PRM 02/03/2020
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Fridley Municipal Center
7071 University Ave NE, Fridley MN 55432
MINUTES
February 3, 2020
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Heintz was absent. Vice Chair, Shanna Larson called the Parks and
Recreation Commission meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
Members present: Dave Kondrick, Shanna Larson, Ryan Gerhard, EB Graham, and Pete
Borman
Members absent: Mike Heintz
Others Present: Jeff Jensen, Operations Manager (Parks, Streets and Facilities), Mike
Maher (Director of Springbrook Nature Center), Stephen Eggert (Councilmember),
Jen Graham (Recreation Coordinator), and Deborah Dahl (Director of Community
Services and Employee Resources)
2. APPROVE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA FOR FEB. 3, 2020
Vice Chairperson Larson called for a motion to adopt the agenda for the February 3,
2020 meeting agenda. Mr. Kondrick made the MOTION to adopt the agenda,
SECONDED by Ms. EB Graham. The MOTION PASSED unanimously.
3. APPROVE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FOR JAN. 6, 2020
Vice Chairperson Larson called for a motion to adopt the minutes from the January
6, 2020 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting. Mr. Kondrick made the MOTION
to approve the minutes as submitted. Ms. EB Graham SECONDED the MOTION. The
MOTION PASSED unanimously.
4. NEW BUSINESS/ACTION ITEMS:
a. Introduction of Jen Graham, Recreation Coordinator
Ms. Dahl introduced Jen Graham who started about a month ago and will
coordinate the existing programs and bring new, exciting activities to the
department. Ms. Graham talked about her background and said she would be
working on recreation programming and helping to bring in some new and
FEB3.meetingminutes.docx
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exciting things. Members took a few minutes and introduced themselves to Ms.
Graham.
b. Recording Secretary To Be Added
Ms. Dahl reported that the City Council and City Manager, Wally Wysopal, are
working to provide support for Commissions by supplying recording secretary
assistance in hopes to provide a more efficient and consistent processes. Krista
Peterson will be attending meetings and compiling meeting minutes going
forward. Ms. Dahl said that the minutes will be in a summarized with less detail.
There are plans in the future to provide Commissions with some additional training
and support on parliamentary procedures as well.
c. Public Disclosure Forms were collected from members for the City Clerk.
d. Parks Master Plan Update:
Mr. Jensen and Ms. Dahl presented an update on the Parks Master Plan:
Finding Your Fun in Fridley was launched in the Summer of 2018. In the Spring
of 2019 staff solicited feedback from on-line surveys and worked with
Community Engagement Consultants to host public workshops and gather
additional feedback, including introducing an interactive map/survey to the
public. In the Fall of 2019 staff researched, gathered data, created and designs
along with park-by-park assessments collected by staff. The design firm of HKGi
was hired this winter to assist with design concepts and estimations.
Ms. Dahl said that staff would like to get the Park & Rec Commission’s feedback
on the designs and concepts for the three larger signature parks and discuss the
next steps.
The Master Plan divides the 38 parks into categories of Mini Parks,
Neighborhood Parks, Special Use Facilities and Community (Signature) Parks.
Improving the 38 parks will take time and funding. Staff is suggested starting
with a 10-year plan, but if the cost is larger than anticipated it may be a 15-year
plan. Contractors may be hired to do much of the reconstruction since it is
currently difficult for staff to keep up with just the park maintenance.
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Design themes and concepts were covered for the three larger signature parks
were presented by Jeff Jensen.
o Commons Park – located in a central location, improved play-based
equipment, water play (splash pad using recycled water), new basketball
court, high-quality play equipment and rentable space for parties and
events.
o Moore Lake, the “Gateway to the City” – good trail access, improved water
access and recreational activities (kayak, paddle board, updated fishing
areas, preserving volleyball courts and update on the beach area), improved
play-based equipment, improved amenities (walking loops, signage,
benches, picnic areas, natural area for fishing and bird watching, off-leash
dog park). Water quality issues will be addressed in the report as well.
o Community Park – Connect with Civic Campus, create a stronger sense of a
town center and community gathering space, consider an overpass or
tunnel over/under Highway 65, multi-fields use (more soccer), improved
amenities for passive use, trail around perimeter, lighted skating rink (rental
or free use of skates), fire pit, and incorporate landscaping, botanical
gardens, community gardens and/or edible orchards.
Mr. Jensen said that his recommendation would be to complete 3-4
neighborhood parks a year along with a larger signature park.
Commissioners asked if the links to the plans could be e-mailed to
commissioners. Ms. Dahl said she would be able to send those out.
This master plan is still in a draft form. The next steps include finalizing general
concepts and estimates, identifying revenue sources, creating an
implementation plan (park by park), including the report adopted by the
Commission and Council, setting up community engagement sessions and
soliciting additional feedback. It is hoped to finalize the report and
implementation plan with feedback from the public and then launch the plan
with the 2021 budget.
Once a budget is created, staff will look for areas where to get revenues by
outreaching to community partners or looking for grants that may be available.
Concessions would also bring in money along with renting facilities out for
events.
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If the Commission has any additional comments or ideas to incorporate into the
plan, they should email staff.
e. Twin City Gateway and Proposed Tournaments
USA Softball Tournament is coming to Fridley the Friday/Saturday of the 49’er Days
and the Lions have agreed to do concessions.
Also, a National Girls Fast Pitch Softball Tournament (Ages 14+) will be hosted in
Fridley. They will be bringing 32-40 teams and a fair amount of external businesses
for this event. There will be an opening ceremony, parade and souvenir shop.
Twin City Gateway has done a good job at getting the word out that Fridley is a
great place for tournaments. This is great recognition for the City of Fridley.
f. Connecting Fridley Events
Three neighborhood events called “Connecting Fridley” were created to get the
community out to the parks. Dates were mentioned in the agenda packet. The
Community Development Department and Recycling program will be present at
the event, along with representatives from other departments.
g. Event Vehicle
Staff showed pictures of the fire rescue truck that is no longer in use and has been
painted white, which will be used as a “Recreation on the Go” vehicle for events
and activities. A question came up to see if it could also be rented out for block or
birthday parties. Staff will look into it.
5. STAFF REPORTS:
a. Mike Maher and Jeff Jensen provided an update on the Pavilion at Springbrook,
stating the work is almost complete. Commissioners were informed that a grand
opening will be held on May 28 and encouraged to attend. More information and
invites to be out soon.
b. Ms. Graham provided a report on Winterfest, stating the event was well-attended
(350-400) despite the extremely cold weather. She said that many positive
comments were shared that it was great having the event at the Nature Center.
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c. Mr. Maher updated the commission members that the deer management plan is
progressing. Further information will be provided to members once final plans are
in place.
6. OTHER:
No other business was considered.
7. ADJOURNMENT:
Mr. Kondrick made the MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m., SECONDED by
Ms. Graham. The MOTION PASSED unanimously.
Minutes prepared and submitted By Krista Johnson, Recording Secretary
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