Park Advisory Board

10801 Town Square Drive City of Blaine Blaine, MN 55449 Anoka County, Minnesota Minutes - Final 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, May 28, 2019 7:00 PM Council Chambers 1. Call To Order The Blaine Park Advisory Board met in the Council Chambers of City Hall on Tuesday, May 28, 2019. 1. Chair Bird called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. Roll Call Staff Present: Nate Monahan, Recreation Manager Others Present: Drew Brown, Adjunct Member Present: 7 - Chair Bird, Commissioner Lester, Commissioner Das, Commissioner Markle, Commissioner Walsdorf, Commissioner Lizakowski, and Commissioner Paulseth 3. Approval of Minutes 3.-1 MIN 19-21 APPROVAL OF THE APRIL 23, 2019 PARK BOARD MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Walsdorf to approve the minutes of April 23, 2019 meeting as presented. Motion seconded by Lester. Motion approved unanimously. Aye: 7 - Chair Bird, Commissioner Lester, Commissioner Das, Commissioner Markle, Commissioner Walsdorf, Commissioner Lizakowski, and Commissioner Paulseth 4. Open Forum for Citizen Input Chair Bird opened the Open Forum at 7:05 p.m. No one appeared to address the Commission. City of Blaine Page 1 Park Advisory Board Minutes - Final May 28, 2019 Chair Bird closed Open Forum at 7:06 p.m. None. 5. New Business 5.-1 PB 19-13 PROCLAMATION FOR EAGLE SCOUT REESE KNEELAND Mr. Monahan reviewed Reese Kneeland is being presented a Proclamation by Park Board Chair Jeff Bird in recognition of his Eagle Scout project of two chessboards, chess pieces and storage containers that can now be rented during the beach season at Lakeside Commons Park free with a driver’s license. This project took Reese, his dad and volunteers 176 hours and was completed on April 29, 2019. Chair Bird read the proclamation to Reese Kneeland. Reese thanked the City for their cooperation in doing this project. Commissioner Das stated this is a great addition to the park. Commissioner Walsdorf asked Reese what the material was for the chess pieces and his response was poured molded plastic and painted. Chair Bird expressed his thanks from the Park Board and the City. Informational; no action required. 5.-2 PB 19-14 PARKS MASTER PLAN REVIEW Mr. Monahan stated the current draft of the Parks Master Plan can be reviewed at <https://wsbeng.sharefile.com/d-sa31bbd3306d4dfe9>. The hope is to have the City Council approve it in June or July. As the result of feedback, the key things the residents would like to see are splash pads, a beach, traditional playgrounds, nature trails and boardwalks, fishing, playground and paved trails. Mr. Monahan reviewed the heavily visited parks. WSB’s recommendation is to obtain first right of refusal to purchase some soccer fields if the option came about. Mr. Monahan previewed specific points of the plan. There were not many changes to the concept plan for Happy Acres and Aquatore Parks. Mr. Monahan introduced Mr. Bob Slipka from WSB and Associates who will review the draft of the Parks Master Plan. The Council was given an overview of the Parks Master Plan. This is a confident plan for the next 3-5 years. Most of the items in the plan are from visits to each of the parks. Funding is a key issue. There are grant monies available for trails and some City of Blaine Page 2 Park Advisory Board Minutes - Final May 28, 2019 DNR funding is available. WSB suggests the implementation section of the plan be reviewed at least annually. Mr. Slipka reviewed points of the plan that were reviewed with the City Council. Next steps to move forward were reviewed such as ADA compliance. Mr. Slipka showed a drawing of the plan for Happy Acres and Aquatore Parks. The parking option was reviewed in detail for Aquatore Park. Mr. Slipka reviewed the trail system plan. Some minor revisions will be implemented based on the presentation to the City Council. Mr. Drew Brown asked more about the agreement with the National Sports Center and was the City just planning ahead or is there thought the NSC may be going away. Commissioner Das asked what other cities is Blaine close to as far as parks and amenities. Mr. Slipka stated comparisons were done with Coon Rapids, Crystal, and Minnetonka. Commissioner Das stated Blaine is still in a growth phase and he is concerned when funding ends from new development, how can the parks be maintained and new features being added in the future. He asked how the parks can be self-funded in the future. Mr. Slipka stated it would be budget allocation. He cited the example of Coon Rapids having a bond referendum to improve their parks. Chair Bird thanked Mr. Slipka and WSB for their work on the plan. Discussed. 5.-3 PB 19-15 HIDDEN PONDS PICKLEBALL AND BASKETBALL COURT DESIGN Mr. Monahan reviewed the CIP with projected balances based on estimated park dedication fees. Commissioner Markle asked about the west of Lexington, north of Main and what is being looked at as far as acreage and Mr. Monahan stated five acres. Mr. Monahan stated this would be in addition to a donation to the Elementary School playground. The new park would be located just north of the open space. The school was given $100,000 towards the playground. Mr. Monahan reviewed the budget of the Hidden Ponds Pickleball and Basketball Courts and provide the current Parks CIP budget. He also reviewed the current design of the four pickleball courts and full basketball court. The trails were also shown on the drawing. Estimated price is $225,000. Commissioner Walsdorf stated Chair Bird had a great idea about parking City of Blaine Page 3 Park Advisory Board Minutes - Final May 28, 2019 at Hidden Ponds. Mr. Monahan stated there could be on-street parking. There will be spaces for 12 cars. Commissioner Lester asked if the curbs were done how many additional cars could be parked and Mr. Monahan stated actually no more cars. Ms. Charlotte Depew, 11343 Pierce Street NE, in a neighborhood of 28 homes. There is also a new community near Pierce Street where 40 new homes are being constructed. Most of the residents are over 55. The pickle ball courts would be more inclusive to the 55 and over group. They are currently playing at Lexington. The pickle ball courts at Hidden Ponds will be used. She was not aware of the full basketball court being constructed. She is glad seating is included. Chair Bird asked if the courts would be within walking distance and Ms. Depew stated it was. Commissioner Lester asked Ms. Depew if lighting would be necessary in the future. Ms. Depew responded from the audience but was inaudible. Mr. Monahan stated lighting is typically not done but could be looked at if there is a need in the future. Commissioner Walsdorf asked if there is a reservation system or is it first come first serve and Mr. Monahan stated there is no reservation system. No issues have been heard about people not sharing the courts. Commissioner Walsdorf asked with the addition of these four courts how many would there be in the City and Mr. Monahan stated eight designated courts. Striping has been done on some of the tennis courts but the designated courts are preferred by the players. Chair Bird asked if the decision needs to be made this evening or could the site be visited in the June park tour. Mr. Monahan suggested the site be visited in June. Commissioner Markle asked about the fencing and asked if that was the same at LAC. Mr. Monahan stated at LAC there is not fencing between the courts. Mr. Slipka indicated the court entrances on the drawing. The 4-foot dividing fences are very useful and gates could be added in the future if desired. The basketball court is not fenced. There is a full trail. Commissioner Markle stated he has two concerns adding 23 feet to the north trail package and to maximize the space that could be crowded. He is also concerned about that much 8-foot fencing in such a small area would be oppressive. He is not sure that much 8-foot fencing is necessary. Mr. Slipka stated 6-foot fencing is more dangerous. He would suggest an City of Blaine Page 4 Park Advisory Board Minutes - Final May 28, 2019 8-foot fence between basketball and pickle ball. Commissioner Markle stated in looking at it from the street it would be a large amount of fencing. Commissioner Walsdorf agreed a 6-foot fence is more dangerous. This will be decided after the park tour of the area. Discussed. 5.-4 PB 19-16 FEEDBACK FROM EASTSIDE PARK TENNIS COURT REMOVAL Mr. Monahan reported staff recently sent out a letter to the residents around Eastside Park about the removal of the tennis court. A sample of the letter sent was provided for Park Board review. The feedback staff received from the residents about where in the future they would like a park shelter placed within Eastside Park. The parks and trails levy budget was provided for Board review. Feedback emails were received from: Kelly Zangs suggested the south end of the current tennis courts (away from the highway and wetland area). Debie Bulls suggested between where the tennis court is now and the play area. She would prefer a pickle ball court. Darla Carlson suggested the same location as the tennis court or southwest of the tennis court, or by the playground area. Sandy Anfang suggested adjacent to the playground and in close proximity to an already existing parking area. Dane Larson suggested adding a couple of picnic shelters. Also suggested more trees between 35W and the park. Gretchen Skog suggested additional play equipment at the park with a zip line or new park equipment for kids to enjoy. Jeanne Harstad suggested near the parking lot, also suggested a dog park. Asked that the porta potty be placed near the parking lot and basketball court instead of just feet from her backyard fence. Autumn and Erik Lahti would like to keep the tennis court. Corey Hedgers & Family stated they disagree with the decision to place a City of Blaine Page 5 Park Advisory Board Minutes - Final May 28, 2019 picnic shelter at Eastside Park. Additional play equipment would be better than a shelter with a zipline similar to the one at LAC. Chair Bird suggested the Board visit this site during the park tours. Mr. Monahan stated Bauer Restoration may be removing the tennis court. The City Council will be requested to act on this. Chair Bird asked if another park should be added to the tour and Mr. Monahan suggested Quail Park. Discussed. 5.-5 PB 19-17 PARK BOARD UPDATES Mr. Monahan provided updates on the following: Quail Creek Park Playground Replacement playground was supposed to have concrete border added today but due to some rain issues flooding. It should be started again next week with the playground equipment June 10th. New Blaine Logo Park Signs - The new inserts with the new logo have been ordered and will be installed in City parks. The borders of the sign will be painted brown. The beach opens on Friday. Concerts will be held at Town Square Park. More information can be found on the website. Commissioner Das asked if construction will be stopped on the senior center during Blaine Festival and Mr. Monahan stated it will be stopped. Additional parking will be available at Village Bank’s parking lot. Informational; no action required. Adjournment Commissioner Das motioned to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Walsdorf seconded the motion. Motion approved unanimously. Chair Bird adjourned the meeting 8:40 p.m. City of Blaine Page 6