Parks Commission Agenda Packet 09-24-2008AGENDA
PARKS COMMISSION
September 24, 2008 - 4:30 p.m.
'To enhance community pride through developing and
maintaining city parks with a high standard of quality"
(Note the date change)
1. Call to Order.
2. Approve minutes of August 20, 2008 Parks Commission meeting.
3. Consideration of adding items to the agenda.
4. Citizens comments and requests.
5. Park Maintenance.
6. Approval of Parks and Trails Map
7. Adjourn.
Park Commission Minutes: 8/20/08
MINUTES
PARKS COMMISSION
Wednesday,
August 20, 2008 - 4:30 p.m.
uTo enhance community pride through developing maintaining
City parks with a standard of quality."
Members Present: Gene Emanuel, Mark Larson, Nancy McCaffrey and Larry Nolan
Members Absent: Rick Traver and Council Liaison Brian Stumpf
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.
2. Approve minutes of July 23, 2008 regular Parks Commission meeting.
NANCY MCCAFFREY MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JULY 23, 2008
REGULAR PARKS COMMISSION MEETING. MARK CARSON SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Consideration of adding items to the agenda.
The following items were added to the agenda: 1) Concept plan from the Lions Club for the West
Bridge Park flagpole and 2) Discussion on Front Street Park.
4. Citizens comments and requests.
There was no one who spoke under citizens comments or requests. Tom Pawelk reported that
the Parks Department had received a thank you note from Little Mountain Elementary School for
the assistance the Park Department provided in laying out ground games at the school.
Nancy McCaffrey noted that one of the East Bridge Park gardeners expressed a concern that
there is no park in the Timber Ridge development area. Nancy McCaffrey asked if there was any
land in the area that would be suitable for park use. The closest park to the Timber Ridge
development would be Par West. There is pathway access to Par West from Timber Ridge so
pedestrians would not have to travel on County Road 75. Nancy McCaffrey will let them know
about the Par West Park and encourage those residents to pass this information on to the
homeowners association with the hope that the association will encourage the residents to
utilize Par West. The Parks Commission discussed pedestrian safety issues in crossing County
Road 75. Since this is a county road it would be up to the county to take steps to improve
pedestrian safety on the road.
Larry Nolan commented how well the play structure at Sunset Ponds turned out and that it
appears to be used quite a bit.
Park Commission Minutes: 8/20/08
5. Park Maintenance.
Park Superintendent, Tom Pawelk submitted a list of the. work completed by Park Department
Staff: He indicated that they are losing their.summer/seasonal employees. Staff poured the
concrete slab by the ballfields and later they will be moving the shed from the old bowling
alley site onto the slab. They also finished the dugouts on Field #4. They have been catching up
on maintenance of the equipment. Juveniles from Wright County who are required to do
community work have been coming out a couple times a month to spread wood chips. The Park
Department staff also completed various items that their department was required to do as part of
the fiber optics project. He explained that they reduced the fertilizer applications from 4 to 3 this
year which saved labor and fuel costs.
6. Sunset Pond Play Structure Installation.
The installation of the playground structure took three days and is complete except for one
piece of equipment that was back ordered.
7. Lions Concept Plan for West Bridge Park F1aEpole:
Tom Pawelk submitted a drawing that the Lions Club had prepared for landscaping and other
work for the flagpole in West Bridge Park. The immediate area around the flagpole will
contain shrubs and decorative rock. There will be a six foot sidewalk around the
plantings with park benches and a monument honoring those who have served. The flagpole
will be lighted at Christmas time.
The Parks Commission discussed what aesthetic impact the proposed project would have and
noted that there is considerable activity at this park. West Bridge Park is a premier park and the
Parks Commission felt this project would fit in well.
The Parks Department will do the grading on the project and the Lions Club will do the cement
work. Lions Club will also be responsible for maintenance of the plantings.
GENE EMANUEL MOVED TO ACCEPT THE PROPOSED PLAN BY THE MONTICELLO
LIONS CLUB FOR THE FLAGPOLE PROJECT AT WEST BRIDGE PARKAS SUBMITTED
TO TOM PAWELK. NANCY MCCAFFREY SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The work will start this fall and maybe completed in phases depending on the amount
of funds the Lions can generate.
8. Front Street Park.
Earlier a resident who lived in the townhome development across the street from the park had
volunteered to maintain a garden at the park if one was initially laid out. Tom Pawelk suggested
a kidney shaped stone park with perennials and other plantings. Tom Pawelk said staff could
use boulders or keystone from the old bowling alley site but at this point the Parks Department
work load has kept them from this project. Tom Pawelk has been in contact with the residents as
far as keeping them informed of the plans for this area.
2
Park Commission Minutes: 8/20/08
Update on YMCA:
Jeff O'Neill gave an update on the status of the YMCA land acquisition. The City and County
are still working with the YMCA to purchase the property over 3-4 years. Approximately
$8,000,000 in funds were proposed for the land in a bonding bill in the last legislative session but
the bill did not pass. However, City and County officials were encouraged to pursue their
request for funds from the state. It was. suggested that acquiring the land over time might be
be more acceptable to the state legislature. A task force consisting of Pat Sawatzke, Carla
Heeter, Wayne Mayer and Clint Herbst are continuing to work on this.
The LCCMR did grant $1,000,000 in funds for this project and it is proposed that the City
and County each match this amount. The $3,000,000 in funds would then be used to purchase
a portion of the YMCA property. The desire is to acquire the property that has environmental
significance first. Jeff O'Neill noted that the City's primary need is land for the ballfields so the
decision on what area to purchase first has not been resolved. Initially the County was going to
bond for the land acquisition cost with the City to pay back its share to the County over a
period of time. However with the proposal to match the LCCMR funds the City and County
would need to come up with their matching funds right away. The City does not have those
funds. The City will need to address the funding for the YMCA in the upcoming budget
workshop. Tom Pawelk stated that he had put $300,000 in the 2009 budget for ballfield
development. The Parks Commission discussed the recent tour of the YMCA property
by representatives and staff from LCCMR and their response to the facility. The City and
County in 2009 could go back to LCCMR for additional funding.
9. Adiourn.
The Parks Commission viewed a presentation that will be given to the City Council on August
25, 2008 relating to Park Department projects completed this year.
NANCY MCCAFFREY MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 5:30 P.M. GENE EMANUEL
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Recording Secretary
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Park Commission Minutes: 8/20/08
MINUTES
PARKS COMMISSION
Wednesday,
August 20, 2008 - 4:30 p.m.
°~To enhance community pride through developing maintaining
City parks with a standard of quality."
Members Present: Gene Emanuel, Mark Larson, Nancy McCaffrey and Larry Nolan
Members Absent: Rick Traver and Council Liaison Brian Stumpf
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.
2. Approve minutes of July 23, 2008 regular Parks Commission meeting.
NANCY MCCAFFREY MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JULY 23, 2008
REGULAR PARKS COMMISSION MEETING. MARK CARSON SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Consideration of adding items to the agenda.
The following items were added to the agenda: 1) Concept plan from the Lions Club for the West
Bridge Park flagpole and 2) Discussion on Front Street Park.
4. Citizens comments and requests.
There was no one who spoke under citizens comments or requests. Tom Pawelk reported that
the Parks Department had received a thank you note from Little Mountain Elementary School for
the assistance the Park Department provided in laying out ground games at the school.
Nancy McCaffrey noted that one of the East Bridge Park gardeners expressed a concern that
there is no park in the Timber Ridge development area. Nancy McCaffrey asked if there was any
land in the area that would be suitable for park use. The closest park to the Timber Ridge
development would be Par West. There is pathway access to Par West from Timber Ridge so
pedestrians would not have to travel on County Road 75. Nancy McCaffrey will let them know
about the Par West Park and encourage those residents to pass this information on to the
homeowners association with the hope that the association will encourage the residents to
utilize Par West. The Parks Commission discussed pedestrian safety issues in crossing County
Road 75. Since this is a county road it would be up to the county to take steps to improve
pedestrian safety on the road.
Larry Nolan commented how well the play structure at Sunset Ponds turned out and that it
appears to be used quite a bit.
Park Commission Minutes: 8/20/08
5. Park Maintenance.
Park Superintendent; Tom Pawelk submitted a list of the work completed by Park Department
Staff. He indicated that they are losing their•summer/seasonal employees. Staff poured the
concrete slab by the ballfields and later they will be moving the shed from the old bowling
alley site onto the slab. They also finished the dugouts on Field #4. They have been catching up
on maintenance of the equipment. Juveniles from Wright County who are required to do
community work have been coming out a couple times a month to spread wood chips. The Park
Department staff also completed various items that their department was required to do as part of
the fiber optics project. He explained that they reduced the fertilizer applications from 4 to 3 this
year which saved labor and fuel costs.
6. Sunset Pond Play Structure Installation.
The installation of the playground structure took three days and is complete except for one
piece of equipment that was back ordered.
7. Lions Concept Plan for West Bridge Park Flagpole:
Tom Pawelk submitted a drawing that the Lions Club had prepared for landscaping and other
work for the flagpole in West Bridge Park. The immediate area around the flagpole will
contain shrubs and decorative rock. There will be a six foot sidewalk around the
plantings with park benches and a monument honoring those who have served. The flagpole
will be lighted at Christmas time.
The Parks Commission discussed what aesthetic impact the proposed project would have and
noted that there is considerable activity at this park. West Bridge Park is a premier park and the
Parks Commission felt this project would fit in well.
The Parks Department will do the grading on the project and the Lions Club will do the cement
work. Lions Club will also be responsible for maintenance of the plantings.
GENE EMANUEL MOVED TO ACCEPT THE PROPOSED PLAN BY THE MONTICELLO
LIONS CLUB FOR THE FLAGPOLE PROJECT AT WEST BRIDGE PARKAS SUBMITTED
TO TOM PAWELK. NANCY MCCAFFREY SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The work will start this fall and maybe completed in phases depending on the amount
of funds the Lions can generate.
8. Front Street Park.
Earlier a resident who lived in the townhome development across the street from the park had
volunteered to maintain a garden at the park if one was initially laid out. Tom Pawelk suggested
a kidney shaped stone park with perennials and other plantings. Tom Pawelk said staff could
use boulders or keystone from the old bowling alley site but at this point the Parks Department
work load has kept them from this project. Tom Pawelk has been in contact with the residents as
far as keeping them informed of the plans for this area.
2
Park Commission Minutes: S/20/08
Update on YMCA:
Jeff O'Neill gave an update on the status of the YMCA land acquisition. The City and County
are still working with the YMCA to purchase the property over 3-4 years. Approximately
$8,000,000 in funds were proposed for the land in a bonding bill in the last legislative session but
the bill did not pass. However, City and County officials were encouraged to pursue their
request for funds from the state. It was. suggested that acquiring the land over time might be
be more acceptable to the state legislature. A task force consisting of Pat Sawatzke, Carla
Heeter, Wayne Mayer and Clint Herbst are continuing to work on this.
The LCCMR did grant $1,000,000 in funds for this project and it is proposed that the City
and County each match this amount. The $3,000,000 in funds would then be used to purchase
a portion of the YMCA property. The desire is to acquire the property that has environmental
significance first. Jeff O'Neill noted that the City's primary need is land for the ballfields so the
decision on what area to purchase first has not been resolved. Initially the County was going to
bond for the land acquisition cost with the City to pay back its share to the County over a
period of time. However with the proposal to match the LCCMR funds the City and County
would need to come up with their matching fiznds right away. The City does not have those
funds. The City will need to address the funding for the YMCA in the upcoming budget
workshop. Tom Pawelk stated that he had put $300,000 in the 2009 budget for ballfield
development. The Parks Commission discussed the recent tour of the YMCA property
by representatives and staff from LCCMR and their response to the facility. The City and
County in 2009 could go back to LCCMR for additional funding.
9. Adiourn.
The Parks Commission viewed a presentation that will be given to the City Council on August
25, 2008 relating to Park Department projects completed this year.
NANCY MCCAFFREY MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 5:30 P.M. GENE EMANUEL
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Recording Secretary
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Page 1 of 2
Dawn Grossinger
From: Tom Pawelk
Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2008 2:20 PM
To: Dawn Grossinger
Subject: FW: Groveland Park
From: Sandy Rousslang [m
Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2008 10:11 AM
To: Tom Pawelk
Subject: Groveland Park
Hi Tom,
I am the one you spoke to at Groveland Park on Tuesday afternoon. I have passed out your cards and hope you
get the response you are hoping for.
First, I want to say that you have gotten a great start on Groveland Park. I am the president of the at-home
mom's network of Monticello, and moms from all neighborhoods bring their kids to play at this park (along with
many of the other city parks). Thank you for your part in providing them for our kids.
I have done some brainstorming with my neighbors that use Groveland park and here's our input:
1. Bathrooms with a drinking fountain
2. A sprinkler park area (St. Cloud has a really cool sprinkler park by Munsinger Gardens that we drive to a
couple times a summer)
3. More baby swings. There are several daycares that use our park every morning. It is impossible to get a
baby swing prior to noon!
4. Toddler play set for the little ones
5. Climbing structure for older kids-NOT a climbing wall. There are several other parks in Monticello that have a
climbing wall. The web at the new park in Sunset Ponds is coot or one of those catepillar type climbing
structures, etc.
6. Ice Skating Rink. The median age of children in our development 2 years ago was not conducive to the use of
an ice skating rink. There are so many school agers now, I really think this would be great. In addition, there
were many of the neighbors who didn't know there even was a skating rink there at one time so they never used
it. I think it is worth another shot.
7. It would be nice to have a sidewalk around the perimeter of the playset area. Park benches could be set back
from the sidewalk, but still around the perimeter of the play area. Kids with their scooters, and moms with their
strollers would really like this. Many babies stay in strollers while mom pushes the little ones on the swings or
helps them on the monkey bars!
8. My family would LOVE a tennis court!
My thoughts on the volleyball court: The park's primary usage is by the neighborhood kids. A volleyball court
might only be used a few times a year by those who reserve the park for a family gathering for example, because
it is an teen/adult game and it requires several players. Otherwise it would sit unused. There are so many other
things that could be put in with that money and space that would be used daily by Groveland park's most loyal
users: Kids!
My thought on the baseball diamond: I think a baseball diamond would be fun. I have kids the right age for it;
however, we sign up for t-ball in the summer and head to Pinewood fields for that. Community ed offers many
opportunities for organized baseball for kids too young to play for school. Once they are old enough to play
for aschool/community team (4th grade), they are gone playing for the team so often that there really isn't time
9/18/2008
Page 2 of 2
' for them to play otherwise. They would have to pull a lot of kids together to actually play. I am just concerned
that the space would be unused. We do have several other baseball diamonds within the city that could be used
more.
These are just opinions. I am no expert! Thanks for letting me give input. I appreciate that!
Sincerely,
Sandy Rousslang
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9/18/2008
Dawn Grossinger
From: Tom Pawelk
Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2008 2:21 PM
To: Dawn Grossinger
Subject: FW: groveland park
-----Original Message-----
From: bpodland@tds.net [m
Sent: Thursday, September_T8, 2008 1:49 PM
To: Tom Pawelk
Subject: groveland park
Hello, Tom--
I was given your card by a friend of mine who spoke with you about ideas for the park in
Groveland Addition. Thank you for taking the time to hear/read our ideas. The following
is a list of ideas that my husband, Brian and I would love to see at our park:
1. More baby swings.
2. Playset/equipment for younger children (5 and under). My thought would be that it
would be similar to how there are two seperate structures of red equipment at Pioneer
Park.
3. Skating rink (with warming house, if we can dream big!).
4. Bathrooms (other than the port-a-potty).
5. Drinking fountain.
I think what has been done at the park is great.
continue the great work!
Thanks again for asking our opinions and
Corrie Odland
3947 Windemere Ct
1
Dawn Grossinger
From: Tom Pawelk
Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2008 2:21 PM
To: Dawn Grossinger
Subject: FW: Attention Tom
-----Original Message-----
From: Heidi Brinkman [mail_____. ___
__ ~ --
_-
ent: Thursday, September 18, 2008 1:57 PM
To: Tom Pawelk
Subject: Attention Tom
Tom, I heard that you were in the park this week looking for ideas to add to the Groveland
Park. As a resident of the neighborhood and daycare provider, I use the park almost daily.
I am only one of the many daycare parents and stay at home moms that frequent the park
daily, but I know that I speak for them all when we say that more baby swings is a must.
There are only two baby swings, and some mornings there are 3-4 daycares at the park and
we are often waiting in line to use the swings for our liitle ones. Another thing that
would be great at the park is a smaller play structure for little children, ages 2-5.
There are so many little children that come to this park, and the play structure that is
there is for ages 5-12. Another great idea for the park would be a splash pad.
Monticello does not have one yet, and it would be great to see one here in our park. The
summer days can be really hot and this would be great fun for children of all ages.
Thank you for taking the time to listen to us and our ideas for the park.
Heidi Paumen
1