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Parks Commission Minutes 08-23-2001 . . . MINUTES RI;:GULAR MEETING - PARKS COMMISSION Thursday, August 23, 2()OI - 4:30 p.m. Members Present: Larry Nolan, Nancy McCaffrey and Earl Smith Members Absent: StaIf Fran Fair, Rick Traver and Council Liaison, Roger Carlson Gregg Engle, Parks Superintendent 1. Call to Order. 2. Chair Larry Nolan called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared a quorum present. Jeff O'Neill provided a brief update on the Gillard pathway and the River Mill pathway bef()re leaving. He reported that the city engineer is looking at costs for construction of the proposed trail segment to be located in front of the houses along Gillard Avenue. Preliminary findings indicate that to construct the pathway along the ditch line would be both difficult and costly. One option would be to construct the trail along the road bed at the top. Another option would be to build the trail closer to the front yards of the property owners. The engineer will be providing cost estimates for all three options. On the River Mill traiL the developer has indicated that he will install the trail segment through the outlot at no cost to the city. The city will be responsible f()r constructing the trail along the top of the sliding hill. There arc monies in the trail/pathway fund that could be used for that purpose. Approve minutes of the reeular meeting of .Julv 19.2001 and the special meetine of August 13. 200t. EARL SMITH MOVED TO APPROVL~ 'n-IE MINUTES OF '1'1 IE JULY 19,2001 MEETING AS PRESENTL:D. NANCY MCCAFFREY SECONDI~[) THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. EARL SMITH MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINLrrES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF AUGUST 13,2001 AS PRESENTED. NANCY MCCAFFRL~Y SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3. Consideration of adding items to the agenda. 4. It was noted that an update was provided on the Gillard Avenue pathway. Citizens requests. None . . . Parks Commission Minutes - 8/23/0 I 5. Budget Reform Cregg Engle reported on the preliminary 2002 budget. Aftcr subrnitting his budget, Gregg Engle was inl()fmed that the budgct would have to be trimmed back to $600,000. Currently maintenance and operations comprises $505,185 of the budget. Gregg [~ngle reviewed with the Parks Commissions what items he had cut from thc prcliminary 2002 budget and what items were retained. One area he reduced was the equipment expenditures. The proposed 2002 budget contains expenditures t()!" the f()lIowing cquipment: I) Replace 955 John Deere tractor; 2) 1/4 backhoe and 3) skid steer trailer. The original preliminary budget was $749.235 and he cut it back to $600.235. 6. Capital Improvements 2002 Discussion Based on the revised preliminary budget. the Parks Commission discussed some of the capital outlays for 2002. Improvements to Ellison Park are pretty much completed and the West/East Bridge park development was proceeding along t~lirly well. The remaining major park to be developed is Pioneer Park and in one of the park tours conducted earlier, the Parks Commission listed improvements needed. 'The initial f()Cus will be on the shelter, parking lot and skating rink. 7. Wcst Bridl!e Park/East Bridge Park Improvement Update Gregg Engle reported on the bid results fix the playground strueturc at West Bridge Park. Wisconsin Playground carne in at $35,000 and Midwest Playground came in at $37,000. In looking at placement of the structure in the park, it was discovered that the area proposed for the playground structure contained utility lines. While these lines are 12' deep, both the Public Works Director and the City Engincer adviscd against placing structures over the utilities. In light of that Gregg Engle offered the following options f(Jr the Parks Commission to consider: I) Parks Commission could go to the ('ouncil and ask thcir approval of placing the playground structure over the utilities; 2) Review thc park dcvelopmcnt plan and move the existing play structure more to the north. This would require removing and relocating the path. In this location the new playground structure would not be readily seen from TH 25; and 3) Place thc new playground structure where the existing structure is. Earl Smith felt that the park was a key element in the North Anchor area and the play structure is a showpiece t()!' the parle He felt it should remain in the area originally designated. He felt placing it elsewhere would diminish its effect. The Parks Commission discussed the various options, including the amount of work and the difficulty of moving the pathway or the existing play area. EARL SMITH MOVED TO RETAIN THE PLACEMENT OF THE PLAYGROUND STRUCTURE AS ORIGINALLY LAID OUT. NANCY MCCAFFREY SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSL Y. The Parks Commission felt that the risk of something happening with the utilities that would require the moving of the playground structure was minor. Nancy McCaffrey askcd ifthc . . . 12. Park Commission Minutes - 8/23/0 I situation arosc where the play structure had to he moved, would it be done by city staff or the company who installcd it. Gregg Englc replied that it depended on whethcr it was still under warranty or not. Ifit was moved by city staff while during the warranty period that would cancel the warranty. Larry Nolan will talk to Jefl O'Neill to detennine if this something that should come hefl.)re the Council. Gregg Engle discussed some other items relating the play structure including a proposal for curbing Il.)!" the 5' walkway around the structure. He has also talked to North Country Landscaping to get an estimate for putting in the wall into the hill hehind the play structure. The Parks Commission discussed types of material lor landscaping such as natural stone or anchor hloek. The city engineer had recommended removing at least 12" of material, placing a geotextilc mat and placing larger stones (8"-10") instead of the river rock (4"-6") originally suggested. The public works director felt that there should he a 5' strip at the top for snowplowing so that the plow wings would not hit the rocks. 8. Mcadow Oaks/Parkside Park Update lhe Park Department stalf planted trees at Parkside this week near the "Park and Ride" area. 9. Discussion/Aereement on Battle Rapids I'~xtension Homcowners in the Battle Rapids area asked to have staff include in their maintenance thc arca just beyond thc pole. Originally the Parks Commission had stated that stall should go just to the pole with their maintenance of the area. The Parks Commission lelt it to the discretion of thc Park Supervisor. I f he had time and stall to do this. they had no problem extending thc area that was maintained. The property owners were informed that any removal of trees in the area would have to he approvcd by thc DNR. 10. D.E.D. Program IJpdate Gregg Engle reported that the removal of 18 tree with Dutch Elm discase that wcre located on residential property is nearly complete. 'fhe removal of approximately 21 trecs on city owned land would be rcmovcd later in the year when the work load is lighter. 11. Cemetery Update Park Department staff is conducting an inventory of trees at Riverside Cemetery. Markers are also being placcd to clearly designate what is lot and what is walkway. This is all hcing done in to better guide long term planning t()t" the cemetery. Pioneer Park Update Gregg Engle met with Mike Lundquist and Skip Sorenson and they are still working on the plans and getting cost estimatcs for construction. The Lions are attempting to get the concrete for the slab donated. The Parks Department will bc starting sitc preparation in a couple of weeks. Nancy 3 . . . Park Commission Minutes - 8/23/01 McCaffrey asked if the information she submitted on the cupolas was sufficient or if there was anything c1se needed. Ci-regg Engle indicated that for the time being, he had the information he needed. 13. Consideration of Purchase of Soccer Goals Tabled until the next meeting. 14. Adjourn NANCY MCCAFFREY MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 5:50 P.M. EARL SMITll SECONDED TI IE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. ~-~?~ Recording Secretary 4