Parks Commission Agenda Packet 03-15-2001
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Members:
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AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING - PARKS COMMISSION
Thursda)', March 15,2001 - 4:30 p.m.
Monticello City Hall. Academy Room
Larry Nolan, Earl Smith. Fran Fair. Rick Traver and Nancy McCaffrey
Council Liaison:
Staff:
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Roger Carlson
Gregg Engle and Jeff O'Neill
Call to order.
Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting on February 15.2001.
Consideration of adding items to the agenda.
Citizens requests.
Discussion on West Bridge Park Playground.
DNR Grant
Pioneer Park Shelter review
Budget review
Parks Dept. Tree Workshop and Distribution Day
City Ballfield lights agreement
East Bridgc Park irrigation and landscape design revie\v
Parks Department 2001 Goals review
Maintenance Itcms
Adjourn.
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MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - PARKS COMMISSION
Thursday, February 15,2001 - 4:30 p.m.
Members Present:
Fran Fair. Nancy McCatTt'ey. Larry Nolan Earl Smith and
Council Liaison: Roger Carlson
Members Absent:
Rick 'fraver
Staff:
Gregg Engle. 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.
Approval of the minutes of the recular meetint! of January 18, 2001.
The Parks Commission asked if a date had been set for a meeting with the Monticello
Community Center Advisory Board for a joint meeting regarding the Community Center Park.
Gregg Engle reported that thcy tentatively set a April 19th as the date for a combined meeting of
the two boards. The Parks Commission also asked about whether the Polecats would be
funding any of the cost of a raised bleacher for ballfield #4. Gregg Engle stated that they would
not and had dropped the issue.
EARL SMITH MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES Of THE JANUARY 18.2001 PARKS
COMMISSION MEETING AS PRESENTED. FRAN FAIR SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSL Y.
3. Consideration of addinl! items to the agenda.
Larry Nolan added an update on the easement acquisition for the ISTEA project which was to
report that the easements had not yet been obtained.
4. Citizens requests.
None
5. Parks Commission Goals.
Parks Commission members submitted a listing of their goals for the year. Gregg Engle will
review the lists submitted and come back at thc next meeting with a comprehensive list.
6.
Review Pioneer Shelter plans.
Gregg Engle reported that he met with Mike Lundquist of the Lions Club regarding the plans
Park Minutes - 2/15/01
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fl.))" the shelter at Pioneer Park. At the present time there is only a preliminary sketch but the
Lions Club has an architect \vho is working on the plans for the shelter. The shelter is proposed
to be a 60' x 60' building which includes a storage area. concession area and an open patio type
area. Gregg Engle indicated that the Lions were reminded that the shelter should be compatible
with thc "pioneer" theme. It is hoped that the architect's drJ\\-ing \\ill be available for the next
meeting. There was some discussion on the parking lot for Pioneer Park and how big it would
need to be. Gregg Engle indicated that the size of the building constructed would impact the
amount of area needed for parking.
7. Discussion on Year 2 of the West Bridge Park plan.
Agenda items #7 and #10 were combined for discussion. Gregg Engle reported he had
completed the irrigation plan for East Bridge Park and had submitted it to threc different firms:
Toro, Rainbird Hunter and Nelson and they will design a plan based on thc drawing. Once the
irrigation plans have been received from these firms. they will be reviewed with the Parks
Commission. Gregg Engle noted that there were factors at East Bridge Park that made the
design for the irrigation system somewhat unique.
Fran Fair asked about the proposed plantings in East Bridge Park along TH 25. The terracing
work would need to be donc so that the planting could be done in April. Gregg Engle stated
that for the Parks Department it is a very tight schedule to get the tree planting donc as well as .
the other park duties so he could not assure the landscaping group that the terrace work could
be done in April. He did indicate that if the work load for the Park Department didn't lighten.
the terracing work could be contracted out. Fran Fair asked about "sentence to serve" people
being used. Gregg Engle stated that in this case it wasn't just the need for manpower but also
equipment. ] Ie was considering using the sentence to serve people for the cleanup at Battle
Rapids. Nancy McCaffrey noted that the landscaping sketch was preliminary and that may they
could look at the plantings being done in stages which might lessen the pressure on the Parks
Department staff. Larry Nolan stated that he would like to see the work in East Bridge Park
started this year. Nancy McCaffrey questioned the numbcr of boulders that were available for
use in the terracing project. Earl Smith asked about the amount of time the work would take.
Gregg Engle indicated that there are some boulders available but he did not have a count of
thcm. For comparison purposes the landscape \vork in West Bridge Park took two park staff
and one seasonal worker two weeks to complete.
Gregg Engle reported that they completed Step I of qualifying for thc grant application for
funds for West Bridge Park through the Outdoor Recreation Grant Program. In the preliminary
requcst the Park Department proposed a new playground structure, observation deck and
bituminous trail. The next phase of the grant application must be submitted by March 3],
2001. Any funds received through this grant would have to be matchcd by the City.
Grcgg Engle brought a number of catalogs of playground structures for the Parks Commission .
to review. He felt that the Parks Commission should consider a playground structure that
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Park Minutes - 2/15/01
would emphasize a theme for Bridge park. For example if you wcnt with a nautical theme, the
playground structure might be in the shape of a ship. The Parks Commission felt that a good
design for this park would not only attract visitors to use the park but could also attract
developmcnt around the park. The Parks Commission discussed which area of the West
Bridge Park would be the most suitable for the play structure. The conscnsus ofthc Parks
Commission was that the area closest to river should be the passive portion of the park and
thc area closer to Walnut Street would be more suitable for activities and the play structure.
Thc grants are to be award cd this year and if the City reccivcs grant funds. it is likely that the
work would be done in October. The Park Commission members will make their
recommendation on the play structure to Grcgg and he will proceed \vith prcparing
specifications and getting prices.
8.
Tree plantim?: da" discussion.
Gregg Engle reported on the tree planting workshops and tree distribution program that is
being set up. Upon attending one ofthc two tree planting workshops. homeowners will be
allowed to purchase two trees at a cost of $1 O/each. The trees will be picked up at the Public
Works Building on April 28,2001. Information about Gophcr State One-Call. tree planting in
the boulevard arca. etc. will be covered in the workshop. Minnesota Tree Trust will be
conducting the workshop in conjunction with the Park Department staff.
Gregg Englc rcported that thc Park Department may bc doing some tree planting along School
Boulevard this fall. The Parks Commission discussed the tree planting proposed on School
Boulevard. Gregg Engle suggested that .fohn Simola attend the ncxt Parks Commission
mceting to explain the proposed planting work. Gregg Engle also reviewed the information
that \vill be going out in the City's newsletter concerning thc tree planting program.
9,
Park Maintenance Items.
Under this item Gregg Engle rcported:
a. Price for playground structure for Meadow Oaks park including installation is $14,900.
The specifications have been written up and March 14. 2001 is the deadline for
submitting proposals for the equipment. It is proposed to install the equipment this
spnng.
b. Grcgg Engle has ordered the backstop ($58,000). picnic tables. shelter and basketball
court ($22.00C}), volleyball kit ($128) and recycled plastic landscape timbers for
borders for the Rivcr Mill Park.
c.
Reported that the Parks Department has purchased the cdgel', the trailer and five 3 row
15' aluminum bleachers to be placed at the Hillcrest. 4th Street and Freeway fields park.
All of these items came in at less than thc budgcted amount.
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d.
Skating rinks are still in operation. If weather permits. they will he operated until
February 28th. Gregg Eilgle also reported on two incidents that occurred at the sliding
hill.
e. Battle Rapids Park - A boundary layout has been done so that the trees can be cleaned
up.
f. The City Council approved changes in the snow plowing/removal policy which will
require staff to clear the pathway along TH 25 from Kjellberg's East to Oakwood Drive
and along School Boulevard.
g. The Cemetery Committee has been set up and the first meeting is scheduled for
Wednesday. February 21. 2001 at 3 p.m.
10. Update on East Bridge irrigation project plan.
Included with Item #7.
1 L Walk and Roll lJpdate.
The Parks Commission reviewed the information on Walk and Roll and decided they would .
participate and conduct the free throw contest.
12. Adiourn.
EARL SMITH MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 5:50 P.M. NANCY MCCAFFREY SECONDED
THE MOTION. MOT10N CARRIED UNANIMOUSL Y.
Recording Secretary
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