Parks Commission Minutes 11-20-2008Park Commission Minutes: 11/20/2008
MINUTES
PARKS COMMISSION
November 20, 2008 - 4:30 p.m.
KTo enhance community pride through developing maintaining
City parks with a standard of quality."
Members Present: Nancy McCaffrey, Larry Nolan and Rick Traver
Members Absent: Gene Emanuel, Mark Larson and Council Liaison Brian Stumpf
Others Present: Tom Pawelk, Park Superintendent
1. Call to Order.
Larry Nolan called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared a quorum present.
2. Approve minutes of October 30, 2008 Parks Commission meeting.
RICK TRAVER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 30, 2008
PARKS COMMISSION MEETING. NANCY MCCAFFREY SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Consideration of adding items to the agenda.
The Parks Commission was informed of a meeting relating to the acquisition of the YMCA
property to beheld on December 1, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. at the Monticello City Hall. The Parks
Commission acknowledged receipt of the draft copy of the Natural Resources Inventory
(NRI). Items added to the agenda included a review of the financial report for the concessions
at the ball fields; cemetery fee increase and use of lamp poles from the old bridge.
4. Citizens comments and reauests.
Larry Nolan noted that the park bench he had purchased in memory of his parents had been
installed at Hillcrest Park and he complimented park staff on the installation work.
5. Park Maintenance.
Park Superintendent, Tom Pawelk reported that much of staff time was spent getting set up
for winter operations. Other work that was done included removing the dock at Ellison Park,
assisting DMV with repair and maintenance work at their building and pruning along
sidewalks and pathways in preparation for snow removal. Tom Pawelk worked on the plans
for the gazebo for East Bridge Park which will be considered later on in the meeting. The
City had taken bids on the sale of the old trackless with the high bid being $2,025. The Parks
Commission was updated on the Dutch Elm Disease Program. The second notice on tree
removal has been sent out. If the property owner doesn't remove the diseased tree the City
will have a contractor do the removal. Tom Pawelk noted there are three panels of sidewalk
across from Hillcrest Park where they are using a rubberized material on cracks on a trial
Park Commission Minutes: 11/20/2008
basis. Larry Nolan noted there were a lot of cracks in the recently constructed pathway by the
cemetery.
6. Review of Parks and Trails Man.
The Parks Commission reviewed the map and noted a number of typographical errors that
should be corrected. The corrected map will be on the City's website and will be made into a
brochure as well.
7. Approval of plans for the gazebo at East Bridge Park.
Tom Pawelk submitted the drawing for the gazebo at East Bridge Park. The structure will be
18' x 18', cedar, tongue in groove, double cupola with a cedar floor. The building is designed
as a walk through. The low bidder on the project was Simonson Lumber coming in at
$12,400 which was $14 less than Home Depot. The materials will be constructed in the shop
by the Park Department as a kit. Tom Pawelk indicated there currently is no rental facility at
East Bridge Park but people use the park for weddings. He thought the City should consider
charging $120 for the use of the gazebo. There is the possibility that benches could be
installed in the gazebo at a future date. Nancy McCaffrey asked about children climbing into
the cupola. Tom Pawelk said since there are no exposed rafters he didn't anticipate problems
with children climbing. Rick Traver questioned the height of the railings and whether people
would sit on the railings. He suggested possibly making the railings higher. Tom Pawelk
noted the gazebo will be ADA compliant.
RICK TRAVER MOVED TO APPROVE THE PLAN SUBMITTED BY TOM PAWELK
FOR THE GAZEBO AT EAST BRIDGE PARK. NANCY MCCAFFREY SECONDED
THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The Parks Commission felt the cost of the gazebo was reasonable and with wedding rentals it
should pay for itself within a few years. It is hoped that staff will get the structure constructed
over the winter and installed at the park next spring.
Tom Pawelk submitted a proposal to use some old lights dating back to 1926 that had been
taken off the bridge to light the pathway connecting East Bridge Park and West Bridge Park.
Nancy McCaffrey suggested a plaque be placed on the lights highlighting their historical
significance. There will be some work involved in getting the lights ready for use and in
getting power to them.
NANCY MCCAFFREY MOVED TO APPROVE THE PLACEMENT OF THE OLD
BRIDGE LIGHTS ALONG THE PATHWAY CONNECTING EAST BRIDGE AND WEST
BRIDGE PARK. RICK TRAVER SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
8. Updates/Other Information.
The terms of Larry Nolan and Nancy McCaffrey will expire on December 31, 2008. They
both indicated their willingness to serve another term. Their names will be submitted with the
list of appointments going to the Council in January.
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Park Commission Minutes: 11/20/2008
The Parks Commission discussed whether to hold a meeting in December. Unless an
emergency would arise, the Parks Commission determined not to hold a meeting in
December.
The Parks Commission reviewed the financial report prepared by Kitty Baltos on the
concessions operation at the ball fields. The Parks Commission questioned why concession
expenses exceeded revenue noting that generally concession sales such as pop, candy, etc. are
priced high enough to cover their costs. The Parks Commission wondered what items were
included in concession expenses.
The Parks Commission briefly discussed the draft Natural Resources Inventory and requested
a more detailed discussion of the NRI be scheduled for the January 2009 Parks Commission
meeting.
Tom Pawelk noted that cemetery fees had not been increased since 2005 and currently the
fees do not cover the cost of maintenance. Tom Pawelk will with check with other cities on
what they charge in the way of cemetery fees. The City's fee schedule is approved in
January.
Rick Traver announced his resignation from the Parks Commission effective with the
February 2009 meeting. Hopefully this will allow sufficient time for the Parks Commission
to find a replacement. The Parks Commission expressed their appreciation for the 12 years he
served on the commission. Parks Commission discussed attendance at the meetings and
whether the ordinance establishing the Parks Commission had a provision for attendance. It
was also suggested that it be added to each Park Commission agenda that if a member cannot
attend that meeting they contact Larry Nolan, Tom Pawelk or Dawn Grossinger at City Hall.
9. Adiourn.
RICK TRAVER MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 5:40 P.M. NANCY MCCAFFREY
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Recording Secretary
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