Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-06-08 Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Packet1 COTTAGE GROVE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION June 8, 2026 CITY HALL - 6:30 PM 1 Call to Order 2 Roll Call 3 Approval of the Agenda 4 Approval of Minutes A 2026-05-11 Minutes 5 Open Forum 6 Action Items 7 Presentation Of Information A Commission Bylaws B Bus Tour 8 Action Updates 9 Donations 10 Staff Reports and Materials 11 Commission Comments 12 Council Comments A Council Agendas 13 Workshop 14 Adjournment PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Date: May 11, 2026 12800 RAVINE PARKWAY SOUTH COTTAGE GROVE MN, 55016 COUNCIL CHAMBER - 7:00 P.M 1. CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 7:00pm at City Hall 2. ROLL CALL Members Present: Adam Larson, Dave Olson, Kelly Glasford, Debra Gustafson, Shane Waterman, Jordan Dibich, Sam Larson, Susannah Brown Members Absent: Others Present: Zac Dockter Parks Director, Molly Pietruszewski Recreation Supervisor, Council Member Dave Thiede 3. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA A motion to approve agenda was made by Commissioner Brown & seconded by Commissioner Gustafson. Agenda Approved. 4. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES A motion to approve minutes from March 9, 2026, was made by Commissioner Glasford & seconded by Commissioner Olson. Minutes Approved. 5. OPEN FORUM None 6. ACTION ITEMS A. Bylaw Review Zac submitted the revised bylaws based on feedback from the Commission. All dates will be updated and corrected in the document. Commissioner A. Larson started the discussion regarding section D-2-B. Last time Commissioner A. Larson and Council Member Thiede interviewed youth candidates they were between the ages of 10 & 13 years old. The candidates were very excited to be a part of the Commission but in the end, it was decided that they were too young to provide Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE 12800 RAVINE PARKWAY COTTAGE GROVE, MINNESOTA 55016 www.cottagegrovemn.gov 651-458-2800 FAX 651-458-2897 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER actual feedback to Council. In the past we have discussed that youth commissioners be in high school between 9th & 12th grade. Commissioner Brown asked if there have been members in the past who were in middle school and did, they participate in a meaningful way? Zac stated that the youngest commissioner he can recall was 13 or 14 years old and she stayed on the Commission through her entire high school experience. Commissioner Olson asked if youth commissioners are considered full voting members. Zac stated that is correct. Council Member Thiede shared the interaction with the candidates and agreed that if they were older, they would be more ready to participate and be part of the Commission. Commissioner Gustafson asked when the position was posted if there was an age requirement that was listed. Zac stated he doesn’t believe it specifically listed an age, but we normally target high school aged kids, but it was good to get the applicants in and agreed with Council Member Thiede that it is true that age is just a number, but it depends on the applicant. Commissioner Glasford suggested opening it up to 8th graders. Commissioner Olson stated he would like to keep the age requirement as is between 9th & 12th grade as that is a time in a student’s life where they are really thinking about the future. He also suggested that younger students that are interested are welcome to come and sit in at a meeting. Zac agreed to the point as younger students can still participate by coming to Commission meetings. Commissioner S. Larson stated that he joined the Commission because he had to attend a city meeting for a school project and he enjoyed it and now using this opportunity to build his resume. Commissioner Olson made a motion to approve the bylaws as is, there was not second. Commissioner Dibich asked how the application process is completed. Commissioner A. Larson explained the process is the same as for all members. Commissioner Glasford would like to open this up to younger ages since we have never had both seats filled. Commissioner Brown suggested that instead of a grade we keep the requirement to an age such as 14 to 18 vs 9th to 12th grade. Molly stated that for reference the youth volunteer program is open to those ages 12 and older. A motion was made by Commissioner Dibich for 13 years old through graduating seniors that are enrolled in school to be considered for the youth position. Seconded by S. Larson. Motioned passed. Commissioner Olson motioned to approve the bylaws with the amendment just voted on prior to the motion. Seconded by Commissioner Brown. Motion passed. B. River Oaks Business Plan Every five years we go through a business plan with the management team that sets a path for the next five years. It talks a little bit about the history of operations, what has been working will the last two years and try to forecast what is going to happen in the future. City Council has already reviewed this at a workshop. Looking for approval from the Commission. Commissioner Olson had a question about page three under financial performance. He would like to know what the capital golf shop and capital maintenance are. Zac stated that capital improvements are purchases of $15,000 or more. For maintenance it typically is going to be equipment for the most Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE 12800 RAVINE PARKWAY COTTAGE GROVE, MINNESOTA 55016 www.cottagegrovemn.gov 651-458-2800 FAX 651-458-2897 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER part, the golf shop typically does not have a lot of capital expenditure. Commissioner Olson asked for clarification on expenses financing. Zac explained in this particular case this is for irrigation system that was installed. Zac explained in depth how the bonding process worked for this specific project. Commissioner Olson made a motion to accept the plan as is. Commissioner Dibich seconded. Motion passed. C. Ice Arena Business Plan Zac presented the current plan that is still in the draft stage to the Commission. Commissioner A. Larson asked if we are still moving forward with naming rights. Zac stated we are still working through phase 2 of that process. Commissioner Olson asked for an explanation regarding the construction bond payment and other financial obligations at the ice arena. Zac explained in depth operational vs net and how revenue and funding works. A motion was made by Commissioner Glasford to accept the draft as is. Commissioner S. Larson seconded. Motion passed. D. June Meeting The Commission discussed that they would like a bus tour. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson to do the bus tour for the June meeting, and that Zac & staff proceed to prioritize locations. Commissioner Brown seconded the motion. Motion passed. E. Vice Chair Position Commissioner Brown nominated herself. Commissioner Olson made a motion to approve Commissioner Brown as Vice Chair for this term. Commissioner Dibich seconded the motion. Motioned passed. 7. PRESENTATIONS None 8. ACTION UPDATES Denzer Park The park is being bid out as we speak. CG Trailway Corridor Restoration & Kingston We finally got all the tree debris removed. Now we are doing inner seeding of prairie, woodland, and wetland mixes. We just got another grant to do some additional restoration in Kingston Park. Oltman Park Playground has gone in and the shelter will be put up next week. Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE 12800 RAVINE PARKWAY COTTAGE GROVE, MINNESOTA 55016 www.cottagegrovemn.gov 651-458-2800 FAX 651-458-2897 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Mississippi Dunes Park Zac stated we are still waiting for grant funding responses. The fishing pier should hopefully be installed this year. The DNR gave us permission that if funding does not come through in time, they will allow a temporary path, though not fully accessible, until funding is available. Zac also wanted to mention that for the first time we will have a paddle with a ranger program for the Mississippi River recreation area. Peterson Park Commission approved the master plan for Peterson Park. We have two grants and we should know by the end of June what funding we have received. The first priority is the trail and then build the park after that. Still Ponds Park Next step will be a neighborhood meeting 9. DONATIONS None 10. STAFF REPORTS & MATERIALS Zac submitted division updates for the Commission to review 11. COMMISSION COMMENTS Zac stated we had the most successful Arbor Day planting ever. 12. COUNCIL COMMENTS None 13. WORKSHOP None 14. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn made by Commissioner Gustafson. Second by Commissioner Waterman. Meeting adjourned at 8:00pm To: From: CC: Date: Subject: Introduction/Background Staff Recommendation