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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025/08/20 - ADMIN - Minutes - Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission - Regular Parks & recreation advisory commission meeting August 20, 2025 6 p.m. Official minutes Parks & recreation advisory commission Members present: Amy Brandli, Jay Jaffee, Sonya Rippe and David Yakes Members absent: Bruce Cantor Staff present: Jason West, Parks and Recreation Director, Mike Bahe, Natural Resources Manager, Pat Coleman, Community Engagement Coordinator and Stacy Voelker, Recording Secretary 1. Call to order Commissioner Yakes, chair, called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. 2. Introductions / roll call 3. Approval of minutes – April 23, 2025 It was moved by Commissioner Rippe seconded by Commissioner Brandli to approve the meeting minutes of April 23, 2025, as presented. The motion passed 4– 0. 4. Presentations a. Evergreen award nominations review and voting (Mike Bahe) Mike Bahe, Natural Resources Manager, explained the Evergreen Award and the nomination, survey and award process. Commissioners are asked to scan a QR code in the presentation to vote on the nominations, if they have not already done so. Commissioners viewed the nominations. The nominations are divided into two categories: traditional and alternative. Traditional landscape shows clean lines and an aesthetic appeal. Alternative landscape might include pollinators or wildlife habitat, rainwater collection, vegetable garden or other unique uses. This year 15 nominations were received, Mr. Bahe indicated. Commissioner Brandli inquired if a property be nominated in multiple years to which Mr. Bahe indicated they can. Mr. Bahe described the process: when a nomination is received, he visits the nominated property. The owners have the option to decline being nominated (none declined this year). If accepted, he takes pictures of each nomination, then separated into the two categories. One award is issued for each category at a city council meeting, which includes an award certificate, dwarf Alberta spruce tree and Evergreen Award Winner sign posted on their boulevard for two weeks. Councilmembers can ask questions at the presentation and winners can give speech, but it’s not required. The city posts the winners, along with an interview, on social media and the city’s website. Parks & recreation advisory commission meeting August 20, 2025 2 Commissioner Rippe asked who votes on the nominations to which Mr. Bahe advised PRAC, selected city staff and the city’s leadership team. Commissioner Jaffee elected to not participate in voting since he nominated one of the properties. Mr. Bahe asked the Commissioners for feedback on the process. Commissioner Brandli inquired how a winner is chosen. Mr. Bahe advised each question is added and averaged. Commissioners discussed. Commissioners recommend rank voting versus answering each question. Commissioner Rippe recommended a business category separate from residential category to which Mr. Bahe suggested only offering residential and not businesses. Commissioner Brandli commented that she likes it being a residential award and suggested residential and business categories. Mr. Bahe advised the two categories were to encourage alternative gardens which support pollinators versus traditional gardens. Mr. West inquired if the commission prefers the process of viewing and voting during a commission meeting to which commissioners agreed. Commissioners suggested one screen with all nominees and rank style voting. Commissioner Jaffee commented the program appears important to residents as it increases how residents care and work on their landscape. Commissioners thanked Mr. Bahe. b. Minnehaha Creek clean up reminder, Oct. 4 (Mike Bahe) Mr. Bahe reminded commissioners of the Minnehaha Creek clean up scheduled for Saturday, October 4 beginning at 9 a.m. Participants are to meet at the Municipal Service Center (MSC). Commissioner Yakes inquired about who plans to attend. Commissioners Jaffee, Rippe and Brandli plan to attend. Mr. West inquired if the Environmental and Sustainability Commission is to be invited to which commissioners agreed. Ms. Voelker will resend the invitation with details of where to meet. The city will promote the event via the Parks and Recreation catalog, website and social media. Feel free to bring rubber boots and gloves or the city will provide as well as garbage bags and litter pickers. 5. Business a. Board and Commission appointment process update (Pat Coleman) Pat Coleman, Community Engagement Coordinator, advised of the boards and commission appointment process. Currently reviewing youth applications and the members who are transitioning from being a school representative to regular city representative. This means all members will be appointed by the city council versus school district, which was a mutual decision between school and city. The school district cabinet will connect with liaisons if they want to attend meetings. One youth member applied and will be presented to the city council on September 2. Following approval of that youth member, the commission will have two vacancies, one regular member and one youth, which will hopefully be filled during the spring process. Mr. Coleman advised Commissioner Yakes has transitioned to a regular city member. Parks & recreation advisory commission meeting August 20, 2025 3 Commissioner Brandli inquired how youth are nominated. Mr. Coleman advised youth members apply same as regular members. The city has relationships with after school groups to let young people know of the opportunity. Mr. West indicated programmers were also advised to recruit young people that worked or volunteered during the summer. Commissioner Yakes indicated he would be happy to provide the school district with an update if they requested. Mr. Coleman will contact Commissioner Yakes if needed. Mr. Coleman provided the commission with an update on the stipend program. Commissioners have an opportunity to accept $49 per month for attending commission meetings. Payment will be made in June and December for attendance for six months prior. Liaisons provide Mr. Coleman attendance. Mr. Coleman provided an update on Vision 4.0 indicating the community engagement of collecting survey responses, phase ends late September. Staff and consultants have been collecting feedback at city events. Over 300 survey responses have been received, which is double the number of survey responses received 10 years ago. Mr. Coleman believes the outreach at events helped increase the number of responses. Commissioner Yakes mentioned the Vision 4.0 survey is different than the city’s website survey. Mr. Coleman mentioned unformal Vision 4.0 meetings can still be organized if residents are interested. He will be at Basketball in the Park, Movies in the Park and other community events to engage with the community. The final engagement will be at the Art Fair held in the ROC on September 6. Commissioner Yakes asked what engagement looks like to which Mr. Coleman advised they have visual information showing the path from Vision 1.0 to Vision 4.0. Volunteers are present to encourage conversations with residents. Mr. West showed Mr. Coleman’s eye-catching display present at events. Mr. Coleman asked commissioner to take the survey if they haven’t done so. Mr. West commend Mr. Coleman as he is present at the events connecting with residents. Commissioner Jaffee inquired if Mr. Coleman is available Thursday afternoon as the townhouse association gets together at 5:30 p.m. Mr. Coleman will contact Commissioner Jaffee to provide printed information for distribution. The consultant group will have recommendations for the city council by the end of the year, Mr. Coleman advised. Welcome Week is September 12 – 21 which is part of a bigger initiative called Welcoming America, advised Mr. Coleman. Government agencies, non-profits and other groups participate to promote what space is welcoming to our immigrant and refugee communities. Commissioners viewed a video explaining Welcome Week which encourages individuals to stand up for immigrants and let everyone know they are welcome. It is a nationwide movement, Mr. Coleman explained. St. Louis Park initiatives include landing page on website, collection of Stores we Share videos and partnering with neighboring cities to provide list of resources for residents. The goal is to remove barriers and city boarders as part of the initiative. There is also a business outreach component. Business are offered a window cling showing they have a welcoming space for immigrants and for everyone. Mr. Coleman is working with the Community Development team to get the word out to businesses. On September 20 from 4 – 6 p.m. at Aquila Park the city is offering a Vision 4.0 community gathering forum. Commissioner Jaffee commended the city on the encouraging Parks & recreation advisory commission meeting August 20, 2025 4 initiative. Commissioner Yakes commented the importance for establishing inclusion with the residents as St. Louis Park has such a diverse population. Commissioners and Mr. Coleman traded thanks. b. Potential off-leash dog park locations review (Jason West) Mr. West shared Councilmember Brausen’s email of appreciation for the commission of their off-leash dog park discussion process. Mr. West explained a resident provides an idea to a council or commissioner member, who then bring the idea to staff. Staff then provides commission members with the request as well as information on the proposed site. Commissioners review the proposals in comparison to the established criteria and either recommend or deny the proposals. Liaisons then create reports to council reports advising of the commissions recommended action. Commissioners review the new requests received as follows: Wolfe Park, 3700 Monterey Drive: Mr. West advised a resident provided the area as shown in the presentation as a potential off-leash dog park site. Commissioners discussed adequate parking, heavily programmed space consisting of a play structure, picnic shelter and trail system. Mature trees may be impacted and adjacent to residents. Commissioner Yakes mentioned Wolfe Park is a highly valued park within the network, a preeminent space and does not want to give up that space. Commissioner Brandli mentioned the area contains big trees, music, dances and yoga. There are many activities in the park and barking dogs might have an impact on those activities. Commissioner Rippe agrees and feels not a good place for a dog park. Commissioner Jaffee also mentioned there is water very close on two sides and doesn’t want dog park run off into those waters. Commissioners agreed that the proposed Wolfe Park site is not conducive for an off-leash dog park. Webster Park, 3301 Webster Avenue South: Mr. West mentioned the area is currently used as unofficial off-leash dog park and if/when the property becomes city owned, a community engagement process would take place. During the process, an off-leash dog park may come through as a want from the neighborhood. Currently, MnDOT owns the property, not the city. Commissioner Jaffee inquired about the play area located in the park. Mr. West showed where the playground is located, which is on land the city leases from MnDOT. Commissioner Jaffee questions parking in the area to which Mr. West replied there is street parking. If it were city owned, it’s a possibility to add parking. Commissioner Yakes inquired if there is a current barrier between the park and the highway, which is accurate. Commissioner Rippe indicated it is not city property; thus, it is not an option. Commissioner Jaffee feels the commission should record their thoughts now on the property, in the event the city purchases. He mentioned it would take a lot of infrastructure additions including lighting, restrooms and parking. Commissioner Yakes feel the location is not a bad space. Mr. West advised the park is 5.2 acres. Commissioners agreed that nothing can be done at this time on the proposed Webster Park area as it’s not city property. If it becomes city property, community engagement will provide an insight as to what is wanted in that area. Parks & recreation advisory commission meeting August 20, 2025 5 Freedom Park, 3261 Gorham Avenue: Mr. West advise the location is currently used as unofficial off-leash dog park, it’s fenced on all sides and more than half an acre. The area is actively programmed for youth soccer, lacks parking, is adjacent to residents and approximately 1.5 miles from current off-leash dog parks. Mr. West feels it’s important to think about where dog parks should be located. Commissioner Brandli clarified that the location is used for city organized youth soccer which means if it were to be taken away, the youth soccer would need to find another location, which is challenging. Commissioners discussed and decided it would not be conducive for an off-leash dog park as it would give up athletic space. Gorham lot, 3301 Gorham Avenue: Mr. West showed the area and advised it is more than half an acre but the area is zoned for mixed-use development; not intended to be park or green space. Also, it is adjacent to homes, there is a lack of parking and approximately 1.6 miles from current off-leash dog park. Commissioners discussed and decided it would not be conducive for an off-leash dog park as lack of parking is an issue as well as the cost to create an off-leash dog park in that space. Mr. West mentioned utilizing outdoor hockey rinks as potential areas. The hockey boards are taken down every spring then reinstalled prior to winter. Other cities keep hockey boards up year-round and use them as off-leash dog parks. Commissioners viewed a map of current off-leash dog parks and potential hockey rink locations which included Center and Browndale Parks. Commissioner Jaffee inquired about the size of hockey rinks, to which Mr. West advised they are half an acre. Commissioner Rippe advised the City of Plymouth used hockey rinks as dog parks which was well received. They never had issues with dogs jumping boards. Commissioners discussed and agreed with utilizing hockey rinks versus the other areas proposed. Commissioner Yakes asked how the areas are used when hockey boards are removed. Commissioner Rippe advised in her neighborhood park; they are used as unofficial off-leash dog parks. Commissioner Jaffee questioned the feces in a small space to which Commissioner Rippe provided her experience from Plymouth, in that there were no complaints. Mr. West advised community engagement would be done if decide to move forward. Commissioner Brandli questions the criteria it doesn’t meet such as parking, lighting, etc. Commissioners mentioned criteria could be amended if decide to move in that direction. Commissioner Yakes feels hockey rinks are undefined, flat, green space for kids to play. Mr. West shared data from seven comparable cities which shows St. Louis Park exceeds in off-leash dog parks compared to other cities. Commissioners reviewed and recommended sharing the data with the city council to provide awareness and education to the community. It was moved by Commissioner Jaffee seconded by Commissioner Brandli to deny the locations presented for a potential off-leash dog park due to not meeting the specified criteria. The motion passed 4 – 0. Parks & recreation advisory commission meeting August 20, 2025 6 c. Review and discuss naming policy (Jason West) Mr. West advised the city receives a great deal of requests for park dedication benches and trees. The donor competes and application, discusses location with staff and pays full price for installation of the benches and trees. As an example, Maurice Hobbs donated full funding for the Hobbs Pavilion in Westwood Hills Nature Center. The pavilion is in honor of his late wife Barbara, who wanted an educational area for young people. Commissioners reviewed the naming policy including the criteria. Mr. West advised of the process, which is donor competes a form, staff reviews and brings to the Commission for their recommendation. PRAC’s recommendation is then provided to the city council for action. Mr. West shared a current request that comes from a contributor for an all-inclusive play structure. Commissioners reviewed the proposal. The city does not have an all-inclusive playground structure. All structures are ADA complaint but not all-inclusive. Staff discussed Oak Hill Park as the location where it would replace the regular play structure. It would be accessible, close to parking, close to restrooms and the area is large enough for the structure. This would make Oak Hill Park an iconic area which includes the splash pad and other key amenities. Commissioner Yakes questioned naming a playground when there’s a 13-year life span on the play structure. Mr. West advised play structures are replaced every 15 – 18 years. Commissioner Brandli noted the proposal is for 60% of the cost and inquired if staff could negotiate for them to pay 100%. Mr. West mentioned staff could apply for a youth grant to assist with the cost. Mr. West also mentioned if the city were to include the play structure in their Capital Improvement Projects (CIP), it would not be an all-inclusive, city playground. The applicant wants to donate funds for it to be named after his parents. The applicant requested an all-inclusive play area. Commissioner Jaffee questioned the applicant’s company providing and installing the playground, which is part of the proposal. He feels the project should be open for bidding, which potential would make the applicant pay 60% to another company if they won the bid. Commissioner Rippe inquired when the play area in Oak Hill Park is budgeted in the CIP to which Mr. West advised it’s budgeted in 2028 but could switch with Ainsworth Park, which is budgeted for 2026. Commissioner Rippe questions the need to switch parks; Mr. West indicated the applicant asked for the playground to be installed in 2026. Commissioners commented that it’s not budgeted for 2026 but scheduled for 2028. Commissioner Rippe recommended if proposal is accepted, the naming rights end with playground is replaced. Mr. West advised there would be an agreement on that regard between the applicant and city. Mr. West explained the request for proposal (RFP) / bidding process. RFP’s are prepared and provided to companies interested. Once proposals are received, the neighborhood votes on the playground that is accepted. Commissioners asked how community engagement would work. Mr. West discussed that potential applicants would provide a variety of sections for the neighborhood to vote on specific items that would create the playground. Commissioner Brandli feels it is a conflict of interest to proceed yet doesn’t want to lose the donation. Commissioners discussed and decided if the normal process is to accept bids for playgrounds, then staff should continue with the normal process. A Parks & recreation advisory commission meeting August 20, 2025 7 counteroffer was discussed to accept the 60% donation, but project will be open for bidding. Commissioner Rippe feels if donor wants to name the item, they should pay 100%. Commissioners discussed the applicant asking the city to change their criteria and schedule, but not offer 100%, feels like they are attempting to force the city to change procedures. They also discussed the donation from a business owner of playground equipment is a conflict of interest. Commissioners discussed potential scenarios and donation process in place. It was moved by Commissioner Brandli seconded by Commissioner Jaffee directing staff to respond to Harlan Lehman’s naming offer that the project must be done per the city’s existing requirements meaning the playground project would go out for bid; additionally, the donor would need to donate a minimum of 80% of the total project. The motion passed 4– 0. Commissioners recommend naming policy and application be updated. Mr. West advised this item will be added to the commission’s annual goals. d. Discuss staff appreciation event (Commissioners) Commissioner Yakes provided an overview of the staff appreciation event, which has been a breakfast to go scenario at Westwood Hills Nature Center. Commissioner Rippe suggested a different location be selected this year. Feels there may be more participation if held at MSC or ROC. Commissioner Jaffee agrees in an attempt to capture all staff and asked Mr. West his opinion on location. Mr. West mentioned staff from other departments are at the MSC and feels to avoid conflict, to not hold at the MSC. Commissioners discussed and decided to host in the ROC. Commissioners decided to hold the breakfast on September 23, 8 – 9 a.m. Commissioners are to arrive no later than 7:30 a.m. for set up. Coffee can be made at the Rec Center or purchased. Will discuss more details at the September meeting. e. Discuss next Youth Association President Summit meeting (Jason West) Mr. West advised November 12 or 19 are tentative dates for the next Youth Association President Summit (YAPS) meeting. Most commissioners are available both dates although November 19 is preferred. Mr. West reminded commissioners that due to the YAPS meeting, no regular commission meeting is scheduled for November. 6. Staff communication Mr. West advised staff recently received three awards. Minnesota Recreation and Park Association’s (MRPA) Award of Excellence was awarded for the Share our Story initiative. Mr. West provided overview of the Share your Story initiative and how it works. Mr. West and Ms. Friederich will present the initiative at MRPA’s annual conference in October. Along with that award, the communications department received two awards: social media Parks & recreation advisory commission meeting August 20, 2025 8 post to encourage interns to apply with the city and the Parks and Recreation catalog for print material. The Aquatic Park closes August 24, which is a key reason to close at that time because there is lack of staffing as many staff return to college or school. 7. Member communication Commission Rippe commended the great discussion at the meeting and grateful the school district positions are now city positions. 8. Adjournment It was moved by Commissioner Jaffee seconded by Commissioner Brandli to adjourn the meeting at 8:41 p.m. The motion passed 4 – 0. Respectfully Submitted, Stacy M. Voelker Recording Secretary