Parks Commission Minutes 07-27-2006
MIND ES
PARKS CO MISSION
Thursday, July 27, 006 - 4: 30 p.m.
"To enhance community pride thro gh developing and maintaining
City parks with a high s andard of quality."
Members Present:
Fran Fair, Ben Hitter, ancy McCaffrey, Larry Nolan, Rick Traver and
Council Liaison, Tom errault.
Members Absent:
None
Others Present:
Seth Nelson, Park Supe . ntendent.
1. Call to Order.
Chair Nolan called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared a quorum present.
2A. A rove minutes of June 22 2006 re ular P rks Commission meetin .
FRAN FAIR MOVED TO APPROVE THE M TES OF THE JUNE 22, 2006
REGULAR PARKS COMMISSION MEETIN RICK TRAVER SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIM USL Y.
2B. A
RICK TRAVER MOVED TO APPROVE TH MINUTES OF THE JULY 19, 2006
SPECIAL PARKS COMMISSION MEET IN . FRAN FAIR SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIM USL Y.
Chair Nolan informed the Commission that th Council at their July 24, 2006 meeting
approved the award of the contract for the fen ing at Riverside Cemetery.
3.
Fran Fair added to the agenda discussion of a roblem at the East Bridge Park.
4. Citizens comments and requests.
None.
5. Cost information on lacement of bike rac s.
Seth Nelson, Parks Superintendent, supplied s etches of various styles of bike racks. Most of
the bike racks were in the price range of $300 $400. The favored style was the wave type
rack. Most of the racks come in sizes that wo ld hold either 5 or 9 bikes and are available in a
number of different colors.
Seth Nelson had talked to Susie Wouchjoski fthe Chamber of Commerce who suggested a
site across from the Chamber Building that w s owned by the HRA. This site is in the
downtown area and would be highly visible. t was pointed out that at the present time there
are no bike racks in any of the city parks. Th Parks Commission felt bike racks were
something that should be considered, at least t the major parks. The Parks Commission felt
West Bridge Park, Ellison Park, Pioneer Park Groveland Park and Meadow Oaks Park were
the parks that should be considered for bike r cks. While it is hoped eventually most of the
parks will have bike racks, the Parks Commi sion felt the major parks should be done first.
FRAN FAIR MOVED TO BUDGET FOR B KE RACKS IN THE 2007 BUDGET FOR
WEST BRIDGE PARK, ELLISON PARK, IONEER PARK, GROVELAND PARK,
MEADOW OAKS PARK AND ONE FOR N THE CITY OWNED LAND IN THE
DOWNTOWN AREA. RICK TRAVER SE ONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
6. Park Maintenance.
Seth Nelson submitted and reviewed with the Commission a list of work completed by the
Parks Department staff. He noted that a big roject was getting the barrier placed at Freeway
Fields. There was some discussion that whe they get the fencing from Xcel Fields there may
be some additional barrier placed but at this t me the department heads are not in agreement on
whether additional barrier should be installed He also met with the youth football group and
worked out an agreement with them for their se of the fields. He noted weeding in the city
parks had been done by a number of youths ho had to do community service.
7. 2007 Bud2;!:et Discussion.
Seth Nelson and the Parks Department staff et and came up with a number of items for the
2007 budget. These items included equipme t needs such as replacing the 1994 Toro 325
which would cost about $30,000 and possibl replacing the 1994 Ford 150 truck. They also
discussed increasing the budget for their spra ing/fertilizing program which is currently
$10,000.
Specific improvements to parks included: 1) new play structure for Hillcrest Park. The
structure could be placed at the site of the exi ting structure or where the road comes off to the
right; 2) Build a viewing deck for Swan Park Seth Nelson noted this was a safety issue as well
as an aesthetic matter; 3) A play structure for Sunset Ponds - It was noted that the grading at
the park site has not yet been done and there as also some question on who Is responsible to
do the screening around the transformers. T e Parks Commission felt this item should be in the
2007 budget. The Parks Commission also d.scussed conducting a neighborhood informational
meeting with the Sunset Ponds residents befo e any development of the park takes place. Larry
Nolan suggested budgeting improvements fo this park over 3-4 years. Seth Nelson asked if
there was any interest in establishing a hocke rink in that area of the city. The Parks
Commission indicated that if an arena was a riority of the residents and that it made known at
the informational meeting, then it should be onsidered. Otherwise the Parks Commission felt
with the new arena the demand for outdoor i e was not as great; 4) Hunters Crossing - Parks
Commission didn't feel anything should be b dgeted in 2007 for this park. Larry Nolan felt
because the Hunters Crossing Park was so cl se to Pioneer Park there would not be as great a
need for improvements. Seth Nelson noted t at the Parks Department had received a $5,000
donation from the Monticello Lions Club for improvements to Pioneer Park; 5) Country Club
Manor - It is proposed to fix the ballfield to ake it more usable and replace the backstop. No
outfield fencing is proposed for this park; 6) ardinal Hills Park - Discussion of possibly
locating the hardcourt in this park. Parks Co mission felt with the basketball courts at the
school, a hardcourt for this park was not a pri rity; 7) Ellison Park - It was proposed to get a
20' extension for the existing dock; 8) Grovel d Park - The City has not yet been informed if
they will receive a grant covering improveme ts at Groveland Park. It is anticipated that a
response will be received in one or two week . The grant was requested to help fund a parking
lot, hardcourt and restrooms; 9) Athletic Fie! s - It was felt that money should be set aside in
every budget year to go towards the purchase fland for a ballfield complex; 10) Fourth Street
Park - Seth Nelson reported the rink has been repaired. He was of the understanding that the
rink was proposed to be used for roller blade ockey as well as basketball. He felt those uses
were incompatible. The Parks Commission i formed him that the Public Works
Superintendent had stated they would put in a hardcourt to offset the land that was taken from
the park to be used for the well and pump; 11 Balboul Park - The Parks Commission felt this
park should be left as is. Seth Nelson sugges ed may putting a picnic bench and grill out at
this park; 12) Par West - Expansion of the ex sting frisbee golf setup could be put in the
budget. Seth Nelson reported there is space t have 9 holes on the site. Estimated cost per
hole would be between $300-$500; 13) Repl cement of individuals pieces of playground
equipment such as diggers and bouncers; 14) athway Funding - Seth Nelson indicated that
there is a lot of work that needs to be done on the pathways. Parks Commission suggested
having a pathway maintenance program fund d in the annual budget that would include a
regular inspection of the pathway; 15) Water ower Park - It was suggested putting in a
parking lot but this was not a high priority for the Parks Commission. Seth Nelson stated there
are some cedar trees at this site that should be removed now. When they are fully grown they
will block the view from the park 16) Replac the roof at the West Bridge Park Shelter. In
addition to the park improvements, the Parks epartment would also be budgeting for certain
tools such as a chainsaw. They would also Ii e to start replacing the existing picnic tables with
some metal tables that are rubbercoated. The e tables hold up well and require very little
maintenance. Seth Nelson will submit a corn lete list of the projects proposed.
9.
Seth Nelson submitted an aerial photo showi g the area in the vicinity of the CSAH 18/1-94
interchange. It was felt that a location that w s visible when corning off the ramp would be
best site for the sign. The Parks Commissio directed Seth Nelson to check out the topography
of the area and corne back with some recom endations.
10. Discussion of la structure at Pioneer Pa k.
Seth Nelson talked to representatives from M racle and Game Time regarding a play structure
at Pioneer Park. Miracle is going to prepare t ee designs; one for age level 2-12; one for age
level 5-12 and one consisting of separate 2-1 and 5-12 areas. It is proposed to leave the
existing play structure and then install intern 1 pathways connecting them. Larry Nolan asked
if the existing structure met ADA requireme s. He suggested that they make sure they budget
funds to make ADA upgrades. Seth Nelson ndicated that the play structure at Pioneer Park
could be done yet this year. He may need to ave a special meeting of the Parks Commission
on this. Park staff would level the area for th proposed play structure and do the boundary.
The contractor would install the equipment d staff would fill in the chips. Ben Hitter felt that
Groveland should be a higher priority and he felt residents in the Groveland area might be upset
that Pioneer Park got improvements before t ey did.
11. Discussion of Par West Disc Golf.
This item had been discussed as part of the pr ~ects to be covered in the 2007 budget.
12. Discussion of 7th Street bike track.
Seth Nelson submitted some ideas and drawi gs for a bike track that could possibly be located
on land the City owns on th Street. He stated that some of the individuals he had talked to
recommended placing signage at the site but ot to have the site supervised. He noted if the
jumps are above a certain height supervision i required. Seth Nelson briefly explained what
would be required to construct the track.
Fran Fair said she was not keen on the idea 0 a facility like this being unsupervised. She felt
with the development of the form Ruff Auto s'te (Elm Street Villas) this area needed a park.
Rick Traver thought the bike track was a goo idea but didn't like the idea of it being
unsupervised, The Parks Commission asked hat this item be put on the next agenda.
13. Consideration of a roval of Xcel Field #4 encin and backsto .
Seth Nelson prepared plans and specification for the fencing work and this item has gone out
for bids. The bid results should go before th Council at their August 14,2006 meeting, The
estimated cost of the improvement is $30,000
14.
MEADA to sho a movie at Pioneer Park.
The MEADA group works in drug education including methamphetamines and had requested
permission to show a movie for families at Pi neer Park. The movie would run from 9 p.m. to
11 p.m. There would also be a jumping castI for children and concessions, The Parks
Commission expressed concern about the noise but otherwise it felt it was a good idea.
Added Item:
Fran Fair stated there is a soils problem where the pe ennials are planted at East Bridge Park. They
have lost over 30 of the perennials that were planted t the site, It is not certain if it is a soils problem
alone or if drainage is also a factor. She indicated th y would pot the remaining perennials at this time
if staff could do something about the soils and/or dra'nage problem at the site. The perennials would
be replanted in the fall. Seth Nelson will meet with he gardeners on Monday to look at this problem.
Fran Fair also asked about sweeping of the parking I t area at East Bridge Park.
15. Adjourn.
BEN HITTER MOVED TO ADJOURN AT :20 P.M. NANCY MCCAFFREY SECONDED
THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNA IMOUSL Y.
~~~
Recording Secretary