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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020 02-18 PRAAGENDA Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission Tuesday, February 18, 2020 6:30 p.m., Community Center, Room #221 1. Call to Order 6: 30 p. m. 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Agenda 4. Approval of Minutes — Januafy 21, 2020 5. Cite Council Liaison Report 6. New Business * Sustainability Report * 2020 Neighborhood Meeting Schedule 7. Unfinished Business * Playground Replacement - Update * Commissioner Witalka Memorial Plaque - Update * Mound Cemetery/Freeway Park - Update 8. Set Next Meeting Date and Agenda March 17, 2020 9. Adjournment MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION FOR THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION JANUARY 21, 2020 COMMUNITY ROOM #221, COMMUNITY CENTER CALL TO ORDER Chair Sorenson called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. Chair Sorenson and Commissioners Bonovsky, Dalton, Ebert, Thorbus and Shinnick were present. Also present was Community Activities, Recreation & Services Director Jim Glasoe. :'' .101TIA 1W NEW 0412117.11 CARS Director Glasoe handed out an updated agenda that added "Election of Officers" under New Business. By consensus the agenda was approved as amended. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — November 19, 2019 There was a motion by Commissioner Ebert, seconded by Commissioner Dalton to approve the minutes of the November 19, 2019 meeting of the Park & Recreation Commission as presented. The motion passed unanimously. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Councilmember Graves was not able to attend the meeting. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Chair Sorenson opened nominations for Commission Chair. Commissioner Shinnick nominated Commissioner Sorenson. Commissioner Ebert seconded the nomination. The motion was unanimously passed. Chair Sorenson named Tom Shinnick as Vice -Chair. 2020 MEETING SCHEDULE CARS Director Glasoe presented the draft Commission meeting schedule for 2020. Mr. Glasoe noted that all meetings were scheduled for the third Tuesday of each month and added the "All Commissions" meeting date was tentative. After some discussion, the meeting schedule was approved by consensus. DOG PARK- SURVEY UPDATES CARS Director Glasoe presented a summary of the survey results related to a potential dog park amenity in Brooklyn Center. Mr. Glasoe noted that Public Works staff had also identified Freeway Park as an alternative site. The Commission discussed the survey results, along with the Freeway Park option. Commissioner Dalton offered a new option at Palmer Lake. There was discussion on the feasibility of the Palmer Lake site. After additional discussion, CARS Director Glasoe offered to research if the proposed site was in a wetland area. After considerable discussion, Chair Sorenson asked that this item be postponed to the April 2020 meeting. PLAYGROUND REPLACMENT-UPDATE CARS Director Glasoe reported the City Manager had requested a more robust community engagement effort related to the playground replacements. Mr. Glasoe noted the proposed engagement process would likely include mailing to the respective neighborhoods, engagement by Rec-on-the-Go staff at the proposed parks, social media and website surveys and potentially the summer neighborhood meetings, if they were in areas where the playgrounds were being replaced. CARS Director Glasoe noted he would have additional information, including a priority of playgrounds to be replaced and a timeline at the next meeting. COMMISSIONER WITALKA MEMORIAL PLAQUE -POTENTIAL LOCATIONS CARS Director Glasoe shared the consensus location for a memorial bench and noted Public Works staff was identifying some options for a plaque or other engraving. Mr. Glasoe added that engraving an inscription in the recycled plastic timbers was being investigated. MOUND CEMETARY/FREEWAY PARK- UPDATE CARS Director Glasoe reported that staff had been working with Mound Cemetery representatives to put together a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the cemetery property/Freeway Park lease. Mr. Glasoe noted the current agreement language has the cemetery providing some dedicated land to the city in exchange for the city vacating the remaining cemetery property which is currently under lease. Mr. Glasoe added this "MOU" had been discussed with the City Council at their last work session and would likely be on an upcoming agenda for approval. SET NEXT MEETING DATE By consensus, the next meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission was set for February 18th, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. Commissioner Thorbus shared her idea of having a "Tribute Band" concert as part of a potential fundraising event and shared information from Little Falls Minnesota regarding their Public Art proj ects. MEETING ADJOURNED A motion was made by Commissioner Shinnick, seconded by Commissioner Ebert to adjourn the meeting at 7:46 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. O O N l Y 6 ��i^fin h CENTER ♦Y THE CENTER MEMORANDUM DATE: October 28, 2019 TO: Curt Boganey, City Manager FROM: Doran M. Cote, Public Works Director SUBJECT: Environmental Sustainability Report This Environmental Sustainability Report was assembled to document Brooklyn Center's current effort directed toward environmental sustainability. "Environmental Sustainability - The maintenance of the factors and practices that contribute to the quality of environment on a long-term basis." Sustainability has many definitions but the basic principles and concepts remain constant: balancing a growing economy, protection for the environment, and social responsibility. Together these lead to an improved quality of life for everyone as well as future generations. This extensive, yet not all encompassing, list on the following pages are activities that are taking place in Brooklyn Center within various departments which meet these goals towards environmental Sustainability. The activities are grouped together in various areas of sustainability. Some sustainable practices stem from mandated activities required for state rules, laws, permits (i.e. — watershed partnerships, wellhead protection). Other practices provide cost savings for the City's budget (i.e. energy efficient vehicle purchase, equipment replacement), while some are a product of the City's active and ongoing role as a positive participant in the community. Water Quality • Watershed Partnerships - The City of Brooklyn Center partners with both the Shingle Cheek Watershed Management Commission (SCWMC) and the West Mississippi Watershed Management Commission (WMWMC) to protect waters of the State. The City reviews projects for the Watershed for water quantity and water quality protection. The City also partners with the SCWMC and WMWMC on projects within the City and looks for ways to maximize water quality and quantity improvements while using funds efficiently. In addition, this partnership provides educational opportunities for the residents of Brooklyn Center on protecting water quality. • Storm Sewer Water Quality Facilities - The City of Brooklyn Center maintains 40 mechanical/settling structures and 39 storm ponds which help to improve water quality. Water quality improvements are constructed as a part of each yearly reconstruction project. The City conducts yearly inspections and maintenance to ensure these facilities continue to perform as designed. • Erosion Control, Post -Construction, Illicit Discharge Ordinance - The City has Erosion Control, Post - Construction and Illicit Discharge Ordinances as a part of City Code to protect water quality and to reduce water volume. In addition, the City inspects construction sites to ensure water quality is being protected. The City also has a program to ensure that private water quality facilities are maintained. • Private Rain Gardens - In 2007 and since 2009, as a part of the yearly construction project, the City promotes rain garden installation where possible on residential property. Installation costs are paid from project funds, but following the installation residents take over and provide maintenance of the rain gardens. • Public Rain Gardens - The City installed and now maintains several public rain gardens, including multiple rain gardens on Dupont Avenue and County Road 10, one located in Riverdale park, one located on City property along June Avenue, and multiple rain gardens installed along Kylawn Park as part of the annual 2014 reconstruction project. Living pavement (Grasscrete) was installed in Evergreen Park in 2017 as part of the reconstruction project. • Street Sweeping - The City performs street sweeping operations four times a year and other times as needed to keep sediment, sand, trash and leaves out of the storm system. This helps protect the local and state water bodies. • Chloride Reduction - As part of the Shingle Creek Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), the City takes many steps to reduce the amount of salt used on City streets, including yearly salt application training for public works personnel. The City calibrates all salt distributor equipment prior to snow and ice control operations each fall, reducing salt use on the City streets. • Salt Brine — The use of salt brine tanks on the snow removal fleet improves ice and snow removal practices. Using a pre -wetting salt brine solution with our road salt has helped decrease the amount of salt use during ice control operations, reducing costs to the City and environmental impacts over other salt dispersal methods. In 2019 the Shingle Creek Watershed approved a $50,000 grant to assist the City in installing a brine mixing system. • Shingle Creek Restoration - The City has partnered and completed several projects restoring the shoreline of Shingle Creek. • Great Shingle Creek Cleanup - For 17 years, the City has organized and managed the yearly volunteer clean-up event including clean-up of parks, trails, streets and other green spaces areas. • Water Resources Projects — Water Quality Best Management Practices (BMPs) such as raingardens, living pavement (Grasscrete), permeable pavement and concrete are considered and included in street reconstruction and parking lot improvement projects. Other projects to improve water quality included carp removal in Twin Lake, annual pond dredging, and winter in -lake aeriation. Resource Conservation • Water Conservation rates - Minnesota Statutes required public water suppliers serving more than 1,000 people in the metropolitan area to implement and use a water conservation rate structure by January 1, 2010, in order to promote and encourage water conservation. In response, the City adopted an "increasing block rate" structure with a rate schedule that increases the charge per unit of water after certain thresholds of consumption are reached. • Water Conservation Rebate Program — In 2019 the City initiated a new Water Conservation Rebate Program designed to encourage residents and businesses to upgrade older, inefficient appliances and plumbing fixtures with more efficient equipment. • Hennepin Recycling Group - Brooklyn Center partners with the Hennepin Recycling Group (HRG) to provide recycling for Brooklyn Center residents. This single sort recycling is practical and simple for residents, while having only one recycling contractor is better for the environment by reducing the number of trips by trucks in the City. The HRG manages recycling and waste disposal contracts at all City facilities. HRG also offers oil recycling to residents and holds a Special Material Drop Off Day at the Brooklyn Park Operations & Maintenance Facility. Residents also have use of a yard waste and tree branch drop off site. • Parks Recycling — In 2014, the City initiated recycling in City Parks. Parks is diverting nearly twice as much recycling now as it has in years past. • Electronic billing and payment methods for Utility Billing - Residents can elect to receive E-bills or pay their bills online, providing the City savings on paper costs, postage costs, etc. • Paperless Departments - Most departments are working with more digital files and using less paper in their daily work activities. Departments utilizing programs like Laserfiche have reduced the need for paper copies. Dual monitors at work stations have also reduced the need for printing hard copies. • Online services through the City's website are available to reduce paperwork. ePermits allow certain permits online for construction projects, sign up for recreation programs, data practice requests allowed online/through email, requests for service online through Notify Me, City Documents can be accessed online such as maps, Council and Commission meeting agendas and documents, and more. • Grease Recycling at Earle Brown Heritage Center - Used grease from the kitchens at the Earle Brown Heritage Center is recycled. • Carpet Recycling at Earle Brown Heritage Center - Old carpet is recycled when removed and any newly installed carpet is made from recycled materials. • Recycling at Earle Brown Heritage Center - A cardboard, paper, plastic and aluminum recycling program is in place. All cardboard is flattened and run through the packer in preparation for recycling. • Toner and Ink Recycling — The City's toner and ink recycling program eliminates disposal of plastic cartridges into landfills. • Paper Towels - The Earle Brown Heritage Center uses paper towels made with 95% recycled paper. • Trim Trax program/Second Harvest Heartland - Trim Trax is a program in place to reduce food scraps and trimmings. The Earle Brown Heritage Center partners with Second Harvest Heartland for which they donate large volumes of leftover food products. • Water Treatment Plant — The water filtration process requires the filter media to be backwashed with air and water. The backwash water is pumped to settling tanks where the solids settle out and 90% of the backwash water is reclaimed and retreated. • Leak Detection —The City performs leak detection on the water distribution system to determine if there are leaks in the system wasting water. • Inflow and Infiltration (1/1) Reduction — Street reconstruction projects routinely include replacement of or lining sanitary sewer lines thus reducing 1/1. Reducing 1/1 means the City does not have to pay to treat otherwise clear water. Reducing 1/1 region -wide means the need for treatment expansion is reduced. Natural Resource Preservation • Tree City and Arbor Day Events - The Tree City USA program is a national program that provides the framework for community forestry management for cities and towns across America. Communities achieve Tree City USA status by meeting four core standards of sound urban forestry management: maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry, and celebrating Arbor Day. The City has been awarded this designation for the past 27 years for its stewardship. • Green Yard Workshop - The City supports the Green Yard Workshop offered by Metro Blooms. This workshop provides residents with information on environmentally sound gardening practices that can also help protect water quality. • Adopt a Park, Flower Garden, Rain Garden or Bus Shelter — The City promotes volunteer opportunities for groups to adopt a park, street, flower garden or rain garden for clean-up. The City also provides volunteer opportunities for storm drain stenciling. • Wellhead Protection Plan — The Wellhead Protection Plan is intended to promote activities that protect the aquifer from which the City's drinking water supply is drawn and increase public awareness of the Wellhead Protection Program and groundwater issues. Energy Conservation • Water Treatment Plant - Sustainable architectural features included natural daylighting throughout including the filter room, low maintenance poured -in -place and precast concrete structure and wall panels, building insulation which surpasses the current energy code, a Tier 4 Interim Diesel generator that qualifies for Xcel Energy's Tier 2 Off-peak program for energy rebates, and LED lighting both interior and exterior. Rain gardens and low maintenance landscaping were important features included in the site design. • LED Lighting Opportunity Site —Thirty-seven (37) existing light poles in the Earle Brown/ Opportunity site that had reached the end of their lifespan where replaced with Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights. • Residential Street Lighting — Xcel Energy has replaced 846 High Pressure Sodium (HPS) street lights with LED lights. All new or upgraded lighting in residential street reconstruction projects since 2018 are LED as well. • Parks Lighting - The City has replaced incandescent parking lot lights at Palmer Lake East, Palmer Lake West and Orchard Lane Park with LED lighting. Park shelters have also been converted to LED. • Traffic Signals — All of the red, yellow and green indications on City owned and maintained traffic signals have been converted to LED indications. Signal luminaires are also converted to LED as the HPS expire. • Energy efficient vehicle purchase - In the past the City fleet has operated a number of E-85 Flex -fuel vehicles. In 2019 the City purchased two hybrid squad cars. The hybrids cost $3,000 each more than traditional squads but the fuel savings in the first year alone will offset those additional costs. The diesel vehicles use a blend (B-5) of diesel and biodiesel. The City is also transitioning to Tier-4 diesel engines as available in fleet upgrades. Tier-4 engines are the cleanest diesel burning engines on the market. • Lighting Efficiency Project — Lighting at the Public Works Maintenance Facility was upgraded to more efficient lighting as part of a federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, saving about 40% in energy cost. • Xcel Energy Peak Shaving — The Public Works Maintenance Facility and Water Treatment Plant participate in Xcel Energy's Peak Shaving Program whereby during peak electrical demands these facilities are switched to backup generation for power reducing our demand on the energy grid. • Community Center Performance Improvements Contract —Facility improvements were completed at the Community Center that will substantially generate energy savings from the improvements. • Variable frequency drives on large capacity water pumps — Seven (7) variable frequency drives (VFDs) were placed on the City well pumps, improving efficiency. In addition, an energy demand study was conducted and the wells were adjusted to run more on off peak times. Three (3) other wells will be upgraded to include VFDs. • Variable Frequency Drives at the Earle Brown Heritage Center — VFDs were added to chiller pumps and two Air Handling units, leading to energy savings and control performance. • Light Replacement at the Earle Brown Heritage Center - Lights were replaced with LED and other energy efficient lighting. • "Lights Off" Program - Earle Brown Heritage Center staff members attentively turn off meeting room lights when not in use and overnight. • Boiler/ Chiller replacement at Earle Brown Heritage Center - In 2010, 2 boilers were placed, improving the heating system efficiency from 60% to 86%. In addition the chiller was replaced, increasing energy efficiency from 6.3 to 10.3. • Facilities Maintenance —The City utilizes a centralized, electronic direct digital control program that includes time schedules, set -points, controllers, logic, timers, trend logs, and occupancy sensors to control the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems for public facilities. Facilities maintenance also incorporates Vending Miser which is an energy efficiency product for use with vending machines, snack machines, and coolers. • Transportation —The City has installed bike racks at public facilities, transit stops and park and rides to encourage non -motorized transportation. Traffic signals have been optimized to reduce idling. The City also actively participated in the planning for the Metro Transit C-Line and D-Line and is participating in the implementation of the electric bus serviced transit routes. Healthy Living • Green Step City — Minnesota Green Step Cities is an action -oriented voluntary program offering cities a cost-effective, step -wise path to implement sustainable development best practices. The program is governed by a public -private partnership of state agencies and non -governmental organizations and is led by the MPCA. Partners include Urban Land Institute, League of Minnesota Cities, Clean Energy Resource Teams, Division of Energy Resources, Minnesota Department of Commerce, Great Plains Institute, and the Izaak Walton League. Brooklyn Center is a Level 2 Green Step City. Efforts are underway to promote Brooklyn Center to a Level 3 Green Step City. • Complete Street Policy - Adopted in 2013, the City has a Complete Streets Policy. The Complete Street Policy encourages the integration of physical activity into daily routines through activities such as biking, walking and/or taking transit. Such activities promote active living which has the following benefits: improves physical and mental health, decreases risk of chronic disease, reduces medical costs associated with chronic disease, reduces transportation costs, reduces pollution and improves air quality, builds safer, stronger communities, and generally increases quality of life. • Partnership with Active Living Hennepin County -The City, together with other cities and Hennepin County, participates in Active Living programs to promote and improve the health of its citizens by taking active steps to increase healthy eating and active living within its jurisdiction. Currently the City is partnering with ALHC on a grant to close the gap on health disparities in areas in the community, focusing on both poverty and persons of color. • Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan, and Safe Routes to School Study — The City has completed two studies to encourage and improve pedestrian and bike opportunities within the City. • Brooklyn Boulevard Study — In 2014 the City adopted the Brooklyn Boulevard Corridor Study. This corridor study provides guidance for future transportation, redevelopment, and streetscaping improvements along Brooklyn Boulevard. The study included a review of the following: land uses, redevelopment opportunities, traffic and transit needs, complete streets components, access management, safety, and a discussion of environmental documentation options. As part of the study process, recommendations for the following were developed: future corridor vision; future land use map, open space and redevelopment concepts; future corridor concepts that include roadway geometrics improvements, transit services and facilities, access locations, trails, and concepts for landscaping, streetscaping, lighting and water quality improvements. Phase I improvements are currently underway and Phase 11 is programmed for 2021. • Community Gardens - The City operates a community garden with 18 plots available for residents to rent, reducing dependence on food that requires more resources to produce and distribute. • Chicken and Beekeeping — In 2018 the City Council adopted ordinances that allow for the keeping of bees and chickens. • Sustainable Food Product Ordering at Earle Brown Heritage Center - The Earle Brown Heritage Center purchases locally grown vegetables through BIX, a local produce supplier. They also purchase trans -fat free items, hormone -free beef, cage -free eggs, hormone free milk, hormone -free chicken, and sustainable seafood. • In -House Herb Garden at Earle Brown Heritage Center - The Earle Brown Heritage Center has an in- house herb garden for kitchen staff use. Land Use and Development • Land Use Plan — In 2019 the City Council adopted a new land use plan with the Comprehensive Plan. The new land use plan includes a new designation of Transit Oriented Development (TOD). TOD is planned for a mix of residential, commercial, office and retail uses. Land is generally within a %Z-mile of the Brooklyn Center Transit Station (Transit Station) is designated as TOD to capitalize on the proximity of redevelopment sites to the transit stops. The planned Bus Rapid Transit C-Line has two stops within the area designated as TOD (the Transit Station is last northerly stop) that will provide access to adjacent land uses with frequent and efficient bus/transit services providing connections to the area and broader region. A minimum of 75% of the land within this designation is planned to be developed with high -density residential use and the remaining land developed with supporting retail, office and commercial uses. Redevelopment will focus on connecting to the Transit Station and C-Line stops, future D-Line stops, as well as creating a walkable, bikeable, vibrant core in the City. • Travel Demand Management - In September 2015 City adopted a Travel Demand Management (TDM) Policy. Travel demand management is an application of strategies and policies to reduce travel demand or to redistribute this demand in space, time or to more efficient modes. A travel demand management approach to transportation also has the potential to deliver better environmental outcomes, improved public health, stronger neighborhoods and a more prosperous and livable Brooklyn Center. Recognizing that development size and land use type directly affect traffic generation, the City has developed two levels of TDM plans; Tier 1 and Tier 2. Tier 1 plans apply to larger developments and Tier 2 plans apply to smaller developments A Tier 1 TDM plan consists of a study, plan and agreement. A Tier 2 plan includes similar TDM plan strategies that the property owner agrees to implement to reduce peak single occupant vehicle trip generation. The Tier 1 TDM plan will require an annual report, while the Tier 2 TDM plan is a good faith effort by the applicant. Housing Programs and Resources • Partnership with Center for Energy and the Environment (CEE) — Owners and occupants of residential properties have access to reduced Home Energy Squad Enhanced visits from CEE through a buy -down program with the City. The visits include an energy audit, cost and energy saving improvements installed during the visit, and access to low interest loans for larger home energy saving improvements that may be identified during the visit. • Interest Rate Buy -down — The City utilizes TIF 3 Housing Funds to buy down interest rates for low and moderate -income home owners interested in making improvements to their homes. Energy saving improvements such as window replacements, insulation improvements, and new HVAC and mechanical systems are eligible uses of funds. • Construction Consultation Services — Through CEE, homeowners can receive a free in -home consultation from a certified construction consultant who will provide advice on home improvements, hiring a contractor, the permitting process, or any other aspect of a home improvement project. • Neighborhood Stabilization Program Rehabilitated or Renovated Houses - Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) renovated houses are brought up to MN Green Building requirements which include insulation requirements, high efficiency furnaces, direct vent water heaters, low VOC carpet and paint, no carpeting in basements, energy efficient windows, and air ventilation systems. In addition, the homes also are tested for lead, radon, asbestos, and air blower testing and any deficiencies are corrected. it p O K C Y le, y\ N CIE; ; ; 11 AT THEICENTER City of Brooklyn Center 2020 Neighborhood Meeting Schedule Date May 20, Wednesday June 23, Tuesday July 22, Wednesday Location Time Lions Park 6:00.p.m. Evergreen park 6:00 p.m. Willow Lane Park 6:00 p.m. September 16, Wednesday Northport Park 6:00 p.m. Playground Equipment Replacement Timeline Replacement Process Approach • Replacement of playground equipment in 18 parks • Initial round involves less park replacement in order to inform following rounds • Two staggered replacement cycles per year • Balance replacement with Rec on the Go schedule • Balance geographical locations of neighborhood parks throughout the City Engagement Approach • Customer neighborhood based • Optimize use • Designed with specific neighborhoods in mind • Seek input upfront, during and afterwards • Each round informs the following round of engagement Round 1 Playground Equipment Replacement Feb 2020 • Identify and develop neighborhood descriptions for RFP • Put out RFP to vendors (Parks 1-2: Bellvue and Orchard Lane) March 2020 - Review RFP's April 2020 - Community Engagement • Postcard all neighborhood residents • Provide visual image of options • Survey preference (interactive vote, electronic vote) May -July 2020 • Installation • Survey Feedback (electronic) Round 2 Playground Equipment Replacement May 2020 • Identify and develop neighborhood descriptions for RFP • Put out RFP to vendors (Parks 3-4: Northport and Firehouse) June 2020 - Review RFP's July 2020 - Community Engagement • Postcard all neighborhood residents • Provide visual image of options • Survey preference (interactive vote, electronic vote) • Utilize Rec on the Go August -October 2020 • Installation • Survey Feedback (electronic)