Parks Commission Minutes 08-10-2000
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Minutes
Regular Meeting - Parks Commission
August 10,2000
4:30 PM
Members Present:
Larry Nolan, Earl Smith, Fran Fair, Rick Traver, and Nancy
McCaffrey
Greg Engle, Roger Carlson, and Rick Wolfsteller
City Staff Present:
1. Call to order
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Larry Nolan.
2. Approval of Minutes
Nancy McCaffrey and Rick Traver will again take minutes for this meeting. A
request was made to City Administrator Rick W olfsteller that the City provides staff
assistance to gather agenda items, send meeting notices to Commissioners and take
minutes at the Parks Commission meetings.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY EARL SMITH, AND SECONDED BY FRAN
F AIR, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR PARKS MEETING ON
JUL Y 20, 2000.
3. Consideration of adding items to the agenda.
There were no additions to the agenda.
4. Citizens requests.
Copies of a letter addressed to the Monticello City Council from two Iowa
residents dated August 4, 2000, was distributed to Commission members. The letter
writers expressed disappointment in renovations to West Bridge Park: namely the
increased distance from the parking lot to the restroom, and then finding the restroom
locked due to vandalism.
It was decided that the letter should be acknowledged. Larry Nolan will draft a
response, to be reviewed by Greg Engle, stating that the City Council forwarded the letter
to the Monticello Parks Commission for review. As Parks Commission Chair, Larry will
thank the Iowans for their concern and suggest Ellison Park as a convenient alternative on
their next trip.
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5. Parks Budget Review items for 2001
Rick W olfsteller attended this meeting to provide clarification and insight to the
Year 2001 Capital Improvement Plan, which was distributed at last month's Parks
Commission meeting. Referring to the 5- Year Projected Budget handout dated Summer,
1999, and revised August 31, 1999, Mr. W olfsteller eXplained that he put a check mark
by items that have remained the same, crossed out and revised any changes that have
occurred, and crossed out items that are no longer applicable today. The total capital
budget for the 2000 fiscal year was $174,000, without the ISTEA line item.
Mr. Wolfsteller explained that he wants to provide insights and clarity to reality;
and, at this point he is working with partial budget information from city departments.
He has not yet had a response to what expected tax rates might be, and in the end, the
City Council makes final decisions about budget cuts and priorities.
Discussion Items:
Commissions expressed concerns about the difficulty of tracking sources of revenue and
expenditures for the '"parks fund".
There should be a separate fund for purchase of land.
Is it being used every year or is it accumulating?
The current fees for the '"parks fund" are $200 per lot for pathway construction and $750
per lot for park dedication fees.
The commission requested that '"parks fund" balances be reviewed quarterly.
Mr. Wolfsteller explained that the $30,000 / year budgeted in previous years for park
acquisition was not part of the levy, rather it was a projection of what might be received
in park dedication fees. Based on a financial statement given to Mr. Engle, the '"parks
fund" currently it shows to have a negative balance of $5,000. Mr. Wolfsteller will check
on that balance and inform the Parks Commission as to the accuracy of that financial
statement.
The Parks Commission recommended that the $30,000 budgeted for park acquisition
become part ofthe tax levy and park dedication fees be a separate item.
This is in part because the $30,000 budgeted to be received from park allocation fees was
probably not realistic, and the Park Commission felt that funds need to be acquired more
rapidly for the purchase of park land, especially ball fields.
Mr. Wolfsteller stated he. will create a #227 Park Dedicated Fund that will
itemize all revenue and expenses that can be printed on request. It will have it's own cash
account and balance sheet. There will be separate Path and Development funds.
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Mr. Wolfsteller was thanked for attending the meeting, providing clarification and
for the offering to provide a clearer method of tracking Park funds. Mr. Wolfsteller also
stated that he would explore obtaining additional clerical support for the Parks
Commission meetings.
Greg Engle presented his suggested Year 2001 Capital Improvements Program
proposals (see meeting handout). His cost estimates were similar to those presented by
Mr. Wolfsteller. There was discussion on the following items:
. Community Celebrations: Reduced from $5000 to $2500. Engle will discuss a
possible tree planting in the Cardinal Hills and Wildwood communities with John
Simola and Roger Carlson.
. Park Land Acquisition: Should be part of the tax levy, but leave the $30,000 figure as
a cushion.
. Soccer Field Development: Need clarification from Jeff O'Neill; would like to add
bleachers and picnic tables.
. Pioneer Park: Mr. Engle presented the shelter design at a recent Lions' meeting. He
also reiterated that the park and shelter is a public place and cannot be used
exclusively by anyone group, but the Parks Department will work together with the
Lions group during their events.
. River Mill Park: Phase II will include a parking lot, with plans to obtain some funding
from the Streets Department.
. West / East Bridge Parks: The Resurrection Church youth group will help landscape
the West Bridge hillside. Irrigation will be installed in East Bridge Park:
. Parkside Park / Meadow/Oaks: This park was not included in Mr. Wolfsteller's plan,
but needs improvement because of storm damage and the increased number of
children in the area.
The remaining line items are equipment that is needed to still keep park improvements
progressmg.
Total of preliminary capital budget presented was $255,500
A MOTION WAS MADE BY EARL SMITH AND SECONDED BY RICK TRAVER
THAT THE PRELIMINARY BUDGET PRESENTED BY THE PARKS
SUPERINTENDENT BE ACCEPTED.
6. Maintenance Report:
. Ellison Park: The goose litter has become a problem. Greg Engle is working with an
environmental firm from Rogers, MN in an experiment that includes a short fence
and a lawn spray. "Do Not Feed the Geese" signs have also been installed.
. West Bridge Park: The shelter has been painted, and will be finished at a later date.
The stone wall is partially completed, and red mulch has been added. The hillside
has been cleared. Funds for this park have been depleted for the year.
. 4th Street park: More discussion about a paved surface. Dead trees have been cut
down.
. Park Side / Meadow Oaks: The Parks crew has begun mowing.
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· Pioneer: The Parks crew is concentrating on correcting the pathway and has
increased the areas being mowed. The park entrance and parking area is being better
defined. The Lion's Club will begin the landscape border around the play area.
· Cardinal Tot Lot: A twice a day watering program has begun.
· Ball Fields: The Districts will be held in the next 1-~ weeks.
· Otter Creek Park: The Rotary Club will meet October 28 to do plantings.
· City Ball Fields: The infield will be sodded at the end of August or first of
September. The PoleCats will help, and sod was donated. Becker Football
Association wants to play at City Ball Fields. These will be for 4th, 5th & 6th grade
students, and will end in October. Greg Engle gave them permission, with the
understanding that they pay union scale fees to the Park Department Fund, plus
electricity. Other cities charge for use.
· The extra summer employees' last day will be August 25th. The season will be over,
and the goals have been met.
7. Adjourn
A MOTION WAS MADE BY EARL SMITH AND SECONDED BY FRAN FAIR
THAT THE MEETING BE ADJOURNED.
Next Meeting:
4:30 PM - Thursday, September 21,2000
Agenda Items:
1. Review Concession Funds / Accountability - Greg Engle
(Gregg Engle has information from March Meeting).
2. Soccer Fields Update - Jeff O'Neill