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Parks Commission Agenda Packet 04-18-1997 UJf- AGENDA REGULAR MEETING. PARKS COMMISSION .' Thursday, April 18, 1997 - 4:30 p.m. 1. Call meeting to order. 2. Consideration of approving the minutes for the regular meeting February 20,1997. 3. Add items to agenda. ( J(II-( 4. Discussion on Tree Ordinance/Tree Preservation - Fred Patch -' 5. Discussion on Shermer/Meadow Oaks PathwayIPark integration - Jeff O'Neill 6. Update on the Cardinal Hills IV Test" Pilot Project". 7. Discussion on plans for the Outlot A building - Roger Mack. 8. Discussion on prairie grass restoration/management plan. 9. Discussion on planting a tree in city park as a memorial. - . 10. Discussion on 1997 budget items. 11. Updates: A. Pathway site ideas - Wanda Kraemer B. Result of ISTEA grant (pedestrian bridge over freeway) - Jeff C. 4th Street Park - hard surfacing - Roger D. Lighting under Bridge - John 12. Added items. 13. Adjourn. . . Minutes Regular Meeting. Parks Commission Thursday, March 20, 1997 - 4:30 p.m. Members Present: Council Liaison: Staff Present: Others Present: Larry Nolan, Fran Fair, Earl Smith, Robbie Smith, Rick Traver Bruce Thielen - absent Jeff O'Neill, Roger Mack, John Simola, Wanda Kraemer Mayor Bill Fair, Rita Ulrich-MCP 1. Call meeting to order. Chairman Nolan called the meeting to order and welcomed Rick Traver to the Parks Commission. 2. Consideration of approving the minutes for the regular meeting February 20. 1997. EARL SMITH MADE A MOTION, SECONDED BY ROBBIE SMITH, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES, FOR THE FEBRUARY 20,1997 MEETING. Motion passed unanimously. 3. Added items. A. Earl Smith added discussion on the tunnel and lighting under the bridge between East and West Bridge Park. 4. Status report on 1997 budget items: . A. Discussion on storage/concession building for Outlot A. Roger Mack, Street Superintendent, reported on types of buildings that could be used for the storage/concession building for Outlot A within the $12,000 budget. The Commissioners had stated the building should have room for storage, an overhang area for protection from the weather, electricity, and have an aesthetic appearance from the freeway overpass. A 20 x 40 foot building with an overhang large enough for picnic tables was agreed upon. Roger would compile a material list and contact the Lions to inquire if the Lion's club would be interested in building the structure; and the public works department would pour the concrete. EARL SMITH MADE A MOTION, SECONDED BY FRAN FAIR, TO MOVE FORW ARD ON BUILDING A 20 X 40 FOOT BUILDING WITH 1/3 OF THE STRUCTURE FOR STORAGE AND 2/3 AN OVERHANG. Motion passed unanimously. B. Discussion of Prairie West Addition Park . 1. Meeting on education, recreation and ecology - Jeff O'Neill, Assistant Administrator, reported that the staff had met with Sonya Smith, an intern and Bob Page 1 . . . Park Commission Minutes - 3/20/97 Djupstrom, supervisor, with the DNR/Scientific and Natural Areas Program, Wright County Parks, and NSP regarding prairie restoration. Sonya Smith will be writing a prairie restoration pIan in three phases; one for the City along the pathway and park area, the second for the Wright County Montissippi Park, and the third for the NSP land. The plan will include preservation values, site specific management suggestions, and educational uses. O'Neill added he had contacted the Monticello Fire Department and tentatively scheduled a burn the middle of May depending on the weather. Bruce Thielen, Wright County Parks, volunteered to help with the burn through the County Park area. 2. Kiosks with information on wild flowers - Wanda Kraemer, Development Services Technician, had slides with examples of kiosks with information on wild flowers that could be placed along the pathway for educational use. City staff will keep the slides on file for future use. 3. Picnic area - Next the development of the park area was discussed The Commission agreed there should be a manicured area for picnics. Jeff O'Neill stated the park land will be burned to help clear the underbrush. There have been volunteers from MCP and other groups that can be contacted to help. John Simola added he has the sentenced to serve people on June] 8, 1997 that could also help. Prices for a gazebo, signs, picnic tables will need to be researched and added to the budget for 1998. C. Feasibility study of three sections of pathway - update Jeff O'Neill, Assistant Administrator, reported the City Council authorized the feasibility studies for three sections of pathway: 1. Mississippi Drive to Ellison Park - Only a portion of this pathway can be developed this year due to the fact there will be major construction at the wastewater treatment plant. The pathway will be extended from the Hospital District property along River Street to Mississippi Shores. The remaining segment extending from Mississippi Shores to Mississippi Drive will be delayed until the waterwater treatment plant is complete. 2. County Road 118 links CSAH 75 to the Middle School. 3. Meadow Oak/Briar Oaks/Oak: Ridge area to the Middle School via a pathway along a power line corridor that runs parallel to County Road 118 and extends into the Meadow Oak residential area all the way to Meadow Oak Park. D. ISTEA grant finals - April 15. 1997 The next segment will be announced April 9, 1997 with final results April 15. Page 2 5. . . . 7. Park Commission Minutes - 3/20/97 Discussion on landscaping easements around ponding areas. Jeff O'Neill reported that Planning Commission had identified a significant problem with the City's public nuisance ordinance as it related to maintenance of ground cover areas of private lots separated from the main portion of the lot by a pond. In order to mow property on the far side of the pond the property owner must walk all the way around the pond to mow. A number of property owners do not wish to mow their remanent property across the pond. This results in City enforcement action, blight notices, ect., creating a significant public relations problem. The Planning Commission proposed to have the Parks Commission identify a plan for establishment of low maintenance ground I..:over on the street side of ponds. The plan could include hiring a landscape firm to plant the seed and manage it for a period of years until it is self-sustaining. The area encompassed by the seeding would be covered under a landscaping easement which would prohibit private property owners from mowing or otherwise disturbing the area without permission from the City. The land would be under private ownership for cleaning up debris and litter but the City would be responsible for maintaining for the ground cover. O'Neill added that the intersection of School Boulevard and County Road 118, Cardinal Hills IV Addition, will be a prominent corner in the City. It was recommended by the City Council that the Parks Commission use this area as "pilot project" and identify a plan for establishment of an inexpensive but attractive low maintenance ground cover for this area. Mayor Fair stated that this might be a project that could involve the school in the design or maintenance of the area. The Commissioners discussed the issue and established a sub-committee to review ideas for the pilot project in Cardinal Hills IV before hiring a landscape company. The member of the sub- committee were Fran Fair, Rick Traver, Roger Mack. 6. Discussion on coordination of tree planing and double fronting lots with city shade tree program. Jeff O'Neill stated that a landscape plan needs to be developed for double fronting lots. The coordinated landscaping plan would inl..:orporate the tree requirements for the individual lots with a boulevard tree planting program administered by the Parks Commission. The Parks Commission had discussed double fronting lots at previous meetings and were in agreement that a spedfic plan should be established. After discussion, EARL SMITH MADE A MOTION, SECONDED BY FRAN FAIR, THAT ON DOUBLE FRONTING LOTS THE CITY WOULD RECEIVE THE VALUE OF TWO TREES PER LOT FROM THE DEVELOPER. THE CITY WOULD SUPPLEMENT, WHERE IT WAS NEEDED WITH TREES FROM THE SHADE TREE PROGRAM. THE CITY WOULD PLANT AND WATER THE TREES UNTIL ESTABLISHED. THE PROPERTY OWNER WOULD MAINTAIN THE TREES PER THE CITY ORDINANCE. Motion passed unanimousl y. Disl..:ussion on contract maintenance (mowing and tree trimming. snow removal) Page 3 . . . Park Commission Minutes - 3/20/97 John SimoIa, Public Works Director, requested the Parks Commission to be selective on the projects for the public works department. There will need to be more contract work in the future. He suggested dividing the city into sections and get bids on tree trimming in each area. Each year a section of the City can be completed. The snow removal on the pathways is another area to contract for the next season. Until the amounts are known it will be hard to determine if the item should be completed by contract or the public works department. The Commissioners inquired about the safety of the tunnel under the Hwy 25 Bridge. Simola would check on the lighting under the bridge. 8. Consideration of establishing task force to study development of roller blade/skate board park facility. Mayor Fair suggested staff get estimates on hard surfacing an area in Bridge Park and also in the 4th Street Park that could be used by people using roller blades and skateboards. He was not opposed to allowing the skaters to bring in ramps. The hard surfaced area could be used for many other uses also, like community dances. There should be a better outdoor speaker system installed at Bridge Park. John Simola and Roger Mal..:k would get estimates on hard surfacing areas at 4th Street Park and Bridge Park. The Commission was in agreement that a hard surface area would be used but not in agreement as to where the area should be. This will be discussed further at the April meeting. Jeff O'Neill reminded the Commission that the $20,000 in the budget for Bridge Park was not intended to be the total amount needed in the park but was budgeted as seed money until such time that the downtown/riverfront development project was adopted. 9. Adopt a park program. Mayor Fair requested the Parks Commission expand on the adopt a park program that is currently established. There should be a budget for organizations or neighborhoods that would like to participate in the planning and maintenance of a city park. Criteria should be established for volunteers so there is direction yet freedom to participate. An example would be the amount of money budgeted for each project. Mayor Fair suggested that a program be established this year and implemented next. 10. Updates: A. Pathway Celebration - Wanda Kraemer, Development Service Technician, injured if the Parks Commissioners would be interested in participating in the pathway celebrations "Walk and Roll" again this year on Saturday, May 31,1997. The Commissioner were interested in having a site on the pathway this year to promote the pathway system and city parks. Kraemer would check into ideas for the site. B. Prioritization Meeting with City Council March 15, 1997 -Jeff O'Neill, Assistant Administrator, reported that the City Council met with staff and are in the process of Page 4 Park Commission Minutes - 3/20/97 . prioritizing projects and workload. The projects relating to parks have been rated as a priority. O'Neill will keep the Commissioner informed as to when the joint meetings with all the Commissions will be held. The project that has been rated as the highest priority is the National Guard Training Center due to the fact that it must be decided soon. c. Purchase of ball fields lights - Roger Mack reported the Council had authorized the purchase of ball field lights from the City of Edina. Mack had purchased 41 lights at $25 a piece. D. Monticello Hockey agreement - Jeff O'Neill, Assistant Administrator, stated the hockey agreement was included in the agenda packets just for the Commissions information. 11. Added items. Earl Smith requested a subcommittee be established on tree preservation. Earl Smith, Larry Nolan, Robbie Smith, and Roger Mack volunteered for this committee. 12. Adjourn. A MOTION WAS MADE BY EARL SMITH, SECONDED BY RICK TRAVER, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. Motion passed unanimously. . Wanda Kraemer Development Services Technician . Page 5 . . . ~ ~ ~ \ ~. \.\ g\i> ~~ ~~.~.~ l"';o I:i a"Jt1 ~ ItP'.... , C) -~ i2jg B:. () ~ tfi ""1 ~'itj \.., j':. ~ ~ "\...... . - -~r- _..-~ .~~-,~.~-'- ,-_--::--- .,-"-..- p,..~._~~.- ,'" ,.." ".==1- -,.,- _ '_' _. "---'----""-----j-'" 10'-0' 'l.~ 2:.<li ,~Olll, t'.o" "'-O'14'-a~ F,.,M Tl-lRU. 1 I 1 I I I I < II. I' 1..1 l~ I I I I I I I I .. 0: 6 ,~ .. ~ ~ l; L2~' o~~~.~. '" .. ~ .. I 0: ~ .. q: .. " .. ~ ~ :<: ~I;:} '" ill t.' l:.,. ---.J:c;-. ~ tl'l ;0 ~ .. ~ Ii (-.,'"" 0' 0: ~UI!l!~M&- Ul24"OI;. ..-"" 0'. I~'f. -- t .__.-1.L-_~------D .~~'--L-....."~: -~_. -~':f. -- ...1--' _..~,."._.~._ 20'-<JM -"._---,.............--",'.~,.,_.- ---ill---- .__'.'.._ "U .. -. ~-- -. .... ;.. ._._-~--.- .~;~"-_.. .......,... --; . . . Sonya Smith Scientific and Natural Areas Program Box 7 500 Lafayette Road St Paul MN 55155-4007 Jeff O'Neill Assistant Administrator City of Monticello PO Box 1147 250 East Broadway Monticello, MN 55362-9245 9 April 1997 Dear Jeff, Thanks so much for all of your work towards a prairie management plan for the Monticello area. Here is a draft of especially the ecological management recommendations for the area. I would greatly appreciate your comments not only on the content but also on the usefulness of the structure of the plan. If there is anything I can do to make it more accessible please let me know. A meeting with school representatives would be timely this spring, with a prescribed burn in the works. I would be happy to act as an information source in encouraging their interest in this project. I am available Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons if such a meeting time were possible for others. Thank you again for your continuing interest, until our next meeting. I Natural Areas Program gq DRAFT . MONTICELLO AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN Preservation Value The proposed management areas contain remnants of dry prairie and oak savanna previously common on the glacial outwash plains found along the Mississippi River. Although much of the area has become overgrown into a closed canopy oak woodland/forest, several small patches of prairie remain. Proper management will enhance existing dry prairie and oak savanna communities and result in the restoration of savanna communities. Additionally, management activities will provide native seed that can be used to reestablish these communities in old fields in the protected area. In an enhanced state, these natural communities can serve as an outdoor classroom for the neighboring human community. Education can occur both officially, through organized activities, and informally through recreational use of the managed area. . Overview of Natural Communities A. Dry sand prairie This site most nearly resembles the vegetation of the dry sand prairie, previously widespread along the Mississippi River. The distribution of dry prairie has been restricted by fire suppression and agriculture, and open prairie sites are intermingled with oak savanna and oak woodlands, indicating a process of succession. Characteristic species of the dry prairie are little bluestem, Indian grass, big bluestem are found in the prairie remnants at this site. However, smooth brome and Kentucky bluegrass, indicators of past disturbance are also present. B. Savanna/overgrown The oak savanna community type may have covered much of the area in question. A closed canopy of younger oaks has developed in the absence of fire, shading out native prairie species. Oak savanna is characterized by widely spaced bur oak trees with a largely horizontal, or open-grown, branching pattern. I GENERAL MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS The management area consists oflands owned by the City of Monticello, WrightCounty, and Northern States Power Company. Ecological differences as well as differing managment jurisdictions encourage each of these areas to be further discussed individually. This document has been provided by the Scientific and Natural Areas program of the MN Department of Natural Resources as a guide for the enhancement and management of native prairie and oak savanna communitites. Implementation of the following recommendations is the responsibility of the City of Monticello, Wright County, and Northern States Power Company. CITY OF MONTICELLO I PUBLIC USE . The location of this segment of prairie in the former Burmington Northern Railroad right of way along Highway 75 places it in a very public place from the beginning. A paved bicycle trail was installed on top of the grade, further increasing public access. Opportunities for public education gJJ . . . on this mile long stretch of prairie are many, including informational kiosks and school activities. II STRUCTURES AND FACILITIES The City of Monticello has an existing bicycle trail that passes through the proposed management area. In order to encourage futher use as a natural area, a kiosk identifying the ecological features of Prairie Creek Park is recommended at the entrance to the site. Native limestone benches and point of interest signs spaced within the park are recommended to encourage use and public interest in native prairie. The recent installation of a culvert has changed not only the topography, but the vegetation composition at one location. ACTION 2.1 Design and install permanent informational kiosks at the entrances to the managment area. The kiosk should discuss what a prairie is, management practices such as fire, and preservation value. ACTION 2.2 III MANAGEMENT OF NA ruRAL FEATURES Site Description The city owned property contains a mixture of prairie and overgrown oak savanna contained in a strip of land along the Burlington Northern Railroad right of way, between the railroad and Highway 75 west of Monticello. The three-quarter mile site contains scattered remnants of native priarie and oak savanna through which the city's recreational trail approximately to the entrance of Montississippi Park. Recommendations Ecological management measures for consideration would include: Step 1: Prescribed Burning Spring burning of the prairie is an effective way of enhancing native prairie species. Prescribed burns should be conducted every 2-5 years to maintain ecological diversity in the native species and reduce new woody growth. ACTION 3.1 Obtain and implement a burn plan for the management area. Burn Area #1 at least 2 years in a row to reduce woody plant cover and set back exotics. Burn Area 2 on a 2-5 year basis depending on invasions by woody species or exotics. Step 2: Seed Collection Volunteers (schools, citizens,e tc.) could be used to collect seeds, germinate seedlings to be replanted in the prairie to enhance the recolonization of native prairie species. ACTION 3.2 Identify native species and collect seed in the fall of each year after seeds have 2 gc- . . . hardened, usually after the first hard frost (September). Forb seeds may be collected during the summer when they set seed ACTION 3.3 Use this indigenous seed source to reestablish native species in highly disturbed areas. Step 3: Woody Regrowth During a spring burn, sumac that has been burned, will develop new growth. Approximately twice during the growing season, new growth should be cut back in order to deplete nutrient stores in the roots of individual plants and clones. ACTION 3.4 Following a spring burn, sumac should be monitored and new growth removed just before it hardens (approximately 1 July and 1 August). This should be continued until sumac has been erradicated, and may take several years. Step 4: Pine Removal. Ideally all pine should be removed from the prarie to reduce shading out of prairie species and the risk of wildfire. Recognizing this will probably not be acceptable to the community, the following management actions should be considered. All pines infected with White Pine Blister Rust should be removed from the present stands of pine. This will reduce the possibility of further infection. Fruther, selective thinning of overcrowded stands by removing stunted, understory pines reduces competition for light and soil resources within the stand. This will enable the prairie species to reinvade the corridor on the North side of the pines as well as enhancing the existing prairie. ACTION 3.5 Remove diseased and standing dead pines in the management area. All removal activities should occur in winter to preclude damage to the site. ACTION 3.6 Thin stunted pines from existing stands. Step 4: Deciduous Tree Removal. Removal of box elder, siberian elm, and buckthorn trees will prevent these non-native species from further colonization of the prairie area and open the canopy, enhancing the resident prairie. ACTION 3.7 Remove non-oak deciduous species. An herbicide, such as Round Up should be applied to the cut stump to prevent resprouting. Step 5: Oak Management Selectively thinning the oak stands will enhance the savanna characteristics of the management area. Bur oaks greater than 12" in diameter and selected multi-stemmed oaks should be identified for retention and all other oaks removed. All timber activities should occur when the 3 tJ . . . ground is frozen and snow covered to prevent damage to the prairie. ACTION 3.8 Removal of small and/or woodland grown oaks. We recommend a city crew or single entity to ensure protection of the site. MONTISSISSIPPI PARK. WRIGHT COUNTY I PUBLIC USE Recreational use of Montississippi Park is expected. Presently walking and cross-country ski trails exist within the park. Access to a fishing pier is provided by entrance roads. Camping, vehical use of trails? I STRUCTURES AND FACILITIES Montississippi Park is acessed by a single entrance road. A parking lot large enough for ~ vehicles, a fishing pier are present and maintained by the park. Trailheads are marked by kiosks providing ~infonnation. III MANAGEMENT OF NA TURAL FEATURES Site Description The site contained in Wright County park shows evidence of past management for oak savanna and dry prairie enhancement. Significant native prairie species are present in an old field or pasture area, while oak savanna remnants and pine plantations surround this open area. Previous burning and limited pine removal have been effective in preserving small areas of native dry prairie in Montississippi Park. Viable remnants are present that, with further management, could become still more diverse and stable examples of native dry prairie. Recommendations The following are suggested land management measures for Montississippi Park. Step 1: Prescribed Burning A consistent(yearly???) prescribed burning plan is of primary concern in enhancing native prairie species. Such a burning schedule should prove effective in erradicating existing populations of Po a and Bromus, while encouraging the expansion of native populations. Burn breaks should be maintained by mowing, b1acklining or raking in order to have the lowest impact on the existing communities. ACTION 3.1 Delineate and maintain burn breaks around existing prairie. ACTION 3.2 Achieve a quality prairie through annual burning in areas with bluegrass and brome as major species components. 4 (~ . . . ACTION 3.3 Within this newly established prairie conduct prescribed burns every 2-5 years to maintain ecological diversity. Step 2: Pine Removal As pine is not a native component to the dry prairie and oak savanna ecosystems, ideally all pine should be removed. Pine stands in this area increase the hazard involved in the controlled burning required to maintain native prairie species. Isolated individuals or groups of pines may be desireable in maintaining shade along trails within the park where it is impossible to relocate a trail. However, eventually all of the existing pine plantation should be removed and fire treatment used to return the site to native prairie. ACTION 3.4 Pines adjacent to the prairie should be removed to minimize fire hazard. Pine could be cut and stacked in piles during the summer for winter burning after snow fall. Step 3: Eastern Red Cedar Removal Eastern red cedar (juniper) has become prominent in the prairie area due to fire suppression. All mature eastern red cedar found in the prairie management area should be cut. ACTION 3.5 Cedar should be cut and piled in the stump area, where ground comver is dominated by needles from the tree to minimize damage prairie species. Step 4: Leafy Spurge Manage for leafy spurge. ACTION NORTHERN STATES POWER COMPANY I PUBLIC USE Property owned by Northern States Power would be open for educational activities. Public use near the meteorological tower, air sampling station, and other structures is discouraged. II STRUCTURES AND FACILITIES Northern States Power Monticello Nuclear Generating plant is subject to regulation by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. All prairie management techniques must concur to these regulations. Additionally, the meteorological and air sampling stations must remain buffered from public use. III MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL FEATURES 5 8~ . . . Site Description The most northern portion of this site appears to be dry oak forest and with grazed or previously farmed fields interspersed (see map). Spring may reveal the presence of other savanna or prairie species. Towards the easttThe site appears to be overgrown oak savanna. The most southern tip of this sub site containing the most obvious savanna characteristics. South along the Mississippi, contains a mixture of oak savanna and oak woodland! savanna. Both show signs of disturbance. A leafy spurge infestation is present in the more open, oak savanna areas. Two patches of prairie are present in this sub-site. Both contain disturbance indicator species, one with sumac, but also a variety of native prairie species. Recommendations The following management recommendation can be enacted sequentially to address the ecological concerns in the second and third sites, on Northern States Power owned property. Step 1: Prescribed Burning The most southern and eastern portions of the NSP property that border Montississippi Park should be burned. Prescribed burning maintains the open quality of the prairie/ oak savanna areas, encourages the growth of native prairie grass species and inhibits colonization by woody species. In order to adequately control a prescribed burn, fire breaks must be constructed and maintained. These fire breaks are to cause minimum disturbance to the natural community thus only mowing, raking and black-lining are recommended. ACTION 3.1 Construct and maintain fire breaks around the designated prairie restoration areas on Northern States Power property. Step 2: Woody Regrowth New growth on exotic brushy species such as sumac be lopped off twice during the growing season following a spring burn. This constant removal of new growth reduces root stores of the individual or clone. ACTION 3.2 Lopping of post- burn growth on sumac at approximately 6 week intervals after a spring burn. Step 3: Seed Collection In order to provide seed for restoration of old fields in the area, existing prairie areas should be harvested. A combine or volunteers can be used during the fall of the year to accomplish this end. The prairie restoration area as well as 'B' to the west of the power plant are diverse existing seed banks. The Department of Transportation or prairie resoration companies are potential sources of necessary equipment. ACTION 3.3 Harvest seed from existing prairie. 6 87 . . . Step 4: Oak Removal Opening the canopy is an important first step in reestablishing oak savanna in an overgrown oak woodland. The oak woodland found on Northern States Power property west of the plant could be returned to oak savanna by such a thinning of the canopy. A relatively cost-effective manner to achieve this end is opening the area to a timber or fuelwood sale. Winter harvesting of trees in designated areas by the public creates an open canopy with minimum impact on the underlying soil and shrub layers. Bur oaks with a diameter greater than 12" and occasional multi-stemmed clusters should be identified as desired components of the savanna ecosystem. A timber appraisal of the remaining standing forest will identify the amount an value of timber available for harvest. ACTION 3.4 Designate and delineate areas of the forest harvestable in a single season. ACTION 3.5 Identify individuals to be preserved and conduct timber appraisal on remaining trees. ACTION 3.6 Auction timber harvesting rights and provide adequate information to insure the protection of the habitat. Step 5: Prescribed Burning for Oak Savanna Conduct prescribed burns from edges through the newly opened savanna areas to eliminate slash and undergrowth and to enhance the existing native oak savanna undergrowth. 7 g~