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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016/10/19 - ADMIN - Minutes - Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission - RegularOFFICIAL MINUTES Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission October 19, 2016, 6:30 p.m. Meeting Rec Center 1. Call to Order Ms. Foulkes, Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. Commission members present: Rich Bluma, George Foulkes, Sarah Foulkes, George Hagemann and Peter May. Commission members absent: Elizabeth Griffin, Edward Halvorson and Tiffany Hoffmann. Staff present: Rick Beane, Park Superintendent, Stacy Voelker, Recording Secretary, Cindy Walsh, Director of Operations and Recreation and Jason West, Recreation Superintendent. 2. Presentations None. 3. Approval of Minutes a. September 7, 2016 Commissioner Hagemann requested an addition on page 5, second paragraph under Member Communication, last sentence, add “A committee, including…” prior to “Friends of the Arts, will view…” It was moved by Commission member Hagemann, seconded by Commission member G. Foulkes to approve the April 20, 2016 meeting minutes as amended. The motion passed 5 – 0. 4. New Business a. Splash Pad Water Spray Feature Update (Rick Beane) Mr. Beane provided a visual of the three elements that will be changed out in spring of 2017: Aim N Spray, Disc-o-Twist and Shower Water Dome. The city will work with Aquatic Recreation Company (ARC), as they provided the original features for the splash pad. The splash pad has been in existence since 2004 and there are limitations on what can change due to space and water, explained Mr. Beane. The splash pad is open Memorial Day through Labor Day. The equipment includes a computer time clock which allows the water features to begin at 10 a.m. when a visitor touches a bollard. The feature will then run for 45 minutes each time the bollard is touched. This occurs until 8 p.m. daily. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting 2 October 19, 2016 The splash pad experienced over use issues so staff implemented staff present and group / non-resident fees. Mr. Foulkes inquired if the fees pay for the staff person present to which Mr. Beane concurred. The splash pad is filtered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It hosts an in ground tank so is treated as a pool (water is filtered, treated and reused). This assists with minimal water usage. Ms. Walsh added that staff from Parks and The Rec Center are collaborated to ensure chemical checks are completed daily. b. 2016 CIP Overview (Rick Beane) Mr. Beane provided Commissioners with a city map and reviewed the 2016 Capital Improvement Projects: • A camera system was installed in the main area of the Aquila building and parking lot, fiber optic was installed (Wi-Fi) along with an automated door system. Buildings are currently locked for the winter so will begin using the automated door system in 2017. • Park building cameras and key fob were installed at Louisiana Oaks Park. The building can be automatically locked and unlocked at designated times which is typically from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., seven days a week, May through mid-October. The building is not open beginning in mid-October as park use is minimal and the pipes may freeze if the door is left open. Louisiana Oaks Park building also has public Wi-Fi. Mr. May inquired if the park building at Nelson Park is automated to open also as the building is directly on bike path. It is, Mr. Beane advised. • The fencing and poles around the fields at Carpenter Park are being replaced. • The scoreboard at Carlson field in Cedar Knoll Park is being replaced and upgraded with LED lights. • Trail lights at Wolfe Park are being updated to LED lights as time permits. LED make a big difference as they provide more light but save on electricity and maintenance is less due to less bulb changes. • Mr. Beane explained the playground equipment replacement process to the Commission. The playgrounds replaced in 2016 included Wolfe Park, Jersey Park and Justad Park. Two of the three old playgrounds were able to be reused through Kids Around the World. The playground at Nelson Park was scheduled to be replaced in 2016 in collaboration with the school district. The district’s design and construction season ended so they will partner on the replacement next year. • The city has budgeted $5,000 annually to replace the lights at Oak Hill Park with LED lights. The lights are turned on the evening before Thanksgiving and are lit until mid- February (or later depending on weather). • Trail sealcoating will occur next year. Sealcoating extends the longevity of the trail system. There are a variety of products which can be used as sealcoating but must be careful what is used. Ms. Walsh advised Three Rivers Park District is trying various products. Staff will communicate with Three Rivers on what worked best prior to purchasing product next year. • The hockey rink and fields were regraded this year at Birchwood Park; seeding will be completed next year. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting 3 October 19, 2016 Ms. Walsh explained 95% of Capital Improvement Projects are funded from the Park Improvement Fund. The fund receives park dedication fees to create new parks or redevelop existing parks. Redevelopment also provides park dedication fees which are viewed by the Commission for approval. The fund receives a tax levy of $810,000 and any park dedication fees annually. Staff submits a 10 year capital improvement plan annually but focus on the first three to five years. Certified staff inspect the 42 playgrounds annually which assist in determining when replacement is needed. Mr. Beane indicated in 2002, six to eight playgrounds were being replaced annually as they were not ADA compliant. Projects may be moved to different years based on needed compliance, safety issues, etc. c. Facility Planning (Jason West) Ms. Walsh advised the Girls Fastpitch Association has asked the City Council for new fields. Council created a task force to review the needs and desires of the Fastpitch Association. Ms. Griffin, who was very involved in youth associations when her children were younger, has agree to lead the Task Force. The City Council would like two commissioners from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission to join two Fastpitch board members and school district members to become part of the Task Force. The Task Force would then make recommendations to the City Council. Ms. Hoffman volunteered to serve on the task force. In 2015, the Fastpitch Association approached the city asking for designated fastpitch fields or a complex, Mr. West advised. Mr. West and Mr. Beane, along with members of the Fastpitch Association, toured various areas in St. Louis Park. Following the tour, Pennsylvania Park was the focus to make a designated fastpitch field. In the summer of 2016, a Twins grant was received for the addition of a dugout, batting cage, water fountain, storage container and the purchase of temporary fencing for the outfield. Mr. Foulkes inquired how the additional amenities would affect cricket playing at Pennsylvania Park. Mr. Beane indicated they were playing cricket inside the new batting cages so a lock has been added. No comments have been received from cricket players. Mr. Foulkes feels the cricket community would not reserve a field nor call the city. Ms. Foulkes has seen the cricket group using the Middle School. It appears the cricket group is patient and waits until fastpitch players are off the field before using, Mr. West indicated. The Association utilized Pennsylvania Park in the summer and has asked for a fastpitch complex. The Task Force will be utilized to review what may be displaced from the requested complex. Mr. Beane emphasized the Association really wants their own fastpitch complex. The Task Force will obtain information on what defines a complex and work with the city toward a solution. It was moved by Commission member G. Foulkes and seconded by Commission member Hagemann to appoint Commission members Elizabeth Griffin and Tiffany Hoffman as representatives of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission on the Task Force to review the Fastpitch Associations’ request for additional space. The motion passed 5 – 0. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting 4 October 19, 2016 d. Recycling in the Parks Program Statistics (Rick Beane) The program coordinator, Kala Fisher, provided statistics of the recycling in the parks program per Mr. Beane. Approximately 19 parks offered yellow barrels for recycling for the past eight to nine years. The program has been successful but not all parks had the recycling barrels. Comments were received asking for more recycling in parks. Ms. Fisher applied for and received a grant from Hennepin County for additional recycling containers and added staff time. The received grant assisted in the purchase of 100 blue and labeled recycling containers enabling us to provide recycling in all of our park areas. The program is very successful. Maintenance staff debags the recycling and Randy’s Sanitation sorts. The city pays approximately $1,200 per year for the materials to be recycled which removes a lot of material from the waste system. The recycling in the park program will continue through the winter also and city budget will pay for staffing. Mr. Beane mentioned there are few park systems in the metro area that have recycling options in parks. Ms. Walsh inquired on the average garbage that is collected in the parks. Mr. Beane advised an average year is 180 tons of garbage, a lot of which is dog waste. Recycling in the parks removes six to eight tons of material from garage. 5. Old Business a. Outdoor Facility Naming Update (Cindy Walsh) The City Council chose the Recreation Outdoor Center (ROC) as the new name for the outdoor facility, Ms. Walsh advised and showed the new logo created by Nemer Fieger. Council members discussed the benefits of each name presented prior to their decision. Once the logo specifications are received from Nemer Fieger, signage will be ordered. Ms. Walsh indicated a majority of the project is ahead of schedule, except the roof will be delayed. Staff is hoping to open the facility for skating early December. Staff will meet with the Hockey Association to obtain the dates/times they will use it then will set the open skating schedule for the public. Open public skating, broomball league and broomball tournaments will be offered. There will be some challenges maintaining the ice without a roof if it snows, but staff has a plan in place for clearing the facility. Social medial will assist in advertising of the opening. The structural steel components of the roof (the arches and beams) which are custom to the facility, are delayed. The steel provides support for the beams that support the glulam roof. It is anticipated the roof will be added in February and the facility will be complete prior to the Ice Cream Social held in May. The tentative plan is to host the grand opening before the Ice Cream Social in the ROC. b. Commission Sponsored Appreciation Luncheon (Sept. 20) Recap Ms. Voelker provided a list of items and quantities provided at the 2016 luncheon, which members reviewed. Mr. Beane advised staff really appreciated the luncheon and thanked the Commission. It was nice the Police Departments’ bike patrol attended also as they assist staff by monitoring the parks and trails. Mr. Hagemann indicated the bike patrols Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting 5 October 19, 2016 expressed their appreciation in being included. Ms. Walsh advised staff will supply compostable products and containers for future luncheons. 6. Staff Communication Ms. Walsh communicated the St. Louis Park Police Department, along with other cities, are trying methods to recruit different types and ages of officers. With this, the city is beginning a new program. Ms. Walsh advised if Commissioners know of anyone interested in being an officer, they should contact the Human Resources Department. 7. Member Communication Mr. Hagemann advised of a public hearing held to discuss the proposed improvements to Texas Avenue including the addition of bike lanes. The proposed project is to reconstruct the street and sidewalks, replace streetlights and add bike lanes. At the public hearing, staff presented two options being considered: parking on one side of the road with two bike lanes on the other side or widen road by two feet to include parking and bike lanes on both sides. Many people worked with staff on this link and the importance of creating a safe environment for bicyclists. Approximately 27 people attended to comment on the bike lanes; 12 for the proposal and 15 residents opposed. Staff did great job of providing thoughtful alternatives and will meet with people as part of connect the park segments. The City Council feels it is an important link and an overall community asset. Ms. Foulkes feels some of resistance comes from abusive bikers and inquired where bike patrols are located. Ms. Walsh indicated bike patrols monitor various areas including crossings (such as Belt Line Boulevard crossing). Mr. Hagemann feels the patrols could enforce various areas but patrolling crossings to encourage good behavior has shown to be more effective. There was a brief discussion after the Council meeting to encourage positive actions. Mr. May feels there is confusion as in other cities, traffic needs to stop for pedestrians and bicycles in crossings. On some of the main trails in St. Louis Park, bikes and pedestrians should stop at the crossings. Mr. Bluma feels drivers need to be educated not to stop for bikes at crossings. Mr. Foulkes commented on the danger when one vehicle on a four lane road stops and the vehicle in the other lane doesn’t. Mr. May shared on a busy road in Tuscan the bikes need to go to center median, make right turn inside median, then make left turn which slows bicyclists down. Mr. Hagemann advised Council discussed that option but not enough space in that area. The Arts and Culture Grant Committee will meet on October 20, 2016, Mr. Hagemann advised, to review the grant applications. Recommendations from the committee will be presented to the City Council at a Council meeting in November. Mr. Foulkes commented the cameras added to Westwood Hills Nature Center assisted in catching a graffiti tagger. Mr. Beane provided additional information on the incident. 8. Other / Future Agenda Items The next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 7, 2016. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting 6 October 19, 2016 9. Adjournment It was moved by Commission member Hagemann and seconded by Commission member G. Foulkes to adjourn at 7:57 p.m. The motion passed 5 - 0. Respectfully submitted, Stacy Voelker Stacy Voelker Recording Secretary