Parks Commission Minutes 03-20-1997
.
.
.
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING w PARKS COMMISSION
Thursday, March 20, 1997 w 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 113 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 plan 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 bum 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 18, 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
D.
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 OaklBriar 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.
ISTEA grant finals. April 15. 1997
The next segment will be announced April 9, 1997 with final results April 15.
Page 2
Park Commission Minutes - 3/20/97
5.
Discussion on landscapin~ 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 cover 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 incorporate 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 specific 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
unanimously.
. 7.
Discussion on contract maintenance (mowing and tree trimmine. snow removal)
Page 3
Park Commission Minutes - 3/20/97
.
John Simola, 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 Mack 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 proi;ram.
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, i~ed 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.
uJ 0vn0I0\ K ~111Jl-/'--.
Wanda Kraemer
Development Services Technician
Page 5