HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks Packet 01.19.22Page 1 of 2
Parks Commission Agenda
January 19, 2022
Agenda
Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Commission
Meeting of January 19, 2022
Hugo City Hall, 7:00 pm
7:00 pm 1. Approve Minutes from December 15, 2021 Meeting
7:03 pm 2. 2022 Goal Setting
7:30 pm 3. 2022 Capital Improvement Plan
8:00 pm 4. Adjournment
Page 2 of 2
Parks Commission Agenda
January 19, 2022
Background
Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Commission
Meeting of January 19, 2022
Hugo City Hall, 7:00 pm
Approve Minutes from December 15, 2021 Meeting
Staff recommends approval of the minutes of the Parks Commission meeting of December 15, 2021.
PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED MINUTES.
2022 Goal Setting
Staff recommends that the Parks Commission draft goals for 2022 for recommendation to the City Council.
The five goals remained the same, but staff updated the bulleted action items as a starting point for
Commission discussions.
A DRAFT OF THE 2022 GOALS ARE ATTACHED.
2022 Capital Improvement Plan
A draft of the 2022-2026 Capital Improvement Plan has been put together with the assistance of Finance
Director, Anna Wobse. The Parks Commission has been given the authority to make recommendations to the
City Council on how to use the Special Park Fund and plans future expenditures with the Capital
Improvement Plan. The CIP prioritizes improvements that the Parks Commission would like to make. Some
projects may only be possible if additional funding becomes available through grants, private donations, or
park dedication fees.
In 2021, special park funds were used for projects over several Hugo parks. Arcand Park construction
continued and totaled $2,500, with additional expenses anticipated in 2022 for the final parking lot surfacing.
The Beaver Ponds Park playground replacement and other improvements totaled $63,000. $3,800 was spent
on installing benches adjacent to the trails in the Clearwater Cove development. Planning and construction
of Lions Park was paid for through a separate fund. The special park fund ending balance thru December 31,
2022 is $1,342,712. Staff will provide a detailed re-cap of 2021 expenditures.
Staff drafted a CIP for 2022-2026 based on the previous Capital Improvement Plan and upcoming projects.
Staff recommends that the Parks Commission review the draft, make any necessary changes, and approve a
Capital Improvement Plan.
PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED DRAFT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR 2022-2026. A BREAKDOWN OF THE 2021 SPECIAL PARK
FUND IMPROVEMENTS IS ALSO ATTACHED.
THE PARKS PLAN CAN BE FOUND AT: https://www.ci.hugo.mn.us/2040compplan
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Parks Commission Minutes
December 15, 2021
Minutes
Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Commission
Meeting of December 15, 2021
Hugo City Hall, 7:00 pm
Present: Roger Clarke, Emily McGinnity, Cathy Moore-Arcand, Nicole Schmid, Meredith St. Pierre,
Ranell Tennyson.
Absent: Mat Rauschendorfer
Staff Present: Shayla Denaway, Parks Planner
Scott Anderson, Public Works Director
Debi Close, Secretary
Chair Clarke called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
1. Approval of Minutes from the November 17, 2021 Meeting
Moore-Arcand made a motion, Tennyson seconded to approve the minutes of the November 17, 2021
All ayes. Motion carried.
2. Oneka Trail Feasibility Study
Candace Amberg, Landscape Architect at WSB Engineering, presented the Oneka Trail Feasibility Study
that was started April 21, 2021. The conceptual sketch included optional trail routes, preferred trail
routes, wetland berm trail route, boardwalks, and a connection to existing trail systems.
Commissioners were informed that representatives of the White Bear Lake School District also reviewed
the feasibility study, as they are the owner of one of the properties included. WBLAS were interested in
further evaluating wetland banking on the site and generally supportive of the trails.
Commission discussion included a trail through the northern most city-owned property. There was
general support to move the trail alignment show in orange further north to avoid wetlands and ensure
a paved east to west connection. However, Commissioners were sensitive to the homes located north
of the area and agreed that there would need to be neighborhood meetings to review the alignment
and further study of the wetlands.
Other discussion included: phasing, grant opportunities, wetland limitations, wetland credit banking,
trail surfacing, cost sharing, accessibility, educational nature opportunities, maintenance, pedestrian
route lengths and further planning steps.
Page 2 of 2
Parks Commission Minutes
December 15, 2021
Denaway informed that WSB could research wetland banking which would allow credits to be received
and sold if the wetlands are improved and maintained. The Commission was generally favorable of
looking into wetland banking on the properties.
3. Sunset Lake Property Review
Amberg presented the Sunset Lake Park Preliminary Master Plan.
Previous concept sketches were drafted but needed revision after a neighborhood meeting providing
feedback with request to scale back, reduce parking spots, eliminate the shelter, not include access for
winter ice fishing and request for no motorized boat launch. DNR research was requested/reviewed on
water quality, depth, fishing, freeze out, animal species and restocking. A traffic study was done to
determine usage frequent, accessibility and safety.
The proposed plan shows entrance at Homestead Ave with fewer parking spots, a fishing pier, picnic
area and boulder outcropping.
Commissioners discussed removing the fishing pier because of the overall water depths, maintaining a
an accessible gradual trail entrance to lake, speed bump, and using boulders and landscaping to prevent
vehicle access to the lake in the winter. There was also concern expressed over trash and vehicle lights.
The Commission preferred maintaining drive thru access off of Homestead and 125th Street to avoid
dead end parking, improve vehicle circulation, and allow for site lines into the property.
All Commission members agreed on the discussed changes and directed staff to hold a neighborhood
meeting in the spring.
4. 2021 Annual Report
Denaway presented the 2021 Annual Report of the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commission.
The report included Sunset Lake Park planning, park dedication fees, ongoing Oneka Trail Study,
residential developments reviewed in 2021, and the planning and construction of Lions Park.
Moore-Arcand made a motion, McGinnity seconded to approve the annual report as presented.
All ayes. Motion carried.
5. Adjournment
Moore-Arcand made a motion, Schmid seconded to adjourn at 8:30 PM.
All ayes. Motion carried.
2022 Goals
Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commission
Approved by the Parks Commission at their January 19, 2022 meeting.
•Address trail and greenway connectivity with new developments.
•Finalize the North Star (Oneka) Trail Feasibility Study and pursue funding and construction.
•Construct passive trails near Oneka Place and Hugo Meadows.
•Support Washington County in completing the Hardwood Creek Regional Trail.
Develop a network of multi-purpose
TRAILS connecting neighborhoods
to parks and open space
•Provide for the changing recreation needs of our diverse population through partnerships.
•Update the facility rental policies and practices to make new pavilion available for public use.
•Host the Tour de Hugo and other community events.
Utilize facilities to provide
active and passive RECREATION
options for all Hugo residents
•Continually inspect existing parks and trails and maintain and enhance as necessary.
•Draft a park sign and landscaping replacement plan.
•Evaluate grading at Val Jean Park for neighborhood ice rink.
Manage and optimize all EXISTING
PARKS AND TRAILS.
•Finish construction of Lions Park.
•Evaluate the Bernin property. Review and expand on the vision for the future community park.
•Approve long-term vision of Irish Avenue Park.
•Draft construction plans for Clearwater Creek Preserve trail improvements.
Expand COMMUNITY PARKS
•Actively utilize the Comprehensive Plan as a planning tool.
•Respond to resident input.
•Review development applications with respect to the Parks, Trails, and Open Space Plan and Park Dedication Policy.
•Approve a new Memorial Policy and review the Park Naming Policy.
Administer the
Parks, Trails, and Open Space
PLAN and POLICIES
Capital Improvement Plan
2022-2026
Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Commission
Project 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026
Neighborhood Park Upgrades $40,000 $40,000 $140,000 $40,000 $140,000
Val Jean Park, Arcand Park, Other Multiple Parks Frog Hollow Playground Replacement Multiple Parks Oneka Lake Park Playground Replacement
Trail Improvements $100,000 $50,000 $2,200,000 ( grant funded) $100,000 $100,000
North Star Trail Study & Planning North Star Trail Planning North Star Trail Construction TBD Trail Improvements TBD Trail Improvements
Irish Avenue Park $50,000 $50,000
Master Plan Schematic Design
Clearwater Creek Preserve $500,000
Construction of Phase 1
Water Access Improvements $20,000 $20,000
Sunset Lake Master Plan Sunset Lake Park Construction Documents
Bernin Property Planning $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 TBD
Development Guidelines, Concept Planning Master Plan Construction Documents Construction
$180,000 $610,000 $190,000 $210,000 $260,000
Approved at the Parks Commission meeting of February 17, 2021.