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2010.10.14 Work Session Packetv.i ---- IA I vVVI\VIL WORK SESSION WORKING AGENDA Thursday, October 14, 2010 Conference Room A Permanent File, do not destroy Pursuant to clue call and notice given in the manner prescribed by Section 3.01 of the City Charter, the Work Session of the Crystal City COLInCal was held at p,rn_ on Thursday, October 14, 2010 in Conference Room A in Crystal City Hall located at 4141 Douglas Drive, Crystal, Minnesota. I. Attendance OLMCil members Mathisen Anderson II. Agenda The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the following agenda items: a. Discuss Twin Lake Shores buffer/shoreland plantings b. Discuss disc golf course at Bassett Creek Park c. Discuss long range park planning d. Discuss 2011 pool hours e. Update on Park Commission discussion of Dog Park III. Adjournment The Work Session adjourned at p. G1City Clerk\Council\Work sessions\wsagenda10.14.10.doc r Memorandum OC CRrST Ai. DATE: October 7, 2010 TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Anne Norris, City Manager SUBJECT: Twin Lake Shores Park Shoreland Planting/Buffer During budget work sessions this year there was discussion about PIR Parks Item 5024 Twin Lake Park shoreland restoration. Restoration of shorelines and shoreland around Crystal lakes and ponds is an important environmental factor in sustaining clean water and wildlife habitat and is a critical component in Crystal's responsibility to comply with local watershed district's management objectives. Watersheds are strongly encouraging the use of unmowed, natural buffer areas for water quality and storm water runoff management. Additionally, healthy and well -managed lakeshores and ponds contribute to the overall quality of life in our community and add to the recreational value and diversity of our parks and open spaces. Restoration of the shoreland in Twin Lake Park is a component of the master plan for that park which was adopted in 2003 and developed with the input of the eight residential properties adjacent to the park. The purpose of restoring a shoreland and managing the vegetation is to create a buffer to improve the quality of storm water runoff, to discourage geese and to control the types of vegetation in that area to limit volunteer and sometimes invasive vegetation. The amount included in the 2010 PIR for Twin Lake Park provides for an expert (such as Prairie Restoration) to establish the vegetation. The PIR amount is for shoreland plantings only. There are also funds in succeeding years of the PIR to provide for experts to return to help insure the success of establishing the vegetation. On -going maintenance of this area, as well as other buffer areas and rain gardens, will be the responsibility of a seasonal employee in the utilities division. Several Councilmembers mentioned concerns about the appearance of the shoreland planting in Brooklyn Center's Twin Lake Park. The initial planting was done in 2003 through grants from the Shingle Creek Watershed and a DNR shoreland habitat grant. Brooklyn Center staff agreed the vegetation hasn't been maintained as it should have been, due to staff changes and reductions. Brooklyn Center staff estimated the time needed to maintain an established buffer area is likely 12 — 20 hours annually. The Parks and Recreation Commission, as part of its long range planning discussion, is also discussing a policy regarding buffer areas and maintenance of those areas. Members of the Parks and Recreation Commission, as well as staff and a representative of Prairie Restorations, will be at the October 14 work session to discuss this item. Cc: Tom Mathisen, Public Works Director Gene Hackett, Recreation Director Rick Rauen, Parks Superintendent Memorandum CwAt DATE: October 7, 2010 TO: Anne Norris, City Manager City Council Members Park and Recreation Commission Members FROM: Tom Mathisen, Public Works Director Rick Rauen, Park Superintendent Gene Hackett, Recreation Director SUBJECT: Expansion of the Disc Golf Course Background The Commission and City Council walked the proposed disc golf course expansion earlier this summer. John Solberg from the disc golf group led the tour and highlighted the new and reconfigured holes to make an 18 hole course. Following the tour, City Manager Anne sent her notes from comments made by the City Council: The existing course is sufficient; If the course were expanded, only in the woods; No new holes on the peninsula; Leave the woods as is; No holes nearer to the BBQ/picnic areas than they already are; If water is desirable, look to east pond. The Park and Recreation Commission will meet with the City Council on Thursday October 14 to further discuss further expansion of the course. At the conclusion of this meeting, the Commission should have City Council direction on how to proceed with future plans for this facility. Recommended Action The City Council and Commission should discuss whether to expand the course or not. If expansion is desirable, discussion should be held as to how many holes and desirable locations. This will give the Commission and disc golf group direction for future planning. Memorandum CQi ALL DATE: October. 7, 2010 TO: Anne Norris, City Manager Mayor and City Council Members Park and Recreation Commission Members FROM: Tom Mathisen, Public Works Director Rick Rauen, Park Superintendent Gene Hackett, Recreation Director SUBJECT: Long Range Plan Items: Yunker Park Background At a recent budget work session on the PIR Fund (Capital Improvements), discussion centered around one line item: Reroofing the Yunker Park Shelter Building. City Council questions concerned the long range plan for currently unused buildings such as Yunker. Suggested remedies include: 1) Replace unused buildings with new structures such as sun shelters 2) Remove unused buildings and not replace with anything 3) Maintain the status quo and continue to budget for the upkeep of the buildings" This question was referred back to the Commission for further discussion and recommendation. At the October 6 Park and Recreation Commission meeting, the Commission discussed this item and decided that they would like to examine this issue on a park by park basis. Removing buildings from parks has strong implications to the Long Range Plan. Buildings that are removed may never have the opportunity to be rebuilt. Commission members felt it was important to get a handle on the locations, assess the status, review maintenance costs and future park plans. Recommended Action Remove the Yunker roof line item from the 2011 PIR — Parks Department budget request. Beginning in November 2011, conduct a study of park buildings, beginning with Yunker to assess the feasibility of retaining or removing individual park buildings based on criteria to be established as part of the study. Complete the study by May 2011 for 2012 budget preparation. C04MemorandumALL DATE: October 8, 2010 TO: Mayor and Council Members Anne Norris, City Manager FROM: Gene Hackett, Recreation Director SUBJECT: Extension of Pool Hours and Season Background During a recent work session, the City Council discussed extending the pool hours and season for 2011. After some discussion, it was decided to open the pool until 9:00pm on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and market the later hours as "Family Night". Also, the pool will be open Saturday evenings until 9:00pm. Additional marketing will be done to promote these extended hours. In addition, Crystal staff will meet with New Hope staff to determine if there are ways to combine pool staffs in order to keep one pool open an additional week. It is hoped that by combining resources, each city could alternate with their pool staying open the additional week in order to better serve residents of both cities. Discussion Extend Hours: In order to extend the pool hour 3 hours per week for the entire season, additional staff expenses would be incurred: Staff Total: $123.72/hour x 27 additional hours = $3340.44. This includes the additional cost for 6 Guards, 3 Auxiliary, 1 Cashier and no concession stand — only vending. Since the chemicals and utilities run 24 hours there wouldn't be additional costs for those. Marketing: The present advertising budget for the pool is $2000.00. The Department partners with Cable 12 for promotional airtime with a video commercial. We pay a nominal fee and then supplement the airtime with a trade for free passes to the pool which Cable 12 hands out at a variety of special events over the summer. This program is run cooperatively with New Hope so both pools are advertised. In addition, there are 2 for 1 coupons in two of the coupon mailers that are direct mailed to local households. For an additional $2000.00 we could run 2 ads in the Sun Post as well as be included in 2 additional coupon mailers. Revenue: The increase would be negligible to offset these expenses. Discussion Extend Season: Preliminary discussion with the City of New Hope is positive in that they are interested in trying to work a system that one pool would be open one week longer and that we would alternate years doing this. Challenges to be discussed include: Is Having enough staff available between both pools — several colleges begin in August and many staff need to go back to secure dorm rooms and register. The University of Minnesota does start later, however this has not been a good resource for finding staff for either city. In addition, high school sports start captain's practices that week so some of our high school staff may not be available. 01 Payroll issues — how to pay the other city's staff or develop a bill back system for the expenses. a Other expenses — how do we allocate utility and chemical expenses. o Revenues — how to allocate (or not) additional revenue between the cities. None of these above items are insurmountable but will need further discussion and agreement with the City of New Hope. To keep one pool open an extra week, these additional costs would be incurred: Staff costs: 123.72/hour x 52 hours = $6433.44 This assumes being open the same hours as outlined above. Chemicals: 1600.00 Utilities: 2800.00 Recommended Action To direct staff to move forward with the extended hours as outlined above and continue discussion with New Hope to extend the pool season of one pool each year that is agreeable to both cities. This discussion and decision needs to be completed by the end of the year to allow for the preparation of each city's summer brochure. Memorandum crry ui 4_IIY *CIA [_ DATE: October 7, 2010 TO: Anne Norris, City Manager City Council Members Park and Recreation Commission Members FROM: Tom Mathisen, Public Works Director Rick Rauen, Park Superintendent Gene Hackett, Recreation Director SUBJECT: Dog Park Rules Discussion Background The Crystal Dog Park opened this summer and has proven to be a huge success. Members of the dog park citizens group came to the Commission earlier this summer to propose some rule revisions. Due to time constraints, this discussion was tabled until now. The proposed rule changes discussions include: Children — whether there should be an age restriction No food allowed Aggressive dogs Inclusions of marking specific rules as city ordinances Posting of hours In addition, resident comments were made at the last Commission meeting. The Commission decided to include this discussion with the rule sign discussion, These comment s include: People let dogs off leash in the parking lot Come early before park officially opens Grooming dogs in the parking lot — the hair blows all over Only 2 people ever pick up after their dogs Request to have lights turn off at 8pm not 10pm — the lights shine into resident's window. Need more woodchips — there are bare areas Need more grass on the hill — needs to be reseeded People take dogs off leash before they get to the gate Too much barking Dogs run in packs inside the park At the October 6 Park and Recreation Commission meeting, the following proposed rule changes were discussed: Hours: The dog park will have set open and close hours. Currently dog park hours are same as park hours: sunrise to 10pm. Not allowing children under age 6: After checking with the City Attorney, cities can set reasonable limits on minors; however they cannot ban all minors completely since this could result in age discrimination issues in the provision of public services. Since there have been instances of children being knocked over and such, he did recommend that the wording include that children are supervised at all times in the facility. Not allowing children under age 6 during busy times (4 — 7pm): Need to get an opinion from the City Attorney. Listing inherent risks on the sign: Need to get an opinion from the City Attorney. In addition, the dog park group requested that the rule signs be made larger (3x3 or 4x4) and that one be installed at the entrance and another inside the park. Attachment A — Current Rule Sign Attachment B — Proposed Rule Sign Recommended Action The City Council and Commission should discuss these rule changes at the October work session. ATTACHMENT A — Current Rule Sign The City of Crystal welcomes you to this off -leash dog park. As a user of this facility, YOU are responsible for it. Please read and follow these simple rules. Bringing children under the age of 6 into the off -leash area is STRONGLY discouraged. All children should be closely supervised by an adult. Dogs must be leashed prior to entering and leaving the off -leash area. Owners must have verbal control of their pet(s) and must prevent aggressive behavior and excessive barking. Aggressive dogs must be removed immediately. Never leave dogs unattended. Owners are legally responsible for their dogs and any injuries or damage caused by them. Pets need to be properly licensed and vaccinated. Owners must clean up and properly dispose of feces. Dogs in heat are not allowed inside the park. Dogs registered as dangerous in any jurisdiction are not allowed. Rules and hours of the off -leash area are the same as the park hours. Call the Crystal Park Dept at 763-531-1158 with maintenance concerns. CALL 911 FOR EMERGENCIES. Failure to abide by these rules may result in loss ofprivileges or owners naay receive a citation. ATTACHMENT B — Suggested Rules City of Crystal Bassett Creek Park Off Leash Dog Exercise Area Open 6:bl}am _ 10:0 ll)ni Welcome to the off -leash dog exercise area. As a user of this facility, YOU are responsible for ensuring this area is not only clean but safe for yourself and others. Please read and follow these simple rules. CHILDREN AGE 6 AND UNDER ARE NOT ALLOWED WITHIN THE OFF LEASH AREA. USERS SHOULD BE ADVISED THAT THEY WILL BE USING THE CUFF LEASH AREA AT THEIR OWN RISK, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE RISK OF BEING BITTEN, KNOCKED DOWN, TRIPPING, ETC. e DOGS MUST BE LEASHED PRIOR TO ENTERING/LEAVING OFF -LEASH AREA. CITY ORDINANCE a ANY DOG EXHIBITING AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR OR EXCESSIVE BARKING MUST BE REMOVED IMMEDIATELY. PETS MUST BE LICENSED AND PROPERLY VACCINATED. PRO PEoL v S 0 C1 .; lZ€-D-AND4RAkN F D D Q G &4AAKl--6r.TTFR PETS Al_D &ET-T-ER-V464rr' R S TO OPP- LEASHnREAe DOGS REGISTERED AS DANGEROUS IN ANY JURISDICTION ARE NOT ALLOWED. NO FOOD! HUMAN OR PET. 4 CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR PET AND DISPOSE OF WASTE PROPERLY. CITY ORDINANCE DOGS IN HEAT ARE NOT ALLOWED INSIDE THIS AREA LIMIT TWO DOGS PER HANDLER. ALL PARK RULES APPLY TO OFF -LEASH AREA CALL THE CRYSTAL PARK DEPT AT 763-531-1158 WITH MAINTENANCE CONCERNS. CALL 911 FOR EMERGENCIES. DOG BITES, MEDICAL EMERGENCIES FAILURE TO ABIDE BY THESE RULES MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF PRIVILEGES OR OWNERS MAY RECEIVE A CITATION. WATCH YOUR PET — OBSERVE THEIR BEHAVIOR; YOUR DOG - YOUR RESPONSIBLITY. Explanation: Hours: The dog park will have set open and close hours. Currently dog park hours are same as park hours: sunrise to 10pm. Not allowing children under age 6: After checking with the City Attorney, cities can set reasonable limits on minors; however they cannot ban all minors completely since this could result in age discrimination issues in the provision of public services. Since there have been instances of children being knocked over and such, he did recommend that the wording include that children are supervised at all times in the facility. Not allowing children under age 6 during busy times (4 — 7pm): Need to get an opinion from the City Attorney. Listing inherent risks on the sign: Need to get an opinion from the City Attorney. Janet Lewis From: Anne Norris Sent: Monday, October 11, 2010 9:17 AM To: 'rjbowman3@comcast.net'; 'Anderson, David B (MDOR)'; MrkHoffmann@aol.com; Joe Selton iamjcsjr@aol.com); 'Tim Hoppe'; JANET MOORE; 'Imoore133@comcast.net' Cc: Janet Lewis; Tom Mathisen; Kim Therres Subject: One more item for Thursday's work session I'm adding discussion of 361h Avenue west of Douglas Avenue as a 61h item to Thursday night's work session agenda. Thanks. Anne