Okay. Well, good evening everyone and uh that's here and everyone that may be uh watching from home. Uh it's time for our uh monthly park and recreation committee meeting. Uh, it's March 16, 2026.
Uh, we'll do a roll call here quickly. >> Alex Him, >> Chris Casey, >> uh, Larry Schulz, >> Amanda Cahill, >> Alyssa Nelson, assistant city manager. >> Okay, thanks. And, uh, first on our agenda, uh, is announcements and open
forum. Uh, I don't think we have anybody here this evening. By the way, we're changing our format to conform with how the city other committees and the council functions. So, um from now on, we'll have public comment first. We'll
have our comments at the end of the meeting instead of at the start. >> Oh, okay. >> Um so, seeing no one uh in the audience, uh staff, uh do you have some things you'd like to bring up? >> Thank you, chair, committee. I do. I
have two members of city staff joining me this evening um Brian McCann and Mark Ny who are going to assist the committee as co-staff liaison and you will see them more um as part of these monthly committee meetings and they'll be presenting some items of their own in
the near future. So I will just pass the well figurative mic over to them to introduce themselves. The one thing for both of you um is if you wouldn't mind stepping up to the podium just so then uh our videographer can catch you on the microphone.
>> Hi. You may remember me. I was here last summer during a thunderstorm helping to present some development parks to you guys. I'm Brian McCann. I'm the city planner for the city of Victoria. Uh I'm also the planning commission liaison. you'll see me for any new uh potential
residential commercial developments as they relate to parkland. So, uh when any of those new developments come forward, you will also see me. >> Great. Well, welcome. >> Good evening. Uh I'm Mark NY. I'm the recreation coordinator here for the city
of Victoria and I've been here for a little bit more than two years in this position. Um, you know, so I kind of help out with the facilities in town with u rentals and youth youth leagues,
coach pitch, t-ball, that sort of thing. Anything else? Yeah. >> City needs help with. >> Okay. Well, we look forward to working with each of you. So glad you're here this evening. >> We do have one um that wasn't able to join us. That is Claudia Edisbold. She's
our city clerk. uh she has taken an interest in the parks and recreation committee and has an interest in just sitting on this side of the dis. Usually she sits over there to help with minutes and whatnot. Um so she will also be joining us for future meetings as well. >> Okay. >> Thank you chair.
>> Yep. Anything else Alyssa? >> Done from staff. >> Okay. Uh next we will uh adopt the final agenda. Does anybody want to make a motion to adopt the agenda that was sent out?
I move to adopt the final meeting agenda. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Motion made and second to uh adopt the final agenda. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oppose say no.
Motion carried. Have an agenda. Uh the first thing on the agenda is uh uh the park and recreation committee minutes. It seems like it's been a long time since we met and uh I think indicative of our last
meeting was November 17th of 2025. Did everybody have a chance to review the minutes? And if so, is there a motion to accept? >> Motion to approve the minutes. >> Okay, motion's been made. Is there a second?
>> Second. >> Uh any further discussion? If none, all those in favor of approving the minutes as they're sent out signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oppos say no. Motion carried.
Um, next item on our regular agenda um is a discussion about the park and rec committee work plan. And with that, we'll turn it over to Alyssa for uh help us kick that off.
Thank you, chair, committee members. Uh just some background. Each year, uh city council tasks each committee or commission to creating a work plan, which is really our guiding document, um to how we're going to frame up the year. As staff, we utilize it to help create
agendas. So, um when we add things to an agenda, typically they stem from this work plan. Um so today uh it's really a review of the work plan, make modifications to the work plan and if we're all comfortable with that then there's a recommendation to approve the
work plan which then it goes to council who formally then approves adopts the work plan. Um to kickstart the conversation I am going to review the 2025 document uh that was created just for some background. Um and then we'll move into the 2026 document which was
shared in the public packet. Um if you this is more of a discussion so do not hesitate to just jump in ask questions make comment and then we'll be taking notes along the way. So then when we do get to the motion stage um the motion
will be simply uh re uh recommend the work plan recommend approval of the work plan as discussed. Um so then all those feedback and comments will be implemented into the work plan before we bring it to city council. So, first let's just talk about what
2025 looked like. Um, so I'm just brought up exactly what we had from last year. So, the first work plan focus area and some of this is going to look familiar because we took and stole for for 2026, but our first area of focus was public engagement for park projects.
Um, and I did add some areas that were complete and this was one area that the committee definitely took charge in and completed um throughout the year. So the first over uh the big project for this was to create a public engagement policy um that was done early last year um and
then was implemented throughout the year. So the policy was created, approved by council um incorporated into our comprehensive policy document that we utilize as staff and then um throughout the summer the parks and recreation committee uh engaged the
public in a variety of different events. Um, we brought you along to our Hunters Brook and Marsh Hollow public engagement. We, uh, had a trail public engagement at Lions Park, um, that the committee could participate in and listen to committee members, get
feedback related to new park developments and so forth. So, that was a huge undertaken by the committee in 2025. Number two was non-traditional park spaces. Um, so this was a little different one. Um one of the things and
um you'll see it in the 2026 work plan um we'll touch on guiding principles. The council has adopted three guiding principles and one of those is to develop a unique Victoria um and as part of that is to really utilize and embrace
our current infrastructure um in the city of Victoria. So looking at our outlots, looking at the grass spaces in between our trails, looking at open space differently and seeing how we can improve our park spaces uh throughout the entire park system, not just looking at our typical Hunterbrook or typical
Brookmore 3 to 5 acre park. Um so this is an area we did not have time to focus on in the last year. Um we had a lot of other park developments that came into play um that pushed this back. So this will be incorporated again into the 2026 plan. I know there was some areas that
we touched on it, but we formally didn't get through like actually identifying certain areas um and identifying potential amenity spaces. >> Okay. Because we did I can think of spaces and like things that were
identified. So you're saying we just didn't like make recommendations for those spaces >> formal and yes. So that will be brought back to us. >> Okay. Focus area three is parks and recreation code of ordinance. Um so this is in
tandem. The city is going through an overhaul of its entire code book. We have two sections within our code book. Our zoning code and then m municipal code. Our rules that guide um use of our park spaces and public spaces is within
the municipal code. Um, so the city is going through that large project to overhaul the entirety of it. Um, we anticipated last year that we'd get to the municipal code section. However, the zoning code section has taken longer than we thought. Uh, so we haven't quite got to the municipal code part. So, this
has not been incorporated into the 2026 update or work plan because we're not quite sure when the timing of the zoning code will be there. So, we might see it in 2026. If we do, we'll just tag it in to a meeting. Um if it doesn't then we'll incorporate it into the 2027 work
plan um because that's potent we hope to at least have it done by that point. So >> yes good >> we'll see this come back. >> And then four is the Victoria Recreation Center. Um so as you may have uh discussed in past meetings the Victoria
Recre partnership facility with the in uh Eastern Carver County School District School District 112. Um the school district owns and operates the two sheets of ice at the district as well as some other areas scattered throughout the building. Um and that partnership is
ending in 2032. Um so we are in discussions with the school district over what that long plan range looks like, what happens to the building afterwards. Um in conversations with the school district just recently they have shared with us that they are not ready
to start these conversations yet. um they are doing a long-term facility planning throughout the next year and they should have more information for us in 2027. So, this is not incorporated in the 2026 work plan. Um because the
school district has informed us that they're not ready to discuss that until next year. >> From the city side, have have you kind of gotten an approach on how you would want to handle this part of it, which would that be helpful to bring into this year at that point? Great question,
committee member, chair. Um, if I may address that question, um, one of the things that we have asked our attorney to look at is the termination clauses of the contract. If you've seen it, it's about this thick, and I'm not exaggerating. Um, so we've asked our
attorneys to take a look at the terminations and draft us a memo sometime within this year. So, we're at least prepared for that conversation. Until we know the direction that the school district is heading, specifically with the um potential of the Chanhassen Recreation Center coming online in 2028,
we really can't start having like formal conversations. However, if we do um any of it, if we start looking at survey work and whatnot, we will loop this committee in whether it's in 2026 or in future years. I think we have had a
little discussion about that at our meetings in the past. Not anything uh that we took action on, but there was some preliminary, you know, throw out some idea type discussion in the year. >> Yeah. With the post-it notes, was it
>> um it was more like a it was like a workshop. Mhm. >> Um my question on um thank you for reviewing this because I also went back to the 2526 work plan and looked at what had been
slotted by month for our committee to work on and having missed the last few months. Um some of these things you've already touched on were slotted in there. Like my question is is for the for the next year that you've you've
said that you know um you know like if ordinances are able to come back we'll put those on the work plan or or into the agenda. I'm wondering if there's an opportunity to like make note of those things so that it doesn't look like we
just we didn't meet and we didn't do the work. Does that make sense? cuz like November 2025 was originally, you know, slotted and penciled in for for us to look at revisions or additions to ordinances. And I just would hate for
people to think like, oh, you guys just didn't meet so you didn't, you know, make progress on this. So I just wondering if you could like we could put in the notes like you know should we have the opportunity these will be added
to our meetings and agenda and same with cuz then like December 25 was a review of trail gaps which I do see slotted for 26 27 and then January 26 was review rec
center public feedback and then now we're up to uh Feb was considered park and wreck committee work plan. So we're kind of, you know, getting caught up. But I would just hate for people to think like, oh, you guys didn't get to public, you know,
feedback or Trail Gaps and now Trail Gaps is, you know, next fall, right? >> Yeah, good point. I I shared something similar with Alyssa earlier when I visited with her that uh I think with
staff turnover and weather amongst other things uh we've got behind and timelines uh with other other committees and council too. So uh I think I think it I think we've done our part um and uh
we'll get those make sure we get those in the the next year. went well taken. >> Absolutely. >> Okay. >> All right. Then I'm going to pull up the 2026 work plan.
Here we are. I'm just going to stop at the guiding principles for a moment. I think it's a good foundation for us to start on. Um these were adopted by council in 2023. Uh typically a park uh typically there's
a park system plan or a master plan that helps guide communities um in future development of parks and create you know what the community needs amenity wise. Um our last master park system plan uh sunset in 2020 and in 2023 um council
the parks and recreation committee we had extensive survey work as well. Um reviewed parks went through high level um what are our park system needs? What does it mean to be the city of lakes and parks? Um with the idea of we need to eventually develop a new park system
plan or a master plan. Um, at that time the council had directed staff to wait um until we start the 2050 comprehensive plan work which is actually starting this year. Um, and we're going to loop it in with that. A lot of the conversations that you typically find in
a park system plan are the same conversations you have in a 2050 or a comprehensive plan conversation. Um, you're looking out at the future growth areas of Victor of separating those resources, we are
combining those resources um into uh this larger 2050 comprehensive plan review. So that is going to be um something that will be brought to the parks and recreation committee especially as we look at that park area tying it back to the guiding principles.
However, um instead of having a park system plan, council did have three big takeaways that they wanted staff to remember and bring to the table um in between that time as kind of a gap filler. So, we've been utilizing these three principles when we look at new
park developments, amenities um and just overall our thinking when it comes to the parks and recreation system. So, I just want to throw that out here um as we look through these. So, but the first one um is develop unique Victoria. Um making sure that we're not bringing cookie cutter ideas to the table and
really looking at our park system as something special. Um so what that means for us as well as for goals is just enhancing our natural surroundings. Really leveraging what people come to Victoria for. Um our open spaces, our rolling hills, our wetlands, our lakes. Um making sure that we're leveraging our
trails. Um creating a sense of place is the second one. Um, if you've been looking at our park system for a long period of time, you might have noticed before this year, um, is we had various different park signage. Um, we have different types of park amenities, trash
cans, benches, picnic tables. Um, so this creating sense of place and sense of branding is something that staff has been very working very hard on. So, we did new park sciences last year. Um, and when we replace benches, we have like a set standard. Um, so when we're
replacing amenities that we'll replace them with the new Victoria standard. Um, is also supporting yearround recreation. So really focusing on what Minnesota does best, which is produce snowfall like we got this weekend. Um, ensuring
all residents have the opportunity to experience joy and a sense of wellness when they enter our park system. And then creating opportunities for placemaking and just really reimagining our spaces. The second one is fostering community partnerships. And the goals here is to
just improve access to our community parks and amenities. Um engage our community partners to provide a robust park system and recreation programming and engage and support um our volunteers. And then the third one is that embrace current infrastructure and amenities. So
promoting the city's vast sidewalk and trail network. We have over 52 miles of trail and sidewalk that we love to promote and we want to make sure are well used. Um, leverage our outlot screen spaces, those natural areas, those non-traditional park spaces that
we talked about before. Um, market our park system facilities, making sure that the public is aware of what we have in our community and and utilizes them. Um, enhance and create opportunities to experience our park system and then develop strategic plans for prioritizing
our park system areas. So, when we're thinking about that and we're looking at the future, um, council has in our CIP, our capital um, improvements plan in our budget um, is to do a master plan for Lions Park in 2028 as well as DTown in
future years. So, when you're looking at 2028's work plan, um, we'll start seeing some of those larger master plans for specific larger community parks like Lions. So then jumping into the work plan itself. Um a lot of these are going to
look familiar. Um like I said, don't hesitate to jump in here with any feedback, discussion, questions. Um but the first one again is the public engagement piece. So we don't need to create a policy. The committee has already done that leg work. Um but we want to make sure that we're continuing
to reach out to the public for engagement. And we do have an empty park land um within the city which is Brookmore Park. um that we want to make sure that we're we're paying attention to and looking at. So staff has um has
uh put in our spring and summer brochure guide book to do a popup park activity similar to what we did for Hunters Brook and Marsh Hollow last year um in June to engage those neighbors um on what they might want to see for that specific park. We also have classic car night.
are doing park engagement that night that the committee is interest if they're interested can join staff in sharing our parks resources and our program guides. And then we also are doing park after dark again and we'd love the committee to represent the the
parks and recreation system and um participate in that if the committee is interested. similar to what we did last year with Hunters Brookbrook and Marsh Hollow. Uh for Brookmore, of course, we would do a survey, um which will be discussed relatively soon because June is almost
upon us. Um and then we would take that survey, have the committee review it just to what we did in October and November uh for the other two parks and then make recommendation on those park projects. We also are doing a community survey. So, Victoria does a large
community survey in every four years. Um so this year we are doing the community survey. Again we use a third party for that as it is statistically sound. Um it is done through mailers as well as an online survey. Um I can't get into too
many specifics on that. Um but we'd love the park and recreation committee to review that because there are some questions that are related to walkability um safety in parks and public spaces that we'd like to have your insight on. >> But it's not a park and wreck specific survey. It
>> is not. Okay. >> They asked things about um just everyday life living in Victoria. Overall sense of wellness, happiness, transportation needs, job needs, economic development. >> Okay. >> Variety. Our second uh this one's different is
west and south growth areas. And this kind of tees up the 2050 comprehensive uh plan conversation. So, as we look towards Victoria's growth areas, we want to ensure that the parks and recreation committee is walking that journey with us, um, specifically in where do we want
our parks, what do we want our parks to look like, what do our open spaces to look like, where do we want our trails to go, because the last thing we want is another larger trail gap list. Um, so we want to ensure that the committee is partaking in those conversations. Um,
one of the areas that the committee has talked about uh through survey work in 2023 um is a need for access to water. We are the city of lakes and parks, but we do not have a pool, splash pad, or a beach access. Um, and beach access is
something that um the committee has talked about, especially when it comes to the future growth areas. Where does that maybe land as we're starting to develop westward, southward? um reserve space that we could utilize for swimmable beach areas.
And then also recommend park system features in those newer residential and commercial developments. If there's amenities other than water features that we know this community needs and wants, making sure that we're identifying that on the front end so when developers are coming to us knocking on our door, we
can have those conversations early on. The second um again familiar the non-traditional park spaces. So um said we were going to bring this back of making sure that we're looking at our spaces differently. How do we leverage our spaces um in a creative way? Um so
we'll continue that conversation in the next year. So with that, committee members, um I do have a proposed meeting schedule just to try and keep us on track. Um knowing that these things might change. Uh chair, you mentioned weather timing. Um
but we like to at least try to stick to some sort of order um as much as we potentially can. And then um I'll go to the next side here. Uh what I will what I'm considering to do if the committee is agreeable to that um Vice Chair
Cahill, uh you mentioned the addition of the ordinances in the rec center um pieces. I will put footnotes onto this page noting that um these will potentially be brought forward um as they might appear. The other one that I was thinking through that this committee
always reviews and I'm looking towards Brian is new residential developments. Those will pop up as we receive applications. So, I will put a footnote on here saying the committee will review new residential and commercial developments um as applicable.
>> Can you go to the page before? >> Yes. >> I am going to note here this might look different than what was sent to you in February before the snowfall that that snowfall. Um we did have on here to review
athletes village uh proposal. However, we have not received formal application. So that I did not include on here um when it talks about new development commercial residential um in that footnote area that would just fall within that rather than having it spelled out in this area.
>> So do you think that will come in before the April 2026 meeting? We don't know at this time because I think that could have such a big impact on Hunterbrook >> and what we have talked about there. I mean, so is
there is I know we want to appropriately move forward with Hunterbrook and Marsh Hollow because we have those parks and those spaces, but is it um in our best interest to wait to see
if our partnership potential with Athletes Village is very possible like that was very hopefully told to us in one of our last meetings. Chair, committee members, I think that's
a very foresight type of a question. I I I don't think we can speak to the developers on when an application may or may not come in. Um so I can't tell you the timeline on that. I also will note that 2026 is when we have budgeted the the two Hunters and Marsh Hollow uh park
projects for those residents. I would hate to delay those type of uh park projects because I know they're looking for having something in their backyard. Um and that's what we've been communicating with them for the past year or so. I also note, and I was going to include this in my reports and
emerging issues, um, section, but I will just let you know now that we have secured a design firm, um, ISG, that's a group that we haven't worked with in the city before. Um, so we're excited. They're very creative in the park and recreation realm in Minnesota. Um, and
we're working with the design right now. Um, with hopes to start bidding and construction starting in the fall. That's our tenative timeline at the current moment. Um, and the idea is once we have actual designs, we will be bringing them back to you uh potentially in April.
>> I'm sorry, the Athletes Village, that's the corporation that was going to come in, right? And they were going to have handful of baseball fields and things along those lines. if and I I might not know what the partnership portion I might not be remembering what that portion is but
either way people would still have to pay most likely to be able to access athletes village or would that be more so of a free for the city situation. I think all of that is to be determined at this point. >> Got it. Because in that scenario, I mean, >> I don't think it would I guess I would
be surprised if the if a corporation were to say, "Yeah, everybody in the city is free to go attend our location, which I don't think would change what I would want to do with the park based off of just being able to have everybody get
access to a specific area." Well, what we had asked and I believe it was um it wasn't Claudia, it was another city >> worker. It was Claudia. >> It was Claudia. Um I thought it was
another um it okay she was here and the question I had asked her it was a a female but the question >> was it was Dana >> Dana city manager >> thank you Dana was if Athletes Village
was open to a partnership in which we would have adjacent city parkland land within their complex that would therefore, you know,
have the parking, have um like we could put city amenities in a space that was more of a regional destination type. >> Sure. >> park. >> Understood. So yeah, >> I think the the you know the discussion
here uh I agree that you know we need to move move forward with Hunters Brook and Marsh Howell because those people have been waiting but I think there's flexibility in you know what we talked about last time. You know, the only the only difference would be if if Athletes
Village wouldn't end up happening anytime soon or if it happens and it doesn't fit, you know, additional fields and that I I think those there's probably space there that could be they're big enough areas that
uh that discussion could take place again, but I I don't think we want to stop with the other things. Um we'd have those other things anyway. And that I mean there's nothing that we discussed uh at that last meeting that I don't
think would go away if the athletes village thing didn't happen. I that I can recall >> the soccer field. >> That could be could be a deferred perhaps but >> right but there's space for that and
that we're not deciding to do that but there's that space would still be there uh because the things that we had had identified would not take up that entire five or six acres or whatever it is. So >> yeah, I guess I'm just like really
thinking out there and big that like if if the city were to have a great great partnership, Athletes Village get public, you know, city parkland as a part of this that you know a splash pad
amenity in that space could be we could dream so much bigger >> and you know have um potential amenities that the neighborhood space doesn't suit, right?
>> Yeah. Yeah. I think good point and I think those things can certainly be discussed when we have our meeting to talk about the specifics of Hunters Brook and Marsh Hollow because that's going to come back to us and I think we can maybe in a month we know more and uh
if we don't we can decide at the next meeting if we want to go recommend all those features at once and maybe it's hold off on one for a while but I don't think we want to stop the whole Um, but I think there's there'll be time
for that discussion yet. Okay. Any other questions of Alyssa? I think going back to the meeting schedule itself, I saw that the trail gaps was in November of this year.
I feel like that one should probably be moved up. If we can talk about it sooner, I don't know if there's a rationale for having it later. It might be because of other things that are moving that that might needed to be later. But in the community engagement events that we had last year outside of the park, I
think trail gaps was like one of the biggest pieces that I heard from most people even though it had nothing to do with the park. They were wondering when is when is the when is this going to be connected and when can we get to here and and how is when is that going to happen was probably the second biggest question outside of what's going to be
in the park. So, um I'm curious if we can move up that prioritization schedule up sooner if needed. >> Uh chair, committee members, uh we could potentially move it. The the challenge is just timing. And I will note the reason that we chose November is um
granted this last year was a little different. We typically have this as an annual discussion um each year in in 2024, we discussed it in November and just trying to keep on the same rotation as that. we review it on a typical time frame. Um the other piece to this is
that um it's not necessarily a we're going to do an extensive new conversation on trail gaps. It's really reviewing the priority list that exists now, making sure that we're not missing any gaps. Um making sure that we're having the conversations that we need to. Um it's I just want to note uh that
it's not necessarily a budget conversation um per se, but it is a are we missing anything? Uh, is the priority list in the correct order? Should we be looking at things differently? Um, and I cannot remember the last time we did review the trail gaps, but I do know we
reviewed it sometime in 2025. >> It it came it came up at a meeting. I don't know if it was the last meeting or the meeting before. >> Uh, and it came up uh because the
list that we had was not accurate. So, we asked for that to be updated correctly, but I don't know that we really had a whole lot of We didn't really have any discussion other than to correct that. >> Correct. Yeah, it was on our work plan
for December 25, but we didn't have that um opportunity. >> I don't I don't think it's a bad idea to have that. I agree to have that discussion sooner. I think I mean I I get hit up on that all the time, too.
And I I think just to have the discussion uh then the public knows that it's still on our radar. Um I I get that we review it once a year and it's not a budget thing. But um I think I think people out
there are wanting are it's a topic. It's >> they are invested. >> Yeah. other other than a water feature, water feature one and then 1 B, 1 C, 1 D, 1 E and 1 F are trail gaps. So, >> and I guess maybe to phrase the question
differently then if we have the review the trail gaps at any point in the year, whether it's earlier or later, does that change any of the progress that could be made on the trail trail gaps themselves or does it does it not matter when we discuss that? because if if if the if
the conversation is going to happen in November, but that delays anything from happening, you know, whether it may be the beginning of the next summer or whatever, I I just I just want to make sure that we're not delaying the progress on something that the city wants >> wholeheartedly. I think that's a great question and a great sentiment and I
know that our our committee members and I'm looking these two who have been through this conversation uh countless times that the sentiment is shared amongst your committee members um as well as your your fellow residents and neighbors out in the public. Um, one of
the areas that council has talked about is if you look at our trail gaps, um, the areas that we have left are the ones that are most complicated and the ones that are most expensive. Um, and a lot of them are along sort of or along some
sort of county or state highway. Um, and the priority that council has taken for those is to do them during some sort of road construction project. It heavily reduces the cost. there could be potentially cost share. Um the other big challenge that you usually see with
those is rightaway and private property access. So we do try and leverage our partnerships with uh Carver County and the state of Minnesota to helpfully finish a lot of those projects. I think what as I'm just looking at the schedule here um part of the annual orientation
typically we review the trail gaps. Um, however, because there's two other extensive conversations that are scheduled for that evening. Um, and we do that as part of the orientation just kind of as like, hey, this is what these are just to kind of give everyone a a taste of it before we talk about it
again in November. Um, I'm going to take that section out and then we'll move it to May. Uh, because the downtown west update won't take extensively long. Um, and then if we have questions, we can discuss it at that meeting. And it kind of feeds right into the beginning of spring and summer. Um, which our
transportation projects for Highway 5 in the Arboritum area transportation will be kickstarting. And if you notice, if you look at that list, um, a lot of our trail gaps will be finished as part of that project. So, I think it's a really good tiein to the transportation projects that are going on. Yeah. Um,
with Carver County currently. >> Yeah, I think that that's totally fair. as long as we can >> we're not impeding on any sort of progress being made. That's that's really what I care about. >> Okay. >> And I think it could be kind of nice. We haven't done this and maybe it's happened in the past, but is there a way we could approach it with maybe a like a
system level view on we always talk Victoria's gaps, but like which would a state project be needed here versus a county one? Could we maybe map that out a little bit different than we have so we can communicate that better to the community in that sense? I think that
that would open open that's that's the ne exact next place I was going was >> yeah there's a county or um there's a county trails or state trails that exists now and there are some gaps in
that that we've uh talked about. Uh so I think that would be easy to discuss at that at that level. I think the other thing too is when we have that discussion and we've talked about this a little in the past be good to explain
you know the things that have happened to because I get a lot of well we've never done anything with trail gaps. Well yeah there's some big ones that things haven't happened and and if people live in an area where there's a gap it's it's front and center in their
mind. Uh but there's other things that have happened. I think the Coochia connection. There's a number of things that are happening with the uh highway 5 uh arboritum um project that are is going on. There's
a couple things that happened at Lions Park. There was an extension. There's couple things and there's a lot more to be done. But uh I think it'd be important to have our communication plan too as to you know what's going to happen. I think it would behoove
us and the city also to um you know not just you know to explain uh why there's a a weight to a to a highway project as Alyssa explained because I think most people would understand that well you know it's going
to cost X number of dollars if we do that today but if we wait two years and they do a road project it's going to cost a lot less >> and that's just prudent use of our dollars and also because it's so expensive to do these trails, it also makes it even feasible where it may not
be feasible about that. So, >> okay. So, we're go ahead. >> Just one thing to add, chair and committee members. I think as staff, um the most important aspect for us as part of this conversation is identifying any trail gaps that might be missing. Um, so
as part of this exercise, and I'll follow up on an email when we get closer to that date, is uh don't hesitate to look around town when you're driving to your homes or driving through other n neighbors around or neighborhoods around the community. Um, or even walking yourself. just take a moment to think
about areas that you would like to connect to that you currently aren't able to because um I think we the committee has in the past has done extensive work on this but we want to make sure that we're not leaving out um potential residents as well. So yeah, I
I actually um have been thinking of one driving here. Um and again, it's it's due to, you know, projects in Victoria expanding, but there's now the new veterinary clinic on Stiger that has a
path in front of it, and then it ends there till Highway 5. So I was like, gosh, we don't even have that as a trail gap on our current list because I think we have been very much more residential focused um in those trail gaps and and
they've been brought to us by residents as well, right? So like I know we added some because uh you know uh ladies came here and spoke to you know a trail gap that was impacting their neighborhood and things. And so I do think there are
probably some other um identifiable areas out there that we can keep looking for. >> Let's keep that in mind and bring it to the May meeting when we'll have a discussion on that. >> Okay. Anything else? Maybe one add to
the April meeting because I think this is we got this at least especially after we put the park proposals together was we do like a breakdown on how things are financed potentially at the April meeting just I think people coming like my tax dollars are going to waste. We
got I got that too many times to count in the Hunters one. So is there a way maybe before we start doing surveys and all of that stuff we can outline how we finance parks and trail gaps? might not be in that meeting, but I think it could be one as we're approaching another park
how we set that up. >> You know, maybe for information purposes, we could do that, but this committee's function is not to >> uh do the dollar part. The city council has reserved that uh for staff and themselves. So, uh
>> yeah, probably more information. >> Yeah, >> we can do that. Um specifically, new parks are funded with a fund called park dedication. Yep. um which is utilized through development. Um so we will absolutely not utilize but funded
through new development. Um so we'll touch on that. I think it's just a quick overview and to your note just educational purposes outside of people that sit on that side of city hall. Not a lot of people know that fund exists and what it's for. And as we think about Brookmore, knowing that people asked at
the last two public engagement, that might be something that we'll include as part of our um our public engagement events this summer. >> I I think a good point because we're the ones that get questions on that and you know it's be if we could just give a
general answer that be great. So >> okay, anything else? If not, is there a motion to approve the uh work plan recommend approve uh
a recommendation to the city council uh on our work plan for 2026? >> What do we think the TVDs will be? Because I think that's one thing is I want to make sure we can show we have like the vision for where we are
going to tackle those months because I I think since we haven't met in quite a bit like it looks like well this could just be cancelled or maybe give some visibility there. And the only other thing I would have is like with us having two-part projects going in June. we aren't meeting and I know we'll have
feedback and questions as it's getting built kind of what's if we're not meeting then what's kind of the strategy from a communication side that we could leverage with the community >> well didn't sorry if I misheard you but
the the parks aren't actually starting construction until the fall >> correct >> so this is just the plan >> yeah got it >> we're going to review the So June is not cons or April and >> June and May are not construction.
>> I just I just feel like a a uh I I hear consensus about a concern by committee members that uh we're all conscientious and we want to do our job and we want to help any way
that we we can. So I think the more specific deadlines and um you know dates and how do we know we accomplish this like a goal plan? How do we know that we've achieved it? I I think we want to
deliver on our plan. So I see the schedule as kind of an outline. I think what we're doing now is not so much approving the schedule as approving the plan or recommending the plan. And I think the schedule can fluctuate as long
as we accomplish what we said we want to accomplish. And I think that this gives us a guideline for some of the major things. But I think it's going to be very important to plug in the things that aren't there in there. Uh and the more uh again measurables that we can
have uh I think the better we would all feel. Uh, and I think it's something that we can then be accountable to the city council uh that we've done what we said we're going to do and accountable to the residents of the city uh for uh
or kind of their representatives and I think while we don't directly report to the people in the community I think indirectly we certainly do. So >> yeah, I think it's just being as much as we can be on top of communication because I know this the park stuff with Huntersburg and Marshall. We said it
would start in the spring and the summer. So it's already back to the fall. So it's just kind of the trust building piece. How do we I think we're going to lose some credibility this time. How do we make sure we're increasing it? Like we'll get to it in
kind of issues probably, but like the descriptions that we have for the parks didn't fit with what we recommended on some stuff. So, it's it's just a little wishy-washy how we're communicating it right now. >> Okay. Well, looks like next meeting
we're going to have some discussion on both park projects. So, that'd be a good time to discuss that. >> Did at the engagement events was it thought that it was going to be summer? I don't >> I think I think yeah I my recollection
was there was discussion about um fall was collecting information winter was doing the planning and the projects would start in the summer was what was communicated u at those events by
>> city staff at that those events. So, >> but there was feedback, good, you know, >> oh yeah, >> engagement and additional feedback by residents which I think was very appreciated. So, >> yeah, >> I think I think I think Chris's point is
that there's an expectation was created that dirt was going to be moving in >> in the early summer. Yeah, it looks like they groomed the ground a little bit because I live in Hunters Brook, so I'm a little bit biased probably on that front. But speaking for them, like it
looks like it was leveled and ready to start in the spring. And I I know people probably are watching it from Hunters right now, like right now. >> But month and a half, they're going to be like, "Oh my gosh, we miss we missed the whole summer." >> So, but anyway, this
>> feedback for >> Absolutely. And um we do have a park project page. So we'll make sure we continue to keep updating that as we know more information about both of these parks. And we also have the parks and recreation um social media page that we'll keep these park projects posted on
as well as the digital newsletter that we'll keep that posted on too. So we'll try and do our best of the communication up front. >> Anything else before we vote? Guess we have to have a motion. So, so I mean speaking to what you said like wanting
not it just to say TBD, but Alyssa did say she would make a footnote or maybe it can be in the proposed meeting schedule that like recommendations and reviewing of you know ordinances may be added to this you know meeting
schedule. the review of rec center public feedback can be added at times to this and then um changing around some of these things to put trail gaps earlier in the the year to really have us um
focus on that area too. So so I think we're not seeing it all here but like there's opportunity to add some of the that language. Is that correct? >> 100% committee. Okay. Mhm. >> Okay. Again, the the focus here is the
plan itself and yeah, the dates are um a suggested outline and I think a lot of things are there. Other ones need to be added. We had some suggestions about moving the trail gaps up and that's going to happen. We'll have the
discussion on expectations of when things are going to happen at the next meeting. And I think those other things that are that Alyssa is going to add at the end will be uh ones that we'll have to make sure and we can bring it up each meeting until it happens. Uh make sure
it's plugged in. So >> Okay. >> Okay. Do I hear a motion? I will make a motion that we uh recommend uh the uh plan for or work plan for park and
recreck committee for 2026 to the city council as outlined and discussed with the changes that we discussed here. Is there a second to that motion? >> Second. >> Okay. And >> motion's been made and seconded. Is
there any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor of uh recommending uh the work plan for 2026 for park and wreck to the city council signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. Those opposed say no.
Motion carried. Okay. Thanks everyone. All right. That leaves us with uh reports and emerging issues. Anybody have anything they would like to
bring up? I did have one thing and I almost hesitant to bring it up. Um and it it it's just a question not it's not for discussion purposes but just a a
question in the uh arboritum transportation plan. Um there's the communication on's been really good. I'm getting stuff all the time either online or um got something in the mail today outlining what's going
to happen. I did notice u that uh some good things in there and one is the underpass uh two underpasses. One on uh Rolling Acres uh off the Lake Manaka Trail which be great to get that done
before somebody gets killed there. I've almost seen it happen a couple times myself. Uh and then uh also in the Meline Creek Park under Highway 5, which will be really good. The one thing I did notice in in two different
communications, one had the uh trail paved from uh Rolling Acres Road, uh one had it just to cover Park Reserve where it goes in there and another one had it all the way to connect to where the pave
trail is uh just down here a little ways. Do we know which one is accurate or do you happen to know? >> Chair, committee members, I personally do not know. I can talk to our city engineer who works very closely with the
county um on exactly what they're planning to do. They might not know 100%. It might depend on funding, but I will make sure I get that information to you. Um the other piece, if you wouldn't mind me jumping in here, is the city is currently working on um we do have like
a transportation roadmap is what we call it for the entire project of that impacts Victoria. Um but we're also creating one that's specific on trail um and projects the ones you specifically mentioned, the underpasses, the overpass
um that we're highlighting. And so once that is out, I will also follow up and then send that to you as well. So then you have that clear guided guideline of as part of this specific project what um impacts we might see when it comes to trails and sidewalks. >> Yeah, I think that you know the reason I
I bring that up is with the tree clearing that's taken place that it's now exposed that trail uh and that's become well before it was kind of hidden. Uh, and now it's uh
exposed. So, as people drive into Victoria, if that's uh to me, if it's not that's part's not paved, it looks like we haven't completed the project. Uh, it's going to be something that's very visible. So,
hopefully it's still in the plan. And they're having an open house on March 25th, I believe, for the transportation plan at uh the Arboritum. So, I will ask there too, but if you could ask the city engineer and I
understand the funding part and all that and um but probably never be a cheaper time to finish the whole thing if uh it's not going to get any cheaper down the road. But there's also a limit on what can be spent, I'm sure. Okay. Are there anybody
else have anything they want to bring up? Alyssa, did you have anything? >> My slides aren't working. Oh, there we go. Um, I did touch on the the two park projects. We just wanted to provide an update on there, but we did that um just
previously and the other item. And then I just wanted to note that the summer program guide is out. You should start seeing that in your mailboxes soon. But we do have registration open and is on our website if anyone's interested in checking out the variety of um recreation offerings that we're having
this year. >> Okay. Ryan or Mark? Anything? Okay. Thanks. look forward to having you come to our meetings. We'll try to keep them short so we don't keep you away from your family or friends. Okay, with
that and is there a motion to adjurnn? >> Move to adjurnn. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay, motion carried.