Parks Commission Minutes 07-18-1996
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PARKS
REGULAR MEETING - PARKS COMMISSION
Thursday, July 18, 1996.4:30 p.m.
Members Present: Larry Nolan, Fran Fair, Earl Smith
Members Absent: Bruce Thielen
Staff Present: Jeff O'Neill, Roger Mack, Wanda Kraemer
1. Call meetin~ to order.
Acting Chairman Nolan called the meeting to order.
2. Consideration of approving minutes for the re~ar meeting ~June 20, 1996, and the
Special Meeting Minutes of July 11, 1996.
COMMISSIONER SMITH MADE A MOTION, SECONDED BY FAIR TO
APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 20, 1996 MEETING. Motion carried
unanimously.
The Commissioners discussed the minutes of the July 11, 1996 meeting. A
clarification on item number five, a joint project of paved pathways at Montissippi
Park, was changed to a paved pathway through Hillcrest Addition to the entrance of
Montissippi Park. There was also the question of the pathway system being a
transportation cost not a parks budget item. This would be discussed further during
the budget discussions.
COMMISSIONER SMITH MADE A MOTION, SECONDED BY FRAN FAIR TO
APPROVE THE JULY 11,1996 MINUTES WITH CHANGES. Motion carried
unanimously.
3. Interviews for Parks Commission membership:
Morie Malone and Robbie Smith were interviewed for the Park Commission vacancy
created when Steve Andrews was appointed to the HRA. The candidates were
interviewed with a series of questions from the Commissioners. Both applicants
seemed qualified and very interested in community involvement. The
Commissioners discussed expanding the commission from five to seven members but
because this change would need to be discussed in more detail one was chosen.
Robbie Smith was chosen with the suggestion to keep Morie Malone's application for
future use. The City Council will approve the applicant at the July 22, 1996
meeting.
AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY FRAN FAIR AND SECONDED
BY EARL SMITH TO RECOMMEND ROBBIE SMITH TO THE POSITION OF
PARKS COMMISSION MEMBER AND TO INFORM MORI MALONE THAT THE
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Parks Commission Minutes - 07/18/96
COMMISSION WILL BE LOOKING AT EXPANDING THE NUMBER OF PARKS
COMMISSION MEMBERS TO 7 AND TO THANK HER FOR HER
PARTICIPATION AND EXPRESS THE HOPE THAT IN THE EVENT THE PARKS
COMMISSION MEMBERSHIP IS EXPANDED THAT SHE WOULD APPLY FOR
THE POSITION. Motion carried unanimously.
4.
Working with the Rotary on community projects-
Ollie Koropchak, Rotary President
Ollie Koropchak, Rotary President, reported to the Parks Commission the Rotary
club would be very interested in working with them on future projects. In particular
was the Prairie West Addition Park next to Otter Creek. This is an area that will
need extensive clean up and the developer, John Komarek, is seeking community
help. Koropchak added once the park design is complete the Rotary Club might be
interested in helping with the funds to add benches, shelter, or playground
equipment in the park. This will depend on the type of park that is chosen by the
Commission and consensus by the Rotary club.
The Commissioners were very enthusiastic about working with the Rotary Club and
told Koropchak to report back when the Rotary had voted on the project.
Koropchak also asked the Parks Commission's opinion on the City having a Yard of
the Week award. This type of contest has been done in other communities and has
helped to promote yard maintenance and cleanup. Each week an award for flowers,
gardens, manicured laws, and possibility porches would be presented.
The Commissioners commented on this being a good idea for positive cleanup.
When more of the details have been decided the Parks Commission would like
Koropchak to keep them informed.
5. Report on MCP picture survey
Pam Campbell, MCP Design Committee Chaiz:person
Pam Campbell, MCP Design Committee Chairperson, reported to the Parks
Commission the preliminary results of a photo survey taken in Monticello. The
object of the survey was to find out what the people liked or would like to see
changed in Monticello. There were 320 pictures taken by a variety of people and
25% of the pictures were complimentary to the park system. Campbell did not
include the pathway pictures in this total. She estimated another 25 pictures in
favor of the pathway system.
The Commissioners asked Campbell if any pictures or comments indicated a need to
improve any areas in the existing parks.
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Parks Commission Minutes - 07/18/96
Campbell stated the improvements were as follows: trim trees in Ellision Park and
Bridge Park to allow for a better view to the river.
6.
Park on 7th Street (Lions) .
The Commission discussed the area by 7th Street, owned by the City, as a possiblity
for the Lions Club to adopt. There will also be a 16 acre park in the Klein Farms
Development in the near future. (See item #10) The Commission would be willing to
work with the Lions once there was a site established.
Wanda Kraemer left the meeting early; Jeff O'Neill completed the minutes.
7. Bridl;:'e Park report.
After discussion on potential methods for maintaining the river bank, it was
determined that a decision with regard to stabilization of the bank would wait until
the Hoisington-Koegler group finished their downtown/riverfront planning effort.
8.
Future park planning - comp plan.
Jeff O'Neill, Assistant Administrator, reported that he would be summarizing the
items listed in a narrative report, which would include budget information. The
narrative would be describing the underlying reasons for the budget items listed to
date.
The idea of development of a canoe shuttle was discussed. It was determined that
the idea of a canoe shuttle made sense because it's one of the relatively few activities
that can be done on the river. It was suggested that perhaps rafting and innertube
shuttles could also be developed. A plan for determining what organization would
provide the shuttle and how the service would be provided, etc., was not discussed.
However, it was determined that the idea should be included in the future park
planning document.
The group also discussed frustration it has had in completing various projects and
noted that the community is very open and willing to engage in current and future
projects, but projects have languished due to insufficient City staff support. O'Neill
noted that as part of the park planning process, he will outline a request for
additional staff support in the area of park development.
9.
Continued budget discussion.
This item was discussed under item #8.
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10.
Klein Farms Park.
O'Neill noted that Tony Emmerich is interested in developing the Klein Farms
project under a different concept utilizing the area that has the old oak trees and the
pond as a park area that would be shared by the entire community. Emmerich
noted, however, that he did not want to pursue this avenue if the Parks Commission
was interested in the 16-acre site on the northwest quadrant of the property.
After discussion, the Parks Commission recognized the unique character of the pond
and oak tree area and determined that its value could be realized ifit would be
allowed to be developed as common space versus private space. O'Neill noted that
Emmerich is willing to develop an active ballfield area at a nearby location on the
220 acres he owns south of Kjellbergs East Mobile Home Park.
AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY EARL SMITH AND
SECONDED BY FRAN FAIR TO SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT OF A PLAT OF THE
KLEIN FARMS SOUTH PROPERTY THAT WOULD INCLUDE PARK
DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA OF THE OLD OAK TREE AND POND AREA.
Motion carried unanimously.
A special meeting of the Parks Commission was called for August 5 at 4:30 p.m. for
the purpose of final review of the budget, along with a tour of the parks. One goal of
the meeting would be to try to determine where the Lions Park should be located.
15.
Earl Smith noted that the Canadian Cherry trees on the city hall grounds obscure
the nice architecture of the building and are relatively old and beginning to die off.
It was his view that the appearance of the city hall grounds would be enhanced if
the trees were trimmed back or removed.
AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY EARL SMITH AND
SECONDED BY FRAN FAIR TO REMOVE THE CANADIAN CHERRY TREES AT
CITY HALL OR TO TRIM THEM BACK. Motion carried unanimously.
16. COMMISSION FAIR MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SMITH.
Respectfully submitted,
uJ ();}1t1o.. )( At! (l/Jne/l.
Wanda Kraemer
Development Services Technician
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