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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016/02/17 - ADMIN - Minutes - Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission - RegularOFFICIAL MINUTES Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission February 17, 2016, 6:30 p.m. Meeting The Rec Center Programming Office 1. Call to Order Ms. Foulkes, Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:28 p.m. Commission members present: George Foulkes, Sarah Foulkes, Elizabeth Griffin, George Hagemann, Edward Halvorson, Kirk Hawkinson and Peter May. Commission members absent: none. Staff present: Rick Beane, Parks Superintendent, Jim Vaughan, Natural Resources Coordinator, Cindy Walsh, Director of Operations and Recreation and Stacy Voelker, Recording Secretary. 2. Presentation St. Louis Park Lacrosse (Joan Manicotti) Joan Manicotti, President of the St. Louis Park Lacrosse Association, presented an update on the association and distributed information. Ms. Manicotti has been president for two years and was a board member prior to that. She has two sons that played lacrosse. Lacrosse began as a high school club team then, in 2007, the association was created. The sport has grown to include youth boys, girls and high school boys. The program consists of boys U9 - U15 and girls U3 – U8. Ms. Manicotti advised the main seasons for Lacrosse are April – June for spring and July – August for summer. Their main season is spring. The association joined the newly formed Great Northern Lacrosse League which is for youth boys. The girls participate through MSLax and the high school boys participate in the Homegrown Lacrosse Leagues off season. The Lacrosse Association offers in-house leagues in the summer which work on the fundamentals of the sport. Participants that do not wish to participate in traveling join St. Louis Park’s league. The costs for lacrosse have decreased. Their 2015 successful fundraiser enabled them to lower the costs in hopes of recruiting younger players. Ms. Manicotti advised. Individuals were uncertain to try lacrosse due to the expensive equipment. This led to lower costs at the U9 and U11 levels. The association would like to have rental equipment available for people to try the sport. They do offer scholarships so all income levels can play. The coordinators at each age level determine the pricing for their group. They now have paid coaches also. Ms. Manicotti advised Kevin Reed left and the new high school coach is Chris Bixby. Mr. Bixby grew up on the east coast and has a MBA from Harvard. He coached JV in Edina last year. The association also hired a boys and girls coordinator. 2 In an effort to grow the program, they began offering fall and winter clinics. The clinics are offered at the Middle School gym to teach how to catch and throw. They also began a summer in-house league. Last year they hosted a youth girl’s state tournament which included 35 teams, at the Middle School and High School stadium. The association worked with the Recreation Division on the logistics of the tournament. A new field was built at the Middle School for lacrosse so are well established at that location. Ms. Manicotti complimented the city for their support. The Association had a successful year of fundraising through the sale of coupon cards. They helped cut expenses by printing the cards in-house which brought all the revenue to the association. This allowed for registration fees to be reduced. Ms. Manicotti advised some of the challenges they are facing include the lack of youth parent participation on the board. She feels part of the issue is lacrosse is seen as a new sport and parents are unsure if their child will like it and stay in it. Finding coaches is also an issue. It’s especially challenging when college age coaches are still in school. Another challenge Ms. Manicotti expressed is a lack of communication with the girl’s high school program. The association has invited the coach (a high school teacher) to board meetings and will continue to work on the cohesion with the high school program. Ms. Manicotti feels the most challenging aspect the association is facing is getting the word out about lacrosse. It is difficult to get parents to try the sport. This year they sent postcards to all youth in grades 2 - 8 in the school district. Ms. Walsh introduced Mr. Rick Beane, Park Superintendent. Mr. Beane indicated staff takes pride in the field conditions and will continue maintenance. There is a potential storage shed to be built as an Eagle Scout project for nets to prohibit balls from entering the parking lot. Ms. Manicotti stated her appreciation for the state of the turf. Mr. Hawkinson inquired if the association has advertised the clinics? Ms. Manicotti indicated it was advertised in the Sun Sailor and on postcards. They do not have a designated marketing person; a lot of information is spread via word of mouth. Mr. Hagemann asked where pressure to make it a year-round program is coming from. Ms. Manicotti feels it is pressure to offer more opportunities for more play. Commission members and Ms. Manicotti traded thanks. 3. Approval of Minutes a. January 20, 2016 Commission member May requested a revision to page 3, first paragraph, third to last sentence in paragraph. The minutes should state “Mr. Hagemann included that the building will be designed with various options as presented at the public meeting”. It was moved by Commission member G. Foulkes, seconded by Commission member Griffin, to approve the January 20, 2016 meeting minutes as amended. The motion passed 7 – 0. 3 4. Old Business a. Outdoor Refrigeration Rink Update (Cindy Walsh) Ms. Walsh provided an update on the outdoor facility. The intention is to offer ice mid- November through mid-March then turf the facility. Staff has talked with the soccer and lacrosse Associations regarding another turf option for play in the spring. Staff could move the annual egg hunt to the facility as it has consistent ground plus could offer Little Tot Drop In outdoors every day of the week. This activity is currently held in the Banquet Room four mornings for two hours per day. In addition to sports and mentioned activities, it could be a backup for the Children’s First Ice Cream Social. Other options include a roller derby on the concrete area, concerts, craft fairs, farmers markets, or any other venues that would fit the space. In the winter the facility would primarily be hockey, open skating and potentially broomball leagues. Mr. Hawkinson inquired on the parking availability. Ms. Walsh advised there is additional parking planned on the west side of the facility, where the skate park is currently. Ms. Walsh indicated the item went before the Council at a Study Session last night. Bids for the project were received on February 2 and were over the anticipated amount. The city recently bid out portions of the indoor rink replacement project, of which 95% of the bids came in at budget. The city planned to bond $10 million with the additional coming from the general fund. The project will use $1.5 million from the Park Improvement fund. Staff talked with the Council last night and the Council will have it come back at the City Council meeting next week. The Hockey Association made a $1.55 million dollar, 10 year commitment to build the outdoor facility, which comes from pull tabs sold. After bids came in high, staff asked the Hockey Association if they could increase their commitment. The Association will discuss and advise the city. Turf and score boards are included in the project. Could add a sport court but not included in the budget. Mr. Hagemann inquired if the project were to be revised, it would need to wait until 2017 to construct? Ms. Walsh advised if it were pushed out a year, a year would be lost plus would cost more. If we do it now, some products could be combined with the Rec Center refrigeration project, which is currently under way, for a lower cost. The outdoor facility has a complicated and unique roof design which can be found nowhere in the state. The roof is estimated at $3 million alone. This is a very visual facility. Ms. Walsh will email commissioners the Council reports from February 16, 2016. 4 5. New Business a. Bridgewater Dominium Addition (Julie Grove) Julie Grove, Planning Assistant, introduced herself and indicated she is assisting Sean Walther until the planner position is filled. Ms. Grove advised the subdivision ordinance requires discussion with the Commission. Bridgewater Bank has purchased the property at the corner of Excelsior Boulevard and Monterey Drive. They proposed to build a 168 unit apartment complex with retail on the first floor and six stories high. The properties have been plotted as commercial use. The Planning Commission has not approved yet and a neighborhood meeting will need to be held. If approved by Council, the project would happen in the spring via phases. Community Development staff recommends accepting cash-in-lieu of land. The park dedication would be $252,000 plus trail dedication of $37,800. Councilmember Hagemann motioned to accept cash-in-lieu in the amount of $289,800, Commission member May seconded. The motion passed 7 - 0. b. Arlington Row Apartments East (Julie Grove) Ms. Grove presented the proposal for Arlington Row Apartments which would be located in the northwest corner of the city, south of Wayzata Boulevard and east of Texas Avenue. The proposed is from Melrose Company for one, 27-unit building with on-site parking. A Livable Communities Grant was received from Met Council. This was previously thought as seven lots but actually 12 lots. This project would bring $30,000 to park dedication and $4,500 to trail dedication. The Planning Commission recommended approval of this project. The major issues were property values, parking on 13th Lane, traffic, and crime. If approved by Council, this project would take place in spring via phases. Commission member Hagemann motioned to accept cash-in-lieu in the amount of $34,500, Commission member G. Foulkes seconded. The motion passed 7 – 0. c. Emerald Ash Borer Update (Jim Vaughan) Jim Vaughan, Natural Resources Coordinator, provided an update on Emerald Ash Borer and indicated ash trees are wind pollinated. A handout was provided to Commissioners on EAB. Unhealthy ash trees have been removed and replaced, one for one, with other varieties of trees. Staff is replanting a variety of native trees to diversify the tree stock. Council recently reviewed the insecticide injection plan proposed by staff. Council approved moving forward with injecting the trees which will cost an additional $30,000 per year for the injections. In the past six to eight years the infestation has increased. It is hard to detect the disease as the insects are in the bark. Generally the insects are in the trees three – four years before the infestation can be seen. 5 Mr. Hawkinson inquired if injecting the trees saves them. Mr. Vaughan replied it will kill insects on contact but will not save infested trees. Mr. Hagemann inquired if residents are offered the insecticide at the contract rate for trees on private property (similar to Oak Wilt). Mr. Vaughn advised they are not as there’s not enough funding. 6. Staff Communication Mr. Vaughan provided dates of the Pick up the Park event (April 22), the Rain Garden Workshop (May 25) and other upcoming events listed in the summer Park & Rec brochure. The Minnehaha Creek clean-up will be held on May 7 from 9 – 11 a.m. at the Knollwood canoe landing area. Ms. Walsh commented last year’s Organic Living Workshop, held in April, and had great attendance. Mr. Vaughan indicated approximately 150 people attended the event. This year Kala Fisher, Solid Waste Program Coordinator, and Shannon Pinc, Environmental and Sustainability Coordinator, will be present at the event to be held on April 16. The goal is to have a good mix of exhibitors present. Mr. Vaughan invited Commission members to attend the events. The Arbor Day and Tree Planting celebration will be held on May 14 at Bass Lake Preserve. Tree planting will begin by Belt Line Boulevard. Mr. Vaughan described the events to the members and invited them to participate. The event is partnered with Tree Trust, who does a lot of work in the city. Staff applied for and received an urban forestry and inventory grant from Minnesota Green Corp. This is part of AmeriCorps, who employs recent graduates that have an interest in volunteering. The Public Works Department has Cartegraph, a software program for park inventory. The 11- month grant, allows a Green Corp person to update the tree inventory so it can be imported into Cartegraph. Mr. Beane will also begin working in the program to update the data. Mr. Hawkinson inquired if a second grade girl scout group could participate in the Minnehaha Creek clean-up: Mr. Hawkinson will have a leader contact Mr. Vaughan for details. Mr. Beane advised the power feed for the Rec Center had to be relocated due to the refrigeration project. The project was slightly delayed due to weather and waiting for Xcel Energy to move the power box. The west rink will be removed and replaced first; then the east rink will be removed and replace. This time of year is challenging to do this project as equipment needs to be covered. Four playgrounds will be replaced in 2016, Mr. Beane advised. Requests for Proposals were sent February 12. The playground in Justad Park will have a playground review meeting on March 10 at Fire Station 1 at 7 p.m.; the playground for Jersey Park will be chosen at a community meeting to be held on March 10 at Nelson Park; and the large playground at Wolfe Park will be chosen at a community meeting held March 8 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Wolfe Park Building. The old playgrounds will be removed and reused/recycled through Kids Around the World. Mr. Hawkinson suggested adding a plaque by the playground which displayed where the old playground was relocated to serve as a formal recognition of the program. Due to the cold weather, the outdoor rinks were extended an extra week. The new last day will be Sunday, February 21. The rink season was a success, advised Mr. Beane. 6 Mr. Beane advised Wi-Fi has been added to Louisiana Oaks Park building so now that building will have automated door locks and security camera surveillance. Aquila Park building will have Wi-Fi this year. The fishing dock was removed and replaced at Wolfe Park, Mr. Beane commented. The Community Gardens at Nelson Park will expand. Staff is proposing raised gardens for the handicap accessibility plus expand the gardens. Staff will host a neighborhood meeting but are waiting for a list of gardens to assist. Ms. Walsh advised the plan is to host a neighborhood meeting once in every three years. Mr. Beane advised the Utah Pond area is asking for a gag pit and bocce ball court. Staff is on a secondary mowing schedule but needs some commitment to assist with weed control. 7. Member Communication Mr. Foulkes advised the Commission of the Empty Bowls event to be held March 10 for lunch and evening. The event will be held at Westwood Lutheran Church. Mr. Hawkinson inquired if any bandy teams request use of the rink. Ms. Walsh advised they utilize a different size rink. 8. Other / Future Agenda Items On Monday, February 22, the Commission will meet, along with other boards and commissions, with the City Council in the Rec Center Banquet Room to discuss their annual goals. The next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 16. 9. Adjournment It was moved by Commission member Hagemann and seconded by Commission member G. Foulkes to adjourn at 8:04 p.m. The motion passed 7–0. Respectfully submitted, Stacy Voelker Stacy Voelker Recording Secretary