Park Advisory Board

10801 Town Square Drive City of Blaine Blaine, MN 55449 Anoka County, Minnesota Minutes 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, January 23, 2018 7:00 PM Council Chambers 1. Call To Order The Blaine Park Advisory Board met in the Council Chambers of City Hall on Tuesday, January 23, 2018. 1. Chairman 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 APPROVAL OF THE NOVEMBER 28, 2017 PARK BOARD MINUTES Attachments: 11-28-17Pk Motion by Commissioner Varian, to approve the minutes of November 28, 2017 meeting as presented. Motion seconded by Commissioner Bingle. 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 7:05 p.m. City of Blaine Page 1 Park Advisory Board Minutes January 23, 2018 No one appeared to address the Commission. Chair Bird closed Open Forum at 7:06 p.m. 5. New Business 5.-1 VETERAN’S MEMORIAL AT TOWN SQUARE PARK Recreation Manager Monahan introduced Mayor Ryan who will present Steve Guider’s proposal to the Board. Mayor Ryan presented to the Commission a new Veteran’s Memorial at Town Square Park Concept Plan. Mr. Guider would like to start fundraising if the Park Board recommends and Council approves his concept plan. A map showing the south end of Town Square Park was provided. Mayor Ryan stated the Veteran’s Memorial program held at Blaine High School has been held the last three years. The VFW was approached and very supportive. This memorial would be dedicated for all five service areas. The memorial would be on the left side toward the water fountain. Mayor Ryan estimated the cost to be $100,000. The fountain could be removed because it doesn’t work most of the time. The fundraising will be done through the Yellow Ribbon Program (501C). The concepts were distributed for Park Board review. Commissioner Walsdorf stated he thinks $100,000 seems light in looking at the concept designs. Mayor Ryan stated it could be more. Commissioner Walsdorf asked if the Blaine program could be moved the park and Mayor Ryan responded it is too large. Commissioner Walsdorf stated he is in favor of the project if it could be paid for. Mayor Ryan stated it has not been discussed if the City could contribute funds. Commissioner Bingle stated this is an amazing idea and the youth in Blaine should have this as well as the other residents. She also thinks $100,000 is low. Mayor Ryan stated he does not want it to look like a cemetery. Fundraising will take quite a while. The VFW is very supportive. Mayor Ryan would like to see this done. Commissioner Varian stated she supports the concept and location. She is concerned about the money and will it be able to be seen as it goes through the process, maintenance is an issue, and there should be seating for visitors. Mayor Ryan spoke about his work with veterans. City of Blaine Page 2 Park Advisory Board Minutes January 23, 2018 Commissioner Das stated the location is very important for him. He asked how many programs would be held at the memorial. He asked if Aquatore Park was considered for a location. He thought perhaps Town Square Park would be more isolated. He stated Aquatore is more centralized. Mayor Ryan stated Aquatore is more of a picnic park and Town Square would have more security being close to the police department. Mr. Monahan noted the only activity that uses that portion of Town Square Park is WorldFest and it could be somewhat reconfigured. Commissioner Markle asked if the gazebo is used for other activities and Mr. Monahan stated there are concerts and people do not spill past the main area. Mayor Ryan stated there is no place to sit at Bunker Park. Commissioner Markle is in support of the concept and getting rid of the fountain and incorporating the gazebo. Mayor Ryan stated the Park Board would be updated on the process. Commissioner Lester stated he likes the location. He suggested the fountain be removed. He suggested the center piece be the focal point. He agrees seating is needed. Mayor Ryan discussed issues with trees at the BWS and the residents. Chair Bird thanked Mayor Ryan for his service and what he has done for the Yellow Ribbon Committee. The purpose of the fountain was for couples getting married to use for pictures. He believes the fountain could go somewhere else. Chair Bird stated this is an ideal spot. Motion by Commissioner Walsdorf, to recommend the City Council approve the concept plan for Veteran’s Memorial at Town Square Park as presented. Motion seconded by Commissioner Varian. Motion approved unanimously. Aye: 7 - Chair Bird, Commissioner Lester, Commissioner Das, Commissioner Varian, Walsdorf, Commissioner Markle, and Commissioner Bingle Mayor Ryan provided an update on the Senior Center. The City owes the seniors a better location. There will be a referendum to cover the cost. Chair Bird suggested selling the bonds and building it rather than a referendum. 5.-2 RECOMMENDATION OF 2018-2022 FIVE YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR PARK DEVELOPMENT FUNDS Attachments: 2017-12-30 Parks CIP Recreation Manager Monahan reviewed the City maintains a five-year City of Blaine Page 3 Park Advisory Board Minutes January 23, 2018 capital improvement plan for park development funds. The capital improvement plan is a flexible plan based upon long-range physical planning and financial projections. Flexibility is achieved through an annual review and revisions process as necessary. All improvements listed in the plan are proposed and must come back to the Park Board for review and recommendation to the City Council. The City Council then makes all final decisions on capital improvements. Revenue for capital improvement plan comes from park dedication fees required of all new residential $4,320, Commercial $8,704, and Industrial $6,702 development. The residential fee is currently split with 80% of the fee going to parks and 20% of the fee going to open space through 2018. All Commercial and Industrial fees go to parks. Revenue from park dedication fees can only be used for development of new parks and trails, for improvements to community parks used by all residents and for improvements to neighborhood parks that serve new growth. It cannot be used for park maintenance. The first 2018 expenditure as scheduled will be the development of Sanctuary Preserve Park in the Sanctuary Preserve Development off of Lexington Avenue at a cost of $250,000. Staff has done some further research on costs of Park Master Plans from other cities and what services and detail the parks master plan provides. The parks master plan would take about nine months to a year to complete. The budget cost for the Parks Master Plan would be a not to exceed $125,000. The scope of work will include Public Process, Demographic Trends, Existing and future Facilities, Review and update current inventory database of City Park Facilities, Rank and Prioritize Demand and Opportunities, Aquatore Park Master Plan and Happy Acres Park Master Plan. The Park System Plan must include Goals, objectives and policy statements that state a clear vision and direction for Parks and Recreation in the City of Blaine; an updated City of Blaine Park Inventory; a summary of existing conditions and level of service analysis; a major park infrastructure repair and replacement schedule, considering potential changes in the existing infrastructure; and Phased Implementation Plan and 20-year CIP. Charts, graphs, maps and other data as needed to support the Plan along with a color version of the Final Park System Plan document consisting of three (3) printed and bound color copies and an electronic copy in PDF. Mr. Monahan also reviewed the requirements of the Aquatore and Happy City of Blaine Page 4 Park Advisory Board Minutes January 23, 2018 Acres Park Master Plan. Staff eliminated the $100,000 for the park East of Lexington and North of Main due to the proposed agreement with Anoka-Hennepin School District to partner on the playground that will be constructed for the new Elementary School off of Lever Street. Staff recommends the City Council adopt the 2018 to 2022 Capital Improvement Plan for Park Development Funds. Chair Bird thanked Mr. Monahan for the update. He would like to see a solution if the airport park softball fields are lost. He asked how the residents would be able to use the park during the school hours. Mr. Monahan stated the school has it during school hours but after the residents have full access. Commissioner Varian asked if the Board is approving the details outlined while approving the CIP. Mr. Monahan stated after Council approval it will go out for RFP. The RFP will come back to the Park Board at the February Meeting and proposals for review at the March Meeting. She asked if there are other ideas for the plan to address can they be added later. Mr. Monahan stated he would like to see this approved with additions this evening. Chair Bird stated there is a paragraph related to additions. She asked if the Senior Center was considered a Park facility and Mr. Monahan stated it is because it is located in Aquatore Park. She asked if use would be discussed other than at Happy Acres and Aquatore Parks and Mr. Monahan replied it will be addressed. Commissioner Das asked about the consultant hiring process and would it be an individual or company. Mr. Monahan stated it would be a consulting firm and it will be a six-week process. The detail of the proposals are examined closely. Commissioner Lester suggested making payments ahead of time saving on some interest on the debt. Motion by Commissioner Das, to recommend the City Council adopt the 2018 to 2022 Capital Improvement Plan for Park Development Funds. Motion seconded by Commissioner Markle. Motion approved unanimously. Aye: 7 - Chair Bird, Commissioner Lester, Commissioner Das, Commissioner Varian, Walsdorf, Commissioner Markle, and Commissioner Bingle 5.-3 DISCUSSION ON PARKING FEE AT LAKESIDE COMMONS PARK Recreation Manager Monahan stated City Councilmember Jason King has asked the Park Board to look at increasing the parking fee at Lakeside City of Blaine Page 5 Park Advisory Board Minutes January 23, 2018 Commons Park to $10/car. Staff did some research on what other cities and counties are charging for parking or per person basis: City of Stillwater - Square Lake Beach $5/car Anoka County - All Beaches $5/car City of Minnetonka/Hopkins - Shady Oaks Beach -$6/person Ramsey County - All Beaches - Free Three River Park - Elm Creek/Minnetonka $5/person Staff expressed two concerns about people parking outside of the lot where it is free and for shelter reservations any non-Blaine guests would need to pay a parking fee. Currently staff is being paid from the revenues other than park maintenance staff. Commissioner Walsdorf asked what the current fee is and Mr. Monahan stated it is $5/car. Councilmember King thought the non-residents should pay more for the amenity. Commissioner Das stated he feels people will park outside the parking lot and complaints will increase. He asked if other events could be added to the beach area to increase revenues. Mr. Monahan stated additional events may get in the way of people enjoying the beach area. It’s already popular for all ages. Commissioner Varian asked what percentage of parkers are from Blaine and which are non-residents. Mr. Monahan stated 70-30% Commissioner Varian asked how much additional revenue would be produced by the increase? Mr. Monahan provided historical data. Last year was $20,000. An estimate would be $10,000-$15,000 more in revenue. She feels $10 is excessive. Commissioner Markle agreed $10 would be a barrier that we don’t want to break. He would not have a problem with a $2-$3 increase. Commissioner Lester asked if there were issues with people parking on the street and Mr. Monahan stated last year there were no problems. With raising the fee there may be more complaints. Commissioner Lester would like to see it remain at $5/car. Mr. Monahan stated there is an annual parking permit available for $25 for non-residents. Commissioner Das stated when the parking lot was expanded it helped. There were a couple of days where the lot was close to being full. It is not an issue most of the time. He suggested there be dedicated parking area on City of Blaine Page 6 Park Advisory Board Minutes January 23, 2018 the street where additional revenue could be raised. Commissioner Das asked if rowing is available and Mr. Monahan stated it is not currently available. He suggested this may be an additional way to raise revenue. Chair Bird said he would prefer free parking. He wants to stay away from making more money from the parks. He has not heard anyone in favor of increasing the parking rates. Commissioner Das suggested if there were more rowing or other activities available if would be nice for residents to see more activities. Mr. Monahan stated stand-up paddle boarding classes are offered at the beach. He can look into the rowing option. Discussed. 5.-4 UPDATES & UPCOMING EVENTS Recreation Manager Monahan provided updates as follows: 10-Year Replacement/Improvement Plan - Mr. Monahan provided a snapshot of the 10-year replacement/improvement plan. Council is looking at putting into general fund $400,000 per year to help keep the parks in Blaine. There are 52 playgrounds in the City that need to be maintained. Indoor Farmer’s Markets: Saturdays, January 27, February 10 and 24 with Craft Fairs January 27 and February 24 from 9:00am - 1:00pm at Blaine City Hall. Snow Day - January 27 from 1:00 - 4:00pm at Wargo Nature Center and it’s FREE. Super Hero Park - Friday February 16 from 6:30 - 8:00pm at Blaine City Hall. Bark in the Park - Thursday, August 9 from 5:00 - 8:00pm at Aquatore Dog Park. Informational; no action required. Adjournment Commissioner Das motioned to adjourn. Commissioner Lester seconded the motion. Motion approved unanimously. Chair Bird adjourned the meeting at 8:35 p.m. Aye: 7 - Chair Bird, Commissioner Lester, Commissioner Das, Commissioner Varian, Walsdorf, Commissioner Markle, and Commissioner Bingle City of Blaine Page 7