Parks and Trails Commission

BAXTER PARKS AND TRAILS COMMISSION MINUTES Monday, August 28, 2023 at 4:00 PM “A Growing Community” Baxter City Hall, 13190 Memorywood Drive, Baxter, MN CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Baxter Parks and Trails Commission was called to order at 4:00 pm by Chair Barrack. ROLL CALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Melissa Barrick, Commissioners Mari Holderness, Todd Calhoun and Josh Pennington MEMBERS ABSENT: Council Liaison Zack Tabbat STAFF PRESENT: CD Director Josh Doty, Public Works Director Trevor Walter, Parks & Trail Supervisor Alex Hondl OTHERS: None MINUTES 1. Approve Parks and Trails Commission Meeting Minutes from May 22, 2023 MOTION by Commissioner Pennington, seconded by Commissioner Calhoun to approve the Parks and Trails Minutes from the May 22, 2023. Motion carried unanimously. COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS Chair Barrick stated that someone was digging at Whipple Beach and discovered a large piece of concrete going the width of the beach. She had forwarded pictures to staff. CD Director Doty questioned if they were former bases for life guard stations. Public Works (PW) Director Walter stated that the City had never put in concrete stations, however it could have been from when the County handled the beach, prior to the City. Parks Supervisor Hondl will have staff look into it. Chair Barrick noted that when they were there one day the jet skis were very close to the swimming beach. They called water patrol and they made it over and talked to them. She didn’t know if it was something the attendants should be aware of. Parks Supervisor Hondl stated that it’s not something they’ve been trained on in the past but that it would be a good idea for them to be aware of the rules so that if boaters are in violation of them staff knows to contact water patrol. Commissioner Pennington noted the Kawanis Triathlon was last weekend and it was a very good turnout. He mentioned to the mayor that the Kawanis group really appreciates the support from Baxter. It was noted that a person was camping in the set-up area. Commissioner Pennington spoke to the individual and informed him of the event, he noted the cops had already contacted him and he left. It was mentioned that “No Overnight Camping” signs should be installed if it continues. CD Director noted that there have been campers found in various areas in the city in the past. OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS 8/28/2023 Parks and Trails Commission Minutes Page 2 2. Approve the WiDSETH Agreement for Professional Services for the 2024 Oscar Kristofferson Masterplan Update in the Not to Exceed Amount of $9,500.00 CD Director Doty stated there was a small update next to their packet. It was stating “Master Plan” when really this is more of a “plan update”. CD Director Doty spoke of the ice-skating conversations in the past verses the fourth ball field. He noted the residents that indicated they did not want the ice-skating rink to go away. There are also people that want the fourth ball field. The challenge is finding a location for both. It was noted by the residents that there were items removed and not replaced, such as the tennis and basketball courts. CD Director Doty asked for a recommendation on the Widseth proposal to update the park. Chair Barrick asked each Commission if there were comments. Commissioner Holderness asked in regard to the ice-skating rink, where would it be moved to. CD Director Doty stated that it would depend on the size of the rink. There was some room in a different area of the park, however it would be a tight fit and there would be no warming house or outer recreational rink if it was moved to that location. He noted they are talking about additional land acquisition. He informed the Commission of conversations with the Council and moving all the skating to Loren Thompson. The Council was not eager to do that yet, even with the cost savings. Chair Barrick asked if there was a way to see if there are items that can be removed that aren’t being used, for more land. Chair Barrick asked why the dollar amounts for the dog park were higher than the OK Park. PW Director Walter stated that Widseth has to look at public and private land and study more areas. OK Park already has boundaries to work within. The Commission and staff discussed the number of meetings and the scope of work. MOTION by Commissioner Holderness, seconded by Commissioner Calhoun to approve the WiDSETH Agreement for Professional Services for the 2024 Oscar Kristofferson Plan Update in the Not to Exceed Amount of $9,500.00 as presented. Motion approved unanimously. 3. Approve the WiDSETH Agreement for Professional Services for the 2024 City of Baxter Dog Park Study in the Not to Exceed Amount of $13,500.00. CD Director Doty stated that this project was being looked at for 2024, however at the last Council meeting Council member Lyscio indicated she would like to spearhead this project. The Council agreed that moving forward with completing the project. He reviewed previous conversations regarding the location of a dog park, the closeness of the residential homes, the barking/noise ordinance and the need for water and shade in a dog park. Commissioner Pennington stated access to water should be a priority. Commissioner Holderness indicated that she is excited to see this project moving forward. Chair Barrick asked about not having a master plan for the new acreage near Whipple Beach. Would that be something to do first in case that is a good location for a dog park. She also asked if OK Park was going to be first, with the dog park next. CD Director Doty stated that both of them are going to get started at the same time. Council wants both of these projects moved forward quickly. PW Director Walter stated that he doesn’t see construction moving forward until spring. The winter will 8/28/2023 Parks and Trails Commission Minutes Page 3 be used for the study of Oscar Kristofferson Park and the dog park. There is also a need to have conversation with Camp Vanasek moving forward. Commissioner Calhoun asked if there is a need to have an attendant at the dog park. Staff indicated that some dog park do, but some do not. PW Director Walter indicated that the Parks Department will check the park each morning and likely not have an attendant. Commissioner Pennington asked if there is going to be regular garbage cans or providing bags, those are items he is interested in. MOTION by Commissioner Pennington, seconded by Commissioner Holderness to approve the WiDSETH Agreement for Professional Services for the 2024 City of Baxter Dog Park Study in the Not to Exceed Amount of $13,500.00. Motion approved unanimously. 4. Loren Thompson Park Playset Replacement CD Director Doty stated that the Council has been setting money aside to replace playground equipment throughout the parks. Recently OK Park has been replaced, as the Commission recently approved that playground equipment. That playground depleted some of the funding set aside for future equipment, however it is being budgeted to replace Loren Thompson (LT) Park playground equipment next. As soon as funding is available, the LT park equipment should be a “shovel ready” project with the design and equipment ready to be purchased and installed. CD Director Doty noted in the packet was color renderings that St. Croix Recreation has put together for staff. Staff is asking the Commission for their opinion of the equipment being provided. He noted that the age groups vary with the equipment. He asked the Commission for their feedback. Commissioner Pennington and Holderness did not care for the cell phone integration that was an option. They both felt that kids should be there to play and not have their parents using a phone to assist in any options. Chair Barrick asked about the options proposed, CD Director Doty explained that it is the same playset with different angles and options. The Commission and staff discussed the different options and colors. Chair Barrick asked if each park is to be similar in color or have a theme. Parks Supervisor Hondl stated that he has tried to keep the picnic tables, benches and garbage cans the same dark green color being there are so many of them in the parks. Regarding the equipment, he would like to see the green incorporated in the equipment, however a variation of different colors and equipment. Chair Barrick noted that LT has a toddler playground and that is important to keep, as not all parks have a toddler area. The Commission discussed the different equipment they would like to see for toddlers. Commissioner Pennington asked about the demo costs, where the old equipment goes and asked if there was any way to salvage any of the equipment. Parks Supervisor Hondl stated that there is not a way to salvage or sell the equipment to anyone, as it would be a liability to the city. PW Director Walter stated that if the playset is hauled to Hengel’s and someone takes the equipment out of the dump, then there is no liability to the city, as it was thrown away. UPDATES Chair Barrick asked staff for an update on the Mississippi Overlook Park with Great River Greening. CD Director Doty stated that the City Council approved a memo of understanding with Great River Greening to receive LMMR funding for environmental studies in southwest Baxter. One item is the buck thorn 8/28/2023 Parks and Trails Commission Minutes Page 4 removal, CLC students went out and identified areas with buck thorn. Then Great River Greening went out and agreed with the findings the students found and those areas will be sprayed. The second project is Jack Pine -Savannha improvement project. There has been talk of doing a prairie restoration project in one of the fields, however the Jack Pine-Savannha improvement is of higher quality verse just the prairie planting. CD Director Doty explained how the project would work with the cutting and planting of trees. Commissioner Pennington asked for an update on the trails. Cypress, Clearwater and Ceder Scenic trails were discussed on an aerial map. PW Director Walter added grade information on each trail and the easements acquired. Commissioner Pennington asked if the future pedestrian bridge going over Highway 371 was included in the MNDot study of Hwy. 371. CD Director Doty indicated that the bridge study has been shared with MNDot and it will be interesting to see what they comeback with. There were multiple crossings discussed with MNDot. CD Director Doty noted there was a website that people can go on and comment to assist with the study. There was discussion on the study and the involvement with the communities. There was discussion on road crossing and the danger in some areas such as Excelsior Rd. and Hwy 371. There were conversations on Forestview and Paris Rd. area regarding trail access. Commissioner Pennington asked about a trail by Jack Pine Brewery and Novotny, staff indicated that there will be a trail in the area but it will be just a small segment until further development occurs. Roughly three miles of trail are being added to the trail system this year. ADJOURN MOTION by Commissioner Holderness, seconded by Calhoun to adjourn the meeting at 5:22 p.m. Motion unanimously approved. Approved by: Submitted By: ___________________________ ______________________________ Melissa Barrick Shanna Newman Chair CD Administrative Assistant