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06-07-2021 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION June 07, 2021 7:00 PM Fridley Civic Campus - 7071 University Avenue N.E. MINUTES Call to Order Roll Call MEMBERS PRESENT Shaunna Larson Vice Chair Peter Borman Eric Evanson Ken Schultz EB Graham MEMBERS ABSENT Mike Heinz OTHERS PRESENT Mike Maher, Director of Community Services Alyssa Kruzel, Community Engagement Specialist Approval of Agenda MOTION by Commissioner Graham to approve the agenda. Seconded by Commissioner Borman. Motion PASSED unanimously. Approval of Meeting Minutes 1. May 3, 2021 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes MOTION by Commissioner Borman to approve the meeting minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Schultz. Motion PASSED unanimously. New Business 2. Fridley Resident Survey Presentation Alyssa Kruzel reviewed the Morris Leatherman Company 2021 Residential Study results. 400 random sample surveys were taken of City residents through telephone interviews between February 25 to March 30, 2021. The average interview time was 30 minutes. Cell phone only households were 45%, landline only households 13% and both cell and landline was 42%. Parks and Recreation Minutes Page 2 Commission 6/7/2021 The demographics for financially stressed/financially comfortable were split at 50/50, participants were 48% male and 50% female. 35% of residents surveyed were from Ward One, 32% Ward Two and 33% Ward Three. Quality of Life of the surveyed residents reported 22% excellent, 75% good, and 4% fair. Other information included: Sense of community - 19% excellent, 69% good, 11% fair and 1% poor Connection for home 66%, place to live 17%, both 16% and neither 1% Contact with neighbors daily 20%, few times a week 47%, one a week 16% and less often 18% Participated in City Park and Rec Programs 22% yes, 76% no Rating of programs 47% good and 47% fair Rating of park and rec facilities 20% excellent, 70% good, 9% fair and 2% unsure 94% said that existing recreational facilities meet household needs 42% thought that a $5.00 property tax increase for a park referendum would be ok, 26% said $10.00. The complete survey results can be viewed at www.fridleymn.com/residentsurvey. 3. August Commission Work Session Discussion Mr. Maher asked the commission thoughts to have a work session in August vs. a formal meeting. This would provide an opportunity to get to know each other better and check in with everyone on their experience as Commissioners. Commissioner Larson said that historically the August meeting includes a tour of the parks, could that be included in the meeting? Mr. Maher thought that would be a nice opportunity and was open to visit parks and maybe the meeting could take place in one of the parks. The meeting would still need to be published so if someone is interested in joining the meeting, they know about it. Mike will communicate with the Commission and propose a date for a meeting in August. Staff Reports 4. Springbrook Nature Center Report Mr. Maher reported that the Springbrook Nature Center is in the hiring process and an offer has been made for an Interpretive Coordinator. This person will teach classes and programs plus supervise seasonal employees. The City of Fridley is doing city-wide concert series, three will be out at the nature center at the amphitheater. This concert series is sponsored by the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation. Summer camps were cancelled last year and currently staff is training, and the programs will launch next week. All summer programs are filled to capacity. Commissioner Borman asked about the Great River Greening Grant and the cleanup of the garlic mustard. Mr. Maher replied that garlic mustard is an invasive plant and is very aggressive in open areas. At Springbrook Nature Center there are well established areas heavlity infested with garlic mustard. Grant Parks and Recreation Minutes Page 3 Commission 6/7/2021 funds will be used to remove the garlic mustard and other funds will pay to reseed those areas with native plants. Commissioner Evanson asked if this was the first time receiving a grant from Great River Greening. Mr. Maher replied that in the past eight years the city has received three separate grants administered through Great River Greening. These grants work out great as they come out to our sites and identify where the needs are, then write and administer the grant. 5. Community Engagement Report Ms. Kruzel reported that the parks master plan was presented at the Town Hall Meeting. They are still looking for park champions and those who would like to advocate for our parks system. Refer any candidates to Alyssa. The Adopt a Park Program launched last summer and has been successful. 26 families/groups have adopted 25 Fridley parks, they are always recruiting for new members. The first City-Wide Garage Sale is coming up and 76 residents have registered for garage sales. Registration closes Thursday and sales will be listed on paper and on an on-line interactive map. Staff is planning a city-wide cleanup for September 25. Cleanup could be at a park, neighborhood or business location. 40 community organizations in Fridley meet monthly to network and collaborate on ideas and projects. The next meeting is July 15th, virtually. Anoka County Parks and Outdoor Latino will host an event at Locke Park August 22 from 2-5 pm targeted at Latino families but the event is open to everyone. Updates on the Craig Park stormwater improvement open house for the neighborhood is on th June 29 at 6pm. A mailing will be sent to residents in the area. Commissioner Evanson asked how the Fridley resident survey would impact the parks master plan. Ms. Kruzel replied that information will be used to figure out the budget and amenities that will go into the final plan. Commissioner Evanson asked if the final plan would be shared with residents through another Town Hall Meeting. Mr. Kruzel replied that they will be discussing that in the months to come but will share the final plan with the community. Commissioner Larson noted that the City has done a great job at being transparant with the residents, taking into account their wants and ideas. Commissioner Borman added that all the improvements made to the parks also add staff and additional responsibilities for the City. Ms. Kruzel replied that the consultant we are working with is taking that into consideration. 6. Recreation Division Highlights, May 2021 Mr. Maher said that they are working on finalizing the summer/fall brochure. The Fridley Forward 50k took place and 20 people participated in month of May. Parks and Recreation Minutes Page 4 Commission 6/7/2021 Commissioner Larson asked how the shelter and field rentals were going. Mr. Maher replied that his observation is a number of requests came in for groups of 100 or more but most reservations have capacity around 20-40 people. 7. Park Maintenance Report The team is having a difficult time with hiring over the past couple summers, they are 6-7 summer seasonal employees short, so it is challenging to do the work. One tournament is finished and there is a 3-day tournament booked for mid-June. Adjournment MOTION by Commissioner Graham to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Evanson. Motion PASSED unanimously and meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Krista Peterson Recording Secretary