Parks Commission Minutes 09-17-1998
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MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - PARKS COMMISSION
Thursday, September 17, 1998 - 4:30 p.m.
Members:
Larry Nolan, Fran Fair, Earl Smith, Rick Traver, Jennifer Fearing
1. Call meeting to order.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Larry Nolan.
2. Consideration of approving the minutes for the August 20. 1998 meeting.
EARL SMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR THE
AUGUST 20, 1998 MEETING. SECONDED BY JENNIFER FEARING. Motion
passed unanimously.
3. Consideration of adding items to the agenda.
There were no items added to the agenda.
4.
Citizens request.
Two members of the Hockey Association, Jeff Francis/Vice President and Tom Bitzer/4th
Street Coordinator reported to the commission that Greg Engle, Park Superintendent and
his crew had done an excellent job of cleaning up the 4th Street warming house building.
The inside and outside had been painted and bigger shelving added. Bitzer gave a
history on the progress made in the last year with working with the city and sharing the
responsibilities of the rink maintenance.
Each year in the fall the agreement between the City and the Hockey Association is
reviewed and updated. This keeps everyone aware of what is expected of each group.
Greg Engle had not seen the contract and wanted to read it before suggesting any
changes.
Engle would meet with the Hockey Association and update the agreement for the 98-99
hockey season.
5. Discussion on soccer fields at 7th Street - Report
Steve Grittman, City Planner, discussed the following possible sites for a soccer complex:
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. 1. NSP City Fields - ifNSP agreed there could be fields added to the complex.
There was discussion on ifNSP agreed to extend the area for fields should it be
only for baseball/softball or mixed with soccer.
2. There is acreage along West River Street that is privately owned. This could be
purchased for a soccer complex.
3. Montissippi Park This is a county park with ample room to add soccer fields.
The park has been more of a passive park in the past and
the addition of soccer fields would need county approval.
The Parks Commission agreed it would be worth discussion
with the County on a partnership to add fields. The City
would maintain the fields.
4. 7th Street The City currently owns this property and the Commission
liked the idea of the view from the freeway and that the
land was already owned by the City. There have been
developers interested in this property for commercial use.
The decision would be if it would be better for the City to
sell the property for commercial use and purchase park land
in another location or add soccer fields in this area.
. 5. Minnesota St. There is property for sale in this area. It is adjacent to
RuH's Auto Repair so it is not ideal for residential housing.
6. Freeway Fields There is already a soccer field in this location. It was
discussed to purchase additional land to the west of the
existing park for soccer fields. This land is for sale at this
time.
7. River Mill Park Construction will start in the spring of 99 on the River Mill
Park. There would be room for one full sized field in this
location.
8. Future Regional Park The southwest area is an area in the comp plan for a
regional park. This could be a soccer complex like NSP
City Fields has baseball.
9.
Church land
There is a church on Hwy. 25 across from Kjellberg's that
might be interested in letting a portion of their property be
used for a temporary field
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The Commissioners discussed all of the sites and seem to agree that either Montissippi or
the 7th Street area work the best. Jeff O'Neill, as a member of the soccer association,
stated that there are over 600 kids playing soccer this fall and within the next two years
there will not be enough fields to accommodate the program. The Commissioners
discussed the issue and agreed the City will need to plan for the increase in the near
future. Jeff O'Neill would call and talk to the Wright County Park Supervision to discuss
the possibility of soccer fields at the Montissippi Park.
6.
Planning items
A. Discussion on Bridge Park changes.
Steve Grittman, City Planner, discussed the purchasing of the Carlson property
along the river with the Commission. The HRA had requested the Parks
Commissions opinion on this subject. The Parks Commission agreed that the
purchasing of river property for public use has been a priority.
EARL SMITH MADE A MOTION TO RECOMMEND TO THE HRA AND
CITY COUNCIL TO CONTINUE THE PROCESS OF PURCHASING BLOCK
64 AND THAT THE PARKS COMMISSION IS INTERESTED BUT DOES
NOT HAVE THE FUNDS A V AILABLE THROUGH THE BUDGETARY
PROCESS AT THIS TIME. SECONDED BY RICK TRAVER. Motion passed
unanimously.
7.
Park Maintenance items - Gregg Engle.
Gregg Engle, Park Superintendent, reported on maintenance items that had been priority.
Mr. Engle reviewed the plan developed by Jean Emmonds, intern with the DNR. He
stated that Jean Emmonds had completed her plan for an interpretive area in the Prairie
West Addition and wanted the Commissioners opinion on the plan. The interpretive area
would be a 20 to 25 foot circle with sections of native grasses and flowers identified. It
was discussed that it was important to keep the park a groomed area but the interpretive
center would be a good way to identify the native plants and then continue the
identification with signs along the pathway from Jerry Liefeter to West River Road.
JENNIFER FEARING MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE INTERPRETIVE
CENTER PLAN COMPLETED BY JEAN EMMONDS. SECONDED BY EARL
SMITH. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Engle explained procedures for a more efficient process regarding grass cutting, tree
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trimming, and weed control in the next season. There has been measures taken at Bridge
Park to help with vandalism and safety. One of the measures taken was to install a video
camera under the bridge to record the action. He reported on each park where
maintenance had been completed.
It was suggested to promote the watering of the trees planted in spring of this year.
8. Discussion on budget cuts.
Gregg Engle, Park Superintendent, suggested the following budget cuts. He did state
there was equipment that was needed to do the park maintenance efficiently. He deferred
the following items to the 1999 budget: $10,000 for bleachers and goals and $3,000 for
landscape rake and leveler bar for skid loader. Mr. Engle reduce the $50,000 to $25,000
for ADA improvements, reduce the $7,000 to $5,000 for Prairie Creek Park
improvements, reduce the $7,500 to 2,000 for surveys of existing parks, reduce $10,000
to $4,000 for park signs, reduce $80,000 to 65,000 for River Mill Park.
The Commission requested the five year park plan be revised to show a more realistic
total. They requested a line item for future park development because it is unknown how
many subdivisions will be added to the City in the next five years. This should be
provided at the next meeting.
9.
Discussion on format for River Mill Park meeting.
Next the format for the neighborhood meeting for the River Mill subdivision was
discussed. Gregg Engle, Park Superintendent, eXplained that he would open the meeting
by showing his sketch for the park. He would emphasis that this was only a concept and
the neighborhood could add or remove items according to their ideas. The meeting is
scheduled for Tuesday, September 22, 1998 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chamber.
10. Adiourn.
EARL SMITH MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. SECONDED BY
RICK TRAVER. Motion passed unanimously.
WM. K~
Wanda Kraemer
Administrative Assistant
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