HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-10-19 Parks and Trails Minutes CITY OF CORCORAN
Corcoran Parks and Trails Meeting Minutes
October 19, 2023 - 7:00 pm
The Corcoran Parks and Trails Commission met on October 19, 2023, in Corcoran, MN.
Present were Chairperson Anderson and Commissioners Friedrich, Nybo, and Strehler. Absent were
Vice-Chairperson Christenson and Commissioner Erzberger.
Virtually present was Councilmember Nichols. Present at City Hall was Recreation Supervisor
Christensen Buck.
1. Call to Order / Roll Call
Chairperson Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Chairperson Anderson invited all in attendance to rise and join in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Agenda Approval
Motion: Made by Nybo to approve the agenda.
Motion fails for lack of second.
Motion: Made by Anderson, seconded by Friedrich to amend the motion and move item 8a prior to
item 7a.
Voting Aye: Anderson, Friedrich, Nybo, and Strehler
(Motion carried 4:0)
Motion: Made by Nybo, seconded by Strehler to approve the agenda as modified.
Voting Aye: Anderson, Friedrich, Nybo, and Strehler
(Motion carried 4:0)
4. Minutes
a. Minutes – September 21, 2023, Meeting
Motion: Made by Friedrich, seconded by Strehler, to approve the minutes as presented.
Voting Aye: Anderson, Friedrich, and Strehler Abstain: Nybo
(Motion carried 3:0:1)
5. Open Forum
Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck informed the Commission that there were no individuals
interested in speaking.
6. Presentations – None
7. New Business
a. Wildflower Park Bike Rack
Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck informed the Commission that AR, 6536 Hunter Lane,
wrote a letter to Mayor McKee requesting a bike rack at Wildflower Park. Recreation Supervisor
Christensen Buck confirmed that currently there is not a bike rack at Wildflower Park and funding for
the project would be through a committed external donation. Annabelle told the Commission that she
would like a bike rack because currently friends must put their bikes in the grass, which required a
repair to her bike.
Motion: Made by Friedrich, seconded by Nybo to recommend Council approval of a bike rack
purchase and installation at Wildflower Park utilizing a committed external donation.
Voting Aye: Anderson, Friedrich, Nybo, and Strehler
(Motion carried 4:0)
8. Unfinished Business
a. RFPQ for Master Park Planning
CITY OF CORCORAN
Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck provided background information on the Request for
Proposals and Qualifications for Master Park Planning and Design Services. Included in the
background information were an overview of the submission deadline, review of submissions, and
interviews with four of the firms. Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck highlighted the anticipated
steps to come including a decision from City Council and the potential for a Master Services
Agreement. Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck informed the Commission that the
recommendation from the subcommittee that interviewed the firms, was HKGi, which also had the
highest rates. Commissioners requested additional information as to why HKGi was recommended
over SRF Consulting Group, to which Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck and Commissioner
Friedrich highlighted the larger scope of projects and community engagement focus. Commissioner
Friedrich noted the in-depth questions from HKGi during the interview that furthered conversations
on planning and the needs of the City.
Motion: Made by Nybo, seconded by Strehler to recommend working with HKGi for master park
planning and design services, with the request to work with the firm for lower rates.
Voting Aye: Anderson, Friedrich, Nybo, and Strehler
(Motion carried 4:0)
9. Reports/Information
a. Active Planning Applications – Informational Only
Commissioners complimented the brevity of the agenda item due to the consistent updates from
Planning Technician Klingbeil.
b. Recreation Supervisor Update
Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck provided an update on items she had been working on
including attending the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association conference, wrapping up the fall
baseball season, coordinating the RFPQ for Master Park Planning and Design Services, and
preparations for the Holiday Toy and Food Drive.
10. Subcommittee & Miscellaneous Reports
a. City Council Report
Councilmember Nichols highlighted the items discussed at City Council meetings since the last
Parks and Trails Commission meeting including City Administrator interviews, Southfork Village
concept plan, Karinemi-Jensen concept plan, five-year financial management plan, and Metropolitan
Council density follow up. Councilmember Nichols explained that the City’s goal was to have more
open spaces, but to exclude those spaces from density calculations, they would need to be
mandatory as part of the City’s code. Chairperson Anderson inquired about the upcoming budget, to
which Councilmember Nichols responded that the preliminary levy had been set and tax rates would
not be increasing. Commissioner Friedrich requested more information regarding the Charter
Commission’s discussion on the Mayoral term, to which Councilmember Nichols recognized the
Charter Commission request to make the Mayoral term 4-years. Commissioner Strehler inquired
about the Sunram Interim Use Permit, noting that cattails are in the area and questioned how dirt
would be allowed in the area. Councilmember Nichols noted that he did not believe that they were
disturbing the wetland.
b. Garden Club Report
Michelle Friedrich informed the Commission that the mulch was delivered for the Memorial Garden
Club with plans to spread the mulch on Sunday, October 22 at 1:00 pm.
c. Park Dedication Fund
Commissioner Nybo asked if the Park Dedication Fund money is put into a general fund, which
results in no interest to the fund. Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck informed the Commission
CITY OF CORCORAN
that she was told interest for 2023 had not been added yet, but that she would request information
from the finance team. Commissioner Friedrich added that during a recent City Council meeting,
Council discussed looking into interest allocations in early 2024. Commissioner Friedrich inquired
about if this was the full list of projects, or if there are upcoming projects that will continue it to grow.
Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck informed the Commission that she would talk with Planner
Davis McKeown and Public Works Director Mattson to get additional information.
11. Other Business/Announcements – None
12. Commissioner Liaison Calendar
10/26/2023 11/09/2023 11/20/2023* 12/18/2023* 01/11/2024 12/18/2023* 01/11/2024
Strehler TBD
Anderson
Erzberger Anderson
TBD
Friedrich Nybo Christenson
Chairperson Anderson informed the Commission he could take the November 9, 2023, City Council
meeting. Commissioners agreed that if a new Commissioner can join with enough time, they could
potentially be the liaison for the December 18, 2023, City Council meeting.
13. Adjournment
Motion: Made by Nybo, seconded by Strehler to adjourn the meeting at 8:38 pm.
Voting Aye: Anderson, Friedrich, Nybo, and Strehler.
(Motion carried 4:0)
Submitted by Jessica Christensen Buck, Recreation Supervisor