This transcript is from an **Oakdale Parks and Recreation Commission** meeting. Based on the context of the roll call, the election of officers, and the staff/council member names provided, I have identified the speakers accordingly. **Speaker Roles:** * **Steve Meyer:** Chairperson / Commissioner * **Glenn Jakhalo:** Vice Chairperson / Commissioner * **Jan Cunningham:** Commissioner * **Mike Prer:** Commissioner (New Member) * **Julie Williams:** Recreation Superintendent * **Jeff Koesling:** Parks Superintendent * **Andy Morcomb:** City Council Member *** [0:00] **Steve Meyer:** welcome to the Oakdale Parks and Recreation Commission on February 18th 2025 we are in the Oakdale city council chambers we calling to order um Julie will you take the roll call please [0:15] **Julie Williams:** commissioner ber present commissioner C Cunningham here commissioner Meer here commissioner prer here commissioner Shaw [0:38] **Steve Meyer:** ni good all right please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all thank you for that everybody look at the agenda yes can I get a motion to approve the agenda [1:05] **Jan Cunningham:** I'll approve [1:07] **Glenn Jakhalo:** can I get a second second [1:09] **Steve Meyer:** all in favor I I motion to proove the agenda is passed everyone look at the minutes for November 19th 2024 can I get a motion to approve the minutes [1:30] **Glenn Jakhalo:** I'll make a motion [1:32] **Jan Cunningham:** second second [1:34] **Steve Meyer:** all in favor passed okay now this is open Forum there's anybody here that would like to come up and you get three minutes to address a commission all right we will close that uh next we have any old business for the commission review I don't believe we have any old business uh new business we have a new commissioner Mike is it prer or prer [2:02] **Mike Prer:** prer yes prer [2:04] **Steve Meyer:** uh welcome to the commission you want to say a little bit [2:09] **Mike Prer:** uh just that uh I've lived in Oakdale for just over two years and I'm excited to get involved in helping out local government [2:18] **Steve Meyer:** all right welcome aboard mik welcome okay next we have nominations uh for the chair and vice chair at this point we'll be taking motions for both the chair and vice chair [2:32] **Jan Cunningham:** I'll make a motion for to nominate who you nomin Steve for St for uh chair [2:40] **Steve Meyer:** any other motions on Vice chair or chair [2:44] **Jan Cunningham:** oh should I also make a if I want Vice chair motion new Vice chair also sure Len jaalto [2:58] **Steve Meyer:** okay any others okay um I'm making a motion to close the nominations for chairperson and vice chairperson can I get a mo can I get a motion first [3:15] **Jan Cunningham:** I'll motion [3:17] **Glenn Jakhalo:** now can I get a second second [3:19] **Steve Meyer:** okay all in favor we're good okay now please fill out your ballots uh chairperson and vice chairperson I'm okay always forget how to spell your last name it's like that's I looked it up okay [Music] [Applause] okay we have four votes for Steve Meyer as chair and four votes for Glenn jackalo as Vice chair all right so we can go ahead and a motion make a motion okay for both get a motion to elect Steve Meyer for the position of chairperson for the period of one calendar year commencing with tonight correct can I get a motion [4:45] **Jan Cunningham:** a motion [4:47] **Glenn Jakhalo:** second [4:49] **Steve Meyer:** all in favor I need a motion to let Glenn we have trouble with his last name Jacko jackalo for the position of Vice chair for a period one year starting today can I get a motion [5:02] **Jan Cunningham:** motion [5:03] **Mike Prer:** second [5:05] **Steve Meyer:** here we go we're rocking all good thank you everyone mik you gotta get in there quicker than us all right thank you everybody um next staff who wants to start Jeff [5:15] **Jeff Koesling:** sure uh good evening um just go over couple things got written down here uh obviously this winter has been it's probably some of the best ice we've had in like 8 to 10 years so the unfortunate thing is it's been so cold I don't know if a lot of kids are out skating in this but it's crazy I've a couple times at night I've went by some of the rinks they're they're they're skating but probably not as much as wait till next week right 30 40 degrees so maybe even 50 during the day they said so we we can look forward to that next week um touch base on our our uh CIP project for the Walt and LED lighting at Fields 1 through four that was completed last week took them about three weeks with weather and when they started it was real cold then we got that nice week week and a half and uh they really uh trucked through it then and um they did the fine tuning last week um I met with Kilmer electric on I think it was Wednesday or Thursday um and they were just they might have to come back in the spring and and uh do a little tuning on the lights setting them up aiming wise but for the most part when they set them it's um they've got the degree of angles are all in the plans so might be some small tuning they have to do to come back so and work the smart system that runs it can now run it from a phone it comes with the system so which is nice we'll have to get the staff uh Parks gu is a little trained in on that so um and then also uh the parks and Forestry crews are working on uh tree removals hash B stuff in couple of the Parks Boulevard stuff so we've been working on that um assisting the uh Forestry Crew with uh cleaning some of them up and getting them removed out of our off our boulevards and parks and then uh snow removal Cruise we've had a pretty it's been a pretty easy winter really I mean had a couple the last maybe two or 3 weeks but nothing huge right it could be two years a ago where we were're pounding the pavement every other day so um but it's good the guys get out there we Trail sidewalks know we completed everything on Saturday with the the crew was in it uh early morning then we got everything done by I think we were out of here by 2:30 on Saturday afternoon with everything wrapped up so um and then on the downtime we're not downtime but on our slower time and we'll probably work on this really hit this in March too coming up as we're prepping to move we'll be moving to our new facility over on 32nd in Granada so we're going through everything at our shop what we're taking with what we're not what I mean some of the stuff is there probably 40 years right and finding knicknacks of stuff so what we through all that it'll be a process but uh so we've started that this winter and so when we get to Summer where we get busy with fields and stuff we we're not going to have the time [8:40] **Steve Meyer:** so you have a garage Sail on all that old stuff [8:44] **Jeff Koesling:** yep it's all going to your front yard Steve I'll win the Art Award there you go well the Lions Club is having citywide garage sales in May you're going to have a lot to sell but no it's so we we have to go through that all that stuff and it'll be a big move but it it's sort of we're finding a lot of stuff too that guess was from 25 trucks that we don't even have so whatever it's just equipment and a lot of it some of it will go to the auction and the Auditors have to deal with all that stuff so um other than that we're just keeping busy so um [9:24] **Steve Meyer:** exciting that you're moving into the new place [9:26] **Jeff Koesling:** it is it's it's sort of nice this last week they started tipping walls over there so all the dirt work you know you see them do all the footings and now there's actually a structure where starting so it's it's sort of neat to drive by I go by there every day going home so to see it come a reality is pretty neat for all the planning and so yeah and uh it is pretty neat it's going to be be a nice facility so uh Stan for any questions comments [9:45] **Glenn Jakhalo:** will there be a a Buckthorn or any project this spring at the Discovery Center [9:50] **Jeff Koesling:** I do not know that Glenn I'll have to I'll talk with Tim and find out for sure but yep I'll find out Tim and get back to [10:01] **Steve Meyer:** do we have any numbers for the rinks [10:04] **Jeff Koesling:** we I'm going to let I think Julie's got it in her report I don't want to steal her Thunder there and and I know I I don't know as far as number-wise but maybe Julie has that I I just know she's got it in her report so what are we going to talk about we'll do that yeah [10:19] **Julie Williams:** what I can report is um you know we normally do our year end Report with all the specific numbers at the warming houses but what I can say is that um the hockey rings have seen a lot of skating during um during hours that we typically don't so um not as much at the Walton pleasure rink but the hockey rinks have definitely seen increased skating numbers [10:45] **Steve Meyer:** that's good I see them too earlier and kids are out there okay um any questions for Jeff I'm sorry we got okay Julie [10:55] **Julie Williams:** sure so I have the February uh report um just a few things our spring newsletter is out um hopefully everybody received that and that will cover the months of February through May so we've been busy um taking new registration for for all of those programs um also our new um software Civic rack we've begun taking online registrations for that so that is new for us typically we used to um just take those registrations over the phone and in person but now we have the ability to um allow them to do those online registrations people are catching on slowly but um it's really nice yeah yeah um we've also added Willowbrook to that so people are realizing that that's an option for a shelter reservation so we've taken a few registrations for reservations for that so we're really excited about that online option I think it's great I think I tell you what our Parks during the summer with the people there are fabulous they l so that's good y yep um the Discovery Center is acting again as the ARP tax assistant site um they are there on Mondays through April 21st and we are full fully booked with tax appointments so yeah and we we we filled those I believe in in 2 weeks or less so um really successful once again um another um new partnership that we've added we've increased our um programming with ISD 622 so we've got new spring programming um with them which really focus focuses on um youth programs right now so we're doing youth tennis youth pickle ball classes youth self-defense and then we're doing a um babysitter certification class so um y we're taking registrations for that um and we'll do some more in the summer and gear those programs more towards families as well great yeah great um indoor market having a great season hard to believe we only have three more markets left I know so we're getting down there it's it's flown by just started it it does feel they just started I that's okay that means Winter's over then we're getting there right we're getting to the summer Outdoors there slowly but surely right um we've got a few new vendors that um that we've added um sweet moment company and they do they do um chocolate chip cookies um we do crystal Obsession that's a new one and that's um different type of crystal jewelry swag Boutique which is freeze dried candies not freeze fried candies as it said in your packets so they're not fried they're dried has anybody tried those pretty good yeah yeah they're good um and then we also have giddy up coffee and that's our new coffee vendor for for the year um snowshoe rentals now that we have snow um gearing up with all of our snowshoe rentals um rates are $6 a person and um that's for a 2hour rental we recommend making reservations if you have groups um six or more so if anybody interested let us know that uh you're coming um Jeff mentioned the ice um having a great season the ice is phenomenal as you said and I've commented on the The increased participation at the at the hockey ring so so far so good I don't think we're going to continue with the cold weather so we're always hopeful to push into March we'll see if that happens just never know you just never know right yeah you just never know um this Sunday we have our next Sunday Bingo event and that is from 1:00 to 3: at the Discovery Center um we do have a few more openings so if anybody um knows anybody who's interested uh give us give us what the time of those what's that 1 to three at the Discovery Center y um we can still take make more registrations and we'll keep that open through the end of the week for the Sunday Bingo okay um the best snow sculpture of Oakdale contest um taking entries through March 31st for that one this year's theme is favorite sport we haven't received any yet so hopefully people start uh building their snowman now that uh we got a little to they yeah so if you know anybody tell them to to get those entries in typically re we receive you know 15 or 20 or so I know it was late arriving snow this year so may everybody's waiting till the till the end of the season we'll see so we'd like to see um more come in um employment opportunities we're hiring summer Recreation program instructors and those applic and job descriptions are available on our website um we'll take those applications through the end of March and then we do interviews in April so we typically hire 8 to 10 depending on um program needs and things like that so send them our way if you know anybody who's interested in working for us this summer um our indoor garage sale that annual event will be Saturday April 5th and that is from 1: to 4 um we have 2 three vendors um we're sold out on that one we've got a waiting list of four or five so another big event that we do um 400 to 500 Shoppers come in so um looking forward to that one as well um and then Lastly lastly our community walk um will resume April 1st and that runs through October October participants um can now register online so they don't have to come in person to the Discovery Center they can just hop on right now so those registrations are open open so that's that's new as well with that um that's all I have stand for any questions anybody might have [16:34] **Steve Meyer:** okay thank you thanks all right commissioner updates Glenn let's start with you [16:40] **Glenn Jakhalo:** um I actually have nothing this meeting [16:42] **Steve Meyer:** okay all right I may have one there we go um the Lions Club map put Oakdale Lions Club is sponsoring an open house on March 27th at the Oakdale Discovery Center we'd love to have people who might be interested in becoming a lion wanting to figure out what it is we actually do or just what's going on with the club we'd love to have you it's from I better get this right 1 to three um on March 27th so come on down and check us out okay um were you able to get to any of the ranks [17:35] **Glenn Jakhalo:** no the day that I was going to go was the day that it snowed down yeah okay [17:40] **Steve Meyer:** okay thank you Jan [17:44] **Jan Cunningham:** um I'll continue on yes I was able to get to the rink on uh Saturday February 1st at noon to 1 um I did have a father and his 11-year-old daughter there um and just to kind of tell you the Thursday before was the day it went up to 50 Dees and then Friday was maybe 40s but when I came at noon that ice looked great it was smooth it was not all pitted as I had kind of thought maybe it would so I talked to um this man um he was already done skating but his daughter was still out there practicing hockey and um they loved it he said he takes her to other um rinks out around Woodberry and um some other areas but he said he always finds that the Oakdale ones are good um so I was glad to hear that she the daughter seemed real pleased with them and um I talked to even the attendant there he said you know he's gone to other ones too and um everybody seems to be in agreement they like like the ice there the um warming guess you can't really call it a warming house or house okay um yeah seems to be okay the only thing I would say is the steps going up to the door is a little bit um rickety kind of when you're especially if you're in skates I would think but and then um should I go on with my other yeah absolutely oh so switching over to Wellness 50 plus uh we do have an event coming up on Saturday March 1st um it's a self-defense course with Glenn jaalto who is one of our commissioners um it's running from 12 to three and he will go over um martial arts instruction for self-defense and we've done this before but he's going to be updating some of the information and um um you can either call to register at 651 747 3860 or Julie should I be telling them to go on that Civic Rec that can sure absolutely okay or go on that to um yeah and so we would like people to sign up in advance so he knows about how much um equipment and stuff to bring and all that sure great and that would be it for me all [20:28] **Steve Meyer:** all right thank you Mike anything [20:30] **Mike Prer:** well of course this is my first meeting so I don't have any like true updates but I I can say that um I've been to the pleasure rink a couple of times I know you mentioned few people had I was most recently there on Friday the 14th um I was the only one there so I couldn't ask anybody how they liked it but I liked it I well I liked having the place to myself I guess [20:56] **Steve Meyer:** I bet good thank you and I too like talked earlier but um when I did I the same with Glenn when I was supposed to be there we shut down cuz there was snow on the ice there um so I went one night and I missed the attendant because I got there after eight I just missed them uh and I there's two 16-year-old kids there young men I should say and uh they too we we're having extremely good ice year and I asked them if the Nets and everything boards and they're at the hockey rink at east side and all good it's all good so we appreciate what you guys do Jeff and everything's looking good there um Steve [21:40] **Glenn Jakhalo:** yeah can I do mine over again [21:43] **Steve Meyer:** no all right I got everything wrong that you could possibly get wrong on our Lions Club open house um Thursday March 27th from 5: to 8 at the Discovery Center my bad okay we good yeah all right thanks thanks um yeah so other than that um everything was good with the ranks so excellent thank you everybody um councilman workc come on up welcome [22:15] **Andy Morcomb:** 27 thanks for having me L's going on with the city in terms of the parks exciting things to note we were talking about a little bit earlier willbrook West and North will be under construction so we had an obligation as a part of that development to put in three different Parks first Park was done last year and the next two are going to be going in uh the North Park will be more of a Nature Park or natural park with some Trails um but left more natural by Design the West Park will have a large uh what sock full-size soccer Court uh some different amenities for people to enjoy some pickle ball everyone loves pickle ball um but that'll be exciting to have that process complete at the same time that they continue to build houses and people keep coming to Oakdale uh outside of that the parks plan is finalizing and thanks to all our residents and thanks to you as a commission for giving all the feedback that you did to help inform what that's going to look like now um there'll be a few more tweaks but it's quickly coming to the point where it'll come to the council where we decide what's going to get funded and how do we prioritize and how do we approach um reinvesting in our Parks so an exciting time and I encourage all the residents that may be watching or watch this the future to get a hold of your Commissioners here to give them all the feedback you can on what you see as a priority where you want to see the Investments made and for me as a city council member as well happy to talk to anyone who's interested so those are my updates but happy to answer any questions [23:55] **Steve Meyer:** do we have um the timeline on these Parks [24:00] **Andy Morcomb:** they will be done this year yeah well it's they bid in the spring it's a typical cycle right and they do as much as they can um but typically by the Fall they uh get most of it wrapped up so I wouldn't anticipate being able to get a lot of use out of these Parks over the summer because they'll be under construction but uh I think October is when Willowbrook opened up right yeah so similar process you know [24:33] **Jan Cunningham:** it just came up you know when you said pickle ball and I'm not sure how we would because it is so popular are you going to have people Reserve can they Reserve these pickle ball courts or is it going to be first come for serve like pretty much everything else [24:51] **Andy Morcomb:** right okay okay just um so know it is so popular has to accommodate I mean the uh the park right over from willbrook in Lake Elmo why am I blanking on the name of that Park Pebbles Park just put in some new courts as well and and they just have zip ties up on there there's certain group groups that have it uh reserved for certain times but it'll have to be a discussion with uh Julie and her team yeah how they want to manage it [25:15] **Steve Meyer:** okay great great um any questions everybody good good thank you thank you very much appreciate it all right so here we go uh that should do us can I get a motion to adjourn [25:27] **Glenn Jakhalo:** I'll make a motion to adjourn [25:30] **Steve Meyer:** we have a motion second [25:33] **Jan Cunningham:** I'll second second [25:35] **Steve Meyer:** all in favor we are adjourned our next meeting here at 7 o'cl have a good evening