings, everything um that has been going on with the monument over the years. Uh so this year on March
30th, 2026, myself, uh Mr. Cone and our building official, Mr. Zabel, uh went through the inspection uh and uh Mr. Cone had identified that uh the deterioration this year was calling for
the monument to be closed to for public access. Uh so in your packet there is full reports in there uh with with some pictures and really the big uh the biggest concern with this is it
structurally it it Herman's sound to to climb up to the top. the the the worry is about the crumbling brick and different materials, the gunnite, the limestone, all those different uh materials of crumbling and failing and falling and potential hazards to having
public access to the facility. Uh so his recommendation is uh to not allow public access. There is uh private access could be allowed uh with a couple conditions. Um, a competent individual inspects the
monument further uh to make sure that there hasn't been substantial further damage or deterioration to allow for uh in uh groups to attend that. And when we talk about that, it is more than likely um as we're going through this
deconstruction reconstruction process, bringing you know uh architects up or contractors, things like that. um and as well as uh competent individual uh accompanies all people entering that facility. So really what that's saying
is people would need to be supervised during that time. Um so with this um what would happen here is we would be looking for a recommendation uh to receive an oral order file this to the city council for action.
>> Thank you Director Troule. Any questions? Commissioners, >> if you close this up, is there going to be a sign out in front? The reasoning for this so people don't wonder, well, what's going on? Is it closed again today? Are we coming back next week? So, >> yes, great question, uh, Commissioner Golden. So, this would be yes, temporary
signage would be added on the site um once these once approvals are are are done with this. Um, and that signage would describe where no public access and kind of some of the details on on what we're working on with Herman Monument as well.
Any other questions? >> I just want to clarify. So, it's going to be closed to the public. >> Yes. So, on the first week, >> closed to the public. I don't know if she heard me or not because we're we're going to take some heat for that. But >> well, I think it has to be closed to the
public if and I'm assuming that by number five on here, which says the private access to the monument is only >> construction people that you don't have a group of school kids coming from someplace that monitor it.
>> Right. That would be the intention. So, uh, over the last couple weeks, there's been a lot of media visits with with Herman being in the news. So, that would be something that again, it brings notoriety to the project and, uh, what Herman's up against. So, scenarios like that, you know, whether
it's media access or, um, different construction vendors or or things like that, architects, but, uh, tour groups, this, we're not talking about tour groups here, >> okay? So if if even with these private access u say if a brick fell on somebody's head
or whatever are we insured or what what is our liability? >> Yes. So Commissioner Glover each time someone does enter the monument we do have a liability waiver that that they do sign off on. Um we'd have to go through what the process would look like in this case after if we're actively
knowing um that the monuments should be closed to the public. Um, that's something we'll run through the city attorney's office just to make sure we're following proper protocol. >> I think you'd have to have a hard hat designated area. >> Safety glasses and perhaps shoes, but
not necessarily. I don't know. >> It's a lot of liability. >> I I was just, in fact, after we got a packet, I walked out and walked around and said hi to Herman. And uh anyway, I would think it would be really difficult to keep it open even for special people
with people people want to be escorted up there by someone with expertise because I just see that as a real first of all who's going to it's not doesn't make financial sense to have somebody sitting there and you know one but I
just think it's a once you close it I in my opinion would be just not allow any anybody because I think it could be really be a can of worms and we could be really have a huge lawsuit if somebody gets hurt. So I would say that once it's once the work begins or once they decide
to officially close it we it's just closed until it's re rebuilt. I know that's a hard thing because everybody has such special feeling for that monument. But >> would it make sense to maybe reward number five instead of saying private access saying uh contractor access or
something to that nature to so that we delineate this these are people that need officially need to be up there for >> of course the work people. Yeah, that that would be good. >> Anything else? Well, I guess my last question and thought in this whole
process once this is approved and accepted, do we have a deconstruction time frame yet? >> So, commissioners, we we we do not have an exact time frame. The the time frame
is contingent on funding. So, as uh if you've seen any of the uh cost estimate reports is roughly 11.6 6 million to deconstruct and reconstruct that would and that's with some contingencies on when the project would happen if it
would happen next year. Um now the funding source is not there now. So um you know if in a perfect world we were fully funded for the project we would anticipate a year of deconstruction and a year of reconstruction for the project. So, so did I just understand
you saying that until we have the 12 million, we aren't even going to build or begin the deconstruct? >> Correct. So, in the cost estimate, the deconstruct was around $3 million and that funding source is not there.
>> So, following that thought through, you have to deconstruct before you know what you can reconstruct. And if you have to get the money first, would you be just raising the 3 million to deconstruct and the balance later?
>> Eventually, it's going to have to be deconstructed because if it's closed, you just can't wait for him to come down on his own. >> So my I guess the foul through my question logically is is the chicken coming before the egg?
So, one of the reasons we're looking to fully fund the deconstruction and reconstruction is so that is that is one option for the project. So, if if there's a there's a chance we never receive that amount of funding. So, then some hard decisions are going to have to
be made on what Herman looks like going forward. So, that could be something that's doesn't cost 11.6 million. So, that's where to we might not be going through a process that would be a deconstruction process. It could be a
um wrecking ball process, you know, and >> Well, I hope it's not a wrecking ball. >> No, and that's why we're shooting for this. But I mean, there uh it's it's hard to say without having the funds yet, but our our first goal is to secure 11 mill 11 plus million dollars
to do the project as outlined as a deconstruction reconstruction. Um if it becomes apparent that that is no is not a viable option then we'll have to make some decisions on um what the next steps are.
>> Okay. >> Just so the public knows this thing going to fall down the hill or anything else. We don't want to make sure that it's sound but it's just not >> the site inspection. Yes. Everything that that is sound that way. It is just public access inside the gates is what
>> say never. No, I've looked inside those columns. They were rusty 20 years ago. I'd never say never about one come down. But to answer a little bit of your question, council has looked way ahead already. If you know, we do not get legacy money. We don't get arts
and culture money. Option two, option three. I've actually have looked at option two. He comes down a different type of basis. I mean, they're working on it. It's not we're going to sit around and wait for the money to roll in. If we if we don't get it, here's our
option two. Here's option three, >> and we'll keep moving forward. >> Because the statue is sound, the statue of sound, >> it's just the body that it sits on. >> Correct. >> I would uh >> Yes, I I would have just again I I share
your concern about number five and you know like the second bullet on five says guests on the tour and guests left or not left unsupervised. I mean, again, that that makes it sound like it's a a private tour group that's coming in. And I I mean, certainly we need people who
are, you know, if you're going to be in an architect or construction or whatever to be able to go in there, but I would maybe want to tighten up number five a little bit to say to make sure we understand because the public's going to say, "Well, you're closing it to the public because you're going to let, you know, a school group go through, you
know, that type of thing." >> Yeah. Commissioner Glover, I I can work on rewarding that before it goes before council. That was pulled directly from the report. Um but I'll work on rewarding that. >> All right. Um I would entertain a motion
to recommend that the city council receive and order file the Herman Monument use assessment. >> I'll second it. Motion has been made and seconded to recommend that the city council receive an order filed the
Herman Monument use assessment. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. >> Opposed. >> Motion carried. City council uh we recommend the city council to receive and order file the
Herman Monument Use Assessment. Moving on to item 75, the park and recreation comprehensive master plan 90% draft presentation. Director Sugle.
>> Yes. Uh Mr. Chair, commissioners, uh I am pleased to inform you that we have a 90% draft at this point. This process started approximately a year ago. uh and in in your packet you would have seen the draft report as well as the presentation. So Claire Roth from our
project manager from ISG is here today to uh give you some an in-depth uh presentation. All right. So Claire, you can if you want to scroll is probably the best way, but it won't show on the screen. and it shows over there. >> Sure.
>> Thank you and welcome. >> Good afternoon everyone. Thank you for having me. As Joey mentioned, I'm Claire Roth. I am a planner with ISG and I've had the pleasure of serving as the project manager on this project for the last year or so. Um, I've been with ISG
for about four years. I work in our Bloomington office up in the Twin Cities. Um I was able to meet some of you about a little over a year ago. Um had the pleasure of coming down to interview for the project in February of 2025 and meet with some of you all. Um
and since then my colleague Jay Lothammer was here in August and he was able to give a presentation to this group um to give a brief overview of where we were in the process and do um a visioning activity with you all. So it is great to see um all of you. Great to
see some new faces. Um and with that we will move along with the presentation. So wanting to give just a brief overview of the purpose um goals and schedule of the project since I know there are some new faces in the room. Um but overall
the goal of this plan has to has been to establish a 15-year vision for the city's parks, recreation, open spaces, and public spaces. And this is really to make sure that we're meeting current and future community needs al and also aligning with the city's comprehensive
and strategic plans. Those documents, the comprehensive and strategic plan um were completed right before this project kicked off. So we are start we were able to start strong and build off of the recommendations and actions of those plans. The goals of this planning process, as I
mentioned, has been to establish that clear 15-year vision. Um we've worked to evaluate the existing park and recreation system in addition to amenities and services. Um we've robustly engaged the community ensuring that we um engaged under represented
populations. Um we have now worked to create an action plan with that 90% document um to achieve that plan vision and have worked to develop a prioritization strategy and identify some best practices to make sure that the system is um managed and maintained
in a sustainable manner going forward for the overall project schedule. Um as Joey had mentioned we kicked off about a year ago um in April of 2025. The project was divided into three phases. The first phase was that assess phase in
which we inventoried. We visited all the city parks, robustly engaged the community through an online survey um and had a few pop-up events um to meet people and learn more about their feedback. We then applied those um recommendations and feedback we'd heard from the community in that phase 2
envision which took place at the end of the summer into the fall. Um that's when the 50% draft document was developed and shared with the commission in November. We are now entering um the well we've been in the implement phase that third phase um since the beginning of 2026 and
are here tonight with the 90% plan. So, as mentioned, the 90% plan, it's 90% complete, meaning it's very close to being done, but we want to make sure that we get feedback from you all tonight and from staff before we then
edit that one more time and then move forward to council for their consideration. Um, today's focus is on those four highlighted sections. Um, items there 1 through 7, that's a list of all the chapters in this plan. And as
you know, it is a very long plan. Um, I brought a print off of it to with me today just to convey the the depth of that. So, a question for the group is aside from Joey, who who's read this cover to cover since they received it on Thursday.
Yeah. Not not hearing many, which is good. That's why we're here. We're here to give the flyby version so you don't have to um read the whole thing. But we certainly hope that over the next 15 years you will use it and read it and reference it. Um so today we're going to be looking at a few findings of how to
apply the plan. Um what we've heard, what we recommend, and how we implement that. Um so moving along, how did we get here? Um throughout this process, as I mentioned, we're building off of past planning efforts, the city comprehensive plan, the strategic plan. We're also
using more sight specific planning studies such as the pollinator park master plan. We've referenced that previous study in this plan. So, building off of those past efforts, um, we're using those inventory findings. As I mentioned, we went through all of the parks, visited them, did a thorough
review of program offering and partnerships. Um, we are using the community engagement feedback that we had heard um through a variety of sources and then we are also um applying some of our professional recommendations. New Elm is very unique
in what you know your current context and your parks, but some of the issues that are facing the community and some of the trends we're seeing do align with other things we see statewide. Um so we're here to put those into play. Just a recap on some of the community
engagement touch points that we've had throughout this process. Um we had a total of four public events and meetings including one open house back in January at the rec center. Um, we had a pop-up event at the National Night Out back in August at German Park and we met with a
variety of the community groups um, back in July and got to hear them all. We met with a total of 17 groups either through meeting with them or through engaging with them um, virtually. We've also spent a lot of time with staff and with Joey. I think they're getting a little sick of us because
we've been meeting every other week for the last year. Um, and then one of the big ways that we engaged the community was through that um, digital outreach, through that survey. We had a total of 486 responses, which we thought was a really incredible
amount given the size of this community. Um, we have we work with a lot bigger communities that sometimes it's hard to get to that number. So, you have a very engaged community and that was very cool to see. And we want to acknowledge that staff also did a lot of work to promote this project. I know that they were
going on the radio and really working hard to get the word out there. So many people helped contribute to that. Just to recap some of the themes of the community engagement, um the parks were praised overall for being maintained well and people felt safe in them. Um we
had a few requests for expanded amenities as you wouldn't be surprised about. People are wanting permanent restrooms at a variety of locations. Um, we heard common themes for wanting more trail expansions, continue continuing to grow that network. Um, desire for either
expanded or new aquatic facilities, as well as some more of those unique play equipment in specific neighborhood parks or community parks. Um, regarding communication, we heard a general desire for increased awareness of all the available programs, events, and
services. There's a lot offered by the city, and I think people want to make sure that they're staying in the loop. Um, regarding desire for inclusive and adaptive programming, um, we heard a few comments of wanting to make sure that we're continuing to strive to serve all ages abilities. Um, whether that's
through inclusive design features or expanded adaptive recreation for kids and adults. Regarding environmental stewardship and natural access, um we heard that people really value the natural areas in New Alm and they have a really strong desire
to um continue to access them. You know, continued access to things like the rivers. Regarding arts and culture, um there's a desire for increased programming regarding this specific topic, whether that's through partnerships for public art um in different locations throughout
the parks or in other public spaces. And then regarding community partnerships, with all the 17 groups that we met with, the parks and recreation department was praised as very highly. They all seemed to really value their relationship with the city. The city was seemed as very approachable and really just there was a
continued desire to continue growing those partnerships. Getting into um this next slide which is called parks and facilities guidelines. What this is here is an overview of one of the chapters in which we lay out some of the guidelines based on those
community findings, things we've heard, needs I've identified. Um, this is just an overview of everything that's in that section. We don't have time to get to it all this afternoon, but we will be looking a little bit at park classification, park search areas, and development triggers.
So, moving along to park classifications. Um, there are four park classifications. community parks, neighborhood parks, special use parks, and natural resource areas. These were all set in the 2024 comprehensive plan. Um, and really what we did was expand on
these categories, making more guidelines for detailing how each of these different categories for park should function. Um, the intention of this was to expand how these spaces might look and function to guide future planning.
Um so getting into using these park classifications. Um what we have up here is just an image of the different pages from the report of each of the four categories from community to neighborhood special use natural resource area. And what each of these
pages does for the categories is outline a description of what does this classification or type of a park what should it look like? How should it feel? We then assign guidelines such as what size should it be? you know, it's a range to be flexible, but generally you're going to want a community park to
be a lot larger than a neighborhoodsiz park. We also um provided guidelines for service areas. So, for another example, your community your community parks are going to be serving people from across the community, whereas a neighborhood
park is going to be serving the neighborhood nearby. So, ideally, that's within 1/4 to a half mile distance close by to that neighborhood. and they should be able to access that park via um local trails and the sidewalk network. Whereas
access for a community park is going to be a lot more dependent on the street network and wanting to have a parking lot that can accommodate all those vehicles because people are driving longer distances for them. Um each park classification has a list of typical park amenities that is again not
prescriptive. We want that to be flexible, but also enough to provide a picture of what should a neighborhood park versus a special use park look like. And finally, um we assigned or we listed what parks fit into each
categories and then a few um park search areas. If there were any spaces that we are looking for, a future community park or a future neighborhood park, those were listed there and identified. Um so speaking of park search areas, um we then built on the recommendations
again of the comprehensive plan which identified some of those future park search areas. There are five listed on there and those vary from neighborhood parks to community parks to even a larger community park that's more focused on athletic uses over near the
airport. Um I want to note that all these locations are preliminary. They're not sight specific to any parcels. They're just really trying to delineate the general area. Um, considering things like long-term needs and growth, proximity to new residential areas and
existing parks as the city grows, and things such as physical barriers such as busy roads, water bodies, or even steep changes in topography. The master plan also includes some guidance um on development of these
parks. So using the park search information, we created this um what we're calling a park development decision flowchart. And this is in the plan, but this can also be pulled out of the plan and use as a standalone research. Really, the intention of this is to serve as a tool for staff and for
you all in determining when to develop new parks and to inform that site selection process. So, it has a series of yes, no questions, things you can run through and consider um when to develop that that park, what might be the trigger for that.
And finally, getting into the implementation plan. Um the implementation plan is the last chapter of the report. It really um puts pen to paper with the recommendations and how provides a plan with how we um achieve them successfully. We want to make sure
that this plan is implementable because if it's not that's not very helpful is it? Um so again we we won't be able to touch on everything in the implementation plan but we will be touching on an what is the overview of it. What is our strategy for prioritizing improvements the which is
called the prioritization strategy. Um, we'll get into the proposed capital improvements, some funding strategies, and then some more overall implementation recommendations, but just um thought it would be helpful to revisit the definition for an
implementation plan. Excuse me. And really what that is in this report is that clear actionable road map um that's going to turn the plan vision into progress. So, this is going to help guide the priorities and investments um that we've outlined in these 230 pages and really apply their
plan recommendations while also striving to remain flexible and responsive to community needs and change. Um next getting into the strategy um for how do we prioritize improvements. The goal of this is to provide a clear, consistent, and transparent framework um
that can guide staff and you all as you um and council as you evaluate park investment decisions. And the goal of this is also to align priorities with community values, adapted policies, and available resources.
So, there's about five um priorities listed here. Um and the goal of this is just to outline what does a a prioritization strategy in new m what does that consider? So in roughly order of priority from top left to the bottom
right starting with safety, accessibility and inclusion. That's our top priority. We need to make sure that the parks are a safe welcoming space to all that are usable. Um then comes quality and function. Facilities should meet the community needs and last over
time. they should be functioning appropriately um and fit within the bounds of the classifications that are in the plan. Next was connectivity. Um we not only want to connect trails and parks to each other, but we want to connect people through the park system.
Um and then comes next is environmental stewardship, ensuring that we are protecting and restoring the natural resources of New Alm. There are so many valuable ones here. And then finally, wanting to ensure that we are um fiscally responsible and it's planning.
We have a plan to move forward with for rooting it in either the parks master plan or the comprehensive plan or other studies that we've completed. I also want to um in re call to attention that the
prioritization strategy was reinforced by community priorities. These five here listed were the top five priorities from the community survey that nearly 500 people completed and we um really used that as a strong um guiding force when developing that prioritization strategy.
Um so some of those top priorities were updating um and expanding existing facilities, expanding trail connectivity, improving access to natural um areas, enhancing recreation programming, and supporting health and wellness. So, those were some of the
things that we considered, but also had lots of conversations with staff um about that. Next, getting into park specific recommendations. So, as I'm sure you all know, New has a lot of parks um in the plan. Each park has its
own two-page spread um walking through, you know, the use of this park. So, this is just one example from the plan um draft page 148, but this one is talking about Herman Heights. Um each park descriptor page gives an overview of the
park itself, a general description. We have an aerial so you can see all the different um areas there, the specific boundaries of the park, where it's located within the community, and then a few paragraphs detailing what's the current access, parking and circulation considerations, what are the
relationship to adjacent uses. Um we documented with a few photos and then also list the current amenities and any existing um programs or partnerships there. but wanted to walk through Herman Heights and Herman Heights Park and Monument just as an example to show how
we are putting together um the prioritization strategy when it comes to um recommendations. So, it's a little hard to see and you might be able to see in the plan better, but there are some colored dots on the right hand page of that spread and the red dots um are
recommendations that we perceive as a little bit more urgent. We recommend implementing them in the next 5 years. Um the blue dots are more midterm strategies. Um we call them medium priority, so the next 5 to 10 years. And then the green dots are the lowest
priority. Um those are things that could be considered and addressed within the next 10 to 15 years. And the guidance with this is to really phase that approach um instead of throwing them all at you. Um wanting to work through that prioritization strategy. So things like
um safety and asset considerations are addressed first for this park. Um there were some noted um deficiencies and aging with the board in place surfacing at the playground. So that's one of the red dots is to address that sooner.
Whereas um a green dot is to um replace the playground the actual equipment itself in accordance with that asset life cycle um which would occur later in 20 in the 2030s. We also want to um coordinate the
improvements at this park with other planning efforts. So, as I know has been a discussion topic tonight, the Herman Monument um considerations, that's also something that we um considered with this. Some of the recommendations in here are to
coordinate um improvements with um the welcome center and permanent restrooms. if those are ever replaced or relocated, those would be coordinated with that planning effort. One more example of a park specific recommendation. This one's a lot
lighter. This is Fender Park. It's not a developed park. Um so right now it's just kind of detailing what could this park be. It's establishing that status and really it affirms that further direction um is needed to study potential uses. So the recommendation here is to complete a master plan
specific to this park as a subsequent effort um once we are the city is ready to develop that site. So putting together all of those recommendations that were listed for each park, we then worked through um developing and analyzing those and
developed associated cost estimates for each of those which are reflected in this table which is in the report page 210 to 211. And what this does is again helps to um summarize the costs for each park over those same time frame
categories. So 1 to 5 years, 6 to 10, 11 to 15. Um that helps to break that out. And then notice that the parks are also um grouped by their classifications. So that's one thing that hopefully um helps to consolidate that and make that
a little bit more digestible. Um, this spreadsheet is tied to an Excel sheet that will be shared with staff. Um, it documents all the components of what went into estimating these costs. Um, and they'll be able to use that and update it in real time um to update that
as the um as the respective projects progress. All right, and we're getting close to the end here, so thanks for listening along. Um, getting into the implementation recommendations. Um we have a few recommendations specific to staffing. In addition to maintenance,
design, programming, and partnerships that we recommended um as part of the master plan in regard to maintenance, we recommend that the department continues to evaluate their staffing as the city grows. Um we caution against using fixed staffing models. We want that to be
flexible. Um as the city grows with their needs. Um during staffing transitions, it's recommended to reassess structure and responsibilities before immediately refilling a vacant position to make sure that that system still works. And we also encouraging continue to leveraging volunteer
programs when appropriate and with clearly defined roles. Um so we make sure people are volunteering for tasks appropriate um and making sure that we are periodically re-evaluating those oper volunteer opportunities in line with other staffing needs and abilities.
Regarding maintenance, um we saw through engagement that again the parks were rated generally quite high for cleanliness and upkeep. Um but also want to affirm that again as um the city continues to grow, we recommend reassessing um staff for maintenance as
well as areas of expertise and opportunities for specializations. Um recommending continued conversion of turf areas to native plantings were appropriate. Um while the conversion of turf to native plantings means less mowing, that doesn't necessarily mean
it's less um maintenance. There will still be some work for that, but um yeah, just wanted to call that to attention. And we do recommend also evaluating the long-term feasibility of maintenance of new facilities as those are considered being brought on, making
sure that maintenance of that will be sustainable in the long term. Getting into design, one of the recommendations in the plan is to move forward with development of a unified design language for the park system. Um, this will help um establish consistent
architectural character, whether that's materials or colors for the buildings and structures. This also applies to park furnishings and site amenities. You know, things like bike racks, um, benches, picnic tables. Um, in our site visits, we noted that there's quite an
assortment of these throughout the park system, and starting with a refined pallet can help to um, in the future when those need to be replaced, inform decisions quickly, um, and keep things from being delayed and also help to have
that concise and coherent system. In regard to programming, um we recommend continuing to re-evaluate those recreation programs and staffing and staffing to align those offerings with changing needs and services of partners. Um we had a few specific
recommendations in the plan um for areas to consider future programming, whether that's increased efforts in early childhood um all the way through seniors and active adults and special events. Those were broken down by some of those age categories. some areas that could be
considered for expansion. And then finally, partnerships. Um, as noted, the city has great partnerships with a lot of the groups um in it. We'd recommend ongoing coordination with some of these partners. you know, whether it's the
schools, the sport and athletic associations, the chamber, heart of newm, cast, adaptive recreation, um, Minnesota DNR and Flandro, Brown County, the list goes on and on with potential partners and potential opportunities to
continue partnerships. And so with that, um, some of those next steps that we've touched on is for the rest of this month, we're going to focus on, um, addressing any comments with from staff or from you all tonight for the report and then we hope in May to be
um, returning to new alm and um, bringing the report forward to council for their consideration. So with that, thank you all for listening tonight. I invite any questions that you all might have.
I know that was a lot. >> I thought I think it's a really nice well done document. I think there's some really good guidelines in there and from things we've talked about in previous meetings and so on and presently and for into the future. So I think it when we get it all finished, it's going to be
and we'll totally digest it and understand it. I think it'd be a great great guideline for our track and wreck organization. So I thought I I enjoyed reading through it. It was I will admit I skipped a few pages once to stay awake
but um it was it was quite interesting and I and you know I think there's a lot of opportunity for collaboration all the different things you talked about and all those things. So I think it's could be a whole new kind of reviving the park and w concept the future. Good good document.
>> Thank you. >> Any other questions or comments? Oh, thank you very much. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Yeah. Thanks a lot. Really a great presentation and >> and I will read it verbatim page to page. Right.
>> All right. You've you've got time. >> All right. Well, thank you all. Thank you. >> All right. Commissioners, I'd entertain a motion to receive and order filed the park and recreation master plan 90% draft. So
>> move second. >> Motion has been made and seconded to receive and order file the park and recreation master plan 90% draft. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. I. >> Opposed. Motion carried. Thank you very
much and thank you for being here. All right. Item number eight, reports from commissioner and staff. Uh, director Schugle. >> Mr. Chair, commissioners, any commissioner reports tonight?
>> Okay. And okay with me moving on to the activity report? >> All right. >> Okay. >> We'll move on then to uh item number 82. Any department activity report? >> Yes, Mr. Chair, commissioners, just a couple things to highlight. Uh just
wanted to highlight uh March was a very busy time at the civic center. Uh concluding with the the figure skating club uh presentation of Wizard Vase and then the dryf flooror shows uh went off without a hitch. Staff did a great job
preparing the arena for all the activity there and the and the shows were very happy with uh uh attendance and everything that went on there. Uh now we do have ice back on the north arena uh and south arena still >> on both sides >> not on both sides. South arena will stay
until the fall. Um additionally I want to point out health quest. So health quest under the recreation center that's a new uh fitness or overall health focused program and has had really good uh attendance over that and some unique things that are going on with that program that we haven't tried before. So
some focus around mental health and some other things and presentation. So, that's been wellreceived so far and uh staff has done a good job with that. But any questions on the March activity report? >> The uh water safety instructors that
were trained, were those uh our high school students? >> Th those were existing staff members who did not have that certification yet. Uh so now that that allows us to um be better covered on swim lessons. >> That's great. Yes. Uh, good. Thank you, Director Schugle.
I'd entertain a motion to accept and file the park and recreation departmental activity report of uh for March 2026. >> So moved. >> Second. I have a motion and a second to approve the and accept the file of the
park and recreation department activity report for March of 226 for March of 2026. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I opposed. Motion carried to approve and file the park and recreation department
activity report of 2006. Moving on then to 8.3 the staff report. Director Sugal. >> Mr. Chair, commissioners. Uh few items here. Uh two of our ongoing projects are now complete. So the North Park dugout
project is is complete just before ball season started for the year now as well as the Miller Park back stop project. So both of those projects uh have been completed prior to uh baseball season. Um also we were notified that we uh once
again received uh the Tree City USA designation. So it's the 22nd year of that. Uh so look for more promotion on on that in the coming weeks. And then uh our recreation coordinator position which focuses on aquatics and fitness is currently still open and uh we'll be
open through the end of the week till April 19th. So we're in the recruitment phase there. So looking to get good applicants in and go through a competitive process. >> Good. When are you doing interviews? >> Uh interview dates have not been set yet. Once once applications are reviewed, that's when interviews will be
set up. >> Okay, good. Thank you. Any other questions, commissioners? And I'd entertain a motion to accept and file the park and recreation department staff report. >> So move. >> I'll second it.
>> I have a motion and a second to accept and file the park and recreation department staff report. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. >> Opposed. Same sign. Motion carries. So, we will accept and file the park
park and recreation department staff report. Thank you. Our next meeting uh will be May 11th, 2026 at 4 p.m. That's the second Monday of each month. Um
that's all we have. I'd call the meetings adjourned. Thank you very much.