Parks & Recreation Commission

1 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION AND PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION JOINT COMMISSION WORK SESSION AGENDA Wednesday, March 22, 2023  6:00 p.m. City Hall  1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights 1. Call to Order 2. Discussion a. Introduction and Review of Commission Work Plans b. Park Sign Landscaping c. Park Improvement Project Collaboration d. Natural Resources Site Tour e. Pollinator Awareness Month f. Event Collaboration g. Tree Donation Program 3. Adjourn  2 2a. DATE: March 22, 2023 TO: Parks and Recreation Commission/Natural Resource Commission FROM: Meredith Lawrence, Parks and Recreation Manager SUBJECT: Introduction and Review of Work Plans INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND At the March joint work session, the Parks and Recreation Commission and Natural Resource Commission will meet to introduce themselves to one another and share their respective commission’s workplans. Attachments: Parks and Recreation Commission Workplan-2023 Natural Resource Commission Workplan-2023 RECOMMENDED ACTION The Commissioners should discuss ways they can collaborate to achieve goals that will better the City of Mendota Heights as a whole.  STRATEGIC PLANNING CALENDAR 2023 3 2a2. ACTION ITEM STRATEGIC RESPONSIBILITY TIMELINE INITIATIVE Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec UPDATE Receive Educa�on on Poten�al Funding Sources Sustainable Funding City Administrator/ Staff has tenta�vely scheduled a joint work session for (Referendum, Charitable Gambling, Franchise Source for Parks and Parks and Recrea�on Tuesday, May 16 at 5:00pm for this mee�ng topic. Fees, Sponsorships) Recrea�on Manager Finalize Sponsorship, Dona�on, Naming Rights, Sustainable Funding Parks and Recrea�on Staff will finalize this policy based on direc�on from the Legacy Program Policy Source for Parks and Manager May work session. Recrea�on Work with businesses (Village and Plaza) for A Leading Community Parks and Recrea�on The Cupid’s Valen�ne Crawl event was held in February, Event Engagement with Invested Partners Manager/Recrea�on 2023. The Concert in the Park Series will begin in the Program Coordinator Spring of 2023. Work with the City of West Saint Paul to A Leading Community City Administrator/ The City of West Saint Paul has signed a contract with determine if a joint facility is feasible. with Invested Partners Parks and Recrea�on Mend Consul�ng for their Parks System Master Plan. Manager Included in their plan is a feasibility study for a community center. Results are an�cipated by Fall, 2023. Host Joint Work Session with Natural Resource Greater Connec�on to the Parks and Recrea�on A joint work session has been scheduled for March 22 at Commission Natural Environment Manager 6:00pm. Create Trail CIP Program Greater Connec�on to the Public Works Director Natural Environment Host Bike Clinic/Fix It Clinic with a Local Bike A Safe, Connected, Recrea�on Program Shop Walkable and Bikeable Coordinator/ Parks and Community Recrea�on Manager Update Trail Maps to Be More Accessible A Safe, Connected, Parks and Recrea�on Walkable and Bikeable Manager Community Increase Senior Programming Vibrant and Diverse Recrea�on Program First ever Coffee, Cards and Cribbage series was hosted Community Programming Coordinator in January and February, 2023. Develop a Pre-K Program Vibrant and Diverse Recrea�on Program Community Programming Coordinator Staff Comple�on of a 15 Year CIP Ac�ve Recrea�onal Parks and Recrea�on Staff is in the process of inpu�ng this data into our CIP Facili�es for All Manager So�ware. Look at Op�ons to Expand Teen Programming Ac�ve Recrea�onal Parks and Recrea�on Opportuni�es Indoors Facili�es for All Manager Add QR Codes on Signage within Parks Effec�ve Two-Way Parks and Recrea�on Communica�on with an Manager Informed Community Con�nue Community Engagement Mee�ngs Effec�ve Two-Way Parks and Recrea�on Communica�on with an Commissioners Informed Community  4 2a3. Natural Resources Commission Work Plan 2023 Timeline Goal Initiative Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Goal 1: Ordinance Policy and Review peer community ordinances to identify gaps and opportunities for Mendota Heights X X Development NR ordinances Goal 1: Ordinance Policy and Prioritize tree ordinance, landscape ordinance, weed ordinance, as well as any other X Development ordinances the commission is interested in developing Goal 1: Ordinance Policy and Review Planning Review Checklists to offer natural resources considerations X X X Development Goal 1: Ordinance Policy and Coordinate with city staff to review and propose city ordinance(s) to city council X X Development Goal 1: Ordinance Policy and Review existing city ordinances to identify proposed amendments X X Development Develop engagement materials aimed at children to educate on natural resources topics: i.e. Goal 2: Education and Outreach X coloring book or puzzle to hand out while tabling Goal 2: Education and Outreach Volunteer at Frozen Fun Fest X Goal 2: Education and Outreach Volunteer at Touch a Truck X Goal 2: Education and Outreach No Mow May X Goal 2: Education and Outreach Volunteer at Park Celebration X Goal 2: Education and Outreach Host site tour of natural resources site X X Goal 2: Education and Outreach Develop and administer award/recognition program for community stewardship efforts X X Goal 3: Urban Forestry Awareness Develop Tree of the Month program X and Opportunities Goal 3: Urban Forestry Awareness Buckthorn removal event X X and Opportunities Goal 3: Urban Forestry Awareness Coordinate with Parks and Recreation Commission to identify collaboration opportunities X and Opportunities between PRC and NRC Goal 3: Urban Forestry Awareness Host tree planting event X and Opportunities Goal 4: Green Steps Update reporting measurements to reflect City's current step status X X Goal 4: Green Steps Onboard new Recycling/Sustainability Coordinator to lead city Greensteps initiative X Goal 4: Green Steps Identify opportunities for step advancement X Goal 4: Green Steps Identify performance measurements and support structures necessary to prepare for Step 4 X X Goal 4: Green Steps Advance to Step 3 in the Green Steps program X X Goal 5: Sustainability Review city energy usage to identify opportunities for improvement X Goal 5: Sustainability Host residential energy saving education event X Goal 5: Sustainability Review peer community sustainability efforts to identify opportunities in MH X X  5 2b. DATE: March 22, 2023 TO: Natural Resources Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission Joint Work Session FROM: Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Coordinator SUBJECT: Park Sign Landscaping Background Natural Resources Staff has begun to work with Parks and Public Works Staff to update landscaping around park signs where needed. Updated landscaping is designed using native plantings, including pollinator friendly plants that will provide food and habitat for pollinators. Sign landscaping is also designed with site conditions, bloom time, bloom color, and plant sizing in mind to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing planting. The Friendly Hills Park sign was landscaped in 2021 with these parameters in mind. The Valley View Heights Park sign will be landscaped with native pollinator plantings as part of a volunteer event during the Earth and Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday, April 29th from 1:30-3p. Both Natural Resources and Parks and Recreation Commissioners are invited to participate and interact with resident volunteers at the event. Requested Action Information only. 6 2b1.  7 2c. DATE: March 22, 2023 TO: Parks and Recreation Commission/Natural Resource Commission FROM: Meredith Lawrence, Parks and Recreation Manager SUBJECT: Park Improvement Project Collaboration INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND Each year the City Council allocates funds for park improvement projects within the City based on the city’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). For 2023 the City Council provided funding for the following projects: • Wentworth Warming House Replacement • Rogers Lake Skate Park Replacement • Wentworth Tennis Court Replacement • Valley View Heights Playground Replacement • Civic Center (Mertensotto Field) Infield Maintenance • Civic Center (Mertensotto Field) 1st/3rd Baseline Fence Replacement Staff communicates internally regarding these projects and when feasible the Natural Resource Coordinator will approach the Natural Resource Commission with recommendations in regards to project collaboration. RECOMMENDED ACTION The Commissioners should discuss potential opportunities for collaboration in regards to park improvement projects within Mendota Heights.  8 2d. DATE: March 22, 2023 TO: Natural Resources Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission Joint Work Session FROM: Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Coordinator SUBJECT: Natural Resources Site Tour Background As part of the Natural Resources Commission 2023 Workplan, the Commission identified the desire to host a Natural Resources Site Tour of past and current City natural resources projects. The site tour is tentatively scheduled for Quarter 3 or 4 within the Workplan. The Natural Resources Commission has tentatively scheduled the tour for a date in the month of July. The Natural Resources Commission would like to invite members of the Parks and Recreation Commission, as well as any members of the public to attend. Requested Action The Commissions should discuss the level of interest in the event, and possible projects they would like to include in the tour.  9 2e. DATE: March 22, 2023 TO: Natural Resources Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission Joint Work Session FROM: Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Coordinator SUBJECT: Pollinator Awareness Month Background The Commission together with City Staff, will create and promote an educational program in lieu of No Mow May to raise awareness around native pollinators, titled Pollinator Awareness Month. Pollinator Awareness Month will begin Monday, May 1st and run through Wednesday, May 31st. The Program will utilize Friday News, the City’s website, and social media to provide education to residents, and will include information on topics such as: • Creating a pollinator-friendly landscape throughout the four seasons • Establishing a permanent, pollinator-friendly, no-mow lawn • Alternatives to pesticide and herbicide use • Simple things everyone can do to protect pollinators • Native pollinator species and their benefits Mendota Heights has several parks that contain pollinator plantings, including: City Center, Copperfield Ponds park, Friendly Hills Park, and Valley Park. Additional City-owned areas and parks have been identified in the City’s Natural Resources Management Plan as potential areas to include pollinator plantings in the future. Requested Action The Commissions should discuss the level of interest in the event, and potential areas to partner on the program.  10 2f. DATE: March 22, 2023 TO: Parks and Recreation Commission/Natural Resource Commission FROM: Meredith Lawrence, Parks and Recreation Manager SUBJECT: Event Collaboration INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND Each year the City hosts a variety of events that provide opportunities for the community to come together and foster friendships. At some of these events the Parks and Recreation Commissioners like to be present and provide opportunities for engagement when appropriate. The following events are scheduled thus far for the remainder of the year: • April 15: Junior/Adult Golf Tournament • April 27: Pickleball with Public Safety • April 29: Kids Garage Sale • May 13: Touch a Truck • May 20: Pickleball Tournament • June 3: Officer Scott Patrick Memorial 5K • July 15: Junior Golf Tournament • July 20: Fishing Derby • August 11-13: Parks Celebration Weekend • September 8: Glow Golf Tournament • September 30: Makers Market • October 7: Barktober • October 21: Trick or Teeing The Natural Resource Commission has shown interest in being involved in some of these events. RECOMMENDED ACTION The Commissioners should discuss ways they can collaborate in engaging the community at these events.  11 2g. DATE: March 22, 2023 TO: Parks and Recreation Commission/Natural Resource Commission FROM: Meredith Lawrence, Parks and Recreation Manager SUBJECT: Tree Donation Program INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND The City currently oversees a Park Bench Donation Program, which is designed to increase the public enjoyment of the park system by providing benches for the community to utilize. This program allows friends and family to honor the memory of a loved one or to celebrate an exciting event, milestone, or achievement with the installation of a new bench in a Mendota Heights park. All bench locations and plaque language are reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Commission and approved by the City Council. The City has the right to limit the number of memorials at a specific location. Staff has been approached regarding implementing a similar program for the donation of trees within our park system. Currently, an informal donation process is being used for the donation of trees on city property. Staff feels like a policy that outlines the purpose, process and cost would be helpful to ensure a consistent implementation moving forward. Staff is proposing a joint program between the Parks and Recreation Commission and Natural Resource Commission if a potential Tree Donation Program like this is desirable. RECOMMENDED ACTION The commissioners should discuss if a Tree Donation program is feasible for Mendota Heights and if so, what elements would be important to be included in the program for it to be successful.