Parks and Recreation Board

Maple Grove Parks and Recreation Board Regular meeting July 18, 2024 Regular meeting The regular meeting was called to order by Chair, Bill Lewis at 7:07 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; Aimee Peterson, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director; 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 Syhre to approve the agenda for the July 18, 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 to present. Board member reports Chair Lewis commented on the skate park farewell. Board Member Kuhnly stated she appreciated the fact the community garden had a compost area. Staff reports Director’s report: Director Stifter explained the City Council awarded bids for Phase 1 of the Community Center expansion Park Board Meeting July 18, 2024 Page 2 on Monday, July 15. He reported contractors would begin work around August 1 with work wrapping up around October 1. Director Stifter invited the board to attend a groundbreaking ceremony for the Community Center on Friday, July 26 at 3:30 p.m. Director Stifter shared the council passed an ordinance that would prohibit low-potency THC beverages in city parks. Assistant Parks and Recreation Director’s report: Aimee Peterson commented on the safety fair that was held at the fire station. Ms. Peterson reviewed photos from the skate park farewell. She noted there were over 100 people at this event. Ms. Peterson stated Maple Grove Days was a tremendous success again this year. She thanked her staff members for all of their efforts. Ms. Peterson discussed the roller skating event that was held at Central Park on July 12. She reported this event would be held again on August 9 and September 6. Ms. Peterson reported the city had a large crowd for the Mick Sterling concert on Wednesday, July 10. She reviewed the upcoming concerts that were planned for the Sounds of Summer series. Ms. Peterson stated the 55 Forward group met today for their monthly luncheon. Parks and Planning Superintendent’s report: Ben Jaszewski provided the board with an update on Lakeview Knolls. Mr. Jaszewski discussed the modifications that were made to the Polaris park playground plans after receiving feedback from the neighborhood. Park Board Meeting July 18, 2024 Page 3 Mr. Jaszewski reviewed photos of the Village Park playground and trail that would be located next to the market rate apartments and 55 plus community. Board Member Cunningham stated she supported the addition of the oodle swing if cost and space allowed. Chair Lewis asked where the budget was for Village Park. Mr. Jaszewski explained the playground was approaching the top end, which included the cost for the container because this was a new park. He estimated the swing would cost an additional $10,000 to $15,000, plus consultant fees. Board Member Mielke stated he supported the addition of the swing if it fits within the budget. Board Member Syhre questioned if the monkey bars could be swapped out for the swing in order to stay on budget. Mr. Jaszewski indicated this was discussed as an option. He noted the container would still have to be made bigger to allow for the swing. Board Member Helvey indicated he was not supportive of adding to the project that was being wedged into a space and already running over budget. Chair Lewis stated he understood this was a smaller park and would not serve as a destination park. He commented further on how this park would potentially serve as a private park for the adjacent housing units. For this reason, he was leaning towards not adding more amenities that would cause the project to run over budget. Board Member Kuhnly asked if a sandbox would be installed at Polaris Park. Mr. Jaszewski reported the neighborhood members wanted to have a sand feature. He described how a sandbox and digger would be added to the side of the existing container. Community Center Manager’s report: Angie Dehn commented on the Senior Prom that was held at the Community Center on June 26. Park Board Meeting July 18, 2024 Page 4 Ms. Dehn reviewed photos of the playground float that was used during Maple Grove Days. Ms. Dehn discussed the upcoming events that would be held at the Community Center which included the Little Dragon Chinese Summer Camp, a psychic and holistic expo, an American Red Cross blood drive, Kingdom Collective Night of Worship and the primary election polling location. Ms. Dehn commented on the banners that were installed at the hockey rink. Council Liaison’s report: Council Member Hanson provided the board with an update from the City Council. She explained the council denied the Popeye’s restaurant with a drive thru in Dunkirk Square due to circulation and traffic concerns. She thanked city staff for hosting a farewell to the skate park. She commended all of the volunteers and city staff members that made Maple Grove Days a tremendous success again this year. She discussed the Maple Grove Ambassador program and stated she appreciated the great work the ambassadors did on behalf of the community. She reported she attended the Mick Sterling and Bee Gees concerts noting both of these events were very well attended. CONSENT BUSINESS Consent business Chris Morrow introduced Trey Bechly to the Park Board noting he was being hired as the new recreation coordinator. Trey Bechly thanked the board and staff members stating he was looking forward to his new position with the city. He stated he had a passion for adaptive sports and recreational activities. Chair Lewis stated he was very pleased to see community center participation rates were up 36% in 2024. He thanked staff for their strong leadership. He commented further on the park facility fees noting he believed the fees were both reasonable and responsible. Park Board Meeting July 18, 2024 Page 5 Motion made by Board Member Cunningham, seconded by Board Member Mielke to approve the Consent Items as presented. A. Minutes – June 20, 2024 regular meeting B. Approve claims C. 2024 Second quarter Community Center participation report D. 2024 Spring recreation participation report E. 2025 Park facility fees F. 2025 Community Center rental rates G. Grant funds - Resolution 24-099 PB H. Grant funds - Resolution 24-100 PB I. Maple Grove High School Ice Rental Agreement J. Appointment of recreation coordinator and authorize recruitment for facility coordinator K. Special use and fee waiver request – Maple Grove cross country team Upon call for the question, on a voice vote, there were seven ayes and no nays. Motion carried. OLD BUSINESS Old Business, Item A Motion made by Vice Chair Ferm, seconded by Board Regulatory park signage Member Mielke to remove this item from the table. program Upon call for the question, on a voice vote, there were seven ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Peterson stated staff developed a park guideline sign package for parks, courts, and trails. The court guideline signs were approved at the May 15 board meeting. The regulatory park signage location plan was approved at the June 20 board meeting. The board directed staff to continue to research language around electronic scooters and electronic bikes and provide follow-up and recommendations. Ms. Peterson explained staff research included a review of peer communities Woodbury, Eagan, Plymouth, and Eden Prairie, as well as a review of regional systems including Three Park Board Meeting July 18, 2024 Page 6 Rivers Park District and Anoka County. Through the research, staff learned that none of the organizations included guidelines and regulations around electronic bikes, electronic scooters, or e-collars on their park signage. All of the organizations researched do have park ordinances available online for review. Some communities do not have regulatory signage at all and add signage about specific prohibitions in areas of concern as determined by staff. Ms. Peterson reported after reviewing the research and working with our internal team including the police department, staff have revised the language to be more simplistic and provide a QR code with an online link for more detailed information. The police department leadership agrees with this recommendation and will work with the parks team to implement small specific signage (i.e. stay on the trail, pick up after your pet, authorized vehicles only, ride safely, etc.) in areas of concern as determined by staff. Staff are also committed to updating the parks and recreation website page, park regulations and safety tips, to include more safety tips and more information about park regulations. Vice Chair Ferm stated he believed the proposed signage was very clean and simple. He indicated there would always be change when it comes to scooters or e-bikes and he appreciated how the proposed signage would cover everything. Board Member Mielke agreed stating he liked the QR code. Motion made by Vice Chair Ferm, seconded by Board Member Helvey to approve the regulatory park and trail signage design and direct staff to complete the full regulatory signage program. Upon call for the question, on a voice vote, there were seven ayes and no nays. Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS No items to present. Park Board Meeting July 18, 2024 Page 7 Adjournment Motion made by Board Member Cunningham, seconded by Board Member Kuhnly to adjourn. Upon call for the question, on a voice vote, there were seven ayes and no nays. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Chuck Stifter, Director Parks and Recreation Board City of Maple Grove