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PRM 05/01/2017 CITY OF FRIDLEY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING – MAY 1, 2017 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Heintz called the May 1, 2017 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Greg Ackerman, Mike Heintz, Dave Kondrick, Shanna Larson Others Present: Jack Kirk, Director of Parks and Recreation Jim Kosluchar, Director of Public Works APPROVAL OF APRIL 3, 2017 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Ms.Larson, to approve the minutes of the April 3, 2017 meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON HEINTZ DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. APPROVAL OF PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA FOR MAY 1, 2017 MOTION by Mr. Ackerman, seconded by Mr. Kondrick, to approve the agenda for the May 1, 2017 meeting as submitted by staff. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON HEINTZ DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. 1. STAFF REPORT a. Program Update Mr. Kirk stated that the Program Update was included in the agenda packet to provide information on the Parks and Recreation Department programs in the past month. The publicity on the summer programs has been mailed out in the seasonal activities brochure. That will include information on summer playgrounds and the ROCKS program. Mr. Kirk further stated that the Honoring Our Vets event held at the Senior Center had 80 people attend. Mr. Kirk stated that an Eagle Scout made several bat houses and placed two at the Springbrook Nature Center. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - May 2, 2016 Page 2 b. Park Maintenance Report Mr. Kirk stated that Jeff Jensen has provided a written report of Park Maintenance activities over the past month. During the month of April, the Parks Division has been in the process of preparing all the parks and athletic fields for the summer season. Leagues are now starting, so the workers are prepping the softball, baseball and soccer fields for game play. c.Springbrook Nature Center Report Mr. Kirk stated that Mike Maher provided a written report for the Commission that is in the agenda packet. The Springbrook Nature Center is currently in the process of hiring a full time Interpretive Specialist and a part time weekend custodian. Mr. Kirk also stated that Jan Swanson will be retiring at the end of June. They will be hiring two part time receptionists to fill her role. Mr. Kirk stated that Phase II of the Spring Project has begun. Construction has started on the amphitheater and the nature based play area. Mr. Kirk stated that new bird safe glass windows have been installed in the Springbrook exhibits room. The glass replaces the original windows from the 1980 construction that were leaking in multiple locations. 2. NEW BUSINESS a. 5-Year Parks Capital Improvement Program Mr. Kirk stated that he is bringing the staff recommended Parks 5-Year Capital Improvement Program to the Parks and Recreation Commission for their consideration and input. He would like to go through the projects that are scheduled for 2018 to make sure the Commission is in agreement with the planned projects. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - May 2, 2016 Page 3 Mr. Kirk further stated that the 2017 plan calls for court surfacing and overlays at an amount of $32,000. This part of the plan is to resurface basketball courts in the park system and put in a basketball court at Commons Park. A review of the courts is done in the spring of the year and the courts in most need are then attended to. As a general rule, courts need to be recoated every three to four years in order to retain a good playing surface. Court surfacing is included each year in the CIP to keep our facilities in good condition. Mr. Kirk stated that there was $80,000 in the 2017 budget for play equipment replacements. We recommended only using $40,000 in 2017 and moving the other $40,000 into the 2018 budget to build a larger structure at Moore Lake. Mr. Kirk further stated that the 2017 plan allows for $12,000 in park furnishings. This would be replacement benches, picnic tables, picnic grills and fencing in the parks. We try to include funding for replacing park furnishings in each year of the CIP plan. Mr. Kirk stated that security cameras were installed at the Springbrook Nature Center. In the past they have been having issues with theft. Security cameras are monitoring the building, the walkway up to the building, and the parking lot. They didn’t see a need to place cameras in other parks, so the money in the budgeted for 2017 was put towards other budgets. Mr. Kirk stated that the $90,000 in the budget this year for a parking lot at Moore Lake will be moved into the budget for 2018. Mr. Kirk stated that there is $5,000 for boardwalk/bridge replacement at Springbrook Nature Center in the plan. Most of the boardwalk systems have been replaced at this point, but we have kept a small amount in for the next couple of years to do some improvements as needed to the trails and bridges. Mr. Kirk stated that they have placed $300,000 in the Springbrook Phase II budget for 2018. That is acting as a placeholder for a new picnic pavilion, and that will only be built if the Foundation raises enough money. Mr. Ackerman asked if the $360,000 for 2017 has been raised Mr. Kirk stated that the money had been raised. That money was used for the amphitheater and play area. Mr. Kirk further stated that future projects and improvements for 2019-2022 will include an additional parking lot at Moore Lake, new play equipment in the parks, picnic pavilions, and court surfacing. Mr. Ackerman asked why the Local Government Aid is increasing from $20,000 to $125,000 for the next 5 years. Mr. Kirk stated that currently money from the Local Government Aid is going into the general fund. The projection is based on our needs and that we need money coming in to complete projects. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - May 2, 2016 Page 4 MOTION by Mr. Ackerman, seconded by Mr. Kondrick to approve the staff recommended Parks 5-Year Capital Improvement Program plan as presented to the Commission. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON HEINTZ DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - May 2, 2016 Page 5 b. Park Plaza Discussion Mr. Kosluchar stated that the initial detour route for the Regional Trail directed traffic to Mississippi Street. They immediately noted safety concerns with users entering the construction zone. As construction was ramping up and the larger equipment on site, we knew that it would be a safety issue. Mr. Kosluchar further stated that the safety issue was mitigated by having Met Council install a path at Plaza Park. They installed a 10 foot wide shared path, accommodating 2-way traffic for pedestrians and cyclists. Mr. Kosluchar stated that while this trail was installed to address a temporary safety problem during construction prior to removing it, it would be good to consider whether there is value in keeping it. Mainly for neighborhood access and not for the Regional Trail. Mr. Kosluchar stated that due to the concerns about a potential vehicular use they installed a camera and monitored the trail for 48 days. In the 48 days there were over 1,000 trips between bikes and pedestrians. They also recorded two vehicles and both were Fridley Police Cars. Mr. Kosluchar stated that a number of the users appeared to be local neighborhood users. st Mr. Kosluchar further stated that the Regional Trail is anticipated to reopen by June 1, and there will be a projected reduction in users. We recommend not removing the trail and potential amenity to the neighborhood before assessing it more. It may take time because the trail is not yet open and the use of this trail may change after the trail opens. Mr. Heintz asked the commission if they had any questions before we open it up to the residents st Ms. Larson asked if the potential re-opening date was June 1. st Mr. Kirk responded that they expect the trail to be fully operational by June 1. Ms. Larson stated to Mr. Kosluchar that you said the recommendation is to leave the trail open st past June 1 to assess the use. How many days do you think that will take? Mr. Kosluchar stated that they would like to collect data for 30 days in the summer. Mr. Heintz opens up the meeting for comments and questions from the public th Tony Krall- 194 69 Ave N.E Mr. Krall stated that when the project first started he was told that everything would be restored as it was before. Thus, the west side of Plaza Park would have the fence restored with one small 4-5 foot entry next to the half-court basketball area for people from the west side of the tracks to walk through. Also, one of the engineers told us that he has pictures of the way the area looked before and will replace the fence as it was before. There is no need for the blacktop path to be there. Mr. Krall stated that to deter any vehicles from entering the south side of the park he would like to see the Split-Rail Fence put back up. Mr. Krall further stated that he would like to see the path replaced with sod or grass. th Bev Krall- 194 69 Ave N.E Ms. Krall stated that if the fence on the west side was put back up then there would only be one entry and that would be a 4-5 foot entrance on the North side, and you wouldn’t have an entrance where you put the blacktop. Mr. Heintz stated that we have options, and if we did put an entrance from the Regional Trail that it would be restricted access. Ms. Krall stated that they told us the fence would be replaced as it was before and the only opening would be on the north side. If people are walking on the Regional Trail they don’t need two ways to come in to Plaza Park. Ms. Larson asked who told you the fence would be put back up Ms. Krall stated that’s what the engineers from Met Council said. Ms. Krall further stated that Met Council told residents that they didn’t even need the blacktop path. th Jan Traczyk- 191 69 Ave N.E Ms. Traczyk stated that she has been living in the neighborhood for 54 years, and that it has been a beautiful and quiet park until last year when we had several of cyclists and walkers. I hope we get back to our nice and quiet park without the asphalt. didn’t sign in Clinton Olson- Mr. Olson stated that since the blacktop path has been put in that his car has been broken into, and that it hadn’t happened before. It’s bringing in a lot of people from all over. Mr. Olson further stated that at night when he looks out his windows that he can see people looking into cars on the street. th Ed Murzyn- 249 69 Ave N.E Mr. Murzyn stated that he is an avid cyclist and he is also in agreement with the neighborhood residents in that the trail should be taken out. Mr. Murzyn further stated that he believes that putting up signs to let people know that the Regional Trail is now open would really help. Mr. Murzyn asked Mr. Kirk if he has looked into an ADA compliances. Mr. Kirk stated that we have looked into it. We have 28 parks with play equipment and 25 of them have an ADA path. Leaving part or all of the path was a consideration to comply with ADA regulations. The path would allow the neighborhood residents to get close to the play equipment. Mr. Kirk further stated that in our Park Capital Improvement Plan, over the next 10-15 years we will be replacing a lot of playground equipment. We will have strict guidelines that need to have a certain number of accessible play equipment for everyone, and as you see the new equipment you will also see a path to the equipment. Ms. Larson stated that she was sorry that Mr. Olson’s car was broken into and was wondering what fears he has after construction is complete and signs are posted. Mr. Olson stated that was concerned that more people will come into the neighborhood, because the path from the trail makes the neighborhood easy to get in and out of. Mr. Heintz suggested closing off the west entrance and leaving the blacktop path from the street to the play equipment and then putting in grass and a fence. Mr. Kirk stated that we would have to modify the current path, but before we tore it out we wanted the commission to understand that we won’t have a choice and we will have to put in an ADA path at the park. Does it make sense to leave it and make modifications so you don’t have bikers going through. Mr. Kirk further stated that once the trail opens that he doesn’t believe bikers or walkers will cut through the neighborhood. Mr. Krall asked what environmentalists are saying about all the asphalt at the park. Mr. Kirk stated that most of us would like to see green and we don’t want to see asphalt everywhere, but you have to comply with the ADA. Mr. Kirk further stated that the path doesn’t need to be 10 feet wide, but we have to provide access. Mr. Kosluchar stated that 5 feet is the minimum requirement. Ms. Larson stated that any ADA change that has to be made to the park will be significant. Mr. Heintz stated that the path is currently accessible for wheelchairs and scooters to get to the play equipment. Mr. Kirk asked if anyone from the neighborhood used the path to gain access to the Regional Trail Mr. Kirk further stated that maybe a small opening on the west side is all we need. Ms. Krall stated that the opening that was there before construction started was just fine. People could walk through and they came from the other side of the street. Mr. Kondrick stated that he has seen people come up from Sylvan Hills to enjoy the park. Mr. Heintz stated having the path from the street to the playground equipment is a good compromise. Mr. Kirk stated that he agreed Mr. Heintz stated that most of the grass will be replaced and the path will be cut down to the ADA required size and will be prepared for when new playground equipment is installed. Ms. Krall asked why the blacktop path can’t be taken out completely Mr. Heintz stated that leaving grass isn’t ADA compliant. Mr. Krall stated that they could enter on the north side of the park and eliminate the path completely. The opening is on the north side, so that’s where the path should go. Mr. Heintz asked if they wanted the asphalt on the north side Ms. Krall stated they don’t want asphalt anywhere, they want grass. Ms. Larson stated that unfortunately we can’t keep it grass, so inevitably it’s going to be asphalt. Mr. Krall stated he would like to see the path completely taken out and put on the north side, because there is already an opening. Ms. Larson stated that in 16 years someone will move into your neighborhood and they are going to be handicapped, and they will want to use the park in their neighborhood. They will want access to the trail and it is our responsibility to make sure they have the ability since this is a City funded park. Ms. Larson further stated that since there is already a path that we could just leave it. What you are saying is that you want grass, so we have to find a middle ground to make sure it’s accessible. Ms. Larson asked how can we help you feel better about this, but when the time comes we are not spending extra money to make sure that it’s still accessible for everyone. Ms. Krall stated that she suggested putting the blacktop path narrowly on the north side. th Heidi Olson- 218 96 Ave N.E Ms. Olson stated that we should look into if the path is ADA compliant, because the path doesn’t reach the basketball court and their access is limited. Mr. Kirk stated that there are people that would urge us to make a path to every feature in the park. Mr. Kirk further stated that right now we are trying to get access to the playground. Mr. Heintz stated that we are trying to limit the amount of tar right now. Mr. Kirk stated we have a limited budget and putting in paths aren’t cheap. We are trying to meet the ADA requirements to the play equipment. Mr. Heintz stated that if we cut the path down to 5 feet like ADA requires, and put up a fence. It will be the same as it was before construction, except you will have a path going to the play equipment. Ms. Krall asked if there would be access to the Regional Trail Mr. Kosluchar asked why it mattered what side the opening was on Ms. Krall stated that there wasn’t an opening before and we don’t want an opening on that side Mr. Kosluchar stated that Met Council will do what the City decides is best. We can have them close off the other opening. Mr. Kirk stated that his recommendation is to wait until the Regional Trail opens and see what kind of use there is. Once the Regional Trail is open I don’t think people would go off the trail and go through the neighborhood. Mr. Krall stated that if they went through the neighborhood it acts as a shortcut. Mr. Kirk stated that we have cameras and we can monitor the traffic on the path and see any potential issues. Then the commission’s decision is going to be to take out the path completely or leave a portion for ADA accessibility. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Ms. Larson, seconded by Mr. Ackerman to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 p.m. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON HEINTZ DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE MAY 1, 2017 MEETING ADJOURNED.