We're on. We're on. >> We're on. Never mind. Okay. All right. Welcome everybody. Hey, I'm the chairperson Kurt Johnson and I'm going to call the or call the order of the meeting this regular meeting of the June
8th 20128 city of Newome park and recre commission meeting. I'd ask the commissioners to introduce themselves first. Jeff >> Jeff Golden Commissioner >> Dave Christian council leaison >> commissioner
>> commissioner Jim Jensen commissioner >> Cheryl Corman staff >> Joey Schugle staff >> thank you everyone and glad you're here. Um third thing on our agenda is the approval for the agenda uh for this June
8th meeting. You got it in your packet and maybe hopefully have looked at it. If not, please do so. And I would entertain a motion to approve that agenda for this regular uh park and rec commission meeting on June 8th, 2018, 2028.
>> Second. >> All right. I have a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Motion carried. Item number four, approval of the minutes. You have in your packet uh the minutes from the meeting of the park and recck
commission uh on April 13, 20128. That's the last time we met. Um are there any additions or corrections to those minutes? If not, I'd entertain a motion to approve. >> I move to approve the minutes of April 13th.
>> I'll second the motion. Motion has been made and seconded to approve the minutes of the park and rec commission meeting on April 13th, 2026. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carried.
Item number five, the city council recap. Uh, director Schugle. >> Thank you, Chair Johnson, commissioners. Uh since we didn't meet in May, there are a few more updates after the last two months of city council activity. So first one from the August 21st regular
meeting was the Herman Monument use assessment was received and filed. That was um that report that was restricting public access to Herman Monument. At that same meeting, uh the Prairie Lakes Regional Art Council grant was accepted.
Again, at the April 21st meeting, other donations were also accepted related to park and wreck. And then moving on to the May 5th meeting, the park and recreation surplus property was approved. And that surplus property was the old Johnson Park scoreboard.
At the May 19th meeting, the park and recreation comprehensive plan that we'll talk a little bit more about coming up was approved. And then also at that same meeting, uh bids were rejected on the new trap range building. And then following that regular meeting was a
work session. And at that work session, the city council discussed the city event policy and how that would be related to park and wreck is that would kind of be all in encompassing of even um public events in in parks as well. So we we do have parks used uh for special
events that aren't run by our department. Uh so that they would fall into an event policy if that would be approved by city council. And then at the June 2nd meeting, uh the cannon shoot on June 24th for military
appreciation night was approved for Johnson Park. So any questions on any of those items? >> Motion to receive an order filed. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion has been made and seconded to order file and uh receive and order
filed the city council past action report. All those in favor signify by saying I. I >> opposed. Motion carried. Thank you. Old business item number six, park and wreck commission or park and wreck
comprehensive master plan update. You've all received a copy. Um it's a long document. U deputy or director, you want to talk about it? >> Yes. Thank you, Chair Johnson and commissioners. Uh so our master plan,
very exciting time. It was uh formally adopted by city council in in May and that as you're very familiar with that was a 13-month process working with ISG throughout the way. You all were heavily involved throughout that process with
multiple presentations and and feedback open houses. Uh you know staff felt that process went really well. ISG did a very nice job um working with recommendations from our public uh and and staff members and we feel that we have a very good
document to move forward on. Um so one of the things a couple of things that I wanted to highlight for people listening out there and all of you. So that master plan does sit on the city of New website now. So, if you go to park and recreation and under the about us tab,
uh there is a a flip book there that you can view that that master plan on. So, that will sit there um hopefully for the next 15 years as as we use that and until it's time to update um something in the future. And then, um I wanted to
talk about how staff and this commission is going to use that master plan going forward. So, uh you know, this was a guide for the next 15 years. Uh so we are in the budgeting process right now as a department to get budgets ready uh to um have give our city council a first
look at those and give our finance department a first look. So that master plan will be used for that. So for next updates and and over many years to come um we feel that that document is uh will be updated. Of course there will be some changes and things like that that will
pop up over those 15 years. So that's one big thing. Uh but also just decision making. Uh so we, you know, staff decision making on what to bring to all of you to discuss and what to look for
for maybe park development. Uh where we have undeveloped parks throughout the city and parkland. Um when is it time to develop that that master plan has a good worksheet that this commission will have an opportunity to be part of. also not just new park development when to uh
further develop our existing uh infrastructure and and update as that. This master plan will be referenced as that as um you each one of our park locations has recommendations over the next 0 to three years, 3 to six and and
onward from there. So um so I do feel that uh we do have a good document that will be used heavily by this commission in by all of you and future commissions over the next 15 years as well. So I I do want to thank you for being part of that um process and uh happy to answer
any questions related to that master plan as is today. >> You know if you get the chance Mr. Schugle was uh nice enough to me he gave me a hard copy of a paper copy. I don't like reading on a computer, but there is a ton of information and it will make
life e a lot easier for this board. Hey, it's in our comprehensive plan. Here's here's the direction we have to go. But it when you get a chance, look through it. >> I agree. I I uh and just kind of reviewing it again. Um it it's it's kind
of um you know, you just kind of feel good about what's happening, the direction we're going all these things, and it will be helpful for making decisions. Uh, one thing that uh that jumped out of me a little bit and I started maybe we've maybe we've talked about this. I missed it, but uh the the maps or legends that are in there that
show all the location of the parks and shows the water that's close to those all these different parks and then by name and and location how to find them. I think that'd be a good thing if we could somehow get that out and maybe have the journal print print that in the paper for people could people could cut it out and put it on their on their by
their calendars and when they're going to go find a a park they can say hey you know let's try this one this time there's just it's just so well done and so easy to look at and follow and say I mean to be honest with you I've lived in for a long long time and there's I wasn't sure about some of the locations until I saw that oh that's where that
one's at. So it might be really good for just promoting our park park and record what we do. Plus it's good for the citizens of New and maybe something even they can good this chamber could hand out a copy of it or something. So to new people or not just new people, anybody
that's interested. Anyway, I just wanted to say that I think that's a really important part of that. Uh because if if you don't understand it or know where things are, you don't use them as much. It's just is kind of common uh to do that. I think it's just we've just got so many wonderful parks. I want everybody to en enjoy them to the
fullest. >> So, good. I wanted to say that um it is a really extensive report and I appreciate it. You've got to give me a written copy, too, because I can't keep it on the computer. Um but I also what jumped out at me when I looked at it was how well the community participated in
all the events that we had, the open houses and things. I was at two or three of them. And there were a number of people there and they mentioned that in the report more than once about how the new home community became very involved and this is as Jim mentioned a very
extensive report and it's going to be something we can use for the next 15 years and it's going to be great and it's it's well done. So it's good. Thank you. >> Any other comments? I I just I would just add and that you know people have a
tremendous amount of pride in the park system. That's something when they're you're visiting with the people from out of town or talking about your city. A lot of I've heard a lot of people bring up boy we got some great parks and and uh I'm glad you're I'm glad you're leading us in that. >> Well, and we do have great parks.
There's no doubt about that. >> Yeah. So, >> I'd entertain a mo unless anybody's got anything else to say, I'd entertain a motion to receive an order filed. the uh Ark and Wreck comprehensive master plan.
>> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion's been made and seconded to approve and receive the comprehensive master plan for the uh new home park and recreation.
Um all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Motion carried. That takes care of that. Thank you all and thank you all for your involvement in this because it was a really good project. It took a while, but it was it was well done and well worth it and I'm sure we'll use it well
for the next 15 years. Uh item seven, new business, uh the large shooting range um grant from the DNR. Um there is an issue um well we read all all read about it in the paper. Why don't you talk
about it director please? >> Yes, Mr. Chair, commissioners. So, uh, this item is looking for a recommendation to, uh, to the city council to offer a resolution to to decline acceptance of the large shooting range grant from the Minnesota Department of Human or of Natural
Resources. And that grant was in the amount of $100,000. So, at the last uh, city two city council meetings ago on May 19th, uh, council authorized uh the rejection of all bids for this project. this project
was bid out on April 28th was was bid date uh when bids were received. Uh you'll see the tabulation um spreadsheet in your packet, but we were expecting about $235,000 project somewhere in that ballpark knowing that it more than likely was
going to be somewhat higher than that, but bids came in substantially higher um substantially higher. Uh so when looking at that um city council and under state statute has the authority to uh reject bids um for any projects that like this.
Uh so we we did um look to do that in discussion with the Sou Valley Gun Club. So this was a discussion that uh was had multiple times with the Sou Valley Gun Club on a move forward. Uh currently there was not enough funding through the gun club and this grant to be able to
move forward with the project. Uh this is a project that the city had some funds for but very uh minor small amount of funds for this. It was primarily going to be funded through the Sou Valley Gun Club and their fundraising efforts and then a matching grant of uh
from the DNR. >> So where do we go from here? So, uh, where we go from here is, uh, in discussions with the the Sou Valley Gun Club is we're working on an updated lease agreement with that with that club. Um, and that would give the opportunity for them to work on, uh,
building, uh, a new facility. And that facility could would be different than what we were expecting to build. So, uh, the current facility that we're talking about here that was was bid out was going to be clubhouse and storage. the the move forward idea at this point is
to just have clubhouse as a new clubhouse, keep on site the current storage that is there and then look for a future um future enhancement of additional storage out there in the in the future. >> Is this going to affect the DNR grant? >> Yes. So, this request is
>> which is why I assume >> Yes. So this is this request is actually to not accept that $100,000 from the DNR >> and but in the future will this have an op? >> Yeah. So great question. Uh Mr. Chair is we've had discussions I've had
discussions with the the DNR um on this and and the grant administrator um they really want people to use this money. they understand some of the requirements that come with this that partially um came in and affected our bids a little
bit and and they're able to reuse these in a different way. They didn't send them to the city already. We don't have to send them back. It was a reimburseable grant. Um and they said they would just work on um there's other requests out there for other organizations looking to use these
dollars. Um and it doesn't hurt us for future future grants as well. Uh we did ask if we asked for a little less than the full amount which we were awarded if we'd still have the same requirements and we do. Um so uh between city staff
and the the Sou Valley Gun Club we're recommending that we do not proceed with this grant applica or this grant uh using these grant dollars. >> Any other questions or comments? I was wonder are those requirements that were that were put on that grant money? Is that common for like any like any state
money or is that just unique to the DNR or? >> No. state demands that you pay prevailing wage. >> Okay, >> that's the issue here really. >> I don't think it's the only issue, but it's the issue here, >> right? We do know construction costs are are high, you know, and and one of the
things with this project is uh there was an indication leading up to this project that there would be a lot of inind um opportunity with uh individuals who are uh either members of the gun club or uh
wanted to support the gun club. and uh some of them ended up not bidding on this project due to some of the requirements on the state level uh due to that. Now an option additional option that we're talking about here or a move forward option that now there might be a
better opportunity for some of those contractors to do some of that work if they're interested in that. Um the gun club still wants to move forward with something new. Um we do have a building out there existing. there is uh it served active shooting, but it it really
is time to um find something new out there. >> Any other questions or comments? All right. Hearing none, I'd uh enter or recommend we enter a motion uh to
recommend to the city council to uh decline the acceptance of the large shooting range grant from the Minnesota Department of Reser of Natural Resources Resources for $1,000 for the num for the
reasons we've talked about. >> $100,000, Mr. Chair. >> 100,000. I'm sorry. Yeah. >> Motion to recommend that the city council offer the resolution to decline acceptance of the large shooting range grant from the Minnesota DNR Natural Resources for the amount of $100,000.
>> All right. Thank you. Is there a second? >> I'll second that. >> All right. There's a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carried. Uh we will
recommend to the city council that they um decline the acceptance of the large shooting range grant um in the amount of $100,000. Thank you.
Um park and recck donations. Director Schugle. >> Yes, Mr. Chair, commissioners. Uh we have a few donations this month. Uh first one being for a tree at Lincoln Park as part of the uh Arbor Day program. It was a red maple tree and that was donated from River Creek
Nursery and Tony Guggisburg for in the amount of $225. Uh also the New Baseball Association uh donating $5,500 towards the Miller Park back stop project. So the if you've been down to that park that um would have
received a a new padded back stop, new concrete area. Um and then um remote tension cabling to um for better safety for our staff to put up the shade sales down there. And then uh the Prairie
Lakes Regional Arts Council for $3,865 and that goes to support summer concerts in the park. We just had our first one last week with the Conquered Singers. That's a Thursday night concert series. That total is $9,590. >> Thank you, Director Schugle. Any
questions or comments? I'd then entertain a motion to recommend the city council offer resolution wave the reading to accept the donations as outlined by doc uh director Schugel uh to the city of Newm through the park and
recreation department for those identified purposes with great thanks to the uh identified donors. So moved. >> Second. >> All right. There's a motion made and
seconded. Um all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Motion carried. Item number eight. Director Schugle reports from the commissioners and staff.
>> Yes. So uh Mr. Mr. Chair, commissioners, there is a opportunity for commissioners to report on anything they would like at this time. Uh if nothing, we can move on to 8.2. >> I thought the baseball sign looks very
nice. And I also thoroughly enjoyed the ribbon cutting for the little tes. >> Oh, yeah. >> At the park. I thought it was a great experience. And I think our mayor deserves a round of applause because she is so good with
those little kids. >> Yeah, true. >> True. >> But it but it's really nice for for us the commissioners to be able to go out and participate in that in those kind of events and talk to the people that the
the parents and the other community members that are there and it it was a good opportunity. >> Enjoyed it. Thank you. >> Yeah. I I also I had no idea that the BMX club had done such a wonderful job of renovating that and it's it's really a gem for our community.
>> It is. It is. Yeah. >> Yeah. Likewise, I think it was great. The ballpark the scoreboard is unbelievable. Um and I appreciate the park and wreck being involved in grand opening of both those. It's
>> a good thing. It's good for new home. >> Well, I guess I should have a motion to accept the and file the park and recre department activity report for April and May. Did we do that already? >> No. >> 8.1 Commissioner report. >> Huh? >> Commissioner report. 8.1.
>> Oh, I'm sorry. The commissioner report. All those in favor or do I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion in a second. Uh all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. >> Opposed motion carried. Thank you very
much. Um we're down to the next meeting. >> We are 8.2 is department activity report. >> Oh yeah, tell us about that. I'm sorry. Def >> Mr. Chair, commissioners. Yeah. So, you have two activity reports in your packet. First one being April. I do want
to talk about a few things within that report. First, uh, uh, out at North Park, we had three light standards that were removed due to some safety issues. We actually lost a pole out there due to high winds. Um, and it fell on a fence, so we had some damage out there.
Everything's fixed now, but we do have three. And then we we noticed that two other the light standards should come down. So, we have replacement poles coming. um they're out 14 to 16 weeks. So, uh but uh so field three out at North Park uh does not have the
capability of playing night baseball this summer, which um most of the activity out at North Park is uh on our longest days of of the summer. So, that hasn't really been an issue. Uh and don't foresee that being a huge issue moving forward.
uh at the civic center I in April ice was uh put back on the north rink and then we also had uh the annual Easter egg hunt inside in April as well due to bad weather. Uh but that was uh over 300 adults and children were participated in that and then the annual spring garage
sale was also out there with 51 spots sold on one side. So that was uh a very busy event as well. Uh speaking of Easter seems like a long time ago. Uh the pool hunt and extravaganza at the pool happened. Uh an annual event we've
been doing for a long time. Um was a nice event for the kids. 85 kids and and 40 adults part participated in that. And then we've been doing some new programming. So our program staff is doing a nice job. Uh so paddle board, yoga, and pilates were in the pool. Uh
really different. So floating kind of paddle board type of exercise boards that that float in the pool and and have uh bring a different feel to fitness uh and still use the pool um for other activities than our traditional use has
went well and uh we had that health and wellness series that that wrapped up and that was really wellreceived. There were I was surprised myself on the different seminars uh that were happening. and it was beautiful spring days that um we had
a lot of people attending those and and got a lot of good feedback from from that. So I anticipate that that program would come back in the future as well. Uh moving on to May. Uh so the May activity report, we talked a little about the shade structure at Miller
Park. So that was installed. So just a little more background on that. Uh since that that those shade sails do not stay up all year at Miller Park. So they come up and down uh after the season and and are put up generally not right in early spring just due to conditions I think
people don't want extra shade in the in the early spring baseball because it's not warm out anyway. So if you add extra shade then it's even colder. Uh so we usually put that up by Memorial Day depending on weather. And what that entailed was a lot of work just due to
the hillside and there there isn't a good way to do that. So, we did budget for a remote tension system for this year that was designed by engineers and um that system was uh manufactured over the winter and installed just uh before
putting these shade sails up and it worked really well and solved a huge issue for for us going forward. So, that that's a a good report to have. our our staff feel it still takes multiple staff to put them up, but now we have a a a tension system that you can press a
button and put the shade sails up versus getting in bucket trucks on a hill and significant issues that way. So, um we talked about the new video board that was installed in Johnson Park. Um you know, that is um further enhances that
experience down at Johnson Park. Uh and then moving into the end of May, so Splash Pad at North Park opened and the waiting pools at both Lincoln and Washington Park opened. Uh we do still have some issues at Washington Park waiting pool. Uh with with we we did
have a leak last year and uh we did bring in um a contractor this year who specializes in leak detection and and thought we had it solved, but we we still have some leaking when the toy features are on. So when the pool is just stagnant, we we can isolate it, but
it's still um perplexing our staff a little bit on where that actual leak is coming from. So both pools are open, but uh some of the splash features are are not available at Washington Park at the moment. So that is something we might have to look at a little more heavily coming in the in the near future on what
to how to move forward at Washington Park with that waiting pool. Both waiting pools are aging and are very heavily used though as well. So we'll have to look at that in the near future. Uh lastly, I I wanted to talk in May. So
the the 57th National Festival of American Turners will once again be coming back to New Alm. So this was hosted in 2023. Uh some of it call it Turnfest or the Turner Olympics. and uh New Alm hosted it uh in like I said in
the summer of 2023 for the first time and it it went very well. They heavily used park and wreck facilities. So they used the recreation center, indoor pool, the gymnastics center, the fieldhouse primarily uh are the three areas they use uh at the rec center and then have
used some of our other facilities for opening and ceremony and such for that. But that is back at Newm. They're also using uh the school district facilities as well. So excited for that. in 2027 is when that's coming. July 27th through the 31st. So, a lot of extra people in
town for that as well. >> Any questions or concerns? >> I I you know, I I did notice in your comments uh it said media attention continued around the Herman Monument uh reconstruction um and that you guys did interviews on WCCCO and stuff. Any more
uh any public response that you guys have received? I saw the sign that you had up which is very well done. Um, you know, the public response I directly we've we've received some myself has received some good response. We've had a
couple lobbyists in St. Paul who've said they've they're willing to help in any way to skew that with New Alm Ties and feel that Herman's important to us. Just had a gentleman last week who uh grew up in New Alm who's interested in helping out any way they can. So that that's
always nice to hear. Um, we've also had um I've had a few people call me like, "How do we donate >> and how do we do that?" Because that certainly could and um will be uh a feature of this. Now, that's probably not the city's uh job to direct that.
So, the Herman Monument Society is working on that. They have a new website now that they've just had designed and their final step is to get their donate feature ready and making sure it works because they don't want to roll something out and all of a sudden it doesn't the link
doesn't work and things like that. So they're doing some testing with that. Uh so those are the biggest comments that kind of got from the media. But uh the media attention has been uh really impressive to not just local media, it has been from the metro area and uh uh I
anticipate as hopefully this project moves along that we'll have more media attention as we go. >> Uh great. Then I would act for uh a motion to accept and file the staff reports for April and May with great thanks and appreciation to our great
staff. >> First, is there a motion up for that? >> So move. >> Second. >> Motion has been made and seconded to accept and file the staff reports of April and May. Um all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I.
>> I. opposed motion carried >> reports or staff reports. >> This was activity report, department activity report 8.2, whatever it is. Yeah. >> Um and thank you. We got a great staff and you're doing great work. It's really good.
>> Thank you. >> Anything further? >> Yes, we have 8.3 now. One more staff report here. >> Okay. Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't see that. >> Go ahead. >> So, all right, Mr. Yes, Mr. Chair, commissioners. uh a few more items to just uh report on today. So uh those of
you who were part of the commission last year would have remembered approving a communication board as a donation. Uh so that communication board acts as um a way to make our playgrounds more inclusive. So that uh for our nonverbal
uh maybe youth out there who are have tr trouble communicating uh there is boards out there that can tell you know their parent or guardian or whoever their friends or whoever they're with on what they want to do and some of those features that that come with that. So uh
we had Tab 507 ran a campaign that raised funds to donate to that uh and purchase that board. So that board um we received over the right at the end of the year and uh looking at installation at Herman Heights Park. Uh so that would
be installed somewhere near that walkway near the playground um and will be a nice feature there and we'll get some press on that when that is installed and and further communicate that that's ready to go for the public. So wanted to give you that update. Also excited to
announce that Dylan Manom uh began duties as our recreation coordinator for aquatics and fitness on June 1st, so just last Monday. Uh and he comes from the the St. Cloud area. Uh we will have him here to introduce himself in uh in
the coming months, maybe as soon as next month, and give his background and what he's working on. Uh in that position, it's very heavily tied to certifications. Uh so lifeguard certification, water safety instructor and certification, but also the next
step on those certifications that are to be able to train staff to do that. So June 1st, his first day, he was right into lifeguard training and all of that. So he's had a heavy heavy training, but he's doing great. We're excited to have him. Uh the nice thing is our program
supervisor Ben Doden came from that position, has all those certifications and also uh gives us extra flexibility because he can teach all that and is a great mentor to Dylan and we'll be able to help him along the way with all those trainings. So um but yes, look forward
to all of you meeting him if you haven't already down at the rec center. And then uh seasonal staff. So, uh, with the different school closing or, uh, end of the year for the different schools and colleges, we've had seasonal staff start at different times. But as of today, I
think we've had all of our seasonals now in place for the summer. Uh, which takes takes a lot of staff to do all the things that our department's responsible for. Uh, we're excited. We've we had really um good numbers for applications
and uh uh and so that that says two things to me that that there's a lot of people that are interested in in working for the city and helping uh enhance their community, but it also tells me that their direct supervisors are doing a nice job and and because we have a lot of staff come back year after year and
are giving them a good experience while they're here and meaningful work. So, um excited for all that to to get going and um from gardeners, from park maintenance to program staff, puppet wagon, all of all of that um is in place and it's go
time. And then lastly, I we did talk a little bit about the BMX Park grand reopening. Um I do want to just thank those of you who were able to make that um that exactly what some of you said. It is very uh you can sit in this room and approve things and and recommend
approval, but um actually seeing where it where it was to where it is now and all that hard work that that user group did, River Valley BMX is was a really um awesome thing that uh they were able to do with their volunteer work and they
have their huge race this weekend. So um I know they're very excited for that. They they sent me a picture of uh what the winners get. They have this big oversized chain metal that has Herman sitting on a BMX bike. So, it's pretty cool. So, um so they're excited about
that. So, my response was I want one of those. So, yeah. But I think I'd got to have to get on a bike and have everyone else crash to be able to get it. So, but that's all I had for the staff report unless there's any questions. A >> motion to accept and file the park and
rec uh department staff report. >> Second. I'll second that. >> The motion has been made and seconded to accept and file the park and rec staff report. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. >> Motion carried. Thank you. Um and good
work. >> All right, that's great. I think we've come to the end of our agenda. Our next meeting is July 13th uh at 4:30 or at 4:00 in the city council chambers. the second Monday of
each month. Um, with that, I'll adjourn the meeting. That'll take care of it. Thank you. Thank you.