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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-06-2021 Park Board Minutes DRAFT MINUTES CITY OF LINO LAKES PARK BOARD MINUTES (VIRTUAL MEETING) 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Chair Huelman called the Lino Lakes Park Board meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. on January 6, 2021. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Agenda was approved as is. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Pat Huelman had a change of the minutes on behalf of Mayor Rob Rafferty. He stated on that on page 5 the tax rate should be 39.47 not 38.47. William Kusterman made a MOTION to approve the December 2, 2020 meeting minutes. Motion was supported by Richard Nordlund. Motion carried 6 - 0. 5. OPEN MIKE There was no one present for Open Mike. 6. FINALIZE 2021 RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL Rick DeGardner, Public Services Director, presented the Lino Park Proposal to the Park Board. He stated that he had discussed the project with Mike Hoffman, Park Supervisor, and that Hoffman felt confident that he and his staff would be able to do some of the needed maintenance items (removal and install) themselves to be able to cut down on some of the costs (removal of playground, fence, some tree removal, landscaping, DATE: January 6, 2021 TIME STARTED: 6:30 P.M. TIME ENDED: 8:21 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Patrick Huelman (Chair), John Nordlund, Clark Gooder, Abby Haworth, Richard Jensen, William Kusterman STAFF PRESENT: Rick DeGardner (Director of Public Services) Kellie Schmidt (Administrative Assistant) Park Board January 6, 2021 Page 2 DRAFT MINUTES concrete work, playground install, etc.). By the Parks Department doing some of the work/labor this could cut down on some of the contracted costs. Park Board Member Bill Kusterman asked if doing some of the work in-house would impact the line item costs (as in the contractor is giving the City a deal because of the bulk of the project where removing some of the line items may increase the cost of other line items). DeGardner stated that yes, it potentially could increase but that he and the Park Department would completely take out the line items that staff feels comfortable doing and there would still be a good amount of work for the contractors to bid on. Kusterman asked DeGardner what the timeline for the project would be. DeGardner stated that if the Park Board recommends that $200,000 be used for Lino Park he would then bring the recommendation to the City Council. Once City Council approves the project he will send it out for bids and bring the bids back to the City Council. DeGardner stated that the approval plans and specs would be completely done by 2021 and that $200,000 would cover the project. Pat Huelman, Park Board Chair, expressed support for the Lino Park Project. DeGardner also let the Park Board know that if they recommended $200,000 for the project they would get an updated playground and have money left over for another project. He stated that if they did it in phases it could be done. He then stated that $271,000 would do the whole project. DeGardner updated the Park Board that the City Council did put back into the Park & Trail Fund $60,000 for 2021 (Originally City Council had not budgeting any money for Parks & Trails in 2021). Huelman also pointed out that the Council had also invested some dollars into the Marshan Board walk and timers for outdoor lights at the skating/hockey rinks. Richard Jensen, Park Board Member, stated with the increase in funds he thinks they should complete the whole project at Lino Park (playground, park shelter, etc.) Park Board Members Clark Gooder, William Kusterman, Abby Haworth, and John Nordland expressed support to complete Lino Park by doing the playground and the park shelter. Huelman asked DeGardner if it would be possible to wait to see what the bids come in at for the Lino Park Project prior to deciding on another project. DeGardner stated they it would be best to decide on the second project tonight. Huelman asked the Park Board Members is they had any thoughts or comments about any other priorities (parks trails, etc.) or if the Park Board should just recommend that all $250,000 go into the Lino Park Project. DeGardner stated that as they discuss the Lino Park tonight that there are 14 playground structures that are outdated (more than 20 years old) throughout the City. The Park Board recently replaced the playground equipment at Birch and Sunrise Parks. He stated that Park Board January 6, 2021 Page 3 DRAFT MINUTES there is $70,000 in undesignated funds and asked the Park Board if they want to replace another park playground or keep the funds were they are and just replace Lino Park. Huelman stated that with the possible addition of the hard court surfaces going in at Birch and Centerville (Tower Park) and the fact that Sunrise Park and Birch Park playground equipment had just been updated that the Park Board had done a good job covering the area for most of the residents especially if Lino Park receives updates. He stated that he felt that if the hard court surfaces are installed at “Tower Park” that it would be enough hard surface courts installed throughout the City in one year. Kusterman stated that looking back at the last meeting discussions he wanted to bring back up Clearwater Creek Park. He stated that structure is very old, still a lot of young families in the area, and he believes its right in the range of parks that are 20 years old or more. He said that he felt like Clearwater Creek is very important park. He thought by updating Clearwater Creek it would be a way of “showing the love” to the east of the city not always just the north and south. He stated his support for doing a project over in the Clearwater area versus leaving the money in a fund. He stated that he believes it is the Park Boards job to advise council to spend the money that is in a fund and that it benefits the residents. Rick updated the Park Board on the condition of Clearwater Creek stating that the playground was installed in 2002. He went on to say that he had just had a conversation with Park Supervisor, Mike Hoffman, regarding prioritizing replacing playgrounds and Clearwater Creek was recommended. DeGardner stated that if you are looking at this from a strategic stand point that there are many structures that could be replaced but they can’t all be done in one swoop. He stated “It’s about looking at the most logical way to get these amenities updated for residents. Birch, Sunrise, and Lino Parks pretty well cover the City except the east side. If the Park Board were to recommend updating Clearwater Creek the Park Board could say that a 5-7min drive from anywhere in Lino Lakes you could be at any of those parks that have updated equipment. DeGardner stated that another benefit of replacing Clearwater Creek is the dollars designated for the project would be strictly for the equipment and engineered wood fiber. The playground area itself has a concrete apron so dollars would not be needed for regrading or replacing edging and boarders which can normally be costly. He stated that it would be a straight forward project. Huelman stated that those were good points and that Clearwater Creek was at the top of the list. He also thought it would be worth mentioning Birchwood Acres as well as a replacement option. He stated that the neighborhood of Birchwood Acres has turned over and there are many young families moving into the neighborhood. He stated the park is run down and has limited features. Something to keep in mind as well. Kusterman and Gooder expressed support for the Lino and Clearwater Creek Projects. Jensen expressed support for the Lino Project but would like to hear estimates for the Clearwater Creek Project. Park Board January 6, 2021 Page 4 DRAFT MINUTES DeGardner stated that based on estimates in the past he believes that Clearwater Creek playground can be done for $70,000 and that there are funds to cover the projects. Lino Park Project and Clearwater Creek Project pass with a vote of 6-0. 7. NEW BUSINESS A. APPROVE 2021 MEETING CALENDAR All in favor and approved the 2021 Meeting Calendar. 8. OLD BUSINESS A. MARSHAN BOARDWALK Rick DeGardner, Public Services Director, updated the Park Board on the Marshan Boardwalk process. He stated that the boardwalk was 20 + years old. It was discussed for many years that it was in need of replacement. Last week, the boardwalk was removed along with the bituminous pathways leading to Stagecoach Trail. Staff intends to vacate the existing trail easements and work with property owners adjacent to the areas that were disturbed due to the paved trail removals. B. HARD COURTS AT BIRCH STREET AND CENTERVILLE ROAD Rick DeGardner, Public Services Director, updated the Park Board on the Hard Courts at Birch Street & Centerville Road. He stated that the City Council recently approved the preparation of plans and specifications for the development of four pickle ball courts and two tennis courts at that location. He stated the next step is for the City Council to consider Approving the Plans and Specification and Authorize Advertisements for Bids. 9. NEXT SCHEDULED PARK BOARD MEETING Wednesday, February 3, 2021 10. ADJOURNMENT Jensen made a MOTION to adjourn to adjourn the meeting at 8:21 p.m. Motion was supported by Kusterman. Motion carried 6 - 0. Respectfully submitted, Kellie Schmidt, Lino Lakes Administrative Assistant