Park Advisory Board

10801 Town Square Drive City of Blaine Blaine, MN 55449 Anoka County, Minnesota Minutes Park Advisory Board The Mayor has signed a declaration allowing members of the council, staff, and the public to attend the meeting remotely via Zoom due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Public comment options prior to the meeting must be received by noon on Tuesday, April 27. Email comments to: jkrieger@blainemn.gov or phone 763-785-6161. 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/93757883428. 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, Hellen Keraka, 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, January 26, 2021 7:00 PM COVID-19 pandemic, city meetings will be held as virtual meetings until further notice. 1. Call To Order The Blaine Park Advisory Board met on Tuesday, January 26, 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic this hybrid meeting was held both virtually and in person. Chair Bird called the meeting to order at 7:00PM. 2. Roll Call Staff Present: Nate Monahan, Recreation Manager, and Michelle Wolfe, City Manager. Guest: None. City of Blaine Page 1 Park Advisory Board Minutes January 26, 2021 Present: 6 - Chair Bird, Commissioner Lester, Commissioner Das, Commissioner Markle, Commissioner Walsdorf, and Commissioner Paulseth Absent: 1 - Commissioner Lizakowski 3. Approval of Minutes 3.-1 APPROVAL OF THE OCTOBER 27, 2020 PARK BOARD MINUTES Attachments: 10-27-20 PK Motion by Boardmember Paulseth to approve the minutes of October 27, 2020 as amended. Motion seconded by Boardmember Das. A roll call vote was taken. Motion approved unanimously. 4. Open Forum for Citizen Input Chair Bird opened the Open Forum at 7:05PM. No one appeared to address the Commission. Chair Bird closed Open Forum at 7:06PM. 5. New Business 5.-1 PARK BOARD UPDATES Attachments: WWI WWII Korean Vietnam Terror City Manager Wolfe noted Bob Therres would be retiring at the end of the week. She noted this retirement led staff to consider the reorganization of staff members and she discussed how this would impact the Parks Department. She described the process she followed for the staff reorganization and noted the HR department assisted her with this process. It was noted the new organizational chart was reviewed by the City Council. She reported a new position had been created called the Senior Parks and Recreation Manager and this individual would supervise all parks, recreation and senior center staff. She commented this position would be open to all internal candidates. She noted Jerome Krieger would City of Blaine Page 2 Park Advisory Board Minutes January 26, 2021 be serving as the Interim Senior Parks and Recreation Manager and indicated he would be reported directly to her. She reviewed the new organizational chart in further detail with the Board. She discussed the value of the City’s parks and thanked the Park Board for their dedicated service to the community. Recreation Manager Monahan commented on the five war monuments that had been placed at the Veterans Memorial in Tom Ryan Park. He thanked Steve Guider for working so diligently to fundraise for these monuments. He stated the park would have an additional four or five monuments in the future. Chair Bird encouraged the Boardmembers to visit this park and to take in the monuments. Boardmember Walsdorf stated the monuments were very impressive. He asked who designed the monuments. Mr. Monahan reported the monuments have been designed by a company in the south. Boardmember Lester questioned where the granite was sourced from. Mr. Monahan reported the granite was locally sourced from Minnesota. Boardmember Walsdorf inquired what the remaining four or five monuments would be for. Mr. Monahan stated one of the monuments would focus on women in war and another would be for POW’s. He explained he would update the Board on the other monuments as work continues. Informational; no action required. 5.-2 RECOMMENDATION OF A PROPOSAL FROM FLAGSHIP RECREATION FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF CENTENNIAL PARK PLAYGROUND IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $50,000 City of Blaine Page 3 Park Advisory Board Minutes January 26, 2021 Attachments: Centennial Option1 Centennial Option1 CentennialOption 1 Centennial Playground Option 2 Centennial Option 2 Centennial Option2 CP Playground Equipment Option 1 CP Installation Option 1 CP Playground Equipment Option 2 CP Installation Option 2 Mr. Monahan stated the playground equipment in Centennial Park is nearly 20 years old and in need of replacement. The project is included in the Parks Master Plan and the 2021 Parks and Trails Capital Improvement Fund Budget has appropriated $50,000 for this improvement. The vision for the playground is to provide a wide variety of innovative equipment for the neighborhood to enjoy. Staff, under the cooperative purchasing contract of U.S. Communities Government Alliance would utilize the USGA pricing structure and purchase the playground equipment line manufactured by Landscape Structures and supplied by Flagship Recreation. Using the USGA cooperative will save the city over $2,000. As part of the process, staff met with Flagship Recreation to develop design concepts for the park. From that meeting, two concepts were identified. Staff commented further on the proposed plans and recommended approval of Option 1. Boardmember Das asked why staff was recommending Option 1. Mr. Monahan reported Option 1 maximized the number of elements and amenities within the playground structure. In addition, Option 1 included four swings. Boardmember Das questioned if the playground structure was all one piece. He inquired if it would be better to go with a structure that was more spread out due to the pandemic. Mr. Monahan deferred this question to Mike Raymond with Flagship Recreation. Mike Raymond, Flagship Recreation, noted one of the key features of Option 1 was that it had seven extra features, but it was more tightly knit than Option 2. He indicated this was made possible by the height of the play structure. Further discussion ensued regarding how the pandemic was impacting outdoor play in City parks. Boardmember Lester stated he supported Option 1 for Centennial Park. He asked City of Blaine Page 4 Park Advisory Board Minutes January 26, 2021 if there was a way to get an entrance point near the swings to make the area more accessible. Mr. Monahan reviewed how the trail comes into the play area and noted an entrance point near the swings would not have a proper trail in place. Motion by Boardmember Das to recommend the City Council approve a proposal from Flagship Recreation for new playground equipment at Centennial Park (Option 1) in the amount not to exceed $50,000. Motion seconded by Boardmember Markle. A roll call vote was taken. Motion approved unanimously. Aye: 6 - Chair Bird, Commissioner Lester, Commissioner Das, Commissioner Markle, Commissioner Walsdorf, and Commissioner Paulseth 5.-3 RECOMMENDATION OF A PROPOSAL FROM FLAGSHIP RECREATION FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF FORT LION PARK PLAYGROUND IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $50,000 Attachments: Fort Lion Option 1 Fort Lion Option1 Fort Lion Option 2 Fort Lion Option2 FL Playground Equipment Option 1 FL Installation Option 1 FL Playground Equipment Option 2 FL Installation Option 2 Mr. Monahan stated the playground equipment in Fort Lion Park is nearly 20 years old and in need of replacement. The project is included in the Parks Master Plan and the 2021 Parks and Trails Capital Improvement Fund Budget has appropriated $50,000 for this improvement. The vision for the playground is to provide a wide variety of innovative equipment for the neighborhood to enjoy. Staff, under the cooperative purchasing contract of U.S. Communities Government Alliance would utilize the USGA pricing structure and purchase the playground equipment line manufactured by Landscape Structures and supplied by Flagship Recreation. Using the USGA cooperative will save the city over $2,000. As part of the process, staff met with Flagship Recreation to develop design concepts for the park. From that meeting, two concepts were identified. Staff commented further on the proposed plans and recommended approval of Option 2. Boardmember Markle asked why the swings were not more of a priority. Mr. Monahan stated there was a tight space for traditional swings due to the fall zone. He indicated this was a challenge which led staff to propose City of Blaine Page 5 Park Advisory Board Minutes January 26, 2021 two different swinging options. Boardmember Markle commented he really liked the tire swing option. He requested further information on the savings the City receives from the State contract. Mike Raymond, Flagship Recreation, discussed the State contract bid process and reported the City would be receiving a playground valued at $52,000+ for $50,000. Boardmember Markle stated he would support either option for this park. Boardmember Lester agreed both options were great. He questioned if the tire swing could be placed on Option 2. Mr. Raymond stated the park would have space, but noted this would be a budgetary issue and one amenity may have to be eliminated in order to free up funds to cover the cost of the tire swing. Boardmember Lester supported Option 2 with the tire swing option, even if this meant one amenity would have to be eliminated. He indicated the tire swing would be able to be used by children of all ages while the baby swings would have a limited number of users. Mr. Monahan stated this was a valid point and noted staff could work to amend the plans to include the tire swing in Option 2. Chair Bird asked if the Board could delay action on this park for one month in order to allow the plans to be amended by staff and Flagship Recreation. The Board supported this recommendation. Boardmember Das supported this recommendation. He noted the toddler swings would have a very limited number of users and for this reason recommended the tire swing be pursued. Chair Bird questioned if only the toddler “T” swing and surfing piece of playground equipment would be lost if the tire swing was pursued. Mr. Raymond reviewed the cost for the tire swing and noted it would require the loss of the toddler “T” swing, the surfer amenity, the two stepping pods and the curved balance beam. Boardmember Lester supported this change out in order to have the tire swing in place versus the toddler swings. He believed the tire swing would receive more use. Boardmember Paulseth commented he was torn on this one. He believed the balance beam was a nice feature. He asked if the tire swing had a solid City of Blaine Page 6 Park Advisory Board Minutes January 26, 2021 bottom. Mr. Raymond reported the tire swing did have a solid disc bottom and could be used as a sensory item. Boardmember Paulseth stated he would recommend the tire swing along with Option 2 for this park. He questioned why there was a price difference for the wood fiber chips between Option 1 and Option 2. Mr. Monahan explained Option 1 would use the existing foot print for the playground structure while Option 2 was slightly increased in size to provide an adequate fall zone for the swings. Chair Bird stated he supported the change to the tire swing as well. Mr. Raymond reported the size of the play area may be able to be reduced, which would reduce the expense for the wood chip fibers. He indicated this means the balance beam may be able to stay in place. Further discussion ensued regarding the durability and warranty that would come with the tire swing. Motion by Boardmember Markle to recommend the City Council approve a proposal from Flagship Recreation for new playground equipment at Fort Lion Park (Option 2 with the tire swing) in the amount not to exceed $50,000. Motion seconded by Boardmember Lester. A roll call vote was taken. Motion approved unanimously. Aye: 6 - Chair Bird, Commissioner Lester, Commissioner Das, Commissioner Markle, Commissioner Walsdorf, and Commissioner Paulseth 5.-4 RECOMMENDATION OF A PROPOSAL FROM FLAGSHIP RECREATION FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF NORTHWOOD PARK PLAYGROUND IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $50,000 Attachments: Northwood Playground Option 1 Northwood Playground Option1 Northwood Playground Option 2 Northwood Playground Option2 Northwood Equipment Option 1 Northwood Installation Option 1 Northwoods Equipment Option 2 Northwoods Installation Option 2 Mr. Monahan stated the playground equipment in Northwood Park is 20 years old and in need of replacement. The project is included in the Parks Master Plan and the 2021 Parks and Trails Capital Improvement Fund Budget has appropriated $50,000 for this improvement. The vision for the City of Blaine Page 7 Park Advisory Board Minutes January 26, 2021 playground is to provide a wide variety of innovative equipment for the neighborhood to enjoy. Staff, under the cooperative purchasing contract of U.S. Communities Government Alliance would utilize the USGA pricing structure and purchase the playground equipment line manufactured by Landscape Structures and supplied by Flagship Recreation. Using the USGA cooperative will save the city over $2,000. As part of the process, staff met with Flagship Recreation to develop design concepts for the park. From that meeting, two concepts were identified. Staff commented further on the proposed plans and recommended approval of Option 1. Chair Bird stated he supported Option 1 with all the slides. Boardmember Lester agreed Option 1 should proceed. Motion by Boardmember Markle to recommend the City Council approve a proposal from Flagship Recreation for new playground equipment at Northwood Park (Option 1) in the amount not to exceed $50,000. Motion seconded by Boardmember Walsdorf. A roll call vote was taken. Motion approved unanimously. Aye: 6 - Chair Bird, Commissioner Lester, Commissioner Das, Commissioner Markle, Commissioner Walsdorf, and Commissioner Paulseth 5.-5 RECOMMENDATION OF A PROPOSAL FROM FLAGSHIP RECREATION FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF HIDDEN PONDS PARK PLAYGROUND IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $50,000 Attachments: Hidden Ponds Playground Option 1 Hidden Ponds Playground Option1 Hidden Ponds Playground Option 2 Hidden Ponds Playground Option2 HP Playground Equipment Option 1 HP Installation Option 1 HP Playground Equipment Option 2 HP Installation Option 2 Mr. Monahan stated the playground equipment in Hidden Ponds Park is 20 years old and in need of replacement. The project is included in the Parks Master Plan and the 2021 Parks and Trails Capital Improvement Fund Budget has appropriated $50,000 for this improvement. The vision for the playground is to provide a wide variety of innovative equipment for the neighborhood to enjoy. Staff, under the cooperative purchasing contract of U.S. Communities Government Alliance would utilize the USGA pricing structure and City of Blaine Page 8 Park Advisory Board Minutes January 26, 2021 purchase the playground equipment line manufactured by Landscape Structures and supplied by Flagship Recreation. Using the USGA cooperative will save the city over $2,000. As part of the process, staff met with Flagship Recreation to develop design concepts for the park. From that meeting, two concepts were identified. Staff commented further on the proposed plans and recommended approval of Option 2. Motion by Boardmember Das to recommend the City Council approve a proposal from Flagship Recreation for new playground equipment at Hidden Ponds Park (Option 2) in the amount not to exceed $50,000. Motion seconded by Boardmember Paulseth. A roll call vote was taken. Motion approved unanimously. Aye: 6 - Chair Bird, Commissioner Lester, Commissioner Das, Commissioner Markle, Commissioner Walsdorf, and Commissioner Paulseth Mr. Monahan reviewed an email he received from Public Works Director Haukaas noting Mike Booth had been nominated to have a facility named after him based on his 40 years of dedicated service to the City of Blaine. Staff was proposing to name the Happy Acres hockey facility in Mike Booth’s honor. Chair Bird stated he supported staff’s recommendation and thanked Mike Booth for his dedicated service to Blaine’s parks. Boardmember Markle agreed. Motion by Boardmember Walsdorf to recommend the Happy Acres Hockey Facility be renamed in Mike Booth’s honor. Boardmember Das seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Motion approved unanimously. Chair Bird and Mr. Monahan thanked Bob Therres for his 19 years of dedicated service to the City of Blaine and wished him all the best in his retirement. City Manager Wolfe reported the City has a plan to return to public hybrid meetings in 2021. She explained she would be working with Mr. Monahan on this matter. Adjournment Chair Bird adjourned the meeting at 8:29PM. Boardmember Das motioned to adjourn. Boardmember Markle seconded the City of Blaine Page 9 Park Advisory Board Minutes January 26, 2021 motion. A roll call vote was taken. Motion approved unanimously. Aye: 6 - Chair Bird, Commissioner Lester, Commissioner Das, Commissioner Markle, Commissioner Walsdorf, and Commissioner Paulseth City of Blaine Page 10