Parks Commission Minutes 09-27-2007
Park Minutes: 9/27/07
MINUTES
PARKS COMMISSION
Thursday, September 27, 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, Gene
Emanuel and Council Liaison, Tom Perrault.
Members Absent:
None
Others Present:
Tom Pawelk, 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 AUl!ust 23. 2007 rel!ular Parks Commission meetinl!.
RICK TRAVER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 23, 2007
REGULAR PARKS COMMISSION MEETING. BEN HITTER SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2B. Approve minutes of Julv 26. 2007 rel!uIar Parks Commission meetinl!.
GENE EMANUEL MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JULY 26,
2007 REGULAR PARKS COMMISSION MEETING. RICK TRAVER SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Consideration of addinl! items to the al!enda.
a) Recognition of Tom Pawelk as Park Superintendent
4. Citizens comments and reauests
Rick Traver, Larry Nolan and Nancy McCaffrey have all observed lots of kids enjoying the
new play equipment at Hillcrest Park. The sidewalk is a great addition, and will be extended for
ADA accessibility. The mulch will be leveled and the swings will be added next week. Some
undesirable trees will be replaced and under story trees will be planted beneath the power lines.
The Boy Scouts were recognized for their help in this project. The Scouts singled out park
employee, Leo Schroden, for turning this project into a wonderful educational opportunity for
everyone.
Larry Nolan thanked and complimented the parks department staff for their help on the
condition of the park when the Nolan family recently rented the West Bridge Park pavilion for
a family gathering.
5. Park Maintenance
Tom Pawelk submitted the monthly task list. He also reported that the Parks Department is
short handed with one worker having a back injury and one with a foot injury. A newspaper ad
Park Minutes: 9/27/07
has been placed for an additional the opening of a full-time position in the Parks Department.
Top priority is being given to Meadow Oak, Hillcrest and Groveland Parks.
The Meadow Oak Pathway has turned out to be more difficult than originally thought. It is
expected to take about 3 weeks work rather than the previously expected 4-5 days.
After meeting with the Sunset Ponds developers, it was decided that the City will take over the
preparation of the new park using the monies previously collected from the developer. A
contractor will be hired to haul in and grade the 4 inches of topsoil necessary for the park this
fall. Notification will be sent to residents to attend an upcoming Park Commission meeting so
they can preview and comment on the park's design. Tom Pawelk was asked to bring some
conceptual plans to the next October Park Commission meeting for discussion.
Park Commissioners will be receiving via U.S. mail and invitation to attend Embrace Open
Space on Oct. 11. See the invitation for details.
The tour of the YMCA Park has been rescheduled for I :00 PM on October 24, led by Tom
Pawelk. Attendees will include Dept. of Finance commissioner Tom Hanson. Four-wheel
vehicles will be provided by Moon Motors. Funding for the YMCA Park should fit in with the
Governor's bond issue. Park commissioners are invited.
Tom Pawelk distributed a brochure that details options for the Memorial Park Bench and Tree
Program. There have been several consumer calls to public works and the City website. Larry
Nolan has volunteered to weed and care for the shrub area along Riverside Cemetery and West
River Street. Basketball hoops have been installed at Groveland Park.
Park staff will join the East Bridge Park volunteers Monday, Oct. 8. The open-air shelter for
West Bridge Park was not approved by the City Council, who requested a new set of bids
which will put the installation of the shelter into 2008. Replacement of the play structure in
River Mill Park is due in 2008. Residents will be petitioned as to what they wish to have in
their neighborhood park.
The Y, mile long pathway through Pioneer Park should be completed by the end of October.
Larry Nolan will verify where the funds will be taken from.
The fishing dock in Ellison was badly damaged by a vehicle driving on it. Repairs will be made
over the winter.
6. Adiourn.
NANCY MCCAFFREY MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 5:25 P.M. RICK TRAVER
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.