Park & Recreation Advisory Board

Public Services – Parks & Recreation REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF THE ANOKA PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 COUNCIL WORK SESSION ROOM OF ANOKA CITY HALL 2015 FIRST AVENUE, ANOKA MN MEMBERS PRESENT: Derek Sebesta, Don Rowell, Anna Hauglie, Mark Beckenbach, Bob Erickson, and Mary Blankenship MEMBERS ABSENT: Steve Nelson, Joe Anderla, and Kirk Schnitker STAFF PRESENT: Lisa LaCasse, Public Services Administrator and Jon Holmes, Public Services Supervisor APPROVE MINUTES Erickson wanted it noted that he was present at the last meeting and therefore the ayes to approve the July 16, 2024, regular meeting minutes should be increased to 8. With corrections, a motion was made by Erickson, seconded by Rowell to APPROVE THE AUGUST 20, 2024, REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF THE PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD WITH NOTED CHANGES. 6 AYES – 0 OPPOSED. Motion carried. OPEN FORUM None. NEW BUSINESS Adjustment to Open Hours for Parks (Peninsula Point) LaCasse stated that in the park rules and regulations that park hours are from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. She suggested changing the hours overall or for at least Peninsula Point Park to cut down on patrol issues and due to complaints of noise and proposed to close it at 10:00 p.m. Currently the bathrooms lock at 8:00 p.m. and during summer time at 9:00 p.m. Parks currently open at 9:00 a.m. Changing these times has cut down on vandalism. Blankenship asked if closing one hour after sunset in the winter would be a consideration? LaCasse feels that having the parks open from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. no longer seems appropriate. Blankenship says that she hates to restrict those who may be using the park for an early morning jog or late-night jog after work but if it’s the only way to curtail the mischief then it seems like it needs to be done. She asked why, if police have been showing up and stopping music being placed at 8:00 p.m., they haven’t done anything further? LaCasse stated that they Regular Meeting of the City of Anoka Parks and Recreation Advisory Board September 17, 2024 Page 2 are so overwhelmed with other concerns in the city. She also stated that the volume of noise should be restricted to no more than 50 feet beyond the shelter. Rowell suggested using outlet timers for those who are using outlets to play their music. LaCasse stated that people are staying well past 9:00 p.m. even though the rental ends at 8:00 p.m. and a leeway of an hour is given for clean-up. She will ask the police department for reports from Peninsula Point Park and provide feedback at the next meeting. Sebesta suggested holding the deposits for five to six weeks beyond the rental date. Blankenship asked what to tell her neighbors whom live in the same area of the park? Holmes and LaCasse replied to continue to have them call 911. She will continue to send LaCasse videos of park activity and will tell her neighbors to do the same. LaCasse can then submit the information to the police department. Rowell suggested to change the closing of all parks during the summer to 10:00 p.m. Sunny Acres bathrooms have been locked due to vandalism. Holmes stated that John Ward Park bathrooms have also been vandalized this year. A motion was made by Sebesta, seconded by Blankenship to CHANGE ALL PARK HOURS TO 6:00 A.M. - 10:00 P.M. 6 AYES – 0 OPPOSED. Motion carried. Peninsula Point History Story Board Replacement Panel & Update LaCasse referred the board to the photos that were sent in the park board packet. The story board has three sides with one side being blank. The new sign for the blank side will be 20” wide by 60” high and includes park rules, park hours, in case of an emergency call 911, and the address of the park. Two full sets of story boards will be made of fiberglass. The cost is $5,500 and includes the digital backs which in 10 - 12 years when it may need to be replaced it can be brought to any printing company to be produced. If the board approves the information being printed LaCasse will submit the order tomorrow. Delivery is between 6 - 10 weeks. In the meantime, the panels will be removed, cleaned, and prepped. Hauglie asked if park hours change in the future will the panels need to be replaced? LaCasse stated that if that is the case she would have a label made with the time change and cover over the current hour. Blankenship asked if the new panel update will be advertised on the city website? LaCasse said that it will be. A motion was made by Hauglie, seconded by Rowell to APPROVE THE PENINSULA POINT HISTORY STORY BOARD REPLACEMENT PANEL. 6 AYES – 0 OPPOSED. Motion carried. Joint Meeting with Heritage Preservation Commission on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. History Stories Replacement Proposal – In the board’s packet, LaCasse shared an email from an individual from the Rum River Arts Center to Barb Thurston from the Heritage Preservation Commission, Clark Palmer, Anoka’s Senior City Planner, and Rebecca Ebnet-Desens from the Anoka County Historical Society. They met regarding her proposal to implement sculptures and art in the park and to replace some of the art as well as additions to it. Rather than have the individual attend different meetings, LaCasse, Palmer, and City Manager Greg Lee decided to have her meet with the Park Board and the HPC. That way the board can ask questions as well as the HPC. After the board and the HPC meeting, the proposal would then go to City Council. Regular Meeting of the City of Anoka Parks and Recreation Advisory Board September 17, 2024 Page 3 When the individual proposed the idea, she was all ready to submit grants and start the process immediately. LaCasse suggested that the Park board, HPC, as well as the Historical Society as they were very involved in creating all of the historical elements that have been included in the parks. It’s important to have everyone have an equal say in what is celebrated and what is not. In the future with the West River Trail, there is intention to do some art installation pieces but it’s not to that point yet. LaCasse would like the board’s opinion on setting up a joint meeting on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, and cancelling the October regular meeting of the Park and Recreation Board on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, unless the board feels the regular meeting would be a follow up to further discuss and could be held the same night at 7:00 p.m. A motion was made by Beckenbach, seconded by Rowell to CANCEL OCTOBER REGULAR MEETING OF THE PARK AND RECREATION BOARD ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2024. 6 AYES – 0 OPPOSED. Motion carried. A motion was made by Blankenship, seconded by Beckenbach to APPROVE THE JOINT MEETING WITH HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2024, AT 5:00 P.M. 6 AYES – 0 OPPOSED. Motion carried. Beckenbach will not be present for the meeting. LaCasse mentioned that new sign boards will be replaced at Akin Riverside Park sometime in October. When the park building was cleaned out they found extra sign boards. UNFINISHED BUSINSS Project Updates  West Rum River Trail Phase 1 – No update. Waiting for construction.  Bob Ehlen Park – ACD pollinator gardens planting was done on Saturday, September 14, of the area they had disturbed for and killed off. The flyer that was sent over by the Anoka Conservation District will be displayed to educate the community in what has been done there. Over 20 volunteers planted all sorts of bug plants. The same group has done a big pollinator garden in one of the parks in Blaine, MN. 2025 Budget Update The only two budget requests for the general parks budget line items under Park Capital for 2025 are the $150,000 match for the grant for the 4th Avenue trail extension and the $40,000 match for the trail assuming that it is not put in this fall, which they have not started paving this fall, and assuming that this will be a spring pave. Hiring of two employees has been eliminated from the general budget with the caveat that if the City Council sells the property across the street from Akin Riverside Park, half of the proceeds will be used to hire up to the cost of the new employee in 2025 knowing that they will have to budget for the new employee in 2026. If the property does not sell, the cost of two new employees will have to be requested in 2026. Thus far, the three items requested for the Anoka Aquatic Center are still in the budget. One of the items is a major overhaul of the maintenance room making sure there is healthy piping and valving. The second item is moving forward with filter basket replacements for the feature Regular Meeting of the City of Anoka Parks and Recreation Advisory Board September 17, 2024 Page 4 building, hopefully getting that purchase this fall with funds from the remaining Aquatic Center and ARPA Funds. It will be replaced in 2024 but will come out the of the 2025 funds. The last item is resurfacing the non-slip coating of the locker room floors but they won’t get replaced until the fall of 2025 after the season because it’s too cold to be replaced in the spring. Currently, the City Council is at 10.19 – 10.29% levy. Blankenship asked LaCasse if she sees a potential for anything to change for next year after the election? LaCasse stated that it probably won’t change but has been told that in 2026 things should be in a better position due to reduction of debt payments and proposed development projects to increase the tax base, whether selling property or developing it. COMMUNICATIONS City Forester  MN Tree Trust Planting Saturday, September 14 – Minnesota Tree Trust did a tree planting at Bob Ehlen Park and planted 15 trees along the perimeter as well as some near the pollinator gardens. Saloka had starting working with them back in January and hadn’t really heard much from them until she was contacted in late August that they had a donation of 45 trees to plant in Bob Ehlen Park. She told them that was too many to plant in that park so there were 18 trees planted in Bob Ehlen Park and the remaining trees were planted in Mississippi River Park around the open areas there. The trees were planted by volunteers from the organization.  Resignation of Tessa Saloka – Tessa Saloka has resigned from her position here as City Forester and now has a position at the City of Minnetonka. As a result, one of the employees on Holmes’ staff will be taking the position as a Certified Shade Tree Inspector. LaCasse and Holmes are looking at advancing his education as well as some other crew members to support they city’s forestry needs. LaCasse will be handling the administration of the remaining grant funds. Staff is working on team-effort for forestry within the City of Anoka for the short-term. Tessa’s position was part-time forestry and part-time administrative assistant. Her administrative assistant position will be filled in the near future and her forestry position will have to be figured out. Halloween Events  Gruesome Twosome Pickleball Tournament Saturday, October 5, 2024 – Registration is on the city website. The registration was posted yesterday and there are already 18 participants. The cap this year is 16 or 24 teams.  Boo’s ‘n’ Bags Tournament Wednesday, October 23, 2024 – The tournament will be held in the tent. Registration is on the city website. The cap this year is 32 teams. The event will be held from 5:00 – 11:00 p.m.  Movie in the Tent – Nickie Jenks is working with the Anoka Lions and the event date is to be determined. Regular Meeting of the City of Anoka Parks and Recreation Advisory Board September 17, 2024 Page 5 General Questions Blankenship brought up the fact that the E-bikes in the city are getting to be somewhat dangerous with the speed of the bikers and is wondering how this could be rectified before an accident happens. She stated that 15% of the time the bikers will specify that they are behind you but most of the time it’s not the case. Rowell stated that there are three classes of E-bikes. Class 2 E-bikes are the kind that you don’t have to peddle and those are the ones that you see people flying by on. Class 1 E-bikes have a maximum assisted speed of 20 mph. Class 3 E-bikes are pedal-assist only and a maximum assisted speed of 28 mph. The ones that are flying by are the Class 2 E-bikes and those have speeds of up to 35 mph and are not to be on a trail. LaCasse suggested establishing E-bike rules of the road. Rowell stated that there are signs on the trails along Elm Creek to the Dam, east- west trails, that say “Share the Trail. Sound Down”. LaCasse will plan on discussing this at a future meeting and will work on an article to put in the newsletter and on Facebook. It can be promoted in the spring and she will work on updated signage. ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING October Joint Meeting with HPC Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Adjournment There being no further discussion, a motion was made by Rowell, seconded by Sebesta, to ADJOURN THE REGULAR MEETING. 6 – AYES, 0 – OPPOSED. Motion carried. Time of adjournment 7:00 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, LaCasse LaCasse, Public Services Administrator