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Parks Commission Agenda Packet 09-19-1996AGENDA Regular Meeting- Parks Commission Thursday, September 19, 1996 - 4:30 p.m. Members: Bruce Thielen, Larry Nolan, Fran Fair, Earl Smith, Robbie Smith 1. Call meeting to order. 2. Consideration of approving minutes for the regular meeting August 15, 1996. 3. Consideration of adding items. 4. Request for public skate board area - Mr. Maki. 5. Update on the Klein Farm Area Park - Jeff ONeill. 6. Update on establishing guidelines for new park areas - John Simola 7. Tree Ordinance scheduled for council agenda 9/23/96. 8. Discussion on past meetings: A. Joint Meeting - Parks/Planning/HRA - Minutes enclosed -FYI / B. City Council Budget Meeting l C. MCP workshop "Picture Monticello's Future" 9. Added items. 10. Adjourn. 041 � �GY oy MINUTES ( Regular Meeting - Parks Commission Thursday,August gust 15,1998.4:30 p.m. Parks Members Present: Bruce Thielen, Larry Nolan, Fran Fair, Earl Smith, Robbie Smith Staff Present: Jeff O'Neill, Roger Mack, John Simola, Wanda Kraemer 1. Call meeting to order. Chairman Thielen called the meeting to order. 9.. ..9qT--W-VATMW---"-1M M3 COMMISSIONER EARL SMITH MADE A MOTION, SECONDED BY FRAN FAIR, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JULY 18, 1996 MEETING. Motion carried unanimously. COMMISSIONER FRAN FAIR MADE A MOTION, SECONDED BY ROBBIE SMITH, TO APPROVE THE MEETING OF THE SPECIAL MEETING AUGUST 5TH, 1996. Motion passed unanimously. 3. rn aid rnion of ad ine item`. John Simola, Public Works Director, made a request to the Parks Commission for assistance in writing a act of standard guidelines for the development of parks in new subdivisions. Simola would create a draft of guidelines for the next parks meeting for the Commissioners to review and add comments. Tree Ordinnnecr A. Explanation of Joint Trench -John Simola B. Discussion on placement of trees in boulevards C. Planting responsibility: City, Developer, Builder John Simola, Public Works Director, explained the joint trench policy to the Commissioners. The joint trench policy is a cooperation of all the utilities to be located in n combined trench in the blvd. Because of all the utilities in the blvd, the requirements for tree planting will have to be very specific so trees are not planted over the utility area. The trees will need to be 3.4 feet Page 1 Park Minutes - 8-15.96 behind the curb. Simola added he had some concerns of sidewalks being pushed up from the roots of the trees but he had checked into this in other communities with established tree programs and found very few problems. The Commissioners discussed the options of the developer, builder, homeowner, or City being responsible for planting the trees. The fees could be collected on the building permit and once a year the City contract with a nursery to do planting. This would be uniform but would raise the permit cost and "dictate" the kind of trees planted. Another suggestion was to initiated a program for a new homeowner tp receive a creditor certificate for two trees. This was discussed as good PR idea but would take some work to start. Currently the developer or builder is responsible, at the time of closing, to plant two trees or provide the escrow for the trees. If this procedure is continued the placement of the trees will be marked on the survey at the time the building permit is issued and inspected at closing. Jeff O'Neill, Assistant Administrator, stated generally people will plant trees in their yards but it will be up to the City to organize a way to create a canopy look to the streets. The Commissioners also discussed the planting of trees in already developed areas of the City. This would be completed by selecting an area each spring to plant trees, then contracting with a nursery to plant them. The areas along Starling Drive and School Blvd. were suggested to target for 1997. The Park Commission's recommendation was to continue to have property owners plant trees but change the policy to plant on the boulevard -3 to 4 feet from the curb. (In place of on the lawn within 4 feet from the property line.) The Commissioners did not have any changes to the budget except to emphasize the pathway costs should be split between the parks budget and transportation budget. Also there wns a suggestion to add signage along River Street to indicate the bike route. Page 2 Park Minutes - 8-15-96 6. 17iscussion of Lion'- nom. The Commissioners discussed supporting the Lions Club's request to develop a park along West 7th Street. This concept will need to be discussed with the City Council because if 7th street is extended it could change the value and use of the land. If the Lions put together a preliminary plan of the size, location, and layout of the park, City Staff will Out it on the council agenda. Susie Wojchouski, NSP Social Club, contacted City Hall on possibly donating trash containers along the pathway. Roger Mack, Parks Superintendent, would check into the costs and locations. 8. Update ninint moming-Anglist 20.1946 The Commission was reminded of the joint meeting with Parks, Planning Commission and the HRA on Tuesday, August 20, at 7:00 p.m. 9. Added item . There were no added items 10. Adinurn COMMISSIONER FAIR MADE A MOTION, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ROBBIE SMITH, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. Respectfully submitted, Wanda Kraemer Development Services Technician Page 3 MINUTES SPECIAL JOINT MEETING - MONTICELLO PLANNING COMMISSION, MONTICELLO PARKS COMMISSION, MONTICELLO HRA Tuesday, August 27,1996 - 7 p.m. Members Present - Planning Commission: Dick Frie, Rod Dragsten, Richard Carlson Members Absent - Planning Commission: Dick Martie, Jon Bogart Members Present - Parks Commission: Fran Fair, Larry Nolan, Earl Smith, Robbie Smith Members Absent - Parks Commission: Bruce Thielen Members Present - HRA: Al Larson, Steve Andrews, Roger Carlson Members Absent - HRA: Brad Barger, Torn St. Hilaire 1. Planning Commission Chair Dick Frie called the meeting to order. 2. Conoid ration of n9proval of minutes of tho special _join . meeting held JJaan_una 24,199 . AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY EARL SMITH AND SECONDED BY ROD DRAGSTEN TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING HELD JANUARY 24, 1996. Motion carried unanimously. 3. reingidCration of adding itr s to the nen n, No items were added, 4. Introduction and m t'nn„rpuzpnn , Dick Frio reviewed the importance of these periodic joint meetings. He noted that the joint meetings improve communications and allow each commission to better focus on activities that complement the activities of tho others. Assistant Administrator O'Neill noted that major reason for the joint meeting is to establish consensus on the list of projects and activities that aro needed to be done to help fulfill goals and visions expressed in the Comprehensive Plan. O'Neill went on to note that the purpose of this meeting is to review specific work items and budget suggested by each commission which, if completed, are intended to contribute toward accomplishing the goals outlined in the Comprehensive Plan. Pago 1 Special Joint Meeting Minutes - 8/27/96 Planning Commission, Parks Commission, HRA HRA GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Al Larson, chairman of the HRA, noted that the HRA reviewed its goals and objectives at the previous meeting of the HRA and has determined that it needs to focus investment of pooled TIF funds in long-term development of future industrial areas. Funds available in the pooled TIF funds are proposed to be placed in a fund for future use in construction of utilities or possible acquisition of land. He also noted that a portion of the TIF funds are proposed to be earmarked for city projects to compensate for expected losses that the city will face due to the use of tax increment financing which has been used to attract new businesses. Assistant Administrator O'Neill remarked that development of industrial land in the southwest area of the community is one of the goals outlined in the Comprehensive Plan. Al Larson went on to note that the HRA is considering possible use of tax increment financing dollars generated from development of retail businesses. In the past, the City has been reluctant to use tax increment financing in conjunction with retail development because of issues relating to competition. Larson went on to note that times have changed and new circumstances exist which may require us to look again at this policy and, perhaps, use TIF dollars generated by retail development for redevelopment projects that support MCP/downtown planning objectives. Finally, Al Larson noted that there are various residential properties within the older part of the community that may be targeted for acquisition and redevelopment. Larson noted that some cities purchase delapidated homes, demolish them, then sell the cleared land to developers for redevelopment. The Assistant Administrator noted that the MCP recommendations will likely include a goal of improving and intensifying housing in areas adjacent to the downtown/riverfront area. This goal outlined by the HRA is consistent with this possible MCP goal. It was the general consensus of the group that the objectives and goals expressed by Al Larson complement and are consistent with the objectives of the Parks and Planning Commissions. Dick Frie, chairman of the Planning Commission, and Jeff O'Neill reviewed the various projects proposed by the Planning Commission. They reviewed projects relating to amendments of agreements governing the Monticello Orderly Annexation Area. A number of potential zoning map and text amendments were discussed. It was determined that the list provided by the Planning Commission was comprehensive and the items contained therein need to be addressed in order for the goals of the Comprehensive Plan to be achieved. Frio also discussed the need to make a decision with regard to the ultimate design of Broadway as it enters Monticello. Al Lerson noted that it was his view that trnffic is bad, but maybe the best solution would be to remove only the truck traffic from Broadway. It was his view that the automobile traffic need not be reduced. Page 2 Special Joint Meeting Minutes - 8/27/96 Planning Commission, Parks Commission, HRA The group reviewed various administrative issues with regard to fee structure. There was a strong desire to develop a park dedication fee program and a pathway fee that will enable the City to build adequate parks and recover costs at the greatest extent possible. Staffing of the planning function was discussed. It was the recommendation of the group that additional planning resources should be hired positions rather than consultant -based duties. The group discussed the existing city subdivision regulations. It was the consensus of the group that the subdivision regulations that exist today need to be updated to reflect modern codes and design standards. Assistant Administrator O'Neill emphasized that the City has done very little with regard to development of financing plans that will enable us to complete important projects as the city grows. O'Neill noted the importance of the capital improvement plan and stressed that the City, when establishing its budget, needs to keep in mind some of these major projects that are down the line. PARKS COMMISSION COMPREHENSIVE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Larry Nolan reviewed park development projects planned for Meadow Oak outlet A at the freeway park, the Meadow Oak and Prairie Park cleanup and restoration, MCP park improvements, Lions Park and 7th Street West, IQein Farms park and trail, River Mill park development, and NSP ballfield development. Nolan noted that the pathway plan is being implemented with every new subdivision that is installed; however, there are three pathway segments that need to be constructed independent of subdivision development. Pathway development includes the Meadow Oak to Middle School segment, the Highway 75 to Middle School segment, which crosses the freeway, and the Mississippi River walk linking Ellison Park to Mississippi Drive. Nolan noted that they aro programmed for 1997 at a total cost of $150,000. The group reviewed the Parks Commission recommendation that snow be removed from the pathway in the winter of 1997 and agreed with the concept of utilizing the $26,000 budgeted annually for pathway maintenance to be used toward purchase of snow removal equipment. The group also discussed the ongoing need for regular maintenance of city parks. Concern was expressed regarding dandelions, weeds, etc. There was also concern regarding outdated playground equipment and the presence of other fixtures C at parks that are not in good repair. There was a concern that sufficient resources are not being applied to maintaining the parks in a safe and respectable manner. Page 3 Special Joint Meeting Minutes - 8/27/96 Planning Commission, Parks Commission, HRA C The group discussed the possibility of reducing mowing in certain parks; specifically, the Meadow Oak park/drainage basin was a topic of discussion. It was suggested that perhaps a portion of this property could be converted to wetland/prairie land, which would reduce maintenance costs in this area. Larry Nolan noted that the items listed require a significant amount of effort and City resources to complete. He stated that it's the suggestion of the Parks Commission that additional staff support be provided for the parks function. To this end, the Parks Commission recommended increasing the parks budget by $25,000 to fund a portion of a salary of an individual to dedicate time to implementation of park projects and to park planning, etc. It was the general consensus of the group that the plans outlined by the Parks Commission were consistent with the overall goal of the comprehensive plan. Following are general items discussed relating to parks. The group was concerned about the fact that the park dedication fees relating to park development have not been placed in a separate fund to be used for park land acquisition. It was suggested that park dedication revenue be inventoried and placed in a fund for use by the parks. It was noted, however, that if this is done, it is likely that the City Council budget contributing toward parks will be reduced in an amount equal to the revenue transferred from the general fund to the park fund. It was determined that the group would be attending the special Council meeting of September 9 at 6 p.m. for the purpose of supporting project ideas and budget items relating thereto. Finally, n tentative agenda was set for the next meeting, which was scheduled for the first Wednesday of the month immediately prior to the HRA meeting. Discuss overall staffing configurations and issues. Review a city-wide capital improvement plan. The next special joint meeting was scheduled for January 1997. Jeff O'Neil Assistant Administrator Page 4