Parks & Recreation Commission

City of Oakdale, Minnesota -established 1974-- Department of Recreation 4444 Hadley Avenue North Oakdale, MN 55128 (651) 747-3867 julie.williams@ci.oakdale.mn.us February 11, 2022 Dear Parks and Recreation Commissioners: Enclosed is your packet of information for the regular Parks and Recreation Commission meeting to be held on February 15. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the Oakdale City Hall Council Chambers, 1584 Hadley Avenue. Brian Bachmeier, City Engineer/Public Works Director, has retired after 33 years. The City will be contracting with Brian on future engineering projects. Jim Romanik, the new Public Works Manager will be introduced to the commission. Jim will lead the discussion regarding the rewiring of the Walton Ballfields as well as ask for a recommendation on potential playground replacement options when funding becomes available. The commission will also vote on a new chair and vice-chair for 2022, instructions are included in your packet. Finally, the commission will be updated on current and upcoming park projects and recreation programs. The City of Oakdale is no longer delivering hard copy packets to Commissioners. This started due to ongoing staff shortages in the police department. However, it has been determined to not be an effective, efficient or a good use of taxpayer funds to hand deliver packets. Packets will continue to be sent via email to promptly have an electronic copy. This is the official distribution of materials. In addition, by request, a printed copy can be arranged for pick up at the Oakdale Discovery Center during business hours, or left on your seat at the dais for use at the meeting (remember an electronic copy is sent days prior). Should you have any questions regarding the upcoming meeting, or are unable to attend, please feel free to contact me directly at (651) 747-3867. Sincerely, Julie Williams Julie Williams  AGENDA Oakdale Parks and Recreation Commission REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 15, 2022 7:00 PM Oakdale City Council Chambers 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. October 19, 2021 5. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION REVIEW a. OLD BUSINESS i. None b. NEW BUSINESS i. Introduction: Jim Romanik, New Public Works Manager ii. Chair/Vice Chair Vote 6. OTHER a. City Council Update, Ingebrigtson* b. Playground Replacement Recommendation, Romanik c. Walton Ballfield 5 – 8 Rewiring, Romanik/Koesling* d. Council Liaison Update(s)*, Koesling/Williams e. Commissioners Comments 7. ADJOURNMENT *Items marked with an asterisk have no accompanying materials The next regular Parks and Recreation Commission meeting will be held March 15, 2022  REGULAR MEETING PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION City of Oakdale October 19, 2021 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Oakdale Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, October 19, 2021, at Oakdale City Hall, 1584 Hadley Avenue, Oakdale, Minnesota. The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Cook at 7 PM. CALL OF ROLL On a call of roll, the following were present: Vice Chair: Jenny Cook Commissioners: Jan Cunningham Glen Giacoletto Mark Giannini Freddie Jiles Also Present: Jake Ingebrigtson, City Council Nick Newton, Police Chief Brian Bachmeier, City Engineer Julie Williams, Recreation Superintendent Absent: Paul Lockhart, Chair Steve Meyer, Commission Member Jeff Koesling, Parks Superintendent Quorum Present: YES ☒ NO ☐ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Regular Meeting Minutes, September 21, 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 SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 AS PRESENTED. 5 AYES 0 NAYS COUNCIL UPDATE – Jake Ingebrigtson Basketball Court – Vice Chair Cook delivered a comment from an Oakdale youth that the basketball court lines at Walton Park are excellent. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION October 19, 2021 Page 2 Eastside Park Temporary Warming Houses – Councilmember Ingebrigtson has been spreading the word that there will be temporary warming houses at Eastside Park. Soccer Season - Commissioner Giannini shared that soccer has now ended and had a good season. NEW POLICE CHIEF INTRODUCTION – Nick Newton Chief Newton introduced himself to the Parks Commission. He was appointed Police Chief last month and has worked for the City of Oakdale almost 21 years. He has worked as Patrol Officer, in investigations, and was Patrol Sergeant for 14 years. He’s spent many nights working evening shifts, ending up on the day shift a couple years ago and getting promoted to Captain when the Chief process took place. He applied and was appointed recently. Chief Sullivan served a remarkable 33 years in one agency and left Oakdale in a very good place. Currently, there are 32 licensed officers and the investigations unit will gain a position next year to make 33. As Oakdale changes with new projects, the Police Department looks forward to the future with the hope to add more officers and extend community outreach and engagement that the department has done well with in previous years. Chief Newton is very fortunate to be serving Oakdale in the Police Department, and has developed a love for the community while working here. He finds importance in the Police Chief living in the community and will be moving his family from St. Paul to Oakdale. The move will be difficult, being born and raised on the east side and leaving the roots he has there, but timing is good. He has a wife and 15-year-old son. The Commissioners congratulated Chief Newton on his appointment. PARK CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) – Brian Bachmeier Director Bachmeier reported the Council’s priorities for the Park CIP following their recent workshop. Council concluded that more funding for park improvements will need to be provided, and over the next several months they will be working over ways to increase funding for park improvements. They also indicated the need to prioritize safety and preservation type improvements. With that lens, they requested Mr. Bachmeier reschedule the projects and revise the CIP for Commission consideration. The new proposal spends more money than the initial programming planned for next year. The Finance Department projected that starting in 2023, the park reserve fund will run into a deficit based on identified projects and cost estimates, with an ongoing deficit after that point. The importance of the table provided by Finance was evident in helping Council understand additional funding is necessary. Mr. Bachmeier clarified that the rewiring of Walton Ballfields 5 through 8 is not the lighting wiring, but the actual outlets at the ballfields that need to be rewired so pitching machines could continue being used. The Council requested that the Oakdale Athletic Association (OAA) be contacted about participating in/donating toward the project. Mr. Bachmeier will continue the discussion with OAA President Paul Lockhart. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION October 19, 2021 Page 3 Council also would like to accelerate the 30-year playground replacement cycle to closer to 25 years, and work on identifying playgrounds that are more heavily used before those not used as much. Council is requesting that the Park Commission identify which playground be replaced in 2022. Commissioner Cunningham reiterated from the last meeting that the neighbors of Oakfield Park want playground equipment purposed for younger toddlers put back in at the park. Mr. Bachmeier acknowledged that the request is worthy of further consideration. He noted that the development of that playground was by neighborhood solicitation and comments. The resulting playground was not able to check all the boxes, but checked as many as it could. Further consideration would be how to finance the request and program it into the system. Director Bachmeier continued with the preservation of Guthrie Park with the reroofing project, and the last one proposed for 2022 being the Walton Skatepark repairs that were identified as a safety, priority one project. The total for 2022 projects is $247,000, with $40,000 potentially being covered partially or wholly by the OAA. The Park Reserve Fund cost would be $207,000. Going into 2023 with safety and preservation planning, the continuing Oakdale Nature Preserve trail repaving project is scheduled. New elements that were ranked and prioritized by the Park Commission start coming into play with the Eberle Park Pickleball and Northdale Park Volleyball Court. Commissioner Cunningham suggested that the Eberle Park Pickleball Court project be scheduled at the same time as Eberle’s parking lot and trail repaving projects. Mr. Bachmeier agreed that there is an advantage to that, though funding is independent. He focused on the purpose of the CIP as planning next year’s projects, with the following years being subject to change when they are reviewed and updated annually. Next fall, the Parks Commission will have the opportunity to review 2023 projects, compare them to 2024, and add 2027 to the list. Continuing with 2023, the new amenity of a volleyball court at Northdale Park moved up above Eastside Park in group ranking after receiving additional member survey results and including them in the total rankings of the committee. In 2025, a playground replacement is identified, a volleyball court at Eastside Park, and the Eberle Park parking lot and trail repaving. In 2026, there is another playground replacement, Tanners Lake Park parking lot repaving, a pickleball court, and a volleyball court. Replying to Commissioner Giannini’s question, Mr. Bachmeier said that Northdale Park’s price to develop volleyball is more expensive than other sites due to site preparation cost to grade out the area and put in a retaining wall north of the parking lot. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION October 19, 2021 Page 4 Replying to Commissioner Cunningham’s question about cornhole at Horseshoe Park, Mr. Bachmeier said that Council was able to review individual member suggestions with the complete list of projects. Research on developing cornhole in parks has taken place. A manufacturer was found who designs cornhole using 300-pound pieces of concrete. Mr. Bachmeier asked the Commission if there were any other suggested changes to the CIP other than rescheduling Eberle Park’s projects to take place in the same year. Commissioner Giacoletto suggested striping the Oakdale Nature Preserve Tennis Courts for Pickleball. Since the pickleball courts at Tanners Lake Park are located in the south part of Oakdale, and Eastside has pickleball in the central part of the city, adding pickleball at the Oakdale Nature Preserve will cover the north part of the city. Pickleball at that location will help with demand at minimal expense. Commissioner Cunningham asked about the Willowbrooke Development; how to anticipate the number of parks, what range of amenities, and a timeline. Mr. Bachmeier replied that Community Development is working to identify park areas within Willowbrooke. 50 acres of open space is being provided, with three sites of sufficient size and dimension potentially to be developed as active neighborhood park areas. The balance of the land cannot be developed into an active park due to pipelines, wetlands, or parcels lacking adequate dimensions. What will fit in the sites is to be determined. A study is to be completed in partnership with Community Development next year, as identified in the budget of the development of the Willowbrooke Master Planning of Parks. The first three phases have been platted, and the houses and apartments going in do not have parks platted in those areas. But next year, platting of additional areas could potentially provide some park land. Commissioner Cunningham commented that placing pickleball at Willowbrooke would create a whole different story. Mr. Bachmeier noted that a part of the park planning process would determine if pickleball generates enough traffic to require off street parking, or if on street parking is sufficient Referring of the 2022 playground replacement, Vice Chair Cook asked why Tanners and Tilsen are not programmed first, since those two parks had already been identified. While Tanners and Tilsen are the oldest in the system, Mr. Bachmeier indicated that Council wanted to consider that another park may be worthier of replacement based on heavy use and its condition. Commissioner Giannini visits Tilsen for soccer and the playground doesn’t look like it gets a ton of use, being in relatively good condition. The new swing was put in last year, and area looks good with the woodchips. Director Bachmeier recalled Councilmember Swedberg mentioning Golfview Playground for replacement. He emphasized that when equipment ages and a part breaks, replacements can’t be found. Commissioner Cunningham pointed out that Golfview’s playground was installed in 2002. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION October 19, 2021 Page 5 Vice Chair Cook delivered an excellent review of Oakdale’s trails from a motorized scooter rider who travelled over 400 miles on Oakdale’s trails this summer. RECREATION UPDATE – Julie Williams Farmers Market – Superintendent Williams reported that the Farmers Market wrapped up a great season on Wednesday, October 13. The weather held up with only a few rain days, but was really hot and humid all summer long. There was an optional half hour added for vendors, who could decide to stay until either 6 or 6:30 PM. The season was also extended until mid-October, with both vendors and shoppers happy about the extra dates. Nathan Timmons did a good job coordinating the market. Flashlight Pumpkin Hunt – Kids will hunt for pumpkins along luminary trails at the nature preserve on Thursday, October 28 from 7 to 8:30 PM. There will be balloon twisting, a dance party, games, pumpkin decorating, treats, glow necklaces, and a bonfire. 120 kids are signed up, with a maximum of 150. Pumpkin Carving Contest – All ages and skill levels can participate in the contest. Winning categories are best, spookiest, and Bumpkin Pumpkin (ages 12 and under). Pumpkins are displayed at the Flashlight Pumpkin Hunt where attendees vote on the winners. Registration in the Flashlight Pumpkin Hunt is not required to compete in the contest. Carvings are accepted Sunday through Wednesday during building hours. Artist of the Month – The locally photographed wildlife by Jeanne Dziuk and Terri Hibbard is on display. The artists are a community favorite, have photos taken in the Oakdale Nature Preserve, and frame their work in barnwood materials. Art Discovery Fair – The fair was pushed later in the calendar this year to get artists and holiday shoppers closer together in the shopping timeline. On Saturday, November 20, from 10 AM to 3 PM, there will be 18 artists participating, a couple booths are still open, and live music is planned from 10 AM to 12 PM. Indoor Market – The Farmers Market season is wrapped up, and we head into the Indoor Market season with the first market on Saturday, November 13 from 9 AM to 1 PM at the Discovery Center. Three markets before the holidays will take place on November 13, 27, and December 11. Confirmed vendors are Bitmad Bakery, Cincotta Family Farm, Ruhland Strudel, Usborne Books, Soy Wicks and Sticks, Jane’s Sweatshirts and Knits, and a variety of new vendors. There will be eight total markets in the season. Rink Attendants – Applications are being taken for ice rink attendants through November 8. The ice rink season begins the end of December/early January, and goes through February, weather permitting. Yard Games – Superintendent Williams replied to a question from Vice Chair Cook that yard games are included at community events and Summerfest, however are not rented out. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION October 19, 2021 Page 6 COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Wellness 50+ - Commissioner Cunningham shared upcoming Wellness 50+ events. A Red Cross Blood Drive at the Discovery Center will take place on Friday, October 22. Registration is full. The Summer Wednesday Walks program meeting at 9 AM at the Discovery Center will continue through fall. On Saturday, November 6, there will be a personal safety training. Commissioner Giacoletto expanded on the personal safety training class. A week and a half ago, a safety class was taught by Mr. Giacoletto and an Oakdale Police Officer. Attendees learned about police activity, reducing the stigma of calling 911, and self defense from a legal standpoint. The upcoming class on November 6 will be a physical training. He and fellow instructors will provide very simple self defense concepts that can be done in regular clothing, and are easy to remember when panicked/threatened. The teaching is not about fighting; it is about defending and escaping a situation. The aim is to give the ability to have confidence in self-defense and to not be helpless, especially to those who are a little older. Commissioner Cunningham noted that events are not limited to those above age 50, and that adults of all ages can RSVP with Oakdale Recreation by phone or online. ADJOURNMENT A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER JILES, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CUNNINGHAM TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION, DATED OCTOBER 19, 2021, AT 7:37 PM. 5 AYES 0 NAYS Respectfully submitted, Laura Linzmeyer __________________________________________________________________ PROCESS ELECTION OF 2022 COMMISSION CHAIR STEP 1. Nominate candidates for the Chair position. Nominations do not require a “second,” but other members may “second” the nomination to show support. “Motion to nominate Commissioner __________ for the position of Chair.” STEP 2. When there are no new nominations to be made, someone should make a motion that nominations close. The motion to close requires a second. “Motion to close nominations for the position of Chair.” STEP 3. Election using the ballot provided. Commissioners write in their choice from those nominated and pass the ballots to staff for tabulating. STEP 4. Staff will announce results. STEP 5. Election of Chair requires a motion and a second. “Motion to elect Commissioner __________ for the position of Chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission for a period of one (1) calendar year.” ELECTION OF 2022 COMMISSION VICE CHAIR STEP 1. Nominate candidates for the Vice Chair position. Nominations do not require a “second,” but other members may “second” the nomination to show support. “Motion to nominate Commissioner __________ for the position of Vice Chair.” STEP 2. When there are no new nominations to be made, someone should make a motion that nominations close. The motion to close requires a second. “Motion to close nominations for the position of Vice Chair.” STEP 3. Election using the ballot provided. Commissioners write in their choice from those nominated and pass the ballots to staff for tabulating. STEP 4. Staff will announce results. STEP 5. Election of Vice Chair requires a motion and a second. “Motion to elect Commissioner __________ for the position of Vice Chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission for a period of one (1) calendar year.” Assumption of the roles of Chair and Vice Chair may commence immediately following the vote.  BALLOT Election of 2022 Parks and Recreation Commission Chair February 15, 2022 Please write in your choice for Chair from those nominated tonight: Chair: ___________________________________________________ Pass your ballot to staff when completed; votes will be tallied and announced immediately following the vote.  BALLOT Election of 2022 Parks and Recreation Commission Vice Chair February 15, 2022 Please write in your choice for Vice Chair from those nominated tonight: Vice Chair: ________________________________________________ Pass your ballot to staff when completed; votes will be tallied and announced immediately following the vote.  COMMISSION MEMORANDUM To: Parks and Recreation Commission From: Jim Romanik, Public Works Manager Jeff Koesling, Parks Superintendent Date: February 15, 2022 Subject: Parks CIP – Playground Replacement Recommendation At its October 19, 2021 meeting, the park commission was asked to identify which playground structure should be replaced in 2022. Please note the approved CIP items for 2022. Please provide a recommendation for city council consideration as to what playground should be replaced when funding should become available. The park replacement schedule has also been included in your packet. Staff has recommended Tanners, Eberle and Tilsen as parks that need replacement. Park Commission Action Requested The Park Commission should identify which playground structure to replace when funding becomes available. MEMORANDUM TO: Christina Volkers, City Administrator FROM: Julie Williams, Recreation Superintendent DATE: February 11, 2022 SUBJECT: Recreation Department Monthly Update – February 2022 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. Spring Newsletter - The Spring newsletter hit mailboxes a few weeks ago. The department has been busy taking registrations for upcoming programs. The newsletter covers the months of February through May. 2. AARP Tax Assistance - The Discovery Center will once again act as a tax assistance site for AARP, Mondays and Thursdays through April 14. Nearly all appointments are booked! 3. Indoor Market - The Market continues on February 19, March 5, and 19. You can find the local food truck Taqueria Los Paisanos serving breakfast burritos and Mexican favorites, along with all of the meal and treat options inside. A few new vendors will be joining us on our final dates, including Silverboom Coffee, Lucky’s Hot Sauce, and Perry Family Farm (hot veggies and canned goods). We’ll be wrapping up the season with live music from local “2 Sisters” on February 19, and finally March 19. 4. Snowshoe Rentals – Snowshoe rentals have been extremely popular this winter. The department has seen over 55 rentals since mid-December. Rates are $5/person for a two- hour rental. Sizes available for both kids and adults. Reservations recommended for groups of 6 or more. 5. Warming Houses/Ice Rinks – This has been one of the most consistent outdoor rink seasons in recent memory. With fewer snowstorms and a consistent winter cold front, Public Works and Recreation Departments have been able to keep the rinks and warming houses open all January and February so far. We plan to be open through February pending weather/ice conditions. You can find staffed warming houses at Walton, Northdale, and Eastside Parks. Ice rink attendants and participants have noted how much they enjoy the safe, larger, well lit, portable warming houses at Walton Hockey and Eastside. A final rink report will be available in March when the rink season concludes and will include total number of days/hours of operation, and number of skaters throughout the season. 6. Artist of the Month - The Discovery Center February Artist of the month is Marilyn Stevens. A world traveler, Marilyn loves to take photographs and paint beautiful watercolor land and cityscapes from her favorite places such as Alaska and Italy. She also uses ink to make detailed line drawings of flowers. Marilyn participates annually at the Discovery Center and Oakdale Art Discovery Fair, and is passionate about connecting new artists with these local opportunities. 7. Wahoo Adventures Snowshoe, Sip & Sample – Over 75 participated in the annual Snowshoe, Sip & Sample at the Discovery Center on February 11. Participants chose between two luminary lit trails on snowshoes. Inside, Hy-Vee served a variety of appetizers plus beer and wine samples. Prizes were awarded every hour and participants enjoyed the always popular vintage game room with live music. 8. Wahoo Adventures Family Moonlight Snowshoe & Bonfire – Wahoo Adventures will provide a luminary lit snowshoe trail through the Nature Preserve on Saturday, February 12. Registration is full. 9. Best Snow Sculpture of Oakdale Contest – The department continues to take photo entries through March 31. This year’s theme is “Snow Castles”. The winning snow sculpture will receive a $100 Target gift card. 10. Employment Opportunities - The department is now hiring Summer Recreation Program Instructors. Starting pay is $14/hr. Applications and job descriptions can be found on our website. We are accepting applications through the end of March. Interviews will be held in April. 11. 2021 Rental Report – Please find the attached rental report.  2021 FACILITY RENTAL REPORT January 1 through December 31, 2021 DISCOVERY CENTER RENTALS Discovery Center Permits by Event Type: Party 14 permits Meeting 14 permits Wedding 6 permits Remembrance/Memorial 5 permits Total 39 permits $10,104.90 PICNIC SHELTER RENTALS Walton Park - North 42 permits $7,154.79 Walton Park - South 31 permits $3,995.90 Walton Park - Small 31 permits $1,901.57 Walton Park - Band Shell 10 permits $4,902.36 Eastside 19 permits $1,098.13 Eberle 22 permits $1,275.02 Guthrie 3 permits $192.83 Northdale 31 permits $1,912.24 Oakdale - Large 23 permits $2,817.51 Oakdale – Small 13 permits $792.77 Oakdale - Amphitheater 5 permits $401.75 Oakfield 8 permits $508.86 Tanners Lake 34 permits $2,158.81 Total Shelter Rentals 272 permits $29,112.54