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Park Commission MTG 041426
East Bethel City CouncilWednesday, April 15, 2026
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Start the recording here. >> Calling the meeting to order. >> To adopt the agenda. >> Yeah, I'm just looking to see everybody was looking different directions. >> Second. >> All right, a motion's been made and seconded. Any discussion? All right. All who say or who agree or whatever. >> Whatever we want to say. All in favor. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> All those opposed say nay. Motion passes. And we don't need to vote. We did. All right. Moving on. approve the minutes for the March 10th, 2026 meeting. >> I'll make a motion to approve the minutes from March. >> So, move a second. >> I did have one change myself. Okay. I had brought up the um spring town hall meeting and that wasn't listed in here. Do we have a date for that yet? >> For the what? Spring town hall. >> Yeah. Yes. >> But it was I mentioned it and >> April 29th. Okay. So, that needs to be added >> week from two weeks from tomorrow. >> Yes. >> Okay. Add that in the end there. >> Yes, please. All right. Any other changes to this motion? >> No, I don't think so. >> All right. I'll take a vote to uh approve the minutes. >> All those in favor say I. I >> I all oppose say nay. Motion passes and we'll move on to number four, recognition of Susan Jefferson. Yay. You should be taking your seat up here. >> Susan Jefferson was first appointed to the park commission of the city of East Bethl in July of 1990. She served honorably until January 31st, 2026. During that time, she has helped guide great changes and improvements in the city of East Bethl park system. The city of East Bethl thanks Susan Jefferson for her dedicated service to the community and its residents for over 35 years and wishes her success in future endeavors. And with that, Susan, I'd like to have you come on up to accept the plaque. >> You want to give a picture? Sure. >> Okay. >> Go up in the middle. Park commissioners want to kind of gather around. >> Oh, sure. >> You're the woman of the hour. I miss you too. You can come back and visit. >> All right. >> I miss you guys already. >> Love you. >> Love you too. >> I know. Without you, we won't have historian anymore besides Bonnie. >> Bonnie will do it. younger though. I'd >> like to add something to that. Um, tonight we take a moment to recognize someone whose impact on the city of East Bethl has been truly remarkable. After 35 years of dedicated service to our community, Susan Jefferson will be stepping down from the parks committee as she prepares to move on to the next chapter of life. Susan began in 1990 and for more than three decades, she has given her time, energy, and heart to making East Bethl a better place. During my time working with over the past three years as city council liaison to this committee, I have had the privilege of seeing firsthand the passion and care she brings to everything she does. Susan has been steady and thoughtful, a great voice for our parks and recreation system. Her dedication has helped shape the parks, playgrounds, and open spaces that so many children children, families, and residents enjoy here today. These are places where memories are made, where kids play, families gather, and neighbors connect. Because of Susan's long commitment, these places will continue to serve our community for generations to come. Serving a city for 35 years says a lot about a person. speaks to Susan's character, her pride in this community, and her genuine desire to give back. She has been the kind of volunteer every city hopes for. Dedicated, thoughtful, reliable, and always focused on what's best for East Bethl. As Susan moves on, the city of East Bethl is not only losing a textbook example of a committee community servant, but also an outstanding resident, neighbor, and friend. Her wisdom, her perspective, and her vision will truly be missed around this table right here. And on behalf of the city council and the entire community, I want to thank you, Susan, for your incredible service. What you have helped build here in East Bethl will stand for many, many years to come. Every time families gather in our parks or our children play in our playgrounds, part of your legacy is going to be here. So, we wish you all the best in your next chapter and thank you for 35 years of dedication. East Bethl, your work has made a lasting difference and this community is better because of you. Thank you. >> All right. Thanks. >> You're just across the border. >> All right. All right. Number five, park financial information. >> The park maintenance operations budget is on pace. No big surprises there. We're just getting again into the busy season here. Uh baseball softball suited last night, so they're going full boore now. Um we're in pretty good shape there. We're at 23% of our annual budget, so no no big changes there. The second page is our park capital uh balances. We're going to be going over that in more detail on item eight. So, um, no expenditures out of there so far for 2026. >> Any questions on anything, uh, either one of those budgets? >> Um, just a maintenance issue. It says December 31st, 2025 on the park capital fund summary. Should that be for 2026? >> Uh, that was the balance at the end of last year. >> Okay. All right. I was just double checking because I'm like seemed kind of strange. We were >> And then at the top Yeah. So at the top is the uh what we've taken in so far this year. >> Okay. Just double checking. >> So 91,500 was between uh Viking Meadows Park dedication fee. We're supposed to be getting another one in tomorrow for I think like 38,000 from a different development. So, I've got all that figured into our capital budget plan. And then the transfer from the general fund is on the bottom one there. That was 120,000 plus a little bit of interest. So, that's what we've made so far this year into that into that fund. So, >> cool. >> Any other questions on those two? >> Nope. >> You need anything else from us on that? >> Nope. Right. Moving on, we have a park commissioner candidate. >> Item 6.0, park commissioner application applicant interview. Uh for this, we're going to request a recommendation to city council for the open park commission seat. At the January 31st, 2026, as of January 20 31st, 2026, the city of East Bethl accept the accepted the resignation of Susan Jefferson from the park commission. The city of East Bethl's had the vacant position advertised on the community billboard and the city website and has received one application thus far. The applicant's cover letter, resume are attached for your review. The new commissioner will fill out the remainder of three three-year term which runs from January 31st of this year until January 31st of 2029. A list of potential interview questions will be provided. That's what I handed out earlier. Um feel free to answer ask any other questions. And at this time I'd like to invite Mr. Steve Berser on up to the podium and uh introduce himself and we'll >> Hi, my name is Steve. Hi, Steve. >> Hi, Steve. Lived in uh East Bethl for about nine years. Moved from Ham Lake, so we didn't move too far. Um, love the city. I wanted to get a better understanding of how the city works and uh get more involved in the community and the parks the parks uh commission uh job seemed like a interesting position to try to fill. >> All right. >> So, We're an easy group. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Seems like it. >> Yeah. >> We have a lot of fun. >> Who should I read the questions then or? >> Yeah. If you guys if you want to go around and ask questions, feel free to. >> All right. Tell us about your background. We saw your resume and why you're interested in becoming a park commission member for East Bethl. >> Sure. Um, so I I was in IT for about 37 years. Um, I've retired. I retired in December of last year. Um I I held a multitude of jobs. I was a manager, supervisor. My last position was um basically a network operations manager. Um I supported 125 locations. 120 to 125. We were always buying and selling our companies that we had. So um and we had about 120 plus company uh locations in 32 countries that we supported. I had a global support team um multilingual and we had to be because we had uh business in Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Romania. We were around the clock business. We also had China. Um so, uh that was one of my positions is to have a have a team built up that could support network operations around the clock 7 by 24. Um I had three different levels of positions. My other uh one of my other positions that I filled was a project manager. I was an integration specialist when we had a merger and acquisition. I was responsible for coordinating the weekend efforts. And I say weekend because normally you can't take a business down during the week um to to integrate that company into event management company which is the company that I work for. Um, invent grew inorganically. In other words, they grew through acquisitions a lot. So, we purchased a lot of companies and then old companies that we didn't work out well for us were always dividing off. And that was also my SP my responsibility to basically cut the cord, figure out a way to break the ties, so to speak, and and still keep their operations going. So um I was also had an engineering aspect of my position where um I was a network specialist. So any telecom security um I'm a Cisco person so Cisco systems we routers switches hubs uh firewalls you name it. Uh my team was responsible for three data centers in three different countries. So, uh, >> all that stuff we wrapped in made for a busy busy life. >> U, which is one of the reasons why I retired early. My wife, >> she's like, "Hey, we live here now." >> Yeah. Yeah. I was Well, and the worst thing was weekends, right? So, um, I was the I'm the only one at that time that could do the integrations. So, I had 20 to 30 hour weekends at least a couple of times a month after a big purchase of a company. if we had nine to 11 sites, that meant months of no weekends off. Um, so just too much work and I was ready to be done. Like I said, I was in IT for 37 years and >> yeah, >> so you retired and now you're trying to fill your time. Is that >> um >> kind of with all your volunteer body? >> I like it's hard to let go. >> I Well, it's hard to let go, but I like to learn new things. I like to discover new things. Um, I like to be involved. uh joined the Alliance Club with Karen about a year and a half ago. So um I was when I left Ham Lake, I left the firefighter position behind. I couldn't I tried to maintain that but it's 8 to 10 minute drive and I was doing about 80 trying to get to Ham Lake Fire Station 2. >> That was dangerous. I couldn't do it. >> I couldn't do that. So >> um I had to retire from that. But uh I don't know. This just seems like a a really kind of fun opportunity to learn more how the city works and get involved and uh I I like the outdoors. So, >> there you go. >> It's really really has me interested in in this position. >> Do you have any ideas of things that we're not covering with our parks? >> Um, you know, it's hard to say. I haven't wandered around all of the parks, but I mean, I've just from what I have seen, I don't see any skate parks here. No, >> we have one at Lake though, right? No, that one's gone now. >> That's gone. >> Or we have one in Booster West that's uh year and a half old. >> Okay. >> It's on asphalt. It's not a real fancy one, concrete one, but it is a new equipment there. So, >> okay. And and like pickle ball is a huge sport. >> We're building this year. Cool. That's our That's our biggest request is pickle ball. >> Yep. I bet I bet it doesn't surprise me. I mean, everybody's playing it. >> Yeah. So, but no, other than that, um, just trying to get an idea of, like I said, get get more involved, get interested in developing more understanding of what's involved and try to support our community. >> That's really important to me. >> So, what issues are you most interested in with the East Bethl Park and Trail System? Are you do you ride bikes or >> My wife and I do hike and uh we ride bikes. Um, we're aware of a few, but I think a biggest thing is p publicity. You know, where are they at? How long are they? Are they well marked? Um, most of the time when I go hiking, I don't hike around here because I'm just not as familiar with them. We go out to Wyoming and we'll walk the concrete trail or we go out to what is it? Fish Trail, which I I believe is in Bethle, you know, a lot of times it's not here as much. So, it uh I don't I think more publicity, maybe a website that would help out. I don't know if we have that. >> Yeah, it's on the city website. >> Okay. Okay. >> Um, are there any specific park or trail projects that you'd like to see implemented? You said the skate park, which we have done some with, and the pickle ball. >> Yeah. No, those are the biggest things is this and and I'm I'm new to this. So, it would be more of a discovery of what is what people are looking for and then how do we how do we ask our citizens to get a develop an understanding for that? What are they looking for? Right? Um it's so that that would be part of what I think I would be looking for guidance on is how do we develop that understanding for that Um, are there any local issues that could place you in a conflict of interest situation? >> I don't think so. Um, Lions Club meets the first Tuesday. This is the second Tuesday. That's about the only thing. >> Um, >> I know you live at the lake, right? >> Yeah, I'm on Lake. Um, >> so we would be very very lake heavy on our >> on our committee. So, um, would that be a conflict for you looking out at the whole city instead of just what's going on at Lake? >> No. >> No, I don't think so. >> I Yeah, I I don't I mean, it the the lake is is part of the community, but it's not the only part. >> Right. >> Right. I mean, we have a lot more around to to think about than just what's on the lake. >> 48 square miles, >> right? Um, do you have any questions for us or anything you want to know that we have going on? >> Well, you already told me about a couple of the the things that I already kind of had concerns about or was wondering about. Um, but otherwise, uh, you know, I Nate and I really didn't get into it too much during our initial discussion about what the job posting was for. Um, could you give me a description more of what a month is like? I mean, it's only one Tuesday, but is there any outside activities required besides that Tuesday? That >> it depends on how involved you want to get. Like there's booster day we'll set up with the city to take questions from people. That's the third Saturday in July. >> Okay. Um, town hall meetings, we usually have like to have somebody there to answer questions because people want to know what's going on. Um, working with developers sometimes on We're working on a park right now. Is there anything else that you can think of? >> I have a question. >> Sure. >> Um, and it's not what's the right word? Do you have any children or h have you ever coached at all? It's just something that we get involved with a lot. I'm just curious if you've ever coached grandkids or >> No, Ren and I do not have any children. >> Okay. >> No. And I've never coached. >> It's It's all good, >> right? I've done a lot of sports. I played volleyball for 27 years. >> There you go. >> I played broom ball for nine. I was karate for seven. I played softball for 15. I we did a lot of sports. Um so, but no, we we did not have any. This is well this what we do entails parks kids >> right >> ball we have a lot of we have a lot of um >> family >> field and stuff so I just to just curious >> right no it's an important part >> yeah the time commitment is basically just the one meeting a month and then however much you want to get involved after that the more the better be an advocate for our park system >> um like say spread the word to other people look for ideas on how to improve it. Look for ways to uh pay for a lot of it. Funding is always our one of our biggest issues. Um we've done surveys. Uh pickle ball trails are always the top uh requests we get back. We do have a trail plan, but it's we've been struggling with trying to get some of that funded and installed with especially with existing homes in place. >> Right. >> We've got a lot of trails going in with a new development down in where the Viking Golf Course used to be and some of those developments down there. we're able to put it in when the development comes in. But, um, our other biggest park users are, like Bonnie was mentioning, our youth sports teams. So, you'll see out here when we leave tonight, there's every night Booster West is eight full fields just about. So, that's kind of a big And they've come come to us for some more requests for additional fields at some of our other parks were kind of working on. >> You plan on sticking around the rest of the meeting tonight? >> Yeah. >> We're going to go over some of our capital improvement planning, too. So that'll kind of give you an idea of what we've got for projects coming up and how much money we have and what stuff costs too. So >> Okay. >> But other than that, it's basically just the one meeting a month. We, you know, we sometimes cancel meetings, so it ends up being maybe what, nine, 10, eight meetings a year. >> Yeah. Are you looking after the trail system to put any restrictions on the type of electric bikes that you can have on the trails? >> We haven't got to that point yet, but I know that's a big issue. >> A lot of cities are Yeah, we need we need the trails, >> we don't we don't have a lot of trails. >> Yeah, that's Yeah, that's bigger problem, >> right? >> Far far bigger problem than electric bikes, right? >> But it is a good point. >> Yeah. When the trails come, the bikes will too. >> Yeah. Oh, yeah. >> We have to really build it. They will come. >> Yeah. Exactly. Right. >> Then we'll have to talk about all kinds of safety things. >> Yeah, that's for sure. >> All right. Any other questions? Anybody? >> No. >> Any for us? >> I got one more. Uh You saw the award earlier. Are you prepared for 35 years on the commission? >> Yep. >> Yeah. It's kind of funny. Bonnie has been on about the same amount of time and she wrote not rope. She brought me in and then I couldn't drive very well at night anymore. Neither could she. So, I brought my husband in. So, you know, it and we're just we just really enjoy being together and we we enjoy the meetings and it's a good group. >> No, I know what you mean. Well meetings. >> I know what you mean. Uh >> wellun >> from uh from the Lions Club. I I joined and then uh it took a little time. Took about a year and a half. My wife joined. >> So I everything becomes a family affair. >> Yeah. >> It's a great group and it's it's a and it we have a really really wonderful person that we get to work with. So and the city the city council and Nate is fabulous. >> Bill our cherry is in it too. So >> he's Yeah. and he's wonderful too. >> He's out tonight for business. >> Super nice guy. >> Yeah, >> it's a really good meeting. Really wellrun group. So, thanks to Nate. >> Seems like it >> and and our wonderful chair people. >> I always say we put the fun in parks. >> All right. Any other questions? >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you for your consideration. >> Thank you. Absolutely. >> Thank you for signing up. Last time we we couldn't get people to sign up. This is wonderful. This was a good fast turn. >> Need a motion and uh for recommendation to city council at all? >> I'll make a motion to um bring a recommendation to city council to bring on uh Steve Berseron for parks as a park commissioner. >> Motion has been made and seconded to bring Steve Berseron to the city council meeting for approval. All in favor? >> I I >> All opposed. Motion passes. >> Thanks, Steve. From here, it'll go to city council and they have the final say on who's on the commission. So, we'll have that on our next uh city council meeting in two weeks from yesterday. >> So, you have to come back. Sorry. >> All right. Number seven, Viking Meadow South concept plan. For this one, we're looking for comments on a concept plan for an addition to the Viking Meadows development. Heather is here tonight from Capstone Homes to answer questions. Um, we're only supposed to focus on the park and trail side of things on the development. Um, I I included the uh map here. Me rotate that. So, this is the existing um biking medals edition and the one we're going to discuss tonight is this back 30 acres for the park commission. Um this is just a concept plan, so it's it isn't actually even um officially this layout could change, but this is kind of what they're looking at. an open space with um sidewalks, no trail connections at this point. Um so they just want comments to try and get uh this going forward for what the park commission would like to see. >> How big is that open space? Do we know basically? >> Uh do you know acre wise? It looks like it's 11.35. >> Oh, there we go. >> Is it is it usable open space? So, consider a park in that area. >> Yeah. Let me pull up another um it wouldn't be it wouldn't be a dedicated park area. We might be able to make like a walking trail. So the middle section is wooded. >> Um these two areas here would be ponds. >> Oh, okay. >> So this would all be mined for sand for the houses in there. So be there' be some open water ponds there kind of similar to what we have back in this corner. I guess my question is there any chance that we'd want a trail connection in the future? That would be a question. >> Well, that's what I was looking at because I see there's a culde-sac at the end. right there with no opening >> to Green Brook. Then I was looking at that 189th Avenue or the >> right there. Is that connecting to >> So this is a there's going to be a it's kind of like a trail through here, but it's actually an emergency access um for the fire department to get to into the development this way, >> which be a gate that they'll have either knock down posts or or a chain that they can break open >> to get in there. This will be able to support firefighter apparatus to get in there, but it is kind of a walking trail, too. We have some of these in other developments. 189th is a gravel road. >> And do we know who owns are those is that farm or >> these are single family houses here? >> Okay. So, there are Oh, I see where you are. No. Yeah. Are there any plans to put any trails around in that area? >> It's not part of the regional trail plan. >> Okay. >> I'm just looking at Greenbrook because that's where that bike club likes to ride their bikes and they block the whole road. So if they had a different route that they could take. >> This is our cup. map. So these are, you know, trails we put at some point in the future. We have one going down Greenbrook through here. >> So where's the development on the map there? >> It's actually this green >> all that green stuff. Okay. >> Portion we're talking about is right here. >> Right there. Okay. So you would have a trail at some point >> possibly. And it's a county road, so it' be kind of done with in conjunction with no county. >> But this is one of those instances we have to mark it so that a house doesn't get built blocking. Right. >> Well, and this is going to from the capstone point, it's going to remain green that we're looking at. Correct. There won't be any houses there at any point. >> No, where it says open space, >> right? So that'll be green. So then be behind that we'll have potentially a trail at some point. >> Well, there's houses there now, right? >> These are existing homes absence. >> So how would they do a trail if there's homes there? >> Well, the trail that they show is on here. >> Oh, okay. >> Looks like there's beed access coming off that. >> These are uh they're owned by the property owners. I don't know why they were split up like that. So without a new easement, there's no access to >> So the only way would be off of 189 approved 189. We could put a trail connecting there. >> I guess that' be my suggestion. >> Okay. Right. Like he was talking about. >> So here's this be kind of a wet land in the center here, but it's kind of wood around this would be a pond here. >> So there won't be a spot for like picnic tables or anything. I don't know if it's if they really had it in mind as as like a developed park, more of just an just a permanent green space. >> It looks like you can walk back there. >> Yeah, you'd be able to walk back there. Yep. As of a natural area. >> Any plan to connect that to the trails that are in the other section of the capstone there? >> That's what I was thinking too. >> These port portions here. >> Well, you got the blue portion which is trailer. >> Yep. >> When any chance to connect the new portion, the new parcel through that? >> Um it'll be connected through sidewalks to here. >> That the red sidewalks. >> The reds the sidewalks. Yep. >> And then this piece here, um is owned by a private resident. >> At some point in the future could be developed. probably future trail access would be through the fire department. >> I think if there was ever a regional trail along here >> without buying property, the easiest way would be to just come down this road. >> Sure. >> Right. >> This is gravel at some point would need to be upgraded to black top. Either way, I think whether that city pays for that or it's through assessments. >> So, what are you looking just com. This is just for comments that we're going to add to the This is going to go to the planning commission and the city council, too. This was originally taken off of the initial plan because outside of the Musa line, so that's what they're working on trying to get past, but we don't have to comment on that tonight. We're just looking at the park side of things. >> Connection to the other park. You said you got by sidewalk and trail >> probably uh you think probably a park dedication and fees on top of that. This would not qualify with the rest of the development. So this would fall into our new fee schedule that we that the city passed. I I let uh Tom with Capstone know what those dollar amounts were. So >> okay, >> we'd be far better off taking dedication than anything else. >> Yeah, there really isn't a whole lot we can do there. And we have we already have this part where we're putting all the >> right >> this here and then this this area is mowed back here >> us either by sidewalk or trail too then it's easy access >> right. Yeah I think park dedication might be the best way to go. >> We also will have trails coming out here through Elivage. Uh the Dairy Queen was approved last night. So that's going in right here. And then there's some more trails that come in through here. So at some point this will be commercial develop development as well. So people could in theory walk to you know whatever goes in there as a convenience bike or walk type setup. So >> very nice. >> So kind of feeling our park dedication fee in le of land. Um keep the open space as it is. And uh we'll work on ideas for trail connections with the existing setup. >> Sounds like a good plan to me. >> Me too. >> Makes sense. You don't need a motion. >> No, we're just going to provide these comments. Anything else you think you need, Heather? >> No, I don't I don't think so. Other than as a developer, we would support cash in the land. >> Okay. >> We would prefer that. We think that it would balance the neighborhood well. the sidewalks provide good connectivity the way it is and I like Mr. recommendation to consider 189th when you connect. It just would be hard to create a connection um in that culde-sac area and most of there might be some trees but there's a lot of wetland and we're preserving the wetland back behind those lots and providing some storm ponding. So I we support the decision that you all come up with tonight and appreciate your consideration. >> Okay, >> thank you. >> Sounds good. >> Thanks. >> Thanks you. We'll take that to uh Eric, our planner, and then we'll use that the uh planning commission, the city council review of the property. Anything else? Any other comments? All right. Number eight, 2027 to 2031 park capital improvement planning. This is kind of a summary of what we talked about last month. >> It is. >> Yeah. With updated money, I think. >> Yeah. From what I >> So, what I did is I kind of put together a draft CIP from what we talked about at our last meeting. Um, got some updated numbers on a few things. Let's uh let's start with the park acquisition and development fund that else. Thanks, Heather. So, I updated our what I what I believe our beginning balance is going to be after we do the improvements we have planned for this year. Uh, and the incoming park dedication fee. So, I think we're going to start off 2027 around 240,000 uh in that account. around 75,000 of that will go towards more improvements to finish up the Viking um Viking Meadows Park, some site amenities, some landscaping stuff like that. And that and that that'll pretty much wrap up that park. They also have two more phases to um provide us with park dedication fees. So that's at 173,000. That could be spread out into 2028 as well. depends on how fast their development takes place, but that's their remaining balance that they have left for there. And then going forward, we just kind of used a placeholder of 40,000. Um, that's kind of what we seen for a 20 acre development going that comes into the city. That can obviously change if we have big development coming in or could stop completely if we don't have any development. So, this one's a little bit harder to plan for. In 2028, we have the booster west ball field lights that I know that's been on there for a while. Um, but we do show that we have probably have enough on that if we want to go forward with that at that time. So, if that's still a priority, it's a big big amount, but uh I left that in there, >> but it would be nice just to get that done because it's been eight years maybe >> maybe longer. >> And that kind of wraps up what we have for the acquisition development fund. Um kind of showed our balance getting down to pretty pretty much zero at that point. On the second page is a lot of items we talked about last month. This is our park capital fund. This is funded through our transfers from the general fund from the general le general fund levy. Um after our plans for this year, I estimated we'd be around $180,000 balance with a transfer beginning on January 1st next year 130. And we're showing an increase of $10,000 a year. That's our ask for the council going for the next five years. If anybody wants to change that, let me know. But that's kind of what we've had in the past. I'm comfortable asking whatever you guys would like to see. For projects, we talked about uh doing that John Anderson Trail segment. I updated the money on there. Um it partially funds the fence. I looked up the quote that we had. The quote that we got from the resident was $12,200. That was for a 200 foot section of fence. That's kind of a lot from what I saw in there. >> Actually, we can talk about there real quick. Let me pull that up on the >> Are they looking at doing the whole side of their house? Like so you can't see. >> I'm not sure >> how is it 12 foot then? >> It's a six foot high vinyl privacy. >> We have to get the variance because you can't build the So, these are our existing trails on John Anderson, the pave trails. This is the trail segment and the house that was looking for the fence was right here. Um, Are we actually a go if we put that gun? Do you feel >> with that resident? I believe so. >> That was the only reserve. >> Wow, that would be amazing. >> Yeah, because we can move on to the bondie portion of the bike trail. So from here to here is 100 ft. >> This is the existing wood line 110 ft. >> Oh goodness. >> 200 >> 200 feet. >> And I think our ordinance does not allow privacy fence without a uh variance in the front yard. the front line of the house, but it also included 100 ft of chain link fence. So, I probably need to clarify that, but they had $12,000 of the quote. Might be half that. >> Where were they going to put the chain link in the back? >> Doesn't show. Yeah, I think along the back this way, maybe. >> We have to build a floating uh >> Oh, that's the spot, right? bridge type deal here, boardwalk. It's about It's only about 60 ft. We have the floats already left over from another project. Our guys can build that house. So, it would just be a little bit of tree tree clearing in here and then a little bit along here and then p having it paved come out right here. >> That would be nice. >> Cut all the trees out there. >> We cut the the real tough ones out. We have a couple small ones that are dead, but that would connect a pretty chunk of the city. This John Anderson Park is kind of isolated just to 233rd. From here, you can get to a larger section of the city. John Anderson's our second busiest park that we have. So, a beach and a shelter, playground, nice trails. So, I have that in for 2027. I don't think we'll have enough time this year to do it in 2026. We're going to be kind of busy with this Viking Meadows project for our for our staff. We'll probably do some of the tree tree clearing in the fall, finish all that up if we go ahead with this project. And then we had some improvements to Booster West over there in the ball fields and some fencing upgrades. And then uh we talked about the basketball court replacement at Lake Beach. I put that in there for 2027. I have a guy a guy coming out probably this week or first part of next week to give me a quote on doing the concrete jacking. >> For the most part, the court's not terrible. There's just those parts that are sunken down really bad. >> So, it might be easier to just fix those rather than start over. The fencing is not terrible. The gates in bad shape. We have to replace that gates with something. But the side fencing is still still in pretty good shape. >> So, I'm going to see what the price is for that. Maybe it makes more sense to repair those panels. He says he can do 50,000 square foot warehouse concrete floors. So, >> we'll see. I don't know how much it's going to cost yet, but >> yeah, >> I got and another company going to come out and give us a >> get an idea how how it stands up to weather >> concrete rather than >> an asphalt than asphalt myself. >> Yeah. I don't know if there was a old stump underneath there or what, but it settled out sunk down really bad. probably had a big bowl and just >> What about those those two posts that are there for a for a tennis court net? I'm assuming that's what they are. >> I think that's what they were originally used for. >> Is that is that something we could remove? >> We just take those out. >> Is it >> They're in good shape. Might be able to reuse them somewhere that >> seems like more of a hazard on a basketball court. >> It would be kind of dangerous when you're >> running along. Yep. >> Mhm. >> So, I have that for 2027. Um 60,000 in there. That one could change a little bit. And then 2028, we have the U pavement repair in Booster East. Redoing the parking lot there. And then uh Whispering Aspen tennis court, pickle ball. We've pretty much fixed all of our playgrounds have all been upgraded. The next thing that needs to be repaired are our tennis courts. The one in Booster East is in bad shape. is in bad shape. Whispering Oaks is in rough shape. >> Is that tearing it up completely or just doing the overlay? >> They won't. When they did booster East last time, they said they won't do it again. That's >> needs to be replaced. >> A lot. >> Wister Aspen was the same thing. >> Did they just do an overlay? Then >> they seal all the cracks and they they put that uh that surface coat on >> and it's good for a couple years, but it ends up shifting and breaking and it's it's already cracked up again. kind of lipstick. >> Yeah, >> kind of. Yeah, good. >> Got to keep putting it on. >> Y keep reapplying it. >> So, that's 2028. Um 2029, we've talked about Bondi Park. We still don't really have a good plan for that, but I've kept that as kind of a placeholder in there. Well, maybe at that point we could do just specifically a pickle ball with some kind of building and concessions. >> Great spot. >> I mean, there's nothing there other than the baseball field and the old swing set, right? >> The swing set's the playground is new. The playground's been upgraded. >> Um, >> just double check because the last time we visited there, it was technical. >> It's been replaced >> since then. >> So, when we do the John Andrew Yeah. Any type of athletic field is going to need irrigation there, >> right? >> It's pure sugar sand and sand. Yeah. >> Yep. That's what you talked about. >> So, >> both SBA and St. Francis Baseball expressed interest in more fields. Um, so that might be an option there, but I just have that as a placeholder right now. And then 2020 2030, we have uh the pavement in Booster West. That's a big parking lot replacement there. Be a expensive one. And then 2031, I had put in the um Oakbrook Acres from our group that was here. It's kind of the first place where I could fit it in that didn't wipe out the budget completely. >> Those were those two women from last year. Correct. >> And we'll do our summer trip over there to meet with that neighborhood. Yeah. >> Yes. get a feel for >> and anything beyond next year, beyond 2027 can be moved around. >> When the council approves our CIP, they're basically approving the whatever is in 2027. >> Okay. >> For budgeting reasons. A lot of the other things are just kind of planning placeholders. >> Good. Planning and trail segments. Well, we're all I didn't show that too. We are going to have uh another fund going forward now with our trail dedication piece, right? So, I didn't I didn't put that together. It's going to be the same thing like we had in the past. Um once we start getting and that'll be specifically for trails. >> Not that I would ever harp on trails. >> It's funny you brought that up. >> That was like the number one thing when Tim and I got on trails. Trails. It's a tough one. So, I just have a question about the the Booster West lights. When if and when that ever happens, will that um accommodate some of these other teams that are looking for more ball field space to come in and play at a later >> part of the evening or just extend the time that for the those teams that are already there? >> That quote is only for the baseball field itself. Oh, >> okay. So, it's going to be the older kids that in the East Bandits specifically because their games run longer and they can't use it because they don't have enough daylight evening. >> Yep. >> Right. >> Yeah. They're not cheap. That's for one field to do the whole forlex would be pretty expensive too. >> Be nice to see a good lip family though. So, we could actually get baseball >> Yeah. >> older kids baseball back into the city. And right now you're limited to about the 12 year olds, about the oldest that >> can come play because their games are short enough they can get done before they're on a daylight. >> Y >> and I know a lot of people have always complimented us on our fields and they want to do tournaments here, but they have to cut it off at dusk. Sure. >> We've got beautiful fields. We got a beautiful park over there. >> Yeah, >> it could it could be better. Always could be better. >> So, that's kind of what we talked about at the last meeting. Is there anything I missed? Anything you want to see moved around? >> I think 2027 looks good. And then uh Karen brought up last night at the city council meeting a couple ideas for booster um probably booster parks mainly. I think Denise and I kind of talked about this a little bit too, but the idea of maybe getting um some pollinator gardens in that park or some of our other parks. Um bat boxes was another one that was brought up to help u kind of the bat population in in our area. And then uh the idea of a little library in the back along the trail here somewhere. I think if we could find volunteers to do some of that work would be great. And it's traditionally the city. >> Don't the master guard there's a master garden club. Maybe they would help with that. >> But we need to find somewhere there's water. >> Well, we've got some adoptive park things too. >> Scout groups like to do like the bat box. >> Oh yeah, for sure. That might be one of their part of their merit badge stuff. >> Is the park commission open to using some capital funds to help pay for some of that stuff if it comes comes up? >> Well, that's what we're here for. >> I would. >> Yeah, I would sure think so. >> For sure. I just don't want it to end up like the little garden we had that nobody came back after they installed it. And >> that's kind of a talking to other colleagues in other cities, it becomes kind of an issue is gets in and then who's going to maintain it, right? >> The kids that put it in grow up and Yeah. And they move on. >> So, anything that's low maintenance is always the best. Some some place you can just kind of perennials that take care of themselves kind of deal, >> right? >> Um bat boxes are kind of once you put them in, they're good to go. >> What about the beaver? >> The what? >> The beaver and booster pond. What can we do about it? >> Is he back? I haven't seen one about there. >> Well, it's early. >> Oh, I don't think they're there. There's no more trees for him to cut down, but >> he moved on. >> That's funny. >> He was rehomed. Happy Valley. >> It's looking good. >> Yeah. >> Do you want a motion? >> Yeah. If you if you like if you're okay with that, how that looks, we'll bring that. If you're make a motion to recommend the city council for including in the 2027 budget. >> I'll make a motion to approve the 2027 budget as submitted. >> I'll second. A motion has been made and seconded to approve the 2027 to 2031 park capital improvement planning for our city council to look at. Um, can I get a >> All in favor? >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> My notes are all I. Opposed say nay. The motion has been approved. All right. City council reports. Well, good evening. Congratulations once again, this is Thank you very much. Um, and Steve, you sound like a great fit. I can tell you that right now. Sounds like a great fit for this committee. >> Uh, we talked about a little bit earlier a new Dairy Queen was approved. >> Yay. >> Uh, and it's a big one. Fairly good size. Can have a park on it, drive through. um the park should be connected or that trail should connect right through between Quick Trip and Dairy Queen there. So, it's it's going to be accessible to the you know the kids who are going to be moving into those neighborhoods, which is great. Um other than that, we've been doing nothing but negotiating. We've been negotiating with the fire department, going through their numbers. We've got equipment that's outdated. It's come to its end of its lifespan. The question is how do we make this affordable for the city fiscal impact it's going to have on our residents we have to be very careful with because we know we have expenses that are going up next year co kind of threw a loop in things of which we didn't match up what we were putting away and prices have doubled so we just can't go hog wild and buy two when we need it we have to stagger it out we have to find the best possible financing the best possible needs for what we actually you you know, have to have up there. And when it comes to the fire safety and so forth, the residents come first. We have to find out a way to pay for it and pay for it responsibly. And that's what we've been doing, going back and forth up there. Other than that, we've got some good news. We've had three million put onto a bill from Tom Emmer for the city of East Bethl for a future project. that future project or that amount of money when it gets voted on and that bill should pass is what they tell us will allow us to reduce the grant money we've been asking for for our other water tower project up near 65 in Sims and that'll help fill in that future development for commercial development for future time also. So we've got a lot of positive things going on right now in this city. Uh we just have to keep it rolling in that direction. Uh, other than that, I don't have too much on what I have written down. I had written down Karen's ideas from last night, which I think they're good. Uh, I did have something to add to that when our developers are doing some stuff with the wood and so forth in these developments. Maybe there's an opportunity to get the wood from bat boxes right there with the scrap wood and so forth so they don't throw it away. Just a thought on that one. >> Other than that, you guys keep up the good work. >> We appreciate what you do up for the city and we appreciate the advice you give us. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Any comments? >> April 29th from 6 to 8 or 9 is the town hall meeting here at city hall. And it'll start over there and move over here. >> Yep. Same format as before. >> Do we know are we going to have booths and stuff set up over there to ask questions? >> I don't know who's all going to be presenting. Was Midnight coming at all? >> Yeah, I think they're going to talk the Highway 65 project. Um that that'll be a big impact res. Yeah, they were at the uh chamber meeting and gave us an update there and it's that's going to be a big pain in the rear end for the next few years. There's a really if you're interested, there's a really nice video if you go to MINDOT and just put in Highway 65 project. It shows as you're flying above 65 coming north when it's all done. Kind of gives you an idea. >> Is that the video from a couple years ago? >> I think this is a newer one. a real fancy game engine that runs it. It's pretty looks pretty lifelike. >> No, I haven't seen that one. >> This one is uh 65 is going to be raised above all the other projects. So, I think they said 50,000 truckloads of sand are going to go in. >> Yeah, it's amazing. >> Wow. >> So, but yeah, it's a update. There'll be a town hall meeting maybe and then uh >> that's about it. Ice Arena finished in the black this year. >> All right. >> Oh, that's good. >> Making money for the uh for that enterprise fund. >> Yippee. >> Wonderful. >> That's all I have. >> Motion to adjourn. >> Second. >> Motion's been made and seconded. All in favor? >> I I >> All oppose. Motion granted. All right.