Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017/08/23 - ADMIN - Minutes - Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission - RegularOFFICIAL MINUTES Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission August 23, 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: Brian Recker (RJM) STAFF PRESENT: Brian Hoffman, Inspections Director (6:14 – 6:29 p.m.) Jim Vaughan, Natural Resources Coordinator, Cindy Walsh, Director of Operations and Recreation and Stacy Voelker, Recording Secretary 1. Call to Order Commissioner May called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m. 2. Presentations – Little League Matt Moran, President of the Little League Association, and the Commission members shared introductions. Mr. Moran advised in 2017 there were 468 boys and 16 girls that participated which formed 46 teams. In 2016, there were 450 participants. They’ve seen continual growth throughout the years. The Association is attempting to have a development path for individuals to keep them playing the sport. Generally there is a reduction in registration at the kid-pitch level. This year the organization offered approximately 25 scholarships for players. Their goal is to get as many individuals involved in the sport so no one is turned away. The little League Association is run by all volunteers (coaches and the board), which keeps the community involved. There is a good success rate and kids are taught responsibility through the sport. Background checks are completed on all coaches and they are trained. Winning is not the main goal of the program, Mr. Moran advised. The goal is to get as many kids to play as many positions as possible so they enjoy the sport. This helps expand on the number of individuals who can pitch. The program ensures all participants get an opportunity and they focus on training when needed. Registration begins in January. They do a great deal of indoor facility training at the Senior High School or Middle School. As soon as weather permits, they train outside. St. Louis Park has great fields. Mr. Moran complimented Rick Beane and Matt Shopek for the fields. There are 12 – 13 players on each team. They offer a 20 game season. Kid-pitch ends the last week in June. July offers additional tournaments for those interested. The Classic Tournament is hosted in St. Louis Park. This supports six teams of 10-12 year olds. Five to eight year olds continue playing until the second week in July. Fall baseball begins the last week of August and is a ten-game season. This year 175 individuals participated in fall ball. The Association also partners with the Senior High School to offer clinics. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting 2 August 23, 2017 In 2017 the association hosted a district tournament and received great reviews of Skippy Field, the volunteers that assisted, etc. They also hosted an 11 year old classic tournament that went well. “It’s great to see continuous maintenance and replacement of park facilities”, Mr. Moran commented. Improvements lately include replacing fences at Skippy Field and rebuilding a pitching facility. The Association paid a portion of the expense for concrete and a pitching mound. The association utilizes five to six parks for practice during their season. They have split practices so that two teams utilize a field at the same time. The Little League partners with the Softball Association and both use DIB system for volunteers. More coaches makes it better for youth participants. Mr. Moran indicated the fields are in good shape. The only problematic field is at Twin Lakes although it does get better in the fall. Mr. Moran indicated the association is partnering for the 13–15 year old level. Historically, kids stop playing baseball around 13-15 years old. The association’s goal is to get as many players to continue to play as possible. Class are starting to see bigger growth. Commissioner Cantor inquired if most participants are from St. Louis Park. Mr. Moran indicated 90% are from the Park and approximately 10% are from Minneapolis. Commissioners and Mr. Moran shared appreciation for the presentation. 3. Approval of Minutes a. June 7, 2017 Commissioner Hagemann made a motion to approve the minutes of June 7, 2017. Commissioner May seconded the motion. The motion passed on a vote of 6 – 0. 4. New Business a. Westwood Hills Nature Center Construction Manager Discussion Ms. Walsh introduced Brian Recker from RJM. The City worked with RJM on the ROC project and they have risen to the top of the construction manger position for the Nature Center project. Mr. Recker, the president of RJM, advised he has been with the organization for 15 years. RJM has been in business for 20 years and offer commercial general contractor services. The organization specializes in health care, office buildings and historical renovation projects. They work with nonprofit organizations, charter schools and other organizations to assist with construction management of a project from the beginning to the end. Most of their work is in the Twin Cities; they regularly work with 19 cities in the metro area. They are the ninth largest company in Minnesota. They employ approximately 160 people in the office and in the field. The goal of RJM is to provide value from the beginning to the end of construction of a project. About 85% of the work they do is with repeat clients, which is a goal of the company. Mr. Cantor inquired if the organization delivers on time. Mr. Recker indicated they do and have a very good track record. They work diligently to Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting 3 August 23, 2017 overcome any issues and will replace contractors if necessary to keep the project on schedule. Mr. Recker described the construction management process to the Commission. The City hires RJM at the beginning of the design phase. From the onset of the project, RJM works with the architect through the design stage and prepares a budget reflecting what the team wants. If over budget, RJM offers solutions as they work very close with the architect. The first level is the schematic design phase where the layout of the floor, elevation, etc. is prepared. A budget at that phase is then prepared by reviewing options. The next level is the design development phase which provides more details of the design. They go out to market to ensure within the budget with all the phases. The design can be modified to ensure it is within the budget. RJM assists with the bidding process. They work on the project and meet weekly with the city /team to keep apprised of progress, ensure the project is within budget and on time. A site supervisor will be onsite to coordinate activities of the subcontractors; they ensure all contractors are putting in the correct material, staying on schedule and basically coordinate all construction activities of the project. Ms. Walsh indicated a panel interviewed RJM Construction, Stahl Construction, Kraus- Anderson Companies, Inc. and Adolfson & Peterson Construction for construction management services. Staff and Commissioner Foulkes were on the interview panel. Ms. Walsh indicated it is important for RJM to do a good job on the project as they depend on repeat business. They worked well on the ROC project so the city requested the same team work on the Nature Center project. Commissioner Hoffmann inquired on the length of the project. Design phase will begin then onto the bid phase, Ms. Walsh advised. Mr. Recker anticipates a year’s work of design time with bidding occurring in fall of 2018 and construction beginning in spring of 2019. Mr. Hoffman indicated constructing the building will take approximately eight to nine months. Ms. Walsh explained the City Council wants the Nature Center to be utilized as a teaching facility, be sustainable and keep the existing building open and functional during construction. Mr. Recker indicated it will be challenging to minimally disrupt customers but the site supervisor’s main priority is safety to users. A lot of planning will be involved with the entire team. Mr. Hoffman added having lead time is valuable to get it right without a sense of hurry. Commissioner Foulkes noted RJM considered some very interesting items, one is the influence on the neighborhood and ways to keep construction equipment to a minimal. Ms. Walsh indicated the team has thought through safety and how to keep the neighborhood involved, as they want to be involved. Potentially, the neighborhood may have the contract information for the site supervisor. Commissioner Hoffmann made a motion to recommend the City Council enter into a contract with RJM Construction to provide construction management services for the Westwood Hills Nature Center project. Commissioner Foulkes seconded the motion. The motion passed on a vote of 6 – 0. Mr. Recker thanked the commission and offered to provide an update at any time. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting 4 August 23, 2017 b. Evergreen Award and Natural Resource Review (Jim Vaughan) Mr. Vaughan, Natural Resources Coordinator, introduced self and provided a handout noting Natural Resource updates to the Commission. Since 1990, Evergreen Award winners have been chosen from the city. Each winner is presented with an award certificate, a Dwarf Alberta Spruce and “Evergreen Award Winner” signs posted in their boulevard for two weeks. There were eight nominations this year for the award, Mr. Vaughan advised. The nominations were reviewed by a team and two nominations will be recommended as winners to the City Council in mid-September. The city is always looking for more nominations; members were encouraged to help spread the word. Questions can be directed to Jim Vaughan. Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has yet to be found in St. Louis Park. Testing on Ash trees continues to come back with negative results. Staff is watching for woodpeckers as they peel larva of EAB, which may indicate the arrival in the City. In conducting a tree inventory, it was determined the city has approximately 2,000 ash trees. Lower conditional ash trees are being removed. Commissioner Cantor inquired how long an injection will protect the tree. Mr. Vaughan advised protection will last approximately three years. Mr. Vaughan provided information on tree injection statistics, which are lower this year, and advised of the annual tree sale. This year the Japanese beetle has been bad due to a lot of moist, lush turf, which creates great growing conditions. They feed on grass roots which typically come out in July for approximately six weeks. Apple Scab, a leaf fungus which is due to wet weather, is prominent this time of year. The city offers a brush site which is open until October 29. There are specific hours it is open for brush drop off but it also opens for additional hours as warranted (i.e. storm clean up). The city created two community gardens this year, one in Shelard Park and the other in Birchwood Park. Commissioners reviewed pictures of the garden locations and the raised beds. Mr. Vaughan reviewed the process to obtain a plot. The plots sell for $35 per season and have collection bins. The city cleans up the weeds between the garden plots to keep area neat. Commissioner Hoffmann inquired if any trouble has arisen with people stealing the produce from the gardens. Mr. Vaughan advised this year the problem has increased with whole plants being removed in some cases. Motion camera have been installed in an attempt to catch the individual(s) offending the gardens. Mr. Vaughan indicated there is a huge increase in the amount of geese this year, especially around Wolfe Park. Many complaints have been received. In the past, the city would hire a company to perform a round up and disperse to other communities or states. Some would go to food shelves. Currently, a formal process is needed with public meetings and permitting. Staff hopes to complete the process over the winter to be ready to initiate a geese management plan in June and July of 2018. Geese do not like tall grass so vegetation has been added around ponds and water sources to help deter the geese. At Westwood Hills Nature Center the deer population is growing. Overall, wildlife is doing well. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting 5 August 23, 2017 Mr. Vaughan advised the Commission of the Native Vegetation Ordinance. This year 157 weed notices were sent, which is lower than past years. Due to the recent rains though, additional notices are being sent. Tree planting has occurred in numerous areas in the city. There were 60 trees planted at the Rec Center on Arbor Day. There will be 75 trees planted in the Nature Center on September 9. Staff is focusing on vegetation in the Nature Center through the course of two years. Mr. Vaughan also reviewed the Tree Steward program, to be held in September. Also, a tree planting will be held on October 28 where 138 trees will be planted along Minnetonka Boulevard from Hennepin County. Commissioners reviewed native landscaping and a rendering of Bass Lake preserve. Mr. Vaughan detailed prescribed burns that took place at Westwood Hills Nature Center, Lamplighter Park and Twin Lakes Park. On Saturday, June 17 the city hosted an Ecotacular event at the Rec Center. There were environmentally friendly activities and demonstrations for all. Mr. Cantor indicated the event was very nice. The Commissioners thanked Mr. Vaughan for the update. c. Commission Sponsored Appreciation Luncheon Discussion Mr. Hagemann provided a brief overview of the luncheon. The appreciation luncheon is a sponsored lunch by the Commission for all Parks and Recreation employees. Last year the bike patrol were also invited as they provide a great deal of service to the parks. Employees are offered hamburgers, hot dogs, and other items for lunch as a way to recognize staff and show appreciation. All Commissioners contribute by bringing something and grilling at Oak Hill Park. Members discussed dates and decide to hold the luncheon on Thursday, October 5, at the Oak Hill Park Main Shelter. Ms. Voelker will reserve the facility and email a list of items provided in past years to the Commissioners. 5. Old Business a. Fastpitch Softball Association Field Update (Cindy Walsh) An update on field discussions with the Fastpitch Softball Association recently went to the City Council, Ms. Walsh advised. Commissioners Hoffmann and Griffin have served on the task force and indicated the association has been disrespectful. Staff and the task force met with the landscape architect to determine how the Middle School property, the primary site that came out of discussions, is used and laid out how fields could be added to the site. The School District will commit to one fenced field and two non-fenced fields, which is not acceptable to the Fastpitch Association. The City Council asked staff to provide revised cost estimates on three options at Aquila Park to convert an additional field to a fastpitch field (totaling two fastpitch fields) at Aquila Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting 6 August 23, 2017 Park. The landscape architect is working on the revised estimates. One item that would need to be completed at Aquila Park regardless of the field placement is renovating the lights. Staff will provide options and cost estimates provided by the landscape architect to the Commissioners at the next PRAC meeting. 6. Staff Communication None. 7. Member Communication Commissioner Hagemann provided an experience encountered in Cub Foods where a gentlemen had a health issue and no one knew how to use an AED. He explained the City is part of Pulse Point and described how it works. Commissioner Hagemann and his wife were trained on using and AED and signed up to be part of Pulse Point. If there is an emergency in the vicinity of their location, they will be notified by Pulse Point and can respond to provide medical assistance. The Fire Department offers short classes to residents on the use of AED equipment. If interested in getting trained, commissioners could attend an AED class. Commissioner Hagemann will inquired with the Fire Department if they’d offer training during one of the Commission meetings or another date all could attend. 8. Other / Future Agenda Items Ms. Walsh advised the next regular meeting is scheduled on September 20 but cannot hold public meetings on Rosh Hashanah. Members discussed dates and decided the next meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 4, as that’s the first date a quorum could be reached. They will meet at 6 p.m. in the Rec Center Programming Office. 9. Adjournment It was moved by Commissioner Hagemann and seconded by Commissioner Cantor to adjourn at 7:54 p.m. The motion passed 6 - 0. Respectfully submitted, Stacy Voelker Stacy Voelker, Recording Secretary