Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes 05-24-2018PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES I MAY 24, 2018
MINUTES
PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
THURSDAY
MAY 24, 2018 - 9:15 A.M.
"To enhance community pride through developing and maintaining City parks with a high standard of quality. "
Members Present: Lynn Anderson, Anna Bohanon, Bill Fair, Jack Gregor, Julie Jelen,
Nancy McCaffrey, Brian Stoll, Karen Vetsch
Staff Present: Sara Cahill, Beth Green, Ann Mosack, Matt Leonard, Tom Pawelk,
Sue Seeger, MCC Intern Amber
Others Present: Residents RyAnne Sommerfeldt and Tracy Wike
1. Call to Order.
Chair Brian Stoll called the meeting called to order at 9:18 a.m. and declared a quorum.
2. Approve Minutes of Regular Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting,
March 22, 2018.
LYNN ANDERSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE
MARCH 22, 2018 REGULAR PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING.
MOTION SECONDED BY NANCY MCCAFFREY. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY, 7-0.
3. Consideration of adding items to the agenda.
a. MCC Update.
b. Meetings.
4. Citizens requests and comments.
Nancy McCaffrey said that a visitor stopped at the park from New Hope and he saw that a
number of boulders near the bridge were rolled away. He kindly put them all back but one
of the boulders is missing, potentially from the vandalism last week.
5. Discussion and motion to approve Pioneer Park splash pad location.
At the previous meeting, Tom Pawelk had asked the commission members to review the
best option for the splash pad location in Pioneer Park. The Monticello Lions have been
working with the company Aquatix on the design concepts. Four potential sites were
identified within the park for the future splash pad. Site 1, north of Pavilion; Site 2, by the
old small tot playground and is the closest location for public utilities; Site 3, the grassy
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PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES I MAY 24, 2018
area off of School Boulevard near the Riverfest Car Show area, and utilities for this area
could be pulled from School Boulevard; finally, Site 4 is to the south of the parking lot
near the ponds. Discussion on pros and cons for all sites. Matt Leonard said it may be
necessary to do a feasibility of the sites to determine the factors for bringing utilities to
each site.
NANCY MCCAFFREY MOVED TO APPROVE THE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE
MONTICELLO LIONS TO INSTALL A SPLASH PAD IN PIONEER PARK AND TO
PROPOSE A FEASIBILITY STUDY OF SITES 2 AND 3 FOR THE POTENTIAL
PLASH PAD LOCATION. MOTION SECONDED BY KAREN VETSCH. MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, 7-0.
6. Discussion and motion to approve all-inclusive playground for 411 Street Park
(2019 Budget).
Tom Pawelk introduced RyAnne Sommerfeldt. She is a resident who lives next to 4th Street
Park and she has a handicap child. She approached the City about a month ago about the
idea of installing an all-inclusive playground at the park which includes play areas for all
age groups and handicap children all in one combine play space. Pawelk noted that in the
past the City parks have been designed with separate play areas for specific age groups and
for handicap children, but he welcomes the opportunity to create the all-inclusive
playground at 4th Street park. This playground will be proposed for the 2019 budget cycle.
4th Street Park currently has a sand playground which does not meet the ADA requirements.
Pawelk said he would like to come back at the next meeting with a plan for the new
proposed all-inclusive playground. It is a good location with being close to the schools,
adequate parking, sidewalk connections, etc.
KAREN VETSCH MOVED TO APPROVE THE IDEA OF AN ALL-INCLUSIVE
PLAYGROUND AT 4TH STREET PARK TO BE INCLUDED IN THE 2019 BUDGET
CYCLE. MOTION SECONDED BY JULIE JELEN. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY, 7-0.
7. Discussion of 2019 budget items.
Tom Pawelk said that he is working on the capital improvement items for the 2019 budget
cycle. Tom said he will be putting the items together for next meeting so if there are any
items commission members would like included, please email him so he can add it to the
discussion.
8. Discussion of alcohol in parks.
Tom Pawelk reviewed the current Field and Facility Use Policy and how alcohol is allowed
for in the policy. Pawelk explained that alcohol use in parks was brought up at the last
Bertram Chain of Lakes Advisory Council meeting. The Wright County Parks Board will
be looking at their ordinance regarding alcohol use throughout their park system as well.
Discussion included researching other cities to see how they handle the allowance of
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alcohol in city parks. Pawelk also said that he would like a recommendation from the
Wright County Sheriff's Office. He will also gather more information and check what the
state requirements are. Julie Jelen also suggested checking with the League of MN Cities
website and posting a question on there for discussion. Item was tabled until the next
meeting.
9. Creative Arts Consultant Update (Sue Seeger).
Sue Seeger said that grant was approved for art project on the building behind the swan
sculptures on TH 25 and Broadway. Looking at having the unveiling potentially at the
block party at Riverfest. Seeger said she will attend Walk n' Roll and will have the Monti
Arts booth where kids can decorate bike helmets and people can sign up for the Arts
Initiative.
She has met with a consultant on additional grant funding programs. Seeger said she is
also meeting with other art center directors to see how others are set up, their budgeting,
fundraising, challenging and successes, so we have the information as we move forward
with the long-range plan. She has met with Monticello's new school superintendent and
he was very positive about Sue working with the teachers and wrapping community arts
projects in with the curriculum.
Seeger shared information on an open streets event being planned for August 25th along
Walnut Street and they'd like to close off two blocks from 3rd to 4th Streets. Initially the
purpose was to have the public vote for the banner contest. The event is now expanding
to include music, art, literature and food trucks.
Seeger said she has also met with the Buffalo Artists Guild and they have an active
membership with a lot of artist. Nothing has been planned yet, but they are tossing
around an idea to partner together to create a street art event in Monticello in 2019.
10. Discussion of Walk `n' Roll parks booth.
Tom Pawelk noted that the annual Walk n' Roll event will be on Saturday, June 9th from
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The parks booth will be set up in the gazebo at East Bridge Park. Bill
Fair said that it would be a nice gesture to offer "Future Park Volunteer" t -shirts to kids
who visit the booth. Parks & Rec members Anna Bohanon, Julie Jelen, Nancy
McCaffrey, Lynn Anderson and Bill Fair volunteered to work at the booth during the
event. Pawelk will develop a park themed scavenger hunt for kids in order to win a
t -shirt. Contest will be limited to 50 t -shirts.
11. Timeline for 2018 large park projects.
Pawelk discussed upcoming large park projects for the 2018:
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PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES I MAY 24, 2018
• Bertram Athletic Complex: Irrigation of interim fields and expanded overflow
parking. Could potentially be installing the well this year for the irrigation. If not,
will be first thing in the spring for 2019.
• Rolling Woods Park: First project on schedule is the construction of an open-air
picnic shelter and to complete the pathway connection.
• Cardinal Hills Tot Lot.: This will be the second project for the Parks Department.
• Featherstone Park: Third project. New playground installation.
• Trail work: RFP has been put out for trail resurfacing.
• Montiview Park: Continue with trail build and add electrical power/security.
• West Bridge Park: New "Music on the Mississippi", first concert May 31St
12. Suring tour feedback.
Tom Pawelk asked for feedback from the spring parks tour on May 11th. The Commission
thanked Pawelk for the tour and Pawelk thanked all for their time and reminded members
to keep track of their hours (as we are now tracking volunteer hours).
13. General Park Updates:
Tom Pawelk discussed general park updates as follows:
• Ellison House Garage Sale: The sales generated over $4,000. Community members
that attended the sale were very happy to have the opportunity to purchase some of
the items from the Ellison's.
• Community Beautification Program: Kicked off yesterday and all the annual
flowers were planted downtown, on Cedar Street, and at the roundabout. The last
are to be planted is at the Chamber.
• Summer Happiness Guide: The guide is out and staff has received a suggestion to
make the guide a magnet for next year.
• Street Banners Update: The banner art contest is open May 30 — July 10.
14. Discussion of added items.
a. MCC Update:
— The new memberships are up from last year.
— First Music on the Mississippi is Thursday, May 31 from 6-9 p.m. There
will be two food trucks on site and the Lions will serve beer.
- Spring men's softball leagues have started and there are 10 teams. Teams
play at the Xcel/City fields on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Beer is sold at the
concession stand and a food truck is on site as well.
- Farmer's Market opens May 17th
- Summer swimming lesson registration is open.
- Friendship Island begins June 4th, and there are still a few openings.
- The Learn to Skate program was full with 30 kids participating.
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PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES I MAY 24, 2018
b. Meetings: Brian Stoll noted that with the group now larger, he's not sure if
everyone is being heard and said it may be necessary to increase meetings to
once/month rather than every other month. Stoll asked members to consider
this and will discuss at the next meeting.
15. Next regular meeting scheduled for July 26, 2018.
The next regular Parks Commission Meeting is scheduled for July 26, 2018, at 9:15 a.m.
in the Public Works Conference Room.
14. Adjourn.
Meeting adjourned at 11:01 a.m.
RECORDED BY: fah CNGreen
DATE APPROVED: 07-26-18
ATTEST: 7,1,1,, /�- Z //—
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