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Parks Commission Minutes 02-17-2000 ~ . , MINUTES REGULAR MEETING - PARKS COMMISSION February 17,2000 - 4:30 p.m. Members Present: Members Absent: Larry Nolan, Earl Smith, Fran Fair, Nancy McCaffrey Rick Traver 1. Call meeting to order. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Larry Nolan. 2. Consideration of approving the minutes for the regular meetine December 16, 1999. FRAN FAIR MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE TilE MINUTES OF TI IE REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 16,1999. SECONDED BY NANCY MCCAFFREY. Motion passed unanimously. (There was not a January meeting). 3. Considcration of adding items to the agenda. Discussion on a pathway connection from West River Street to the Montissippi Park trail. 4. Review status of ISTEA Grant. Jeff O'Neill, Deputy City Administrator, reportcd that at this time the project was still in the budget. The plans and specs need to be approved in 2000 and the pedestrian bridge and pathway segments would be built in 2001. There is a chance that a portion of the pathways could be completed this year. Mr. O'Neill added that the City Council had requested staff to discuss possible funding through the school district. 5. Discuss entrance signs and landscaping. Ollie Koropchak, Economic Development Director and MCP Committee Member, inquired if the Commissioners would be interestcd in pursuing a MN/DOT grant for landscaping on the right-of-way at the 1-94 interchange or along Highway 25 by East and West Bridge Park. Ms. Koropchak added that one of the criteria for the grant was to attend the MN/DOT Conference on February 26, 2000 and Greg J':ngle, Park Superintendent, had agreed to attend. Pam Campbell, member of the Design Advisory Team, explained that the grant does fund the materials needed to do the landscaping, however the labor and cquipment must be provided by the applicant. Greg Engle, Park Superintendent, added that he had worked on a project with this type of grant in Anoka. He explained that it is a great way to fund the plant material but it will require a large time commitment from the city Parks Department. This is due to all the watering and maintenance for a landscape project to be successful. Volunteers could be utilized in the initial planting but the daily maintenance will require the park crews to guarantee the upkeep is done. Page 1 . . , Parks Commission Minutes - 2/17/00 There was discussion on the possibility of combining the need for entrance signs with the landscaping project. If signs are added to the project it would be a City cost because the grant only finances the plant material. Also, the grant is only for the right-of~way and if that is the best location for the entrance sign is still a question. It was agreed to have a meeting with Park Commissioners, members of Monticello Community Partners, and the Design Advisory team to further discuss this subject. It will then be placed on the Park agenda before a decision to apply for the grant is made. 6. Compile a list of Goals for 2000. Gregg Engle, Park Superintendent, reviewed the five year general plan for East and West Bridge Park. The 2000 park budget did not include funds for major renovation in the parks. Mr. Engel reported on items that could be done within the budget for 2000. After reviewing the priorities for this year the Commissioners requested the removal of the dirt parking lot and seeding the parking lot area be moved to this year and done as soon as possible. There was still confusion on the parking area along Walnut Street. Jetl O'Neill, Deputy City Administrator, would research the status and report back at the March meeting. After reviewing the five year park and maintenance plan, EARL SMITH MADE A MOTION TO ACCEP'f THE FIVE YEAR PLAN. SECONDED BY FRAN FAIR. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Engle added that he did want input from the Commissioners and they should feel free to bring up ideas and priorities at the meetings. 7. Update on soccer field development. Jeff O'Neill, Deputy City Administrator, reported that Byron Olson/Monticello High School Athletic Director, Gregg Engle/Park Superintendent, and himself would be meeting on February 22, 2000 to discuss how the soccer fields would be managed, develop a maintenance agreement, location and size of a storage building, lighting, and possible grant funding that might be available. At this point the project cost is at $60,000 of that $30,000 would be the City's share. Mr. O'Neill will update the Commission at the March meeting. 8. Community Take Pride (City-wide clean up) - April 29, 2000 Wanda Kraemer, Administrative Assistant, reported that the City wide cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, April 29, 2000. Ms. Kraemer explained that there will be activities all week prior to Saturday. Many of the schools and organizations participate during the week. Ms. Kraemer added that Monticello Community Partners would be providing their office as the main check point on Saturday. People can participate by checking in on Saturday morning at the MCP office and there will be a map of areas that need attention. A goal will be to have the organizations that have adopted parks assist with the spring work in the parks during this week. Page 2 . . . Parks Commission Minutes - 2/17/00 9. Walk & Roll - Saturday, May 20, 2000 Jrom 10 to Noon Wanda Kraemer, Administrative Assistant, reported that Walk & Roll, thc city pathway celcbration, has been scheduled for Saturday, May 20, 2000. The last two years the Parks Commission and Community Ed has sponsored the 3-on-3 basketball tournament. The event was very well received and Ms. Kraemer thought it would be good to do again this year. This could be discussed further at the March meeting. 10. Update on maintenance items. Gregg Engle, Parks Superintendent, reported on all of the maintenance issues in February. 11. Added items. The Commissioners discussed ad.ding a connecting pathway from West River Street to the Montissippi trail system adjacent to the City Compost Site. This would make it more convenient for people to use the MOl1tissippi trail system. A MOTION WAS MADE BY EARL SMITH, SECONDED BY FRAN FAIR, TO SUPPORT FUNDING FOR A PORTION OF THE COST TO EXTEND A PATHWA Y FROM RIVER STREET TO MONTISSIPPI PARK TRAIL SYSTEM ADJACENT TO THE COMPOST SITE. Motion carried unanimously. 12. Adiourn FRAN FAIR MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. SECONDED BY EARL SMITH. Motion passed unanimously. !J)~ ~ W ~nda Kr'aem~r Administrative Assistant Page 3