Park Advisory Board

10801 Town Square Drive City of Blaine Blaine, MN 55449 Anoka County, Minnesota Minutes Park Advisory Board This meeting will be a hybrid of Zoom and in-person. The Mayor has signed a declaration allowing members of the commission, staff, and the public to attend the meeting remotely via Zoom as has been done during the COVID-19 pandemic. The council chambers will have limited seating, with audience chairs being set up at least six feet apart. There will be an overflow area where the meeting can be watched in the Cloverleaf Farms Room, also with chairs set up at least six feet apart. Please note that all visitors to city hall are required to wear a face mask while inside the building. Public comment options prior to the meeting must be received by noon on Tuesday, September 22. Email comments to: nmonahan@BlaineMN.gov or phone 763-785-6151. Zoom is for members of the public who want to comment remotely during the meeting on an agenda item. Join Zoom Webinar at https://blainemn.zoom.us/j/92989058526. Ways to watch if not commenting on an agenda item: BlaineMN.gov/Video or North Metro TV on Comcast, Apple TV, or Roku. Questions? Email - Communications@BlaineMN.gov Park Board Members: Chair Jeffrey Bird, Prad Das, Jeff Lester, Tonya Lizakowski, Rex Markle, Kristofer Paulseth and Tom Walsdorf The purpose of the park board is to provide a high quality of life for the city's residents through protection of its natural resources, its scenic, historical and aesthetic values, and by development of compatible facilities for public enjoyment. One of the board's functions as an advisory body 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, July 28, 2020 7:00 PM Council Chambers and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, city meetings will be held as virtual meetings 1. Call To Order The Blaine Park Advisory Board met in the Council Chambers of City Hall on Tuesday, July 27, 2020. Chair Bird called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic this meeting was held virtually. 2. Roll Call City of Blaine Page 1 Park Advisory Board Minutes July 28, 2020 Staff Present: Nate Monahan, Recreation Manager and Ben Hayle, Communications Manager. Guest: None. Present: 7 - Chair Bird, Commissioner Lester, Commissioner Das, Commissioner Markle, Commissioner Walsdorf, Commissioner Lizakowski, and Commissioner Paulseth 3. Approval of Minutes 3.-1 APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY 28, 2020 PARK BOARD MINUTES Attachments: 01-28-20 PK Motion by Boardmember Markle to approve the minutes of January 28, 2020 as amended. Motion seconded by Boardmember Lester. A roll call vote was taken. 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 7:04 p.m. No one appeared to address the Commission. Chair Bird closed Open Forum at 7:05 p.m. 5. New Business 5.-1 RECOMMENDATION OF THE AMENDED 2020 - 2024 PARK AND TRAIL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN City of Blaine Page 2 Park Advisory Board Minutes July 28, 2020 Attachments: JULY 2020 Park and Trail CIP Blaine Splashpad Flagship Quote Blane Splashpad LSI Quote arch-jet (1) geyser ground-funnel mini-upward-spray-ring Current Splash Pad Water Feature Current Splash Pad Water Feature1 Zip Track image Aquatore Zip Track Aquatore Zip track Installation Recreation Manager Monahan stated a panel of City Staff including the City Manager, Finance Director, Public Works Director and Parks and Recreation staff have reviewed the Five-Year Park and Trail (CIP) for the City's Park Fund and is recommending a few amendments to the 2020 component of the CIP. Staff is seeking the Park Board's recommendation to bring the amendments forward to the City Council for approval and formal adoption into the Amended 2020-24 CIP. Recreation Manager Monahan explained the Park and Trail Capital Improvement Fund is used for ongoing improvements and replacement of existing capital assets related to the City's parks and trails. The primary funding source for this fund is a general tax levy ($350,000 for 2020). Additional revenue comes from billboard property leases ($150,000) which the City Council approved as a funding source in December 2019. Staff provided a summary of the recommended amendments and requested feedback from the Commission. Chair Bird summarized the proposed changes within the Parks and Trails CIP. Boardmember Walsdorf asked if the Happy Acres cost was being reduced from $200,000 to $50,000. Recreation Manager Monahan explained the budgeted amount was $120,000 and the full replacement of the bridge came in at $204,000. For this reason, staff looked at fixing the existing bridge versus replacing the bridge. Boardmember Markle asked if the actual column was the amount of funding that had been spent year to date. Recreation Manager Monahan reported this was the case. City of Blaine Page 3 Park Advisory Board Minutes July 28, 2020 Boardmember Markle questioned if another $10,000 was being spent on the Miracle Field. Recreation Manager Monahan explained this expenditure was for fencing. Boardmember Lester discussed the zip line replacement and questioned if the new equipment would require additional maintenance. Recreation Manager Monahan indicated the new equipment would require a great deal less maintenance than the previous equipment. He commented further on how the previous cable frayed and required routine maintenance. He noted the new equipment would be similar to the zip line that was in place at Cane Meadows. Chair Bird questioned if the Lexington baseball complex zip line would be replaced. Recreation Manager Monahan commented the rope seat was replaced and staff was monitoring this cable. Boardmember Paulseth stated he supported the proposed improvements. Boardmember Das asked the stainless steel metal would be slippery compared to the plastic rubber material. Recreation Manager Monahan explained the stainless still would have a coating on it to prevent slipping. He indicated the existing plastic was wearing out and cracking which was why staff was recommending the parts be replaced with stainless steel. Motion by Boardmember Das to recommend the City Council the amended 2020-2024 Park and Trail Capital Improvement Plan. Motion seconded by Boardmember Walsdorf. A roll call vote was taken. Motion approved unanimously. Aye: 7 - Chair Bird, Commissioner Lester, Commissioner Das, Commissioner Markle, Commissioner Walsdorf, Commissioner Lizakowski, and Commissioner Paulseth 5.-2 RECOMMENDING THE PROPOSAL FROM FLAGSHIP RECREATION FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE BLAINE BASEBALL COMPLEX PLAYGROUND IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $175,000 Attachments: BBC Playground BBC Playground 1 BBC Playground 2 BBC Layout BBC Playground Replacement BBC Playground Flagship Install Recreation Manager Monahan stated Blaine Baseball Complex Playground City of Blaine Page 4 Park Advisory Board Minutes July 28, 2020 equipment is 17 years old and is need of replacement because of the condition of the current playground and lack of availability of replacement parts. City Staff met with Flagship Recreation to develop a cost savings plan for the new Challenger Field and playground replacement at the Baseball Complex. The vision for the playground was to improve accessibility from both a play feature and surfacing prospective. This will give the city an inclusive playground for all ages and ability levels to enjoy together. This project was delayed for cost containment purposes during the pandemic, but staff still in good faith continued to work with Flagship Recreation to provide the replacement playground for the Blaine Baseball Complex. Recreation Manager Monahan reported the cost of this playground will be $171,200.84. The funds for this playground will come from the Park and Trail Capital Improvement Fund. Staff exercised the purchasing practice of U.S. Communities Government Alliance, which will save the city over $8,000 and chose the playground equipment line manufactured by Landscape Structures and supplied by Flagship Recreation. This improvement will also include concrete border, wood fiber, fabric, poured in place rubber surfacing, and benches. Boardmember Das stated he supported the proposed park plans but asked how well the rubber surface would hold up through a Minnesota winter. Recreation Manager Monahan reported this surface was supposed to last 15 to 20 years. He noted Aquatore Park has a similar rubber surface and it was holding up well. He indicated the surface comes with a 10 year warranty. Boardmember Lizakowski asked why the park would have no slides. Recreation Manager Monahan commented this park was planned to be more inclusive. He reported the neighboring park, Northwood Park, would have slides. Boardmember Lizakowski stated she supported the park plans and appreciated the fact that this park would be utilized by younger siblings that were attending baseball games. Motion by Boardmember Lizakowski to recommend the City Council the proposal from Flagship Recreation for new playground equipment at the Blaine Baseball Complex in the amount not to exceed $175,000. Motion seconded by Boardmember Lester. A roll call vote was taken. Motion approved unanimously. Aye: 7 - Chair Bird, Commissioner Lester, Commissioner Das, Commissioner Markle, Commissioner Walsdorf, Commissioner Lizakowski, and Commissioner Paulseth City of Blaine Page 5 Park Advisory Board Minutes July 28, 2020 5.-3 RECOMMENDATION OF A PROPOSAL FOR PRESIDENT PARK PLAYGROUND REPLACEMENT NOT TO EXCEED $100,000. Attachments: PRESIDENT PLAYGROUND REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL Flagship President Playground Flagship President Playground 1 FlagShip President Budget Recreation Manager Monahan stated the President Park playground is 20 years old and in need of replacement. Staff will present the two proposals for replacement playground equipment at President Park. Proposals were submitted by Flagship Recreation with Landscape Structures equipment and St. Croix Recreation with Burke equipment. The $100,000 will be funded out of the Park and Trail Capital Improvement Fund and this was also included in the Draft Park Master Plan for replacement. Staff is recommending the equipment from Flagship Recreation. Boardmember Das discussed the two options for the park and asked if a specific age group was being targeted. Recreation Manager Monahan stated children ages 2 to 12 were being targeted. Boardmember Das explained he supported the more open design for the park and recommended the Board move forward with the Flagship playground concept. Motion by Boardmember Das to recommend the City Council a proposal for replacement playground equipment at President Park not to exceed $100,000. Motion seconded by Boardmember Walsdorf. A roll call vote was taken. Motion approved unanimously. Aye: 7 - Chair Bird, Commissioner Lester, Commissioner Das, Commissioner Markle, Commissioner Walsdorf, Commissioner Lizakowski, and Commissioner Paulseth 5.-4 RECOMMENDATION OF A PROPOSAL FOR VAN BUREN PARK PLAYGROUND REPLACEMENT NOT TO EXCEED $50,000 Attachments: VAN BUREN REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL St Croix Van Buren Playgorund St Croix Van Buren budget & Specs Recreation Manager Monahan stated Van Buren Park playground is 20 years old and in need of replacement. Staff will present the two proposals City of Blaine Page 6 Park Advisory Board Minutes July 28, 2020 for replacement playground equipment at Van Buren Park. Proposals were submitted by Flagship Recreation with Landscape Structures equipment and St. Croix Recreation with Burke equipment. One item of note the St. Croix Recreation proposal had a typo and the discount should be $17,792 not $7,792 making the total budget of $50,000. The $50,000 will be funded out of the Park and Trail Capital Improvement Fund and this was also included in the Draft Park Master Plan for replacement. Staff is recommending the equipment from Flagship Recreation. Chair Bird questioned why staff was recommending the City move forward with the Flagship plans for the park versus St. Croix. Recreation Manager Monahan explained staff supported the existing equipment being refurbished as this would keep an amenity within the park. In addition, the Flagship equipment holds up the best when compared to other playground equipment that has been used in the past. He reported the St. Croix plan was also a nice plan with higher elevations. Boardmember Paulseth questioned what happened to the secondary area of the playground if the St. Croix plan were approved. Recreation Manager Monahan reported the cars and monkey bars would be removed. Boardmember Paulseth stated he believed the St. Croix structure was more substantial, had more features and would be more fun. Boardmember Das indicated both concepts were nicely done but he liked the open concept of the Flagship plan. He questioned what parameters the vendors had within the RFP. Recreation Manager Monahan stated both vendors were given a budget amount and then submitted concept plans to the City for the playground. Boardmember Das commented he could support either play structure. Boardmember Lizakowski questioned if the swing set would remain at the park. Recreation Manager Monahan reported the swings will be repainted and will remain in place. Boardmember Lizakowski explained she was leaning towards supporting the St. Croix structure and recommended the monkey bars to remain in place. Motion by Boardmember Paulseth to recommend the City Council a proposal for replacement playground equipment from St. Croix at Van Buren Park not to exceed $50,000. Motion seconded by Boardmember Das. A roll call vote was taken. Motion approved unanimously. City of Blaine Page 7 Park Advisory Board Minutes July 28, 2020 Aye: 7 - Chair Bird, Commissioner Lester, Commissioner Das, Commissioner Markle, Commissioner Walsdorf, Commissioner Lizakowski, and Commissioner Paulseth 5.-5 PARK BOARD UPDATES Attachments: JULY 2020 Park Development CIP LAC Digital Sign BBC Challenger Field Challenger Field Sign Sanctuary Preserve Park Recreation Manager Monahan provided the following updates: Water Fund Internal Borrowing - The Water Fund internal borrowing had been paid in full (Principal $750,000 & Interest $15,000). Lexington Athletic Complex Digital Park Sign - This sign has been moved to 2021 in coordination with other City sign projects. ($100,000). West of Lexington Avenue North of Main Future Park - The 10-acre parcel that was for sale in the area the city is looking to put a future park was above budget and located next to a ditch and staff did not feel comfortable pursuing the land because of concern with the amount of unusable wetland on the property. Staff will move the budget number of $500,000 out to a future year in the budget as a placeholder or if the Park Board so desires wait and accept land in lieu of park dedication fees when land begins to develop. BBC Challenger Field project completed - Staff provided the Board with pictures of the BBC Challenger Field project. Staff thanked the Lions Club and other local companies that helped make this project possible. Sanctuary Preserve Park project completed - Staff provided the Board with pictures of the Sanctuary Preserve Park project. NEW Adopt a Park Program - Staff reviewed a new revamped Adopt a Park Program and noted 16 City parks have been adopted through the new program. The parks have been adopted by families and neighbors to the parks. Program and Event updates - Staff reviewed the current program and event offerings. It was noted concerts would be rolled out in August, along with a movie at Town Square Park. More information regarding these events City of Blaine Page 8 Park Advisory Board Minutes July 28, 2020 could be found at BlaineEvents.com. A fall park brochure would not be created by staff due to the COVID-19 pandemic and information would be pushed out to the public via emails blasts. Lakeside Commons Park Open Update: • Park Attendant seasonal staff are working at the beach & parking lot. • City Council has changed the non-resident parking fees to $10/car daily pass or $30/car season pass. Blaine residents remain free with proof of residency. • Park hours have been changed to 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. to help with enforcement at the park after hours. • The boathouse, bathrooms, splash pad, shelter rental and volleyball court are closed. • Ekbom Concessions Food Trailer is now operating daily from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the south end of the large parking lot. Chair Bird stated he was very pleased with the park staff working at Lakeside Commons Park and that food trucks were located at the park. Boardmember Das thanked staff and the police department for all of their efforts at Lakeside Commons Park and the beach. Mr. Monahan reported the police department has been work diligently to keep visitors safe at the park. Adjournment Chair Bird adjourned the meeting at 8:05 p.m. Boardmember Markle motioned to adjourn. Boardmember Lester second the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Motion approved unanimously. Aye: 7 - Chair Bird, Commissioner Lester, Commissioner Das, Commissioner Markle, Commissioner Walsdorf, Commissioner Lizakowski, and Commissioner Paulseth City of Blaine Page 9