Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission

South St. Paul Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes of May 11, 2021 The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting was called to order by Ron Morgan at 6:00 p.m. at Central Square Community Center. Members Present: Lori Miller, Cindy Bonawitz, Mike Lindamood, Ron Morgan, Cynthia Callais, Members Absent: Matthew Hamilton, Josh Regan Others Present: Joe Kaliszewski, Shannon Young, Mercedes Miklya 1. INTRODUCTIONS 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Lori Miller and second by Matthew Hamilton to approve the Minutes of May 11, 2021. 5 Yays. 0 Nays. Motion Passed. 3. OLD BUSINESS 3A. Recreation Program Updates/Pools, Seasonal Staffing, Programming Mrs. Miklya reported she is interviewing potential staff for pools (Lifeguard, Managers, Concession Stands Operators), Day Camp Counselors, and Playhouse actors. She is also hosting a Lifeguard certification class May 21, 22, 23 at Central Square. Mike Lindamood and Joe Kaliszewski suggested opening both pools just operating on separate days if there were not enough staff to fully operate both. Lori Miller mentioned she would contact some swimmers and encourage them to attend the lifeguard class. Parks and Recreation has decided to raise the lifeguard salary to $13.50 hr., Assistant Manager $15.00 hr. and Lifeguard Coordinator $16.50 hr. in hopes there will be enough applicants to staff both pools. Parks and Recreation recognizes the need and services for both facilities. All facilities around the Twin Cities are struggling to find seasonal staff. 3B. Kaposia Landing Phase 2 Construction Update – Playground Update – The construction has continued. They were delayed due to weather. This week they are digging holes and placing poles in the ground for the playground. 3C. Doug Woog Arena – Ms. Young explained Doug Woog arena successfully hosted three large tournaments (Springtastic Classic, Ted Brill Great 8, and Igloo Classic). The Lion’s Club operated the concession stand at the tournaments. Mike Lindamood mentioned concerns on the upkeep of the concession stands at Doug Woog arena. Ms. Young has been meeting with other arenas around the Twin Cities and acquiring information on how they are operated. Some clubs are operated by clubs and others by their facility. Ice time at the arena is currently getting booked by Yurchuk for 400 hours and the South St. Paul boys and girls high school hockey teams. Maintenance on rink 2 has stared. The ice is out, and the boards will be repaired and adjusted to prevent leaking. 3D. Wakota Trailhead & Overlook – FLAP Grant 2022 – Ms. Young reported that there an active RFP distributed, but no other updates at this time. Ms. Young reported the boat launch could use a new ramp. The cost is high because 6 pieces are required for the size ramps the city has down by the river. Most river ramps are half the size of South St. Paul’s. Dakota County does not recommend going to one ramp because both are so utilized. They are also researching the cost in installing a floating dock for the future. Joe Kaliszewski asked if the National Park or ReachOut could help fund the boat launches. 3E. SHIP Grant – Bryant Avenue Pedestrian Bridge Feasibility Study – No new updates 3F. Park Assignments/Visit Reports – Park Assignments were reassigned. Duties of Park Assignments: look at park, check playground equipment, look for graffiti and report back to Shannon if there is an issue. (text, email, or call if an emergency/safety hazard.) 3G. Central Square Update – Ms. Young dispersed letters from Parks and Recreation and the School District informing members that Parks and Recreation will be moving to City Hall and the School District will be taking over the Central Square Community Center. Ms. Young meets with Dave and Jeanne from School District weekly on the transition of programs, communications with members, staffing, facility logistics and equipment. They are going to move forward with fitness classes, Senior fitness, and Senior programs. Ms. Young is working on a spreadsheet for all the equipment and assets in Central Square. The School District is brainstorming on exactly what they will be doing with the facility. They are also still working out logistics with open swim at the pool. There are a lot of components to the building. Shannon has given them lists of members, programs, and explained how Parks and Recreation has facilitated Central Square as an organization and a Community Center to make for a smoother transition. Joe Kaliszewski has thanked Ms. Young for all her hard work with the transition. Ms. Young explained how important the spaces for the School District. Parks and Recreation is here to make sure the transitions move smooth. Cindy Bonawitz asked how we are moving our office supplies out of Central Square? Parks and Recreation will be hiring a moving company to move our office equipment. Cindy Bonawitz asked if the Amphitheater, playground, and land belong to the School District/ Central Square. The Park and Amphitheater belong to Central Square. 4. NEW BUSINESS - 4A. Athletic Fields - Ms. Young informed Field 24 was the last field to be redone. After Peterson inspected the field, we found out it needs a lot more work than what was budgeted. The Field renovation has been postponed until next year with the proper budget. It is not being used much this summer and will suffice until next year. 4B. Library Update -Joe Kaliszewski reported there was a meeting on May 10th about development of a new Library. The County/City of South St. Paul set a tentative budget at 6 million dollars for a new Library. All the bids they received were around 8.5 million dollars. They received blueprints and will be finalizing next week. There will be conference spaces and they will utilize all the books and resources from the old library. The new library with be on 7th Ave and Marie Ave. 7th Ave will turn into a one-way. It would have cost 11.6 million dollars to renovate the old library to county regulations. The old library will be used for community meetings. 5. OTHER BUSINESS - 5A. ADULT SOFTBALL - Lori Miller is concerned here used to be 3 leagues bronze, silver, and gold. Teams were asked to rank themselves. Some teams believe they were not placed in the proper leagues. The league has lost a lot of regular teams. This might be due to covid or could be due to changing of organizer. Something to keep in mind for August’s meeting. Unsure how the Men’s league is set up. Ms. Young is bathrooms will open this week at the Kaposia Landing. 5B. Mobil Covid Vaccine - Dakota county has a Covid Vaccine mobile truck parking outside Central Square May 17th and June 7th. Ages 12 and older. Appointment can be made online. 5C. Parks and Recreation Moving Plans - Cindy Bonawitz - What is happening with evening facility staff at Central Square? Ms. Young responded - They are having a meeting tomorrow 5/12/21. 6. ADJOURNMENT – Next Meeting: May 11, 2021 at Central Square Community Center. Respectfully submitted, Mercedes Miklya