Parks Commission Minutes 02-19-1992MINUTES
C REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO PARRS COMMISSION
Wednesday, February 19, 1992 - 7:00 p.m.
Members Present: Fran Fair, Dick Frio, Bruce Thlelen, Larry
Nolan, Roger Carlson
Members Absent: None
3. Consideration of approving minutes of the special meetinq held
January 8, 1992; the special meetinq held January 21, 1992;
and the reqular meetinq held February 5, 1992.
After discussion, a motion was made by Fran Fair and seconded
by Bruce Thlelen to approve the minutes of the special meeting
held January 8, 1992. Motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Fran Fair and seconded by Roger Carlson
to approve the minutes of the special meeting held January 21,
1992. Motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Larry Nolan and seconded by Bruce Thlelen
to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held February 5,
1992. Voting In favor: Dick Fria, Bruce Thielen, Larry
Nolan, Roger Carlson. Fran Fair abstained, as she did not
attend the February 5 meeting.
4. Consideration of recommending postponement of aquatic center
study and recommend opening up dialoque between local units of
qovernment with the goal of defining community recreation
needs and defininq cooperative strateqy for meetinq needs.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill informed the Parke Commission
that the City received aquatic center study proposals from
three firms. The study proposals ranged in cost from $9,800
to $13,500. In addition, Dick Fria, Bruce Thielen, and Jeff
O'Neill Informed the Parks Commission that they attended a
free seminar In Crystal on civic center development operation.
This seminar stressed that understanding community needs and
community consensus are critical factors in determining
whether or not the civic center project will be successful.
O'Neill and Fria recommended that the Parks Commission
recommend postponement of further study of the aquatic center
until such time that a community consensus is achieved.
After discussion, it became the consensus of the Parks
Commission to postpone the aquatic center study and request
that Council authorize opening a dialogue between the City,
school, and townships so that various recreatlon/civic center
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needs and funding options could be discussed. The Parks
Commission recommended that City Council authorize the City
staff to invite the City of Otsego and adjoining townships and
the school district to meet with the City representatives to
discuss recreation/civic center needs. The Parks Commission
was convinced that there are opportunities for cooperation
between the governmental units that should be explored, and it
makes sense to attempt to identify these opportunities.
Furthermore, critical to successful development of a major
public facility is development of a consensus on what type of
facility should be constructed, if any. The Parks Commission
felt a good first step toward building a consensus would be to
bring the local units of government together under one roof to
discuss community needs and consider developing a plan for
moving forward as partners.
5. Consideration of recommending installation of ballfield
liqhtinq at the NSP ballfields.
Roger Mack reported that the Public Works Department will be
receiving bids on February 20, 1992, from firms interested in
installing ballfield lighting at the NSP fields. The bid
specification included two alternatives for lighting the
field. The first alternative called for lighting two fields
and wired In a manner that would allow future installation of
two additional sets of lights. The second alternative called
for a bid on the coat to light all four fields immediately.
Mack noted that the budget figure of $80,000 was projected
based on lighting two fields in 1992. The four -field
alternative was specified because there is a chance that
substantial funding along with volunteer labor may be
available from other sources to supplement the $80,000
budgeted, thereby making it possible to fund four fields.
The Commission asked Mack if it is necessary to light all four
fields at this time. Mack noted that the demand for
additional fields is significant, and lighting two fields will
only help in the short run. On the other hand, lighting four
fields will satisfy the longer term needs.
After discussion, a motion was made by Bruce Theilen and
seconded by Roger Carlson to recommend lighting of two fields
immediately and support lighting of two additional fields if
alternative funding sources supplementing City budgeted funds
are available. Motion carried unanimously.
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6. Review Cardinal Hills 2/10/92 sketch plan and determine Dark
dedication requirement.
The Parks Commission reviewwl the Cardinal Hills sketch plan.
Dick Fria mentioned that the developers are planning on
Interspersing phase I type homes with higher value homes.
Frie Indicated that the developers will have access to a new
home funding program through FHA. This program has a loan
limit of $107,000. Also, the developers indicated to him that
they will be building custom homes as well. Frie indicated
that he visited an FHA development In St. Michael and found
that low-end FHA homes and custom homes can be constructed
side by side and complement each other.
It was the consensus of the Parks Commission that Value Plus
Homes should strongly consider establishing a housing mix and
not limit the entire project to low-end FRA homes.
The Commission reviewed the sketch plan dated 2/10/92 and
concluded that park areas identified were sufficient.
After discussion, a motion was made by Fran Fair and seconded
by Roger Carlson to approve the Cardinal Hills park design
proposal, which includes a 3.5 -acre park (north) and an
Capproximate 1 -acre park (east). The remaining park dedication
requirement is to be in the form of cash. In addition, the
wetland areas located along the southern boundary of the plat
should be preserved as a nature area for the enjoyment of the
public. The total land area used to calculate park dedication
requirement should not include the wetland area. Easements
should be obtained that would allow the general public to have
access to the nature area. The party responsible for trail
development and maintenance is to be established at a later
date. Motion approved unanimously.
Jeff'O'Neill
Assistant Administrator
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