Parks Commission Minutes 11-21-1996
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MINurES
REGULAR MEETING - PARKS COMMISSION
Thursday, November 21, 1996 - 4:30 p.m.
Members Present: Bruce Thielen, Larry Nolan, Fran Fair, Robbie Smith
Members Absent: Earl Smith
Staff Present: Jeff O'Neill, Roger Mack, Wanda Kraemer
1. Call meetin~ to order.
Chairman Thielen called the meeting to order.
2. Consideration of approvin~ the minutes for the regular meetin~ October 24,
.l.9llii
COMMISSIONER FAIR MADE A MOTION SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER R. SMITH TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE
OCTOBER 24, 1996 MEETING.
3.
Add items.
Chairman Thielen stated because of his election to the City Council, January
1,1997, he would be stepping down from Parks Commission in December.
Thielen requested a nomination to replace him as chairperson on the
commission. After a short discussion, COMMISSIONER FAIR MADE A
MOTION SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER R. SMITH TO ELECT LARRY
NOLAN AS THE PARKS CHAIRPERSON. Commissioner Nolan would
replace Commissioner Thielen as Chair at the December meeting.
The Commissioners added discussion on requesting a comprehensive park
plan and a snowmobile barricade on the Otter Creek Bridge.
4. Dan Woucha/DNR - Presentation on Prairie Remanents.
Dan W oucha, DNR, gave a presentation informing the Commissioners on
remanents of prairie and savanna on land owned by the City, NSP, and
Burlington Railroad are perhaps the only opportunity left to restore and
preserve the large area of the Mississippi River area. W oucha stated he had
observed many areas with relatively good native species composition. There
are many other areas that are either overrun with sumac or that have some
native prairie plants but are dominated by exotic grasses. These areas
should recover well with buming, possibly combined with planting of seeds
collected from the core areas of healthy prairie. Most of the savanna that he
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Parks Commission Minutes - 11-21-96
looked at in the area are overgrown and would also benefit greatly from fire.
If the savannas were burned inward from the edges it is very likely that
prairie plants from adjacent prairie would recolonize the understory as the
tree canopy become more open. The amount ofland owned by the City of
Monticello and NSP, in contrast, is large enough to make a viable prairie and
savanna preserve. The area probably represents a unique opportunity in
Minnesota for restoration of mesic prairie and oak savanna on level sandy
terrain.
Woucha added Minnesota's interests in protecting these natural
environments as part of the state's historical and biological heritage began in
1891 when Itasas State Park was established to preserve remnants of the
primeval pine forests. Today, public resource agencies and private
conservations organizations are cooperating to establish a network of
preserves that represents Minnesota's extant natural ecosystems.
Developing such a network depends on accurate ecological information.
Comprehensive date on the distributions and status of intact biotic
communities is now being compiled by the Minnesota County Biological
Survey. Initiated in 1987, and conducted in cooperation with the Natural
Heritage and Nongame Wildlife Programs, the survey systematically gathers,
county-by-county, information on Minnesota's rate nature habitats and the
plans and animals they shelter.
The information was followed by a filmstrip presentation showing numerous
species of native plants still in this area today.
After the presentation, the commission members discussed working together
with NSP and Wright County to restore this area and also researching state
grants. Chairman Thielen stated the state had a combine and drill that could
be possibly used for planting. This would be added to the December agenda
for further discussion.
5. Review Boulevard Ordinance~trimmin~ trees.
The Commissioners discussed changing the ordinance regarding trimming
trees. It currently states property owners abutting boulevard are responsible
for maintenance. The Commissioners requested language added to the
ordinance allowing trees to be trimmed at the City's discretion.
COMMISSIONER R. SMITH MADE A MOTION SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER FAIR TO HAVE STAFF DRAFT A RESOLUTION TO
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Parks Commission Minutes - 11-21-96
CHANGE THE TEXT FOR PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAYS/BOULEVARDS IN
THE ORDINANCE AND BRING BACK TO THE NEXT MEETING.
6.
Snowmobile Ordinance/Pathway Snow Removal Update.
The Commissioners discussed changing the text in the snowmobile ordinance
to add pathways. 6-5-2 (F) - Restrictions: On any sidewalks or pathways in
the city of Monticello. THE PARKS COMMISSION MADE A
RECOMMENDATION TO BRING THE ORDINANCE CHANGE TO THE
COUNCIL MEETING ON DECEMBER 9, 1996.
Also, how to enforce the ordinance was discussed. Because the
recommendation to keep the pathway plowed had been denied at the last
City Council meeting other ways needed to be used. The options suggested
were the use of more signage and a barricade on Otter Creek Bridge. Roger
Mack, Parks Superintendent, stated he had been told by the Public Works
director not to install a barricade on the bridge because the insurance
company would not insure the City. Chairman Thielen stated he had faxed
the state statute on this issue to the City and if proper signage was used a
barricade could be installed. He added that the City needs to use reasonable
care but if the barricades are not installed there could be permanent damage
done to the bridge this winter.
THE PARKS COMMISSION MADE A RECOMMENDATION TO HAVE
STAFF PRESENT A LETTER, PROTESTING THE DECISION NOT TO
PLOW THE PATHWAY, AT THE FIRST COUNCIL MEETING IN
JANUARY.
7. Discussion on Minnesota Recreation and Park Association State Conference.
The Commissioners and staff who had attended the state conference reported
that the conference had been excellent.
8. Discussion on advertisin~ for Park Commission Member.
The Commissioners discussed advertising for Bruce Thielen's vacancy.
Everyone agreed because of it being the holiday season this should wait until
January.
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9.
MCP updates.
A. Board Meeting - J eff O'Neill reported the MCP Board was in the
process of interviewing for a project manger.
B. Pathway - Wanda Kraemer reported the date May 31, 1997, was
set for the pathway celebration this Spring.
C. Farmers Market - The MCP is researching a Farmers Market in
Monticello next summer. Kraemer inquired if the Parks
Commission would be interested in sponsoring entertainment in
West Bridge Park during this event or if that would be
Community Education? This will be discussed in more detail at
a future meeting.
D. Christmas tree at Pine and Broadway - At the last meeting,
Mack and Thielen had volunteered to provide a Christmas Tree
at the intersection of Pine and Broadway by the Chamber Office.
This was confirmed for the first week in December.
10. Added items.
The Commissioners discussed the need for a Comprehensive Park Plan. It
was the consensus to request this item at the January meeting.
The added item of a gate or barricade on the Otter Creek Bridge was
discussed with Item 6.
11. Adjourn.
COMMISSIONER FAIR MADE A MOTION SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER NOLAN TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
Respectfully submitted,
())0t<<J0~elJlL:~
Wanda Kraemer
Development Services Technician
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