03-24-2025 Meeting Minutes.pdf
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
1. Call to Order
Commissioner Sanders called the meeting to order at 6:34 pm
2. Roll Call
Commissioners present: Roger Bergman, John Cornelius, Matthew Olson, Matthew Sanders, Scott Seys,
Dawn Speltz
Commissioners absent: Brian Wright, Bill Delaney
Council Members: Gillian Rosenquist
Staff present: Janelle Crossfield, Parks and Recreation Director; Greg Simmons, Parks and
Recreation Assistant Director; Kevin Martinez Del Arca, Recreation Coordinator;
Mike Ward, Golf Course Maintenance Manager
3. Land Acknowledgment Statement
4. Approval of March 24, 2025 Agenda
MOTION by Commissioner Seys, seconded by Commissioner Berman to approve the agenda as
presented, and the motion carried.
5. Approval of January 2025 Meeting Minutes
MOTION by Commissioner Bergman, seconded by Commissioner Olson to approve the January 24,
2025 meeting minutes as presented, and the motion carried.
6. Staffing Update
Parks and Recreation Director Crossfield shared that Sheila Van Sloun’s last day with the City was March
14th and thanked her for her service. Crossfield then thanked Mike Ward, Golf Course Maintenance
Manager, for his nearly forty years of service with the City and opened the floor for him to share words
with the Commission before his retirement in April.
Ward shared his appreciation of support from the Commission and shared several projects that had been
completed as well as challenges during his tenure. Commissioners thanked Ward for his service and the
condition of the course.
March 24, 2025 – 6:30 pm
Brookview Valley North Room
City of Golden Valley Open Space & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
March 24, 2025 – 6:30 pm
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7. 2025 Annual Deer Survey
Parks and Recreation Assistant Director Simmons shared the results of the 2025 annual deer survey. The
results showed that the numbers have increased based on the aerial survey completed. There was no
count in 2024 based on lack of snowpack needed to conduct it, and the count in 2025 was completed at a
later time of year than typical also based on snowpack. Commissioners discussed their own experiences
of noticing a higher number of deer or in locations not typically seen. The consensus of the Commission
was to increase efforts in future years in deer management to help control the population size.
8. 2025 Summer Field Distribution and Discussion
Simmons presented the 2025 summer field distribution list that lays out the fields allocated to youth
associations and regular users. All recognized youth associations who currently had requested fields had
adequate space. Additionally, Hopkins Youth Baseball Association is using Schaper Park for games and
had a request to add additional base pegs to accommodate several ages of play. Commissioners
expressed support for staff to explore this with the association.
9. 2025 State of the City
Simmons identified four initiatives that would be presented by staff at the 2025 State of the City. These
initiatives were: comprehensive park system planning, enhanced community engagement around parks
and recreation initiatives, remodeling parks shelters to increase uses of and accessibility, and rebuilding
golf cart storage building to allow for revenue generating uses. Commissioners recommended to present
the golf financial information alongside the other initiatives to increase visibility in its current positive
financial situation.
10. Initial Discussion of 2026 Parks Capital Improvement Projects
a. Seeman Tennis Courts
Simmons showed photos of the current state of Seeman Park tennis courts and the need for
reconstruction next year. Commissioners shared the need to complete community input for layout
of courts if hybrid pickleball and tennis courts were considered
b. Stockman Playground
Simmons talked about the Stockman Park play structure was scheduled for replacement in 2026. He
mentioned that community engagement would begin in the fall of 2025 for this project.
c. Strategic Parks Plan
Simmons discussed the upcoming strategic parks plan that the Parks and Recreation department
will be pursuing. Staff are beginning to work on a scope of work for this plan and will bring this back
to the Commission later in the year.
City of Golden Valley Open Space & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
March 24, 2025 – 6:30 pm
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11. Commission and Staff Updates
a. Commissioner updates
Commissioner Cornelius shared that Bob Mattison would be giving a presentation on the history
of Golden Valley Girls Softball at the Historical Society on April 10. He then announced that
March 24 would be his last meeting with the OSRC and would be resigning from the
Commission. He shared frustrations with several City activities including staff transitions, a news
article related to an employee survey, and lack of work for the Commission.
Chair Speltz expressed her concern about the loss of staff over the past few years and shared
frustrations about the past year. She also inquired about the connection with Breck School and
challenged staff to increase this connection.
Commissioner Bergman attended the Family Night Bingo and complimented Kevin Martinez Del
Arca, Recreation Coordinator, on the event. He also mentioned he would like to see more of
those events.
Commissioners Sanders mentioned that he was excited about the Community Gardens and
inquired from staff about how many people did not receive one that had signed up.
b.-f. Staff updates
Staff shared updates on winter rinks, programs, and golf. Commissioners followed up by
requesting additional pond hockey goals for the next winter rink season and expressed their
appreciation for the Parks Maintenance team about the positive ice conditions throughout the
winter.
12. 2025 Future Meetings Dates and Agenda Item
a. Future Meeting Dates
Simmons shared the 2025 future meeting dates noting that the June 23rd meeting will be the annual
parks tour.
b.-f. Future Agenda Items
Simmons noted that the items listed under future agenda items would be discussed at upcoming
meetings and were simply a placeholder for commissioners to know that these topics may elevate
to the agenda and also return to the future agenda portion from time-to-time.
After these items, Councilmember Rosenquist shared her appreciation for Commissioner Cornelius’
service to the commission. Councilmember Rosenquist also acknowledged that there has been
change in the City and thanked the Commission for their work. She also expressed her confidence in
the direction of the City.
City of Golden Valley Open Space & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
March 24, 2025 – 6:30 pm
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13. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned by Chair Speltz at 8:20 pm
Chair, Dawn Speltz Greg Simmons, Parks and Recreation Assistant
Director