Parks & Natural Resources Commission

City of Woodbury Woodbury City Hall 8301 Valley Creek Road Woodbury, MN 55125 651-714-3583 Minutes of Parks and Natural Resources Commission Regular Meeting Tuesday, May 4, 2021 Commission Members Present: Arin Kurttila Co-chair, Bruce Montgomery, Deborah Musser, Rachel Nelson, Benjamin Sayers Commission Member(s) Absent: Timothy Brewington, II, Karin Freymann Commission Member Virtual: Greta Bjerkness, Chair, Isaac Eikenberry Councilmember Present: Kimberly Wilson Staff Present: Michelle Okada, Parks and Recreation Director Belinda Reed, Administrative Assistant Reed Smidt, Recreation Manager Staff Virtual: Jodi Sauro, Parks and Recreation Coordinator Robert James, Information & Communications Technology Director Ben Strobach, IT Manager Call to Order Chair Bjerkness called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Open Forum None Action Items A. April 6, 2021, Parks and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes Chair Bjerkness asked for the approval of the Minutes of the April 6, 2021, meeting of the Parks and Natural Resources Commission. Motion: Moved by Commissioner Montgomery, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to approve the April 6, 2021, Parks and Natural Resources Commission Minutes. Vote: In favor All In-person and/or Virtual Against None Absent Commissioners Brewington, Freymann B. Recreation Facility Used and Access Fee Update – Memorandum No. 21 - 10 Ms. Okada noted that in follow-up to the April meeting presentation, Recreation Manager, Reed Smidt, would be providing the Commission with updates. Parks and Natural Resources Commission Minutes May 4, 2021 Page 2 Mr. Smidt noted that at the April PNRC meeting, two recreation revenue opportunities were discussed: vehicle access fees at Carver Lake Park and Priority III Athletic Association user Group and facility access fees for those groups. The Commission raised concerns about access fees being proposed at the same time as the proposed franchise fees. Staff took the PNRC feedback and concerns voiced, including the timing of the franchise fees and recreation revenue opportunity fee that were discussed at the April PNRC meeting. Staff agreed that the timing was not the best to move forward with proposed access fees resulting in the access fees being put on hold, to be considered at a later date. Ms. Okada noted that during the City Council’s budget workshop meeting held in September of every year, access fee discussion is generally something that comes up and staff will likely receive direction from the Council at that time. A discussion took place with regard to the priority designations as outlined in the Outdoor Athletic Facility Use Policy: I. City of Woodbury programs; II. Public and Private Schools, III. Woodbury- based Youth Non-Profit Organization (80 percent resident requirement); IV. Youth and Adult Woodbury Resident Groups; and V. Non-resident Groups. Ms. Okada noted that last year the City Council revisited field access fees when reviewing the heavy use and expense of field use. Also, recognizing that Carver Lake Park and beach have become a regional draw with heavy usage, staff was asked to evaluate revenue opportunities and generate revenue within a balance, while continuing to offer recreation opportunities with no specific deficit identified. C. Review 2022-2026 CIP and Annual Project Plan – Memorandum No. 21 - 11 Ms. Okada noted staff presented the 2022-2026 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) at the City Council workshop on April 21, 2021, during which time the Council provided initial direction to staff to fine tune the plan prior to the City Council’s formal adoption of the plan scheduled at the May 12, 2021, City Council meeting. Ms. Okada noted that, as outlined in the memorandum, the CIP is a planning document with no expenditure authorized until the capital project or equipment is placed in the annual budget for appropriation authorization. Ms. Okada highlighted the higher level parks and trails system related projects listed in the CIP over the five-year period: 2022-2026, which projects are funded primarily through the Capital Improvement, Parks and Trails Replacement, Park Dedication Fund and Enterprise funds: Eagle Valley Golf Course (EVGC) and HealthEast Sports Center (HSC) A discussion took place with regard to the Park Dedication Fund, which is regulated by state statute and which is used by most cities. It was noted that Woodbury charges a flat rate of $3,500 per residential unit and $6,000/acre for non-residential. A discussion took place as to how the city might look after full development. Ms. Okada noted that as the city ages, there is a balance with redevelopment as trends change, products change as well as neighborhoods. A suggestion was made that as the city continues to grow and prepare for redevelopment, that policies be considered to address and prevent gentrification. Ms. Okada noted that the city has Parks and Natural Resources Commission Minutes May 4, 2021 Page 3 started to plan and prepare for redevelopment of parks in some of the more mature areas of the city. DEI is a priority in many areas, particularly policy development and currently, there is a multi- cultural advisory Commission that supports the Public Safety Department. Chair Bjerkness asked for the approval of the 2022-2026 Parks and Trails System Capital Improvement Projects Proposed for Funding from the Capital Improvement, Community Investment, Parks and Trails Replacement, Park Dedication and Enterprise Funds – Memorandum No. 21 - 11. Motion: Moved by Commissioner Kurttila, seconded by Commissioner Montgomery, to approve the 2022-2026 Parks and Trails System Capital Improvement Projects Proposed for Funding from the Capital Improvement, Community Investment, Parks and Trails Replacement, Park Dedication and Enterprise Funds – Memorandum No. 21 - 11. Vote: In favor All In-person and/or Virtual Against None Absent Commissioners Brewington, Freymann D. Discussion Items Ms. Okada highlighted those projects with updates. Valley Creek Park – Ms. Okada noted that the bids came back very favorable. The project is moving forward with Council letters prepared for the May 26, Council meeting, for approval of the bid contracts, including the Memorandum of Understanding with the Woodbury Heritage Society, which includes their donation and their partnership in moving forward with the Miller Barn as well as additional items they want to do in the park, and the formal amendment for the date extension and final project scope for the Minnesota Historical Society Legacy Grant. Summerlin and Fair Haven Parks– Ms. Okada noted that a consultant is being brought on to prepare final bid and package it, combining both projects for cost efficiency, process for bid and construction administration and planning for construction to start late July. As reviewed by PNRC in February, a parking lot is not included with the park design at Fair Haven Park. There are three trail entrances to the park and space is lined up well for bike and pedestrian access, with limited need for vehicle access. Due to the requirements for stormwater infrastructure and the cost of the entrance road and parking lot, these components will not be constructed with this phase of the project. A letter will be going out to the neighboring homes with this latest information. Staff will monitor the need for an entrance road and parking lot and consider adding these components in a future year if the park use can justify the additional infrastructure. Briarcroft and Highcroft Parks – Mr. Smidt noted that staff is working with consultants to develop concept plans for both parks resulting in cost savings by bidding both parks together; Highcroft is a neighborhood interior park while Briarcroft is close in proximity. Briarcroft was described as the larger park. Staff will be working with the development to the east to possibly add a park access road and parking lot to service Briarcroft Park. If the park access and parking lot area are possible and due to the size of the park space, ballfields, courts and a playground could be included in the concept plan. Parks and Natural Resources Commission Minutes May 4, 2021 Page 4 It was suggested that staff provide a park location map to aid in park discussions. E. Monthly Update – Memorandum No. 21 – 12 Mr. Smidt noted that Recreation staff is excited about summer programming and the registration has been good going into the spring/summer months. Ms. Okada noted that the city is planning a fireworks display for the 4th of July at HSC. Staff will be reaching out to food trucks to be located in the parking lots at the complex so people can purchase food and then find green space at the complex to enjoy the fireworks display. Council Report – Councilmember Wilson Ms. Wilson noted that franchise fee virtual listening sessions, with the City Council, have been scheduled for May 6, 10 and 11. The next Council meeting is scheduled for May 12, at 7:30 p.m. and a workshop on May 19, at 6:30 p.m. to be held at Ojibway Park. Announcements/Miscellaneous Ms. Okada provided the franchise fee listening session schedule: Parks and Trails Replacement Fund Listening Sessions  Thursday, May 6, 10-11 a.m.  Thursday, May 6, 7-8 p.m.  Monday, May 10, 10:30-11:30 a.m. - Business Community  Tuesday, May 11, 3:30-4:30 p.m. - Non-taxable Properties Ms. Okada inquired if the Commissioners would like to tour any parks and/or open spaces prior to the monthly meetings scheduled for June, July, August, September and October. As in past years, the Commissioners would join staff at a park site at 6 p.m. for a tour, and then proceed to City Hall for the scheduled 7 p.m. monthly meeting. It was noted that attendance would be optional. The Commissioners voiced their interest in attending such tours. It was suggested that La Lake and Turnberry parks might be possible venues. Briarcroft Park was selected as the first tour to be scheduled prior to the June 1, monthly meeting with directions and time to be provided in the PNRC June 1, meeting packet. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Belinda Reed ________________________________ Belinda Reed Administrative Assistant Approved by the Parks and Natural Resources Commission on June 1, 2021.