Parks Commission Minutes 01-24-2008Park Commission Minutes: 1/24/08
MINUTES
PARKS COMMISSION
Thursday,
January 24, 2008 - 4:30 p.m.
~~To enhance community pride through developing maintaining
City parks with a standard of quality."
Members Present: Gene Emanuel, Nancy McCaffrey, Larry Nolan, Rick Traver and Council
Liaison, Brian Stumpf.
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Tom Pawelk, Park Superintendent
1. Call to Order.
Chair Larry Nolan called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared a quorum
present. Brian Stumpf the Council liaison to the Parks Carnrnission was introduced.
2. A rove minutes of November 29 2007 re ular Parks Commission meetin .
RICK TRAVER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 29, 2007
REGULAR PARKS COMMISSION MEETING. NANCY MCCAFFREY SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Consideration of adding items to the ai_enda.
None.
4. Citizens comments and requests.
There was no one who spoke under citizens comments or requests. The Forks Department staff
was carnplimented for good condition of the sliding hills. Tom Pawelk thanked Wright County
for the use of their trail groomer on the sliding hills.
5. Park Maintenance.
Fork Superintendent, Tom Pawelk submitted a list of the work completed. The parks staff was
busy with snow removal noting that their policy requires they remove snow from the sidewalk
when there is an accumulation of/Z inch or more. He explained they had a number of equipment
breakdowns same of which required major repairs.
A new staff member was added to the Forks Department, Derek Wipper whose work experience
includes carpentry among other skills.
Larry Nolan asked about the snowmobile activity. Tom Pawelk felt that it was going well and he
was not aware of any major incidents. Gene Emanuel felt the snowmobile route was laid out
better than in previous years.
Park Commission Minutes: 1/24/08
Tom Pawelk reported that new windows were installed at West Bridge Park. The skating
numbers at the West Bridge Park have been increasing which could be due to the larger rink, the
more conducive skating weather or the fact that the lights at the park make for better visibility for
people using the facility. There was some discussion on whether the skating rink could be
enlarged and if so what it would entail. The heaters went out at some of the parks including
West Bridge Park.
Gene Emanuel asked if anyone from the school had contacted Tam Pawelk about the working on
The sign at Ellison Park. Tom Pawelk has not been in contact with anyone from the school
regarding the matter. Other items discussed included activity at Swan Park which has been busy
during the viewing season. At the present time there is not a problem with geese on the banks.
At the point where it becomes a problem at any of the parks, staff will put up fencing. The
condition of the ISTEA funded pedestrian bridge along CSAH was discussed. There appears to
be some corrosion and damage along the bottom. The state has been made aware of the damage.
Tom Pawelk explained that due to improper electrical work the lights in the area were not
working. Brian Stumpf asked about the damage to the northeast corner of Hillside Cemetery
fencing that had been knocked down as a result of a car accident. The City did get reimbursed by
the insurance company.
6. Youth Hockey Association Agreement.
The Parks Commission reviewed a draft of an agreement with the Monticello Youth Hockey
Association relating to the use of the rinks. The last the time the agreement was updated was in
2001. Tom Pawelk stated that since the association is not playing any games at the facilities the
City can't charge them for use of the rinks. However if their activity at the rink results in
abnormal were or if there is damage, the association will be charged for that. Tom Pawelk
reported that before the rinks were even opened for use the association had used the facility and
left a mess which required several hours of clean up. The hockey association has use of the back
storage area and at one time had keys for it. Now the association has to check out a key from
Fublic Works. The agreement also covers adult supervision when the hockey association is
using the facility. The hockey association will be considered the agreement at their meeting
which is being held tonight.
RICK TRAVER MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGREEMENT Ol~ UNDERSTANDING WITH
THE MONTICELLO YOUTH HOCKEY ASSOCIATION. GENE EMANUEL SECONDED
THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. U date on Ellin Park Commission vacanc
Tam Pawelk had received. an application from Mark Larson at 1128 Sandy Lane. Mr. Larson
will be invited to attend the next Parks Commission meeting.
S. Other business, if any.
Tom Pawelk will be getting additional quotes from three vendors for the play structure for Sunset
Ponds. The Parks Commission is planning to have a neighborhood meeting regarding the
development of the Sunset Ponds Park sometime in March.
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Park Commission Minutes: 1/24/08
Information relating to the tree planting program will be going out soon. Some of the area being
considered for planting include along the boulevard area by St. Henry's, along Chelsea Road and
alang the pathway by Sunset Ponds. There maybe some additional trees planted in the
Groveland area. Larry Nolan suggested that information on the tree planting program be put an
the MCC channel. Homeowners will have the opportunity to purchase two trees with the City
picking up half of the cost. Gene Emanuel who participated in the program last year stated the
nursery stock was excellent.
Nancy McCaffrey noted that in the comprehensive plan the section relating to the parks was
incomplete. She gave Tom Fawelk as list of items she had noted and he will discuss with the
Community Development Director.
Nancy McCaffrey and Brian Stumpf will not be at the February meeting.
9. Adiourn.
NANCY MCCAFFREY MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 5 P.M. RICK TRAVER SECONDED
THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
r~YY~ ~ S 5~••-~_~-
Recording Secretary