Parks Commission Minutes 03-21-1996
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MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING. PARKS COMMISSION
Thursday, March 21, 1996
Members Present: Bruce Thielen, Earl Smith, Steve Andrews,
Larry Nolan, Fran Fair.
Staff Present: Jeff O'Neill, Roger Mack, Wanda Kraemer
1. Call meeting to order.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Thielen.
2. Consideration of a.pprovin~ the minutes for the regular meetin~ Febnlary 21, 1996.
FRAN FAIR MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 21,
1996. SECONDED BY EARL SMITH. Motion passed unanimously.
3. Consideration of adding agenda items.
There were no agenda items added.
4.
Report from Shade Tree Sub-Committee. (Roger Mack, Larry Nolan, Earl Smith)
Larry Nolan reported that the subcommittee had revised the Tree and Shrub ordinance
that each of the Park's Commissioners received. The committee made some word changes
and reviewed the list of accepted trees. Roger Mack stated the list in the ordinance was
derived from a tree school information list that he had received. The following trees were
deleted from the list: Ohio Buckeye, Horse Chestnut, Russian Olive, White Ash, Ginkgo,
Imperial Honeylocust, Skyline Locust, Radiant Flowering Crabapple, Red Splendor
Flowering Crabapple, Various Flowering Crabapple, Iron Wood, and Amur Corktree.
These trees were added to the list: Amur Maple, Amur Chokecherry, Evergreen, (and the
words others subject to review).
The trees will be required to be planted on the boulevard 4 to 8 feet behind the curb.
Trees dug out of the wild will not be accept. The Commission strongly suggested a trunk
diameter of at least 2 inches be enforced. The City Forester will be notified and inspect
the trees before a certificate of occupancy is given for a new home.
EARL SMITH MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE TREE AND SHRUBS ORDINANCE
BUT TO HAVE THE SUBCOMMITTEE COMPARE OTHER ORDINANCES BEFORE
TH FINAL COpy IS SENT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND CITY COUNCIL.
SECONDED BY FRAN FAIR. Motion passed unanimously.
5.
Tour of NSP property and discuss trail system.
There will be a tour of the NSP property on April 25, 1996 at 4:30 p.m. to discuss the trail
system from the City, to Montissippi Park, to NSP. Commission Nolan would arrange the
tour with NSP. Darrin Lahr and Bob Grabinski would be invited to tour also.
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Parks Commission Minutes - 03/21/96
Additional ballfields at NSP Park.
The need for additional ballfields was discussed and decided to add this to the 1997
budget planning agenda.
7. New park site (Watertower Park),
Earl Smith reported that the Lions are looking for a park their club could adopt. The
Commissioners discussed the water tower area and thought this might be an ideal
opportunity for the Lions. Earl Smith was not sure what size park the Lions were
interested in. Jeff O'Neill stated he would send an adopt a park policy to Earl Smith for
the Lions. The water tower area would be a great picnic area but is not large enough for a
ball field. Earl Smith thought the water tower area should be dedicated as park land and
then presented to the Lions as an option. EARL SMITH MADE A MOTION TO
PRESENT THE WATER TOWER AREA TO THE CITY COUNCIL AS A FUTURE PARK
SITE. SECONDED BY FRAN FAIR. Motion passed unanimously.
8.
Bridge Park - Pier site
The Commisison discussed a fishing pier at Bridge Park. The bank is steep and it would
be difficult to have a pier at this site. Ellison Park was also discussed. There is still the
concern that the water depth is not adequate for a pier at this site. Commissioner Theilen
reported that Wright County is adding a fishing pier to Montissippi Park. Theilen stated
if the Commissioners are interested it would be wise to apply because it does take time
once a City is on the list to actually get a pier. By the time
9.
Briar Oakes Second Addition.
J eft' O'Neill, Assistant Administrator, reported that the second phase of the Briar Oakes
development will begin this year. He explained the pathway system through the
development and the connection to the present system.
10.
Consideration of requesting public works department to conduct m~or tree trimmini at
East and West Bridge Parks. Request from MCP Design Committee.
The Parks Commission reviewed the request from the MCP Design Committee to conduct
tree trimming at East and West Bridge park by the public works department. The
trimming request is intended to improve the appearance of the park and open the view of
the river. Roger Mack, Park Superintendent suggested that he meet with a subcommittee
to determine the amount of time involved in the trimming. If the public works
department does not have time this spring other volunteers will be "recruited".
Commissioner Fair added that the Design Committees intent was to show that citizens
and city staff are willing to spend time to volunteer in the redevelopment process. A
meeting was set up for the following week at Bridge Park.
Parks Commission Minutes - 03/21/96
. 11. Discuss snowmobile ordinance pertaining to trails.
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This will be discussed after the City Council decides if the pathways should be kept open
all winter.
12. Other.
The Parks Commissioners were asked to recommend projects for the Monticello High
School Connect Four students. Mary Jepson, Connect Four instructor, has a number of
students willing to help the city with clean up or planting projects.
13. AQjourn.
STEVE ANDREWS MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. SECONDED BY
EARL SMITH.
Respectfully submitted,
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Wanda Kraemer
Development Services Technician
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