Parks Commission Minutes 02-21-1996
Minutes
Regular Meeting Parks Commission
Wednesday, February 21,1996.4:30 p.m.
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Members Present: Larry Nolan, Steve Andrews, Fran Fair, Earl Smith
Members Absent: Bruce Thielen
Staff Present:
Jeff O'Neill, Roger Mack, Wanda Kraemer
1. Call meeting to order.
Acting Chairman Larry Nolan called the meeting to order.
2. Consideration of approvin(: the minutes for the re(:Ular meeting January la, 1996.
COMMISSIONER SMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 10,
1996 MINUTES. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FAIR. Motion passed
unanimously.
3.
Consideration of moving the parks meetings to the Srd -Thursday at 4:30 p.m.
After a brief discussion it was decided to change the meeting date from the Srd-
Wednesday to the Srd-Thursday of the month. COMMISSIONER SMITH MADE A
MOTION TO CHANGE THE PARKS MEETING DATE TO THE 3RD-THURSDAY
OF THE MONTH. SECONDED BY FRAN FAIR. Motion passed unanimously.
. 4.
Discuss strate~es for movin~ forward with the Shade Tree Pro~am.
Jeff O'Neill, Assistant Administrator, inquired as to ideas the Commissioner had
that would help move forward with the tree program. Staff has not been able to
spend the time needed to research the tree program. The main areas that need to
be researched are:
A. A list of recommended trees for builders and new home owners
B. Update the City Tree Ordinance
1. Include trees on building permits
2. Size and location of trees
C. Target planting areas for new trees
1. School Blvd.
2. Original section of City
D. Budget maintenance of existing trees
E. A program for replacing Elm Tree vacancies
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The Commissioners discussed the Shade Tree Program and decided to move
forward by creating a sub-committee to research the items needed. EARL SMITH
MADE A MOTION TO FORM A SUBCOMMITTEE WITH TWO PARKS
COMMISSIONERS AND ROGER MACK, PARKS SUPERINTENDENT TO
RESEARCH THE SHADE TREE PROGRAM. SECONDED BY FRAN FAIR.
Motion passed unanimously.
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Parks Commission Minutes - 02-21-96
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Acting Chairman Nolan inquired if any Commissioner would like to volunteer to be
on the Shade Tree Committee. Earl Smith volunteered.
Acting Chairman Nolan said he would check his schedule and if any other
Commissioners would like to volunteer call Roger Mack at City Hall. Roger Mack
would contact committee members for the first meeting.
5. NSP/Montissippi Park joint venture.
Jeff O'Neill, Assistant Administrator, reported that he had met with Bruce Thielen,
Wright County Parks, Darrin Lahr and Bob Grabinski, from NSP, to discuss the
City, County, and NSP working together to develop trails and nature areas
through the NSP land that will connect to the Montissippi Park. The next step
would be to work on conceptual drawing of where the trails would connect to
Montissippi Park from NSP to the West and from the City's pathway system to the
East.
The Parks Commission thought this would be a tremendous opportunity for the
City to extend the current pathway system and to work together with the County
and NSP. Commissioner Fair suggested a tour of the NSP area so the
Commissioners could get a better idea of the pathway design and possibilities.
. 6.
Snowmobiles on pathway.
The Commissioners discussed if the snowmobile traffic had affected the pathway.
It was a consensus that as long as the pathway was not plowed it would be hard to
regulate the snowmobile use. Commissioner Smith commented the area along
County Road 75 was designated as a snowmobile trail. There was some discussion
as to where this trail is located. Jeff O'Neill, Assistant Administrator, stated that
the snowmobile trail is between County Road 75 and the pathway not on the
pathway. Other Commissioners commented that snowmobiles have become a
problem. Many snowmobilers are snowmobiling all night on private property. The
Sheriffs office has commented that it is almost impossible to regulate them. The
City Council will decide if the pathway should be plowed or not. Public works is
going to estimate the cost and report to the Council. Ifit is plowed the
snowmobiles will probably not use them. This item will be put on the agenda in
July to review before the next winter season.
7. Monticello Community Partners (MCP)'
A.
Fran Fair-Parks Commission representative on MCP board.
.
Jeff O'Neill, Assistant Administrator, reported to the Commissioners
that Fran Fair was chosen to represent the Parks Commission on the
MCP Board. The board consists of a member from the City Council,
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Parks Commission Minutes - 02-21-96
Planning Commission, Parks Commission, HRA, Chamber,
Merchants, and three citizens at large.
B.
Pathway Grand Opening
Wanda Kraemer, DST, reported that the MCP Promotions Committee's
first "event" will the Grand Opening of the Pathway system. The
celebration is being planned for June 1st, with events all along the
pathway from 10 a.m to 12 p.m. and at Bridge Park from 11 am. to 1
p.m. In the park will be jazz music, concessions and activities for
children.
8. Adjourn
FRAN FAIR MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. SECONDED BY
EARL SMITH. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
W~K~
Wanda Kraemer
Development Services Technician
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