Parks Commission Minutes 06-25-1998
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MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - PARKS COMMISSION
Thursday, June 25, 1998 - 4:30 p.m.
Members:
Fran Fair, Earl Smith, Rick Traver
Members Absent:
Chairman Larry Nolan, Jennifer Fearing
Staff Present:
Greg Engle, Wanda Kraemer
1. Call meeting to order.
Acting Chairman Earl Smith call the meeting to order.
2. Consideration of approving minutes for the meeting on May 21. 1998.
After correction of Item 6B the following sentence was added: The large park area must have
access on at least two sides by city streets. RICK TRAVER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE
THE MINUTES OF THE MAY 21,1998 MEETING. SECONDED BY FRAN FAIR.
3. Add items.
A. Update on East and West Bridge Park
4.
Citizens requests.
A. Update on Girl Scout Troop #180 tree planting project: Greg Engle, Park Superintendent,
reported on the tree planting project completed by the Girl Scout Troop #180. Engle
stated that he had assisted the Girl Scouts in planting 25 small trees in Freeway Fields.
5. Discussion on Prairie Creek Park.
A. Greg Engle, Park Superintendent, reported on the concept plan for Prairie Park that was
designed by Jean Emmonds, Landscape Architect Student. Emmonds
had designed a park with an emphases on prairie grass except for a aggregate trail that led
to an interpretive area. The interpretive area would have benches and bordered sections
of different types of prairie flowers and grasses. The Commissioners discussed this
concept and requested the park be a groomed park with prairie grass along the pathway
from Jerry Liefert Drive to River Street. They did like the interpretive area which could
be an educational area for the prairie grass along the City's pathway. Engle added he
would be working with Wright County and other sources to acquire prairie seeds for the
pathway. RICK TRAVER MADE A MOTION TO MOVE THE INTERPRETIVE
PRAIRIE GRASS AREA TO THE WEST OF THE MAN MADE INLET AND KEEP
THE PARK A GROOMED PARK. SECONDED BY FRAN FAIR. Motion passed
unanimously.
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Parks Commission Minutes - 6/25/98
6.
Discussion on Planning items.
Greg Eagle, Park Superintendent reported on the following items:
A. West Bridge Park - the block building in West Bridge Park was removed.
B. Pioneer Park - Engle was going to meet with Mike Lundquist, President of the Lions
Club, in the near future to discuss a timetable and work plan for this park. Engle had
completed a four part plan that listed areas the Lions could participate in and the areas the
City would complete.
C. Mississippi Drive Residents - Engle reported on the neighborhood meeting that was held
with the residents of Mississippi Drive to discuss landscaping, pathway, and park ideas
behind the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). The residents ofthis area were
primarily concerned with the landscaping behind the WWTP because of the trees cleared
during construction and the storm last summer many of the trees were gone. Eagle stated
that John Bondhus, property owner to the west ofthe WWTP was willing to give the City
an easement on the east side of his property from the pathway to Hart Blvd. This would
allow a pathway to be built from Mississippi Drive to the west side of the WWTP. The
Commissioners would look at this area in more detail during the tour.
7.
Discussion on Park Maintenance items.
Greg Engle, Park Superintendent, reported on each park and the maintenance items that have
been completed. Engle also inquired about the following topics:
A. Fees for ball field use
B. Closing restrooms at 4:30 and using portable satellite because of vandalism in the
evening hours
C. A separate park logo
8. Discussion on 1998 budget items.
A. The Commissioners reviewed this year's budget and encouraged as many projects as
possible be completed.
B. 4th Street Park - Greg Engle, Parks Superintendent, did inquire about the money in the
budget to blacktop the 4th Street Park hockey rink. He was concerned this would be a
maintenance problem and also cause the ice to melt very fast in any type of warmer
weather. He questioned the Commission if the money in the budget could be used to
improve another area for inline skating and skateboard user? The Commissions thought
this could be discussed further on the tour.
c.
Weed Control- The Commissioners discussed the $5,000 in the budget to contract for
weed control. Engle was not aware of this and would get bids in the near future.
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Parks Commission Minutes - 6/25/98
9.
Discussion on tour of parks before 1999 budljet.
The annual parks tour was set for Thursday, July 9th, at 4:30 p.m.
10.
Added items.
11.
Adiourn
RICK TRAVER MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. SECONDED BY
FRAN FAIR.
iU~rM~
Wanda Kraemer
Administrative Assistant
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