Park Advisory Board

10801 Town Square Drive City of Blaine Blaine, MN 55449 Anoka County, Minnesota Minutes - Final Park Advisory Board Chair Jeffrey Bird, Jennifer Bingle, Prad Das, Jeff Lester, Rex Markle, Karen Varian and Tom Walsdorf The Park Board is an advisory body to the city council. One of the board's functions is to hold public meetings and make recommendations to the city council. For each item, the board will receive reports prepared by city staff, provide the opportunity for public response, conduct board discussions and make recommendations. The city council, however, makes all final decisions on these matters. Tuesday, May 23, 2017 6:00 PM Council Chambers 1. Call To Order The Blaine Park Advisory Board met in the Council Chambers of City Hall on Tuesday, May 23, 2017. 1. Chair Bird called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. Roll Call Staff Present: Nate Monahan, Recreation Manager Present: 7 - Chair Bird, Commissioner Lester, Commissioner Das, Commissioner Varian, Walsdorf, Commissioner Markle, and Commissioner Bingle 3. Approval of Minutes 3.-1 MIN 17-20 APPROVAL OF THE MARCH 28, 2017 PARK BOARD MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Varian, to approve the minutes of March 28, 2017 as presented. Motion seconded by Commissioner Das. Motion approved unanimously. Aye: 7 - Chair Bird, Commissioner Lester, Commissioner Das, Commissioner Varian, Walsdorf, Commissioner Markle, and Commissioner Bingle 4. Open Forum for Citizen Input Chair Bird opened the Open Forum at 7:04 p.m. No one appeared to address the Commission. Chair Bird closed Open Forum at 7:05 p.m. City of Blaine Page 1 Park Advisory Board Minutes - Final May 23, 2017 None. 5. New Business 5.-1 PB 17-09 RECOGNIZING BLAINE PARKS AND RECREATION FOR RECEIVING THE VOLUNTEER INITIATIVE AWARD FROM MINNESOTA RECREATION AND PARK ASSOCIATION Recreation Manager Nate Monahan provided background on the award. Recreation Manager Shari Kunza organized, planned and implemented a new Earth Day format in 2016. Shari promoted April 15 - May 15, 2016 as Earth Day park Cleanups and had asked community volunteers to lead these cleanups. Residents and organizations volunteered to host twenty-three park clean ups involving 458 volunteers, 1374 hours of service, 170 bags of garbage, 120 bags of yard waste, 2 tires, and 3 tons of mulch. At the May 4 City Council meeting Minnesota Recreation and Park Association presented Blaine Parks and Recreation with an Award of Excellence for Volunteer Initiatives. A picture of the award was shown to the Board. It is on display in the Park and Recreation Department at City Hall. This year 18 parks were cleaned. Chair Bird thanked Shari and City Staff for their help cleaning the parks. Informational; no action required. 5.-2 PB 17-10 PARK CONSTRUCTION UPDATES Recreation Manager Monahan provided a power point containing updates as follows: LAC Playground Expansion - The area has been graded and the border will be installed along with the playground equipment. Completion is estimated by mid-June. Chair Bird asked if the equipment has been purchased and Mr. Monahan stated it will be delivered directly on the site. A drawing of the equipment was provided for Board review. Commissioner Das asked if more benches were added and Mr. Monahan stated additional benches were added to accommodate the parents watching their children. Commissioner Das asked if there was a shelter for rain and Mr. Monahan stated there is a 16 x 16 shelter next to the playground or the overhang over the building is also available. A security light will be added to light up the playground. There is no plan to add a security camera at this time but it could be added in the future. LAC Shed - This was built by the public works department and is completed along with the asphalt. This building will be used for baseball City of Blaine Page 2 Park Advisory Board Minutes - Final May 23, 2017 equipment storage. North Oaks West Playground - This park will hopefully have a trail that will connect to the BWS. The equipment was purchased with a grant and photos were shown of the equipment. Thank you letters were received from the kids in the neighborhood along with photos. Commissioner Das asked if there was seating other than the picnic table and Mr. Monahan stated there are two other benches. Chair Bird noted this park does not have a parking lot. Meadowbrook Playground - This was just completed last week and play curb will be added later this week. Additional Playground Equipment Broken Oaks Park - A couple more pieces were added. There was a fire a couple of years ago and some of the insurance money was used to purchase the new equipment. Lochness Shelter - This was funded by Infinite Campus. This is a 20 x 20 shelter with picnic tables. This shelter does not have any lighting. Commissioner Markle asked if all the landscaping is completed and Mr. Monahan stated it is along with the building. Happy Acres Park Building - The roof, soffit and fascia bids were received. Hope is for it to be done by June 12. Aquatore Dog Park - Trail leading from parking lot to both entrances of the dog park. It will be an asphalt trail. Blaine Outdoor Farmer’s Market - Wednesdays 3-7 p.m. May 24 - October 18 Blaine City Hall Parking Lot. There will be some concerts beginning at 7 p.m. There is a new staff member Ann who will be helping Shari with the Farmer’s Market. Informational; no action required. 5.-3 PB 17-11 WETLAND SANCTUARY UPDATE Blaine Wetland Sanctuary - A picture of the sign off Lexington was shown to the Board. Additional photographs were shows of the area including the boardwalk off of the parking lot. The parking lot will have 29 parking stalls. Chair Bird asked if there would be a railing along the boardwalk and Mr. Monahan will research and report back to the Board. This is typically a walking trail. The boardwalk should be completed in three weeks. The parking lot should be completed by the end of June. Commissioner e asked if it would be open when the parking lot is completed and Mr. Monahan City of Blaine Page 3 Park Advisory Board Minutes - Final May 23, 2017 stated it will be open. Commissioner Lester asked if the railing was needed for liability reasons and Mr. Monahan will find out. Commissioner Das asked if mosquitos will be handled. Chair Bird stated the plan is for it to be natural. Informational; no action required. Adjournment Commissioner Das motioned to adjourn. Commissioner Bingle seconded the motion. Motion approved unanimously. Aye: 7 - Chair Bird, Commissioner Lester, Commissioner Das, Commissioner Varian, Walsdorf, Commissioner Markle, and Commissioner Bingle City of Blaine Page 4