Loading...
Parks Commission Agenda Packet 03-24-2016Park Commission Agenda: 03/24/2016 AGENDA REGULAR PARKS COMMISSION MEETING March 24, 2016 — 9:15 A.M Monticello Public Works Office "To enhance community pride through developing and maintaining city parks with a high standard of quality. " 1. Call to Order. 2. Approve Minutes of Regular Parks Commission Meeting from January 28, 2016. 3. Consideration of adding items to the agenda. 4. Citizen's requests and comments. A. Girl and Boy Scout Bird house build B. Other 5. Discussion of Merging Parks Commission with MCC board 6. Motion to approve the location of new playground and future shelter for Ellison Park 7. Discussion of Par -West playground updates 8. Review any additional comments for city pathway and sidewalk connections 9. Discussion of Dog Park fencing 10. Discussion of Lions splash park 11. Proposed downtown apartment project — park dedication. 12. Discussion BCOL athletic field revised layout 13. General Park Updates A. Otter Creek Park Gazebo B. Ellison boarding dock C. Hillside Cemetery wall improvements 14. Next regular meeting scheduled for May 26, 2016. 15. Adjourn. PARKS COMMISSION MINUTES I JAN 28, 2016 MINUTES PARKS COMMISSION MEETING THURSDAY JANUARY 28, 2016 - 9:15 A.M. "To enhance community pride through developing and maintaining Cityparks with a high standard of quality. " Members Present: Larry Nolan, Nancy McCaffrey, Jack Gregor, Brian Stumpf Members Absent: Tim Stalpes, Brian Stoll Staff Present: Tom Pawelk, Beth Green, Kitty Baltos, Angela Schumann Others Present: Christina Johnson Koshiol, Mike Benedetto 1. Call to Order. Chair Larry Nolan called the meeting to order at 9:15 a.m. and declared a quorum present. 2. Approve Minutes of Regular Parks Commission Meeting December 3, 2015. NANCY MCCAFFREY MOVED TO APPROVE MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 3, 2015 REGULAR PARKS COMMISSION MEETING. MOTION SECONDED BY JACK GREGOR. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, 3 -0. 3. Consideration of adding items to the agenda. A. 4th Street Skating Hours for 2016: Tom Pawelk said the skating season is going really well. There was one skate guard hired who is also a janitor with the elementary school so it's been working out well as many kids know him. The rinks have been open from 6:30 -9pm weekdays, holidays from 3:30 -9pm, and weekends from 1 -9pm. There have been anywhere from 75 to 100 skaters on average per night. B. Joint Commissions: Tom Pawelk said there is a push from higher powers to join the Parks Commission with the Community Center Advisory Board. The thought is to make steps towards a Parks & Recreation Board. 4. Citizens requests and comments. None. Page 1 of 6 PARKS COMMISSION MINUTES I JAN 28, 2016 5. Dog Park Update. Paws for Parks Chair Christina Johnson Koshiol updated the Parks Commission on the current fundraising efforts and progress from the volunteer committee. The silent auction goes thru Feb 6th and as of this morning she noted that 58% of the goal has been reached. The goal is $2,500. The Winter Romp is being held at the Leader of the Pack in Buffalo and is scheduled for February 6th. The goal is to reach the $12,000 mark in total donations following the romp and silent auction. 6. Discussion of Lions Splash Pad. Nancy McCaffrey introduced Mike Benedetto from the Monticello Lions. Benedetto informed the commission that the Lions are considering setting aside funds from their annual Brewfest towards implementation of a splash pad in Pioneer Park within the next five years. Benedetto said the Lions have a long range planning committee and they are looking at doing a project of significance in the community. Benedetto explained that all their funds funnel back into the community as that is included in their bylaws. Benedetto asked if the City would be interested in partnering with the Lions on a splash pad project. He noted that the Lions in Burnsville partnered with their city last year, giving the city of Burnsville $70,000 towards a splash pad project. Kitty Baltos, Community Center Director, informed the commission that she has done extensive research on splash parks she was informed that the splash park in Otsego cost $190,000. Benedetto said the Lions are looking at Pioneer Park because of the space out there and the visibility in the neighborhood and parking availability. Furthermore, the Lions are already vested in the park, paying for many of the amenities, including the concession/park shelter building. Tom Pawelk said that the City is looking at West Bridge Park as an ideal location for a splash park in coordination with the downtown revitalization plan. It was also noted that with Brewfest being held at West Bridge it would be a good way to promote the splash park in the community as that is such a visible and well attended event. Larry Nolan asked Benedetto and Baltos to compare notes and gather further information about splash park size, location, amenities, costs, etc. and bring back to the next Parks Commission Meeting. 7. Discussion of Xcel Ballfields alcohol permit request. Kitty Baltos informed the commission that she will be requesting a special permit from the City Council to authorize alcohol at the Xcel Ballfields during adult league play. The request is coming since the concessions at the ballfields have been losing money steadily as the decline in softball leagues is down from the 90s when there were 24 teams playing 2x /week and now it's at 7 teams lx /week. Baltos said they have a new league manager and are working on promoting league Page 2 of 6 PARKS COMMISSION MINUTES I JAN 28, 2016 play and the goal is to increase to 16 teams playing 2x /week. The alcohol use would be allowed only during the adult league play. This request would allow for beer, wine coolers and other malt beverages. No hard liquor or kegs will be allowed. Baltos noted that the MCC Advisory Board is recommending the special permit request to allow alcohol at the Xcel Ballfields with the conditions as set forth in the formal request. NANCY MCCAFFREY MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE SPECIAL PERMIT TO ALLOW ALCOHOL AT XCEL BALLFIELDS DURING ADULT LEAGUE PLAY SUPERVISED BY THE LEAGUE MANAGER FOR THE MONTICELLO COMMUNITY CENTER. MOTION SECONDED BY JACK GREGOR. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, 3 -0. 8. BCOL Athletic Park Feasibility Report and Concept Layout. Angela Schumann informed the commission the WSB & Associates is preparing a feasibility report based on feedback from the meetings regarding the planning of the future athletic park at Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park. Angela Schumann explained that currently the City Council is being asked to consider taking the steps to preserve the opportunity to potentially decommission the Xcel Ballfields someday in the future. Because the fields were built with a federal grant, there are federal requirements that must be met for the conversion process. The biggest area of concern is the fact that at the time when the fields may be decommissioned, the requirement would be to purchase 15 acres of land to replace those fields and that land cannot already be developed parkland. However, with taking care of the conversion process now, the 26 -acre portion of the City's land adjacent to the park, the old biosolid farm, could be approved now as the replacement land as it is not currently part of the regional park. The council has tabled the decision on the conversion as there is $20,000 worth of paperwork to go through and file. Schumann noted that that cost is basically an insurance policy for if and when the ballfields would ever be considered for decommissioning and is a much lower cost than purchasing 15 acres in the future when that time may arise. Schumann noted that at this time the City cannot proceed with the master planning at Bertram until the conversion process is complete, if that's the route the council chooses to go. Larry Nolan said it seems like the conversion process is the smart thing to do now to ensure the option in the future to decommission the fields if necessary. Schumann said that by July of 2017 the improvements will need to be made to the green space to meet the minimum grant requirements of the outdoor recreation grant. Staff may look into getting an extension to the grant so that they can go Page 3 of 6 PARKS COMMISSION MINUTES I JAN 28, 2016 right into Phase I of the development of the fields. According to the needs assessment, the green space has been identified as the highest need. Schumann said she will bring the feasibility report to the Parks Commission before it's brought to City Council. There is a tentative workshop being planned for February 8th, and Schumann said that the Parks Commission will be invited. 9. Review proposed Spirt Hills trail connection. Tom Pawelk said that the new trail connection proposed at Spirit Hills is planned for construction in 2016. Pawelk reviewed the proposed connection on the overhead screen with the commission, noting the existing dirt trail from pedestrian foot traffic is where the connection will be. The stub segment in the Wildwood development that runs behind the homes will connect with the stub segment in Spirit Hills. That will then move into the School Boulevard pathway. Pawelk noted that there isn't a trail connection from Hillside Farms to Jason Avenue so this will fill in the gap for pedestrians. The estimated cost is $45,000. Upon recommendation, Pawelk will request authorization from the council to prepare plans and specifications for the project. JACK GREGOR MOVED TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION THAT THE CITY COUNCIL MOVE FORWARD WITH AUTHORIZING PLANS & SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE NEW SPIRIT HILLS TRAIL CONNECTION TO BE CONSTRUCTED IN 2016. MOTION SECONDED BY NANCY MCCAFFREY. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, 3 -0. 10. Discussion of Par West Disc Golf Course. At the previous Parks Commission Meeting in December, there was a consensus for Tom Pawelk to look into the logistics of moving the disc golf course from Par West Park to the back side of the Montissippi County Park due to complaints from adjoining park residents about trespassing, vandalism, etc. Pawelk said that he met with Wright County Parks Director Marc Mattice and the county plans to put in a disc golf course at Montissippi in 2017. Pawelk asked the commission for advice on how to proceed with the issues and complaints going on at Par West Park in the interim. Mayor Stumpf said his recommendation is to pull the three holes where the problems are occurring and to put in appropriate signage about potential closing of the disc golf course due to abuse by park users and also to put up a sign noting a new disc golf course being planned for Montissippi in 2017. Page 4 of 6 PARKS COMMISSION MINUTES I JAN 28, 2016 11. Review of city pathway and sidewalk connections. Tom Pawelk reviewed the pathway and sidewalk map with the commission and explained the need for future connections. The city is looking into filling the gaps where sidewalks and/or pathways may dead end. Pawelk explained that once the areas are identified they will be mapped out and brought forth to City Council for a recommendation on how to incorporate the new connections. 12. General Park Updates. Tom Pawelk provided updates on the following parks and projects with no formal action taken at this time: A. Otter Creek Park Gazebo: The old gazebo has been taken out of Otter Creek Park, is being repaired by Parks staff and will be brought out to Bertram. Staff is building a new gazebo which will be put back at Otter Creek Park later this spring. B. Hockey Rinks: Staff will be meeting with the Hockey Association after the season to see if they would be willing to donate some funds to keep the rinks open 7 days /week. If the rinks are open longer, there would be a potential to get more applicants to fill the warming house attendant position. C. Winter Trail Maintenance: The City Council approved a new sidewalk and pathway machine with a broom, plow and sander. Staff will clear additional pathways and sidewalks not included in the snow plowing policy as time permits to promote winter recreation. D. Hillside Cemetery improvements: Council approved the TH 25 & 7th Street gateway design at Hillside Cemetery. This is an exciting project that will be very visible as people drive through Monticello on Highway 25. Pawelk reviewed a map of the improvement project design. E. Dog Park Fencing: Pawelk said he is gathering quotes for fencing in the dog park at Meadow Oak Park this summer. Pawelk thanked the Paws for Parks subcommittee for all their hard work and efforts in raising funds to build this park. After all the donations are in from the winter romp and silent auction, staff will prepare a request for the City Council to approve the fencing quotes and authorize the installation for this summer. 13. Next regular meeting scheduled for March 24, 2016. The next regular Parks Commission Meeting is scheduled for March 24, 2016, at 9:15 a.m. in the Public Works Office. Page 5 of 6 PARKS COMMISSION MINUTES I JAN 28, 2016 14. Motion to adiourn. NANCY MCCAFFREY MOVED TO ADJOURN THE PARKS COMMISSION MEETING AT 10:52 A.M. MOTION SECONDED BY NACK GREGOR. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, 3 -0. RECORDED BY: fah'h' &rccn DATE APPROVED: ATTEST: Page 6 of 6 S N m o f m d O �-t n z CD O s �� O +qf1 4 N p • N 's_ S N m o f m d O �-t n z CD O s �� O +qf1 4 I I CONCESSIONS 1 RESTROOM BUILDING BATTING CAGES co co x N L Lij CL c� 0 0 Lij U o J w CD U) < I -0- O O C CD 3: m Q 04 N y r 0 R1 v r c m LID N fl G GIL I� 0 'I a T C14 ,. ° 'I W I� .3 a .I d i, +----- - - - - -- k i�i I I I I I I I !1 I II PREMIUM , I , PREMIUM II I I 11 SINGLE I SINGLE ULTI- PU'RPO� ULTI- PURPO� I I 1 I I � 1� GREEN �1 GREEN ;I 1i it � i i1 (I TU RN LANES I I STORAGE �I SHED IF I 11 1 I - J J �a I OVERFLOW I PARKING I z z z} 1 z 1 +r�-� rr 1 0 1 1 `� I } }1 Q 1 2� 1 I GGO' L_JL J } a 11 0 1 , T L _ J YOUTHII X80 BASE BASEBALL FIELD PROP-0 o LDROP-OF'F w�f DD y�7 � 7> I -- - - - - -� —-- - - --� _ __ _ -� -_ -- _Pf l fl�'h RY E1` RANCE-7 EX I T I 4q� — I I I I PICNIC MULTI, PURPOSE I I I I SHELTER 1' ATHLETIC FIELDS 1 I AREA (SOCCER; J FOOTBALL 1 1 . LACROSSE) POND f l I I I AREA II I I I� —_- — � — — — -- I I I I I I I I 11 MULTI' PURPOSE ATHLETIC FIELDS I i r V l FOOTBALL l TEN (SOCCER I I I I LAOROSE COURT I I I I I I I I I 11 -7O" 11 i I I I I , 1 CEREMONIAL 1 - -__ L- - - -- - - - - -- - — — AWARD -S P-A�C E YOUTH � kSEBALL 1! l - 1 � Uu I CEREMO AWARE) + I I I N /AL / ACE r . rJ PLAY AREA 300' SOFTBAL FIELD r*' - CONCESSIONS 1 I RESTROOM BUILDINGL_.�.�. -����� � -7 60' I I BCC' ASEBALL I I BASEBALL FIELD ELD 110 0— 7EN • • • 0 8 4 .t r r r e r r r r 1 1 i 1 300e- F-�. 1 3010� � SOFTBALL FIELD DROP-0 L --� ,SOFTBALL H 1 FIELD • J i 180' CO CESSIONS / RE TROOM BUILDING j PICNIC � SHELTER AREA J RAILS DROP -OF -��- — - -- — — - -�--' `��a PLAY AREA >> >> �3 - O CN �� ]� } DRAIN FIELD I 00 1 r 540 �� - -� -� GATE DRAIN FIELD rt_��_._ --�— �------- - - -–_ — — —__� f---- - - - - -- + } — i _ 1 1 ST RAGE SHED MULTI 1 I CONCESSIONS RESTROOMS 1 PURPOSE �1 MULTI' PURPOSE I I I . WARMING HOUSE I I I 11 ATHLETIC ' C� I ATHLE�fICY MELDS I I .I � �" ' I I 1 1 I FIELD II GENERAL SKATING , I �SOCCER l FOOTBALL 1 I I I I I I I I SOCCER � I I I I - I I I I ;� FOOTBALL �' I �� f HOCKEY RI N K t ••'r j PICNIC � SHELTER AREA J RAILS DROP -OF -��- — - -- — — - -�--' `��a PLAY AREA >> >> �3 - O CN �� ]� } DRAIN FIELD I 00 1 r 540 �� - -� -� GATE DRAIN FIELD rt_��_._ --�— �------- - - -–_ — — —__� f---- - - - - -- + } — i _ 1 1 ST RAGE SHED MULTI 1 I CONCESSIONS RESTROOMS 1 PURPOSE �1 MULTI' PURPOSE I I I . WARMING HOUSE I I I 11 ATHLETIC ' C� I ATHLE�fICY MELDS I I .I � �" ' I I 1 1 I FIELD II GENERAL SKATING , I �SOCCER l FOOTBALL 1 I I I I I I I I SOCCER � I I I I - I I I I ;� FOOTBALL �' I �� f HOCKEY RI N K t