Parks Commission Minutes 10-26-2006
Parks Commission Minutes: 10/26/06
MINUTES
PARKS COMMISSION
Thursday, October 26, 2006 - 4:30 p.m.
"To enhance community pride through developing maintaining
City parks with a standard of quality."
Members Present:
Fran Fair, Ben Hitter, Nancy McCaffrey, Larry Nolan, Rick Traver and
Council Liaison, Tom Perrault.
Members Absent:
None
Others Present:
Seth Nelson, Park Superintendent.
1. Call to Order.
Chair Nolan called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared a quorum present.
2. Approve minutes of September 28, 2006 rel!ular Parks Commission meetinl!.
FRAN FAIR MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 28, 2006
REGULAR PARKS COMMISSION MEETING. RICK TRAVER SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Consideration of addinl! items to the al!enda.
The following items were added to the agenda: I) Approval of installation of a general skating
rink in the Groveland Park; 2) "Welcome to Monticello sign placement" and 3) Discussion of
2006 and proposed 2007 Parks budget...
4. Citizens comments and reauests.
Larry Nolan expressed his appreciation to the Parks staff for their assistance this past week at
East Bridge Park. Ben Hitter also reported that Groveland residents had positive comments
about the parking lot at the park. Seth Nelson added that the youth football association had
complimented the Parks Department on how well the fields were prepared and maintained.
5. Park Maintenance.
Park Superintendent, Seth Nelson submitted a list ofthe work completed by staff which
included installing the climbing wall at Par West Park; working on the fence at Xce1 Ballfields;
the parking lot at Groveland Park and getting the preparation work done for the fencing to be
installed at Riverside Cemetery. The play structure at Pioneer Park is scheduled to be installed
on November 2nd. Seth Nelson noted that the summer help and mowing crew are done for the
year and they are in the process of hiring skating rink attendants.
6. Update on YMCA Property.
There was a joint meeting of the Monticello City Council and the Wright County
Commissioners on the possible joint acquisition of the YMCA property. There was a closed
Parks Commission Minutes: 10/26/06
meeting at which the two jurisdictions reviewed and discussed the property appraisal
information and an open meeting where the Memorandum of Understanding was reviewed.
The Parks Commission reviewed the Memorandum of Understanding and the accompanying
sketch showing possible recreational development of the area. It was noted that there will be
additional meetings relating to the acquisition ofthe property. In the original time line it was
hoped that by November there would be a preliminary offer ready to present to the YMCA.
7. Chan2e of meetill1! date.
Because the regular scheduled meeting in November would fall on Thanksgiving Day, the Parks
Commission meeting was changed to November 16, 2006 at 4:30 p.m.
Added Items:
Groveland Park Skating Rink: Seth Nelson was requesting Parks Commission approval of installing
a general skating rink at the Groveland Park. It is not proposed to construct a warming house but
benches would be placed by the rink where people could put their skates on. The area would then be
included on the snow plowing and snow removal schedule.
RICK TRAVER MOVED TO APPROVE THE INSTALLATION OF A SKATING RINK FOR
GENERAL USE AT THE GROVELAND PARK. NANCY MCCAFFREY SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Placement of "Welcome to Monticello" Sign: Seth Nelson report that the "Welcome to Monticello"
sign could not be placed in the location approved by the Parks Commission as that is in County
right-of-way and would not likely be approved by the County. Seth Nelson will be meeting with the
County as far as determining another location for the sign and he will let them know the results of the
meeting. The Parks Commission indicated that placement anywhere within that general area would
meet with their approval.
Budget: There was some discussion on the on how the park expenditures for 2006 compared to what
had been budgeted. Seth Nelson indicated they still had funds left for 2006. It is not certain how the
pathway improvement for River Mill was going to be funded. Seth Nelson will check with the
consulting engineer regarding that. The parking lot improvements at Mississippi Park amounting to
$88,000 were discussed. Seth Nelson believed the funds for these improvements would be picked up
as part ofthe overall Core Street Project but he will check and verify whether any park funds will be
used for this.
There will be a final budget meeting for the 2007 budget before the regular Council meeting on
November 13, 2006.
The Parks Commission asked about equipment and manpower for the snow removal. Seth Nelson
listed the equipment that is utilized in the plowing. They have two Toro mowers that can be equipped
with a blower or a broom. They also have the John Deere, the skid loader, the New Holland and a
number of trucks that can be equipped for plowing. He added that all five of the Parks Department
staffwill be involved in the snowplowing this winter.
Parks Commission Minutes: 10/26/06
8. Adjourn.
NANCY MCCAFFREY MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 5:00 P.M. BEN HITTER
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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Recording Secretary ..