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PRM 10/05/2020 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Fridley Municipal Center 7071 University Ave NE, Fridley MN 55432 MINUTES October 5, 2020 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Heinz called the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Mike Heintz, Shanna Larson, David Kondrick, EB Graham, Peter Borman, and Ryan Gerhard Others Present: Mike Maher, Springbrook Nature Center Director and Deborah Dahl, Director of Community Services and Employee Resources 2. APPROVE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA FOR October 5, 2020 MOTION by Commissioner Kondrick to APPROVE the October 5, 2020 meeting agenda. SECONDED by Commissioner Larson. The MOTION PASSED unanimously. 3. APPROVE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FOR September8, 2020 MOTION by Commissioner Kondrick to APPROVE the September 8, 2020 meeting minutes. SECONDED by Commissioner Graham. The MOTION PASSED unanimously. 4. NEW BUSINESS/ACTION ITEMS: a. Meeting Dates Proposed for 2021 The commission reviewed the proposed meeting schedule for 2021. Typically, the Commission does not meet in July. Since the first Monday in September falls on Labor Day, the meeting is moved to Tuesday, Sepptember7th. The Commission did not determine if the December is to be held. A MOTION was made by Commissioner Kondrick to approve the meeting dates for 2021, SECONDED by Commissioner Borman. The MOTION PASSED unanimously. b. Locke Park Playground update 1 Ms. Dahl reported the status of the Locke Park playground, stating the project is close to being completed. She described the playground and showed the Commission a few pictures. She reported the playground equipment is installed, and the cement boarder is completed. This playground will be ADA compliant. All ground surfaces around the playground, trail work, plantings, signage and the parking lot is yet to be completed. She reported that while most will be completed still this year and useable, some items will be finished next spring. Staff is not certain if there will be an opening event due to the pandemic and will decide next year when the project is complete. c. Fall Field Utilization Update Ms. Dahl summarized the use of the athletic fields and reservations are down this year, due to COVID. No tournaments were scheduled. Commissioner Kondrick asked if other communities had the same problem because we get some revenue from use of the fields for tournaments. Ms. Dahl responded that she has heard it is the same for many communities. She said the City has determined that revenue is down 90% from program fees and rentals, stating that $8,000 is generated for shelter rentals and $10,000 field rentals. She said that staff is working on strategies for 2021 and it is still uncertain what next year will bring if the pandemic continues. When staff spot checked field use this summer, most of those interviewed said they were from Fridley. One group was from St. Paul, but they could have been connecting with someone from Fridley. Ms. Dahl said that there is no regular practice of surveying or monitoring park and field use after hours due to limited staff resources but would appreciate the Commission’s feedback and welcomed any ideas to consider. d. Craig Park drainage Ms. Dahl described a project at Craig Park has been identified as a high priority for improvements due to significant flooding issues. She provided a link to the project in the packet (link: www.FridleyMN.Gov/CraigPark ) Commissioner Kondrick provided some background and said this park is an issue because a lot of water comes in from the street into the park, especially in the spring. The tennis court also has had issues with water and the problems need to be resolved. 2 Ms. Dahl replied that staff will be working on this with a consulting firm to address these issues and provide recommendations. Updates may be highlighted in the parks master plan. Environmental Planner Rachel Workin may attend the next meeting to update us on a few projects she is working on and some related to this park. e. Anoka County Parks Video Debbie Dahl said that Anoka County Parks put together a short video highlighting the four Anoka County parks located in Fridley and encouraged the Commission to check it out. The video can be found on the City’s website. f. Caribou Coffee Sponsorship and Donation for SNC Ms. Dahl said that the Caribou Coffee Cabin across from Sam’s Club had their opening and offered to donate $1 for every purchase made during opening weekend (up to $1,000) to the Springbrook Nature Center. Ms. Dahl will provide an update when more information becomes available. g. Parks Master Plan Update Ms. Dahl said that the City is moving ahead with the next phase of the parks plan by hiring a consultant to help with engineering and design work. Three firms were interviewed and WSB was chosen. WSB was the preferred choice of the staff and have recently worked on projects in New Brighton, Edina and Minnetonka, among others. WSB will be develop the detailed written plan, which will include engineering and design concepts, financial strategies, and a public engagement plan. The plan will likely be available by end of April/May of 2021, which will to fit into the CIP and City budget timelines. Ms. Dahl stated that the early estimates of the master plan was projected to cost approximately $42M and take 10 years. The plan will also provide data from a survey that will go out to the public to capture feedback from the community about the plan and funding options. h. Addressing Homeless Encampments Ms. Dahl reported that Fridley has experienced homeless encampments back in July at Moore Lake, Locke County Park and at Springbrook Nature Center. This issue has been addressed with the public safety department. 3 Mr. Maher added that the last two weeks the Nature Center has experienced increased activity and the public safety department has been responsive. Commissioner Borman noticed up and down the river there are people setting up along the riverbank. Ms. Dahl said that staff have been assigned to this project and offered their approach to be educational, compassionate, and provide notice with time to vacate. There have not been reports of violence and when tents are abandoned or vacant, the police are leaving resources and a notice to vacate within a deadline of a few days. Specialized cleanup is required since there may be hazardous materials, which also requires proper disposal. Commissioner Larson noted that this is an additional expense on the City’s budget. Ms. Dahl said that they will continue to keep an eye on this and try to find a balance on how to manage this issue. Once winter hits, problems should subside. Chairperson Heintz stated he had noticed an increase in overnight parking at the North Star Rail Station. Ms. Dahl asked Commission members to let staff know if anyone sees or hears of any issues to report those to her or the public safety department. The first priority is safety for the residents, staff and guests using the parks system. The Police Department will be offering training for staff on how to deal with this issue, deescalate situations, and improve their own personal safety. A Commission member mentioned they appreciated the compassionate approach that the City is taking. i. Civic Campus Plan for Rentals/Programs/Events (Coming early 2021) Ms. Dahl said after the first of the year, staff may be ready to promote rentals on the civic campus. She said they are working on getting a promotional packet together with pricing options with the goal of keeping it affordable. The hope of the civic campus project was to be a place for residents and organizations to come gather and enjoy. Community groups and organizations like the Lions or boy scout troops may want to use this facility for their events as well. 4 Larger functions and activities may need some additional fees since it may take more staff resources. Elaborate requests like tents or microphones and staff time would also need some consideration, as well as limitations on noise or lighting so as to not cause a disturbance to the surrounding residents. A recommendation will be brought back to the Commission to review at a future meeting before the plan is launched. Chair Heinz asked if a high school wanted choir concert could perform here and would be something to consider. Ms. Dahl said that the Nature Center’s policies will be a good guide to use for establishing processes and guidelines. She went on to say that some potential activity ideas may be a car or art show or even a farmer’s market. Staff are currently planning a great line up of activities for next summer and will present that information in December after it is finalized. 5. STAFF REPORTS a. Springbrook Nature Center (Mike Maher)  Pumpkin Night in the Park is cancelled but there will be a scavenger hunt program called Pumpkin Pursuit, which is currently being promoted.  A number of programs have started up and school partnerships are in place with Stevenson, Adams and Hayes Elementary School. All activities are held outdoors. Some smaller schools may transport students to the Nature Center, but not larger public schools in order to stay within the current guidelines. Mr. Maher said staff are doing their best to keep in touch with students and building relationships with the schools.  Mayor Lund has worked with a private donor who is likely to donate $25,000 for an outdoor fireplace at the Pavilion. If anyone has any ideas for donations, please send them to Mike.  The Mayor is also working to work with the donor to complete the green roof project at the Nature Center. b. Upcoming activities/events Ms. Dahl said that the next brochure ready to go to press and she highlighted some of the fun activities coming up, including: Winterfest on January 16 and most activities will be held outside at Springbrook. Activities may also be held at other parks to spread out the gathering of people. There will be Turkey Virtual Race for Thanksgiving; An ice skate collection drive; and a Winter Lights contest. 5 c. Other Ms. Dahl said that Alyssa Kruzel will provide an update on community engagement projects she is working on. Ms. Dahl also asked the Commission for any ideas or suggestions on connecting with local sports associations and building relationships with them. She mentioned there are continuing challenges and changes taking place during the pandemic but encouraged the group to assist staff in making connections with these key groups. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Larson made the MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 8:07 p.m., SECONDED by Commissioner Graham. The MOTION PASSED unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Krista Peterson, Recording Secretary 6