Parks Commission Agenda Packet 02-15-2001
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AGENDA
REGlJLAR MEETING - PARKS COMMISSION
Thursday, Fchruary 15,2001 - 4:30 p.m.
Monticello City Hall, Academy Room
Members:
Larry Nolan, Earl Smith, Fran Fair, Rick Traver and Nancy McCaffrey
Council Liaison:
Roger Carlson
Staff:
Gregg Engle and .lerfO'Neill
Call to order.
Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting on January 18,2001.
Consideration or adding items to thc agenda.
Citizens requests.
Commission Park Goals.
l:Zcview Pioneer Shelter plans.
Discussion on ycar 2 of West Bridge Park plan. - lAJ /6 f. &6<1- III' b c'-~
Tree planting day discussion.
Park maintenance items.
Update on East Bridge irrigation project plan.
Walk and Roll update.
Adjourn.
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MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - PARKS COMMISSION
Thursday, January 18,2001 - 4:30 p.m.
Members present:
Fran Fair. Nancy McCafrrey. Larry Nolan. Earl Smith and
Rick Traver. Council Liaison: Roger Carlson.
Stafr:
Gregg Engle
1. Call to Order.
Chair Larry Nolan called the meeting to ordcr at 4:30 p.m. and declared a quorum present.
2. Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting on December 14, 20Ot).
3.
4.
The Parks Commission noted that minutes of the November 2000 mecting had not yet been
made available to the Parks Commission Iix review and approval.
EARL SMITII MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 14.2000
REGULAR PARKS COMMISSION MEETING AS PRESENTED. FRAN FAIR
SECONDI::D TilE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSI,Y.
Consideration of adding items to the acenda.
The rollO\ving items were added to thc agenda: ]) Updatc on grant applications; 2) Cemdery
issues and :3) (Joals.
Citizen Requests.
None.
5. Review Mcadow Oaks and Parkside park plans.
Gregg Engle introduced Mike Rogers and Leo Schroden. two members of his stafhvho were
present at the meeting. Gregg Engle revicwed with the Parks Commission the work that was
proposcd fi)J' the Meadow Oaks Park. It is proposed that the Park Department statl will take
out the existing swing and replace it with a new swing, remove the old playground border and
replacc it with a new border and replace the sand with the \vood chip fiber material whieh is
being used in all ncw playground installations. Thc spiral slide which was installed in 199R
will remain. The playground equipment will be installed by a private contractor. It is estimated
that this work will take approximately $21.650 of the $25.000 budgeted amount. Earl Smith
noted that having swings as part of the playground equipment created more liability and risk
cxposure for the City and he asked if the Park Department felt comfortable about including
swings in the playground equipment knowing the risk they pose.
Gregg Engle presentcd pictures of varioLls types of playground structures all of which met the
Parks Commission Minutes - 1/18/0 I
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criteria of: I) Spacing - does not excecd 40' x 40': 2) Capacity - would handle 8 to 15 children:
3) Was designcd for children ages 2 through 12: 4) Consisted of at Icast seven play components
which wcre accessible by transfer points thus making it handicapped accessible and 5) Cost of
$17,000 or less installed. Grcgg l:ngle asked the Parks Commission to study the pictures and
later in thc meeting makc a rccommendation on which of the models the Parks Commission
t~lVored .
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Larry Nolan notcd that the proposed ISTEA pathway would be going along this park and
asked how the proposcd pathway would aITect the improvements schcduled for thc park. Gregg
Engle replied that in looking at the placement of the play structure and other improvements
they had determined that they were outside the area of the proposed pathway. Grcgg Engle
also reported that Public Works Director. John Sirnola had suggested not putting in the
playground equipITlCnt but instead use those funds to put in a ncw patlnvay. The existing
pathway is less than 6' and does not meet the current pathway design standards. The pathway
surface is also detcriorating. The Parks Commission discussed whether therc "verc funds
budgeted that could be used for replacing the pathway. The Parks Commission felt that wcre
funds allocated in 1994 which had not becn used and wondered if these funds were still
available for use. Gregg Engk indicated that in the five year plan for West Bridgc Park thcre
is $35.000 budgeted for a playground structure which could possible go towards the ncw
pathway. Thc Parks Commission stated that the MCP felt that in order to get things going on
the North Anchor project it was important to improve West Bridge Park and the Parks
Commission did not feel funds flJr the West Bridge Park improvement should be used
clsewhere.
RICK TRA VI:R MOVED TO USE THE 2001 BUD(JETED FUNDS FOR PLAYGROUND
EQUIPMENT FOR MEld)OW OAKS PARK AND PUT THE NEW P A TIIW A Y IN PlACE
IN THE YEAR 2002 UNLESS THERE WAS OTIIER FUNDING CURRENTL Y
A VAII.ABI.E FOR REPLACING TIlE PATlIW A Y. NANCY MCCAFfREY SFC()NDED
TilE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Gregg Engle reported hc had gotten a price from a contractor for replacing thc pathway. With
the Park Department staff removing the old pathway and the contractor bringing in class V and
placing the bituminous surt~lCe. the estimated cost was $26,000.
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City Fngineer. Brett Weiss was present and updated the Parks Commission on the ISTEA
pedestrian bridge and pathway projcct. Brett Weiss outlined the scope of the project and
noted that at this time the City had not yet acquired the threc eascments ncedcd Ji'om the
property owners in thc area. It is proposed to bid the project in March or April of this year.
There was some discussion on including the trail work on County Road 1 R as part of the ISTEA
project. Brett Weiss indicated that if it was determined that thc work was going to be done this
year it could possibly be done as a change order to the IS'I"EA project or could be bid at the
samc time but he did not feel it could be bid as part of the ISTEA project. Earl Smith asked
why the Council has not taken the lead on this. lIe indicatcd that the Parks COlllmission has
discussed this for some timc but there has becn no Council action on it. JefTO'Neill was
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Parks Commission Minutes - 1/1 X/OI
directed to check into the pathway dedication funds collected fi'om the residential developments
in that area to see if that could be utilized for the trail improvement.
Gregg Engle then explained his proposal for improvcments at the Parkside Park which would
take the balance of $4.650 and apply it toward planting of trees in the park. The Parks
Commission indicated that they feel this park is a passive park and concurred that the plantings
would be all that is necessary for now. If the park's use changes in the future as more
development takcs place in the area. then the Parks Commission could look at additional
improvements.
NANCY MCCAFFREY MOVED THAT R[':MAINING MONEY FROM THE $25.000
BUDGETED FOR 2001 FOR MEADOW OAK PARK BE UTILIZED FOR PLANTINGS
FOR PARKSIDF PARK. FRAN FAIR SECONDED"rI IE MOTION. MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
6.
Discussion on Phase II phmninl! of River Mill Park.
Gregg Engle submitted a breakdown of the work proposed for the River Mill Park. The
improvements were scheduled to be completed in three phases. Phase II includes
construction of the parking lot. installation of the pathway, landscaping. lighting improvements
and cost for building materials. Initially it was thought to put the parking lot in and get the
trail constructed from the parking lot to the shelter to provide easier access to the sliding hill.
At the last Parks Commission meeting. Llrl Smith had indicated that residents in the area had
commented that they did not want to sce the parking lot go in. Ciregg Engle wanted the Parks
COlnmission direction on whether to proceed with the improvements in Phase \I which included
the parking lot or consider improvements from Phase II I and put the Phase II improvements
in later. The Parks Commission discussed whethcr thc sliding hi II generated enough use of thc
park to merit the construction of the parking lot at this time. Earl Smith questioned whether
River Mill Park is a neighborhood park or a destination park. The consensus of the Parks
Commission was that the sliding hill made the park a destination park during the winter months
but otherwise the use was such that it would be considcred a neighborhood park. Earl Smith
questioned whether this wasn't an awful big investrnent for just a neighborhood park.
Phase III improvcments include a shelter. volleyball and basketball courts, picnic tables.
grills and huilding materials. Phase III also includes an irrigation systern which would not be
done at this time if the Parks Commission determines that they will initiate Phase III this year.
The fecling of the Parks Comrnission was that the parking lot and trail may make the sliding
hill more accessible but that these improvements could be delayed a year or two.
FRAN FAIR MOVED TO RESERVE TIlE AREA FOR THE PARKING LOT HUT NOT TO
INSTALL THE PARKING LOT AT TillS TIME BUT INSTEAD USI.: THE BUDGETU)
FUNDS TO INSTALL ITEMS FROM PI lASE III OF TilE RIVER MILL PARK PROJECT.
NANCY MCCAFFREY SECONDED TilE MOTION.
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Parks Commission Minutes - 1/18/01
In further discussion of the motion. [~arl Smith stated that the Parks Commission should
determine how River Mill Park should be classified. He noted that there are a number of parks
that are eoming in that need to be developed. It is important fi.w the Parks COlnmission to
determine what classitication of park they will be so that they can budget fiJr and develop these
new parks accordingly. Cregg Engle requested specific comments as to what iten1s from Phase
III the Parks Commission was looking at. They indicated all items in Phase III except the
irrigation system should be considered.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. Rcview olans for Pionccr Park shclter - discussion on meeting held with the Lions
on Tuesday, .January 16,2(101.
Gregg Engle met with Mikc Lundquist regarding the shelter for Pioneer Parle The Lions
will be building the shelter this year. The design will be the one suhmitted earlicr to the Parks
Commission by Gregg Engle. The Lions are having an architect draw up the plans and Grcgg
Engle will he meeting with them to work out the dctails on storage, rcntals, etc. Once the plan
is completed, the Lions will bring it back to the city. The $47,000 in the park budget f(Jr
Pioneer Park will go towards the shelter with the Lions picking up the balance of the cost. The
Lions will be meeting again on February 131h and Gregg [.:ngle will report back to the Parks
Commission on this meeting.
8.
Discussion on thc idca of a Communitv Ccntcr Park.
Kilty Baltos prcsented information for prelilninary discussion on establishing a community
center park on a lot that city rccently purchased. The propcrty is roughly 80' x 100' and is
currently fenccd. It is proposed to remove the fence. install a shelter and somc picnic tables
and include some plantings and landscaping. This area eould be utilized fl1r Rivcrfest activities
and other activities held at the Community Center. It is estimated that the improvements being
proposcd would run approximately $10.000 and neithcr the Parks Department nor the
Community Center budgeted t'unds fi.1r this. The Monticello Community Center Advisory
Board and the Parks Commission will hold ajoint mecting to discuss the proposal. Kitty
Baltos will notify the Parks Commission of the date and timc ofthejointlneeting.
9.
Discussion on Y car 2 of West Bridl!c Park Plan.
The amount budgeted for 200 I for West/East Bridge Park is $47.000. Gregg Engle rcported
that he met with Fran Fair and her group regarding plantings in the East Bridge Park and
prcsentcd a preliminary sketch. Gregg Engle asked dircction from the Parks COlnmission on
whether to pursue sincc it would be a deviation from the master plan. Gregg Engle notcd
that the placcment of utility lines in the Fast Bridge Park arca poses problerns lllr construction
of the irrigation system so the cost of installing an irrigation systen1 will probably run highcr.
approxilnately $26.000. Grcgg Engle felt they should focus on gctting the irrigation system
donc for the East Bridge Park and then they could go back to work on the other irnproverncnts
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Parks Commission Minutes - 1/18/01
proposed. There was some discussion on the dcsign drawing for the plantings and Gregg Engle
indicated that he would bc mecting with the group again to finalize the design.
RICK TRAVER MOVED TO APPROVE TilE CONCEPT PLAN FOR THE PLANT1NGS
IN EAST BRIDGE PARK ALONCi WITH A CONCERTED EFFORT TO TIE THE
IMPROVEMENTS IN EAST BRIDGF PARK TO WHAT HAS BEEN DONE IN WEST
BRIDGE PARK. EARL SMITH SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
10. East Bridge irrigation proicct ohm.
Gregg Engle reported that the irrigation system for the East Bridge Park will bc a major project
and the Park Department will continue working on the design of it. Thc DNR has granted a
permit to allow clean up ofthc bank in the Saltle Creek arca. There was also discussion of
cleaning up the bank arca behind the plal1tings in the East Bridge Park. Gregg Engle indicated
that the Parks Department staff has only small windows of time betwcen periods of winter park
duties and summer maintenance duties where thcy can work new projects and he didn't know
when they would be able to get to the clean up of the bank. It was suggested that the
Conservation Corp or Sentcnce to Serve people be used on some of these projects.
It.
Park Maintenance Items.
Grcgg I':ngle updated the Parks Commission on the maintcnance work and noted that there
\vas some vandalism at the 41h Street Park. Hc also reportcd that thc rink edger has been
purchascd and the trailer has been ordered. Gregg Engle met with the Polecats about gctting
a raised bleacher i()r field N4. The cost estimate f()r the bleachcr is $11,000. Gregg Engle
didn't teclthat the City should be spending that much money on just one bleacher. He
indicated that the City may contribute a portion of the cost of a raised bleacher and the Polecats
could fund the balance but at this time no decision has been made.
Othcr Items:
Grant Update: Gregg Engle updatcd the Parks Commission on the grants applications he is applying
tt) 1'.
Cemctery Issues: Gregg Engle stated that John Simo]a, Public Works Director talkcd with him about
a rcpresentative from the Parks Commission being on a telnporary committee being set up to deal with
issues relating to Riverside Cemetery. The Park Department stail currently maintains the cemetery
site. Rick Traver offered to scrve on this committee. There was also some discussion on Park
Departmcnt stail duties and relatcd timc management issues.
Goals: This item will be added to the next agenda. The Park Commission mcmbers were cncouraged
to turn in thcir list of goals.
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Parks Commission Minutes - 1/18/01
At this time the Park Commission upon reviewing the playground structures ror the Mcadow Oak Park
indicated that they felt the Max Fitness Center ($11,019) was the structure they preferred.
12. Adiourn.
RICK TRA VE MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 6:45. NANCY MCCAFFREY SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSL Y.
Reporti ng Secretary
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