City Council Work Session

CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES Tuesday, February 06, 2024 at 5:45 PM Baxter City Hall, 13190 Memorywood Drive, Baxter, MN “A Growing Community” CALL TO ORDER Mayor Olson called the meeting to order at 5:45 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Darrel Olson and Council Members Connie Lyscio, Zach Tabatt, and Jeff Phillips were present. Council Member Mark Cross was absent. City Administrator Brad Chapulis, Assistant City Administrator Kelly Steele, Public Works Director Trevor Walter, Finance Director Jeremy Vacinek, Community Development Director Josh Doty, and Police Chief Jim Exsted were present. BUSINESS ITEMS 1. Dog Park Study Community Development Director Doty explained last September the council approved an agreement with Widseth to complete a dog park study. The study is to evaluate a dog park and to evaluate potential locations and recommend improvements for the park. Jullian Reiner, Widseth, presented the study to the council. The criteria used to select proposed sites was property size, proximity to high density housing, environmental quality, cost, accessibility, property screening, separation from potential conflicts, and soil and topo conditions. The study considered the appropriate size of a dog park based on population. This resulted in a recommendation of a 1.5 acre dog park. Design guidelines looked at fence height and material, surfacing, separate small and large dog area, site furniture other amenities, trash cans and bag holders, signage, ADA access, and restrooms. When reviewing the potential sites, the Clearwater Road/Inglewood Drive location and the north water tower location scored the highest. The council discussed if the Clearwater site should not be selected as the site has potential for future development. The plan is to construct the dog park this year. The council asked the dog park to be shown at the Oscar Kristofferson Park public open house. 2. OK Park Study Jillian Reiner, Widseth, summarized the Oscar Kristofferson Park study. The study looked at the expectations for the park, reviewed parking capacity for the park, discussed priorities for the park and what amenities it should provide the community. The study considered three concept plans 2/6/2024 City Council Work Session Minutes Page 2 which were reviewed by the parks and trail commission. The concepts varied with amenities and parking. The council discussed potential parking challenges if a fourth ballfield was added and the impact to property taxes with the additional amenities. A public open house is scheduled for February 29, 2024 at 6 p.m. in the council chambers. The council is tentatively scheduled to have the final report presented on March 19th. 3. City of Baxter/Sylvan Township Community Trail Grant - Continued 1/16/24 City administrator Chapulis explained on January 16th the council heard a presentation from Todd Holman, Mississippi Headwaters Program Director for the Nature Conservancy, on a grant opportunity for various capital improvements in the Mississippi Overlook Park and the adjacent 820 acres the city owns in southwest Baxter. After that discussion, the council decided to further discuss the grant opportunity and anticipated fiscal and staffing commitments before determining if the city will move forward with a grant application. Tonight, staff provided the proposed capital improvements plan to highlight the projects proceeding in 2024 and those in 2025 and 2026 that staff has been preparing for. Staff provided the council with a list of projects anticipated to be worked on over the next three years beyond the day-to-day operational activities of each department. The proposed grant opportunity fits the city’s parks and trail goals, the city must balance this opportunity with many other commitments and opportunities in front of the city for the next 3-6 years. After discussion, the council consensus was to move forward with the grant application for Option A and all land acquisition necessary for the future trail. Staff will prepare the necessary documents for council consideration at the February 20th council meeting. ADJOURN MOTION by Council Member Lyscio, seconded by Council Member Tabatt to adjourn at 7:02 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Approved by: Respectfully submitted, _____________________________ Darrel Olson Kelly Steele Mayor Assistant City Administrator