Parks & Recreation Commission

Name: Parks & Recreation Commission — Oakdale, MN
Start: 2021-05-18
End: 2021-05-18
Location: Oakdale, MN

Regular Meeting

Oakdale, MN · May 18, 2021

Agenda Minutes

Minutes

REGULAR MEETING PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION City of Oakdale May 18, 2021 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Oakdale Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at Oakdale City Hall, 1584 Hadley Avenue, Oakdale, Minnesota. The meeting was called to order by Chair Lockhart at 7:30 PM. CALL OF ROLL On a call of roll, the following were present: Chair: Paul Lockhart Vice Chair: Jenny Cook Commissioners: Jan Cunningham Glen Giacoletto Freddie Jiles Steve Meyer Also Present: Brian Bachmeier, City Engineer Jeff Koesling, Parks Superintendent Julie Williams, Recreation Superintendent Absent: Jake Ingebrigtson, City Council Mark Giannini, Commissioner Quorum Present: YES ☒ NO ☐ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Regular Meeting Minutes, April 20, 2021 A MOTION WAS MADE BY VICE CHAIR COOK, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CUNNINGHAM TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING OF APRIL 20, 2021 AS PRESENTED. 5 AYES 0 NAYS PARKS UPDATE – Jeff Koesling Softball – Youth and adult softball have started. Crews are maintaining the fields by mowing and trimming. The irrigation could use relief with some rain. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION May 18, 2021 Page 2 Summer Seasonal Openings – Between field maintenance and keeping up with work orders during the busy summer, the Parks Department is in need of seasonal staff. It is a great fit for college kids and required for staff to be age 18 and up. No one is applying and the department is six staff short. This hurts the crew, especially when one or two may be on vacation. Chair Lockhart will talk to his son who is graduating to reach out to friends. Park Vandalism – Mr. Koesling appreciated Commissioner Jiles report of rubbing out vulgar language on Walton’s handrails while he attended ballgames yesterday. Mr. Koesling said that Oakdale Parks have been dealing with the vandalism since last Wednesday. A Walton bathroom is closed because of it and since this afternoon, a dumpster was hit in broad daylight. Oakfield Park was destroyed in the last four to five nights and the police have been asked to patrol there. This is common when school gets close to letting out, then tapers off over the summer. We have crews that go through parks daily. Chair Lockhart recalled notorious tagging on wood benches in the past. He suggested replacing wood with aluminum open backed benches. Mr. Koesling said wood can be painted over. He agreed that aluminum looks nicer than wood. Summerfest 2021 – The abbreviated version of Summerfest will take place Friday, June 25, and Saturday, June 26. There will be no parade because restrictions didn’t lift in time to pull one together. The committee decided against it for crowd and social distancing reasoning. There will be no carnival. On Friday, from 5 to 11 PM the entertainment is advertised on the City of Oakdale website. On Saturday the event will begin at 12 PM. There will be kids activities, food trucks, legacy vendors, art and vendor fair, music, and the Rockin Hollywoods playing, with fireworks at 10 PM. Planning is taking place now that restrictions have eased and the event will be good for the community. RECREATION UPDATE – Julie Williams Summer Programming – Summer is moving full speed ahead and the newsletter should hit mailboxes late this week. It will be available online as well. The full newsletter includes both adult and youth activities. Summer Staff – Instructors have been selected and training will begin the first week of June. Six staff are returning and there will be three to four new hires. Free Summer Youth Programming – The Council decided to offer youth programs at no cost to Oakdale Residents this summer. Indoor Garage Sale – The event typically held in winter was pushed to May due to Covid-19 uncertainty. It was held on Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM at the Discovery Center. Next year the event date will be scheduled in winter again. Summerfest – The 5K run on Saturday, June 26 will have Citizens Community Federal Bank returning as sponsor. Volunteers from Hope Church will also be helping at the race. All participants PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION May 18, 2021 Page 3 receive a race shirt. There will be no day of registration this year; preregistration is required. The 3rd Lair Skateboard Contest will be held on Friday, June 25 at 5 PM with check in at 4 PM. The annual sponsors are Amy Brown State Farm and Oakdale Collision Center. Participation in the event is free. Amped Up Entertainment – The series kicks off Thursday, June 17. Free outdoor amphitheater programs will be offered select Thursdays at 10 AM. This year will feature the Raptor Center, Wendy’s Wiggle, Jiggle, and Jam, and the ACME Magic Factory. Typically the audience is 100 people for the very popular events. Summer Concerts – The Blue Dream Classic Rock Band will kick off the series on June 16. Concerts are held select Wednesdays beginning at 7 PM at the Walton Bandshell through August 18. Farmers Market – June 2 will kick off the Farmers Market, held Wednesdays through October 13 from 2 to 6:30 PM at the Oakdale City Hall Parking Lot. The market time was extended one half hour from last year. KCM Eggrolls and the Mexican food trucks will attend markets, along with rotating other food trucks. The majority of vendors are returning, with a few new vendors too. AARP Tax Assistance – Volunteers served 118 taxpayers while operating at half capacity this tax season. Park Cleanup – 11 parks were cleaned by 111 volunteers. Volunteers received grow-able plants as thank you gifts. Thank you volunteers! Volleyball League – Commissioner Meyer suggested a volleyball league to designate a location for the sport. He noticed the popularity with adults at Eastside, Walton, Eberle and Northdale. At Northdale, volleyball games have blocked practice play for other sports. Parks Superintendent Koesling notified that permits are required to set up volleyball because net stakes have damaged two lines beneath the ground where irrigation and power are located. Volleyball also erodes the turf down to dirt and players keep setting up courts over the same areas. Director Bachmeier was trying to find a good park to fit another volleyball court but there is difficulty finding the spacing required from other park amenities. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Park Tours – Commissioner Cunningham suggested the commission visit parks to visualize planned park improvements. Chair Lockhart will email the commission to plan dates and parks. He will send Mrs. Williams a schedule to post for the notice of quorum. Passive Parks – Commissioner Giacoletto suggested delisting Armstrong Park from the park directory because it is misleading when the park has no amenities, signage, or even cultivated grass to make it usable. The neighbors don’t want the park developed and it is clear one of the houses adjacent to the park is absorbing some of the park area. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION May 18, 2021 Page 4 Chair Lockhart recalled a similar scenario at the recently sold property of Titan Park. The neighbors refused a picnic table or playground on the parcel the City would mow, and two daycare centers would utilize the open field. Replying to Commissioner Cunningham’s question about what defines a city park from other city properties, Director Bachmeier explained that properties platted as parks get the designation when they are donated to the City to be used as parks. If the City were to use them for anything other than that, there is a different process than some of the other open space areas the City has. The Park Chapter designates park land with a subtle distinction from open space. Some areas platted as parks function as open space. Mr. Bachmeier continued that there is no major expenditure at Armstrong Park as nothing is being done on the property. He suggested that exercises that will be used for developing parks in the new developments of Willowbrooke and Helmo Station may start another process on how we want to utilize current parks. This will be an opportunity to consider how facilities are utilized and address what is missing in the parks system to plan for a change in uses or providing new uses. For example, volleyball is an evolving need, and while there isn’t space at Northdale, a question would be whether to change other uses to accommodate that use. He would not jump into delisting parks, because planning parks could be part of a much broader study. Flagging open spaces versus park spaces could be a part of the evaluation. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS UPDATE – Brian Bachmeier Shelter Roofing at Walton Park – The roofing project at Walton Park that Parks Superintendent Koesling was involved with has wrapped up and looks good. Repaving Oakdale Nature Preserve – The contract was awarded to Minnesota Paving to repave the south leg trail. Street improvements have already began associated with the project, and the last phase will be the preserve’s trail starting in August. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Walton Ice Rink Lighting – Chair Lockhart received a resident’s concern that he did not know Walton Park’s ice rink was opened this season because the lights were off. There is a switch and timer at the park. However, the resident suggested the lights stay on until 10 PM to advertise that the rink is open. He also shared that he was upset that there was no warming house. This was because of the pandemic. Family Fun Flatables – Commissioner Cunningham learned from Recreation Superintendent Williams that there will be no inflatables event in 2021 because planning for the event starts in January and the pandemic created uncertainty. ADJOURNMENT A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER JILES, SECONDED BY VICE CHAIR COOK TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION, DATED MAY 18, 2021, AT 8:01 PM. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION May 18, 2021 Page 5 6 AYES 0 NAYS Respectfully submitted, Laura Linzmeyer

Agenda

AGENDA Special City Council Workshop Tuesday, May 18, 2021 Discovery Center 5 PM Call to Order 5 to 5:30 PM Economic Development Commission 5:30 to 6 PM Environmental Management Commission 6 to 6:30 PM Planning Commission 6:30 to 7 PM Parks & Recreation Commission 7 to 7:30 PM Tree Board 7:30 to 8 PM Recruitment Process for Chief of Police Adjournment AGENDA Oakdale Parks and Recreation Commission Tuesday, May 18, 2021, 7:30 PM CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MEETING, APRIL 20, 2021 CITY COUNCIL UPDATE: JAKE INGEBRIGTSON MANAGEMENT REPORTS a) PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE – JEFF KOESLING b) RECREATION UPDATE – JULIE WILLIAMS ALL OTHER ITEMS a) COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS ADJOURNMENT PLEASE NOTE THERE WILL BE NO JUNE MEETING DUE TO SUMMERFEST REGULAR MEETING PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION City of Oakdale April 20, 2021 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Oakdale Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, via Zoom. Zoom is an online platform that allows persons to “attend” the meeting via video or telephone. The meeting was called to order by Chair Lockhart at 7 PM. CALL OF ROLL On a call of roll, the following were present: Chair: Paul Lockhart Vice Chair: Jenny Cook Commissioners: Jan Cunningham Glen Giacoletto Mark Giannini Freddie Jiles Steve Meyer Also Present: Jake Ingebrigtson, City Council Brian Bachmeier, City Engineer Jeff Koesling, Parks Superintendent Julie Williams, Recreation Superintendent Quorum Present: YES ☒ NO ☐ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Regular Meeting Minutes, March 16, 2021 A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER CUNNINGHAM, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GIANNINI TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 16, 2021 AS PRESENTED. 6 AYES 0 NAYS CITY COUNCIL UPDATE – Jake Ingebrigtson Summerfest – Councilmember Ingebrigtson replied to Commissioner Cunningham that Summerfest is up in the air. Council felt better about holding the event in past weeks than now with the Covid- 19 numbers rising and difficulty deciding who will enforce mask requirements. Council is not sure and very few hard decisions have been made. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION April 20, 2021 Page 2 Superintendent Williams reported that summer recreation programming is moving ahead with the current guidelines in place, though the situation may change in June, July, and August. As of now, Concerts in the Park are being scheduled. OAKDALE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (OAA) PARK IMPROVEMENTS – Paul Lockhart Chair Lockhart reported on Oakdale Athletic Association park improvements at Bearth Field. The OAA has given money to repair the fence and install drain tile, and next aims to replace and install new fence screening on the field. The old partial screen is white, and will be replaced to cover the 1,200 foot span of the fence with a royal blue banner featuring the OAA and City of Oakdale logos. The cost will be $2,500 and require three to four weeks before installation. He sought a motion to recommend the project to Council for approval. Superintendent Koesling informed that the partial screening of the fence was purposeful, and that the fence never had a full screen for the 1,200 foot span. The portion with the white screening is the location that water from the lake caused a reflection distracting the ball game, and a screen was placed by the last Parks Superintendent Randy Bastyr. Commissioner Meyer received confirmation from Chair Lockhart that the project will be fully funded by the OAA. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER MEYER, SECONDED BY VICE CHAIR COOK TO RECOMMEND THE BEARTH FIELD FENCE SCREENING PROJECT TO CITY COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL. 7 AYES 0 NAYS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS UPDATE – Brian Bachmeier Director Bachmeier reviewed the four projects listed as 2021 Capital Improvement Projects: 1. Oakdale Nature Preserve South Loop Repaving $120,000 2. Reroofing Walton Park Shelters $90,000 3. Remodeling Walton Park Kitchens $20,000 4. Replacing Oakdale Nature Preserve Park Signs $15,000 The total budgeted for the projects was $245,000. With bids coming in favorably from quotes received by Superintendent Koesling, $8,000 remains after the sign replacement, and $21,300 remains after the reroofing. The combination of conservative estimating and good solicitation of quotes by Mr. Koesling have resulted in a total of $29,300 still available. While bids also came in favorable for the repaving project, additional work may be needed so the funds will be kept in place. In addition to the $29,300, there was $12,000 allocated in the operating budget to resurface a court, to make a new total of $41,300. To make use of the money in 2021, quotes were received for four recommended projects: 1. Reroof Guthrie Park Shelter $11,800 2. Resurface Oakdale Nature Preserve Tennis Court $18,000 3. Repave Guthrie Park Basketball Court $15,000 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION April 20, 2021 Page 3 4. Install a tennis court practice wall at Eastside Park $16,500 The total of the recommended projects is $61,300. Due to the associated safety concerns of not improving the tennis and basketball courts, it is the recommendation of Mr. Bachmeier and Koesling to address those projects in 2021 for a total of $33,000. A third project could not be fully funded. Commissioner Meyer commented that the price seems high for the tennis court practice wall. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER MEYER, SECONDED BY VICE CHAIR COOK TO RECOMMEND THE OAKDALE NATURE PRESERVE TENNIS COURT RESURFACING AND GUTHRIE PARK BASKETBALL COURT REPAVING TO CITY COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL. 7 AYES 0 NAYS Chair Lockhart noted $8,300 remain for another 2021 project. Mr. Bachmeier replied that the money could be used to address a resident request by making a recommendation to Council, otherwise the remaining money would be carried over to the next year. PARKS UPDATE – Jeff Koesling Fields – Mr. Koesling reported that crews have been pretty successful getting on fields despite that the weather hasn’t cooperated since Easter. Adult softball travelling games start this week on this coming Sunday. The low temperatures mean that water can’t be turned on yet in the buildings. Crews have been leveling, dragging, sweeping, cutting, and dethatching fields. Bearth field was completed today, along with two Walton fields. Two more fields at Walton need to be done. OAA Discussion – Chair Lockhart will meet with Mr. Koesling on Thursday afternoon to discuss the shed addition and adding dugouts at Bearth Field in late summer. Chair Lockhart reported that the dirt settled and caved at Bearth Field, the location of drain tile cannot be determined. The asphalt there is in good shape. Mr. Koesling responded that Bearth Field will be top dressed and seeded. The poor job done by the contractor seeding last fall is never going to grow. It was known that it would settle because the timing of the project was done so late. He will do his best to get Bearth Field in shape. RECREATION UPDATE – Julie Williams Early Newsletter – Mrs. Williams shared that the early newsletter for summer youth programming will be available online and in house this week. Registration begins April 29. The full summer newsletter will be mailed to residents mid to late May and include all kid and adult programming. Mystery Egg Hunt – Held April 3 outdoors on a sunny, beautiful 70 degree Saturday, the egg hunt was full with 150 kids. Thank you to partners Larry and Vickey Eberhard who provided donuts and raffled off two bikes. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION April 20, 2021 Page 4 Best Snow Sculpture of Oakdale Contest – Congratulations to the Ostby family for their winning submission of the Oakdale Police Officer Snowperson. This year’s theme was Everyday Heroes. Community Walk – 180 residents signed up in the first two weeks for the Oakdale Nature Preserve Community Walk now underway. Residents are rewarded for recording their miles. Artist of the Month – Marilyn Stevens will be featured April and May. Park Clean Up – The week of April 26 is Park Cleanup Week. Thank you to the 100 volunteers who have signed up. Junior Master Gardeners – Saturday’s class is full. Pickleball Courts – Pickleball courts were opened early in March. Lessons begin May 4 and the class is full. Wellness 50 Award – Congratulations to partner Oakdale Wellness 50+ for receiving the group category award for the 2020 Washington County Public Health Achievement. Mrs. Williams thanked Commissioner Cunningham who is a member for the appreciated partnership. The award will be displayed at the Discovery Center. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Trail Accessibility – Vice Chair Cook connected with new resident and disability advocate Jimmy through social media after posting a picture of the Oakdale Nature Preserve Boardwalk. She noticed the trail maps do not have Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) information. Superintendent Williams replied that it can be added to trail maps. Superintendent Koesling added that the boardwalk design can hold an ambulance, and the posts that are installed are intended to keep recreational vehicles like four wheelers off. Councilmember Ingebrigtson has also connected with Jimmy and encouraged his involvement in updating information. Engineer Bachmeier informed that improvements made 2010 forward have all been ADA compliant. A map can be generated identifying which trails are ADA compliant. As we rebuild, we will make effort to bring the system into compliance. Community Garden Plots – Commissioner Giacoletto was approached by a resident Washington County Master Gardener suggesting a community garden where apartment dwelling residents can rent a plot to grow produce for consumption. Needs would be water access and a way to define the plots. The pandemic has increased demand for growing food and Cottage Grove, Forest Lake, and Scandia within Washington County already have implemented these gardens. Woodbury is considering the concept. A group from Hennepin County had presented the concept to the Washington County Master Gardeners. He wondered if the community could be surveyed for interest. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION April 20, 2021 Page 5 Chair Lockhart liked the idea and asked if there the City had a parcel to use. Engineer Bachmeier informed that the City considered the concept a number of years ago and the report can be provided to the Commission. A survey was conducted and research was completed on sites. The conclusion at the time was that the City was not going to proceed with the program. The report can be used as a starting point. ADJOURNMENT A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER CUNNINGHAM, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GIACOLETTO TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION, DATED APRIL 20, 2021, AT 7:37 PM. 7 AYES 0 NAYS Respectfully submitted, Laura Linzmeyer MEMORANDUM TO: Christina Volkers, City Administrator FROM: Julie Williams, Recreation Superintendent DATE: May 14, 2021 SUBJECT: Monthly Update – May, 2021 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 Programs - The full summer newsletter will be mailed to residents next week and will be available online. 2. Summer Staff - Summer program instructors have been selected and training will begin the first week in June. There are 6 returning staff and 3 new hires. 3. Free Summer Youth Programming – Youth programming will be offered at no cost to Oakdale residents this summer! 4. Indoor Garage Sale – The annual sale will be held on Saturday, May 15 from 9 to 1 PM at the Discovery Center. 5. Summerfest 5K Walk/Run - The annual Summerfest event will be held Saturday, June 26. Check in begins at 7 AM, race begins at 8 AM. Citizens Community Federal Bank is again our main sponsor. Volunteers from Hope Church will help with water stations, course direction, and postrace snacks. All participants will receive a race shirt. 6. Summerfest 3rd Lair Skateboard Contest - 3rd Lair is excited to bring their skateboard contest back to the Walton Skate Park this summer. The contest is again sponsored by Amy Brown at State Farm and Oakdale Collision Center. The competition will take place on Friday, June 25. Registration begins at 4 PM with the contest beginning at 5 PM. Participation is FREE! 7. Amped Up Entertainment - Our always popular outdoor amphitheater series will kick off on June 17. The free, fun, and kid friendly program is held on Thursday mornings at 10 AM. The Raptor Center, Bruce the Bug Guy, Wendy’s Wiggle, Jiggle & Jam and ACME Magic Factory will all perform at the Discovery Center Amphitheater. 8. Summer Concert Series – The Summer Concert Series will begin June 16 with a performance by Blue Dream (class rock). Concerts are held on Wednesday’s beginning at 7 PM at the Walton Park bandshell. The series will conclude August 18. 9. Farmers Market - The Farmers Market will kick off June 2, running every Wednesday through October 13, 2 to 6:30 PM, in the Oakdale City Hall parking lot. With the success of last year, we are excited to be back with extended hours and dates and the return of all of our favorite vendors. We’ll be joined by local food trucks Taqueria Los Paisanos and KCM Egg Rolls throughout the season, along with other mobile food truck vendors on rotation. Find a great selection of fresh produce, baked breads from Bitmad Bakery, artisan foods, elderberry products, syrups, jams, jellies, and so much more! The start of the season is a great time to stock up on flowers, planters, and hanging baskets from Cincotta Family Farm. 10. AARP Tax Assistance – The Oakdale Discovery Center was once again a site for AARP tax assistance, serving 118 despite operating at half capacity this year. 11. Park Clean Up – 111 volunteers signed up to clean 11 parks during our annual Park Clean Up. Thank you to all volunteers who helped to keep our parks clean! Participants were given growable plant kits as thank you gifts.

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