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07.28.2026 PRC MinutesCHANHASSEN PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES JULY 28, 2026 Vice Chair Morgan called the meeting to order at 6:12 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Sean Morgan; Kristin Fulkerson; Emily Nagel; Kurt Scheppmann; Zach Wittl; Erick Hanson; Clara Christenson, youth. MEMBERS ABSENT: Mike Leisen, Chair STAFF PRESENT: Jerry Ruegemer, Park and Recreation Director; Priya Wall, Recreation Manager PUBLIC PRESENT: None. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Commissioner Fulkerson moved, Youth Commissioner Christenson seconded to approve the agenda as presented. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS: None. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1. Approve Park & Recreation Minutes dated June 23, 2026 Commissioner Wittl moved, Commissioner Scheppmann seconded to approve the minutes as presented. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0. GENERAL BUSINESS: 1. 2027 Park Renovation Fund Priority Discussion Jerry Ruegemer, Park and Recreation Director, discussed the need to identify and prioritize upcoming park projects. He reviewed the Park Renovation Fund outlook from 2026-2033 and noted that the 2027 fund will include a dedicated allocation of $120,000. He also outlined upcoming playground replacement timelines based on the equipment’s estimated 25-year lifespan, stating that Bandimere Community Park is already past the recommended 2025 Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – July 28, 2026 2 replacement year, two parks are scheduled for replacement in 2029, and six parks will need replacement in 2030. He then summarized the previously discussed renovation options below. • Replace 3-5 50' x 50' aging basketball court pads (Bandimere Heights, Chan Hills, Stone Creek, Riley Ridge) • Repair/repaint the Roundhouse pickleball courts • Replace or repair backstops in neighborhood parks (Rice Marsh, Meadow Green, Pheasant Hills, Sunset Ridge, Chan Hills) • Replace rubber mats with concrete tee box pads at Bandimere Disc Golf Course • Reconstruct three ballfields at Bandimere Park • Install shade umbrellas at Lake Ann Beach • Replace fencing at the Olson Community Garden • Replace the dock at South Lotus Boat Landing • Extend the outfield fence height at Lake Ann ballfield #6 • Replace the outfield fence at Lake Ann Park • Remodel the Lake Susan bathroom facility • Replace playground equipment as needed Commissioners expressed concern about the number of parks nearing end of life and the cost of replacing aging playgrounds. Mr. Ruegemer clarified that although playgrounds have a designated 25-year lifespan, replacement can be deferred depending on the condition of the equipment for a short period of time. Commissioners discussed staggering playground replacement schedules to balance annual costs, nothing that one replacement per year would be ideal if conditions allow. Commissioner Morgan asked whether all listed projects fall under the Park Renovation Fund or if other funding sources are available. Mr. Ruegemer confirmed that all projects fall under the Park Renovation Fund. Commissioner Morgan expressed concern about spending 2026/2027 dollars when 2029/2030 playground replacements are looming. He asked if deferring 2027 dollars towards future needs is an option and Mr. Ruegemer stated it is. Commissioner Hanson asked whether projects could be moved forward due to need or extenuating circumstances and Mr. Ruegemer responded that accelerating projects is much more difficult than deferring them. Commissioner Wittl asked whether Park Dedication Fund money can be used for presented maintenance items or new development only. Mr. Ruegemer clarified that Park Dedication Funds may only be used for new development, not maintenance on existing equipment. He noted that recent funds are being allocated to the Chanhassen Community Center project but there may be available funds in the future for new development. Commissioner Nagel requested two scenarios for 2027: one if excess dollars from the Lake Ann Park Preserve project can be used for park renovation projects and one if excess dollars cannot be used. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – July 28, 2026 3 Commissioner Fulkerson asked whether individual-year allocations could be saved for future projects. For example, directing 2027 dollars towards a future lighting upgrade at Lake Ann Park as she has heard significant feedback about the insufficiency of the existing lights. Commissioners discussed their concern about aging infrastructure and limited funding. Commissioner Scheppman asked whether this information has been presented to the City Council and how funding levels might be increased. He recommended presenting an inventory with images of aging assets to the City Council showing these amenities are at or near end of life. Mr. Ruegemer stated that information has been presented to the City Council. Commissioner Scheppman also asked whether special tax assessments have ever been used to fund neighborhood playgrounds. Mr. Ruegemer clarified that they have not and noted that legislative requirements may apply. Commissioner Hanson recommended strategically timing projects around anticipated cost increases. He also asked whether parks are ever upscaled or downscaled based on community needs and whether resources exist such as maps, population data or housing density to compare park needs at the time of construction versus today. Commissioners discussed if it would be beneficial to gather additional feedback from the community and staff regarding community priorities before making decisions. Since all discussions will occur during regularly scheduled meetings, commissioners should bring their completed priorities worksheets including any non-playground items to the next meeting. Youth Commissioner Christenson asked whether refurbishing the permanent restrooms at Lake Ann Park would fall under the Park Renovation Fund as they receive significant traffic. REPORTS: 1. 2026 4th of July Celebration Evaluation Priya Wall, Recreation Manager, provided a recap of the 2026 4th of July Celebration and related events. It is estimated that more than 70,000 people enjoyed at least one aspect of this year’s three-day celebration. Activities included Movie in the Park (sponsored by Xfinity), the carnival, kiddie parade decorating (sponsored by kiddywampus), magic show, face painting/wacky hair/tattoos, beer garden (presented by the Rotary), Minnesota Twins youth baseball clinic (presented by the Minnesota Twins), permanent jewelry, Business Expo (presented by SouthWest Metro Chamber of Commerce), kiddie games, kiddie parade, Chalk-It-Up drawing contest, Taste of Chanhassen (presented by the Rotary), adult and kids fishing contests, sand sculpture contest, medallion hunt, face painting, classic car show (presented by the Rotary), bingo (presented by Commission on Park and Recreation Commission Minutes – July 28, 2026 4 Aging), parade and historic plane flyover (produced by the Rotary), live music and the street dance. Fireworks were delayed until July 23rd. Event components in 2027 may be relocated, adjusted, retired or replaced with new activities to fit within the new civic campus space. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMITTEE REPORTS: 1. Civic Campus Sub-Committee Update Commissioner Christenson provided an update that construction of the Civic Campus space continues to experience delays and no confirmed completion date has been established. As a result, the originally proposed August 24-28 dates for Grand Opening events are no longer feasible. Additionally, without an accurate completion timeline available for the space, it is not practical to propose alternative event dates at this time. Due to the uncertain project completion schedule and current inability to plan new dates, the sub- committee recommends that all sub-committee activities, including meetings, be paused at this time. Once a reliable anticipated completion date of all key amenities is available, sub-committee recommends that the Parks and Recreation Commission re-evaluate whether to reconvene the sub-committee. Staff noted that in internal discussions of potential Grand Opening events, staff will utilize the proposal developed by the sub-committee as a guiding resource. The sub-committee also recommends that future Parks and Recreation Commission sub- committees have 3 active Commissioners serve as sub-committee members to ensure sub- committee success. The sub-committee does not recommend establishing any new sub- committees with less than 3 active Commissioners. COMMISSION MEMBER PRESENTATIONS: None. ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS: None. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Scheppmann moved, Commissioner Fulkerson seconded to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0. The Park and Recreation Commission meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m. Submitted by Jerry Ruegemer Park and Recreation Director