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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017/06/07 - ADMIN - Minutes - Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission - RegularOFFICIAL MINUTES Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission June 7, 2017, 6 p.m. Rec Center Programming Office MEMBERS PRESENT: Rich Bluma, Bruce Cantor, George Foulkes, George Hagemann, Tiffany Hoffmann and Peter May MEMBERS ABSENT: Elizabeth Griffin and Edward Halvorson GUEST(S) PRESENT: Tamara Nugteren and Girl Scout Troop 14177 Glen Waguespack and Nancy Blankfard (HGA) STAFF PRESENT: Rick Beane, Park Superintendent, Brian Hoffman, Director of Inspections, Jacquelyn Kramer, Associate Planner (6:50 p.m.), Mark Oestreich, Manager of Westwood Hills Nature Center, Cindy Walsh, Director of Operations and Recreation, Jason West, Recreation Superintendent and Stacy Voelker, Recording Secretary 1. Call to Order Commissioner May called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. 2. Presentations None. 3. Approval of Minutes a. May 3, 2017 Commissioner May requested a spelling correction to Ms. Burns name on page 3, sixth paragraph. Commissioner Hagemann made a motion to approve the minutes of May 3, 2017 as amended. Commissioner Hoffmann seconded the motion. The motion passed on a vote of 6 – 0. 4. New Business a. Girl Scout Troop 14177 Request for Gaga Pit at Middle School Mr. Beane welcomed Girl Scout Troop 14177. Tamara Nugteren, scout leader, advised the troop primarily consists of girls entering 8th grade plus their younger siblings. The Troop shared a petition with the commission asking to add a gaga ball pit endorsed by 83 individuals. Mr. Beane indicated he has received requests for gaga pits in the city from various groups. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting 2 June 7, 2017 The scouts have attended girls scout camps, which include gaga pits, and enjoy the activity. They provided a description of a gaga pit and how the game is played. Gaga can be played with any number of players, any age and any athletic ability. It is a fast-paced activity, is inclusive to all, is easy to learn and is empowering. The pit is easy to build and a ball is all that’s needed to play. Mr. Beane indicated the materials to construct the gaga pit would cost approximately $2,000 for wood and fabricated brackets. City staff would construct. Mr. Beane met with the School District and the Girl Scouts to discuss the gaga pit being located at the Middle School. The scouts preferred it be located in an area close to the school to provide an opportunity for many to utilize. The School District was excited to have on their property and decided it be located on the northwest side of the school near the tennis / volleyball courts. Commissioner Foulkes made a motion to move forward on the addition of a gaga pit. Commissioner Hoffmann seconded the motion. The motion passed on a vote of 6 – 0. The Girl Scout Troop inquired how they could contribute to the city via fundraising or service projects. They indicated the Girl Scouts are always looking for service projects (i.e. cleaning, painting, etc.). Staff will discuss logistics and provide details to the Girl Scouts. Mr. Beane indicated another request for a gaga pit has been received from the Browndale Park area. The Advisory Commissioners and Girl Scouts thanked each other. b. Hockey Day Minnesota Ms. Walsh advised the Minnesota Wild hosts Hockey Day Minnesota, a one day event in Minnesota that features at least four games of hockey in one day. The event is generally held in January or February and an outdoor ice rink is constructed specifically for the event. When construction began on the ROC, staff contacted the Minnesota Wild to offer the ROC as a host site. When awarded as a host site, the community pays for everything. City staff met with Fox Sports to tour our site and discuss details. Staff also visited Stillwater as Hockey Day Minnesota was held at their location on January 21, 2017. Since locations are secured for 2018 and 2019, staff expressed interest to host the event in 2020 or 2021. A committee will be assembled to create a marketing package of our location and amenities for the Minnesota Wild. Commissioners are encouraged to contact Ms. Walsh if they are interested in being part of the committee that will assemble the package. The commission will be updated on the status of this event. Mr. Beane indicated this event is very important for high school hockey and would be exciting to host. Commissioner Foulkes inquired if staff has discussed with Benilde-St. Margaret’s. Ms. Walsh advised local high school teams typically play so Benilde-St. Margaret’s and St. Louis Park High School will be involved. Mr. West advised sponsorship and gate admission provides revenue from the event. The Minnesota Wild has prime sponsors who would have first right of refusal for sponsorship, Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting 3 June 7, 2017 advised Ms. Walsh. The sponsorship package is created by the host. The sponsorship provides funding for the expenses. The City will apply for a host position. c. Westwood Hills Nature Center Architect Selection Recommendation Ms. Walsh indicated 11 proposals were received (three out of state) for the Westwood Hills Nature Center project. The 11 proposals were reviewed by city staff and Commissioner Foulkes. Six outstanding firms were interviewed. Mr. West felt it was a great process. Ms. Walsh introduced Glen Waguespack and Nancy Blankfard from Hammel, Green & Abrahamson, Inc. (HGA). Ms. Blankfard provided an introduction and HGA’s history. HGA presented the three dimensional concept models (the “Gateway”, “Branch” and “Merge”) that were presented to the interview panel. She feels this project would fit in line with other buildings in the area. Mr. Hoffman advised HGA offers full service which is important as the Nature Center building will be energy efficient. Ms. Blankfard stated HGA would work with a subcontractor to ensure the net zero goals are met. The schedule was presented with completion anticipated in fall of 2019. Ms. Blankfard expressed an integrated team is important, especially since it is trying to achieve a net zero facility. The Commission members reviewed the thresholds and character of the area entering the park. The goal is to have the building introduce the natural environment of Westwood Hills. The firm reviewed the existing and proposed building, plus cataloged the resources on the site. They will review solar and wind exposure, experience, topography and access to items such as the lake. HGA provided a graph of potential energy efficiency strategies (i.e. solar, ventilation, etc.). Ms. Blankfard indicated the building will connect with the landscaping. Identifying the opportunities that exist on the site will assist in designing the building. Commissioner Hoffmann inquired on the cost; Mr. Hoffman advised the city budgeted $120,000. Commissioner Cantor made a motion to recommend the City Council enter into a contract with HGA to provide architectural services for the Westwood Hills Nature Center project. Commissioner Foulkes seconded the motion. The motion passed on a vote of 6 – 0. d. Platia Place Development (9920 and 9808 Wayzata Blvd.) Park and Trail Dedication Jacquelyn Kramer, Associate Planner, advised an application was received for a preliminary plat and PUD for the Platia Place development on the old Santorini site (394 and 169). The application proposes a six-story, 150-unit apartment building and a six- story, 111-room hotel on the site. The property will be privately owned and they would maintain the site. The application is scheduled to go before the City Council on July 15. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting 4 June 7, 2017 Ms. Walsh advised whenever new, large developments are proposed, the Commission reviews to determine if a park or trail should be included in the designated area. If not, the developer is required to provide park and trail dedication to the city. The dedication is put into the Park Improvement Fund (PIF) which has an annual budget of approximately one million. Staff submits proposed Park Improvement Fund projects to the City Council annually. The ROC was bonded so it did not come out of the Park Improvement Fund. Most of the projects in the parks, etc. are funded by the PIF. Commissioner Hagemann provided instances where members have recommended the developer provide less dedication than originally calculated. Commissioner Hagemann suggested additional review of more high-density developments. The location being discussed was a restaurant while a hotel and apartments are being proposed. Another option is to change the Comprehensive Plan to include a clause stating if space becomes available, park space should be considered. Staff suggested holding discussions regarding the Comprehensive Plan to ensure more DORA’s (Dedicated Outdoor Recreation Areas) are included in the plans. Commissioner Hagemann made a motion to approve acceptance of cash-in-lieu of land in the estimated amount of $313,748 for Park and Trail dedication from SLP Park Ventures for the Platia Place Development proposal. Commissioner Cantor seconded the motion. The motion passed on a vote of 6 – 0. 5. Old Business a. Skate Park Update Mr. West provided a history and timeline of the project. A storm water basin will be located under the skate park in Carpenter Park. The project is budgeted at $200,000 and a Youth Sports Grant was received in the amount of $100,000. On May 24 , staff hosted a public meeting with California Skate Parks, which was attended by approximately 25 people. California Skate Parks provided proposed schematics for comments from the attendees. A new rendering will be provided from California Skate Parks at a meeting to be held on June 16 to obtain feedback from the original participants that viewed the first diagram. Commissioner Bluma feels there was good energy from the attendees; a lot of ideas were presented to California Skate Parks. The company is excited about the space for the Skate Park. Commissioner Cantor inquired if there will be another meeting with California Skate Parks after the June 16 meeting. There may be another meeting or could obtain feedback via emails stated Mr. West. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting 5 June 7, 2017 b. ROC Update Grand Opening Mr. West indicated the ROC Grand Opening was held in conjunction with the annual Children’s First Ice Cream Social on May 21. Approximately 1,500 people attended the event. All enjoyed the music and dancers which made for a great day. Future Programming Rummage sales, battle of bands, RC car racing, basketball programs, open mic nights, walking programs, broomball leagues and pond hockey leagues are just a few of the programs staff plans to hold in the ROC, Mr. West indicated. The ROC has been rented for a birthday party and has a wedding party interested in the venue. Staff has solidified a contract with My Hockey, which is a group that rates hockey teams. They bring in 35-40 hockey teams for a tournament weekend and will use the ROC and Rec Center ice arenas. Current events scheduled in the ROC include: a Naturalization/Immigration event, Jewish Family Services event and Parktacular events. Maintenance staff are painting railings and heating sealing seams for a seamless look, Mr. West indicated. Ms. Walsh advised there may be circumstances where staff will need to clear the ROC roof of wet, heavy snow if it accumulates. The roof has been engineered for heavy loads but staff does not want wet snow to sit on the roof. Staff and Commissioners discussed the vortex that goes through the ROC. Commissioner Hagemann suggested providing a wind screen for events. 6. Staff Communication Mr. Oestreich indicated Westwood is in their second week of summer camps, which is a 13-week program. The city and Great River Greening are in contract to remove buckthorn. The plan is to eliminate buckthorn in Westwood over the course of three years. Planting has begun on the lower level of the woods and northeast area of the park. The boardwalk has arrived and Tree Trust is working to connect. Estimate completion in 3 – 4 weeks, advised Mr. Oestreich. Fishing with a Cop was awarded a $9,000 grant to get more youth involved in fishing and archery, Mr. Oestreich advised. There are 20 youth in the program which targets English as a Second Language (ESL) children from the Middle School. The officer’s partnered with a youth to help pick out fishing and archery equipment then returned to Lamplighter Pond to fish. In July the group will do an archery event and in September they will host a final fishing and cookout event. Staff assists with the events; it is a good partnership between departments. Mr. West advised the Aquatic Park opened last weekend and had record-breaking revenue for an opening weekend. The playground program is offered at a variety of sites with approximately 900 participants. The Rec Center offices were renovated, including paint, new carpeting and new furniture. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting 6 June 7, 2017 7. Member Communication Ms. Walsh welcomed Commissioner Cantor. Introductions were shared. Commissioner Hagemann advised Friends of the Arts had Pianos on Parade at the Ice Cream Social in May. The two pianos, offered by a St. Paul non-profit group to get pianos outdoors, will be in various locations in the City. The locations include: on a trailer in the Parktacular parade, at the ROC, at the Aquatic Park and in Byerly’s. Friends of the Arts organized painting of the pianos during the Ice Cream Social. Having the pianos in various locations encourages play. Our Town Sings will be at the Wolfe Park Amphitheater beginning June 13. There will also be an ice cream truck vendor at the event, Commissioner Hagemann indicated. Commissioner Hagemann advised May was bike month. The events were discussed, including the Bike to Work day which was held on Friday, May 19. This event offered pit stops from 7:30 – 9 a.m. which were staffed with volunteers. The volunteers distributed swag, ice water, coffee, and other items to celebrate those biking to work. Three Rivers participated and provided mobile maintenance for attendees. They anticipated 75 people for the event but approximately 150 – 200 people arrived in the hour and a half between all locations. The bicyclists were pleased with the celebration. On a Saturday morning in May, a family bike ride was offered. The ride was held at a kid-friendly pace and geared for family fun. Participants biked from Aquila Park to Dakota Park then back. Family fun things, including decorations for the bikes and St. Louis Park water bottles with police cap shaped tops, were provided to participants. Commissioner Foulkes indicated the architect interviews were very interesting as their approach varied. There were two above the rest. Foulkes commented the local firm was very well prepared. Ms. Walsh expressed her appreciation for Commissioner Foulkes involvement in the process. 8. Other / Future Agenda Items Ms. Walsh indicated the Commission typically does not meet in July due to lack of quorum. The next step in the Nature Center process is to hire a construction management group, which will occur in August. Staff and Commissioners reviewed dates and decided to hold the next meeting August 23. 9. Adjournment It was moved by Commissioner Hoffmann and seconded by Commissioner Hagemann to adjourn at 8:01 p.m. The motion passed 6 - 0. Respectfully submitted, Stacy Voelker Stacy Voelker, Recording Secretary