HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-02-2021 Park Board Packet
PARK BOARD MEETING
Wednesday, June 2, 2021
6:30 pm
*******************
Council Chambers
Park Board Members: Pat Huelman (Chair), Richard Jensen,
John Nordlund, Clark Gooder, Abby Haworth, William Kusterman, James Zilka
Public Services Director: Rick DeGardner
Administrative Assistant: Kellie Schmidt
AGENDA
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Setting Agenda
4. Approval of Minutes from April 7, 2021
5. Open Mike
6. Parks Updates
A. Lino Park Renovations
B. Clearwater Creek Playground Replacement
7. New Business
A. Determine process to name new park at Centerville Road and Birch Street
B. Consider renaming City Hall Park, 1189 Main Street
C. 2022 Budget Process
8. Old Business
9. Next Scheduled Park Board Meeting – Wednesday, July 7, 2021
10. Adjourn
CITY OF LINO LAKES
PARK BOARD MINUTES (VIRTUAL MEETING)
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL:
Park Board Chair Pat Huelman called the Lino Lakes Park Board meeting to order at 6:30
p.m. on April 7, 2021.
2. SWEARING IN PARK BOARD MEMBERS – MR. CLARK GOODER AND MR.
JAMES ZILKA
The Swearing in of Park Board Members Clark Gooder and James Zilka was
administered by Julie Bartell, Lino Lakes City Clerk.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. SETTING OF AGENDA
Agenda was approved as is.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
William Kusterman made a MOTION to approve the January 6, 2021 meeting minutes.
Motion was supported by John Nordlund. Motion carried 6 - 0.
6. OPEN MIKE
There was no one present for Open Mike.
DATE: April 7, 2021
TIME STARTED: 6:30 P.M.
TIME ENDED: 7:33 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Patrick Huelman (Chair), Clark Gooder,
Abby Haworth, Richard Jensen, William Kusterman,
John Nordland, and James Zilka
STAFF PRESENT: Rick DeGardner (Director of Public Services)
Kellie Schmidt (Administrative Assistant)
7. 2021 RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL UPDATE
A. LINO PARK RENOVATIONS
Rick DeGardner, Public Services Director, updated the Park Board on the Lino Park
Renovations. He stated the City Council approved the $85,000 Northland Recreation
Inc. contract for Lino Park Playground Project March 8, 2021. The Public Services
Department staff will undertake the removal process and perform the necessary site
work to prepare the site for new equipment. He stated that the City Council continues
to consider options related to other proposed enhancements including new open-air
shelter, landscaping, and water fountain. Staff anticipates further discussion at the
May 3 rd work session.
DeGardner mentioned that there were some factors that came up when looking into
the replacement of the shelter. He detailed that there is a 30 inch rise in elevation
between the side walk adjacent to parking area and the trail loop to the east of the
park shelter. In addition where the new park shelter would be there are some gate
valves and an irrigation system there that would be expensive to relocate. There is
some flexibility with the seating terrace area. He believes it is in the best interest to
move forward with the new park playground equipment installation and once that is
completed review the shelter again. He stated that with the grade difference, there
might be more to be done before the seating terrace and the shelter could be put in
and it could affect the look of it. Staff recommendation is to place a hold on the
shelter until the playground equipment is put in and more options can be explored for
the shelter as well as the possible fountain.
DeGardner updated the Park Board on the timeline of the park equipment installation
at Lino Park. He stated that the originally schedule had been to install the week prior
to memorial day, however there was a manufacturing issue at the plant which has
pushed the project installation date out a week to the week of June 1st. He stated that
once the project removal begins information will be posted at the park, on the City’s
website, and on the City’s social media pages.
Clark Gooder, Park Board Member, stated that the current park equipment had a
handicap swing available. He inquired if the new equipment would also have one of
these available to residents that need it. DeGardner assured that the new equipment
would have one.
DeGardner detailed that staff had explored some other options to create more of a
barrier between the parking lot and the playground area (shrubs, rock, mulch, etc.) but
identified that there could be some issues with run off of items getting into the
playground area during heavy rains. Staff pointed out the benefit of keeping the side
walk area where it is currently would eliminate the need to do have to do concrete
edging around the playground which will save money on the project. DeGardner stated
that staff’s proposal is to remove the cyclone fencing and replace with some high
quality fencing, keep the 5ft sidewalk, and then have the play area.
Huelman stated that he thought the plan sounded good. The idea is just to make sure
there is some separation between the playground area and the parking lot for safety
issues and to also make it look nice.
James Zilka, Park Board Member, had inquired if the fence/barrier was necessary. He
asked if the need for a barrier was due to the idea that vehicles could roll from the
parking lot into the playground area. DeGardner stated that the standard is now that if
there is any vehicles nearby, streets or in parking lot, that there be a barrier to protect
the playground users. Zilka stated that he thought the fence that is there just doesn’t
look good and would push for more of a landscaping barrier option if possible. He said
that he understood the cost but his thoughts is do it right or don’t do it at all.
Abby Haworth, Park Board Member, stated that although her kids are older now
having young children near the parking lot and busy road can be a bit scary. She stated
that she supports the nicer looking fence. Huelman agreed with Haworth and
mentioned that he thought a fence would be fine but staff should look into a really nice
fence that maybe we could put the blue heron design in. He also mentioned that as we
re-do the fence and signage at Lino Park think about how we can carry some of the
design over to our other parks and give them a more unified look.
Kusterman did bring up the concern of having an opening in the middle of the fence
defeating the purposes of letting the kids run out to the middle of the parking lot.
DeGardner agreed and stated that they were still exploring that and leaning more
towards not having the opening and just having the entrances on either side of the
fence. He stated that they would relocate the handicap spaces in the parking lot to
either side of the parking lot to be closer to the park entrance. Haworth commented
that the current proposed layout of the park with the equipment shows the slide placed
right where that center entrance would be and would make it easy for kids to go down
the slide and run right out to the parking lot.
Gooder had asked about the path area and if the accessibility to bikers and yet keeping
them separate from the playground area. DeGardner said that there will be many
opportunities to have the path access but keeping it separate from the park area. He
stated that they are still in the concept phases right now.
Huelman clarified with DeGardner that the delay in putting other amenities into the
park is due to the further research and projects going on rather than the City Council
not approving the project. DeGardner stated “yes” that the project is on hold due to
needing to explore more and different options and staff is working on getting more
info. DeGardner pointed out that there is still a working/standing park shelter that is
still there and available for residents to use, because of this it allows staff to do the
research and work needed.
B. CLEARWATER CREEK PLAYGROUND REPLACEMENT
DeGardner stated that the playground equipment contract with Northland Recreation
Inc. had been approved for $80,000 at the March 8, 2021 City Council Meeting.
Public Services Department staff will remove the existing equipment this fall
followed by the installation of the new equipment. He went on to state that it is a
fairly straight forward project. The existing equipment will be removed, the new
equipment put in, and engineered wood fiber will be installed as needed.
Gooder inquired if this park will also include the handicap accessible swing and
DeGardner replied that it would.
8. 2021 TRAILS PROJECTS
DeGardner informed the Park Board Members that the Project Manual for the 2021 Trail
Maintenance Project has been finalized. He went on to say that the City Council will
consider awarding the contract during the April 12, 2021 City Council meeting. The
project location is in the South Reshanau Lakes Estates area, directly west of Fox Road.
The project bid came in a bit higher than anticipated. DeGardner stated that this is due to
the three ADA ramps that would need to be installed at about $5,000 a piece. The City
Council will be considering that at the next Council Meeting.
9. NEW BUSINESS
10. OLD BUSINESS
A. TOWER PARK
DeGardner stated that the City Council authorized the preparation of plans and
specifications for the development of four pickle ball courts and two tennis courts and
Birch and Centerville Road (Tower Park) during the December 14, 2020 City Council
Meeting. The City Council then approved plans and specifications, and authorized
advertisement for bids at the March 8, 2021 City Council Meeting. The City Council will
consider awarding the contract during the April 12, 2021 City Council Meeting.
DeGardner informed the Park Board Members that they receive eight bids ranging from
$326,000 -$609,000. He cited that WSB is in the process of verifying the accuracy and
validly of the low bidder. He stated that the low bid is significantly under the estimate of
WSB’s estimated cost of $414,000. The intent of staff is to validate the bids by end of
week and present to City Council at Monday’s meeting.
DeGardner went over the phasing plan, completing the plan highlighted in green.
Huelman inquired that if the walking trail to the south of the proposed area that was cut
by Park Staff this past fall continues to be popular, would the parking lot that is being put
in for the park also be the parking lot for the trail? And if so, would we entertain the idea
of putting in a path that leads to the parking lot to the trail? Zilka commented that he
himself had explored that area and noticed that there was a lot of land over there and was
wondering if there was any more thought to more development in the area?
DeGardner stated that in 2002 a referendum was created for the development of that area
and it went to vote. He stated that the residents shut it down. The City Council is focusing
on the development of the hard court surfaces near the water tower.
DeGardner stated that if the walking path continues to get use and residents want to keep
the trail, staff could look into making a path from the parking lot to the trail, etc.
Richard Jensen, Park Board Member, commented that he did not see a park shelter in
phase 1 and thought it should be added. DeGardner addressed Jensen concerns stating
that the bids had already been sent out however, there might be some dollars still
available for additional items.
Gooder asked DeGardner if the City Council had mentioned anything about additional or
budget dollars given to the park and trails funds that the Park Board will be able to work
with, etc. DeGardner stated that he expected to hear more about that during the 2022
budget discussion.
11. NEXT SCHEDULED PARK BOARD MEETING
Wednesday, May 5, 2021
10. ADJOURNMENT
Kusterman made a MOTION to adjourn to adjourn the meeting at 7:33 p.m. Motion was
supported by Gooder. Motion carried 6 - 0.
Respectfully submitted,
Kellie Schmidt, Lino Lakes Administrative Assistant
DATE: June 2, 2021
TO: Park Board Members
FROM: Rick DeGardner, Public Services Director
RE: Parks Updates
A. Lino Park Renovations
Park maintenance staff removed all of the equipment and prepared the site for the installation of
the concrete work which included 265 feet of sidewalk, 200 feet of edging for the playground
container, and a bike rack pad. The tire swing ($300) and swing set ($500) are being sold on the
City website.
There have been significant production delays, resulting in the playground installation being
pushed back to late-June. The production facility experienced a major equipment failure in April
which brought production to a standstill for two weeks. That, along with a record year of orders,
has delayed delivery of the playground equipment.
Parks Department staff will be installing a concrete pad between the playground container and
trail. Two park benches and two picnic tables will be placed on the pad, which will also serve as an
ADA accessible ingress/egress point from the paved trail system.
Century Fence will be installing 118 lf of 4’ high ornamental fencing between the playground area
and parking lot. Also, a bottle filling station with bubbler (Elkay Model LK4408BF) has been
ordered and will be wall mounted on the irrigation shed, just north of the playground area.
Upon completion of the above items, we anticipate revisiting potential open-air park shelter, park
signage, and landscaping options.
B. Clearwater Creek Park Playground Replacement
Staff is in the process of soliciting bids for the demolition/removals of the playground equipment.
Its expected that the City will receive dollars, plus save a significant amount of staff time and
disposal costs.
Parks Department staff will install the new equipment with a certified playground installer this Fall.
DATE: June 2, 2021
TO: Park Board Members
FROM: Rick DeGardner, Public Services Director
RE: New Business
A. Determine process to name new park at Centerville Road and Birch Street – The City
Council awarded the construction contract at the April 12, 2021 City Council meeting, for
the development of four pickleball courts, two tennis courts, and parking area. Staff has
attended pre-construction meetings in preparation of construction commencing later this
month.
With development of this park area imminent, staff is recommending the Park Board
develop a process to officially name this park. The final recommendation would then be
forwarded to the City Council for consideration.
B. Consider renaming City Hall Park, 1189 Main Street – With the process of officially naming
the park at Centerville Road and Birch Street, perhaps the Park Board wishes to consider
renaming City Hall Park. City Hall operations were relocated to its current location at Town
Center Parkway in 1999. Any recommendations would then be forwarded to the City
Council for consideration.
C. 2022 Budget Process – Staff is currently preparing the 2022 draft budget for the City
Council to begin discussions in July. Please notify Rick DeGardner if you have any parks or
trails projects that you feel should be considered for funding in 2022.