MINUTES - UNAPPROVED OWATONNA PARK AND RECREATION REGULAR PARK BOARD MEETING JANUARY 9, 2023 4:30 PM Members Present: Chair: Jon Thiel Vice Chair: Board Members: Tyler Cochran, Sara Baird, Greg Posch, Gina McGuire, Jonathan Douglas Members Absent: Kara Perry Staff Present: Eric Anderson: Recreation Manager Tricia Fisher: Administrative Technician Dani Licht: Recreation Supervisor Thomas Gorycki: Recreation Supervisor Council Member: none LOCATION: City Hall, Council Chambers OPENING BUSINESS Call to Order at 4:30 pm Roll Call: APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Motion by Gina McGuire, second by Jonathan Douglas, to approve the January 9, 2023, Park Board Meeting Agenda. All members voted aye. APPROVAL OF THE DECEMBER 12, 2022, MINUTES Motion by Tyler Cochran to approve the December 12, 2022, Park Board Meeting Minutes and second by Sara Baird. All members voted aye. PERSONS WISHING TO APPEAR PARK PERMITS None MEMORIALS AND DONATIONS NEW BUSINESS Insurance Reimbursement Programs Eric Anderson mentioned at the December meeting there were questions regarding insurance reimbursement programs. To help clear up any questions Dani Licht, Recreation Supervisor, put together an extensive Powerpoint presentation explaining the history of insurance reimbursement programs dating back to 2007. There were specific inquiries on Silver Sneakers, which is an independent program, and their specific curriculum has to be used. The program is for fitness and memberships for adults 65+. According to Dani, the department has quite an extensive research history with Silver Sneakers, and up to this date the City has not qualified for the program, Eric mentioned this could be due to having too many silver sneakers eligible programs in the area or other reasons they deem us not eligible in their eyes. Regardless, if they tell us we are not eligible there isn’t much we can do to change the circumstances since we do not have a community center, unlimited pool space, or a gym fitness facility. Jon Thiel reiterated the reason we are not offering Silver Sneakers is not that we don’t want to, it is because we are not hearing back which means they do not find us qualified for the program. The Powerpoint presentation will be sent out in the agenda packet. Brooktree Golf Course update An update from Eric about the hiring of a Recreation Supervisor, the application January 2, and February 13 is the target start date for the new hire. Gina asked how many applicants were received and Eric answered there were twelve. Staff are currently working on the bar remodel which will be done before the doors open, season passes are currently available for purchase, and we will start our marketing plan early February. Senior update: Thomas Gorycki commented on 124 Adult Leisure Pursuits memberships have been sold as of today. This is the largest number sold with only 9 days into the new year. The new Indoor Walking program is really bringing people in. Adult Leisure Pursuits memberships will no longer be offering Business discount programs with their memberships. Next Thursday will be a coffee session from 9:30-10:30 a.m. and another session will be held on Feb 16th laying out the 2023 timeline. OLD BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS Director’s Report – no update Staff report: Eric – we are in the process of hiring three Rec Facility Assistants. We will start phone interviews the week of the 23rd, and then in person following that. Dani commented that her and Drake started out as Recreation Facility Assistants and it’s a great opportunity. Eric also commented that all locations at Morehouse are open except for the inline rink, Buecklser skating is also open. Board Member Report Gina McGuire: Would like an update from Jenna on the United Way Learning Trail presentation that was given at a previous meeting. Jon Thiel: It would be nice to have had that included on the agenda Sara Baird: Has been out enjoying the ski trails, and she met people from out of town enjoying as well, great to see. Greg Posch: Wants to know what the donation from Corky’s tournament, was earmarked for lighting, was it lighting? Follow up at the next meeting. Tyler Cochran: No update Thomas: We will have additional Facebook and newspaper articles on Winter Weekend Out coming up on Jan 27-29. Highlights include Friday night: open swim, log rolling, Saturday: Rock on Ice: roller rink games, limbo, dice game, and having prizes. Sunday: Snowshoeing 10-5 p.m. and at 5 p.m. we are having a 1-mile luminary walk, start at Brooktree. We are very excited; the whole goal of the weekend is to get people out. Starting January 24th we are doing ice blocks in central park and we are offering 4-foot blocks instead, and we are hoping to draw in more families, The City had its first public snowshoeing event this weekend and it was a success! Announcements In the News Weekly Owatonna People’s Press articles: http://ci.owatonna.mn.us/Blog.aspx?CID=3 Owatonna Live Straight Talk Straight Talk (owatonnalive.com) Actions Requested from past meetings ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Jonathan Douglas, and second Tyler Cochran to adjourn the Park Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. All members present voted aye. The next board meeting is February 13, 2023, at 4:30 p.m. at Council Chambers.