Parks and Recreation Board

Maple Grove Parks and Recreation Board Regular meeting August 15, 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; 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 Mielke to approve the agenda for the August 15, 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 Syhre requested staff provide the board with a report on outdoor facility rentals at the end of the 2024 season. Vice Chair Ferm stated he has seen a lot of action in the city’s parks and he appreciated how well the parks were maintained. Park Board Meeting August 15, 2024 Page 2 Chair Lewis explained he has enjoyed attending the Grooves and Foods event on Wednesday nights. He thanked the park staff for their efforts at these events. Board Member Helvey requested staff address the potholes on 67th Avenue at Gleason. Staff reports Director’s report: Director Stifter stated much has happened at the Community Center over the last week. If you haven’t been by to see the progress please plan a visit. Assistant Parks and Recreation Director’s report: Aimee Peterson stated summer programming was coming to an end and registration was now open for fall programming. Ms. Peterson announced the Maple Grove Farmers Market and the Grove Cove Aquatics Center both received a silver medal from the Star Tribune Minnesota Best. Ms. Peterson stated a golf cart has been rented during the month of August to assist with getting seniors to events during construction. She commented further on the events that were going on for seniors in the community. Ms. Peterson discussed Camp MG noting this event was held in three different parks throughout the city. Ms. Peterson reviewed photos from National Night Out stating this event was held at Central Park this year and very well attended. Board Member Helvey recommended the city consider purchasing a golf cart for future use with seniors at city sponsored events. Parks and Planning Superintendent’s report: Ben Jaszewski explained parks were in great condition this year due to the rain the city has received. Mr. Jaszewski provided the board with an update on the improvements at Lakeview Knolls. It was his hope the restrooms at this park would be open next week. Park Board Meeting August 15, 2024 Page 3 Mr. Jaszewski reviewed the progress that has been made at Village Park. He noted the south trail segment is complete and as the park dries out, progress would be made on the remainder of the park amenities. Mr. Jaszewski stated the playground equipment for Nottingham and Donahue Parks would be installed in the coming weeks. He indicated the playground equipment for Polaris Park would be installed in September. Board Member Mielke asked if the board would be completing a park tour this summer. Director Stifter explained a park tour would be held in September and would include Village Park. Chair Lewis supported the Park Board park tour on Thursday, September 19 at 5:00 p.m. The board discussed possible stops at Village Park, Donahue North, and Lakeview Knolls. Board Member Helvey recommended the board also take a walk on a portion of Rice Lake Trail in order to take in its condition. Director Stifter stated this was a good suggestion as it would allow the board to see the trail condition first hand. Community Center Manager’s report: Angie Dehn discussed the groundbreaking ceremony that was held at the Maple Grove Community Center. She shared the Lion’s playground and pavilion were recently demolished. Ms. Dehn reviewed the list of upcoming events which included a First Student kick off meeting, an Endeavor Schools professional development retreat, Gambian Association of MN women’s banquet, Maple Grove dance team Taste of Maple Grove and a Meals from the Heart meal packing event. She noted both pools would be shutting down on Tuesday, September 3. After a few weeks of maintenance and cleaning the indoor pool will reopen the end of September. Council Liaison’s report: Council Member Hanson provided the board with an update from the City Council. She stated a scratch kitchen restaurant called Grackle would be moving into the former Wahlburger’s site. She indicated this restaurant Park Board Meeting August 15, 2024 Page 4 would be opening the second weekend in September. She commented on a new 120 unit market rate senior living development that would be built near The Reserve on Hemlock Lane. CONSENT BUSINESS Consent business Motion made by Board Member Syhre, seconded by Board Member Helvey to approve the Consent Items as presented. A. Minutes – July 18, 2024 regular meeting B. Minutes – July 18, 2024 work session meeting C. Approve claims D. Authorize recruitment - parkkeeper E. Authorize recruitment - food services coordinator F. Special use permit - Twin Cities Water Lantern Festival G. Special use permit - Experience Maple Grove 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 Director Stifter stated the 2025 Parks and Recreation 2025 Parks and Recreation preliminary budget includes the city general fund request for preliminary budget department administration, recreation and park maintenance, the recreation participation budget and the Community Center and Sports Dome enterprise budgets. The proposed budget has been reviewed by the finance director and the city administrator. The budget proposal does not include any staffing additions at this time. The Community Center enterprise budget is requesting a new position to support the arena expansion. New positions are being considered by the City Council as an addition to the preliminary budget reviewed this evening. The most significant impacts on the 2025 budget are the increase to personal services (fulltime salaries, part- time wages, and benefits) and health insurance. The budget also proposes to bolster equipment and replacement fund Park Board Meeting August 15, 2024 Page 5 transfers to support the increase in market costs for these items. • The proposed 2025 Parks and Recreation Department general fund budget is $6,484,100 an increase of 6.64% from 2024. • The proposed Community Center budget is $4,171,100 and proposes a general fund subsidy of $1,075,700, an increase of 9.12% from 2024. • The Sports Dome budget is $422,800 which is projecting a 100% revenue recovery. Director Stifter reported the Mayor and Council met in work session on August 5, 2024 to discuss the 2025 budget and will continue their meeting on August 19 before setting the 2025 levy. At the work session the finance director presented all department requests for new full-time positions. The Parks and Recreation Department, specifically the Community Center, is requesting a new ice arena maintenance coordinator position to support the added third ice sheet. This position will deliver full-time employee stability to the seven day per week operation providing ice maintenance and customer service to this high use facility. The request is for this position to be added mid-year 2025 in preparation for the facility fully opening in October. The cost to the operating budget is about $100K per year. The expense will be covered by revenues generated in the arena. Any budget modification direction from council will be assembled in the final budget and reviewed by the Park Board at their December meeting. Chair Lewis discussed the proposed budget noting it was almost identical to the 2022 Parks and Recreation Budget. He requested comment from staff on what was making up the majority of the proposed increases. Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported the class/comp study was accounting for the majority of the budget increases. Board Member Mielke stated he appreciated the detailed report from staff and noted he was seeing the same increases at his work place. Park Board Meeting August 15, 2024 Page 6 Board Member Helvey indicated it was remarkable the Community Center has been held together for as long as it has been. He reported he appreciated the high recovery rate the City receives from the Community Center. Motion by Board Member Mielke, seconded by Board Member Kuhnly to approve the 2025 Parks and Recreation preliminary budget and recommend the addition of a full- time employee, ice maintenance coordinator, starting mid- year. 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 Consultant proposal – construction of the Community Center commenced with the skate park feasibility study demolition and removal of the west parking lot and skate park areas. Given the construction timeline of the Community Center expansion project, stakeholders have expressed interest in moving forward with a new skate park and a potential relocation to a community park. Based on the 2018 system plan options for relocating the skate park could be available at Central Park, Weaver Lake Park, or the renovated Community Center site. Staff has connected with HKGi and received a proposal for a feasibility study regarding the opportunities for advancing a new skate park and identifying where a new skate park best fits into the existing park system. Mr. Jaszewski explained the feasibility study would include the following tasks: • Establish criteria and site analysis • Community engagement and stakeholder input • Develop visualizations and renderings • Define a preferred site • Present report to Park Board Mr. Jaszewski stated following positive feedback from the board, the tentative timeline is as follows: • September: conduct site analysis • October: collect input from public and stakeholders Park Board Meeting August 15, 2024 Page 7 • November 2024: present feasibility report to board • December: skate park design • January 2025: board authorize bids • February 2025: project bidding • March 2025: board review bids and award contract • May 2025: construction commences Mr. Jaszewski explained the cost for the consultant services is a not-to-exceed lump sum of $25,000 plus reimbursable expenses. This proposal is in line with industry rates and standards for landscape architectural services. Staff recommends the board approve the consultant proposal from HKGi to complete a feasibility study for the skate park relocation project. Funding for this project comes from the Park Development Program. Board Member Cunningham asked if a temporary park was necessary if the Community Center were chosen as the final site. Mr. Jaszewski explained if this was the chosen site, construction on the skate park could be delayed for years. Board Member Syhre asked if the temporary skate park could be reused and moved to another location. Mr. Jaszewski stated the equipment is portable in nature and could be relocated. Board Member Cunningham supported the temporary equipment being incorporated into the final skate park plans. Board Member Mielke supported a temporary park being pursued, so long as the city works to minimize throw away costs. Board Member Helvey supported the city putting a temporary skate park in place, but noted he wanted to better understand the costs. He anticipated the pieces for the temporary skate park would be rented and portable in nature. Mr. Jaszewski explained he could work on getting pricing for a temporary skate park for the board to consider in September. Vice Chair Ferm asked if the temporary skate park features could be incorporated into the final skate park design. He Park Board Meeting August 15, 2024 Page 8 supported renting a temporary skate park until the final location is defined and constructed. Mr. Jaszewski stated a temporary skate park could be relocated to a concrete hockey rink in the summer months, as an option. Board Member Kuhnly questioned when the Park Board would be deciding on the final location for the skate park. Mr. Jaszewski anticipated, following review of the feasibility study, the board could decide on the location this fall. Board Member Kuhnly stated she recalled the board supported the skate park being located in Central Park and construction would only take five months next year. She believed if this were the actual timeline, a temporary skate park would not be necessary. Chair Lewis agreed. Motion by Board Member Kuhnly, seconded by Board Member Helvey to approve the consultant proposal from HKGi and complete skate park feasibility study. 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 Cunningham to adjourn. Upon call for the question, on a voice vote, there were seven ayes and no nays. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Chuck Stifter, Director Parks and Recreation Board City of Maple Grove