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Parks Commission Agenda Packet 08-23-2001 . Members: AGENDA REGlJLAR MEETING - PARKS COMMISSION Thursday, August 23, 2001 w 4:30 p.m. Monticello City Hall, Academy Room Larry Nolan, Earl Smith, Fran Fair, Rick Traver and Nancy McCaffrey Council Liaison: Staff: I. 2. , .) . 4. 5. . 6. 7. X. 9. 10. II. 12. 13. 14. . Roger Carlson Gregg Engle and Jeff O'Neill Call to order. Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting on July 19, 200 I. Consideration of adding items to the agenda. Citizens requests. Budget Refi.lrln Capital Improvements 2002 Discussion. West Bridge Park/East Bridge Park improvements update. Mcadow Oaks/Parkside Park update. Discussion/Agreement on Battle Rapids extension. D.E.D. Program update. Cemetery update. Pioneer Park update. Consideration of purchase of soccer goals. Adjourn . . . MINUTES REGULAR MEETING - PARKS COMMISSION Thursday, July 19, 20tH - 4:30 p.m. Members Present: Larry Nolan. Fran Fair, Nancy McCaffrey, Earl Smith and Rick Traver. Members Absent: Council Liaison Roger Carlson S tafT: Gregg Engle, Parks Superintendent; Jeff O'Neill, Deputy City Administrator. 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 minutes of the special meetine: of July 9.2001 and approval of the minutes of the ree:ular meetine: on .June 21. 2001. RICK TRAVER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF TilE SPECIAL MEETING OF JUL Y 9, 2001. FRAN FAIR SECONDED THE MOTION. M(JTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSL Y. FRAN FAIR MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF TIlE JUNE 21,2001 REGULAR MEETING WITH A CLARIFICATION ON PAGE TIIREE THAT THE QUOTE OF $1.500 WAS TO REMOVE THE SECURITY LIGHT AT EAST BRIDGE PARK. NANCY MCCAFFREY SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3. Consideration of adding items to the ae:enda. Thc Parks Commission was updated that the TEA 21 project for the bridge and pathway improvements had been awarded. 4. Citizens requests. None. 5. Consideration of adding Gillard Ayenue from East County Road 39 to 95th Street to the City Pathway System and consider making a recommendation that a feasihility study be ordered on the installation of the pathway at said location. The City recei ved a petition from the property owners along Gillard A venue requesting the City construct an ofl strcct trail along the street right-of-way. The petitioners stated the need fi.Jr the trail because of the volume of traffic on the road and the high speeds at which the vehicles travel. the narrowness of the street and the number of residences in the area. If the area was being developed under current City standards. a sidewalk would be required as part of the development . . . Parks Commission Minutes - 7/19/0 I hut this is a retrofit situation. The question the Park Commission needs to address is whether this segmcnt of trail should be placed on the City's Trail/Pathway system. The cost split for the trail construction is determined hy the City Council hut has generally been 2YYo-7Y% split with the City picking up 75%. A layout of the trail system for that area was reviewed. It was noted that all homcs arc connected by a safe street to the pathway except for the Gillard Avenue which is not wide enough to handle pedestrian traffic safely. John Gurney, John Young and Karl Eiden representing the homeowners in the area addressed the Parks Commission making thc following points: I) Gillard Avenue is not wide enough to handle both vehicle and pedestrian traffic; 2) The speed at which vehicles on Gillard are traveling is excessive; 3) Alignment of Gillard presents hazards. The residents would like to see the pedestrian trafTic moved ofT the road and Gillard A venue widened. They indicated there was a 30' easement/right-of-way in front of the houses that would be available for pathway use. Gillard A venue is a remnant of the township road system and does not meet current city design standards. Jeff O'Neill stated that when the road was paved a number of years ago, consideration was given to inelude construction of a pathway but this was eliminated because of the cost. John Gurney stated that when the road was improved he believed a hase for the pathway had been put in. There was some discussion as to whether the trail should be placed in front of the houses or in the back. John Young felt it would he more costly to put the trail hehind the houses since there is no casement and that would have to be acquired. lie felt it was unlikely that the City could get all 17 property owners to agree to a pathway behind the houses. The residents also felt a trail behind the houses would not be used as much as one inhont ofthe houses. Earl Smith stated that he was not against a feasibility study to determine the cost and location of a pathway but he didn't feel that would get to the problem which is the road design and the speeding problem. The residents responded that they had tried other options to solve the problem such as additional patrol but the problem still persists. Earl Smith asked whether the City would put in sidewalk or a pathway and was informed that decision would be made hy the engineer. The sidewalk is 5' in width and the trail is 10'. FRAN FAIR MOVED TO HAVE GILLARD AVENUE FROM COUNTY ROAD 39 EAST TO 95TH STREET PLACED ON '1'1 IE CITY'S PATHWAY SYSTEM AND TO RECOMMEND TO TilE CITY COUNCIL 'rHAT AFI-:ASIHILITY STUDY BE ORDERED FOR THE PATHWA Y CONSTRUCTION. RICK T'RA VER SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 6. Consideration of removing the trail section from the City Park/Outlot A, River Mill 6th Addition from the Comprehensive Park and Trail System for the City of Monticello. Jeff 0' Neill informed thc Parks Commission that the City had reeeivcd a petition from the residents on Mill Trail Lane requesting the City not to construct the trail segment through the outlot. 'fhey cited concerns about]) Increase in noise level; 2) Loss of trees; 3) Visibility from the freeway and 4) L,c1SS of privacy. The Parks Commission reviewed the proposed layout of the trail in that area. The trail as proposed runs along the ridge line and into the wooded area. The 2 . . . Parks Commission Minutes - 7/19/0 I Parks Conunission addressed son1e of the issues raised by the residents. The trail would be in close proximity to only of the lots and the wooded area would provide privacy. The Parks Con1mission felt the loss of trees due to trail construction would he minimal. The trail would add value to their property as well as being an asset to the community. The property owners reiterated their concern about the noise and the loss of privacy. The Parks Commission pointed out that the trail was situated so as to provide ease of access to the park. [t is not just a pathway but an access to the park. Fran Fair asked if the trail was shown on the original plat. The residents stated that they were never informed of the location of the trail. [f they had, they ncvcr would have purchascd thc lots. The Planning Commission stated it was important to get the trails built at the front end of the project rather than the end. Jason Penaz and Brian Butler emphasized that they were never informed of the location of the trail. They also added that they didn't want the activities that were associated with a trail such as noise, litter and people in their back yards. Jason Penaz felt that the location of the trail be set ,md potential lot owners informed of where the trail was going to be before they purchased their lots. Brian Butler stated the Parks Commission would be better ofT spending the money it would cost for trail construction to do something with the park so that people in the area would be more likely to use it. Gregg Engle clarified that park improvements are generally done according to a development plan and as funds are hudgeted. Brian Butler also pointed out that the activity on the trail would make his dog bark and that would be another nuisance. Chair I ,any Nolan statcd that the trail would he unobtrusive as possible. Earl Smith stated that he understood the concerns of the individual property owners, the Parks Commission was thinking of the whole community and how to tie it all together. Brian Butler stated it was bad planning and the City and the developer should have informed the property owners about the trail location. Je1T O'Nicll stated the City would work with the property owners to address their concerns and that maybe some pine trees could be planted on his property to act as a buller. Earl Smith stated that the planting was not a recommendation of the Parks Commission. EARL SMITH MOVED TO LEAVE THE TRAIL SEGMENT FROM OUTLOT A, RIVER MILL 6111 ADDITION TO RIVER MILL PARK ON THE COMPREHENSIVE PARK AND TRAIL SYSTEM rOR THE CITY or MONTICI:LLO AND TO REQUEST THE CITY COUNCIL TO AUTHORIZE A FEASIBILITY REPORT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF TillS TRAIL SEGMENT MINIMIZING THE NEGAT[VE IMPACTS TO THE HOMEOWNERS. THE CITY ENGINEER MA Y, AT HIS DISCRETION, COMBINE THIS PROJECT WITH THE GILLARD AVENUE TRAIL SEGMENT FOR BIDDING PURPOSES. NANCY MCCAFFREY SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARR[ED UNANIMOUSLY. 7. Discussion of Park Tours. Gregg Englc statcd that he fcIt the park tours and related discussions providcd some good insight on park development. The Parks Commission set a date of August 13,2001 at 2 p.m. for thc next park tour. ,., -) Parks Commission Minutes - 7/19/0 I . s. Discussion on Preliminarv Parks Budget 2002. Greg Engle submitted budget worksheets and provided information on the capital improvements program which he asked the Parks Commission to review. It will be discussed at the next meeting. It was suggested that John Simola, Public Works Director, also be present when the Parks COlnmission discussed the budget. Gregg Fngle reviewed the various parks and what was proposed to be done noting the cmphasis for park development would be on Pioneer Park, Community Center Park, West Bridge Park and Wildwood Ridge Park. The following is a brief listing of the proposed park work: . Ellison Park ~ Possibly somc work on the bathroom. Fourth Street Park - Nothing Mississippi Park - Nothing River Mill- Still continue with the concept plan; get pathway in the interior of the park constructed so that park is ADA accessible. Gregg Engle statcd that he would like to utilize somc ofthc dedicated pathway funds for this. Hc cstimated the cost at $12,000. Battle Rapids - Clean up/clearing only. Meadow Oaks - Pathway upgrade. Currently the pathway is 5' wide. This upgrade could be done in phascs. Estimatcd cost $23,000. City Ballfields - Plant additional plantings and trccs. Estimated cost $3,000. Pioneer Park - Parking lot and skating rink to be the focus with the understanding that the shelter would be constructcd this ycar. Cardinal Hills - Nothing Country Club Park - Take out the volleyball court and install tether ball and rec basketball chute. Estimated cost $1,000. Balboul Park - Nothing Parwest Park - Nothing Hillcrest Park - Nothing Otter Creek Park ~ Nothing Wildwood Ridge Park ~ Park dcsign similar to Cardinal Hills. Estimatcd cost $37,000. Water Tower Park - Clearing/grubbing and $2,000-$3,000 for wood chip trail. Gregg Engle then updated the Parks Commission on budget balanccs for 2001. The equipment purchases had come in under budget and that the present timc the account balance is looking good. 9. West bridge Park Landscape WalllJpdate. Gregg Engle had gotten a price for block from a local individual and the individual donated some lights. The lights are dome lights built inside the stone. Gregg Engle wanted to know ifthc lights were acceptable to the Parks Commission. The Parks Commission indicated it was. . 4 . . . Parks Commission Minutes - 7/19/01 10. East Brid2e Park Construetion/lnigation Update. The staff is waiting for the electrician to removc the security lights. Work should be starting soon. 11. Parks Games Update. The Community Education features a park and provides games/activities at the park. Parwest was the featured parle 12. Parks Discovery Prol!ram Update. Pioncer Park was featured on July 1 W" and thcre was a very good turnout. The next park to be featured will be Meadow Oaks. 13. Pathway Update Ree:ional Trail Clearwater to Monticello. Reprcsentatives from the planning group want to come before the City Council and get Council support fi)[ the regional trail concept. The Parks Commission had indicated their non-financial support of the project. The Parks Commission could not support using City funds for trails outside the City and that was why they committed no financial support to the project. The Parks Commission also discussed representation on the planning group. The consensus was because of time constraints, thc Park Commission members did not feel they could not commit to working on the planning group. 14. Dutch Elm Report. Scventeen trees were tagged. GrcggEnglc felt the City was getting a good handlc on this noting that he had tagged over 200 trees in thrce ycars. 15. Maintenance Items. Staff had been working on the parks in preparation for the Riverfest celebration and had taken care of the clean up after the event. A lot of work is being done at the hallfields in preparation for the state baseball tournament which is being played in Monticello. Gregg Engle also reported that due to an injury to Leo Sehroden; the Park Department will be short handed. Other Items: Grcgg ":ngle reviewed with the Parks Commission the I.ions shelter sketch which was preparcd by Skip Sorenson. The design of the shelter was somewhat rustic western. Gregg Engle will be meeting with Skip Sorenson and Mike I ,undquist on Tuesday to work out details. The following items were noted in the review: 5 . . . Parks Commission Minutes -7/19/01 Rooting - Metal roofing is preferred but if too costly they would go with 30 year shingle. Lions would do this work. Cupolas - Gregg Engle asked for help in getting design information fi'om the internet. Nancy McCalTrey will do so. Cupolas constructed or wood. Ceiling ~ Proposed to be vaulted. Soffit/Fascia - Proposed to be made of wood most likely douglas fir. Beams - Proposed to be made of wood. Site Preparation - To be done by the Parks Department and other city staff. Cement Work - A couple of options here. Lions may have someone who could do it or otherwise Tom Moores would. Posts/Beams - Done by the Lions. Will be 9'in height instcad of 8'. Footings - Poured by Park Department staff. Framing - Done by Lions. Coneession Stand - stainless steel sink, counter work may be donated. Shelter will not be used for storage by the Lions. Trim work - Done by I -ions. Floor - Prefer cpoxy finish if not too costly. Larry Nolan asked about bathrooms. Gregg Engle stated that portable units would be brought in. The shelter size is 36'x 24'. It is hoped to have the prices firmed up by the first week in September. Lions believe the construction of the shelter could be done in two weekends. After the shelter is done, the emphasis for Pioneer Park will he on the parking lot, access to the shelter and lighting. 16. Adiourn. NANCY MCCAFFREY MOVED TO ADJOURN AI' 7:30 P.M. FRAN FAIR SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSL Y. Recording Secretary 6 . . . PARKS COMMISSION MINUTES Special Meeting Monday, August 13, 20()] - 2 p.m. Members Present; Larry Nolan, Nancy McCaffrey, Earl Smith, Rick Traver and Council Liaison, Roger Carlson. Members Absent: StatT: Fran Fair Gregg Engle, Parks Superintendent I. Call to Order. 2. Chair Larry Nolan called the special meeting to order at 2 p.m. The date of the regular meeting was discussed. Since a number of members would not be able to make the August 161h meeting, the Parks Commission decided to cancel the August 161h meeting date and reschedule it for August 23, 2001 at 4:30 p.m. Tour ofWcst Brid2c and East Brid2c Park The Parks Commission reviewed the work that has been completed at West Bridge Park and discussed landscaping plans for the hill area from behind the existing trees up to River Street. (iregg Engle suggested that river rock (4"to 6" in size) be placed along the hillside. Nancy McCaftj'ey suggested that some larger boulders be interspersed among the river rock as that would help break up the pattern. In addition, the park staff is proposing to install some posts designed to give it a more nautical appearance and thus tying this area in with the playground structure. It was also suggested that some hostas or other perennials be planted around the trees. Rick Traver asked if the river rock posed any kind ofliability risk. Gregg Engle indicated that the size of the river rock made it f~lirly stable and there was less maintenance cost. Bids t(.)I' the playground structure will be opened friday, August 17,2001 at 2 p.m. lhe Parks Commission discussed the placement of the playground structure and the landscaping around it. The playground structure is approximately sixty fect in length. In addition there needs to be a 10' area behind the wheel section of the playground structure. Gregg Engle cautioned that they didn't want to do anything in West Bridge Park that they would have to remove if there were changes to Rivcr Strcct. Roger Carlson stated that he didn.t believe there would be any changes to Rivcr Strect any time soon and he felt the Parks Commission could proceed with their plans for the area. Gregg Engle also noted that the stafT was going to resecd the area by the picnic tables and perhaps plant some additional trees but they planned to keep the open view of the river. The Parks Commission also discussed the proposcd location of the fishing pier and the erosion that is occurring along the riverbank in that arca. lhe pier is scheduled for construction for next year. -1- . . . Special Park Meeting - 8/13/01 Larry Nolan and Earl Smith suggested a small satellite play area in West Bridge Park for toddlers but located a little ways from the big kids play area. Earl Smith also suggested that sonle trees be planted to shade the play structure once it is installed. Gregg Engle indicatcd that MCP had adopted West Bridge Park but has not been active. The Parks Commission also rcvicwcd the East Bridge Park and the irrigation system that was installed. 3. Ballticlds Gregg Engle reported that the Monticello Baseball Association and the Montieello Polecats want to build a 14' x 14' building to store their supplies and equipment. Gregg Engle pointcd out the proposed location of the building (in the area of the 3111 base dugout) and asked the Parks Commission if they had any conccrns with that particualr use or that location. The Parks Commission felt comfortable with this proposal. The baseball association would be funding the cost of construction. The Parks Commission also diseussed use of the land adjacent to the ballfields. At one time there was a proposal to use this area f(Jr soccer fields but access was a concern. Earl Smith felt that access to this area would be li'om Orchard Road. I n discussion of use of this area it was suggested that f()otball fields might be considered. 4. Other The Parks Commission also viewed the trail that was constructed at Meadow Oaks. The segment of 10' pathway was put in at a cost of $2,700 and provides an approach to the play structure that is ADA accessible. The Parks Commission also viewecI the 41h Street park. 5. Adiourn The Parks Commission meeting concluded at 3:40 p.m. Recording Secretary -2-