Parks and Recreation Board

Maple Grove Parks and Recreation Board Regular Meeting March 21, 2024 Regular meeting The regular meeting was called to order by Chair, Bill Lewis at 7:00 p.m. Board members present Present in the Chambers were Chair Bill Lewis, Vice Chair John Ferm, Board Members Ken Helvey, Deb Syhre, Kelly Cunningham, Andy Mielke, Krista Kuhnly. Board members Board members absent were: none absent Also present Also present in the Chambers were: Council Representative Hanson, Chuck Stifter, Director; Ben Jaszewski, Parks and Planning Superintendent; and Angie Dehn, Community Center Manager. Approval of agenda Chair Lewis called for any changes to the agenda. Director Stifter replied there are none. Motion made by Vice Chair Ferm, seconded by Board Member Mielke to approve the agenda for the March 21, 2024 meeting as presented. Upon call for the question, on a voice vote, there were seven ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Public comments No requests were received. Special business No items present. Board member reports Board Member Kuhnly reported Gleason Fields has been heavily utilized this spring. Board Member Syhre stated she was very pleased with the new playground at Lakeview Park. Board Member Syhre explained she appreciated the fact Three Rivers Park District was considering a pedestrian underpass at Fernbrook Lane and Highway 81. Park Board Meeting March 21, 2024 Page 2 Vice Chair Ferm indicated Gleason Fields has been very active noting he was looking forward to attending the OMGAA opening day celebration this spring. Staff reports Director’s report: Director Stifter noted Aimee Peterson was absent this evening. He stated the consent agenda included the appointment of Holly Steffenhagen. He reported Ms. Steffenhagen was unable to attend this evening’s meeting, and she would be introduced to the Park Board in April. Director Stifter invited the board to attend the OMGAA opening day celebration at Gleason Fields. Director Stifter proposed the Park Board hold a worksession meeting prior to the April meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Mayor’s Conference Room. He stated this meeting would focus on planning questions surrounding the relocation of the skate park and other future parks. The Board supported this recommendation. Parks and Planning Superintendent’s report: Ben Jaszewski stated staff was preparing for the upcoming snow event. Mr. Jaszewski reported last month the Board authorized the Village Park construction project to go to bid. He indicated there were questions regarding the lighting and the costs associated with the lighting. He commented on how the private building wall sconces would only light the pathway, which was the reason staff recommended additional lighting for the park. He commented further on the funds that were allocated for lighting within the park, noting this included $20,000 for string lights above the bags court. He asked if the Park Board wanted to move forward with the string lights. Board Member Cunningham stated while the string lights would be more aesthetically pleasing, she noted she could support the city saving $14,000 by having other lights installed within this park. Vice Chair Ferm indicated he liked the look and feel of the string lights, but he anticipated the string lights would be short lived. He recommended the city install other permanent Park Board Meeting March 21, 2024 Page 3 pedestrian lighting within Village Park. He stated string lights could always be added at a later date. Board Member Helvey explained he liked the string lights and he hoped they would last a long time, given the expense. He suggested the other ped light be wired into the park in the case the string lights do not last. He supported this park having a unique look and feel. Mr. Jaszewski stated the main expense for the string lights was for the wiring and the support posts. He recommended a commercial grade string light that would last a long time. Board Member Kuhnly reported she really liked the string lights for this park as well and asked if the cost could be reduced. Board Member Mielke stated he understood string lights were popular at this time. He questioned if the city should pursue string lights within a park given the fact they may not be popular long-term. Mr. Jaszewski reported the location of the string lights fit in with what was going on in the park. He anticipated the string lights would last because they would be commercial grade. He reiterated that the expense for the lights was due to the cable, footings and support posts. He noted the Board could always reject the string light bid if pricing came in higher than estimated. Director Stifter commented for clarity purposes the string lights would only be installed in a small portion of the park. He noted the string lights would assist with creating a sense of ambiance in this portion of the park, but staff was uncertain if the string lights would provide enough light to allow people to play bags or bocce ball in the evening hours. Board Member Mielke thanked staff for this clarification and stated he was of the opinion the string lights were too costly for this project. Board Member Syhre indicated she has been to this park a number of times. She noted the location of the proposed string lights would only be visible to the residents surrounding the park. She reported the string lights were quite far from the Park Board Meeting March 21, 2024 Page 4 playground. She suggested the city focus on making sure the playground was well lit. Board Member Helvey commented the Board has done a very good job making park projects aesthetically pleasing and functional, while remaining within budget, at the same time. Mr. Jaszewski suggested the project be bid with a pedestrian light as an alternate and then the Board can make a decision once bids are reviewed. Board Member Cunningham indicated she had changed her mind and she now supported the park having string lights and a well-lit playground area. Board Member Helvey explained he believed the string lights were a better design for the park. Director Stifter commented several board members have suggested additional lighting be added near the playground, which would come at an additional cost. He reported staff could package the project to have some level of flexibility and a decision could be made after bids were received. Chair Lewis suggested staff move forward with this plan and as the project gets closer to bids there would be an opportunity to make changes if the board deems necessary. Mr. Jaszewski provided the board with an update on the number of playlots within Maple Grove. He explained each park service area in the city serves one square mile or 3,000 residents. He indicated playlots were introduced to the system to supplement neighborhood parks to meet the standards for each park service area. He stated playlots were generally four acres or less in size and include play equipment, small ballfields, site furniture and were designed for informal recreation. It was noted the city currently has 12 playlots. He reported the city has four remaining neighborhood parks and two remaining play lots left to build out the remainder of the city. He commented on how it was not within city code to require private developers to provide park amenities and any Park Board Meeting March 21, 2024 Page 5 private amenities that were provided were not typically open to all Maple Grove residents. Community Center Manager’s report: Angie Dehn stated Martin Luther King Day and President’s Day were historically very busy days at the Community Center. She reviewed several photos with the Board and discussed how busy the pools were on both those days. Ms. Dehn reported the Community Center hosted the Maple Grove Fire Relief Association’s Award Ceremony at the end of February. Ms. Dehn explained the Reader’s Choice Awards were out and the Maple Grove Community Center was named the Best Outdoor Waterpark, the Best Place for Children’s Play as well as the Best Rec Center. Ms. Dehn reported the home show was hosted at the Community Center on March 16. Ms. Dehn reviewed a list of upcoming events at the Community Center noting the Maple Grove Lions would be hosting a Beer and Wine Tasting Event on March 23. She discussed the events that were being planned for spring break (March 25-29). She noted the Trinity International Fellowship Church would start Sunday services on April 7. She stated the Midwest Cubing Association would be holding a Rubik’s Cube Competition on April 20 and Brightworks/MN Centers for Excellence would be holding a retreat on April 26. Council Liaison’s report: Council Member Hanson stated she had nothing to report at this time. CONSENT BUSINESS Consent business Motion made by Board Member Syhre, seconded by Vice Chair Ferm to approve the Consent Items as presented. A. Minutes – February 15, 2024 regular meeting B. Approve claims C. Appointment of recreation supervisor – special events Park Board Meeting March 21, 2024 Page 6 D. Subdivision - Southwest Crossroads 11th Addition E. Security services contract F. 2024 Irrigation replacement project Upon call for the question, on a voice vote, there were seven ayes and no nays. Motion carried. OLD BUSINESS No items to present. NEW BUSINESS New business, Item A Ben Jaszewski, Parks and Planning Superintendent stated the Subdivision – Heritage proposed subdivision is a lot combination for Heritage Christian Academy Addition Academy creating a single lot from the existing lot and the unplatted 2.43-acre lot directly to the south. Heritage Christian Academy purchased the unplatted lot in 2006 in anticipation of a future expansion. The 38,000 SF expansion includes an auditorium, classrooms, and additional parking. Park dedication for developments with one principle use which is not for dwelling purposes is based on the average fair market value of an acre of land in Maple Grove, which is currently $133,000. Fair market value for park dedication purposes is determined annually by the City Assessor. The park dedication fees are determined by multiplying the fair market value by 10% (equivalent to maximum land dedication), which calculates to $13,300 per acre. The park dedication obligation for the proposed subdivision would be a cash dedication. Fees will apply as follows: 2.43 acres x $13,300 per acre = $32,319 Mr. Jaszewski explained the Heritage Academy Addition is located within the city’s Park Service Area (PSA) 32. Residents of PSA 32 are served by South Elm Road Park, Elm Creek Valley trails, and the Forest Preservation area. Staff recommends the Park Board approve the Heritage Academy Addition park dedication requirements and accept the cash dedication. Motion by Board Member Cunningham, seconded by Board Member Helvey to approve the final park dedication Park Board Meeting March 21, 2024 Page 7 requirements on the Heritage Academy Addition plat pursuant to Maple Grove Subdivision Ordinance, Chapter 30:18, Provision of Land for Public Use: • Applicant shall fulfil the park dedication requirements on the plat with a cash dedication based upon residential rate in effect at the time the plat is released by the city for recording. • Applicant may pay the fee at any time after the final plat has been approved by the City Council, but it must be paid before the plat is released for filing with the county. The final cash dedication is based on the rate at the time the dedication is paid. Rates are reviewed annually by the City Council at their first meeting in February. This may affect the final cash dedication requirements. Upon call for the question, on a voice vote, there were seven ayes and no nays. Motion carried. New business, Item B Ben Jaszewski, Parks and Planning Superintendent stated the Subdivision – Rush Hollow proposed Rush Hollow North subdivision is located north of North Highway 81, along Territorial Road bordered by Maple Grove Parkway and lies within the city’s Park Service Area (PSA) 4. This subdivision is 25 single family homes just north of the recent Rush Hollow Addition. A neighborhood park is planned for PSA 4 to the west of the Rush Hollow subdivision. Safe pedestrian routes to the planned regional trail system and neighborhood park are essential for residents. City staff negotiated a land exchange with the applicant, offering the unusable Outlot H of Rush Hollow Third for Outlots A and B of Rush Hollow North. The very small Outlot A will be conveyed to Three Rivers Park District for the regional trail corridor. Outlot B will be conveyed to the city for a park trail that will connect to the regional trail directly north. This trail connection will provide residents with access to the regional trail network near the planned pedestrian tunnel under Fernbrook Lane providing access to Elm Creek Park Reserve. Park dedication credit is not required for the land exchange. The park dedication obligation Park Board Meeting March 21, 2024 Page 8 for the proposed subdivision would be a cash dedication. Fees will apply as follows: 25 single-family units x $4,092 per unit = $102,300 Mr. Jaszewski explained staff recommends the Park Board approve the Rush Hollow North Addition park dedication requirements and accept the cash dedication. Chair Lewis encouraged staff to make the City of Dayton aware of this project, noting Dayton residents would benefit greatly from the walkway. Vice Chair Ferm questioned if the trail corridor on Outlot B should be paved ahead of time to make sure people know it is coming. Mr. Jaszewski reported he spoke with Three Rivers staff about this and indicated this corridor would be used for access to construct the pedestrian tunnel under Fernbrook. He stated the plan was to not pave it initially, but signs could be posted stating there would be a future park trail. Motion by Board Member Mielke, seconded by Board Member Kuhnly to approve the final park dedication requirements on the Rush Hollow North plat pursuant to Maple Grove Subdivision Ordinance, Chapter 30:18, Provision of Land for Public Use: • Applicant shall fulfil the park dedication requirements on the plat with a cash dedication based upon residential rate in effect at the time the plat is released by the city for recording. • Applicant may pay the fee at any time after the final plat has been approved by the City Council, but it must be paid before the plat is released for filing with the county. The final cash dedication is based on the rate at the time the dedication is paid. Rates are reviewed annually by the City Council at their first meeting in February. This may affect the final cash dedication requirements. Park Board Meeting March 21, 2024 Page 9 Upon call for the question, on a voice vote, there were seven ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Adjournment Motion made by Board Member Mielke, seconded by Board Member Helvey to adjourn. Upon call for the question, on a voice vote, there were seven ayes and no nays. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Chuck Stifter, Director Parks and Recreation Board City of Maple Grove