minutes-osrc-regular-nov-22-21
November 22, 2021 –6:30 pm
Brookview Valley Room
REGULARMEETING MINUTES
1.Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:30pm by Chair Cornelius.
2.Roll Call
Commissioners in person:John Cornelius, Bill Delaney, Kelly Kuebelbeck, Bob Mattison,Matthew
Sanders, Dawn Speltz,Linden Weiswerda, and Brian Wright
Commissioners virtual:None
Commissioners absent:Roger Bergman
Staff present: Rick Birno, Parks andRecreation Director;and Sheila Van Sloun,
Administrative Assistant
Others present:Lenny Segaland AmandaDeRaad, Golden Valley Girls Softball
3.Agenda Changes or Additions
None.
4.Approval of October25, 2021Minutes
Commissioner Mattisonmade a grammatical change to South Tyrol Park Improvement
Input/Recommendations. He also added a sentence to Park and Picnic Shelter Use Issues.
MOTION moved by CommissionerWrightand seconded by CommissionerWeiswerdato approve the
October25, 2021 meeting minutesasamended. Motion carried unanimously.
5.Golden Valley Girls Softball Update –Lenny Segal
Lenny Segal, current President,and Amanda DeRaad, Treasurer and President-elect,shared a brief
introduction of the Golden Valley Girls Softball program. Segal saidthey had 250 participants in 2021.
Participants in the program are both residents and non-residents.
Commissioner Cornelius asked how they market their program. Segal said they have used
newsletters and mailed postcards in the past. More recently, they have usedPeachjar, a digital flyer
program, which has been very effective.Commissioner Kuebelbeck suggested hosting an
informational table with flyers at community events.
Commissioner Weiswerda inquired about a starter program with less commitment for younger kids.
Segal said they have done winter clinics and rookie camps. Commissioner Kuebelbeck said Golden
Valley Parksand Recreation T-ball and Pitch by Coach offeredball programs for younger kids, with
some going on to play in the softballprogram. She suggested collaborating with surrounding cities to
recruit participants. Commissioner Speltz suggested offering a program for younger ages.
City of Golden ValleyOpen Space & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes 2
November 22, 2021 – 6:30 pm
Segal also added that having enough volunteers has been a challenge for the program.
Commissioner Sanders asked about program needs from the City. Segal said more restrooms would
be very helpful, along with a new chalk machine. Staff member Birno said he’d be happy to work on
accommodating those requests, and encouraged him to share future requests and needs.
Commissioner Cornelius shared concern on sponsorship banners around the dugout areas blocking
spectator views at games. Segal said they would look at different options for displaying the banners
next year. Discussion then focused on sponsorship sign ideas.
6. Ash Tree Injection Program Proposal
Commissioner Mattison introduced the agenda item sharing that staff members Birno and
Lundstrom had attended a meeting with Commissioner Mattison and Golden Valley Community
Foundation Chair, Dean Penk, regarding Ash tree injections. The meeting discussion centered on a
preliminary concept for implementing an Ash tree injection program for key tree assets in park
locations. Commissioner Mattison and staff member Birno shared information on Ash tree injections
and noted it costs approximately $175 per tree to protect it for 2-3 years. The focus of the proposed
concept would be on identifying key high value ash trees throughout the park system, along with
possibly developing a campaign for fundraising.
After Commissioners discussed program details and fundraising ideas, staff member Birno suggested
working with staff member Lundstrom to quantify the number of trees in the park system which
would benefit from an injection program. Birno said he would work with Lundstrom to analyze data,
develop an estimate, and schedule discussion for a future meeting.
7. Winter Warming House Staffing – Operation Plan
Staff member Birno shared the operation plan for warming houses this season. He said they plan to
staff all six warming houses through mid-January. After mid-January, all six warming houses will
remain open, however some may be staffed full-time, and others staffed intermittently. Efforts will
continue for recruiting warming house attendants throughout the season.
8. 2022 Agenda Items
Staff member Birno shared information on some of the larger projects coming in 2022 that the
Commission will be involved with. They will include: Wildwood Flood Reduction Plan, Medley Park
Storm Water Improvement Plan, naming policy discussion, design proposals for the 2023 Scheid Park
and potential Gearty Park improvements, community garden development, and proposed park
shelter building improvements. Commissioners requested that pickleball and city reciprocity be
added to those items.
City of Golden ValleyOpen Space & Recreation CommissionRegular MeetingMinutes3
November 22, 2021 – 6:30 pm
9.Commission and Staff Updates
a.Commissioner Updates
Commissioner Weiswerda shared concern on the lack of crosswalk markings in turn lanes at the
intersections on Hwy 55 and Winnetka, and Hwy 55 and Boone. Staff memberBirno said he
would share the concern withengineeringstaff.
b.Wesley Park Outdoor Hockey Rink Complete
Staff member Birno said the hockey rink at WesleyParkis complete and ready for the winter
season. He said they plan to use the same rink system city-wide.
c.Backyard Open
Staff member Birno said the Brookview Backyard is currently open and is doing well. Capacity is
limited and disinfecting cleanings take place between 2-3 pm daily.
d.Golf Course Final Day Sunday, November 7
Staff member Birno said the golf course closed for the season on Sunday, November 7 afteran
amazing year. He said Ben Disch,Golf Course Manager, is looking forwardto sharing an update at
a future meeting.
e.Winter Ski Trail Light Poles, Curling Rinks, and Disc Golf Baskets
Staff member Birno said trail lights, curling rinks, and disc golf baskets haveallbeeninstalled and
ready for the winter season. He added the curling leagues begin November 29 and are completely
full.
f. Next meeting is scheduled for January 24 – no meeting in December
Staff member Birno reminded the Commission there is no meeting scheduled in December.
The next regular meeting is on Monday, January 24at Brookview.
10.Adjournment
MOTION moved byCommissionerMattisonand seconded byCommissionerWright to adjourn at
8:30 pm.Motion carried unanimously.
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John Cornelius, Chair
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Sheila Van Sloun, Administrative Assistant