Parks Commission Agenda Packet 12-17-1998
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AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING - PARKS COMMISSION
Thursday, December 17,1998 - 4:30 p.m.
Larry Nolan, Earl Smith, Fran Fair, Rick Traver, Jennifer Fearing
Call to order.
Consideration of approving the minutes for thc November 19, 1998 meeting.
Consideration of adding items to the agenda.
Citizens request.
Discussion on development of 7th Street soccer fields - Gregg Engle
River Mill Park - Concept plan
West Bridge Park - Discussion on Special Meeting
Church of St. Henry's - Park
Gardening project - Wanda Kraemer
Added items
Adjourn
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MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - PARKS COMMISSION
Thursday, November 19, 1998 - 4:30 p.m.
Members Present:
Larry Nolan, Earl Smith, Fran Fair, Rick Traver, Jennifer Fearing
Staff Present:
Jeff O'Neill, Gregg Engle, John Simola, Wanda Kraemer
1. Call meeting to order.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Larry Nolan.
2. Consideration of approving the minutes for the October 15. 1998 meeting.
EARL SMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES, SECONDED BY
FRAN FAIR. Motion passed unanimously.
3. Consideration of adding items to the agenda.
The following items were added to the agenda:
A.
B.
Rolling Woods.
Snowmobile safety.
4. Citizens request.
Paul Wurm, owner of Park Place Apartments had concerns regarding the concept plan for
West Bridge Park. His property will be affected if the plan is adopted and he questioned
when he would be notified about future expansion of this area.
Chairman Nolan explained the Parks Commission had been requested by the City
Council and HRA to review the plan. Mr. Brad Johnson, developer for the project, will
be reporting on the plan; therefore, it was timely that Mr. Wurm was in attendance. Mr.
Wurm agreed to wait with any further questions until the developer had explained the
concept plan and the process.
Gregg Engle, Park Superintendent, asked Mr. Wurm ifhe had noticed any changes in the
people and activity at West Bridge Park.
Mr. Wurm was pleased with the cleanup and security. He stated there seemed to be more
families using the park. Also, the kind of activity in the park has improved.
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Parks Commission Minutes - 11/19/98
5. Discussion on request from Brad Johnson/Lotus Realty Services.
Brad Johnson, Lotus Realty Services, reported to the Parks Commission on the concept
plan for West and East Bridge Park. Mr. Johnson cxplained that the Comprehensive Plan
directed the redevelopment of the downtown and river front area. In conjunction with the
plan the HRA has been acquiring property that has been for sale along the river. No
property has been taken by condemnation. The vision is to acquire the property in a win-
win situation. Mr. Johnson had planned to meet with Paul and Evelyn Wurm, owners of
the apartment property to the west of Bridge Park, to discuss their plans for the future.
The current concept plan shows about 450 feet of river frontage, 4 12 acres of land
compared to 2 12 acres today, an upper scale apartment building, hotel/inn, and a
restaurant.
The Commissioners did question why the City is only working with one developer. Jeff
O'Neill, Deputy City Administrator, explained that Mr. Johnson is working with the
HRA The HRA will determine the process for working with private developers. Mr.
O'Neill statcd the main focus of the Parks Commission is to dccide if they approve of the
park use in the concept plan. If they do, then the previously approved park improvements
should wait until it is decided what will be done in Bridge Park.
The Commission discussed waiting with major improvements; however, did request
removing the large boulders around the parking lot and researching a better temporary
irrigation system in East Bridge Park. Gregg Engle agreed to check into a morc
convenient way to irrigate the East Bridge Park area.
EARL SMITH MADE A MOTION TO DELAY ALL MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS IN
WEST BRIDGE PARK UNTIL THE CONCEPT PLAN COULD BE FURTHER
RESEARCHED. SECONDED BY RICK TRAVER. Motion passed unanimously.
6. Discussion on purchasing of park land by the water tower. - John Simola
John Simola, Public Works Director, reported four acres ofland was purchased from
Kenny Schultz at $16,000 an acre for a total of $66,000 which will be paid from the park
dedication fees. Mr. Schultz originally requested $20,000 an acre for 4 acres, after
negotiations, a price of $16,000 an acre was agreed on. A total of $66,000 for 4 acres
was paid. There was also a request to name the park Schultz park. The Park
Commission discussed this request and decided it would have historical value to add a
line on the sign that the park was homesteaded in 1862 by the Schultz family.
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Parks Commission Minutes - 11/19/98
7.
Discussion on policy for naming park land.
A. Water Tower Hill
This item will be discussed at a future meeting so a policy on naming parkland
can be adopted.
8. Discussion on Balboa Park.
Gregg Engle, reported that he will be using Balboa Park to test a new chemical that gets
rid of cockleburs. This is a test area so there will be no charge to the City to test the
chemical. Mr. Engle added there is no danger to anyone using the park after the chemical
has been used.
9. Discussion on a spring: plan for pruning of blvd. trees and planting of additional trees.
Gregg Engle reported his crew will begin pruning the new trees in March. The trees that
did not survive the first year will be replaced. Mr. Engle stated his crew could handle the
work this year; therefore, no contract help will be needed.
10.
Discussion of soccer fields on 7th Street.
The Commissioners discussed the development of soccer fields along Th Street West on
the land owned by the City and it was agreed there was still an interest in researching the
idea further. Gregg Engle stated he would go out to the site and measure the area and
bring back a sketch plan for the Park's Commission to review.
The Commissioners felt the view from the freeway was important to a community and
therefore should be more than just apartment buildings and industrial land.
11. Review request to place Gillard Pathway on long: term pathway Plan
Jeff O'Neill, Deputy City Administrator, reported that a resident on Gillard requested
consideration of adding a pathway in the ditch along Gillard. The Commissioners
questioned the number of residents that wanted a pathway along Gillard? Mr. O'Neill
felt a petition should be required so that a better understanding of the number of residents
interested in the project could be known. Ifit was decided to do the project, there may be
the possibility of an ICTEA grant.
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Parks Commission Minutes - 11/19/98
12.
Planning items - Jeff O'Neill
A. St. Henry's Church Park
Jeff O'Neill, Deputy City Administrator, reported on the meeting with St. Henry's
regarding the park land. The park was supposed to be at least equal to the Fallon Park
area that was removed due to the 7th Street road alignment. The location decided on was
an area directly off the pathway and to the west of the church parking lot. The park
would include a small playground and resting place for people using the pathway. The
Commissioners asked if the park would seem more like private property than a city park.
Gregg Engle will measure the area of Fallon Park which will give everyone a better idea
ofthe size required. This item will be discussed further at the next meeting.
13.
Parks Maintenance items - Gregg Engle
Gregg Engle reported on maintenance items. A main goal of the Park Department is to
work with the skating rink attendants on a more one to one basis. This will be
accomplished by scheduled meeting times and unscheduled drop-ins. Also, requesting the
sheriff deputies stop in periodically. Mr. Engle will meet with the attendants and set
standards and goals. A manual has been completed with guidelines, rule signs have been
posted, and the warming shelters have been cleaned and painted.
Mr. Engle stated the following items have been completed: Ellison Park play ground
equipment, preparations to the sliding hill are done, the sign for Pioneer Park is in, the
one ton truck is ready to plow rinks, the fence is up at the Hillside Cemetery, Riverside
Cemetery has been cleaned up, 33 picnic tables have been stored for winter repairs, and
the security cameras at West Bridge Park are working.
14. Uodates:
A.
Community Center - Wanda Kraemer, Administrative Assistant, invited the Park
Commissioners to the ground breaking for the new Community Center at noon
on Saturday, November 21, 1998.
B.
River Mill Park Concept Plan - Gregg Engle, Park Superintendent, reported
sketching a plan for the River Mill Park. The final plan is being completed by
NAC. After completion, a copy will be mailed to the residents of River Mill that
attended the neighborhood meeting at City Hall.
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Parks Commission Minutes - 11/19/98
15.
Added items.
A. Rolling Wood Subdivision was added to the agenda. The preliminary plat was
shown to the Commissioners for approval of the park area. The Commissions
agreed that the park was shown in the area they had requested at the October
meeting.
B. Snowmobiling at River Mill - It was reported that people snowmobile along the
top of the sliding hill and is a danger to the children sliding.
16. Adiourn
A MOTION WAS MADE BY EARL SMITH TO ADJOURN, SECONDED BY RICK
TRA VER. Motion passed unanimously.
Wanda Kraemer
Administrative Assistant
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