Parks Commission Minutes 07-26-2007
Park Commission Minutes: 7/26/07
MINUTES
PARKS COMMISSION
Thursday,
July 26, 2007 - 4:30 p.m.
"To enhance community pride through developing maintaining
City parks with a standard of quality."
Members Present:
Gene Emanuel, Nancy McCaffrey, Rick Traver and Council Liaison, Tom
Perrault.
Members Absent:
Ben Hitter and Larry Nolan
Others Present:
Seth Nelson, Park Superintendent
I. Call to Order.
Acting Chair Rick Traver called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared a quorum
present.
2. Approve minutes of June 28. 2007 reeular Parks Commission meetine.
Seth Nelson noted that the City Council at the July 23,2007 meeting approved the purchase of
the playground equipment for Hillcrest Park.
RICK TRAVER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JUNE 28, 2007 REGULAR
PARKS COMMISSION MEETING.
Since Nancy McCaffrey was not present at the June 28, 2007 meeting and Gene Emanuel was
not a member of the Parks Commission at that time, there was no one present who could
second the motion to approve the minutes. It was determined to table action on the minutes
until the next meeting.
RICK TRAVER RESCINDED HIS MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES.
3. Consideration of addine items to the aeenda.
Seth Nelson added discussion of memorial benches and trees to the agenda.
4. Citizens comments and requests.
There were no citizens comments or requests.
5. Park Maintenance.
Seth Nelson submitted a list of the work completed by the Parks Department staff. Rick
Traver asked about the number of wood chipping requests the Parks Department handles and
what the cost is. Seth Nelson reported that a donation had been received for plantings at
Riverside Cemetery. The Parks Department has completed the fence installation at the
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Park Commission Minutes: 7/26/07
cemetery. Four sections of the old fence have been sold at a price of$200/each.
The disc golf course at Par West Park has been completed. Gene Emanuel asked how the disc
Park was proposed to be marketed. Information will be posted on the City's website and
there was information about the disc golf course in the City's newsletter. Rick Traver
suggested contacting Tom Mackie from the St. Cloud group associated with disc golf to let
them know that the course is completed. Seth Nelson indicated that once the course is
completed the site is listed on the PDGA (Professional Disc Golf Association) directory.
Gene Emanuel suggested contacting the Monticello Times to do an article about the course.
The Parks Department is in the process of installing the bike racks at various parks. Seth
Nelson reported that the rails on the dock at Ellison Park were broken and the repair work on
it will be labor intensive project.
6. Updates:
Fran Fair Recognition: Nancy McCaffrey updated the Commission on Fran Fair's
recognition lunch. The Mayor will be grilling lunch for staff and invited guests. A certificate
of appreciation has been prepared and a small Fran Fair history highlight was prepared for
distribution to those participating at the lunch. Seth Nelson submitted a picture of the etched
rock that was placed at East Bridge Park. He indicated he was somewhat disappointed about
how the lettering on the rock appeared. It was noted that there was a misspelling in the
message etched on the rock. Seth Nelson will take care of getting a replacement rock. The
Parks Commission also discussed some kind of landscaping work around the rock that would
highlight the rock.
Dog Park: It was noted that there has been some interest expressed in having a dog park in
the City. This would require a significant amount of land area and the park would need to be
fenced. Nancy McCaffrey brought some magazines dealing with dog parks and Gene
Emanuel suggested that the Parks Commission have someone from a community who has
installed a dog park come out and speak to the Parks Commission about what it takes to get it
in place. It was also suggested to contact the League of Minnesota Cities regarding
experiences of cities who have installed dog parks. Although nothing has been budgeted in
the 2008 budget for a dog park, it was something the Parks Commission felt should be
researched now and budgeted for in future years.
Memorial Benches and Trees: There is a program in place where memorial trees and/or
benches can be donated for the cemetery in memory of a loved one. Seth Nelson asked if such
a program had been approved for the parks. The recollection ofthe Parks Commission was
that it had been discussed. Their understanding was that the City would offer a selection of
trees and benches that the individual could choose to donate. The City would do the ordering
and installation of what was donated. Seth Nelson pointed out that there were different style
benches in the park and asked if the Parks Commission wanted to continue with the present
styles or go with one uniform style bench. The Parks Commission felt having a standard style
bench would be the best way to go. Seth Nelson will bring examples of park benches for the
Park Commission to review at the next meeting.
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Park Commission Minutes: 7/26/07
East River Street Pedestrian Pathway: The Parks Commission was given a sketch from the
City's Comprehensive Park Plan that showed a proposed on road pedestrian route along East
River Street. Seth Nelson also had an aerial drawing of the area. There was some discussion
on whether the City had sufficient easements or right of way to install the pedestrian
pathway/sidewalk. The consensus of the Park Commission was because ofthe amount of
pedestrian traffic in the area it was feasible for the City to pursue development of a pathway or
sidewalk system along East River Street and that it should be placed on the City's grid system.
In addition the Parks Commission felt an attempt should be made to connect the
pathway/sidewalk to Mississippi Drive.
NANCY MCCAFFREY MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL THAT
THE CITY CONSIDER THE INSTALLATION OF A PEDESTRIAN
PATHWAY/SIDEWALK ALONG EAST RIVER STREET AS SHOWN IN THE CITY'S
COMPREHENSIVE PARK PLAN WITH THE P ATHW A Y EXTENDING ALL THE WAY
TO MISSISSIPPI DRIVE AND THAT THIS SEGMENT OF P A THW A Y/SIDEW ALK BE
ADDED TO THE CITY'S SIDEWALK GRID SYSTEM. GENE EMANUEL SECONDED
THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. Adjourn.
NANCY MCCAFFREY MOVED TO ADJOUR AT 5:35 P.M. GENE EMANUEL
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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