Eagan Advisory Parks Commission Meeting

Date: May 19, 2025
Time: 6:00 P.M.
Location: Moonshine Park (as per agenda)

The meeting was called to order with roll call and pledge of allegiance. The commission approved the agenda and the minutes from the April 21, 2025 meeting. New members were introduced, and the commission received presentations on community engagement and recreational facility updates. Officers for the next term were elected, followed by round table comments and staff reports.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda: Motion made and seconded; passed unanimously.
• Approval of Minutes (April 21, 2025): Motion made and seconded; passed unanimously with no abstentions.

Presentations

• Introduction of New Commissioners – Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Jared Flewellen introduced three new members:
  • Jeff Soderholm – Lived in Eagan for 41 years, background in business administration and IT. Expressed excitement to contribute.
  • Sam Kunjummen – Lived in Eagan 24 years, previously involved in designing the Eagan Teen Center (now Oasis). Works in IT. Expressed heart for community service.
  • Paul Nasvik – Lived in Eagan, enjoys outdoor activities. Excited to work for Eagan.
• Communication and Engagement Presentation – Director Sara Horwath presented:
  • Nearly 500 residents responded to the 2024 community survey. Parks and recreation received a 96% approval rating—the highest among community attributes. Of that, 67% rated it “excellent,” 29% “good,” and 4% “fair.”
  • The Parks Master Plan survey has 577 participants (as of presentation date), exceeding the community survey sample.
  • Recreation facility communications: focus on Goat Hill, Eagan Art House (new 10,000 sq ft space), and Eagan Community Center (ECC) multi-phase renovation.
  • Social media reaches over 60,000 followers; email subscriber lists are growing.
  • In 2025, priorities include the Art House opening, ECC updates, and building media relationships.

Old Business

• Recreational Facilities Update – Parks Superintendent Chris Fleck:
  • Goat Hill: Project wrapping up; parking lots, pavilions, and rink building complete. Site closed for six months to finish landscaping, stormwater work, and address warranty punch-list items (e.g., air conditioning fault). Temporary occupancy allows only staff inside.
  • Eagan Art House: Demolition of old structure completed. Ribbon cutting scheduled for June 2025, with a larger formal event around Artblock in September.
  • Eagan Community Center (ECC): Four-phase project. Phase one (fitness center addition, cold storage, upgraded restrooms, new indoor playground) is nearly complete. Phase two (lobby renovations) begins June 9, 2025, lasting through end of year. Fitness center square footage stays similar; will have ~30 cardio and 30 strength pieces. No membership price changes through 2026. Indoor playground will add more levels and extend into parent seating area.

New Business

• Officer Elections – Led by Jared Flewellen:
  • Chair: Mike Palmer nominated and seconded; elected unanimously.
  • Vice Chair: Deanne DeMarle nominated and seconded; elected unanimously.
  • Secretary: Jeff Soderholm nominated and seconded; elected unanimously.

Round Table

• Commissioners shared observations:
  • Commissioner DeMarle remarked on new pickleball courts at Ron Park and participation in a women’s academy.
  • New commissioners expressed excitement to serve.
  • Commissioner Palmer commended staff for field preparation at Squarefields.
  • Commissioner Klein reported a successful spring festival at Holtz Farm (over 500 attendees), and noted the Art House demolition and positive impressions of ECC renovations.
  • A commissioner complimented the blending of new construction with existing ECC structure and the convenience of improved access (elevator in future phases).

Staff Reports

• Department Update – Assistant Director Jared Flewellen highlighted:
  • Recent events: Sold-out puppy yoga; fitness center memberships at 4,500 (half insurance-based).
  • Summer registration launched; camps registered in spring.
  • Cascade Bay pool opens June 6, 2025; season pass photos available at ECC.
  • Parks team completed a fishing pier replacement at Black Hawk Park and installed a playground at Lexington Diffly Park (in-house, saving $30,000–$50,000).
  • Eagan Civic Arena hosted a skate school show.
  • Splash pads open May 23, 2025.

Adjournment

• Motion to adjourn made, seconded, and passed unanimously.