Parks & Recreation Commission

AGENDA Oakdale Parks and Recreation Commission Tuesday, June 16, 2020, 7PM Council Chambers, Oakdale City Hall CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE* WELCOME NEW COMMISSIONERS: GLEN GIACOLETTO AND STEVE MEYER APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MEETING, FEBRUARY 18, 2020 CITY COUNCIL UPDATE: COLLEEN SWEDBERG MANAGEMENT REPORTS a) PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE – JEFF KOESLING b) RECREATION UPDATE – JULIE WILLIAMS ALL OTHER ITEMS a) COMMISIONERS COMMENTS ADJOURNMENT The next regular Parks and Recreation Commission meeting will be held July 21, 2020 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers.  REGULAR MEETING PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION City of Oakdale February 18, 2020 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Oakdale Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, February 18, 2020, at Oakdale City Hall, 1584 Hadley Avenue, Oakdale, Minnesota. The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Cunningham at 7:00 PM. CALL OF ROLL On a call of roll, the following were present: Chair: James Roettger Vice Chair: Janet Cunningham Commissioners: Paul Lockhart Jenny Nyberg Also Present: Colleen Swedberg, City Council Brian Bachmeier, Public Works Director Jeff Koesling, Parks Superintendent Julie Williams, Recreation Superintendent Absent: Debbie Xiong PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Regular Meeting, November 19, 2019 A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER ROETTGER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LOCKHART TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING OF NOVEMBER 19, 2019 AS PRESENTED. 4 AYES 0 NAYS CITY COUNCIL UPDATE – Colleen Swedberg New Commissioner – City Councilmember Swedberg informed that the City Council has added a new member to the Parks and Recreation Commission. His approval was decided at the last City Council meeting and he will begin serving in March. The commission is still down one member, and the City Council is seeking candidates to fill the position. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION February 18, 2020 Page 2 “If I Were Mayor” Contest – City Council has been reading the 21 entries submitted by elementary students for the new “If I Were Mayor” contest. They will be evaluated and a winner will be decided in March. New Developments – Planning is in the works for the new bus rapid transit line, the Helmo Station, a public works facility, police expansion, and Willowbrooke Development. Willowbrooke is the new name of the 3M Development. The commission will be involved in planning the new parks at Willowbrooke when that process begins. ELECTION OF 2020 CHAIR/VICE CHAIR Vice Chair Cunningham nominated James Roettger for the position of Chair. Commissioner Nyberg seconded the nomination. A MOTION WAS MADE BY VICE CHAIR CUNNINGHAM, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LOCKHART TO ELECT JAMES ROETTGER AS CHAIR OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION. 4 AYES 0 NAYS Chair Roettger nominated Jan Cunningham for the position of Vice Chair. A MOTION WAS MADE BY VICE CHAIR CUNNINGHAM, SECONDED BY CHAIR ROETTGER TO ELECT JAN CUNNINGHAM AS VICE CHAIR OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION. 4 AYES 0 NAYS TILSEN SWINGS – Brian Bachmeier Director Bachmeier continued the discussion from October regarding a resident’s request to install a swing set at Tilsen Park. Tilsen Park has a ballfield in its northwest corner and a tot lot in its southeast corner. Director Bachmeier presented a plan showing a park area map with a shaded 30x40 footprint representing space for a swing set similar to the one installed at Oakfield Park. At Oakfield, this provided four swings; two belt swings and two expression swings. The Oakfield Swings cost around $5,000 for the equipment. If two swings were removed, that would save about $2,000. The commission may decide on a four or two swing set at Tilsen. Director Bachmeier presented that if the commission wanted two belt swings, one expression swing, and one adaptive swing, the cost of the swing set would be about $4,000. Cost of installation would be $500-$600. Woodchips would cost around $4,000 and would cover the swing set and existing playground. A three sided border that butts up to the existing border would also have a cost. The annual Parks without Borders provides $15,000 of undesignated funding that is available for projects similar to this. When a request is presented to the commission, it can be considered in a timely fashion with funding available. How big of a swing set and what components are desired needs to be decided. The City Council is seeking a recommendation from the commission to make the decision. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION February 18, 2020 Page 3 In reply to a question made by Commissioner Lockhart, Director Bachmeier said that a two swing set would have a foot print of about 30x30. Superintendent Koesling replied to Chair Roettger’s question, and said that current Americans with Disabilities Act standards require woodchips in parks. If sand was placed prior to the act, it can stay. New additions require woodchips. Superintendent Koesling suggested that the swing set be oriented to swing north to south to avoid interference from the slide’s exit location. Director Bachmeier added that adjusting the swing set orientation to swing north to south (instead of east to west) will also increase the distance of the swings from home plate. The swing set position will also need to consider the location of existing trees. Vice Chair Cunningham asked the ages of kids in the surrounding area, and the ages that the swings are meant for. She asked if there is a weight limit for the adaptive swing. Mr. Bachmeier responded that the belt swings serve all ages, even adults. He did not see a weight limit for the adaptive swing in the catalog. The expression swing has an adult side and adolescent side. Commissioner Lockhart proposed four swings, including an expression and adaptive swing. Commissioner Nyberg agreed that if the project is done, it should be accessible for as many people as possible. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER LOCKHART, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER NYBERG TO RECOMMEND THE INSTALLATION OF FOUR SWINGS AT TILSEN PARK, INCLUDING TWO BELT SWINGS, ONE EXPRESSION SWING, AND ONE ADAPTIVE SWING. 4 AYES 0 NAYS PARKS UPDATE – Jeff Koesling Ice Rink Season – Parks Superintendent Koesling has had the rinks open every day but two (a weekend when crews were plowing), making for one of the best rink seasons. The warm weather hasn’t hurt the rinks. In response to a question made by Chair Roettger, Mr. Koesling said that the only feedback received regarding the closure of Walton Hockey was an email asking why the snow hadn’t been cleared. The situation was explained, and he was given the addresses of Eastside and Northdale rinks and told to try Walton next year after it has been redone. He was grateful and no negative feedback has been received. Discovery Center Siding – The old cedar has been removed and cement board installed. The wider panels look nice and birds should leave the siding alone. The contractor has three small punch list PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION February 18, 2020 Page 4 items to do this spring. They will return to paint the window trim, take the windows out in areas the cedar still needs to be removed, including repainting and caulking the bottoms, and need to remount lights and cameras. RECREATION UPDATE – Julie Williams Spring Newsletter – Superintendent Williams informed that the spring newsletter has gone out. Oakdale Recreation is taking registrations for spring. AARP Tax Aide Program – The AARP uses the Discovery Center as a tax assistance site. The appointments take place Monday mornings. All appointments have booked up. They book earlier and earlier each year. Anyone interested should call in January to make an appointment. Dog Sled Day – On Saturday, February 29 there will be an informational session on the Samoyed dog breed and the history of dog sledding. New this year is the opportunity for 25 kids to take a dog sled ride in the park. All sled ride spots have been reserved for this fun day. Indoor Market – Every market has had good attendance with 300 to 400 shoppers. Three market dates remain; Saturdays, February 22, March 7 and 21. Chair Roettger commented that in the course of his work, he has heard from some cottage food producers that market participants say Oakdale is likeable because the location indoors provides a nice environment. Snowshoe Sip and Sample – The event was held last Friday on Valentine’s Day. The snow was great, but weather was cold and windy. Participants enjoyed the bonfire, Hy-Vee appetizers and food demonstrations, beer sampling by Roma Brewery, and wine by Bright Wines. Oakdale Recreation and Wahoo Adventures partner for this event, and each year the program keeps building. It was great to fill the event this year with 110 participants. Warming Houses – The warming houses continue to be up and running with the great ice rink season. Artist of the Month – This February the impressionistic works of Bethany Finnern are on display at the Oakdale Discovery Center Art Gallery. Stop by to see her interesting and abstract pieces. Employment Opportunities – Oakdale Recreation is now hiring summer instructors. Applications and job descriptions are found on the website, www.oakdalefun.com. Applications are accepted through the end of March, and interviews take place in April. Family Skating Day – The annual end-of-winter program takes place at Tartan Arena on March 7 from 11 AM to 1 PM. This popular family event is free. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Wellness 50+ Bike Maintenance – Vice Chair Cunningham shared flyers for the Saturday, May 16, 9:30 to 10 AM event. It will take place at Gateway Cycle. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION February 18, 2020 Page 5 Wellness 50+ Events – Vice Chair Cunningham shared that the Wellness 50+ group is planning on partnering with Oakdale Fire Chief Jeff Anderson for an upcoming first aid event. They had a well- attended and informative Vegetable Gardening class on February 10. Information on Wellness 50+ can be found in the Oakdale Update magazine. ADJOURNMENT A MOTION WAS MADE BY VICE CHAIR CUNNINGHAM, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LOCKHART TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION, DATED FEBRUARY 18, 2020, AT 7:30 P.M. 4 AYES 0 NAYS Respectfully submitted, Laura Linzmeyer MEMORANDUM TO: Craig Dawson, Interim City Administrator FROM: Julie Williams, Recreation Superintendent DATE: June 12, 2020 SUBJECT: Monthly Update – June 2020 The following information is provided to the City Administrator and Parks and Recreation Commissioners as information only. There is no need for any official commission, council, or administrative action; but rather, this is an effort by staff to keep you informed of the Department’s day-to-day operations. 1. Summer Programming – A limited number of programs will begin at the end of June/early July with hopes of adding a few more modified programs throughout the summer. Programming will be limited based on requirements for smaller group sizes, social distancing and disinfecting. Please see attached flyer. 2. Farmers Market – The Oakdale Farmers Market kicked off the 2020 season on Wednesday, June 10 at Oakdale City Hall. With 10 vendors (produce vendors yet to make their arrival) on a sunny, windy afternoon, we had a huge rush of excited customers ready to support our local vendors. Vendors will continue to arrive throughout the coming months with fresh produce and variety of baked goods! Hanging baskets, the local Mexican food truck, and new microgreens and meat vendors, were the main attractions. We look forward to the markets ahead, and with added safety measures to encourage social distancing and sanitization.  SUMMER CHANGES IN PERSON (MODIFIED) TO BE DETERMINED CANCELED May—Oct Community Walk July—Aug Amped Up June—Aug Mini Camps June—Sept Farmers Market Entertainment June—Aug Small World Camps Aug—Sept Yoga Aug Summer Concerts June—Aug Pop Up Parks July—Aug KidCreate Art Classes July—Aug Horseback Riding at June—Aug ITS Truck June 26—Sept Curious Critters Club Bunker Park June—Aug Preschool Story Time Aug 1 Wellness 50+ June—July Yoga Journey to Journaling June 12 Curious Critters Club Aug 21 Movie in the Park June 12 Kidcreate Art Class Sept 8 Touch A Truck June , July Summer Concerts Sept 25 Daddy-Daughter June 18 Amped Up Princess Ball Entertainment Sept 26 Family Fun Flatables July—Aug Tower Park Water Slide VIRTUAL Sept 30 Preschool Story Time July 25 VetsFest June 1 Wellness 50+ Oakdale Walks Changes due to COVID-19 criteria may impact the designations CITY OF OAKDALE | RECREATION listed for events and programs. Please refer to 4444 Hadley Avenue N., Oakdale, MN 55128 www.oakdalefun.com for updates. Office: 651-747-3860 www.oakdalefun.com Facebook: oakdalefun  From: Jchle To: Julie Williams; Laura Linzmeyer; Stan Karwoski; mjskeie@earthlink.net Cc: Bonnie Wilson Subject: THANK YOU! Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2020 11:58:46 AM Caution: This email originated outside our organization; please use caution. What an honor! I am so grateful for the support and amazing efforts that have contributed to our team’s recognition. Thanks to the Vital Aging Network and Mark Skeie for his unending positivity throughout our ups and downs. Thanks to Stan for his support from the very inception of our efforts. Thanks to the City of Oakdale and the Parks and Recreation Department for always being there for us. Sincerely, Jackie Chlebeck  Mark Skeie let us know that the Oakdale Wellness 50+ team has won the Washington County Public Health Achievement Award in the Group category. The award will be presented to us sometime in June, we hope. The scheduled event for National Public Health Week, April 6-12, has been ironically cancelled. "Your great work has been noticed and appreciated by those in your community" says Lowell Johnson, Dept of Public Health and Environment.