Park Advisory Board

10801 Town Square Drive City of Blaine Blaine, MN 55449 Anoka County, Minnesota Minutes Park Advisory Board Chair Jeffrey Bird, Prad Das, Jeff Lester, Tonya Lizakowski, Rex Markle, Kristofer Paulseth 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, August 28, 2018 6:30 PM Council Chambers 1. Call To Order The Blaine Park Advisory Board met in the Council Chambers of City Hall on Tuesday, August 28, 2018. 2. Roll Call 1. Chair Bird called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Staff Present: Nate Monahan, Recreation Manager and Jerome Krieger, Recreation Manager Present: 8 - Chair Bird, Commissioner Lester, Commissioner Das, Commissioner Varian, Commissioner Walsdorf, Commissioner Markle, Commissioner Lizakowski, and Commissioner Paulseth 3. Approval of Minutes 3.-1 APPROVAL OF THE JULY 24, 2018 PARK BOARD MINUTES Attachments: 07-24-18Pk Motion by Commissioner Walsdorf, to approve the minutes of July 24, 2018 meeting as presented. Motion seconded by Commissioner Lester. Motion approved unanimously. Aye: 8 - Chair Bird, Commissioner Lester, Commissioner Das, Varian, Commissioner Walsdorf, Commissioner Markle, Commissioner Lizakowski, and Commissioner Paulseth City of Blaine Page 1 Park Advisory Board Minutes August 28, 2018 4. Open Forum for Citizen Input Chair Bird opened the Open Forum at 6:32 p.m. No one appeared to address the Commission. Chair Bird closed Open Forum at 6:33 p.m. 5. New Business 5.-1 REQUEST FOR PICKLE BALL COURTS AT HIDDEN PONDS PARK Attachments: Pickle Ball Courts Pickle Ball Petition Pickle Ball Courts Recreation Manager Monahan reviewed that the residents of Hidden Acres, located on Pierce St. NE between 113th and 114th Avenue NE, had requested that two pickle ball courts be constructed in Hidden Ponds Park. Hidden Acres is a community of 29 one level homes. The majority of residents are older and active adults. Several are actively playing Pickle Ball. Two new developments will be built nearby, primarily for the older and mostly retired adults. One, to be built just east of Pierce Street (Meadow Place), will have 40 homes. The second one, to be built just south of Pierce St. and 113th Avenue (Wicklow Woods), will have 43 homes. Also located near to these developments is a large senior living apartment building on Ulysses. Pickle ball is an activity that is very popular among adults and is becoming more popular among younger adults as well. Blaine does have 4 pickle ball courts in the Lexington Athletic Complex however many more are needed in the future especially east of Highway 65. Hidden Ponds Park is a large park that has a playground, basketball court and picnic tables. It is also well used for walking and biking. There is plenty of space that can be developed for pickle ball courts (and still has room for other development). A petition was signed by 45 Pierce Street residents. Photographs of the park were also provided for Commission review. Chair Bird asked when this could be done. Mr. Monahan stated he has the CIP with him this evening and it could be done when the Board recommends. Chair Bird clarified there would be no off-street parking. Commissioner Lester asked if it makes more sense to put in 4 courts rather than 2 courts. Mr. Monahan stated that is a valid point. There are 4 courts City of Blaine Page 2 Park Advisory Board Minutes August 28, 2018 at LAC. The courts at LAC are used constantly and Mr. Monahan anticipates if these new courts were put in they would be used just as much. The soil would need to be checked but there would be room for 4 courts. Commissioner Walsdorf asked how comfortable Mr. Monahan is with the $40,000 estimate. Mr. Monahan stated that would not include lights. Most of the play is done in the early morning hours. The cost includes the fence. Commissioner Paulseth asked what the base would be and Mr. Monahan stated it would be asphalt. Commissioner Markle asked to see on the map how much space the courts would take up and Mr. Monahan did. The fence would enclose approximately 40 x 80’. Commissioner Markle asked if there would be concern about the courts taking up open green space in the park. The basketball court does not get a lot of use and most of the play occurring is on the playground. Commissioner Markle stated he would support having the courts as close to the other courts to retain as much green open space as possible. This would be bid out and using the specs for LAC. Commissioner Markle stated he would support putting this in the CIP. Mr. Monahan suggested putting it in the plan for 2020. Chair Bird would prefer the soil testing to be done before it is added to the CIP. Commissioner Walsdorf asked if the pickle ball courts would be open to the entire City and Mr. Monahan stated it would be. Commissioner Das asked about the demographics of the neighborhood and Mr. Monahan stated some of the residents are downsizing and selling off portions of their properties. Commissioner Das asked if vandalism is a problem at pickle ball courts. Mr. Monahan stated there have been just a couple of small incidents on tennis courts. Commissioner Das asked about the cost for resurfacing and Mr. Monahan stated it is $7600 and typically it is done every seven years. Commissioner Das suggested it be lighted. Commissioner Lester asked if the developers could help chip in funds for this. Mr. Monahan stated that could be asked of the developers. Motion by Commissioner Das, to spend the funds for the soil borings prior to making a recommendation on the pickle ball courts at Hidden Ponds Park. Commissioner Lester seconded the motion. Motion approved unanimously. Aye: 8 - Chair Bird, Commissioner Lester, Commissioner Das, Varian, Commissioner Walsdorf, Commissioner Markle, Commissioner Lizakowski, and Commissioner Paulseth City of Blaine Page 3 Park Advisory Board Minutes August 28, 2018 5.-2 PARK PROJECTS AND EVENT UPDATES Mr. Monahan provided updates on the following: Sanctuary Preserve Park - This was scheduled to be put in this year but the bids came back at $200,000. The budget was $100,000. The City Council rejected the bids. It will be put back out for bids in January - February 2019. London Park Playground - Currently the plan is to remove the structure on September 10 and after Bauer restoration is done the City crew will work on install starting September 17. It should be done in two weeks. Bark in the Park - There were 400 people at the event. This event will occur next year on a Thursday night mid-August. Commissioner Das asked if all the people that use the dog park are from Blaine. Mr. Monahan stated he has no way of knowing. Commissioner Das asked what the cost is to maintain the dog park. Mr. Monahan stated it does not take very much maintenance. Commissioner Das stated he would like to be able to collect user data. Chair Bird is in favor of people outside of Blaine coming to Blaine. Chair Bird asked if it would make sense to have someone gather data and would that be of value to the City. Mr. Monahan stated since no charge to use it or if there are police calls then maybe have someone. The users are helping maintain it and take pride in the park. Commissioner Das stated the data would be helpful if the dog park were to be expanded or moved. Mr. Monahan agreed. Commissioner Markle suggested using social media and post a simple questionnaire that people can fill out with data. Mr. Monahan was in favor of that idea since there is an Aquatore Dog Park Facebook page. Commissioner Das also suggested the use of surveymonkey. Blaine’s Block Party will be held Weds, September 26, 2018 3-7pm. Many activities are planned. Mr. Monahan asked the Board if they wanted a table at the event to provide information to the residents. The Board was encouraged to attend and help in the booth. Commissioner Lizakowski suggested the amenities in the parks be presented to the residents. Mr. Monahan stated a board showing the park locations will be available. The consensus of the Board was to have a table at the Block Party. Informational; no action required. Adjournment City of Blaine Page 4 Park Advisory Board Minutes August 28, 2018 Commissioner Das motioned to adjourn. Commissioner Markle seconded the motion. Motion approved unanimously. Chair Bird adjourned the meeting 7:30 p.m. Aye: 8 - Chair Bird, Commissioner Lester, Commissioner Das, Varian, Commissioner Walsdorf, Commissioner Markle, Commissioner Lizakowski, and Commissioner Paulseth 1.-1 PARKS MASTER PLAN UPDATE AND STAKEHOLDER MEETING - 6:30PM City of Blaine Page 5