Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPK PACKET 12012025CITY OF SAINT ANTHONY VILLAGE PARKS AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA Monday, December 1, 2025 at 7:00 PM Members of the public who wish to attend the meeting may do so in person. Call To Order Roll Call Approval Of Agenda Approval Of Minutes Approval Of PK Meeting Minutes PK 09 -8 -2025 REG.PDF Presentations Citizens For Sustainability Updates Dan Kunitz presenting. 2025 DECEMBER CFS PEC.PDF General Business Parks CIP Update Ashley Morello, Assistant City Manager, presenting. PARKS CIP UPDATE PRESENTATION.PDF 2026 PEC Work Plan Minette Saulog, Sustainability Coordinator, presenting. PEC WORK PLAN -2026.PDF 2026 CP WATER AND WASTE POLICY ITEMS.PDF Commission & Staff Reports Community Forum Individuals may address the Parks Commission about any City business item not included on the regular agenda. Speakers are requested to come to the podium, sign their name and address on the form at the podium, state their name and address for the Clerk ’s record, and limit their remarks to three minutes. Generally, the Park Commission will not take official action on items discussed at this time, but may typically refer the matter to staff for a future report or direct the matter to be scheduled on an upcoming agenda. Those unable to attend the meeting in person may submit comments via the City's PUBLIC COMMENTS FORM . Adjournment Next Meeting If you would like to request special accommodations or alternative formats, please contact the City Clerk at 612 -782 -3334 or email city@savmn.com . People who are deaf or hard of hearing can contact us by using 711 Relay. Our mission is to promote a high quality of life to those we serve through outstanding city services. I. II. III. IV. A. Documents: V. A. Documents: VI. A. Documents: B. Documents: VII. VIII. IX. X. CITY OF SAINT ANTHONY VILLAGEPARKS AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MEETING AGENDAMonday, December 1, 2025 at 7:00 PM Members of the public who wish to attend the meeting may do so in person. Call To OrderRoll CallApproval Of AgendaApproval Of MinutesApproval Of PK Meeting MinutesPK 09 -8 -2025 REG.PDFPresentationsCitizens For Sustainability UpdatesDan Kunitz presenting.2025 DECEMBER CFS PEC.PDFGeneral BusinessParks CIP UpdateAshley Morello, Assistant City Manager, presenting.PARKS CIP UPDATE PRESENTATION.PDF 2026 PEC Work Plan Minette Saulog, Sustainability Coordinator, presenting. PEC WORK PLAN -2026.PDF 2026 CP WATER AND WASTE POLICY ITEMS.PDF Commission & Staff Reports Community Forum Individuals may address the Parks Commission about any City business item not included on the regular agenda. Speakers are requested to come to the podium, sign their name and address on the form at the podium, state their name and address for the Clerk ’s record, and limit their remarks to three minutes. Generally, the Park Commission will not take official action on items discussed at this time, but may typically refer the matter to staff for a future report or direct the matter to be scheduled on an upcoming agenda. Those unable to attend the meeting in person may submit comments via the City's PUBLIC COMMENTS FORM . Adjournment Next Meeting If you would like to request special accommodations or alternative formats, please contact the City Clerk at 612 -782 -3334 or email city@savmn.com . People who are deaf or hard of hearing can contact us by using 711 Relay. Our mission is to promote a high quality of life to those we serve through outstanding city services. I.II.III.IV.A.Documents:V.A.Documents:VI.A.Documents: B. Documents: VII. VIII. IX. X. 1 CITY OF ST. ANTHONY 2 PARKS AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MEETING 3 SEPTEMBER 8, 2025 4 7:00 p.m. 5 I.6 CALL TO ORDER. 7 8 Chairperson Fee called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 9 II.10 ROLL CALL. 11 12 Commissioners Present:Chair Lily Fee, Commissioners Yaacoub Hark, Kristen Peterson, 13 Jessica Swiontek, and Natalie Synhavsky. 14 15 Absent:None. 16 17 Also Present: Assistant City Manager Ashley Morello, Silverwood Program 18 Supervisor Alyssa Baguss, Citizens for Sustainability Representative 19 Dan Kunitz, Sustainability Coordinator Minette Saulog, Finance 20 Director Deborah Maloney, and Student Liaison CeCe Cram. 21 22 III.APPROVAL OF THE SEPTEMBER 8, 2025, PARKS AND ENVIRONMENTAL 23 COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA. 24 25 Motion by Commissioner Swiontek, seconded by Commissioner Peterson, to approve the 26 September 8, 2025, Parks and Environmental Commission agenda. 27 28 Motion carried unanimously. 29 30 IV.31 APPROVAL OF THE JUNE 2, 2025, REGULAR PARKS AND ENVIRONMENTAL 32 COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. 33 34 Chair Fee noted on page 2, line 23 should be part instead of park. 35 36 Motion by Commissioner Swiontek, seconded by Commissioner Hark, to approve June 2, 37 2025, Regular Parks and Environmental Commission Meeting Minutes as presented. 38 39 Motion carried unanimously. 40 41 V.PRESENTATIONS. 42 A.43 Silverwood Park Updates. 44 45 Silverwood Program Supervisor Alyssa Baguss reviewed the PowerPoint. Silverwood’s 16th 46 annual art and nature festival will be held Saturday, September 13, 2025, from 12:00 – 4:00 47 p.m. 48 Parks and Environmental Commission Regular Meeting Minutes September 8, 2025 Page 2 1 Two exhibitions will be on display with an Opening Reception to be held September 11, 2025, 2 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. 3 4 Sarah Nguyen – No Mud, No Lotus 5 Kristin Maija Peterson – Small Universes Everywhere 6 7 The Big Picnic held on July 30th had over 600 people in attendance. This was held in 8 partnership with St. Anthony Community Services. Ms. Baguss reviewed the Art and Ecology 9 Club held on Tuesdays, 3:50 to 5:00 p.m., from September 16 to December 16, 2025. The 10 Great Sculpture Costume Crawl will be held Saturday, November 1, 2025, from 1:00 to 3:00 11 p.m. So, You Think You Can Craft will be held on October 2, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at 12 Silverwood Park. The Ongoing Wellness Programs at Silverwood Park include Weekly 13 Sunset Yoga, Monthly Gentle Yoga Flow, SPARK for Individuals Living with Memory Loss 14 and Their Care Partners, and Mindful Creations with NAMI Minnesota. On Sunday, October 15 19th, from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., the Fall Sound Meditation with Waking Nomad will be held. 16 Silverwood Park returns as a host site for the Bell Museum’s Statewide Star Party 2025 on 17 Thursday, September 18, 2025, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. 18 19 Winter Hours for the Silverwood Park Café will be 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Every first Monday 20 of the month from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. is a Rental Open House for Silverwood Rental Facilities. 21 B.22 Citizens for Sustainability Updates. 23 24 Citizens for Sustainability Co-chair Dan Kunitz reviewed a PowerPoint presentation that 25 included VillageFest, Tax Credits Ending This Year, and fall lawn and garden tips for Winter 26 Wildlife. 27 28 Plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle credits expire on September 30, 2025. Renewable energy 29 installation & home efficiency upgrade credits expire on December 31, 2025. Visit 30 www.homes.rewiringamerica.org/save for more information. 31 32 Many insects hibernate inside hollow plant stems or under leaf litter. Birds rely on leftover 33 seeds from coneflowers, sunflowers, and grasses when other food is scarce. How you can 34 help: 35 Leave plant stalks 36 Pile leaves in your garden to insulate the soil and offer cover. 37 Wait to clean up until spring temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees F. 38 39 Residents are invited to join CFS at the next meeting on October 4, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in 40 Room CS9 in City Hall/Community Services. There will be a book discussion on November 41 10 at St. Anthony Library. The Clean Energy Research Teams' Seed Grant applications are 42 due October 1. 43 44 VI.GENERAL BUSINESS. 45 A.46 Parks CIP Presentation. Parks and Environmental Commission Regular Meeting Minutes September 8, 2025 Page 3 1 2 Finance Director Maloney reviewed a PowerPoint titled Parks Capital Improvement Plan & 3 Financial Overview. She presented the Planning & Budgeting for Parks & Environmental 4 Operations and Capital Improvements, 2026 Budget Calendar, including the Park 5 Improvement Fund, PEC items, and overall park and Environmental Spending. 6 7 Chair Fee asked about the 2025 Park Improvements and the Future Requests and Costs. She 8 asked if the fund requests would be included in the levy for 2026. She asked which requests 9 would be moving forward. Ms. Morello stated the preliminary levy is getting set for 10 September 9, 2025, and the City Council will determine if any of the additional items go into 11 the budget or not. The prioritizations suggested by the PEC will be submitted to the City 12 Council for consideration. Ms. Maloney stated the parks’ levy at this time is an increase over 13 last year’s levy. The General Fund is meant to be one year of spending. The Capital Funds are 14 meant to have a levy that gradually accounts for costs, so it stays stable over the years. They 15 can accumulate a fund balance, which allows for larger projects in the future. If there is an 16 excess General Fund balance, the Council decides what the priorities are. The Park Fund is a 17 Capital Fund. 18 19 Commissioner Synhavsky asked if the spending this year will be like 2026. Ms. Maloney 20 stated this is the plan at this time, and she is still meeting with departments about plans and 21 prioritizing needs. 22 B.23 Dog Park Exploration. 24 25 Assistant Manager Morello reviewed the topic of exploring the feasibility of a dog park in St. 26 Anthony Village, which was an agenda item at the Parks & Environmental Commission 27 meetings in the Fall of 2022 and Winter of 2024, and had been discussed historically as far 28 back as 2014. It was also discussed at the Parks Summit in March of this year, which included 29 attendees from both Commissions, the City Council, the School District, the Sports Boosters, 30 and the Staff. While a dog park has been the subject of public interest, the geographic 31 restraints and development of the City, as well as anticipated staff demand, are challenges that 32 impact the feasibility of establishing a dog park within the City. This meeting will build upon 33 previous discussions in response to the community's desire for a dog park. As part of the Parks 34 and Environmental Commission 2025 Work Plan, the Commission is being asked to identify 35 the best location for a dog park with the least adverse impacts. 36 37 The Dog Park has not been implemented in the past due to Space Availability, Geographic 38 Boundaries, Cost, and Staffing. Ms. Morello provided the Best Practices Summary: 39 40 Size – Recommended minimum size for dog parks varies considerably among cities, but is 41 generally between ½ acre and one acre. 42 43 Buffer from Residential – A few cities provide definitive distances from residences, varying 44 from 50 to 200 feet. All strive to minimize conflicts and include guidelines: making sure noise 45 and activity levels are no more than those of other park uses, the importance of screening or 46 visual buffers, and having minimal impact on residences. Parks and Environmental Commission Regular Meeting Minutes September 8, 2025 Page 4 1 2 Parking – Recommendations include that parking should be readily accessible and near the 3 site, of sufficient/adequate size, and convenient. There were no standards for size, but it 4 stressed the importance of parking when locating a dog park. 5 6 Conflict Avoidance – Guidelines include avoiding play areas and other recreational amenities, 7 high-use areas, natural areas and water sources, wildlife trails, community gardens, and 8 historic sites. 9 10 Ms. Morello reviewed Staffing needed for a Dog Park. 11 12 Daily/Every Other Day Tasks: 5-6 hours a week. 13 Pet waste pickup and bag refill. 14 Trash and waste disposal monitoring/emptying. 15 Visual inspection of fence, gates, latches, and park cleanliness. 16 Walking the park for spot-cleaning and other issues. 17 18 Monthly Tasks: 8-12 hours per month. 19 Fence and latch repairs. 20 Minor grading, filing of worn paths and holes. 21 Park condition reporting and documentation. 22 23 Seasonal/Quarterly Tasks: 20-30+ hours per quarter. 24 Hauling in and spreading mulch. 25 Repairs to the trail or damage from hauling equipment. 26 Odor management/additional waste clean-up in warmer months. 27 Snow removal from access paths and gates (if open year-round). 28 29 Three potential options were presented, including Central Park, Emerald Park, and Silver 30 Point Park. Several alternative locations for green space outside of the City’s three main parks 31 have been suggested in the past. This alternative is not feasible: 32 Site incompatibility (site not owned by the city, site does not provide level ground for 33 a dog park). 34 Noise considerations due to proximity to neighbors. 35 City-wide vs. neighborhood park. 36 Staff maintenance demand would be even greater with an additional site. 37 38 No location in the City has ideal conditions to reflect dog park best practices. Silver Point 39 Park could have the least adverse impacts with strategic modifications. Staff does not 40 recommend adding a dog park to Silver Point Park as it is. Modifying existing services would 41 be needed in order to accommodate. The existing amenities at Silver Point Park include a 42 fully accessible playground added in 2024, the Half basketball court repaved in 2024, 43 Sidewalk and trail repairs made in 2024, Ice rinks (hockey and pleasure rinks), and two 44 ballfields. Dog Park Challenges at Silver Point Park include: Parks and Environmental Commission Regular Meeting Minutes September 8, 2025 Page 5 1 Two Ball Fields – Result in high volumes of parking and traffic. The parking lot and 2 neighborhood are not designed to accommodate. 3 Ball Field #2 Flooding – Silver Point Park was designed as a retention pond. Often it 4 cannot be used. 5 Ice Rinks – Discussion of sustainability with warmer winters. 6 Modification Options – Could replace either the ball field #2 or the ice rinks with a 7 dog park. 8 9 Ms. Morello presented the Silver Point Park Opportunities. 10 11 Ball Field #2 Pros 12 Reduces ball field activities and the associated parking and traffic congestion. 13 Reduces ball field maintenance. 14 15 Ball Field #2 Cons 16 The area will experience washouts from heavy rain events. 17 Proximity to accessible playground. 18 Trail/path infrastructure needed to be accessed. 19 20 Ice Rink Pros 21 Reduce the quantity of ice rinks maintained by the City. 22 23 Ice Rink Cons 24 Proximity to residential back yards. 25 The ice rink is a popular amenity for the neighborhood. 26 27 A preliminary estimate for anticipated construction costs of a dog park is just over $192,000. 28 It is not currently in the CIP for Parks. There are competing priorities for the City budget. 29 30 The Commission is requested to provide a recommendation to the City Council on whether 31 Staff should move forward with pursuing a Dog Park and, if so, which location. 32 33 Also provided for Commission consideration are a Cover Memo, Recommendations and 34 Guidelines for Dog Park, Site Selection Updated, and Dog Parks Best Practices. 35 36 Chair Fee asked about the staffing requirement for the maintenance of a dog park and asked if 37 that can be compared to ice rink maintenance. Ms. Morello stated that those costs are not 38 available this evening, but ice rink maintenance is seasonal, and dog park maintenance would 39 be year-round. Chair Fee asked if odor is one of the issues and if there is a solution. There are 40 4 houses to the west of the ice rink area. Staff maintenance would assist with that. 41 42 Commissioner Hark asked about the ball field option to provide a trail for maintenance. He 43 asked how the ball field maintenance is accessed now? Ms. Morello stated they don’t require 44 larger trucks for maintenance. 45 Parks and Environmental Commission Regular Meeting Minutes September 8, 2025 Page 6 1 Commissioner Peterson asked what the proposed acreage is for the two sites at Silver Point 2 Park. Ms. Morello stated that it is not known until the details are researched for the park 3 planning. The ice rink location would be a bit smaller than the ballfield, at approximately ½ 4 acre. They are within the recommended size. Commissioner Peterson referred to the drainage 5 purpose of that area and asked if there is an overflow or if it is intended for infiltration. She is 6 concerned about dog waste and nutrient pollution. Ms. Saulog stated that they took a tour of 7 Silver Point Park, and they observed that there is no mechanical drainage system. This would 8 need to be confirmed by engineering. There is an ecological restoration program occurring in 9 that park along with native plantings. It appears to be more of an infiltration system. 10 Commissioner Peterson stated that with heavy rain events, the mulch is moving from where it 11 was placed. In the best practices, they recommended the residential buffer. She asked how far 12 off the ice rink and ballfield would be from the recommended buffer. Ms. Morello stated the 13 buffer from the ballfield would be farther than the ice rink buffer. Commissioner Peterson 14 asked about the waste hauler cost for dog waste. Ms. Morello stated that it would occur 2-3 15 times per week. Ms. Saulog stated pickups would need to be negotiated with Aspen Hauling. 16 There are trash cans, but no dumpsters in the park. 17 18 Commissioner Synhavsky asked if there is an estimate of the annual cost of maintenance of a 19 dog park. Ms. Morello stated they did not research the cost of routine maintenance. If the 20 ballfield is taken away, would the boosters need to find another field? There will be continued 21 discussions on the current use of the parks. Commissioner Synhavsky stated she has a dog 22 waste concern. 23 24 Commissioner Peterson asked if there has been any exploration of partnering with a nearby 25 City for a shared dog park. Ms. Morello stated that there have not been any direct 26 conversations with neighboring cities. An option is for St. Anthony residents to go to 27 neighboring city dog parks. 28 29 Commissioner Synhavsky stated there are 4 dog parks within 4 miles of St. Anthony. She had 30 a map of the locations. 31 32 Commissioner Peterson asked about parking logistics, and we are talking about losing both 33 the ballfield and ice rink? Could the dog park be added without additional parking? Ms. 34 Morello stated there are 20 parking spaces in the lot currently, and engineering would need to 35 determine if more spaces were needed. We would expect the parking demand would be less 36 for a dog park. 37 38 Student Liaison Cram stated she would be interested to find out who uses which ice rinks. She 39 asked if the rinks were for recreational use. Commissioner Swiontek stated that everyone she 40 talks to is requesting a dog park. 41 42 Commissioner Synhavsky stated there is a boot hockey team and a broomball group that play 43 at Silver Point Park. 44 45 Commissioner Hark stated he asked if this rink is an amenity for the neighborhood. Do we 46 know which rink is used the most? Ms. Morello stated that the ice rinks are viewed as a 47 Parks and Environmental Commission Regular Meeting Minutes September 8, 2025 Page 7 1 neighborhood amenity. They have usage numbers for the ice rinks in the City. Central Park is 2 close to Silver Point Park. 3 4 Commissioner Synhavsky stated the ice rink at Central Park is more challenging as users need 5 to skate up a hill to get to it. It is not the most practical location for an ice rink. She believes it 6 would be a loss for the community to replace the ice rink with a dog park at Silver Point Park. 7 8 Chair Lee asked Commissioner Swiontek to name the other dog parks in the area. 9 Commissioner Swiontek named St. Anthony Parkway, Perry Dog Park, Lauderdale Dog Park, 10 and the Stone Arch Dog Park. 11 12 Chair Fee noted this seems like a big investment with many challenges to overcome. She 13 asked if there is an option to do a beta test before adding a permanent dog park. Ms. Morello 14 stated there would be a cost for a short-term dog park. Chair Fee asked if a half-season dog 15 park was considered. Ms. Morello stated the size would not be enough. 16 17 Commissioner Swiontek stated that a test drive at all rinks would be a good idea. Ms. Morello 18 stated that the staffing model is based on the dog park at one location. It was noted that people 19 are using the ice rink in the off-season as a dog park. 20 21 Commissioner Hark asked about ballfield #2 compared to ballfield #1. He asked if Ballfield 22 #2 is currently not being used due to water issues. Ms. Morello stated that it is unusable when 23 conditions prevent play on the field. 24 25 Commissioner Peterson asked what an engineering study would cost. Ms. Morello stated that 26 it would be a future phase of the consideration. She stated the Commission is requested to 27 recommend a location for City Council consideration. 28 29 Chair Fee asked the Commissioners which location at Silver Point Park is recommended. Her 30 personal feeling is the ice rink. Councilmember Peterson stated she was leaning more toward 31 the ballfield. Commissioner Hark agreed, as the ballfield is more central to the park. Student 32 Liaison Cram agreed the ballfield would be her choice. Commissioner Synhavsky stated she 33 does not know that St. Anthony has a good place for a dog park. She would prefer a pickleball 34 court over a dog park. She feels it is far too complicated. Ms. Morello stated that the 35 Commission is asked to make a recommendation. The question is whether the ballfield or the 36 ice rink is the better location for a potential dog park. Commissioner Synhavsky stated she 37 does not feel either is a good option. Commissioner Swiontek stated that she proposes 38 neighborhood dog parks. She would suggest ballfield #2 and relocating the ballfield to another 39 location. 40 41 Ms. Morello summarized the consensus (4-1) of the Commission, which is that Ballfield #2 is 42 the potential site for a dog park at Silver Point Park. 43 44 Ms. Morello requested that the Commission look at the prioritization for the CIP, including 45 pickleball courts at Wellhouse, the dog park, and the LED lighting upgrades for Central Park. 46 Parks and Environmental Commission Regular Meeting Minutes September 8, 2025 Page 8 1 Chair Fee asked if we know the payback period for the LED lighting? Ms. Saulog stated they 2 do not have that information; however, there may be a rebate available. Estimates would be 3 requested of the savings in the future. 4 5 Commissioner Swiontek noted her priorities would be Lighting, Pickleball, and Dog Park. 6 Commissioners Synhavsky and Peterson noted the same priorities. Commissioner Hark stated 7 his priorities would be LED Lighting, Dog Park, and Pickleball. Student Liaison Cram agreed 8 she fears pickleball may be a trend, while dog parks would always be used. Chair Fee noted 9 her priorities would be Lighting, Pickleball, and Dog Park. Commissioner Peterson stated she 10 would like to see more information on the noise considerations for pickleball. Commissioner 11 Peterson stated that the Wellhouse tennis courts need repair. 12 13 Ms. Morello thanked the Commission for their feedback. 14 C.15 Active Transportation Plan Updates. 16 17 Sustainability Coordinator Saulog reviewed a PowerPoint including Updates, Community 18 Listening Sessions, and an Online Map and Survey. The Community Listening Sessions will 19 be held on September 22, September 29, October 2, and October 8. Everyone is invited to fill 20 out the survey to share comments available at savmn.com/at-survey or bit.ly/sav-at. Residents 21 are also invited to add comments to the interactive online map at bit.ly/sav-atmap. 22 23 VII.COMMISSION REPORTS. 24 25 Commissioner Peterson stated she was a volunteer at the Eco-Experience at the State Fair this 26 year. She has information on fix-it clinics throughout the area. 27 28 Commissioner Synhavsky stated she has been sharing the bike survey. She is one of the 29 organizers of the Wilshire Bike Bus. 30 31 Commissioner Swiontek stated she participated in activities at Silverwood Park. They are in 32 the process of converting their home to solar energy. 33 34 Chair Fee plans to attend the bike audit. She received a Lawns ________ grant this year. 35 36 Commissioner Hark stated he and his wife will attend the walk, but are unable to attend the 37 bike portion. He had some discussions with the Chamber of Commerce to put together a 38 survey to gauge interest in EV incentives. 39 40 Ms. Saulog stated that the EV charging ordinance has been going through readings with the 41 City Council. Public Works is in the process of getting the roof redone. Excel is coming to do 42 their witness test that will give us the green light to start operating the solar system. Staff have 43 been continuing with the implementation of the Energy Action Plan. They have been 44 promoting home energy audits to the community. Staff is seeking testimonials from residents 45 and homeowners who have participated in the program. 46 Parks and Environmental Commission Regular Meeting Minutes September 8, 2025 Page 9 1 VIII.COMMUNITY FORUM. 2 3 Mr. Scott Strigel, 2604 34th Avenue, is with the Boosters. He has spent 2-4 nights a week at 4 Silver Point Park. He is very supportive of the dog park and believes Silver Point Park would 5 be the best location. Removing Ballfield #2 would be detrimental to their ability to offer t-ball 6 within the City. They would need to move to a Saturday-only option. He would like the 7 Commission to research having a multi-use rink. Flooding is a concern for Field #2. Parking 8 and traffic are a problem. A dog park is a year-round amenity. 9 10 Mr. Paul White, 32nd Avenue, was called the dog park guy. He had been surveying neighbors 11 regarding a dog park. In the surveys done, there was a very compelling interest. He’d be 12 happy to share the survey results. Folks who were interested in a dog park were driving to 13 another location, but they wanted something they could walk to. He always drives to 14 pickleball. He would hate to lose an ice rink, but if there were more consolidation among ice 15 rinks, there might be enough people for a game. 16 17 IX. ADJOURNMENT. 18 19 Motion by Commissioner Hark, seconded by Commissioner Swiontek, to adjourn the 20 September 8, 2025, meeting of the Parks and Environmental Commission at 9:15 p.m. 21 22 Motion carried unanimously. 23 24 25 Respectfully submitted, 26 27 28 Debbie Wolfe 29 TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 11/26/2025 1 Citizens for Sustainability Parks & Environmental Commission Update December 1, 2025 Citizens working to create a resilient and sustainable community 2 2025 CFS Outreach Book Discussion What If We Get It Right? Visions of Climate Futures by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson Earth Week 125 volunteers over 7 days and 11 events including cleaning up parks, school grounds, rain gardens, roadsides, and shorelines 1 2 11/26/2025 2 3 2025 CFS Outreach Scholarships for Graduating Seniors Awarded to Adeline Reseland and Mira Chinander for their work in environmental stewardship including on the Green Team, Save the Bees concerts, and in their future plans VillageFest Showcased live monarchs at different stages, crafted edible insects, and awarded free Home Energy Squad visits to save residents money on their utility bills 4 2025 CFS Outreach Organizations • Boy Scouts • Boys Volleyball • Buy Nothing Toy Store • Ecology Club • Faith United Methodist Church • Girl Scouts • Key Club • Kiwanis • Northeast Voyagers • SAV City Staff • SAV Parks and Environmental Commission • Silver Lake Condo Association • Silver Lake Residents Association • St Anthony - New Brighton Schools • Village Gardeners 3 4 11/26/2025 3 Buy Nothing Toy Store 8am-noon on December 13 in City Hall Give new life to outgrown toys by donating and choosing “new-to- you” toys for free, supporting other families and reducing waste. Renewable energy installation & home efficiency upgrade credits expire on December 31. Details: homes.rewiringamerica.org/save 5 Still in 2025 6 Coming up next in 2026 February Twin Cities Plastic-Free Challenge Earn points while you reduce plastic consumption in ways that fit best in your lifestyle and have the most impact on reducing your footprint. Sign up at https://tcplasticfree.ecochallenge.org Book Discussion: Science Under Siege Monday, February 9 at 6:30pm at the St. Anthony Library “From pandemics to the climate crisis, humanity faces tougher challenges than ever. Whether it’s the health of our people or of our planet, we know we are on an unsustainable path. But our efforts to effectively tackle these existential crises are now hampered by a common threat: politically and ideologically motivated opposition to science” 5 6 11/26/2025 4 7 Upcoming Collaborations Alignment on Energy Action Plan and Climate Plan: Waste & Water 2026 water conservation awards sponsored by CFS. Alignment on Energy Action Plan Outreach SAMS Energy Conservation Competition A new competition for energy conservation projects. Awards sponsored by CFS. PEC contact? Earth Week A series of events coordinated and/or communicated by CFS. PEC contact? Sustainability Event An opportunity to share ideas and progress on city’s goals. PEC contact? 7 11/26/2025 1 PARKS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN - UPDATE Parks & Environmental Commission Meeting December 01, 2025 2026 BUDGET CALENDAR 2025 DATE STEPS January 15-17 Goal Setting, Financial Management and Planning February 11 Public Hearing on budget calendar to provide residents with opportunity for input April – May Staff Meetings with Department Heads – Discussion on 2026 Operating Budget and Capital Budgets June 24 Council work session to review infrastructure improvement schedule and resulting 2026 Debt levy requirements August 12 Council work session to review updated proposals for 2026 overall Property Tax Levy and General Fund Budget August 26 Presentation of Proposed 2026 Budget & Property Tax Levy to the City Council September 9 Public Hearing to pass resolution setting Preliminary 2026 Budget and Property Tax Levy October 14 Council work session to review Capital Improvement Plan November 10 Approval of 2026 Capital Improvement Plan December 9 Public Hearing and Presentation of 2026 Budget and Levy. Adoption of 2026 Budget and Property Tax Levy 11/26/2025 2 PEC ITEMS ARE INCLUDED IN VARIOUS BUDGETS – GENERAL FUND GENERAL FUND: Primary Source for Park & Environmental Operating Costs Costs 2026 Parks Personnel $415,380 Support for ISD Recreational Programs $ 52,200 Energy $ 35,000 Supplies and Other Operating $ 59,543 Sustainability Programs: Recycling Events, Fix-It Clinics, Rain Barrels $16,300 Total General Fund Budgeted $578,423 PEC ITEMS ARE INCLUDED IN VARIOUS BUDGETS -CAPITAL / BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS FUND BUILDING IMPROVEMENT FUND Costs 2026 Five Year Estimate Parks Buildings/Shelters Maintenance $52,250 $162,500 STORMWATER FUND: Stormwater Operating and Capital Costs Costs 2026 Five Year Estimate Stormwater Pond Maintenance $ 3,600 $279,975 Salo Pond & Reuse Pond Maintenance $166,625 $385,643 DEBT FUND: Street Projects Costs 2026 Five Year Estimate Emerald Park Trail Connection $15,000 $377,618 11/26/2025 3 PEC ITEMS ARE INCLUDED IN VARIOUS BUDGETS -CAPITAL / BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS FUND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND: Replacement of Parks Maintenance Equipment Costs 2026 Five Year Estimate Fleet $80,000 $140,125 Heavy Equipment / Mowers $78,500 $112,640 Other Equipment $53,300 $70,000 CAPITAL FUNDS TOTAL 2026 Five Year Estimate Costs $434,275 $1,685,033 PARK IMPROVEMENT FUND 2025 Improvements Project Cost Estimate Central / Emerald /Silver Point Park Signage, Benches, Tables, Splash pad repairs $42,300 Central Park Ballfield Netting $101,652 Central Park trails resurfacing (Part of 2025 Street project)$200,220 2026 Improvements Project Cost Estimate Play Equipment Maintenance $10,000 Concrete lifting and accessible route to shelter $20,000 Upgrade of Field Lighting to LED at Central Park & Tennis Courts $257,000 11/26/2025 4 OVERALL PARK AND ENVIRONMENTAL SPENDING Overall Spending 2026 Parks & Environmental Expenditures Parks Five Years (approximate) General Fund $578,423 $2,916,928 Capital / Building Improvements Fund $434,275 $1,130,165 Park Improvement Fund $287,000 $740,715 Total $1,299,698 $5,342,676 QUESTIONS? City Council Approved __________ SAINT ANTHONY VILLAGE PARKS & ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION 2026 WORK PLAN GENERAL ITEMS 1.Support staff with ongoing Climate Plan implementation 2.Provide recommendations to City Council regarding environmental and sustainability-related policy Items 3.Education and outreach with community to promote sustainability and City plans related to climate 4.Attend joint meetings with City Council and/or Planning Commission as scheduled SPECIFIC TASKS FOR 2026 1.Support Climate Plan implementation (2026: Water & Waste focus). a.Active Transportation Plan anticipated by Spring 2026 b.Advising potential ordinances and programs: Sustainable Buildings, waste, curbside compost c.Promote water conservation and waste reduction efforts throughout the community d.Continued support of ongoing Energy & Transportation initiatives as applicable 2.Provide PEC representation in planning or assisting with sustainability and environmental events as requested by staff or community groups. a.May include but not limited to city recycling events, swaps, Rain Barrel workshop, Sustainability Fair, Earth Day cleanups, and other opportunities. 3.Continue collaboration with Citizens for Sustainability to enhance City green space, including parks cleanup and pollinator plantings. 4.Continue education & outreach in conjunction with staff and community and regional organizations to promote Climate Plan initiatives and sustainability. 5.Conduct survey with businesses located in the city to inform waste reduction efforts. 6.2050 Comprehensive Plan – preliminary preparation tasks. a.Participate in joint work session to identify priorities for a request for proposal (RFP) for the 2050 Comprehensive Plan 7.Review annual Parks Capital Improvement Plan. 8.Attend Annual Parks Summit meeting with City Council, School District and Sports Boosters. Monitor Emerging Topics and Address as Needed 2026 Climate Plan Policy Items for Focus Areas Water and Waste The below are specific Climate Plan actions for consideration that were determined to be Policy-oriented. This means that PEC would advise Council on whether or how to move these forward, using information provided by staff. WATER Climate Plan Action Water restrictions-enforcement and fees for non-compliance. Add code language to specify that rain sensor is required on new watering systems and put in place a mitigation plan/promotion to encourage existing systems install a rain sensor. Review city use of sprinklers to ensure behavior and compliance to minimize water usage and adhere to same standards we will hold residents to. Use of permeable surfaces in new developments and re-developments. Incentive for property owners to remove unused impermeable surfaces. Zoning policy establishing a maximum allowable area of new impervious surfaces in commercial district. Revisit recent ordinance change not recognizing pervious pavers. Consider establishing a revegetation fund to help residents pay to have dead trees removed and replaced with more hardy species. Use the city's RFP process to negotiate a reduced rate for homeowners who choose to use a single vendor for tree removal. WASTE Climate Plan Action Monitor counties programs for feasibility of providing residents with curbside compost removal. Adopt ordinance that says community event organizers need to use recyclable and compostable products and properly collect and dispose of waste. Additionally, change the current policy that does not allow events to use the drop at city hall (e.g. we were not allowed to use the site for a waste free event at school sponsored by Green Team). Consider establishing a fund to reduce or eliminate the financial barriers of proper hazardous waste disposal. Collaborate with local businesses to determine feasibility and barriers associated with a single-use plastic ban. Based on stakeholder feedback, establish an ordinance addressing single-use plastics. Collaborate with property managers for multi-family housing units to provide compost removal facilities for tenants to dispose of their waste. Incentivize or look at policies to reduce waste from businesses (food service providers use compostables, businesses do more to reduce use of plastic bags). Adopt policy about building tear down needing to use proper disposal techniques to reduce the amount of waste and reuse/recover material.