Southwood Nature Preserve Management and Funding

David (Citizen) initiated a passionate discussion about the decline of Southwood Nature Preserve due to aging volunteers and lack of funding. He detailed various methods for invasive species removal (Buckthorn, Japanese knotweed), highlighting both traditional pulling/cutting and newly discovered effective methods for knotweed. Concerns were raised about the need for repair or replacement of the metal bridge and observation deck, as well as the need for general maintenance to address high trees and wood chip trails. The public's use of the park, especially for those with mobility issues, was emphasized. Commissioner Lloyd Grotek acknowledged the issues, noting difficulties with the Southwood Task Force and city ordinance restrictions for solutions like using goats. The topic of turtle crossings was also raised, with proposals for infrastructure changes rather than just signage.

Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Review and Prioritization

The commission engaged in a structured discussion to review and reprioritize the city's 10-year Capital Improvement Plan for parks. Commissioners provided individual 'wish lists' with rough cost estimates for parks under their liaison. Key themes included the need for playgrounds catering to older children (as highlighted by Sue Springborn and Laura Greenley Karp), repurposing underutilized spaces (Ben Hansen's proposal for Casey Lake's ball field), and addressing critical infrastructure like bridges and observation decks (David's recommendations for Southwood). The master planning efforts for McKnight Fields and downtown parks were acknowledged as significant ongoing investments. The discussion aimed to provide City Council with commission priorities for future budget planning.

Code of Conduct Review

Riley (Staff) led a review of the commission's Code of Conduct, an older document that outlines expectations for respectful, integral, and communicative behavior among commissioners, staff, and the public. The review served as a refresher, with Riley emphasizing the value of diverse perspectives while stressing the need for mutual respect. No formal votes or actions were taken, but an annual review was recommended to ensure ongoing awareness, especially with new commission members.

Public Works Updates and HGA Open Houses

Sarah (Staff) provided an update from Public Works, announcing the completion of a comprehensive park inventory detailing existing amenities like benches, picnic tables, and grills, along with their condition. This data will be digitized for future reference. Additionally, information regarding upcoming open houses with HGA for park planning was shared. Commissioners were reminded of the need to attend specific dates to ensure a quorum for public engagement, highlighting the importance of commission representation.