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Parks Commission Minutes 03-21-2002 . . . MINlJTES REGULAR MEETING - PARK COMMISSION Thursday, Mareh 21,2002 - 4:30 p.m. "To el/hance ('on"mll/i~r pride throl/I(II del'e/opilll( III/d Illllil/raining ci~r pllrhS with IIllil(ll\tandllrd 'l Ifl/llli~r" Members Present: Larry Nolan. Fran Fair, Nancy McCaffrey, Earl Smith. Rick Traver and Council Liaison, Roger Carlson Members Absent: None Staff: Public Works Director. John Simola and Parks Superintendent. Adam Hawkinson 1. Call to Order. Chair Larry Nolan called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared a quorum prescnt. He acknowlcdged those students attending the mceting. 2. Approve Minutes of Februarv 21. 2002 Parks Commission meeting. RICK TRAVER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINlJTES OF THE fEBRlJAR Y 21. 2002 PARKS COMMISSION MEETING. FRAN FAIR SECONDED T'!-{E MOTION. MOTION CARRIED lJNANIMOlJSL Y. 3. Consideration of adding items to the a1!cnda. Larry Nolan asked that a discussion of Walk and Roll and the pathway dcdication hc added to the agenda. A discussion of the plantings for thc West Bridge Park was also added to thc agenda. Earl Smith stated he vvould like to see a discussion with the new park superintendent ahout the dircction he is proceeding with the parks. 4. Citizens Reuuests. None. 5. Entrance Signs - Undatc. Nancy McCaffrey submittcd a summary of mcetings and telephone contacts she had relating to the entrance signs. The summary listed possible sitcs fl.)]' the cntrance signs and hlctors to he considered in selecting thc sites. Nancy McCaffrey had pictures for the Parks Commission showing thl various locations. Alter reviewing the potential sites for the entrance signs with the Parks Commission. Nancy McCatlrey then went over design criteria. She noted the types of materials used in various signs and costs. She had also met with John Simola and Adam Hawkinson to see what . . . Park Minutes - 3/21/02 materials the City had on hand. From a number of sources she had selected pictures of various types of entrance signs which she submitted to the Parks Conlll1ission. Adam Ilawkinson presentcd a preliminary sign idea which would utilize a lattice section which the City has on hand and then design, add-on that could be mounted onto the lattice with thc Citis logo located on the side. The sign would be done in colors of the logo. He will try to have a more detailed sketch or a model f()r the next 111ecting. Nancy McCaffrey will continue to meet with city staff and other entitics to get additional information on locations and designs. 6. Review and diseussion of ballfield use and maintenanee issues including contrihutions from baseball and softball associations. Adall1 Ilawkinson reported on his mecting with representatives of the various softball and haseball groups to discuss use and maintenance of the ballfields. After revicwing the revenue generatcd by concessions and the expenditures flJr ballfield maintenance, it was determined that fl.)!" 2002. the group~ would increase tJ'om $125 to $150 per team the contrihution made to the City with the understanding that this amount would he incrcased again in 2003. Thcrc will also be an incrcase to $75/per lield/pcr day for tournament use. In addition the City will bc asking that a monthly financial report be submitte rather than an annual report. Thc associations were given fonl1s for tracking invcntory. The concessions operation is run by the softball association except for a two week period when it is operated by the youth baseball association. Earl Smith asked about the City having someone to coordinate/schedule ballfield use. Adalll Ilawkinson indicated that he had talked to Monticello Community Center staff ahout this. In addition a person has been hired by the Public Works Department to assist the Public Works staff so that person could possibly be utilized flJr that purposc. Adam Ilawkinson discussed some of the changes that were taking place with the mowing operations. The department is looking at selling some of the existing mowing cquipment and replacing it with lightcr more maneuverable pieccs. They are also looking at landscaping somc areas that were previously being mowed and will be utilizing spraying as well. The mowing routes will be coordinated and thc opcrations will be conductcd using procedurcs similar to mowing contractors. They anticipate mowing the fields twice a wcck and all other arcas oncc a week. Thc Parks Commission discussed staffing nceds. Adam Hawkinson felt the four full-time employees and the seasonal help should be adequate. 7. Review of existing A TV ordinanee and discussion of ehangcs to the ordinance. ^s directed by City Council, the Parks Commission reviewed the present ordinance governing A TV use in the City. The City's ordinancc prohibits A TV use in the parks or on the trails within the City. A copy of the ordinance has bcen given to the Sheriff s [)epartment so they are aware of thc restrictions on ATV use. 'T'he Parks Commission discussed those arcas that were off-limits as Lu" as ArV use and also discussed what arcas. if any, could be designatcd for A TV usc. Fran Fair asked if designating 2 . Park Minutes - 3/21/02 specitic areas wouldn't open up some liability risk t'()r the City. It was pointed out that the DNR is trying to deal with the issue of A TV use in state parks and yet 111inimize the environmental impact they have. Earl Sll1ith suggested that a committee be set up to review and, if needed, make changes to the City's ATV ordinance. Larry Nolan. Earl Smith and John Simola will make up the committee and the Monticello Police Commission will be contacted to see if they want to have a representative on the committce or provide input on the ordinanee. The Parks Commission discussed whcther the issue of ATV use came up beeause there were inadequacies in the ordinancc or deficiencies in the enf()l'cement of the ordinance. It was suggcsted that perhaps the eommittee would want to look at the snowmobile ordinance also. 8. Pari.. Maintenance Items. . 9. . Adam Hawkinson submitted a list of the work completed by the Parks staff and complimented the stat'l on the work they had accomplished. Although the Parks Commission had no questions on the work list. L,arry Nolan askcd about signagc to keep the snowmobiles li'om going ovcr the plantings at the parle Adam Hawkinson stated that in the spring staff will try to put up some split rail fences in a location to direct snowmobile traflic away !i'om the plantings. West Bridge Park - Swin2:S. The recent spell of bad wcather delayed the staff in making a decision on the location of the swings. Adam Ilawkinson did contact some playground equipment vendors regarding the eost or the swings and he noted that one finn had a $1,000 price increase from last year. Adam Ilawkinson had a preliminary sketch that showed the swings on the east side of the ship structure. The swings need 6' on the side and 12' fi'ont and back. Earl Smith asked about locating a small tot lot at the park. The Parks Commission also talked about the area where the skating rink is located. Adam Hawkinson suggested putting in a hard court with hoops and then flood the court in the winter. With the gcnerallayout proposed all the recreational activity would be on one side of the park and the more passive activity such as walking would be on the other side. The Parks Commission would like to do a physical inspection before the final decision is made. John Simola indicated that some storm sewer work needs to be done in thc park. The Parks Commission also noted that Bridge Park is a showcase park for the city and would enhance the development proposed to go in along Front Street. 1 n. Review handout on clearing/cutting on nark lands. John Simola reviewed the information previously submitted about clear cutting along the wild and sce] river designation. It was noted that the elearing work done in the Rattle Rapids park area was probably a violation of the ordinance. In preparing guidelines for clearing, John Simola and Adam I lawkinson considered safety and liability issues as well as the time involved to have statT mark the trel for trimminglremoval. All things being considered, the 1110st sensible course of action was to not allo\\ " _J . . . Park Minutes - 3/21/02 volunteers to be clearing trees on city owned property. If volunteers wanted to help they could assist ir relnoving cleared trees but safety concerns Inade it too risky to have them do the tree cutting. II. Selection list of items for park donations. Adam Ilawkinson brought catalogues showing the various type of benches which ranged t'rodnl benches with the plaque inserted in the bench. to plastic to wood. The cost of each type of material was discussed. The placement of any benches or donated trees would be determined by the Park Superintendent. Adam Hawkinson suggested that in lieu of individual plaques on each donated tree 0 bench, in the area of the flagpole a stone could be placed listing the names of those individuals in who~ mcmory the donation was madc. A list of acceptable donation items and their prices would he availahle t<:)r donors to review. 12. Modificl:ltion to Riverside Cemetery Rules and Rel!ulations regarding markers. The Parks Commission discussed the proposed modification to the reccntly adopted rules and regulations Cor Riverside Cemetery which would designatc a 4" thickness as the standard for markers. RICK TRAVER MOVED TO AMEND THE RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE RIVERSIDE CEMETERY TO REQUIRE MARKERS TO BE 4" IN THICKNESS. EARL SMITH SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, Walk and Roll: The Parks Conlmission discussed incorporating a ribbon cutting ceremony f(Jr the new pcdestrian bridge as part of the Walk and Roll Celehration. A number of ideas were discussed. The Parks Commission will do (he ribbon cutting ceremony for thcir part of Walk and Roll. The Parks Commission fclt that scheduling the ribbon cutting at 9:30 would bc a good way to kick ofT Walk and Roll. John Simola noted there is still some work to be done on the project by thc contractor. Earl Smith asked about the trail in thc River Forest developmcnt and when that would be completcd. West Bridge PhlDtings: Fran Fair suhmitted a sketch of the proposed plantings for West Bridge Park and a preliminary budget. The cost of the perennials was estimated at $1,300. She questioned whether thcre would he adequate funds in the budget t<:H it. The draft budget document showed $2.500. John Simola will check with Rick Wolfsteller and then let Fran Fair know the budget amount. Upon hcaring from John Simola, Fran Fair \vill order the plants. There was also a brief discussion on where to get the other matcrials needed and the cost of the Inaterials. 13. Adjourn. NANCY MCCAFFRI':Y MOVI,j) TO ADJOURN AT 6:30 P.M. RICK TRAVER SECONDED TIlE MOTION. MOTION CARRIFD UNANIMOUSLY. D~c_._y':) ...._>y:;s~ JI- R d' S \l ccor lng '. cerctary 4