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08.26.2025 PRC MinutesCHANHASSEN PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 26, 2025 Chair Leisen called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Rob Swanson; Kristin Fulkerson; Michael Leisen; Sean Morgan; Emily Nagel; Kurt Scheppmann; Nora Nashawaty; and Clara Christenson, youth. MEMBERS ABSENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: Jerry Ruegemer, Park and Recreation Director; and Priya Wall, Recreation Manager. PUBLIC PRESENT: None. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Commissioner Swanson moved, Commissioner Fulkerson seconded to approve the agenda as presented. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 8 to 0. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS: None. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1. Approve Park & Recreation Minutes dated July 22, 2025 Commissioner Fulkerson moved, Commissioner Nashawaty seconded to approve the minutes of the Park and Recreation Commission meeting dated July 22, 2025 as presented. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 8 to 0. GENERAL BUSINESS: 1. Park Renovation Fund & Chanhassen Estates Mini Park Discussion Jerry Ruegemer, Park and Recreation Director, summarized the different park facilities and staff throughout Chanhassen. He reviewed the background of the Park Renovation Fund, which is supported by a dedicated property tax levy and is utilized to replace or repair major park equipment and infrastructure. He explained that previously, the city used surplus funds at the end of the year for park renovation. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – August 26, 2025 2 Chair Leisen asked if there was a budget surplus, if it could still be used for park renovation, or if the $100,000 is the cap of the funds. Mr. Ruegemer responded that it would be a possibility, but the city also needs to save for long-term purchases, such as a firetruck. Commissioner Fulkerson asked if the levy would continue beyond 2029. Mr. Ruegemer answered that it would likely continue in the future, but he could not guarantee it. Commissioner Swanson asked about the price increase between 2028 and 2029. Mr. Ruegemer answered that it was a stepped or tiered percentage, so that the rate would be higher in 2029. Commissioner Scheppmann asked if the $100,000 and subsequent years were allocated solely for park renovation, excluding maintenance and capital expenditures. Mr. Ruegemer confirmed this information. Commissioner Scheppmann asked if the $180,000 had historically been allocated solely for park renovation. Mr. Ruegemer answered that the $180,000 was for park renovation. Mr. Ruegemer reviewed previous park improvements funded by the budget surplus. Commissioner Morgan asked if the funds were set in stone since they were voted on by the City Council. Mr. Ruegemer answered that the numbers were projected, but they could change either way. He said that there was an aging park system that needed attention. He discussed utilizing the operating budget for smaller projects. Commissioner Nashawaty asked if they discussed the parks at the truth and taxation meeting. Mr. Ruegemer said that they had postponed different playground replacements because of other priorities. He said that there were a number of playgrounds that would need to be replaced over the next four to five years. Mr. Ruegemer summarized the improvements planned for the Carver Beach Playground. Chair Lesisen asked if there was a fence around the baseball diamond. Mr. Ruegemer answered that there was not, but they do not schedule the baseball field. Youth Commissioner Christenson asked about parking. Mr. Ruegemer answered that there was minimal parking at the location. Mr. Ruegemer discussed the pickleball courts that had cracks and the alternative solution to repair the courts. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – August 26, 2025 3 Commissioner Nashawaty asked about the plan to maintain the pickleball courts. Mr. Ruegemer answered that the city plans to keep the outdoor facilities under city ownership, so they plan to maintain them. Mr. Ruegemer reviewed the planned expenses for the park improvements and noted that they were just under the budget threshold. He discussed the Chanhassen Estates Mini Park to better understand who utilized the park. He commented that he wanted the Park and Recreation Commission to look at the existing playground and park to get a better picture of different considerations. Chair Leisen thanked him for the well-documented information. He would be curious about low- cost alternatives for this park. Commissioner Fulkerson asked if there would be interest in having a community garden there. Commissioner Morgan asked what the cost would be to put in a modest parking lot. Mr. Ruegemer responded that it would be more expensive than you would think. Commissioner Nashawaty asked about easements near the properties to build a sidewalk and then utilize the street parking. Chair Leisen said that most neighborhood parks had small parking lots. Mr. Ruegemer answered that they would not like to seek a model that utilized street parking. Commissioner Swanson asked if there was an ideal proximity between parks. Mr. Ruegemer answered about a half-mile. Commissioner Nagel said if they decommission Chanhassen Estates Mini Park, they should invest in Rice Marsh Park. Commissioner Swanson said he had friends in that neighborhood who did not go to Chanhassen Estates. Youth Commissioner Christenson said that the park was only appealing to smaller children. Commissioner Nagel emphasized the importance of pollinator gardens. She asked about the cost to remove the existing infrastructure. Mr. Ruegemer answered that they would remove the playground in-house. Commissioner Fulkerson asked if it would be possible to get a dedicated crosswalk. Mr. Ruegemer answered that it would be a heavy lift with the Engineering Department because they do not like mid-block crosswalks. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – August 26, 2025 4 Commissioner Nashawaty asked about the ash trees. Mr. Ruegemer answered that it could certainly be a part of the discussion if they are diagnosed as diseased trees. 2. Civic Campus Programming Discussion Priya Wall, Recreation Manager, reviewed phase two of the Civic Campus Project scheduled for completion during the summer of 2026. Chair Leisen asked if there would still be a skating rink. Mr. Ruegemer confirmed this information, but there would not be formalized hockey rinks. Ms. Wall reviewed the previous request to focus on three strategic objectives. She noted that the infrastructure policies were well-set, but they could focus on programming to make downtown a magnet for community building. She stated that there was not a set budget for programming in this space, but they could bring the desires into the budget discussion for 2026. Chair Leisen noted that there were large events on the calendar that they would need to work around. He asked for a refresher on these events. Ms. Wall reviewed the different community events from January to December. She discussed additional programming, such as fitness activities and game groups. Ms. Wall said that they were larger style events, but not as many smaller events. Commissioner Morgan expressed thanks for the approach to brainstorming. He asked if budgets were flat, if there were events that would be better. Mr. Ruegemer answered that they did not have a lot of money wrapped up in the programming. He thought a new space might attract title sponsorships for events. He noted that they wanted to engage their business community and get them involved to keep their costs lower. Commissioner Nashawaty asked when they were expecting to have the outdoor space done. Mr. Ruegemer answered that the goal was to have the space done by July 1st, but that is not a guarantee, so they might need to have an alternative plan for July 4th. Chair Leisen noted that the movie in the park attracted teenagers, so he asked if a regular movie night would be beneficial. Commissioner Fulkerson discussed the Café that occurs at the high school. She suggested a similar activity. Ms. Wall said that Supernova, a band made up of Chanhassen high schoolers, was the best- attended event. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – August 26, 2025 5 Commissioner Nashawaty asked if one of the August Music Nights could be part of the kick-off week for the new space. Ms. Wall answered that they hoped to do a kick-off event, and the concert series would be at Lake Ann Park until that point. Commissioner Swanson discussed the potential of doing a community day similar to the event at the Chanhassen Recreation Center. Youth Commissioner Christenson asked if they could do something with National Night Out, such as providing free ice cream. Commissioner Nashawaty asked about using National Night Out to advertise the kick-off week. Commissioner Morgan said he saw poetry readings at the farmers' market. Commissioner Swanson asked about partnering with the Renaissance fest. Ms. Wall answered that they reached out in the past about booth space, so they might be interested. Commissioner Fulkerson asked about partnering with Carlson’s Llamas. Commissioner Nashwaty asked about a skating event or pickleball. Youth Commissioner Christenson asked about collaborating with the library for an event as well. Commissioner Nagel asked if there was an opportunity to do community art at the space. Ms. Wall answered that they could explore a small version of community art. Youth Commissioner Christenson said that graduating seniors can get a tile and paint on it, and each senior class puts their tiles together. She asked if they could do something similar. Commissioner Nashawaty asked if they could hang it in the building, or if they could have a brick that would be donated to help with the costs of items. Mr. Ruegemer said that they had bricks near the train depot, but it was not an active program. Commissioner Nashawaty suggested a thumbprint as a leaf on a tree to incorporate a lot of residents without a lot of footprint. Commissioner Morgan asked if there were pop-up fitness events that could generate excitement and be a continuous series. Ms. Wall said that Lifetime partners with Crispin’ Green. She said Fit for Life might want to do an event. Commissioner Nashawaty said there was a yoga studio called One Life Yoga that might be interested in the event. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – August 26, 2025 6 Chair Leisen suggested smaller events throughout the summer. Ms. Wall summarized the discussion about the potential for a kick-off week, including a community art project, a summer movie night, and partnerships with other organizations to provide smaller events throughout the week. Commissioner Nashawaty suggested that they could create a subcommittee to plan events. REPORTS: Mr. Ruegemer provided an update about the Chanhassen Bluffs Recreation Center. He said they were reducing the square footage and changing the exterior of the building and the roof design to help reduce the costs. He said that they would be purchasing an extra three acres for future considerations. He discussed that the goal was to have it open for Chanhassen High School Graduation in Spring 2028. He stated that they were looking at ways to better orient the building to help reduce the grading costs. Commissioner Fulkerson advocated for a skate school. Commissioner Morgan said that the restaurant space has evolved. Mr. Ruegemer said that the restaurant spaces struggle. He said a catering kitchen would be appealing to host events, so they did not feel like it was negative to lose the restaurant component. Commissioner Nashawaty said she thought the event space would be popular. Mr. Ruegemer provided an update on Lake Ann Park Preserve. He said he submitted the report with the recommendations to the State Historic Preservation Office, and they have a 30-day review. He said that the plan set was at 80 to 90 percent, so they did not want to redesign, and they wanted to minimize impact. He discussed various challenges related to the project. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMITTEE REPORTS: None. COMMISSION MEMBER PRESENTATIONS: None. ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS: None. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Swanson moved, Commissioner Fulkerson seconded to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 8 to 0. The Park and Recreation Commission meeting was adjourned at 7:37 p.m. Submitted by Jerry Ruegemer Park and Recreation Director