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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-01-07 Parks Minutes CITY OF MAPLEWOOD PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, January 7, 2009 700 p.m. COUNCIL CHAMBERS - MAPLEWOOD CITY HALL 1830 COUNTY ROAD BEAST 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. Chair Fischer indicated five commissioners are required to form a quorum, there were seven commissioners present. Present Chair Peter Fischer Commissioner Carolyn Peterson Commissioner Bruce Roman Commissioner Kim Schmidt Commissioner Donald Christianson Commissioner Craig Brannon Commissioner Therese Sonnek Absent Commissioner Julie Binko Staff Ginny Gaynor, Natural Resources Coordinator 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Christianson motioned to approve the agenda as modified, seconded by Commissioner Brannon, all ayes. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES No minutes were available 5. VISITORS No visitors 6. UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA CAPSTONE PROJECT The university students who participated in the Sustainable Maplewood 2050 project were present to give a summary of the parks section and answer questions. Chair Fischer introduced Nicholas Saumweber and Greg Rottach. Mr. Rottach and Mr. Saumweber were present to give their summary. They worked on parks and recreation aspects The report was in three sections social, biophysical and managerial. The students . Inventoried existing vegetation in the parks, determining the types of vegetation in these areas that could be changed. . Researched what residents of Maplewood preferred through a resident survey. 1 . Performed inventory and assessment of park facilities, graded and evaluated trails and buildings and amenities, and performed observational surveys in the parks. Mr. Saumweber stated their first recommendation was to reduce management costs and increase public awareness of vegetation types. Mr. Rottach indicated parks infrastructure was researched. Disrepair in parks should be addressed in future surveys. Recommendations were made to increase community involvement in the parks. Mr. Rottach and Mr. Saumweber stated social aspects were important because of differing opinions regarding how parks should be used. Parks can be gathering places and areas in which to recreate. Bulletin boards could become a medium for residents to interact. Regarding cost for managing vegetation, Mr. Rottach indicated another group researched costs and that report could be found online. Commissioner Schmidt asked if the commission would discuss the report and combine it with their comprehensive plan. She expressed concern about graffiti and inappropriate literature if they implemented bulletin boards. She asked whether the city plans to do additional surveys. Natural Resources Coordinator Gaynor responded that at this time the city has no plans to do a survey. Commissioner Fischer stated that discussion of this report will continue at future commission meetings. Commissioner Peterson asked about community gardens and where they would be located. Mr. Saumweber said Vista Hills and Crestview park residents showed interest in gardens. Edgerton Park, adjacent to a school, would provide for resident and school involvement. There was concern about park safety at Gloster and Flicek Parks. Community gardens could eliminate some of this concern. Mr. Rottach said Crestview, a small park, would be an ideal area for flower and vegetable gardens. Commissioner Sonnek asked how research of community gardens was done. Mr. Saumweber stated community gardens were their idea and the dog park concept was recommended by their professors. Natural Resources Coordinator Ginny Gaynor indicated the report showed lower and middle income residents did not utilize the parks often. She asked the reason for this. Mr. Saumweber said some residents reported lack of accessibility, and residents in the middle income range indicated time constraints and security issues. Mr. Rottach indicated a mail survey would be expensive. He said a mail survey that would give residents a chance for feedback through e-mail or telephone would be effective. Door to door contact was successful. Chair Fischer asked if planting additional trees was a component in their research. Mr. Saumweber stated they researched borders and boundaries of vegetation; however a wooded transition would be beneficial in terms of reducing costs. 2 Mr. Rottach stated most residents preferred open spaces; citing the need to educate residents regarding implementing wooded areas. Mr. Saumweber indicated the importance of aesthetics with different vegetation types Turf grass is a critical aspect in parks, however planting different grasses around the edges would be beneficial. Chair Fischer asked about the types of grasses and signage that could be used. Mr. Saumweber cited the Lake Phalen project in terms of signage. The public was concerned about the aesthetic quality of the project; hence project managers used signage approximately every 50 feet. Commissioner Roman asked if the students could explain the reasons for the low responses of residents below age 30 and residents earning $40,000 a year or less. Mr. Saumweber said they spoke to the heads of households which may have contributed to the age factor. Mr. Rottach said the largest constraint among the elderly is the difficulty in getting to parks. The highest park users were families with school age children. Commissioner Christianson asked if the survey was done only with individual family residences. Mr. Saumweber said they weren't allowed to go into condominiums and apartments Commissioner Peterson asked how households were selected. Mr. Saumweber stated they were provided vvth GIS information and plot maps and they did a "dot" grid sampling technique. Fifteen houses per neighborhood were surveyed. Commissioner Brannon asked if they elicited a certain number of responses per neighborhood. Mr. Rottach said they continued until they received fifteen responses per neighborhood. Mr. Saumweber said they surveyed door to door between 4 and 8 p.m. evenings and on weekends. Commissioner Schmidt was surprised by the increase in obesity rates, which were 13% in the 1960's, 32% in 2002, and 66% in 2008. Mr. Saumweber said that was correct, although some subjectivity should be used with these statistics. Chair Fischer asked about most of our trails beginning at one point and ending at another and what are the best practices. Did the survey participants stress importance with different types of trails, length of trails or signage on trails? Mr. Saumweber said the respondents enjoyed walking vvth their family and dogs and using the trails for exercise. An increase in small athletic facilities is important -- patrons using the trails would tend to use the equipment. Signage on trails was important. Park patrons tend to use parks that have loop trails (trail begins and ends at the same place). Commissioner Schmidt asked how many hours of observation were completed. 3 Mr. Rottach said they visited parks at different times of the day for twenty minutes each in a two week period beginning at the end of September. Commissioner Sonnek inquired about the number of dogs they observed in the parks. Mr. Saumweber said there were a few dogs at the parks. Twenty percent of the respondents owned dogs, yet many vvthout dogs would support a dog park. The number of people supporting a dog park was higher in an area that already had one. Commissioner Schmidt asked for an update at Edgerton and Western parks as a result of gang activity. She asked about liability if neighbors took responsibility for the basketball nets. Open Space Coordinator Gaynor said she would take this item to Parks Manager Taubman. Commissioner Christianson said the city of St. Paul doesn't have many basketball facilities, so people were coming to Maplewood. Residents weren't able to use the courts. Commissioner Fischer said Edgerton was a critical area after a drive by shooting resulting in a death. At that time the basketball hoops were taken down. He suggested Edgerton school staff could perform this task of raising and lowering the hoops. He noted this for a future agenda item. 7 REVIEW OF 2008 ACTIVITIES Chair Fischer said their 2008 task list vvll be the basis for the annual report Some items have been partially accomplished. He said they would discuss what has been accomplished and what will carryover to next year. Goal 1 ; Finish update of park plan for south of Carver. Recommendations went to the council. Chair Fischer indicated this goal was completed. Goal 2 Gladstone redevelopment area. Chair Fischer asked staff for an update. Natural Resources Coordinator Gaynor said design work for Gladstone Savanna is dependent on development projects in this neighborhood. We will move forvvard on this project when funds are available. Goal 3. Redevelopment of Lion's park. Chair Fischer stated the planning process for Lion's Park had begun. Goal 4 Maplewood Community Center. Commissioner Christianson said they discussed what responsibility the commission had in regard to the community center. Commissioner Peterson indicated the community center could be deemed an "indoor" park in the winter. Chair Fischer stated they will have more discussion in the future on this item. Commissioner Christianson said they received information regarding the profits of the community center in the past, indicating the necessity of receiving periodic reports Commissioner Schmidt said the commission should determine how self supporting the community center is. She indicated they should consider the financial aspects of lower income residents, and whether finances prohibit them from coming to the center. 4 Commissioner Sonnek said they should determine if the community center is part of the parks commission's charge. Chair Fischer stated the staff should include the commission in significant policy issues. Further discussion would be in order. Commissioner Christianson indicated this item should be a future agenda item. Goal 5 Recommend minimum requirements for a parks director. Chair Fischer said the commission vvll be involved with this in the future; the city currently has a parks manager. Goal 6 Develop diverse programs for the community. Chair Fischer indicated this was not completed. Commissioner Peterson indicated the community center is a place where diverse populations come together. Commissioner Peterson suggested having a representative from the community center meet with them on this goal. Commissioner Sonnek mentioned some city vvde events in the past. She thought the Taste of Maplewood, the 4th of July celebration, and National Night Out were events that invited diversity. Chair Fischer indicated the Capstone Project's recommendations included planning more community festivals in parks. He suggested partnering with groups to organize festivals. Commissioner Sonnek mentioned the soccer competition that was held at Hazelwood last year. Chair Fischer said diverse groups participated in the tournaments. He asked Natural Resources Coordinator Gaynor to ask Manager Taubman ways in which diversity could be integrated into upcoming tournaments. Goal 7 Capital improvements of Joy Park and Beaver Lake Trail. Natural Resources Coordinator Gaynor said for Beaver Lake Trail, a culvert was installed in 2008 and plans were to improve the trail in 2009. Goal 8 Continuing ongoing education of commissioners on park issues. Chair Fischer indicated this goal will carry forvvard for 2009. Goal 9 Remain committed to twenty-four hour removal of graffiti in parks. Chair Fischer said this has been addressed. Goal 1 0 Develop a no-net loss of park land policy for the city. The commissioners indicated this is included in the Comprehensive Plan. Natural Resources Coordinator Gaynor said the Comprehensive Plan has a no-net loss policy for the preserves, but not for the parks. Chair Fischer said the neighborhood preserves are owned by the city. If there was concern about anything being sold, it would initiate a change in the Comprehensive Plan. Chair Fischer said that they have a no net loss policy regarding the preserves. Commissioner Brannon asked what tools they have for protection of parkland. 5 Chair Fischer said there were conservation easements, especially in the preserves. Presence of these preserves on the land use maps and in the park plan would force a four to one vote to take away the protection. Natural Resources Coordinator Gaynor said conservation easements are the highest level of protection. The preserves are very well protected through the proposed Comprehensive Plan; the parks are as well. Ordinances, (three to two vote), policies and guidelines, public opinion, and education are all part of protection. Chair Fischer asked if they wanted to continue this item for the coming year, or was everyone comfortable with the current park plan protection. Commissioner Christianson said they have always voted unanimously on a no net loss for park plan. Chair Fischer indicated this item will not be on the agenda for the coming year. Commissioner Christianson indicated some of the activities listed in their list from last year were the Park Department's responsibilities. Chair Fischer said they were responsible for a report regarding their activities, indicating it is a commission report He mentioned other things that have been worked on the Lake Links Trail, Legacy tot lot, the dog park planning process, and the Gethsemane project. He will keep these items on the agenda. Commissioner Peterson indicated the field trips they took were valuable. They made trips to Lion's Park, Hazelwood Park, and they also visited parks in the south leg of Maplewood. Natural Resources Coordinator Gaynor said she would ask Director Konewko which parks the commission visited in 2008. Commissioner Brannon indicated they looked at turf issues and developed a plan for Hazelwood Park in 2007 8. GOALS AND PRIORITIES FOR 2009 Chair Fischer said they would outline goals for the coming year and beyond. Natural Resources Coordinator Gaynor recorded the commission's brainstorming goals for 2009. The following list was compiled by the commissioners at the meeting. There would be opportunity at future meetings to review and revise the list. Each commissioner voted on three goals in the coming year. Projects staff and commissioners have already committed to: . Joy Park implementation . Lion's Park plan . Gladstone savanna plan . Legacy tot lot plan . Beaver Creek trail 6 . Lake Links Trail plans (2 sections) Top goals after each member voted for three goals: . Community gardens (3 votes) . Work with other commissions (3 votes) . Receive more feedback from staff and other groups (Open Space Panel, Friends of Maplewood Nature, MAA, (Maplewood Community Center), NISA (3 votes) . Long-term funding of parks system and grants (3 votes) . Maplewood Community Center (3 votes) . Dog park (2 votes) Other projects and topics: . Encourage involvement by diverse groups . Turf policy . Trail policy . Tree policy . Trail signage . Park signage (same style, consistency) . Programming (beyond youth sports) . Fitness and health programs . Review budget information . Park hours . Park survey . Bulletin boards and other forms of communications . Prioritizing and follovvng up on long and short-term goals . Park security and public safety . Basketball hoops . Green corridors . Water in parks (water quality, aquatic invasives) . Sustainability of athletic fields . Shervvood Park . Hillside neighborhood (not many active parks) . School sites (use of them) . Volunteers Natural Resources Coordinator Gaynor indicated many items on the list could be grouped together. Commissioner Christianson suggested their goals should be broader. He said their list should be internal and goals for 2009 should be items such as promoting the parks. Natural Resources Coordinator Gaynor said the Environmental Commission went through this process. They voted on several small items to work on and chose three items to be their goals for the year. Chair Fischer said they would meet with the Environmental Commission on January 20th, 2009. He suggested working with task forces, committees, and across commission lines to accomplish goals. Natural Resources Coordinator Gaynor said staff vvll perform an assessment of parks and work on some of the Capstone project ideas. Commissioner Brannon stated they should prioritize their goals and make sure to follow up on the items throughout the year. 7 Chair Fischer said it would be helpful if they review their goals quarterly and have key staff attend their meetings. Commissioner Peterson said they met with the technical advisory board in the past and suggested meeting with them twice a year. She shared a folder on Friends of Maplewood Nature. She indicated they promote support and enhance growth of the Maplewood Nature Center and preserves. She and Chair Fischer attended their board meeting in December, 2008, and suggested meeting with them in the future. Chair Fischer indicated the MAA (Maplewood Athletic Association) had raised money in the past to give back to the city. Connection vvth them and other community groups would be beneficial. Commissioner Christianson said they received reports from the Finance Department in the past; however they do not currently receive reports Commissioner Peterson asked if someone in the city wrote grants She also mentioned Excel Energy had grant funds exclusively for the eastern part of the metropolitan area. Commissioner Schmidt indicated the President's stimulus package may bring revenue to the city to be applied to park projects. Chair Fischer asked if there were any other comments regarding their goals list. Hearing none, he motioned to proceed to the commissioner presentations. 9. COMMISSIONER PRESENTATIONS Commissioner Sonnek shared an interesting fact from the dog park task force regarding dogs and people in Maplewood. There are approximately 8800 dogs in Maplewood and 8700 children. She also stated that dogs are required to be licensed in Maplewood and a dog park would be one way to enforce licensing. Commissioner Schmidt stated that her commission position does not end until December of 2009. Commissioner Roman had nothing to present. Commissioner Christianson had nothing to present. Commissioner Brannon had nothing to present. Commissioner Fischer commented that an Eagle Scout candidate worked at the community center on a project including different plantings and converting of turf grass. He received his Eagle badge in December, 2008. Commissioner Sonnek stated her term has expired, and Chair Fischer responded that she may serve until reappointed or another person fills her commission spot. 10. STAFF PRESENTATIONS Natural Resources Coordinator Gaynor stated the Eagle Scout he did an excellent job. She reminded everyone next Monday the council would be interviewing candidates for open positions. 8 11. OTHER - no other business 12. ADJOURN Chair Fischer adjourned the meeting at 930 p.m. He reminded everyone that a joint meeting with the Environmental Commission would be held on Wednesday, January 28th from 630 to 800 p.m., and the Comprehensive Plan review would be from 800 to 930 p.m. 9