North St. Paul City Council — Transcript
Sunday, June 15, 2025
Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Recommendations and Prioritization
Park Passport Program Implementation
Park Maintenance and Cleanup Days Review
Votes (4)
Approval of 2025 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for Small Park Improvements
Dissent: None
Moved by Sarah Zaraka [0:00] · Seconded by Rachel Lucas [0:00]
The commission reviewed and prioritized a selection of smaller, more immediate park projects for 2025. These included gaga pits for Northwood, Tower, and Howy parks, a playground replacement at Polar Park (deemed critical due to end-of-life equipment), and additions at Colby Hills and Casey Lake Park. The collective cost was estimated around $130,000. Commissioners emphasized the importance of these projects for showing tangible progress to the public and for addressing critical needs promptly, with the understanding that some equipment might be ordered in 2025 for 2026 installation.
Approval of Multi-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for HDA Master Plan Projects
Dissent: None
Moved by Sarah Zaraka [0:00] · Seconded by Ben Hansen [0:00]
The commission established a phased timeline for the larger HDA master plan projects, including components of McNight Park (playground, parking lot, mini pitch, skate park, pavilion), Downtown Open Space, and Third Street. There was extensive debate on the prioritization of these projects, considering their significant costs ($300,000 to $1.1 million per phase) and long timelines (2026-2031). Commissioners emphasized the need to start chipping away at McNight due to its derelict state and community concern, while also acknowledging the impact of new housing on downtown residents and the complexity of projects like Third Street. The plan was designed to be fluid, allowing for adjustments based on funding, unforeseen circumstances, and potential grant opportunities.
Approval of Park Passport Program
Dissent: None
Moved by Ben Hansen [0:00] · Seconded by Sarah Zaraka [0:00]
Rachel Lucas presented the final version of the Park Passport Program. The revised proposal removed a midway prize, opting instead for a small completion prize (magnet, button, or pin) and entry into a grand prize drawing (city t-shirt or hat). The program's annual cost was detailed based on a projected 100 participants, with flexibility for more. The commission found the program to be an exciting, easy, and effective way to engage the community and encourage park usage.
Discussion on Southwood Park Buckthorn Maintenance
Dissent: The motion was not seconded nor voted on, indicating a consensus to defer for more information from Public Works.
Moved by Lloyd Gratrick [0:00] · Seconded by None
Commissioner Lloyd Gratrick raised concerns about buckthorn maintenance at Southwood Park and proposed allocating $3,000 for this year. However, the discussion revealed uncertainties regarding whether such maintenance falls under Public Works' existing budget and responsibilities, or if new funding is required. Commissioners highlighted past arrangements (e.g., workhouse, men's clubs) and the existence of a city ordinance against goats. It was decided that further clarification from Public Works Director Ron and City Manager Brian was needed before a vote. The matter was deferred to the next meeting, with Ron to be invited to provide context and guidance.
Notable Quotes (8)
So my experience leads me to say let's ask for all those things and then see what we get, see where we land in hopes that maybe we can get a lot of things done in our parks this year.
But like with the gaga pits, if we can say, 'Hey, you know, we're looking at total of $60,000 to get all this stuff done.' And it's fairly simple. It's just ordering the parts for the Gaga pits and then having like words, put them in. So that way we're showing the public that, hey, we're out here. we're giving you something and while we're working on the bigger projects.
Mcnite is such a huge project that if we don't start chipping away at it, then our ability to say that we paid this money to do this project, if we don't start making these little dents in it... and I think the easiest way to do that is say, okay, we're aiming for 2026 to get those tennis courts tore out, to get that parking lot laid, to start the mini pitch or whatever that progress is.
It's not may not happen next year. It may not happen. It might not end until 2035. I mean, it just depends on what happens. I mean, if something is destroyed in Casey Lake, I mean, we're not going to leave that park sitting there looking garbage. We'll probably have to tend to that park first. So, act of God. We don't know what's going to happen. So, it has to be fluid.
The only updates I made are that there isn't a midway prize based off of feedback. That individuals would win the smaller prize of like the $3 magnet, button, pin, what have you. And then everyone who you know submits and goes to all the parks and fill out fills out the passport is entered for a grand prize of like a city t-shirt or baseball hat or something like that.
It's exciting. Yeah. A great way to get people in the parks. That's what I was thinking. Yeah. Yeah. And easy.
I would like to make a motion since I should have had it done with Rachel's that we consider $3,000 this year for upkeep in Southwood Park. For what? For what? You say that again. For the back for the Buckthorn general maintenance.
I think we need to get clarification from public works of what they are going to do and what they're not going to do because I had a lengthy conversation with Ron and a few others in the city of what they do and don't do... A lot of that just they told me falls in maintenance with Ron that with public works.
Ordinances & Resolutions (5)
Capital Improvement Plan recommendations for park projects, developed by the commission and submitted to finance.
A comprehensive development plan for McNight Park, including several phased projects such as playgrounds, a mini pitch, a skate park, and a pavilion.
Specific design recommendations by HGA for projects like the Downtown Open Space seating area and swings, and various McNight components.
Rachel Lucas's program proposal to encourage park visits, detailing incentives and logistics.
Local regulation mentioned in the context of using goats for buckthorn removal at Southwood Park.