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 November 10, 2022 Dear Parks and Recreation Commissioners: Enclosed is your packet of information for the regular Parks and Recreation Commission meeting to be held on Tuesday, November 15. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the Oakdale City Hall Council Chambers, 1584 Hadley Avenue. In appreciation and recognition for your volunteer work on the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Mayor and Council have invited the entire commission to dinner prior to this last meeting of the year beginning at 6:30 PM. Commissioners will also be updated on current and upcoming park projects and recreation programming. 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 November 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. September 20, 2022 5. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION REVIEW a. OLD BUSINESS b. NEW BUSINESS 6. OTHER a. Council Liaison Update Koesling* b. Council Liaison Update Williams c. Commissioners Comments d. City Council Update, Ingebrigtson* 7. ADJOURNMENT *Items marked with an asterisk have no accompanying materials The next regular Parks and Recreation Commission meeting will be held February 21, 2023.  REGULAR MEETING PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION City of Oakdale September 20, 2022 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Oakdale Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at Oakdale City Hall, 1584 Hadley Avenue, Oakdale, Minnesota. 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 Commissioners: Glen Bearth Jan Cunningham Mark Giannini Steve Meyer Also Present: Shannon Reidlinger, Senior Community Development Specialist Jeff Koesling, Parks Superintendent Julie Williams, Recreation Superintendent Jake Ingebrigtson, City Council Absent: Glen Giacoletto, Vice Chair Freddie Jiles, Commissioner Jim Romanik, Public Works Manager Quorum Present: YES ☒ NO ☐ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Regular Meeting Minutes, August 16, 2022 A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER GIANNINI, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MEYER TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING OF AUGUST 16, 2022 AS PRESENTED. 5 AYES 0 NAYS BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN PLAN UPDATE – Shannon Reidlinger Senior Community Development Specialist Shannon Reidlinger presented the City of Oakdale Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan that is currently in Phase 2 (2022 – 2023). Phase 1 took place in 2019 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION September 20, 2022 Page 2 – 2020. The project purpose is to achieve goals of the City’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan for its transportation and pedestrian system. The stated goals are:  City roadways shall be safe and functional for pedestrians, bikes, automobiles and trucks.  Sidewalks, trails, and bikeways shall be connected within the city and between adjacent cities.  Parks shall be integrated into the City’s pedestrian system. Maps of existing crosswalks, existing bus stops, a draft of planned facilities, and destination analysis were presented. The draft public engagement plan is scheduled from July 2022 through February 2023 and includes:  4 EMC meetings with additional input from other Oakdale advisory bodies  3 City Council presentations  1 Open house  2 Pop-up workshops  3 Focus group meetings  Online questionnaire and map Plan recommendations will follow public input, and include goals, strategies, and network recommendations. The next step in the timeline will be creating the implementation strategy, with a criteria for prioritizing projects, map with project IDs and phasing, and spreadsheet with planning level details. Lastly, a draft and final plan will be published. The first round will be reviewed by City commissions and staff, and second round by City Council then the greater public. Edits will be made between rounds. The draft and final plan phase is scheduled to take place January through March 2023. Specialist Reidlinger facilitated a Strength Weakness Opportunities Threats (SWOT) Analysis with the Parks and Recreation Commission. Commissioner Meyer identified quantity of bike and trail paths at the Discovery Center and within parks as strengths. Weaknesses he identified are poor signage for shared paths, lack of posted trail system maps, and residential areas lacking sidewalks. Commissioner Cunningham is an avid biker and loves Oakdale and Minnesota in general for the bike trails, coming from Pennsylvania without many bike trails, paths, or even shoulders on the road. She identified adding lighting and crosswalks as opportunities, along with enforcing pedestrian right of way at crosswalks. Cars are not following rules at crosswalks. Threats she identified are electric bike accidents, added traffic with new neighborhoods, bikes and traffic on Century Avenue, and having to dismount or reposition bicycles to access poorly positioned crosswalk buttons when changing direction of travel at 10th Street and Hadley and 10th Street near the library’s street light intersections. After asking commissioners to prioritize one vote per category, Specialist Reidlinger concluded that the commission has identified the following priorities: strength is the quantity of trails, weakness is the lack of residential sidewalks, opportunity is adding lighting to walking path areas, and threat is e-bike safety. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION September 20, 2022 Page 3 Goals and objectives will be drafted using the feedback given by the commission, along with the other advisory boards that have already completed the SWOT analysis (Environmental Management, Economic Development, and Planning Commissions). These goals and objectives will be refined during public engagement at the open house, pop up workshops, focus groups, and whittles down to the most important elements. These goals and objectives will be used to draft a plan reflective of the advisory bodies and public feedback at large. Specialist Reidlinger stood for questions. Commissioner Bearth pointed out that the Gateway Trail is not shown as a destination area on the density map for destinations in Oakdale. It is heavily used by bicyclists. Chair Lockhart didn’t believe the map showed trails as destinations, but a restaurant may be considered a destination. Ms. Reidlinger replied that in 2019 when the map was created, criteria for destinations included population density, among other listed criteria. The trail system was not indicated in the criteria for destinations in the analysis. Commissioner Meyer noted that where the Gold Line is planned is weighted heavily on the destination map. PARKS UPDATE – Jeff Koesling Touch a Truck – Mr. Koesling said the crew has had a busy week last week. They participated at Tuesday’s Touch a Truck, a well attendant event that enjoyed great weather. Family Fun Flatables – Over the weekend, Family Fun Flatables and the Soccer Jamboree were held together. There was steady attendance and no rain. Guthrie Park Picnic Shelter Roof Replacement – The shelter roof was tore off Monday and three corners of rot were discovered. Parks maintenance changed the boards on Tuesday, and the reroofing continued after the delay on Wednesday. On Wednesday the roof was replaced and project was completed by noon. Street Repair – The Parks Department is assisting the Streets Department with crack sealing. It takes a few extra staff to direct traffic. Public Works is preparing for winter. Fall Sports – Soccer, football, and adult leagues have been steadily busy. Cooler temperatures are coming. RECREATION UPDATE – Julie Williams Touch a Truck - Last Tuesday, over 800+ attended. The Maplewood/Oakdale Lions Club provided concessions, thank you to Commissioner Bearth. Oakdale Police sponsored the free ice cream. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION September 20, 2022 Page 4 Thanks to Public Works, Fire, and Police for bringing trucks and making the popular, appreciated community event great. Farmers Market- The market is winding down with only 4 weeks left. The last market is October 12. The market experience will continue indoors at the Discovery Center. The Indoor Market season will begin Saturday, November 12. Family Fun Flatables- Held the past Saturday from 11 AM to 4 PM at Walton Park. There were 12 total inflatables and Kidsdance performed from 12 to 3 PM. Tartan Boosters provided concessions. Shaved ice and smoothies were sold by Twin City Pita, who shared five percent of their profit with Tartan Boosters. Thanks to our sponsors, gold: Oakdale Athletic Association, silver: CCF Bank, and bronze: Parkview Chiropractic, Northstar Skate School/East Metro Stars, TruStone Financial Credit Union, and American Legion Post 39. Also, thank you to Tartan Honor Society volunteers who helped with monitoring the inflatables. Oakdale Update Newsletter – The newsletter is expected to arrive in mailboxes at the end of the week. The Communications Department has done a really great job revamping the Oakdale Update. New changes will be seen in the appearance. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Parks and Recreation this Summer – Commissioner Meyer commended Superintendents Williams and Koesling for their good job this summer and thanked them for their hard work. Oakdale Wellness 50+ - Commissioner Cunningham informed that a community listening event will be held on Saturday, Sept 24 from 1 to 3 at the Discovery Center. The listening session is in response to a survey given to people living or working in Oakdale, even those not over age 50 but may have a relative or friend in Oakdale, with the aim of improving the community through new ideas. The next event in the Be Safe and Well Series is a self-defense class on September 29 hosted by Glen Giacoletto, a licensed martial arts instructor. Previous classes included an August 18 kitchen safety, carbon monoxide, smoke detector and general fire safety class hosted by Oakdale Fire Department, and a September 15 crime prevention class hosted by the Police Chief and Sergeant Stewart that was well received. Register for these events online on the City website or by calling 651-747-3860. CITY COUNCIL UPDATE – Jake Ingebrigtson Councilmember Ingebrigtson had nothing to report and stood for questions. No questions were asked. ADJOURNMENT A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER MEYER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CUNNINGHAM TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION, DATED SEPTEMBER 20, 2022, AT 7:55 PM. 5 AYES 0 NAYS PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION September 20, 2022 Page 5 Respectfully submitted, Laura Linzmeyer MEMORANDUM TO: Christina Volkers, City Administrator FROM: Julie Williams, Recreation Superintendent DATE: November 10, 2022 SUBJECT: Monthly Update – November 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. COMMUNITY WALK RECAP The 2022 Community Walk was a success this year, running April through October. Nearly 300 walkers signed up for the program while 198 of those participants earned a gift card reward (minimum 25 miles, maximum 150). 117 walkers received the highest reward, a $25 gift card for 150 miles walked within the Nature Preserve. All participants that walked 100 miles also received a free “100 Mile Club” t-shirt from Big Frog T-shirts in Woodbury. 2. PUMPKIN CARVING CONTEST Congratulations to the following winners of our Pumpkin Carving Contest. Submissions were voted on during our Flashlight Pumpkin Hunt. See attached photo. Best: “It’s Corn” Spookiest: “The Big Apple” Bumpkin Pumpkin: “Horsey-Pig” 3. INDOOR MARKET The 10th annual Indoor Market kicks off Saturday, November 12, 9 AM to 1 PM, at the Discovery Center. We look for continued attendance from a handful of our outdoor vendors including CampSite Treats, Davis Urban Farm, and Perry Family Farms. We also welcome the return of BitMad Bakery, a favorite here in Oakdale, with a large variety of rolls, loafs, and breads! The return of market staples Ruhland Strudels, Eroc’s BBQ Rubs, and Natasha’s Pierogis will provide great meal and dinner options for all occasions. Look for holiday festivities, 20+ vendors each week, live music, and the popular raffle basket drawing each market. With cooperating weather, Taqueria Los Paisonas food truck will join us for breakfast and lunch Mexican food options. The indoor market runs select Saturdays all winter long, concluding on March 18. More information at https://www.ci.oakdale.mn.us/500/Indoor-Market 4. ART FAIR Shop unique gifts for the holidays from 24 artists on Saturday, November 19, from 10 AM to 3 PM at the Discovery Center. Those familiar with the fair will look forward to the return of the pottery, jewelry, crochet baskets, artificial floral arrangements, paintings, photography, soy candles, and wooden walking sticks made by returning vendors. New vendors will be selling crochet plushies, repurposed jewelry holiday trees, decorative lighting, and more. Live music by the 2 Sisters will take place 10 AM to 12 PM. Bring home something special while discovering the creative and inspiring work of those in your community! 5. ARTIST OF THE MONTH Friends and photographers, Jeanne Dziuk and Mary Johnson, have a full display of nature photography tastefully displayed in handmade barn wood frames. Birds in flight, owlets in the Oakdale Nature Preserve, and a dramatic Alaskan cliffside are some of the various images to be found this November in the gallery. 6. SANTAS MAILBOX Santa letter collection boxes will be placed at the Discovery Center and City Hall just after Thanksgiving. After we forward the letters to the North Pole, all children will receive a personalized letter from Santa! 7. SANTA FIRETRUCK The Recreation and Fire Department continue to partner on the annual “Santa Truck” event. A fire truck framed with lights and of course Santa will make its way down Hadley Ave on Thursday, December 8 from 6 – 7:35 p.m. The truck will begin at the North Fire Station with selected stops along the way for candy cane giveaways! 8. ICE RINK ATTENDANTS The department continues to seek applications for Ice Rink Attendants. The season typically runs mid-December through February. 9. WINTER WONDERLAND The upcoming Winter Wonderland event will be held on Saturday, December 17 from 9 AM to 1 PM. Always one of our biggest events, over 1,000 participants attended last year. Activities will include: visit with Santa, horse drawn hayrides, dogs of winter, petting zoo, candy cane hunt, bonfire with s’mores, breakfast and lunch, holiday face painting, holiday craft station, and gingerbread house contest. Partners include the Oakdale Area Chamber of Commerce and First Resource Bank.