Parks and Recreation Board

Maple Grove Parks and Recreation Board Regular meeting January 16, 2025 Regular meeting The regular meeting was called to order by Chair, Bill Lewis at 7:01 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 Johnson, 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 January 16, 2025 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 Park Board Member Oath Councilmember Johnson administered the Oath of Office to of Office Board Members Ken Helvey and Deb Syhre. Park Board Election of Director Stifter requested the Park Board elect a Chair, Vice Officers Chair and Executive Secretary for 2025. Park Board Meeting January 16, 2025 Page 2 Motion made by Vice Chair Ferm, seconded by Board Member Syhre to elect Bill Lewis Chair of the Park Board for 2025. Upon call for the question, on a voice vote, there were seven ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Motion made by Board Member Kuhnly, seconded by Board Member Cunningham to elect John Ferm Vice Chair of the Park Board for 2025. Upon call for the question, on a voice vote, there were seven ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Motion made by Board Member Helvey, seconded by Board Member Mielke to elect Chuck Stifter Executive Secretary of the Park Board for 2025. Upon call for the question, on a voice vote, there were seven ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Maple Lakes and Teal Lake Parks and Planning Superintendent Jaszewski reported in Linear Park Study March 2024 community development staff successfully secured a Hennepin County Active Living grant to engage the community and stakeholders, to discover issues and opportunities with the existing trail corridors, and to develop ideas to increase trail use and multi-modal transportation within Maple Grove’s linear park system connecting residents to the retail area around Main Street and Elm Creek Boulevard. The study area for this project encompasses much of the west central area of Maple Grove and the Maple Lakes and Teal Lake linear park system. Planning Manager Peter Vickerman presented the Maple Lakes and Teal Lake Linear Park study, which was prepared by HKGi, the project consultant. The study emphasizes improving wayfinding and signage along the trail corridor, a critical effort to enhance accessibility, usability, and the overall experience of these valued community resources. This study serves as a foundational step in improving the connectivity and user experience of the Maple Lakes and Teal Lake linear park trails, Park Board Meeting January 16, 2025 Page 3 ensuring they remain a cherished resource for Maple Grove residents and visitors alike. Planning Manager Vickerman explained the study recommendations focus on enhancing safety, accessibility, and user experience through phased improvements. Short-term actions include adding painted crosswalks and 'slow' signage at midblock trail crossings, increasing bike rack availability along Main Street, and installing benches in the southern corridor. Mid-term priorities involve creating a city-wide wayfinding plan with kiosks, directional signs, and branding elements, piloting beacon posts for navigation, adding water fountains, and repairing trails. Long-term goals address trail connectivity gaps, safety upgrades at key crossings, expanding rest areas with amenities such as benches, picnic tables, and shade structures, and exploring lighting and restroom installations. Additionally, plans call for widening trails to accommodate various users, ensuring a more inclusive and enjoyable experience for all. He discussed how the new wayfinding signage would be done as a model for the rest of the City. Parks and Planning Superintendent Jaszewski commented on how this plan will set the city up for future grant opportunities. Chair Lewis stated the Park Board took action to refresh signage in a city park and this project falls nicely in line by proposing new wayfinding signage. Board member reports Board Member Mielke stated he received a comment from a resident recently regarding the value of tennis courts and desire for more tennis court maintenance. Board Member Cunningham explained she has spent a lot of time in the arena and stated she was hearing a lot of excitement from the hockey community about the arena improvements. Board Member Helvey reported there has been a lot of cars at the Gleason rinks, which meant the rinks were getting a lot of use. Park Board Meeting January 16, 2025 Page 4 Chair Lewis noted the Weaver Lake lower hockey rink has been busy too. Chair Lewis commended staff for their tremendous efforts to maintain the skating loop. Board Member Kuhnly reported her children have enjoyed using the skating loop and new sledding hill at Gleason. Staff reports Director’s Report: Director Stifter introduced Tracy Martinson to the Park Board, noting she comes to Maple Grove from the City of Plymouth, with excellent skills, education and knowledge to fulfill the duties of administrative assistant for the department. Tracy Martinson stated she was pleased to be working with the City of Maple Grove and the tremendous staff members within the Park and Recreation Department. Director Stifter commented on PSA 6N noting staff had previously shared a partnership would not be moving forward with the school district at the new elementary school. He explained this led staff to approach a developer regarding the addition of park land within a subdivision north of the school site. However, staff recently met with the school district again and they were more open to the potential for city park facilities at the school. He reported the elementary school subdivision would be going before the City Council on Tuesday, January 21. He noted the school district requested a waiver of the park dedication fees. The Board and council may consider a fee waiver if the city and school district come to an agreement on a mutually beneficial site program. Director Stifter reported a joint meeting would be held with the Park Board and City Council on Thursday, February 20 prior to the Park Board regular meeting, where Phase 2 of the Community Center will be discussed. Director Stifter stated the Council was interested in receiving further information and enhanced designs options for the standalone restroom facility as part of the Lions pavilion replacement project. He noted funding for this project was still Park Board Meeting January 16, 2025 Page 5 being discussed by the Council. He reviewed the new iterations for the Lions pavilion. He asked if the Park Board had comments to pass along to the City Council. Board Member Helvey indicated he supported Option B. Board Member Mielke stated he supported Option B as well. He thanked staff for working with the consultant to revise these plans. Board Member Syhre agreed, noting Option B was more cohesive with the proposed pavilion. Vice Chair Ferm stated he supported Option B but recommended the doors to the restrooms face the other direction so as not to interfere with the pavilion users. Board Member Cunningham indicated she supported Option B as well with the restroom doors facing the pavilion. She stated she appreciated the fact the plans included shade outside the restrooms. Chair Lewis explained he attended the meeting where staff presented this project to the City Council. He indicated there was disappointment in the previous design. He wondered if the new iterations had gone far enough. He suggested the restroom roof be angled even more to match the pavilion roofline. Board Member Kuhnly stated another option for the restroom building would be to have the entrances on the ends of the building versus the side. She indicated she supported Option B moving forward. Assistant Parks and Recreation Director’s Report: Aimee Peterson commented on the portable sauna that would be located in Central Park from February 4 through February 10. She reported tickets were on sale now for this amenity. Ms. Peterson discussed the 10,000 Angler’s ice fishing event that would be held at Weaver Lake Park on February 17 at 10:00 a.m. Park Board Meeting January 16, 2025 Page 6 Ms. Peterson reported the Wonders of Winter would be held on Saturday, February 1, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Central Park. Ms. Peterson stated Black History Month would be celebrated in February and noted a film festival had been planned by city staff. Ms. Peterson encouraged the public to attend a Glow in the Snow sledding event at Gleason Fields on Sunday, February 16, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Ms. Peterson recognized Crystal Anderson and Chris Morrow for the Meritorious Service Awards they received at the Minnesota Parks and Recreation annual meeting and awards luncheon. Parks and Planning Superintendent’s Report: Ben Jaszewski stated he and Director Stifter reviewed the construction projects that would be occurring in the next 12 months. He reviewed the proposed projects, which included developing concepts for PSA’s 4, 5, 6S and 6N, completing a skate park study, planning and construction for the second phase of the community garden at Lakeview Knolls, planning for 2026 CIP projects and further planning at the Community Center. He commented further on the park improvements that would be completed in 2025. He explained a stakeholder meeting for the new skate park would be held on Tuesday, January 21 at 6:00 p.m. at the Community Center in the banquet room. Chair Lewis stated he would be interested in discussing the need for new steps at West Fish Lake Park. He anticipated the replacement of these steps would be quite costly and there needs to be good rationale for this reinvestment. Community Center Manager’s Report: Angie Dehn shared that Rental Coordinator Alyssa Lee attended a wedding fair where she marketed the Community Center for weddings. Ms. Dehn provided the Park Board with construction updates from the Community Center. Park Board Meeting January 16, 2025 Page 7 Ms. Dehn reviewed the upcoming events scheduled at the Community Center. Chair Lewis commended Ms. Dehn for having a 17% increase in participation during quarter four of 2024, in spite of all of the construction and disruptions at the Community Center. Council Liaison’s Report: Council Member Johnson provided the Board with an update from the City Council. She wished everyone a happy new year and stated she was honored to serve as the Council liaison to the Park Board in 2025. She reported the City Council had two new members at the dais. She discussed the agreement that was reached with LifeTime and thanked the Park Board for all of their efforts on behalf of the community. CONSENT BUSINESS Consent business Motion made by Board Member Helvey, seconded by Board Member Kuhnly to approve the Consent Items as presented. Chair Lewis discussed the event contract for the relocation of the farmers market for 2025. He thanked Church of the Open Door for being a great partner with the city. A. Minutes – December 19, 2024 Regular Meeting B. Approve Claims C. Fee waiver request Maple Grove Ambassador D. 2024 Fourth quarter Community Center participation report E. 2024 Fall recreation participation report F. Event Contract - Maple Grove Farmers Market and Church of the Open Door Upon call for the question, on a voice vote, there were seven ayes and no nays. Motion carried. OLD BUSINESS No items to present. Park Board Meeting January 16, 2025 Page 8 NEW BUSINESS New Business, Item A Director Stifter stated the park dedication ordinance provides 2025 Park Dedication the City Council annual review and establishment of the park Rates dedication rates for residential, industrial and commercial subdivisions in lieu of a land dedication. He reviewed the council action form that would be considered by City Council at their first meeting in February. It was noted this was an informational item only and no formal action was requested of the Park Board. Board Member Cunningham stated she was pleased with the proposed rates. Chair Lewis agreed, noting Maple Grove was a premier City and wanted to continue being one. New business, Item B Ben Jaszewski, Parks and Planning Superintendent stated the Park Planning Consultant 2018 Comprehensive Park System Plan prioritizes the Services development of a neighborhood park in each designated park service area to meet community recreational needs. Park service areas 4, 5, 6S, and 6N have been identified as key areas for future park improvements in response to ongoing development. Recent private development applications have been submitted, and construction is underway in some of these areas, creating a need for professional planning and design services. Mr. Jaszewski reported engaging a professional design consultant is critical to ensuring that the planning and concept designs align with the city’s vision for accessible, sustainable, and community-oriented recreational spaces. A thoughtful and creative approach will help integrate these parks into their respective neighborhoods while addressing the recreational needs of the community. The scope of work includes reaffirming previous assessments, and projected park needs defined in the 2018 system plan, development of park program and concept plans at each location. The outcome will guide recommendations for future land acquisition and park development. Staff recommends the board authorize staff to proceed with the search and selection of a recommended Park Board Meeting January 16, 2025 Page 9 design consultant for future neighborhood parks in Park Service Areas 4, 5, 6S, and 6N. Funding for this work comes from the Park Development Program. Motion by Board Member Kuhnly, seconded by Board Member Mielke to authorize staff to seek proposals for park planning consultant services for future neighborhood parks in park service areas 4, 5, 6S, and 6N. Upon call for the question, on a voice vote, there were seven ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Adjournment Motion made by Vice Chair Ferm, 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 8:16 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Chuck Stifter, Director Parks and Recreation Board City of Maple Grove