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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-17-2021 Parks and Trails Packet CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS PARKS COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021 5:00 PM— Park Walkthrough beginning at Cover Park 7:00 PM — Regular Meeting via Zoom The walkthrough portion of the meeting at 5:00 p.m. will be held in-person beginning at Cover Park, then on to Oak Park Crossing Park and Valley View Park. The regular meeting at 7:00 p.m. will be conducted by video/telephone conference due to the ongoing COVID-19 health pandemic. The meeting will follow the provisions of Minnesota Statute § 13D.021. If practical, members of the public may be permitted to remotely listen to the meeting as provided in 13D.021, Subd. 3, subject to such person paying for any added cost incurred by the City as a result of the additional connection. The open meeting can be viewed remotely online at: https:Hus02web.zoom.us/i/4786278054 or by calling (312-626-6799) and entering meeting ID 4786278054#. No participant ID needed. Please contact the City at 651-439-4439 or jpinski cit,, o�parkheights.com in advance of May 17, 2021 if you have any questions about access. I. Call to Order Il. Approval of Agenda III. Approve Parks and Trails Commission Minutes—April 19, 2021 (1) IV. Department/Commission Liaison Reports A. Arborist B. Public Works Director C. Other/ Commission Liaison Report V. Visitors/Public Comment This is an opportunity for the public to address the Commission with questions or concerns not on the agenda. Please limit comments to three minutes. VI. Public Hearing None VII. Old Business A. Cover Park Garden Renewal B. Discuss Reestablishment of a Garden Committee C. Discuss Budget for Shrubs in City Parks VIII. New Business A. Community Garden Concepts (2) Page 1 of 9 IX. Infon-national A. Get to Know the Parks Virtual Walk/Run Event: June I —June 15 B. Next Meeting: Monday, June 21 at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom C. Upcoming Council Meeting: Tuesday, May 25 at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom X. Aeljourn Page 2 of 9 1 CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS PARKS AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Monday,April 19, 2021 at City Hall Held via Zoom videoconferencing allowed per MN Stat 13D.021 I. Call to Order: Chair Chirhart called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Present: Vice Chair Peterson, Cominissioner Hoeppner and Commissioner Thoreson. Also present: City Administrator Johnson, City Clerk Pinski, Public Works Director Kegley, Arborist Danielson, and Commission Liaison Councilmember Johnson. Absent: None. II. Approval of Agenda Vice Chair Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Hoeppner, moved to approve the Agenda. Carried 4-0. III. Approve Parks and Trails Commission Minutes—January 25 2021: Vice Chair Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Hoeppner, moved to approve the Minutes. Carried 4-0. IV. Department/Conunission Liaison Reports: A. Arborist: Arborist Danielson reported that the prescribed burns would take place in the spring and residents were notified by letter. She said the Police Department and. Fire Department would also be notified. Danielson also reported that an Arbor Day activity book was on the City's website, and the City received the Tree City USA award for the 39b year. B. Public Works Director: Public Works Director Kegley reported that staff was preparing for spring and summer by getting the park shelter plumbing ready. He said they were still accepting applications for summer park attendants. Kegley also reported staff was putting the final touches on an updated park and trail guide. C. Other/ Commission Liaison Reports: None V. Visitor/Public Comment: Janet Robert of Minnetonka and Pam Patrick of Oak Park Heights were present at the meeting. Robert provided a background on the City's original garden committee which was started approximately 20 years ago. She said she wanted to see what the City's plans were for the Cover Park garden, and she submitted a proposed plan for a garden committee at Cover Park. Commissioner Thoreson asked why the garden committee could not be City wide instead of just Cover Park. Chair Chirhart suggested that there may not be enough volunteers or resources for a city-wide committee. Vice Chair Peterson agreed with Chirhart and said any committee should be city-wide but he was concerned with the sustainability of a larger-scale and long-term garden committee. Peterson asked who would be facilitating the committee as he felt the City did not have the resources to take that on, and Chirhart asked who would pay for it. Janet Robert said it would be nice if the City had a budget for shrub replacement, much like it had a prairie maintenance budget. She also suggested that if the right shrubs and plants were planted, there would not be much maintenance in the coming years. Chair Chirhart suggested the Parks and Trails Commission revisit the topic after the park walkthrough. Commissioner Hoeppner suggested the Commission break down the Page 3 of 9 Parks Commission Minutes April 19, 2021 Page 2 of 2 discussion into three separate issues: the reinstatement of the Cover Park garden, the reestablishment of a garden committee, and discuss a possible budget for shrubs city-wide. City Administrator Johnson said the City was supportive of a volunteer garden committee, but that the City didn't have staff time to plant and maintain gardens. No action was taken. The Parks and Trails Commission }Manned to discuss the issues at the next meting. VI. Public Hearings: None VII. Old Business: A. Garden Club Update from Councilmember Johnson: Councilmember Johnson reported that the City's goal was to downsize the gardens at Cover Park to make it more manageable for sustainability and longevity. She said part of the City Council's discussion on that was the reestablishment of the garden club. She said an ad was placed in the City's newsletter to gauge interest. She said the City Council's idea with the garden club was that it would be self-directed and volunteer-based. She said if there was not enough interest, the garden club may not move forward and the City would need to discuss how to handle the Cover Park garden without a garden club. VIII. New Business: A. Schedule Annual Parks and Trails Walkthropg : Commissioner Thoreson, seconded by Commissioner Hoeppner, moved to set the park walkthrough for May 17 at 5:00 p.m. starting at Cover Park, then moving on to Oak Park Crossing Park and Valley View Park. Carried 4-0. Public Works Director Kegley said he would send out the project ranking sheet. B. Get to Know Our Parks & Trails Walk/Run Event: City Clerk Pinski and Councilmember Johnson informed the Parks and Trails Commission of the City Council's approval of a waWrun event in lieu of Party in the Park for 2021. No action was taken. 1X. Informational: A. Next Meeting: Monday, May 17 at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom B. Upcoming Council Meeting: Tuesday, May 11 at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom X. Adjourn: Vice Chair Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Thoreson, moved to adjourn at 6:52 p.m. Carried 4-0. Respectfully submitted, Jennifer Pinski City Clerk Page 4 of 9 2 Oak Park Heights Request for Parks & Trails Commission Action Meeting Date_ May 17,2021 Time Required: 8 Minutes? Agenda Item Title: Communitv Garden Concepts Agenda Placement New Business Originating Department/Requestor: Carly Johnson, Council Member/Parks Commission Liaison Requester's Signature: 480.-� ,ars, Action Requested:_ Creation of a Community Garden Background/Justification(Please indicate if any previous action has been taken or if other public bodies have advised): In 2020,the City reached out to a Local Boy Scout to see if he would be interested in building some raised garden beds for us to start a community garden as an Eagle Scout project.He recently finished sixed raised beds that are now looking for a final use At this time we have two concepts:a community garden or allowing individuals to rent a bed for a year, but they also aren't mutually exclusive. 1) Community Garden: Having a community garden has been a goal for the City dating back to at least the 1990s and was part of early comprehensive plans. If the Parks & Trails Commission is open to this approach, we suggest placing the garden beds next to the Public Works garage (left side of the parking lot if you are looking at City Hall). This location is very sunny,has easy access to water and parking, could deter theft of the beds by being near City Hall. Deer, while always a concern, may be deterred too. We would dedicate one bed to the community and have herbs and other community plants. For the other five, individuals would sign up for a bed that they would take care of for the year and could plant in. 2) Rent a Bed: Alternatively, we could allow individuals to rent a bed that they could pick up from City Hall and manage for the year.This may include a security deposit($50)to ensure we get them back.Pro to this is that it is easy for individuals to garden and for individuals with limited mobility, it may be nice to have them on their property. We could always offer this as an option for a garden bed if we choose to have a central community garden and a person has limited mobility. I recommend we go with primarily a community garden up at City Hall to add another community feature, but that we offer renting beds as an alternative to individuals with limited mobility that can be documented; AND that this program would be run directly by two Park Commissioners. Yet, I am open to other ideas or if the Parks& Trails Commission prefer strictly renting the beds out each year.Unanswered questions remain and how this program would work/terms of the policy,but I am curious as to the Commission's thoughts. Attached are photos of the garden beds, as well as a DRAFT Garden Policy that would match the recommended proposal and garden the garden bed management/gardener conduct,and a copy of the Google Form(https://forms.gle/dTnZY2Ro46wYFHZAA)that we would likely send out. Page 5 of 9 Pictures of the Garden Beds: s „ k 4. W r Likely Garden Bed Location: ,w Page 6 of 9 Community Garden Beds Policy (DRAFT) The community garden beds are for personal and community use. Individuals are allowed to grow plants for their own personal consumption, fruits and vegetables may also be donated to food shelves. Produce grown in the garden beds may not be sold. Lease. Every year, depending on availability, the City leases a garden bed to a"gardener." Garden beds are given out on a first-come first-serve basis and the gardener will be given a garden bed number that corresponds with a number on the garden bed. Every year, the gardener must renew their interest to secure a garden bed and renewal is not guaranteed. Garden beds can be shared. but they may not be transferred to another individual without the City's approval. Community Garden Bed. One community garden bed is to be designated a"community garden bed" with herbs and vegetables for public consumption. Gardeners of other beds are asked to monitor and water the community garden bed, and the City may choose to assign periods where a gardener is responsible for watering and maintaining the community garden bed. Use. The gardener is allowed to grow produce in the garden bed fi-om March-November of that year. At the end of the year, the gardener is responsible for removing all plant material from the garden bed and performing a yearly clean-up of the bed. Gardeners shall notify the City of any damages or repairs that may be needed to a raised bed. It is the gardener's responsibility to plant, water, and harvest the plants in their bed. The garden beds are open and accessible from 8 AM to 9 PM. Gardeners are allowed to bring guests to the garden, provided they comply with the rules, but gardeners may not bring any pets or animals to the community garden space. Plants. Gardeners may plant fruits, vegetables, herbs, or flowers. Gardeners may not grow marijuana or tobacco plants in the garden beds. Gardeners are also prohibited from growing noxious weeds. Gardeners may not grow any plants above 4 feet in height or maintain plants or plant-supporting structures that impede adjacent gardener's access to sunlight. No plants that are considered illegal under state or federal law may be grown. Fertilizer. Gardeners may not use synthetic fertilizers in the garden beds. Garden Equipment& Personal Property. Gardeners are solely responsible for the planning and management of their own beds, including providing seeds, plants, fertilizer, and any tools. Garden equipment should not be left out, except for if stored underneath or inside the garden bed. Gardeners shall maintain equipment in a way that is safe to all members of the public. The City is not responsible for any lost or stolen garden equipment or personal property. Maintenance of the Garden Bed. The garden bed is the sole responsibility of the gardener. The gardener has the sole responsibility for planning, setup, management, maintenance, and carrying out the operations of the garden bed. The City has no obligation to make any alterations, improvements, or repairs to the garden beds, or to provide any services or support. Gardeners are not permitted to make any alterations to the garden bed structure without City approval. Gardeners are responsible for hauling and disposing of their own trash, such as weeds,bags, packets, and similar items. Respecting Others Property. Outside of the designated community garden bed. Gardeners may not touch other gardener's beds, supplies, tools, or harvest another gardener's produce without the explicit permission of the other gardener. Compost & Beekeeping. Gardeners may not compost material onsite or engage in beekeeping. Page 7 of 9 Management. The Parks and Trails Commission J` Commission"] of the City of Oak Park Heights shall oversee the Community Garden and may advise the City on how to interpret rules or make decisions. The Commission shall also designate two of its members as "Garden Coordinators" to be the official points of contact for (lie gardeners, these persons shall be Park Commissioners and these appointed individuals shall be over-see all aspects of the plan. The City will also provide all gardeners with contact information of the other gardeners to facilitate gardening. Gardeners shall tell the Coordinators when there is a change in their contact infonnation. Any disputes about the Garden or with fellow Gardeners shall be resolved in the best interest of the Garden by the Commission. Gardeners' Input. Gardeners are encouraged to provide suggestions about the Community Garden's operations to the Coordinators. Once a year, in September or October, the Commissioners will invite all gardeners to a Commission meeting to discuss any issues or concerns with the Community Garden. Comply with Laws. Gardeners will use and operate the garden bed with all applicable zoning,, environmental, and other laws and regulations. Removal of the Bed. Garden beds cannot be moved from the assigned location at City Hall unless the gardener receives express permission from the City Administrator or Public Works Director to move the garden bed. Individuals with limited mobility or of limited means, who prefer to have the garden beds at their place of residency or at another location at City Hall, can be accommodated depending on availability, they can request the garden beds be moved or can move them to their place of residency in the spring and return them by October 31'and the security deposit of$50.00 may be waived depending on certain income capacity. Termination. The garden bed lease may be terminated at any time by either the gardener or the City. If a gardener violates any of its duties to maintain the garden bed or violates other rules, the agreement may be terminated. A gardener's plot/bed can also be reassigned if a gardener appears to abandon their bed and fails to maintain the bed for two weeks, unless the gardener informs the City in advance, such as an extended vacation. Liability. The City is not liable for any injuries that may occur. The City is also not liable for any damages that may occur during the lease, such as (a) loss or death of plants, (b) vandalism, or(c)theft. The City does not provide any security for these beds and/or will not maintain these beds. Changes of the Rules.The City may amend the Rules in its discretion without advance notice. The City will provide all Gardeners with a copy of the current rules at the start of each year. No Discrimination. The City will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, mental condition, ancestry, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status in assigning garden beds. Page 8 of 9 Proposed 1 1 1 Spread the Word &is aw to RESERVE YOUR GARDEN BED THE CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS NOW COMMUNITY r • • • �• . . • Reserve your The City of Oak park Heights has six community garden beds that wilt be community housed near City Hatt with access to water anti sunlight garden bed questions?Call.us at{6571 439-4439 ge of 9