Park Commission

Approved as presented MAHTOMEDI PARKS COMMISSION January 18, 2023 MINUTES NOVEMBER 16, 2022 Vice Chair Costello convened the Park Commission meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 16, 2022. Present were Commissioners: Strehlow, Metz and Fischer, Also present were: PW Director, Bob Goebel; Council Liaison Lilly Melander; Mahtomedi Community Ed Director, Kate Andersen; Mahtomedi Residents, Terry Montanari, John Krueger Absent: Chair Lindberg, Commissioner Charlesworth, Commissioner Thompson, PW Office Asst., Jeannie Novak AGENDA Upon motion by Commissioner Fischer; seconded by Commissioner Metz all members voting in favor, the agenda was approved as presented. MINUTES Upon motion by Commissioner Fischer; seconded by Commissioner Metz, all members voting in favor, the September 21, 2022 Park Commission meeting minutes were approved as presented. STAFF REPORTS Director Goebel gave a brief update on current public works activities. We’ve been gearing up for winter, we had three trucks ready to go on Monday and took delivery of a new truck today and should be on the road next week. This storm was a challenge because it snowed for 42-48 hours straight, not a lot of snow, more than we anticipated but was hard to deal with. We have wrapped up all of our fall activities, the parks are all put away, and everything is winterized. The beach is ready for winter, the access, the fencing and signs are out there for winter access. Fall street sweeping and hydrant flushing have been completed. We are also gearing up for next year’s projects, one is the Juniper Street reconstruct from East Avenue to the cul-de-sac that will be a full depth project, we’re going to profile the road, new curb and gutter, new storm sewer, it’s a big project for a short section of road. Included in this project is the Gosiwin/Dahlia Trail, the trail that goes from Dahlia to Gosiwin. We are also going to do the Pickle Ball Courts that we talked about at our last meeting and we are going to install a new sewage Lift Station in the neighborhood of the Dairy Queen. We came across some very, very shallow sewers this summer as part of the CSAH12 reconstruct and we determined that we had to do something as soon as possible. Commissioner Metz asked if this will be a new lift station and Director Goebel stated that it will be a brand new lift station, these six properties are all served by White Bear Lake currently, five of the six are in Mahtomedi and one is in White Bear Lake and all five drain to a central sewer line, it’s not a main line, it just kind of developed when MNDOT reconstructed the road in 1986, prior to that the services went across the road however the whole area is very, very shallow and we can’t leave them hanging out there, we’ve got to fix it. We do have some cooperation from the County for some of the cost as well as White Bear Lake. We are anticipating a change order from the CSAH12 project that’s still out there and construction early next spring at that time the trail section on the south side of CSAH12 will be finished and then we will start maintaining it. Right now we are not going to maintain it, the section from the Dairy Queen to the Marathon Gas Station due to the fact that it’s dirt. MAHTOMEDI PARK COMMISSION MINUTES -2- NOVEMBER 16, 2022 STAFF REPORTS Con’t Commissioner Metz asked when the apartment building going to be done, Director Goebel stated next year sometime. With that said we had to scramble to get council approval and get funds available, it’s going to be about a $300,000 project. Director Goebel also stated that PW is busy trying to maintain all our vehicles and this is the time of year that they do a lot of training, they were in an all-day training class yesterday for Tree Inspector recertification as well as chainsaw safety. He also stated that there is one project that we need complete this year and that is the Greenwood ditch that extends from the Greenwood/McGregor intersection through behind the houses just north of City Hall and dumps into the ditch right by the Willernie City garage. We’re going to reestablish that creek so that the water flows better. We’re having a little bit of trouble with Rice Creek Water Shed with the permit but we feel confident that it will go through. Director Goebel also stated that we are working on a boulevard tree ordinance, we are trying to determine who is responsible for these trees, they are in the right-of-way and property owner owns that property but who is responsible for those trees. In the past we have removed dead and/or diseased trees and we will continue to do pruning, especially on dangerous trees and obstruction trees. Boulevard Tree Ordinances vary by city, the City of Willernie says all trees are the homeowners responsibility, the City of Oakdale says all trees in the ROW are the City’s responsibility. Director Goebel and City Engineer John Sachi will be working on this ordinance and hopefully have a plan in place next spring. Commissioner Strehlow stated that the City of St. Paul takes care of everything that is in their ROW and will send some links to their ordinance for Director Goebel to review. Commission Fischer asked about the trees in town that are marked with orange ribbon that are to be removed within 30 days. Director Goebel stated it depends on the species of the tree and believes Emerald Ash Borer and Dutch Elm Disease is between 20 and 30 days and Oak Wilt has to be removed in the winter. Director Goebel also stated that he is working on our pavement management plan for next year, we have a list together of what we’re going to crack seal and seal coat, either a fog seal or a product called Reclamite which is a pavement restorer and also the long line painting contract as well. We are part of a consortium with Coon Rapids and about 13 other cities so we are able to get good pricing and Coon Rapids takes care of everything, we just provide them the data by Feb. 2, 2023. Gosiwin has been put back on the list because of the issues that road has, we will assess it in the spring and try to keep up on the cracks. Council Liaison Melander asked about the lights on the trail. Director Goebel stated that he met with contractor today to determine what the delay is in getting the lights installed. The contractor was waiting for all the supplies to be delivered to PW and we now have all the supplies, only about 1/3 of the wire has been installed, the contractor is busy, hoping to be completed by the end of the year. In addition to that the bench pads were put in already, prior to the snow so they are ready for the memorial benches that will be delivered tomorrow and should be in place next week. There is a memorial bench going in next to the bridge and another on Locust Street adjacent to Neville pond, there’s an overlook there and a rest stop for the Lake Links Trail. And possibly another bench at Streetcar Park. There is a list of donor that want to buy benches out there and we intend to use this list to replace some of our current aging benches in the City. MAHTOMEDI PARK COMMISSION MINUTES -3- NOVEMBER 16, 2022 OPEN FORUM Council Liaison Melander briefed the commission on things going on at City Hall, she stated that the council is voting to pass the budget at their December 6, 2022 meeting which includes a lot of the stuff this commission has done with the trails and the pickle ball courts. She also stated that she did get an email from a constituent asking for better communication because they’re a little upset that the pickle ball courts are at Wedgewood Park and asked if we asked the neighbors because of noise so I’m going to work with the City so the community is more involved in our efforts. She also stated that since the election we have new representatives for Mahtomedi, Representative Patti Anderson and Senator Karin Housley. Director Goebel stated that he believes that both are going to be invited to a council meeting in the near future. Council Liaison Melander stated that it will hopefully be in early January before they get busy and are not able to leave the Capitol and the new school board members as well as the superintendent will be invited too. Kate Andersen, Community Ed Director briefed the commission on things happening with Community Ed. She stated that we do have new school board members, Paul Donna was re-elected, and Jenny Peterson and Ryan Domin will be taking over for Kevin Donovan and Julie McGraw. Our Safe Routes to School Planning committee had a big virtual meeting with the County, the City and some consultants and tons of people from the school district and community members to start looking at some data that we collected on how many kids are walking, biking, riding to school. And we did some walkthroughs at each of the elementary schools, St. Jude’s, the High School and Middle School to see the concerns and issues and that was eye-opening. Next they will look at all that data and regroup. We are also trying to have a meeting with the County regarding Stillwater Road but they would prefer us come to the community meetings to talk about it and show representation there. She also stated that they have heard a lot about the pickle ball courts and how excited everybody is and why can’t they have them too. She agrees and is trying to figure out how to get pickle ball courts in the hockey rinks when they’re not being used. We did consult with a couple gentlemen who are very avid pickle ball people and the concern is the flooring, you can’t play on concrete so we’d have to put something in and can you put ice over it and what would ice do to it. There is also a possibility that a pickle ball court could go at OH Anderson. Also asked about having the tennis courts marked for pickle ball and they are adamantly against that as an option. Commissioner Fischer asked if the extra parking lot at the fire station could fit a pickle ball court, Director Goebel said we would have to look at the slope of the lot. He also stated that in the master park plan, the pickle ball space at Wedgewood Park was always going to be tennis courts. Kate asked if there will be fences, lighting and benches, Director Goebel stated that there will be no lighting but he believes there will be fencing on both ends and benches. The contract with WSB for the pickle ball courts was approved last night, they have done 15 pickle ball courts in the last two years so they are extremely familiar with these courts. In addition we had a meeting with the contractor who takes care of the hockey rinks and that contract will be approved at the next City Council meeting between the City, Community Ed and Jeff Ersveld. Replacing the boards on the rinks was also discussed but that is a hockey association decision and Kate stated that they are ready when Community Ed can help them out with money.  MAHTOMEDI PARK COMMISSION MINUTES -4- NOVEMBER 16, 2022 OPEN FORUM Con’t. Commissioner Fischer asked about the lights for the trees. Director Goebel stated that he has gotten a bid for around $5,000 but that there is no money in the budget to do it this year so it will have to wait until next year. Director Goebel also stated that the sail boat will be back in Veterans Memorial Park for the holiday season and will be lit after Thanksgiving and will be removed by the end of March 2023. NEW BUSINESS a. Skating Party - Sunday, January 22, 2023 (Back-up date Sunday, January 29th) Vice Chair Costello stated she would be returning to help and Commission Metz stated that he will again take care of the pizzas, hot dogs and coffee. Director Goebel stated that Commissioner Charlesworth will not be available either weekend, Commissioner Metz is unsure at this time if he’ll be in town or not. There will be two public works crew members working and Director Goebel will also be there for a while as well. Vice Chair Costello asked if we are able to get the horse hayride this year. Director Goebel stated that he will talk to our Finance Director to see if there are funds available, as we know this is something that has never been in the budget and we’ve always gotten donations but what was once $400 is now $1,200 or more so if you know of anyone that would want to donate that would be helpful. Commissioner Fischer suggested asking the Lions and/or the Legion. Commissioner Strehlow stated that he would be available to help as well as Council Liaison Melander. Vice Chair Costello asked if a music system could be hooked up. Goebel stated that there is a stereo already there with a large speaker and would just need CD’s. Vice Chair Costello asked if there are any high school kids/groups that would want help kids do arts and craft things or possibly snow sculptures. Kate stated that they usually ask the National Honor Society for things like that and to let her know what she has in mind and Kate will reach out to the various clubs at school. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Gosiwin Park Playground Update – Mahtomedi resident, John Krueger, 670 Gosiwin Avenue gave a very lengthy update to the commission regarding a possible playground at Gosiwin Park including quotes from Flagship Recreation for a good, better and best options. Good being around $52,000 for a swing set, mini tower and merry go round. The better option is around $90,000 and the best option is around $130,000. Commissioner Metz asked about what WSB engineering fees would be and also feels Gosiwin Park is too small. Director Goebel stated that he has not asked that yet but is guessing it could be around $5,000 to $8,000 but is not sure at this time. Commissioner Fischer stated that she feel Gosiwin Park may be too small for a playground and feels Glendale Park could be a better fit. Commissioner Strehlow feels that both parks have promise for a playground. Commissioner Charlesworth, unable to attend gave his feedback via Director Goebel and stated that he feels Gosiwin Park is too small and that he’d like to see both parks kept as green space as we need more green space in the City and that we’ve done four playgrounds in the not so distant past with another one being planned for 2024 and another in 2025 so that would make six of our eight playgrounds new. After much discussion and input from the Commission members, present residents and Council Liaison Melander, Upon motion by Vice Chair Costello, seconded by Commissioner Strehlow, with all members voting in favor to table this item under unfinished business until they have more information and actual plans as to what small playground equipment would actually look like in the Gosiwin Park space. MAHTOMEDI PARK COMMISSION MINUTES -5- NOVEMBER 16, 2022 UNFINISHED BUSINESS Con’t. b. Update - Parks Capital Improvement Plan (Trail Improvements) – Director Goebel gave a brief update on the trail projects. The Dahlia trail project is going to happen next year and we are applying for a grant right now and John Sachi, WSB City Engineer is quite optimistic that we will be awarded this grant. This grant is for paving the trail along Briarwood from Quail to the city limit line of Grant. Also, it would include the Safe Routes to School trail through Katherine Abbott Park that we’ve been working on. This will be the only paved trail in the park and it will be from the parking lot leading to Bichner Lane. This will be a 300 foot trail for the kids, there are dozens of kids that ride this trail every day to and from school. The Dahlia Street trail will be in the Juniper Street contract, the pickle ball court, the Briarwood Trail and the Katherine Abbott trail. After that, in 2024 will be the new playground at Echo Lake Park, in 2025 it will be the Safe Routes to School improvements along Warner Avenue, in 2026, if don’t get a grant before that it will be the floating boardwalk at Katherine Abbott. He also stated that there will be lighted speed limit signs going in at OH Anderson. c. Update - Dwinnell Nature Walk – Director Goebel informed the Commission about the easiest way to walk this area and the trails to walk on to familiarize themselves with the area. The Commission decided to table this item until Spring 2023. Upon motion by Vice Chair Costello, seconded by Commissioner Fischer, with all members voting in favor to table this item under unfinished business until May 2023. d. Pickleball Courts – Director Goebel stated that pickle ball courts will be constructed next spring. NEXT PARK COMMISSION MEETING The next Park Commission meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. at Public Works Facility. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion by, Vice Chair Costello; seconded by, Commissioner Metz, all members voting in favor, the meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m. Respectfully Submitted by: Jeannie Novak Jeannie Novak, PW Office Assistant 16Nov22Minutes