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Parks Commission Minutes 03-02-2006 . . . Park Commission Minutes: 3/2/06 MINUTES MONTICELLO PARKS COMMISSION - REGULAR MEETING Thursday March 2, 2006 - 4:30 p.m. "To enhance community pride through developing and Maintaining dty parks with a high standard of quality" Members Present: Fran Fair, Ben Hitter, Nancy McCaffrey, Larry Nolan, Rick Traver and Council liaison, Tom Perrault. Members Absent: None Others Present: Public Works Director John Simola and Interim Park Superintendent Tom Pawelk 1. Call to Order. Chair Larry Nolan called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared a quorum present. 2. Approve minutes of January 26. 2006 rellular Parks Commission meetinll. RICK TRA VER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MIUTES OF THE JANUARY 26,2006 REGULAR PARKS COMMISSION MEETING. FRAN FAIR SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. It was acknowledged that the Parks Commission held their regular meeting on February 23, 2006 but because there was not a quorum of members present no business was conducted. 3. Consideration of addinll items to the allenda. None. 4. Citizens comments and requests. Tom Pawelk stated he had gotten a call from Lawrence Harland regarding the tree that is going to be removed at West Bridge Park. He requested that the bottom half of the tree be saved as a monument or ifit couldn't be saved that portion of the tree be preserved and displayed at City Hall. Tom Pawelk informed him that the tree is rotten throughout and probably could not be saved in any way. Fran Fair asked if there was any way the City could preserve the gnarl on the tree that is similar in appearance to a buffalo head. If it could be saved they would try to utilize it at the East Bridge Park. It was noted that the tree being removed is 200 years old. 9. Consideration of rentinll West Bridlle Park facilities durin!! River Fest. This item was moved up on the agenda. John Simola explained that a resident had requested to rent the West Bridge Park facilities during the River Fest celebration for a class reunion. They were informed by city staff that the facilities were not rented out because of River Fest activities. John Simola told the individual he would bring the matter before the Parks Commission for their determination. Tom Grossnickle from the Parks Department who is on 1 . . . Park Commission Minutes: 3/2/06 the River Fest Committee stated that on Saturday the 5K run is held at West Bridge Park but the facility would be open on Sunday. The feeling of the Parks Commission was that as long as the rental didn't interfere with any of the River Fest activities they had not problem with the facility being rented. It was discussed that if the Core Street Project is under construction when River Fest takes place, River Street may be tom up and the 5K race could possibly rerouted. 5. Discussion of a reQuest from the Monticello Lacrosse Group for use of fields. Dave Maurer representing the Monticello Lacrosse Group came before the Parks Commission to request the Parks Commission to consider use of city fields between 3 :00-5 :00 p.m. for practice and for games for the youth lacrosse teams. Prior to this year the lacrosse teams played on the field by the Dahlheimer property but this site is no longer available to them. Mr. Maurer has been in contact with Tom Pawelk regarding possible fields for use. Some options are: Groveland, Pioneer Park or Freeway Fields. The lacrosse teams would need the field Monday through Friday for practice and four approximately 3-4 games. Dave Maurer will review the sites and get back to Tom Pawelk on the feasibility ofthe sites. Nancy McCaffrey questioned whether the area cleared at the Par West Park would be suitable for this use. Another suggestion was the area at Montissippi Park where the model planes are flown. Besides having adequate space for a field, parking is also a concern as there may be 20 plus cars at a practice and 30-40 cars for a game. The group would paint the fields, provide a portable toiled and do other work as needed to ready the fields for play. The lacrosse program starts in April. 6. Groveland Grant Application -Set date for public hearin2. Tom Pawelk reported that the grant application for improvements at Groveland Park is basically completed. However, as part of the grant requirements the City needs to hold a public hearing on the grant application. The Parks Commission discussed the publication requirements and when to schedule the meeting. Friday March 24, 2006 at 5 p.m. was the date set for the public hearing. Tom Pawelk said the budget for the improvements to Groveland Park which includes a parking lot, shelter and hardcourt is approximately $78,000. The Outdoor Recreation Grant from the Department of Natural Resource is a matching funds grant so if a grant is received the City would have to match the funds. There was some discussion on restrooms for the park. At one time the residents expressed concern about having the restrooms at the park. Tom Pawelk and John Simola will go back to the survey of the residents to determine if this was a desired feature. 7. Cemetery Issues. Copies of the rules and regulations for Riverside Cemetery were distributed and Tom Pawelk informed the Parks Commission that this information is also on the City's web site. The Parks Commission talked about improvements to the cemetery and John Simola stated that with the street reconstruction project taking place this will be an opportunity to look at replacing the cemetery fencing and making other improvements. He felt the Parks Commission may want to have a meeting just dealing with the cemetery and needed improvements. Nancy McCaffrey suggested contacting Jo Havel who chaired the Cemetery Committee and update her on what the City is doing and possibly invite her to attend that workshop meeting. 2 . . . Park Commission Minutes: 3/2/06 8. Park Maintenance. Tom Pawelk reviewed the work that had been done and complimented a Parks Department employee who was able to repair equipment that had been damaged. He also talked about improvements to be considered for the Mississippi Park (Swan Park). He stated that there had been some problems with people falling because of the layout of the viewing area. The Parks Department staff has discussed ways of improving the situation that include installing pavers between the paved area and the split fence and possibly building a raised viewing area. He added that the Parks Department is open to suggestions on what could be done to make the situation better. Tom Pawelk stated their next major project is the removal of the tree at West Bridge Park. They will also be converting the field formerly used by the Polecats for baseball to a softball field. The Parks Commission reviewed a plan Tom Pawelk had of the Hidden ForestlNiagara Falls park. The Parks Commission noted that this was different from the plan that was approved in that this plan did not show a parking lot. The Parks Commission strongly feels that a parking lot is necessary for this park. It was also mentioned that the Parks Commission should plan for the upcoming Walk N Roll event. 10. Adiourn. RICK TRAVER MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 5:30 P.M. NANCY MCCAFFREY SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. \)o._u.rv, ~<:-;)~.-.-e.x-/ Recording Secretary ~ 3