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Parks Commission Agenda Packet 06-21-2001 . AGENDA REGULAR MEETING - }lARKS COMMISSION Thursday, June 21, 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 JeffO'NeilI 1. Call to order. 2. Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting on May 17, 2001 and approval of the minutes of the special meeting on June 11,2001. ,.., Consideration of adding items to the agenda. ~. 4. Citizens requests. . 5. River Mill Park Construction Review 6. W. Bridge Park Playground Equipment Update 7. E. Bridge Park Irrigation Update 8. Meadow Paks/Parkside Park Update 9. Pioneer Park Update 10. Work Projects Update 1l. Adjourn . . . . MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING - PARKS COMMISSION Monday, .June 11,2001 - 2 p.m. Members Present: Larry Nolan, Fran Fair. Nancy McCaffrey and Earl Smith. Members Absent: Rick Traver; Council Liaison, Roger Carlson. S tafT: Gregg Engle, Parks Superintendent 1. Call to Order. 2. Chair Larry Nolan called the special meeting of the Parks Commission to order at 2 p.m. The purpose of the meeting was to look at specific parks and address issues concerning those parks and provide direetion to the Parks Depar1ment. River Mill Park. Gregg Engle noted that the City had received some complaints from residents about the access to the River MilI Park. A number of residents have complained that the park users are cutting across their yards to gain access to the park rather than use the designated pathway. The residents were also concerned that the new improvements to the park wilI generate more traffic coming to the park and aggravate the trespassing problem. A portion of the designated pathway system in that area is supposed to be constructed by the developer and a portion by the City. Earl Smith felt it was important that the Parks Commission put this before thc Council so that there is some push to get the pathway constructed. The segments of pathway to bc constructed are: I) From the cui-dc-sac of River Forest Drive between Lot I, Block 2 and Lot 15, Hlock 1 River Forest 2nd Addition extending to GilIiard A venue and, 2) Outlot B in River forest Second Addition between Lot 1, Block 3 and Lot 7, Block 2 to River Forest Drive. Gregg Engle indicated that there would be a number of residcnts from the River Mill area in attendance at the next Parks Commission meeting in ordcr to discuss the access problcm at thc park. EARL SMITH MOVED TO REQUEST THE COUNCIL TO REQUIRE THE DEVELOPER TO COMPLETE THE TRAIL SEGMENTS AS REQUIRED BY THE DEVELOPERS AGR['J':MENT AND TO HUDGET FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE CITY PORTION OF THE P ATHW A Y. 'rherc was no second to the motion with Park Commission mClnbers withholding action on thc motion until after thcy had physically inspected the park sitc and acccss to it. During the tour or the River MilI Park, Gregg Englc updatcd the Commission mcmbers on the construction taking placc at the park and pointed out the arcas where the pathway was to be constructed. The Parks Commission discussed thc Rivcr Mill Park and whethcr it was being . . . developed into a "community park" rather than a "neighborhood park". EARL SMITlI MOVED TO REQUEST THE COUNCIL TO REQUIRE TilE D[~VELOPER TO COMPLETE THE TRAIL SEGMENTS AS REQUIRED BY THE DEVELOPERS AGREEMENT AND TO BUDGET FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE CITY PORTION OF THE PATHWAY AND TO DETERMINE WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE P A THW A Y THROUGH OUTLOT A. NANCY MCCAffREY SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSL Y. The req uest of the Parks Commission will be presented to the Council at their next regular meeting. 3. Pionccr Park. The Parks Commission also toured Pioneer Park and discuss development of the park. Gregg Engle requested direction from the Parks Commission regarding the wetland areas. Some of the residcnts in the area want the area mowed and others want it Icft in its natural state. In previous years the Parks Department had cut in a pathway around the wetlands area. Gregg Engle stated that the ponding area is an attractive nuisance for the kids in the area and one of the reasons for originally mowing around the area was so that poliee patrols could more easily observe illegal or potentially dangerous activity taking place in the area. The consensus of the Park Commission was that the trail should he cut in hut the balance of the wetland area be left unmowed. The Parks Commission noted the addition of the wooded area to the park land and discussed possible future use of that area. The Parks Commission felt that they would concentrate on developing the existing park land before they looked at doing anything with the wooded area. The Parks Commission generally discussed what type of development thcy cnvisioned for Pioneer Park. Some possibilities include a bandshell, skating area, etc. The Parks Commission will discuss this more fully at a future meeting. Earl Smith also felt that the Parks Commission should discuss the concept of "neighborhood parks" and "community parks" and what amount of development each could sustain. He felt that some of the designated neighborhood parks were heing developed as community parks. 4. Adjourn. The tour was concluded and the meeting was adjourned at 3:40 p.m. Recording Secretary . . . MINUTES REGULAR MEETING - PARKS COMMISSION Thursday, May 17,2001 - 4:30 p.m. Members Present: Larry Nolan, Fran Fair, Nancy McCaffrey, Earl Smith and Rick Traver. Members Absent: Council Liaison, Roger Carlson Staff: Gregg Engle, Parks 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 ofthe minutes of the ioint meeting on April 19, 2001. FRAN FAIR MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JOINT PARKS COMMISSION AND MCC ADVISORY BOARD MEETING OF APRIL 19,2001. RICK TRAVER SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Approval of the minutes of the rel!ular meetinl! on April 19. 200t. Larry Nolan stated that under Item #11 fix the West Bridge Park the playground structure should be described as a riverboat. EARL SMITH MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEEl"ING ON APRIL 19,2001 AS CORRECTED. NANCY MCCAI~'FREY SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3. Consideration of adding items to the agenda. Larry Nolan added an update on the ISTEA project to the agenda. 4. Citizens ReQuests. None. 5. Cleanvater Trail Committee Chairman Presentation. Gregg Engle introduced Don lIemming who is with the Clearwater Trail Committee. Mr. Hemming spoke about a proposal to construct a bike trail from St. Cloud to Warncr Lake Park. Mr. Hemming indicated. that some time ago there was a plan to have the bike trail running from St. Cloud. to Anoka. That plan failed to happen but Mr. llcmming felt that if they could present a regional focus it would be more likely that the trail segment would be constructed. In . . . Park Commission Minutes - 5/17/01 addition he added that grant applications supported by a number of entities usually produce better results. For that reason he was asking for support from the Parks Commission for the City of Monticello as well as from the Wright County Parks Department. Gregg Engle stated that if trail is constructed from St. Cloud to Clearwater it could be extended to the Montissippi Park and then linked with the City's trail system. There is a meeting scheduled next week with several members of the Wright County Commissioners. At this time, the group is asking for support from the Parks Commission to pursue the development of this trail system. The Parks Commission agreed that a bike trail is a way of linking communities together and they encouraged the idea. RICK TRAVER MOVED TIIAT TilE PARKS COMMISSION OF TilE CITY OF MONTICELLO WAS SUPPORTIVE OF THE IDEA OF A REGIONAL PLAN FOR A BIKE TRAIL SYSTEM AND TO IIA VE GREGG ENGLE BE THE LINK WITII TillS GROUP FOR TilE PARKS COMMISSION. EARL SMITH SECONDED TIlE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Nancy McCaffrcy will work with Gregg Engle in this area and attend meetings on the proposed trail. 6. Summer Apolications/Emolovment. Gregg Engle reported that 17 applications were received f()r summer employment in the Park Department. All except one applicant had previously worked for the City. Four positions were filled. The Parks Commission discussed the need to add additional staffing for the Park Department. Earl Smith stated that in looking at the parks it appeared that the Park Department was a little behind with their work. Gregg Engle replied that once the summer help was in place things would pick up. Earl Smith felt the Parks Commission need to consider the ramifications of what they do has on the Parks Department staff. The Parks Commission cannot keep adding parks and park development projects without having the staff to handle it. lie felt the Parks Commission should look at: 1) Can we maintain what we have without more staff; 2) Should we be looking at money for park dedication in lieu of land; 3) Should the emphasis be on regional parks rather than neighborhood parks. Gregg Engle said that in July he would be better able to answer questions and concerns about staffing needs to handle the existing work load and future park needs. The Parks Commission discussed staffing and other personnel issues and felt that this should be addressed with Roger Carlson, the council liaison. 7. Otter Creek Park Update. On April 21, 2000 clean up was done of the Otter Creek Park and some plantings were done on May 2nu. Earl Smith asked who was going to be responsible for watering the plantings. Gregg 2 . . . Park Commission Minutes - 5/17/0 I the MCC Advisory Board for their review. EARL SMITH MOVED TO ACCEPT THE CONCEPT DESIGN FOR THE COMMUNITY CEN'l'ER PARK AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $32,300. FRAN FAIR SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 14. Maintenanee Updates. Gregg Engle reported that the Parks Department has: I. Aerfied all thc arcas and have done some fertilizing as well. Spraying for weeds is also bcing donc. 2. Trees wcrc cut down in the Battle Rapids Park by some individual. 3. Some residents requested a change in the mowing policy at Pioneer Park. They would like to keep it a more natural area by thcir homes. The Park Department will still be cutting the area around the ponds. 4. Some of the adjacent property owners are using the Cardinal Hills Park for dumping their litter and Gregg Engle has sent letters to the propcrty owners on this. 5. The balllields are being heavily used including the Hillcrest Park also, The Community Ccntcr is considering having an evening T~ballleaglle which would also use the Hillcrest Park. The Park Commission discussed that parking at the Hillcrest Parle 6. Thc Park Commission brought up the ParWest Park and discusscd planting some trces in thc area and also discussed future plans for the area. Rick Traver felt that thcre was additional land in the arca that could be utilized. Added Item: ISTEA Update. City Engineer, Brct Wciss informed Larry Nolan that the pathway project will be bid in June and that it is likcly the cost for the project will bc higher than originally anticipated. Other Discussions: Fran Fair and Nancy McCaffrey indicated that they will help at the Park Commission cvcnt for Walk & Roll on June 2, 2001. The Park Commission discussed setting dates fi)f the parks tour. They fclt it would best be done in two separatc trips; onc covering the devclopcd parks and one covering the area to bc developed. Rick 4 . . . 8. Park Commission Minutes - 5117/0 I Engle responded that the Park Department would handle that. Earl Smith questioned why that wasn't the responsibility of the park sponsor. Pionccr Park Update. Gregg Engle reported that the Lions did the clean up on May 2nd. He has not yet received any plans for the park shelter from the Lions but he is still optimistic that the shelter will be done this year. 9. River MiIIlJpdate. 10. 11. Gregg Engle reported that everything is ready to go and he has met with several contractors. Work will soon be starting on the volleyball eourt and the shelter. Some planting has been done. W cst Bridgc/East Bridge Park Update. Gregg Engle reported that a temporary irrigation system has been installed. He is meeting with Deb Colfield from NSP about removal of the pole and the electrical hookups. He received the specifications fix the riverhoat play structure and will get the specifications ready so the play structure can he hid. They have been getting the park ready for Walk and Roll which takes place on June 2'\d. lIe noted that approximately four trees died and would need to be removed. The Park Commission also asked him to check on another tree in the park that appears to be dead. Mcadow OakslParkside Parks Update. Gregg Engle reported that the playground structure is in except for the borders which will he done in June. Recycled plastic is being used for the borders. There is a sign up stating that the park is under construction. Nothing has been done at Parkside as of this date. 12. 4th Street Plaveround Update. 13. Gregg Engle reported the playground is done and the borders will be put in at a later date. Community Center Conceptual Phms Update. Gregg Engle presented a concept drawing of the Community Center Park and an estimated cost f(lr the park construction. As proposed most of the work would be done by the Park Department with the construction of the shelter heing contracted out. The estimated cost for removing the existing fence, constructing the shelter, installing the railing and natural stone steps, installing grills and picnic tables and landscaping of the area is $24,300 or $32,300 if a different type of railing is used. The preliminary design and cost estimate will be submitted to 3 . . . Park Commission Minutes - 5/17/01 Traver suggested that the Park Commission mcet twice a month during the months ofJune, July and August. RICK TRAVER MOVED THAT THE PARK COMMISSION MEET TWICE DURING THE MONTHS OF JUNE, JUL Y AND AUGUS'l". EARL SMITH SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSL Y. The Park Commission discussed dates and times for the second meeting. It was decided to meet on the second Monday of the month at 2:00 p.m. The meeting dates would then he: June]]lh June 21'1 July 9th July 19th August 13th August 23'd 2 p.m. 4:30 p.m 2 p.m. 4:30 p.m 2 p.m. 4:30 p.m. Gregg Engle indicated that he would he on vacation and not he ah1e to attend the August 13th meeting. The Park Commission decided to wait with scheduling the second meeting in August. NANCY MCCAFFREY MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 6:15 P.M. RICK TRAVER SECONDED TilE MO"f'ION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Recording Secretary 5