Park & Recreation Commission

Watertown Park Commission Meeting DeAnna Clemens Terry Gallagher Danette Painschab Joel Skoog Brad Kipp Brian Lonquist Adam Pawelk 9/21/2022 - Minutes 1. Call To Order And Roll Call Park Commission Chair Danette Painschab called the Watertown Park Commission meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 21, 2022 in the Council Chambers of City Hall. Park Commission members present: Danette Painschab, DeAnna Clemens, Brad Kipp, Brian Lonquist, Joel Skoog, and Jack Lynch. Staff members present: City Administrator Jake Foster and Administrative Assistant/Permit Technician Kimberly Block Park Commission Member Absent: Terry Gallagher LONQUIST MOVED TO ADOPT THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. CLEMENS SECONDED. MOTION PASSED 6-0 (JOEL SKOOG ABSENT FOR VOTE). 2. New Business 2.A. Meeting Minutes - August 17, 2022 KIPP MOVED TO ADOPT THE AUGUST 17, 2022 MEETING MINUTES AS PRESENTED. CLEMENS SECONDED. MOTION PASSED 6-0. (Joel Skoog absent for vote). 2.B. Highland Park Master Plan City Administrator, Foster, presented the list of items for the Highland Park Master Plan. Foster suggested going over each item from highest priority to lowest priority asking for feedback on each one of the items. Once the list has been finalized it will be presented to the City Council and will be used for CPI moving forward. Foster did invite the Lions club to the meeting, but they were unable to attend the meeting. Foster will meeting with them at a later date to go over the this list, Councilman Pawelk mentioned it was the councils suggestions for Foster to reach out to the Lions Club. The two items with the * on the list are included in the 20023 CPI already. Prioritized list of Master Plan Projects the meeting. Foster will meeting with them at a later date to go over the this list, Councilman Pawelk mentioned it was the councils suggestions for Foster to reach out to the Lions Club. The two items with the * on the list are included in the 20023 CPI already. Prioritized list of Master Plan Projects Priority 1 (Immediate need) SKOOG ENTERED MEETING AT 6:49 PM l (4) Replace and extend decorative fencing by playground and parking lot (2023??) Foster suggested this might be a lower priority since there is a existing fence already in place. Kipp concern is the safety issue of balls being hit into the passing street. Councilman Pawelk stated the public was concerned the fence would be removed and not replaced or put up again. There is some concern regarding the public using the playground and limiting the access between the two areas. Lonquist clarified this is the 4-5 foot chain-link fence with the rope fence between it that was being discussed and it will be replaced with a more decorative iron fence to match the fencing used in other areas along Highway 25. Clemens and Painschab are both concerned about waiting due to the safety issues. Foster talked to Tom with the MN Ametuer Baseball Association regarding the items on the list. The Association would be fine with putting up a temporary fence as needed. The commission agreed they would like to keep this on the 2023 list. l (20) Batter’s eye screen* (at lower cost) - Foster stated this is a high priority for the ball clubs and he will keep it on the 2023 unless the commission feels otherwise. There was no discussion so this item will stay on the 2023 list. l (6) Fencing with ticket gates/controlled access (needs to be further vetted) - There was discussion on adding these fences will make it harder for the public to go between the park and the playground. After some discussion this item will be moved to the Priority 2 list to be further reviewed. l (7) Upgrade existing bathrooms* (12) Upgrade press boxes* (7 and 12 are a joint project) - Painschab agreed the bathrooms needs to be done. Foster stated this will be especially need to be done to attract the public to use the park and to have tournaments at the park. l (9) Upgrade PA system (2023??) (at much lower cost) - The commission all agreed they are concerned about the price and would like to see it possibly closer to $26,000. The commission would like the current system being evaluated by professionals to get a better look at what exactly needs to be replaced and the cost. The commission suggested the City staff to work with vendors and to get some quotes and for Foster to reach out to the High School to obtain the name of the company who installed the new PA system on the football field. l (16) Fencing/screening upgrade for foul balls - Foster stated this will be a higher fence with a net on top of the fence for safety reasons this needs to be a priority to be done. The MN Amatuer Baseball Association stated the public needs access to the bull pen/3rd baseline prior to the park being about to host any tournaments. The association is also concerned about the safety issues of not having these upgrades. Foster stated items 4, 20, 7, and 16 could possibly be done prior to the 2023 season or during the season depending on when the selected vendors would be able to have the project done. Priority 2 (Short-term but not immediate need) l (2) Trail connection to TH 25 - Foster stated this could be done in connection to other trail projects possibly. Clemens questioned if this would be concrete or asphalt, Foster stated it could possibly be either one depending on what is decided at the time of project. Priority 3 (Longer term, less essential) l (1) Redo Lion’s shed near playground - Foster reported this would be within possibly the next 10 years, the shelter could be replaced with a similar structure, there has not been any discussion regarding this item yet. l (10) ADA Accessible field - Foster reported there maybe some funding/grants available for these upgrades possibly the Twins Fund. This item will be looked at more as the funding becomes available. l (13) Resurface existing parking lot (will be combined with another mill and overlay project) - Foster reported Eventually this will need to be done but at this time it is fine.  10 years, the shelter could be replaced with a similar structure, there has not been any discussion regarding this item yet. l (10) ADA Accessible field - Foster reported there maybe some funding/grants available for these upgrades possibly the Twins Fund. This item will be looked at more as the funding becomes available. l (13) Resurface existing parking lot (will be combined with another mill and overlay project) - Foster reported Eventually this will need to be done but at this time it is fine. l (19) Replace scoreboard - Foster reported Eventually this will need to be done but at this time it is working fine. Painschab stated this item could be move up as a higher priority fi Priority 4 (Very long term or nonessential) l (5) Fan deck/additional seating - Foster reported the fan deck has been removed to safety concerns, but there are possibilities of adding more areas for the public to bring their lawn chairs to enjoy a game. l (18) Upgrade existing lighting to LED - Foster reported the light are working fine currently and people like the "old school" feel the current lights give the park. This item could always be moved up in priority as the need arises. Items removed from consideration l (14) Upgrade Lion’s shelter – Electric to be considered outside of Master Plan - Foster reported there are not immediate plans for this as there are only a limited number of people using this shelter. l (17) Outfield drainage issues – more information on what City involvement needs to be (potentially handled by field users - Foster reported staff is not positive what improves are needed at this time. It was suggested Mike could talk with the baseball association to get a clear picture on the matter. This project could be a operational project with Mike and his staff overseeing the project and utilizing the baseball members who wish to volunteer their services for this project. l (21) Overflow turf parking lot area (no work needed) Completed l (8) Run power/lighting to flag poles (relocated to behind the centerfield fence) 3. Updates From Staff Foster updated the commission, staff is currently busy working on the 2023 budget and will be discussing this matter further next Tuesday at the City Council meeting. Foster also introduced the new City of Watertown employee Kimberly Block the new Administrative Assistant/Permit Technician. 4. Adjournment SKOOG MOVED TO ADJORN THE MEETING AT 7:13 PM. LYNCH SECONDED. MOTION PASSED 7- 0. __________________________________________________________ Chairperson; Danette Painschab __________________________________________________________ City Administrator; Jake Foster The Park Commission is scheduled to meet again on Thursday, October 20, 2022. City Administrator; Jake Foster The Park Commission is scheduled to meet again on Thursday, October 20, 2022.