BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL

Work Session Agenda Monday, March 25, 2019

City Hall 5:30 P.M.

1. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL 2. PARKS DEPT. ANNUAL REPORT AND 2019 PROJECTS 3. ADJOURNMENT

NOTE: Please switch all cellphones and pagers to a non-audible function during Council and Committee meetings.

COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM Meeting Date: March 25, 2019 Action Requested: Annual Report/Review Concept and Budget for Gordon Falls Prepared By: Marcia Larson, Parks and Recreation Director Reviewed By: Nate Mathews, City Manager

Background The 2018 Parks and Recreation Annual Report is attached! I will provide a brief overview of the annual report and provide information on 2019 proposed Park Improvements. Gordon Falls Park Gordon Falls Park is a one-acre neighborhood park located on Mississippi Avenue NW (1102). The park serves an important role as a neighborhood park. It is a very busy and used park. A little history note: After World War II, the American Legion Post #14 dedicated Gordon Falls Park in memory of Bemidji's first fatality in World War II (Dorothy Boe). The Park and Recreation Commission toured the parks in June of 2018 with the goal of observing use and determining any needs in the park areas. Gordon Falls Park was identified as a high need for improvements due to the age and dilapidated condition of existing amenities. The replacement of the playground planned and budgeted for 2019. Based on the condition of the other amenities in the park it was determined to develop a concept/plan for the redevelopment of the park. A survey of the residents served by the park conducted in November of 2018 assisted in identifying needs/expectations from the neighborhood. Based on neighborhood input, 2011 Master Parks and Open Spaces Plan and Commission discussion a concept/plan was developed for improvements to Gordon Falls. The concept plan includes a new playground, sidewalks/ADA access, landscaping (construct a berm, trees, turf), basketball court improvements, benches, picnic tables, bike racks and open space. Budget Information A cost estimate was completed with a total cost of construction is $217,257. Estimated Construction Costs $181,048 Contingency (20%) $ 36,209 Total $217,257 The recommended funding is Parkland Dedication fees and the Capital Improvement Budget. There is approximately $192,000 in the Parkland Dedication fund and $60,000 allocated for playground improvements in the CIP.

Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department 1

2018 Annual Report

Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department 2

Mission Statement

The mission of the Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department is to improve quality of life by connecting everyone to

healthy activities and natural places.

Parks and Recreation Commission Members

Tina Kaney, Chair

Mary Auger

Tom Anderson

Don Heinonen

Wendy Kvale

Annette Meyer

Tonya Prim

Parks and Recreation Commission

The Parks and Recreation Commission is a seven member advisory board to the City Council and city manager on matters relating to parks and trails including:

Plan and develop programs and activities.

Develop schedules of hours and fees for the use of recreational trails and park facilities.

Study possible government and private foundation grants available for the ac-quisition and development of park and trail facilities.

Develop plans for improvement and betterment of existing facilities.

Develop plans for acquisition of additional facilities.

Coordinate recreational trail and park activities with other community organi-zations and groups.

Parks and Recreation Staff

Parks and Recreation Director ................... Marcia Larson

Parks Superintendent ....................................... Jared Stull

Recreation Coordinator ............................ Jamie Jacobson

Programming /Special Events ............ Johannah Furuseth

Parks and Gardens Maintenance II .............. Eric Nordlum

Parks Maintenance II ................................. Chase Schmitt

Parks Maintenance II ..................................... Kyle Martin

Arena Maintenance II ............................... Jake Pederson

Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department 3

Vision Statement

Bemidji sets the standard as an award-winning leader in parks and recreation. Our parks and trails will reflect our

natural resources with innovative, high quality and thoughtfully designed facilities and programs that will sustaina-

bly improve the health and vitality of the community. Programs will focus on fun, healthy and inclusive activities

that are accessible to the entire Bemidji region and beyond, delivered through broad and diverse collaboration.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department is to improve quality of life

by connecting everyone to healthy activities and natural places.

Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan!

Values

• Collaborative

• Creative & Innovative

• Diversity

• Engaged

• Fun

• Inclusive

• Leadership

• Respect

The Parks and Recreation Department undertook a Strategic Planning Process in the Fall of 2017. This was in response

to the increase in demand, use, and participation in recreation programming as well as increased use of facilities,

parks, and trails. The purpose is to develop a strategic plan for the department’s operations and programming, with

focus on building a plan for matching programming and services with known demand and available resources.

The Plan was adopted by the City Council in April of 2018!

Accomplishment in 2018!

Development of a new logo and tagline!

Promotion of Parks and Recreation Department.

Attended—Home Sport and Travel Show,

Implemented Rec Desk -new registration software!

Successfully utilized Volunteer Bemidji to recruit volun-

teers for events and activities!

Successfully recruited interns and staff through on-line application process.

Implemented Buffer to assist in reaching the social media markets.

Successfully expanded community partnerships with BSU and other organization to offer more

diverse recreation programs.

Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department 4

Parks staff annually maintains more than 250 acres of public lands. This maintenance includes 160 acres of highly

maintained high usage park area and approximately 8090 feet of shoreland.

Facilities under the stewardship of the Parks Department include 10 picnic shelters, 6 buildings, 3 swimming beaches,

4 boat accesses with 5 docks, 1 fishing pier, marina, 6 softball and baseball fields, 1 disc golf course, 1 lighted cross

country ski trail, 4 skating rinks, 13 miles of trails, 10 playgrounds, 8 play courts (tennis, basketball, and pickleball), a

skate park and dog park.

Staffing

The Parks Department consists of a Parks Superintendent, 3 full-time maintenance staff and approximately 16 sea-

sonal staff. Six seasonal warming house staff are employed from December through March and 10 summer seasonal

maintenance staff are employed during the summer. This includes a downtown maintenance staff that focuses on

the downtown area for approximately 30 hours a week from June though Labor Day.

2018 Parks Department Highlights

Parks Superintendent position was created and Jared Stull was

hired! Great addition to the parks department.

The Bemidji Girls Fastpitch Association—Bemidji Blaze for the first

time hosted their annual tournament at City Park—over 92 games

were played June 22-24th. The tournament included 10U, 12U,

14U and 16/18U.

North Country Park baseball field was home to 16 ball games!

Three Community Gardens offer 36 plots gardeners can rent and

grow their own food. Each garden spot provides water, a small

shed, and opportunity to meet new people. All plots were rented in 2018.

In 2018, the warming houses were open a total of 63 days, with average daily attendance of 67 skaters at City Park Outdoor Rink.

Parks staff continue to provide support and facilities for many community festivals and events. Park and trail facil-

ities hosted the following large scale special events:

Bemidji Town Party Dragon Boat Races

Knights of Columbus Walleye Classic Fishing has No Boundaries

Art in the Park Jaycees Water Carnival

Senior Softball Tournament Loop the Lake Festival

State Softball Tournament Mississippi Music

Night We Light

In addition many smaller one-day family, organizational and commercial picnics and events were held at the park facilities. Diamond Point/South Shore and City Park—the park facilities were rented for 77 family reunions, grad-uations, weddings and picnics through the summer.

Parks Department

Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department 5

Park Rental fees collected in 2018 were $12,619—this is a 10% increase from 2017; and over a 20% from 2016.

City Park Building hosted—safe sitter, cheerleading camp, Boo dash 5k, and Mommy Me Garden Party. Diamond Point Quartz Pavilion is used Monday-Friday during the summer for the Kids in Motion Day Camp.

New at North Country—a snowshoe/dog walking trail was signed and groomed/rolled this winter to provide another winter recreation opportuni-ty. Several snowshoe outings were also held by the Recreation Depart-ment.

The Parks and Recreation received a DNR Outdoor Recreation Grant that provided funding for improvements at

North Country Park. The project included an outdoor pavilion, outdoor classroom and direc-

tional signage.

Installed in a partnership with the DNR and BSU and Purple Martin House in South Shore Park

Implemented Productive Parks in 2018—Maintenance management software that includes work orders, tasks, labor tracking and inspections. One of the items identified in the strategic plan!

The 2nd year of the Birds, Bees, and Butterflies was filled with activities, promotions and events

that encouraged the planting of native trees, shrubs and flowers for birds and pollinators. Part-

ners in this collaborative effort include: Mississippi Headwaters Audubon Society, BSU Sustainabil-

ity Office, Master Naturalists, Master Gardeners, Parks and Recreation and Bemidji Garden Club!

Promoted Top Ten Native Plants - encouraging the planting of Native Plants for Pollinators and Birds!

Bird Festival celebrating Purple Martins was held

in June at Cameron Park!

Monarch Festival was held in North Country Park!

How to Get Started with Native Plants Workshops

were held on campus and downtown.

Five new pollinator demonstration gardens were

planted! Over 3900 shrubs, flowers and trees

were planted!

42 students assisted in the public and school

plantings.

This is a volunteer effort! Over 65 volunteers assisted

with planning, organizing, and implementing

plantings and other projects!

Mayor’s Monarch Pledge—Birds, Bees, and Butterflies Bemidji!

Parks Department

Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department 6

Forestry

The Parks Department is responsible for the management of Be-

midji’s urban tree and landscape program. The program is re-

sponsible for the control of shade tree diseases such as Dutch

Elm disease and Oak Wilt, reforestation of city parks and boule-

vards, and routine maintenance of the city’s boulevard and park

trees including the 125 boulevard trees located downtown.

Kyle Martin, certified arborist, assists in the maintenance and

care of the urban forest.

Forestry Highlights

Hosted Arbor Day Celebration at Diamond Point Park with a

pre-school class from Growing Tree.

Bemidji named Tree City USA for 29 years and a Tree City

USA Growth Award for 4 years!

158 boulevard and park trees were removed.

154 boulevard and park tree were planted.

63 Dutch elm diseased trees were removed.

Purchased 100 water bags to increase efficiency and im-

prove maintenance and care of boulevard trees.

Continued to update the public tree inventory app—with the

addition of 166 trees to the app/GIS tree layer.

Thank you to all the Volunteers in the Parks!

Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department 7

The Recreation Department’s main objectives are to provide recreation programs, events and activities, encourage the

use of parks and trails, and promote an active lifestyle.

Staffing

The Recreation Department is staffed by one full-time Recreation Coordinator, part-time Special Events and Park Pro-

gramming staff, 4 seasonal camp counselors and various intern and practicum students as well as volunteers.

Recreation Department Highlights

41% of the Recreation Department’s Revenue in 2018 was generated from donations, sponsorships, fees and

grants.

The Recreation Department received $15,185 in both cash and in-kind donations/sponsorships to support recrea-

tion programming and keep our fees affordable.

Over $65,000 in fees were collected to offset operating costs.

Programs : in 2018 the Recreation Department offered:

9 Adult Programs with over 238 participants

12Youth Programs with 271 participants

3 Day Camps Programs with over 300 youth participants

Kids in Motion Day Camp—240 participants

Theatre Camp—52 participants

Half Day Camp—21 participants

Special Events: the Recreation Department planned fifteen special events with over 1800 participants.

New Programs in 2018: Summer Walk Club, Fit Dogs Walking Program, Kids Kitchen (after school program) Crea-

tive Kids Club (non school day), Youth Climbing Club, Log Rolling, and Sailing.

7 of the 10 weeks of Kids in Motion Day Camp had a waitlist.

Over 60 young teens—became certified through the Park and Recreation Safe Sitter Program in 2018!

The goal of the youth scholarship program is to ensure that youth are not

denied the benefits of public recreation due to the inability to pay. In

2018 the Parks and Recreation Department received over $2,200.00 in

donations to the scholarship fund. Our partners: Bemidji Jaycees, the

Knights of Columbus, the First City Lions and several private individuals.

In 2017, over $1,260 in youth scholarships were awarded to families to

attend Kids in Motion Day Camp.

Recreation Department

Youth Scholarship Program

Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department 8

The Neilson Reise Arena is located within City Park and shares a building with the Bemidji Curling Club. The City

operates one sheet of ice and is the only facility in the area with year round ice. The Arena is home ice for the

Bemidji Figure Skating Club but is used by many local and regional organizations and clubs. The facility is open

from 6am to 12am and open most holidays.

Staffing

The Neilson Reise Arena is staffed by one full time Arena Maintenance II and four part-time Arena Maintenance.

Jake Pederson, Arena Maintenance completed the Arena Management certificate through Ice Arena Institute of

Management and Arena Operations Certificate Part I through ISI.

Neilson Reise Arena Highlights

The City hosted 354 hours of General Skate, 275 hours of open hockey and 132 hours of parent & preschool

skate.

2,175 skaters participated in general

skate, open hockey and parent and pre-

school skate in 2018.

The Bemidji Figure Skating Club rented

over 453 hours.

Youth Leagues/Camps/Practices rent 697

hours of ice time. Bemidji Youth Hockey

renting the highest amount of ice at 299

hours (an increase of 44 hours).

Adult Hockey Leagues comprise 267

hours of ice rental.

BSU rented 133 hours of ice team with the

Men’s and Women’s Hockey Program and

Hockey and Broomball Intramural pro-

grams.

Approximately $183,000 in ice rental revenue (includes $9,735 for general skate/open hockey) was collected in

2018, this is an 7% increase from 2017. The increase in revenue corresponds to a rate increase and additional

ice rental.

The operating subsidy for 2018 was approximately $127,810. The subsidy from 2016 to 2018 remained flat as

operating expenses in 2018 increased by 4%

The cost of R22 refrigerant has increased from $14.00/lb in 2012 to $22.00/lb in 2017. At the end of 2018 the

cost was approximately $19.00/lb. The cost has varied over the 5 year span but trending upwards. The City

purchases approximately 500lbs per year.

Neilson Reise Arena