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Home My WebLink About06-21-2021 Parks and Trails Packet CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS PARKS COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA MONDAY, JUNE 21, 2021. 5:30 PM — Park Walkthrough beginning at Swager Park 7:00 PM — Regular Meeting via Zoom The walkthrough portion of the meeting at 5:30 p.m. will be held in-person beginning at Swager Park, then on to Brekke Park and Autumn Hills 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://us02web.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 ipinskiAcit, o�parkheights.com in advance of June 21, 2021. if you have any questions about access. I. Call to Order II. Approval of Agenda III. Parks and Trails Commission Vacancy Candidate Interviews (1) IV. Approve Parks and Trails Cornmission Minutes—May 17, 2021 (2) V. Department/ Commission Liaison Reports A. Arborist B. Public Works Director C. Other/ Commission Liaison Report VI. 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. VII. Public Hearing None VIII. Old Business A. Parks and Trails Commission Vacancy—Appointment to Position B. Parks and Trails Walkthrough Discussion IX. New Business Page 1 of 10 None X. Informational A. Get to Know the Parks Virtual Walk/Run Event: Extended through June 30 B. Next Meeting: Monday, July 19 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall C. Upcoming Council Meeting: Tuesday, June 22 at 6:00 p.m. Hybrid: City Hall and Zoom XI. Adjourn Page 2 of 10 1 4 CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS The City received two applications for the Parks and Trails Commission vacancies. Interviews will be conducted by the Parks Commission on Monday, June 21 , 2021 at the Parks and Trails Commission meeting. Attached you will find the applications. The interview times for each applicant are noted below: Name Interview Time Jennifer Van Dyke 7:00 p.m. Annie Berres 7:15 p.m. Page 3 of 10 Parks and Trails Commissioner Interview Questions f. Why do you desire to be a Parks and Trails Commissioner for the City of Oak Park Heights? 2. Describe a situation in which you worked as part of a team. What role did you take on? What went well and what didn't? 3. In what ways do you think you can make a contribution to the Oak Park Heights Parks and Trails Commission? 4. What are your strengths, weaknesses, and interests? 5. What rewards do you expect to gain from your service on the Parks and Trails Commission? Page 4 of 10 CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS PARKS COMMISSIONER APPLICATION Jennifer Van Dyke 04/19/2021 NAME DATE To provide the City Council with an understanding of you, your background and your interests, please answer the following questions. (You may attach an extra sheet if necessary.) 15298 Upper 61st ST N ADDRESS PHONE E-MAIL HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN OAK PARK HEIGHTS? 20 yrs. OCCUPATION: Realtor EMPLOYER: PHONE: PRIOR EXPERIENCE ON CITY COMMISSIONS, CITY BOARDS, ETC. Currently on the planning commission. Page 5 of 10 PLEASE PROVIDE A SUMMARY OF WHY YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE APPOINTED TO THE OAK PARK HEIGHTS PARKS COMMISSION. I really like the city that my family lives in and would like to serve it and the citizens. We have used and enjoyed the parks and trails for most of the time we have lived here IS THERE ANY OTHER INFORMATION YOU WOULD LIKE US TO CONSIDER REGARDING THIS APPOINTMENT? I would like to see Oak Park Heights use it's park and trail system to attract more tourism. Please return to: Eric Johnson, City Administrator City of Oak Park Heights PO Box 2007 Stillwater, MN 55082 Date Received: (For office use only) Page 6 of 10 CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS PARKS COMMISSIONER APPLICATION NAME: Annie Catherine Berres DATE: June 1s' 2021 To provide the City Council with an understanding of you, your background and your interests, please answer the following questions. (You may attach an extra sheet if necessary.) ADDRESS: 5420 O'Brien Ave N Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 PHONE: E-MAIL: HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN OAK PARK HEIGHTS? Born in Stillwater, moved to Oak Park Heights when i was 12. Besides going to college in Montana, I have lived here since then. (19 Years) OCCUPATION: Past- House Manager/Nanny EMPLOYER: PHONE: PRIOR EXPERIENCE ON CITY COMMISSIONS, CITY BOARDS, ETC. Starting at a young age 1 became involved with the local 4-H club. 4-H's hands-on approach helped me grow in various life skills. While leading meetings, I developed skills in leadership, public-speaking, communication and planning. 4-H empowered me to become a true leader. I became confident in myself; I know I can embrace challenges and I will stick with a job until it gets done. After Highschool and finishing with 4-H I went on to college and wanted to look into where I could use these skills. I had the job; however, 1 wanted to be a part of something more, something that gave me the same satisfaction as 4-H did. I became a Student Ambassador for Montana State University. I represented the college while working with prospective students and their families Page 7 of 10 throughout the admissions process. Being a part of a community has always been important to me. Now that I am back in my home town, where my heart has always been, I am ready to share my skills and to be a part of the Parks and Trails Commission. PLEASE PROVIDE A SUMMARY OF WHY YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE APPOINTED TO THE OAK PARK HEIGHTS PARKS COMMISSION, I would like to be appointed to the Oak Park Heights Commission because I want to get everyone outside! I am passionate about the community and I think it all begins with the Parks and Trails. Recently, I received my Nature-Based Teaching certificate. Through this certification I learned the importance of nature and the influence it can have on the well-being of an individual. I am passionate about the psychological and physical benefits of time spent outdoors and only hope to spread this adoration through my community. Parks serve as the heart of their community and I want to be a part of that. IS THERE ANY OTHER INFORMATION YOU WOULD LIKE US TO CONSIDER REGARDING THIS APPOINTMENT? The personal qualities of a Parks Commissioner are critical to the Boards Successful operation. 1 believe I can make a difference based upon my "can do" attitude and strong work ethic. Please return to: Eric Johnson, City Administrator City of Oak Park Heights PO Box 2007 Stillwater, MN 55082 Date Received: (For office use only) Page 8 of 10 2 CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS PARKS AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Monday, May 17, 2021 at City Hall Held via Zoom videoconferencing allowed per MN Stat 13D.021 1. Call to Order: Chair Chirhart called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Present: Vice Chair Peterson, Commissioner 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. Il. Approval of Agenda Vice Chair Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Thoreson, moved to approve the Agenda. Carried 4-0. Ill. Approve Parks and Trails Commission Minutes —April 19 2021: Commissioner Thoreson, seconded by Commissioner Hoeppner, moved to approve the Minutes. Carried 4-0. IV. Department/Commission Liaison Re arts: A. Arborist: Arborist Danielson reported that the prairie burn took place on May 6 at Swager Park and May 14 at Valley View Park. She said prairie seed was put down after and there would be three weed control visits in 2021. Danielson also reported that the spring 2021 boulevard tree planting was completed the previous week by Hoffman and McNamara. B. Public Works Director: Public Works Director Kegley reported that parks were open, and they were waiting on background checks for the park attendants. C. Other/Commission Liaison Reports: Councilmember Johnson reported that the virtual `Get to Know the Parks' walk/run would be from June 1 through June 15. V. Visitor/Public Comment: None VI. Public Hearings: None V11. Old Business: A. Cover Park Garden Renewal: Councilmember Johnson reported that the City's goal was to downsize the garden at Cover Park to make it more manageable for sustainability and longevity. She said, without the support of a volunteer-based group, the City would need to discuss how to handle the Cover Park garden without a garden club. She presented a low-maintenance renewal plan for the area that could be handled in-house. Commissioner Hoeppner, seconded by Vice Chair Peterson, moved to recommend the proposed Cover Park renewal plan move forward. Carried 4-0. B. Discuss Reestablishment of a Garden Committee. Councilmember Johnson reported that a press release was put in the paper, and if there was interest, the committee would decide as a group which areas to focus on and what projects they wanted to Page 9 of 10 Parks Commission Minutes May 17, 2021 Page 2 of 2 do. No action was taken. C. Discuss Budget for Shrubs in City Parks: The Commission decided a shrub budget could be discussed if there was a garden committee created. Commissioner Thoreson suggested shrubs be placed around the 'Welcome to Oak Park Heights' sign along Hightt�ay 36. No action was taken. VIII. New Business: A. Community Garden Concepts: Councilmember Johnson reviewed a draft policy and concept for community garden bed use. Commissioner Thoreson volunteered to be the coordinator on behalf of the Parks and Traits Commission. Chair Chirhart, seconded by Vice Chair Peterson, moved to adopt the rules for the community garden concept. Carried 4-0. Vice Chair Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Hoeppner, moved to appoint Randy Thoreson as the contact person. Carried 4-0. IX. Informational: A. Get to Know the Parks Virtual Walk/Run Event: June 1 —June 15 B. Continuation of Walkthrough: Meet at Swager Park at 5:30 p.m. then move on to Brekke Park and Autumn Hills Park C. Next Meeting: Monday, June 21 at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom D. Upcoming Council Meeting: Tuesday, May 25 at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom X. Adjourn: Commissioner Thoreson, seconded by Commissioner Hoeppner, moved to adjourn at 7:47 p.m. Carried 4-0. Respectfully submitted, Jennifer Pinski City Clerk Page 10 of 10