Parks Commission Minutes 08-23-2007
Parks Commission Minutes: 8/23/07
MINUTES
PARKS COMMISSION
Thursday,
August 23, 2007 - 4:30 p.m.
"To enhance community pride through developing maintaining
City parks with a standard of quality."
Members Present:
Ben Hitter, Nancy McCaffrey, Larry Nolan, Rick Traver and Council
Liaison, Tom Perrault.
Members Absent:
Gene Emanuel
Others Present:
Tom Pawelk, Interim Park Superintendent
1. Call to Order.
Chair Larry Nolan called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared a quorum present.
2A. Approve minutes of June 28. 2007 rel!ular Parks Commission meetinl!.
BEN HITTER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 28, 2007
REGULAR PARKS COMMISSION MEETING. RICK TRAVER SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2B. Approve minutes of Julv 26. 2007 rel!ular Parks Commission meetinl!.
There was a not a quorum of members present who had attended this meeting so approval of
the minutes was tabled.
3. Consideration of addinl! items.
a) Addition of batting cage at Hillcrest Park and impact it would have on skating area;
b) Update on YMCA property; c) Update on Comprehensive Plan; and d) 2008
Prioritization exercise.
4. Citizens comments and reauests.
None.
5. Park Maintenance.
Tom Pawelk submitted a list of maintenance work completed by the staff. The slab was
poured for a 35' x 60' basketball court in Groveland Park. The area has been graded and
seeded as well.
Bike racks have been installed at Meadow Oak Park, Groveland Park, Ellison Park and West
Bridge Park. There is one rack remaining to be installed. There was discussion on whether
it should be installed at the Community Center or downtown. The original request for a
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Parks Commission Minutes: 8/23/07
bike rack was for the downtown area. Possible downtown locations were discussed with
the consensus of the Park Commission being that the rack be located at a visible site along
Broadway. It was also suggested since this rack may be moved that it not be installed with a
slab but just anchored down.
The Hillcrest Park play structure project will take place on Saturday, August 25, 2007. The
installation of the play structure is being done as an Eagle Scout project.
A bulletin board was put for the Par West Park and is being used to provide a description of
how disc golf is played. The Parks Commission asked if the facility is listed on the disc golf
directory. Tom Pawelk will check on this.
One section of the plantings at Riverside Cemetery has been done and an irrigation system
has been installed. There are two other sections of plantings that need to be completed. The
estimated cost to complete is $200-$300.
Tom Pawelk added that the summer help will soon be gone. He also reported that some
sections of the split rail fence were replaced because it was damaged as a result of a motor
vehicle accident this past winter.
6. Memorial Prol!:ram - Parks.
Tom Pawelk submitted a brochure outlining the program. It was felt there should be more
consistency with the type of benches that could be donated. Tom Pawelk had pictures of
various types of benches for the Parks Commission to consider. Tom Pawelk
recommended three different styles with three different prices since not everyone could
afford a $600 donation. Larry Nolan wanted good quality benches but otherwise the Parks
Commission will leave the selection of the bench styles up to the Parks Department. Rick
Traver suggested a style that would allow for easy replacement if a bench is damaged.
7. Resilroation of Seth Nelson - Discussion of Reolacement.
The Parks Commission was updated on the process for replacing Park Superintendent Seth
Nelson who has taken another position. The Council has decided to post the position
internally and interview those applicants. If they felt there was not a good candidate
in-house they would advertise the position. During the replacement process, the Council
appointed Tom Pawelk Interim Park Superintendent.
8. Sunset Ponds Park.
Tom Pawelk reported that the developer has not followed through with the provisions of the
development agreement as far as preparation of the park land. The preparation was to
include fmal grading and seeding. Tom Pawelk said park staff would be mowing down the
area and then they would have a better idea of what it will take to get it corrected. There
was discussion on what was supposed to be done as far the park and whose responsibility it
is to follow up and make sure the work is completed by the developer. It was noted that the
developer has a letter of credit filed with the City to cover costs for improvements. Larry
Nolan will follow up on this. The Parks Commission also felt a development plan for the
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Parks Commission Minutes: 8/23/07
Sunset Ponds Park should be prepared and approved by the Parks Commission so that an
informational meeting with the residents can be arranged.
9. East Bridec Park.
Nancy McCaffrey indicated that there were a number of items that needed to be completed
and Tom Pawelk stated he would have someone out there on Monday to review with the
gardeners what needs to be done. The shrubs in the park need to be trimmed. Rick Traver
suggested that itbe done after the frost when the leaves are off. Nancy McCaffrey pointed
out that the Russian sage by TH 25 appears not to be getting enough water. Tom Pawelk
thought the parks staff could extend the irrigation system. Larry Nolan stated on the river
bank side of the pathway there is an infestation of noxious weeds. Tom Pawelk will check
this out. Nancy McCaffrey also indicated that there was an area of creeping charlie that
should be eradicated and there are some areas that need to be re-mulched. She added that a
tree had been removed in the area of the hostas but the stump remains. Tom Pawelk stated
the parks staff would be planting a replacement tree.
10. WraD-uD on Fran Fair's rccoenition event.
Nancy McCaffrey had some pictures that were taken of the event. She noted that the
replacement rock turned out very well and suggested that perhaps some of the pictures from
the event could be included on the website.
11. U Ddates.
a) Dog Park: Nancy McCaffrey had information from Three Rivers Park District on their
dog park. Tom Pawelk pointed out that the Three Rivers Park District has significant
staff who can maintain the dog park. The Parks Commission discussed where in
Monticello a dog park facility could be located. If the YMCA property is acquired that
would be one possible site. Two other city owned sites that were mentioned were Outlot
A of Country Club Manor and the land adjacent to the animal shelter. Guidelines for
operating the facility were discussed. The facility would have to be fenced with either a
grass or wood chip surface. Larry Nolan suggested that perhaps the county would be
willing to have a facility at Montissippi Park. Tom Pawelk will be meeting with Marc
Mattice and will bring that up.
b) Budget Workshop: Tom Pawelk reviewed some of the point from the workshop held
on the preliminary 2008 budget. Another workshop will be held on August 27th. The
Parks Commission discussed the various projects that are being proposed. Tom Pawelk
reported that the ball field concession building was inspected by the Department of
Health. They are requiring that the floor be epoxied, the walk-in cooler be removed and
hand washing equipment be installed. The Parks Commission would like a report in
either September or October on the revenue and expenditures for the concession stand
operations. Rick Traver said as far as the budget he would like to focus on what capital
improvements are proposed. While Tom Pawelk noted that with the City looking to
more snow removal from the sidewalks/pathways they are looking at their equipment
needs, the Park Commission felt the Commission's focus was more with park
development. The gazebo for West Bridge Park was discussed. The gazebo is similar in
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design to the one at Ellison Park. Parks Commission cautioned that the placement of the
gazebo should not interfere with the sliding hill.
Added items:
Comprehensive Plan Update: City staff has received and reviewed the first draft of the plan. Staff
comments have been forwarded to the consultant who will be incorporating them into a revised
draft.
YMCA: Tom Pawelk is attending the meetings of the City and Wright County on the acquisition of
the property. A tour for local state representatives has been scheduled for September 7, 2007. It is
.
hoped that the tour will result in some state funding for the project. The Parks Commission was
informed that the City and County are passing resolutions asking that this project be included in the
state bonding bill and that an appropriation be made by LCCMR (Legislative-Citizen Commission
on Minnesota Resources). Since negotiations are still taking place, limited information can be
provided. Tom Pawelk felt it would be known by spring of2008 what, if any, funding the state will
provide.
Shelter at West Bridge Park: Tom Pawelk noted that a change was made in the design of the
proposed shelter. He explained that the double tier shelter originally proposed had some safety
issues because of children climbing up on it. Instead they are proposing a 16' x 16' shelter from
Flanagan Sales at a cost of$12,000. Of this amount $10,000 has been budgeted and the remaining
$2,000 is proposed to be taken from the landscaping account. This item will be going before the
Council on August 27, 2007.
RICK TRAVER MOVED TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF THE 16' X 16' OPEN AIR
SHELTER FROM FLANAGAN SALES USING THE FUNDS BUDGETED WITH THE
REMAINING BALANCE TO COME FROM THE LANDSCAPING ACCOUNT. NANCY
MCCAFFREY SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2008 Prioritization Exercise: Tom Pawelk would like to see the tree planting program continued.
He reported that the Lions have asked about getting a security system at Pioneer Park. The Lions
would contribute towards the cost of the system. Tom Pawelk also felt the security system at West
Bridge Park should be upgraded.
12. Adiourn.
NANCY MCCAFFREY MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 6: 1 0 P.M. RICK TRAVER
SECONDED TH E MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
~)o.-uJY\ ~S~.9--
Recording Secretary 0
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