Parks Commission Minutes 04-27-2006
MINUTES
PARKS COMMISSION
Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 4: 30 p.m.
"To enhance community pride through developing maintaining
City parks with a standard of quality."
Members Present:
Ben Hitter, Fran Fair, Nancy McCaffrey, Larry Nolan, Rick Traver and Council
Liaison, Tom Perrault.
Members Absent:
None
Others Present:
Park Superintendent, Seth Nelson
1. Call to Order.
Chair Larry Nolan called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared a quorum present.
2. Introduction of Seth Nelson. Park Superintendent.
New Park Superintendent Seth Nelson introduced himself to the Parks Commission and
provided some personal and professional background information.
3. Approve minutes of March 23. 2006 reeular Parks Commission meetin2.
There was a clarification made to page 2 of the minutes that it was the Parks Commission who
questioned whether the pathway was still going to go around the wetland area.
The Parks Commission also discussed whether any of the commission members would be able
to represent the Parks Commission at Walk and Roll. If Nancy McCaffrey is available that day,
she and Fran Fair will represent the Parks Commission.
NANCY MCCAFFREY MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 23,
2006 REGULAR PARKS COMMISSION MEETING. BEN HITTER SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. Consideration of addine items to the aeenda.
Larry Nolan added discussion of selecting a date for the tour of the parks.
5. Citizens comments and requests.
There were no citizen comments or requests.
6. Update on YMCA Property.
The Parks Commission was informed that a workshop meeting was held on the possible joint
City-County acquisition of the YMCA property for a regional park. The Monticello City
Council has authorized an appraisal for the YMCA and has agreed to a letter of intent on
negotiating with the YMCA for the acquisition of the property. Larry Nolan is the task force
for the YMCA property and will keep the Parks Commission informed of any progress on this
matter.
7. Park Maintenance.
Seth Nelson submitted a list of the work completed by the Park staff. Much of staff time was
spent getting things set up for the season such as getting the irrigation systems at the parks
ready and getting the restrooms opened and ready. Some seasonal workers are already on
board and are doing the mowing and weed whipping. A lot of work was done at the Xcel
ballfields in preparation of the start of the softball season. A considerable amount oftime was
spent on getting equipment readied for operation.
Nancy McCaffrey noted the "Welcome to Monticello" sign on the west end of town had a chip
in the base of the sign and she wondered if the parks staff could check that to see if it could be
repaired. The sign for the east end of town will be installed once the work on the interchange
is completed and a site for the sign is determined.
8. Riverside Cemeterv.
There was some discussion on the fencing that was selected last year for the Riverside
Cemetery. The fencing is similar in design to what is at Hillside Cemetery but it was felt the
Parks Department should get an updated cost for the fencing. A landscaping plan for the
cemetery was also discussed. Once the street improvements in the area of the cemetery are
completed, the staff can then proceed with the fencing and plantings. It is hoped that a
landscape plan can be prepared and approved prior to the completion of the street work.
The Parks Commission briefly talked about what will happen once Riverside Cemetery is full.
Should the City be looking at acquiring additional land for cemetery purposes or only keep
their cemetery activity confined to the care of the Hillside Cemetery and Riverside Cemetery.
Since the City will be updating the Comprehensive Plan this may be an opportunity to look at
possible locations for a cemetery. The task force for the Comprehensive Plan update will
include two members from the Parks Commission. The update of the Comprehensive Plan
would also provide an opportunity to identify sites for ballfields.
9. Other items. if any.
Park Tour - The Parks Commission set Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at 4 p.m. as the date for the
annual parks tour. The Parks Commission will meet at City Hall and then cover the following
in their tour: 1) Riverside Cemetery; 2) Groveland Park; 3) Pioneer Park; 4) Water Tower Park;
5) Sunset Ponds Park; 6) Hidden ForestlNiagara Falls proposed park; 7) Swan Park; and 8)
River Mill Park and pathway.
East Bridge Park was discussed as far as funds available for plantings in the park. Also
discussed was the storage location for the East Bridge Park gardeners' equipment. If the
adjacent property owner does not allow the storage of the equipment on his site, staffwill need
to have an alternative site for storage.
Fran Fair stated that some good dirt needs to be brought into the upper level area.
10. Adiourn.
RICK TRAVER MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 5:15 P.M. NANCY MCCAFFREY
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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Recording Secretary