Parks Commission Agenda Packet 07-16-1998
//"
.
.
.
AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING - PARKS COMMISSION
Thursday, July 16, 1998 - 4:30 p.m.
Members:
Chairman Larry Nolan, Fran Fair, Earl Smith Rick Traver, Jennifer Fearing
1. Call meeting to order.
2. Consideration of approving minutes for the meeting on June 25, 1998 and July 9, 1998.
3. Add items.
4. Citizens requests.
6. Discussion on Planning items.
A. Requiring park fees in a developed area (example Elm Creek Crossing)
7. Discussion on Park Maintenance items.
8. Discussion on tour of parks.
9.
Discussion on budget items for 1999.
10. Added items.
11. Adjourn.
3r,eP-u)-
(6[ 0'51 ~,..
(~cst
Liv
()
70llzo -
W 0.1 V'\ lA J-'
!. D"JD~11 ~5)c c, J-,")
I-- 60 ( 6 I 61u... 'y'" p~ ~ -)
I '>
LocK If) , rJt- -
;3l 'I f-I.-1
fl.-LI. t
w.~"
-s-: S V?t J..p I D
/ D I - If; If' A-{( pC;<:;"
(Jvlb {(~ +
.
.
.
AGENDA
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 ofItem 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
PRAIRlE GRASS AREA TO THE WEST OF THE MAN MADE INLET AND KEEP
THE PARK A GROOMED PARK. SECONDED BY FRAN FAIR. Motion passed
unanimously.
Page 1
.
.
.
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 of this 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 of the 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 bud~et 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 ofthis and would get bids in the near future.
Page 2
.
.
9.
10.
.
Parks Commission Minutes - 6/25/98
Discussion on tour of parks before 1999 bud~et.
The annual parks tour was set for Thursday, July 9th, at 4:30 p.m.
Added items.
11.
Adjourn
RICK TRAVER MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. SECONDED BY
FRAN FAIR.
Wanda Kraemer
Administrative Assistant
Page 3
.
.
.
Minutes
Special Meeting - Monticello Parks Commission
Thursday, July 9,1998
This meeting was to tour the City parks. The following is a list of the parks toured and the idea to
discuss before the 1999 budget is decided.
1. 4th Street Park
The budget for this year included black topping of the 4th Street Park hockey rink for street
hockey and skateboarding. Greg Engle, Park Superintendent, was concerned about the
maintenance on this type of surface. It was also added that this was in the budget before the
wheel park in the Community Center was approved.
2. Fallon Ave Park-
This park will possibility be moved when the Fallon Bridge is installed. The Commission
decided to not add any improvements until a more exact plan is established.
3. New Plat/Shermer Property (East Meadow Oakes)
This park was not discussed on the tour.
4.
Mississippi Drive Park - (Maxwell b
This park is an basically an empty lot. Greg Engle stated there was not enough room to add
playground equipment to this area and maintain the required distance around the equipment.
There could be another bench added to view the river.
5. River Mill Park
River Mill Park is in the budget for next year and it was decided to have a neighborhood meeting
in early September with the homeowners. At the meeting the commission could discuss with the
area residents what their thoughts were for the park. The past plan included a sliding hill, small
ball field, playground equipment, small shelter, skating rink and shelter.
6. Battle Rapids Park
This is not a manicured area along the river used for fishing. The Commission discussed adding a
pathway along the river in the future.
7.
Freeway Fields
There will be a parking lot and shelter added this year. Greg Engle, Park Superintendent, added
he was working on a design that would be both useful and attractive from the freeway.
Page 1
.
.
.
Parks Commission Minutes - 7/9/98
8.
Eastwood Knoll
This area was not reviewed on the tour.
9. Meadow Oak Park
The Commission thought the park looked nice but there could be benches added along the pond
area. The slide had been damaged in the storm last summer however a new one had been
ordered.
10. Oak Ridge - Outlot A
A. Wetland area, green space.
11. Briar Oakes
This area was not reviewed on the tour.
13.
Cardinal Hills Park
The only addition to this park would be a basketball hoop.
14.
Future Cardinal Hills Park - tot lot (1998)
This park is about an acre area that will have playground equipment. The Commissioners will
discuss other equipment need for this park at the budget meeting.
15. Klein Farm Park
Greg Engle, Park Superintendent, has been working with Lions on the design for this park. This
will be looked at in more detail at the budget meeting.
16. Country Club Manor
Greg Engle, Park Superintendent, suggested the ballfield area be sodded to make a more use of
the park area. The Commissions agreed this would make the area more useful.
17.
Par West Park
The Commissioners agreed the Par West Park was in need of a new purposes. It was in a good
location just off the pathway however was not being used efficiently. There was a pathway
"maze" cut through the tall bushes and the Park Superintendent was in questions if this should
continue to be maintained.
P "1. 2
.
.
.
Parks Commission Minutes ~ 7/9/98
18.
The Meadows
This park has very little use and cannot be seen very well from the street. There were a few ideas
discussed such as adding a pathway from the street to the park and/or adding a sign. Some of the
equipment might be used more in another park.
19. Balboul - small playground
20. NSP Ball Fields
This area was in the budget to add three more fields in 1999. It was recommended to add fields
that could be used as baseball and soccer fields.
21. Montissippi Park - County Park
The Commissioners discussed ideas for a pathway cOlll1ection to the county park. The crossing
on County. Road 75 can be difficult to cross.
22. Hillcrest Park - playground and small ball field
It was discussed if the skating area should be continued at this site or possibly a hockey rink.
23. Bridge Park - west
The Commission discussed the concept plan that is currently being worked on. The extension of
Walnut will be on the July 13, 1998 City Council meeting.
24. Prairie West Park - Adopted by Rotary Club-
There will be an interpretive area in this park. The grass area will be mostly groomed with
prairie area on the far west end and then continuing along the pathway to West River Street.
The benches from the Par West Park are going to be moved to this park along the pathway.
25.
East Bridge Park - Adopted by MCP
This was adopted by MCP and the Commission thought the flower gardens looked very nice. An
irrigation system will be added in the future.
26.
Ellison Park
An irrigation system will be needed in this park and wood fiber instead of sand for the
playground equipment area.
P "1. 3