REGULAR MEETING PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION City of Oakdale CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Oakdale Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, May 16, 2017, at Oakdale City Hall, 1584 Hadley Avenue, Oakdale, Minnesota. The meeting was called to order by Chair Masterman at 7:01 p.m. CALL OF ROLL On a call of roll, the following were present: Chair: Commissioners: Also Present: Absent (Excused): Gary Masterman Maxine Bethke Janet Cunningham Colleen Swedberg Jane Klein Jeff Koesling, Parks Superintendent Julie Williams, Recreation Superintendent Bill Rasmussen, City Council PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Regular Meeting, April 18, 2017 A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER SWEDBERG, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CUNNINGHAM TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING OF APRIL 18, 2017 AS PRESENTED. DOG PARK NAMING Gary Masterman Chair Masterman reviewed last month s commission decision to open a dog park naming contest to the public for the new dog park that will be located at 50 th St just east of 694. He thanked the community for their response of the approximately 50 names that were received. Commissioner Klein expressed that her favorite name on the community s list is the Oakdale Canine Corral. She shared her preference for names that include Oakdale in the name of the park and also refer to what the park is. It is nice to have the community involved; there were many creative responses.
Page 2 Commissioner Swedberg also likes Oakdale to be in the park name. All names were cute or good in their own way. She thanked the community for their participation. Chair Masterman shared his preference for the Shady Oaks Dog Park as the name of the park. He also agrees with using Oakdale in the park name. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER KLEIN SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SWEDBERG TO RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING THREE DOG PARK NAMES TO CITY COUNCIL FOR A FINAL VOTE; OAKDALE CANINE CORRAL, SHADY OAKS DOG PARK, AND ROAMING ACRES. PARKS UPDATE Jeff Koesling Memorial Benches Mr. Koesling reported that there will be two new memorial benches installed in the Oakdale Nature Preserve. Crews poured one of the pads last Friday, located directly west of the Discovery Center along the grass trail on the north end of the meadow. There used to be an older wooden bench and trash can there. The second site was chosen with the individual yesterday and will be located on the north end of the peninsula. There are no benches in that area currently. It will be installed after the memorial inscription is decided by the customer. The cost for a memorial bench is around $1,000. The customer chooses the spot within the parameters that the bench is accessible and safely off the trail. The benches are made out of recycled plastic, uniform in style and font, have 5 color options, letters have an epoxy inlay, and are maintenance free. Parks staff prep the area and poor the concrete pad. When the bench has arrived, the customer is called to have the opportunity to be there when it is installed; a personal moment for them. The majority of benches are for people who have passed. These two new benches are dedicated to dogs who have roamed the park with their owners. There is no charge for the labor because the memorials serve to enhance the parks. Fields & Mowing Crews have been extremely busy keeping up the mowing, trimming, and grooming of fields as all youth and adult leagues have started. Six seasonal staff are now on board; a huge boost during this busy time. With rain we will be behind this week as we can t get onto the fields where we need to cut. Tanners Boat Launch Dock Update The new boat launch dock has been installed. The new float system will follow the rise and fall of the lake and is a great, big improvement. The old dock went underwater a couple times. The asphalt needs to be touched up where the ramp comes off the dock. It has been too wet to get out there, but we may be able to do it this week. A permit was not needed from the DNR as their will not be changes to the outflow/inflow or a disturbance to the shoreline. The DNR confirmed that we were in compliance. Dan Bunde Retiring Full time Parks Division Employee Dan Bunde announced that he will retire June 31. He has been with the city for 20 years and his last day in the office will be June 15. He is dedicated, a retired Oakdale Firefighter for about 35 years, phenomenal on staff, and is a do-it-all guy that brings a lot of laughter. He plans to spend time with wife Marie spending time at their place south of Mille Lacs. They love traveling and spending time with grandchildren. Mr. Koesling has known him over 30 years
Page 3 as a coworker and friend. It will be a sad day when he leaves and he will be hard to replace. Interviews will be conducted next week to add a new full time worker. Chair Masterman shared that he and Dan Bunde go way back, working 30 years together in the fire department, along with him working with Mr. Koesling s crew. Mr. Masterman wished Dan Bunde good luck, enjoy the lake, and congrats on retirement. Chair Masterman commented that with the rain, the fields are in good shape. He asked that Mr. Koesling share the comment with his crew who have done a great job. Commissioner Klein added that she is amazed at what the parks crews get done. They are always mowed, clean, and maintained. RECREATION UPDATE Julie Williams Summer Programs Superintendent Williams reported that the full summer newsletter is at the printer currently and will be mailed to residents next week. The early update was geared toward kids programs. The full newsletter contains all summer programs, and includes everything for adults as well. Summer Staff Summer staff have been selected and the training will begin the second week of June. There are four returning staff and 5 new staff this year. Artist of the Month The Painting Pals, a group that paints together at the Gladstone Senior Center, has returned to the Discovery Center Art Gallery for their annual display this May. 10 artists have each chosen 1-2 of their favorite paintings to show. Summerfest Parade 84 applications have been received for the parade. A few more can be taken, and there are always a few last minute entrants. The 2017 Grand Marshal is Randy Bastyr, the former Parks Superintendent & 2016 City of Oakdale Volunteer of the Year. We are excited to have Randy. New parade participants this year include the East Metro Water Resource Education Program, Gethsemane Church and School, the new Goldfish Swim School, Northeast United Soccer Club, and Oakdale KinderCare. Summerfest 5K/10K This fun event is done every year. This year s event will be on Saturday, June 24, with registration at 7:00 AM and the race at 8:00 AM. The race goes right through the Oakdale Nature Preserve. We appreciate the Citizens Community Federal Bank sponsoring again, as they have in the past few years. Hope Church is partnering with us to help raise funds for their local youth group. In return, they supply snacks, water, and manpower throughout the race. Summerfest 3 rd Lair Skateboard Contest Part of 3 rd Lair s Summer Series Contest is stopping at Walton Park. Sponsors for the event include Amy Brown with State Farm Insurance and the Oakdale Collision Center. They have sponsored the last couple years and we thank them for returning again. The competition takes place at 5:00 PM on Friday, June 23, with registration at 4:00 PM. The top 3 riders
Page 4 from each division qualify to move on to the State Fair where they compete once again. This is a fun activity for skateboarders. Amped Up Entertainment Our outdoor amphitheater series kicks off on June 29 at the Discovery Center. The free, kid friendly program is really popular and takes place select Thursdays at 10:00 AM. Over 100 kids with their families came through for each event last year. This year s series includes Remarkable Reptiles, Mad Science Minnesota, the Open Eye Theater Puppet Show, and more. Farmers Market The season will be here in a few short weeks and will kick off on June 7, running through October 7, on Wednesdays from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Last year the market ran through the month of October, but due to tough weather, and loss of vendors with less they are able to offer, the decision was made to cut the market at October 7. The layout will also return to the old layout used I the past, with a single line of vendors stretching along the first row of the parking lot. This is the layout preferred by the vendors and it is easier to pull the vendors together if one is absent. Live music will be performed on select dates by the Four Legged Fish and the Two Sisters. We are excited for their return. New market vendors include: Brandon Binder s Cheese & Meats, LC s Kitchen, Love Mom Homemade Foods, Hopple Popple Breads, and a Mexican Food Truck. The Red Cross Bloodmobile will attend June 4 and August 23 from 12:00 6:00 PM. Oakdale Wellness 50+ Fitness Fun in the Park will be held Thursday, June 29, from 5:30 7:00 PM at the Discovery Center. An instructor will take participants into the Oakdale Nature Preserve and guide through how to use each fitness station. Oakdale Library The Discovery Center continues to be a satellite location for the Oakdale Library. Summer Reading Activity Cards will be available June through August 12 for children to complete 10 activities to receive a free book from the library. If kids complete a book review, they also get a chance at winning tickets to the Twins, State Fair, or the Crayola Experience. Pop Up Play Parks This new program will bring recreation programming to the neighborhoods at preselected sites. Different activities, special events, crafts, and games will be offered as a free, drop-in program. The newsletter has stops listed with their locations and times. Community Walk Mrs. Williams reported that with the early spring and 240 participants, the community walk is off to a good start. Last year, the total was 200 participants for the whole season. It s only May and we re already at that number, so we are off to a fantastic start. The funding for the program prevents adding the program to the other Oakdale parks. AARP Tax Assistance It has been a challenging season with the late federal conformity and new software for the tax assistance program. The volunteers struggled but had a productive season, serving over 200 participants. The program is done every year and is appreciated. AARP uses the Discovery Center on Thursdays during tax season, and we take appointments for the AARP. Slots are 9 AM to 12 PM and there are 4 slots each hour. It is a free, volunteer based program that serves anyone. It is recommended to call the first business day of January, as the program fills earlier each year.
Page 5 COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Klein reported that the new planting in the Oakdale Nature Preserve is gorgeous. The project utilized community grants, manpower from volunteers from North High School, and is located on both sides of the new boardwalk. Commissioner Klein also shared that nominations are sought for the City of Oakdale Acorn Award. Above and beyond landscaping for commercial, public, and residential properties that are front yard visible can be nominated on the city website during May. The council awards properties in June with a gift card, and your name and photo in the review. Park Superintendent Koesling reported that tomorrow, the City Forester Chris Larson will have his last day. He will be moving up to Brainerd with his family where he took a new position. Mr. Koesling thanked Chris for what he has done for the Oakdale Parks System. He is phenomenally gifted and will be greatly missed. His passion for parks and forestry is out of this world. He beautified the parks with his plantings and deserves credit. He has been very dedicated the last 14 years. Good luck to Chris and his family. Commissioner Klein added that she had worked with Chris for the past 14 years at volunteer events and his mark is everywhere. She is proud of him. Chair Masterman shared that the next month meeting is the week of Summerfest. Details on the festival s events can be found on the city website. Commissioner Cunningham noted that pickleball went before city council and asked if pickleball is out of the commission s hands now. Chair Masterman responded that pickleball will be on the commission s agenda next month. A recommendation will need to be made to council. ADJOURNMENT A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER BETHKE SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SWEDBERG TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION, DATED MAY 16, 2017, AT 7:33 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Laura Heimkes